And Therefore Your Business And Your Relationships

Regardless of your current level of health there are always areas to improve upon, level up in and be better. Continual progress is a part of life - if you’re not striving to be better every day then you’re stagnant. Human beings are wired to grow, improve and evolve, regardless of how small the steps are.

It can often seem daunting - sometimes there are so many areas you want to improve upon that you don't even know where to begin! It’s overwhelming and leads to so much doubt and uncertainty, which doesn’t serve you OR your purpose? Sound familiar?

STEP 1: DISCOVER THE PROBLEM/ISSUE

Without getting down to the nitty gritty about they WHAT makes it impossible to focus on the WHY. If you’re unwilling to see your own shortcomings then the rest of the steps are moot. There are two ways to discover what’s REALLY holding you back. Try on one or both - but just START!

The first is through self-discovery - this can often look like meditation where you really focus on the negative emotions and the problem itself. If meditation sounds a little too “woo woo” simply try eliminating external distractions for 5-10 minutes and focus on the negative feelings and root triggers that make the problem worse or better. The key is to “face and follow” - face the emotion and follow the triggers that make it worse or better.

The second approach would be to get an outside perspective, which is why I would advocate those truly committed to change to hire a coach. Whether it is a business, life or health and wellness coach - an attentive coach will be able to see shifts in your mood or behaviour and often recognize your problems before you do. Their perspective and experience is invaluable so make sure you hire a coach who is willing to be upfront and honest with you about what they see. Their job is not to give you a prescription for a solution but to guide you through finding out what areas you need to change and what changes you are willing and able to implement. Then they hold you accountable.

STEP 2: ANALYZE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

To get from point A - your current state, to point B - your goal you need a road map. To construct this road map you need to clearly identify the causes and consequences that keep you stuck in Point A. Maybe it’s too little sleep, lack of preparation in nutrition, not scheduling time to move your body, etc. By first identifying the causes and subsequent consequences you can’t build your personal roadmap to achieving greatness. Maybe you’re eating the wrong foods or drinking and staying up late to mask your own fears and insecurities. These are empty activities that are distractions. By clearly identifying the causes and consequences of those things that hinder your success as well as those things that help your success will allow you to begin making changes in your current state.

STEP 3: CREATE OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS

Every problem should have 2 solutions, this helps avoid the “all or nothing” mentality. In this step it is crucial to build your “tribe” - whether it be reaching out to someone who has found solutions to similar problems, hiring a coach, an online group or reading a books written by others who have faced similar struggles - building your personal “tribe” as a foundation can help you devise your own two solutions.

Now you’re probably asking: Why two? Not all well-researched solutions will work for you, we are all individuals and that’s why I always emphasize the INDIVIDUALITY of the person whom I am coaching. What worked for one won’t work for all or even most. By having two solutions you don’t give yourself the chance to give up on self-improvement just because of a single hiccup. With two solutions, you can move straight from solution A (if it doesn’t work) to solution B.

When I finally started paying attention to my own shortcomings and mistakes, I knew I needed a lot of help mapping out a way forward. So I challenged myself—with the help of a coach—to network with people who had done what I wanted to do (an personal example would be competing in bodybuilding). I learned from their mistakes and successes so that I could take steps I knew would work.

Second, start researching success routines and techniques of those that inspire you, internalize their teachings, research lessons on mindfulness, taking full advantage of the hours in a day, and the necessity of working outside your comfort zone. Some books that I highly recommend are Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown and The 1% Rule by Tommy Baker. (honestly, I have read so many and gleaned so much valuable information it is hard to choose just a few! Feel free to send me a message if you have something specific you’d like to research for your own goals!).

This two-pronged approach will allow you grow in two different ways at the same time—with one approach complementing the other. There were certain very practical things that my coach and tribe taught me that the my own research couldn’t and vice-versa. Both together, however, were key to my ultimate success.

STEP 4: COMMIT TO ACTION

I know you are probably disappointed that ACTION ranks fourth in following the steps to achieving your goals! We are all wired to take action NOW! However without the proper self-discovery, research and formulating a plan any action you take almost will inevitably result in failure - and not the self growth type but the type that derails you completely and takes your farther away from your goals then where you started!

However, after going through Steps 1 -3 you will have SOLUTION in place and a plan to implement that solution. Then act with INTENTION and a sense URGENCY! Find accountability partners— your coach, your tribe, business partners, —who can check to make sure you’re following through on your “solution roadmap.”

A big part of this is ROUTINE. If you create a routine (or tweak an existing routine to accommodate your solution), you will start to build habits around daily action steps. If you already have a strong routine in place, then weave this new solution into it.

Rituals form habits that result in routines and pretty soon these routines will be so second nature - go to bed by 10 p.m., wake up early and meditate, practice gratitude, exercise, make your meals for the day - that it will become second-nature.

STEP 5: EVALUATE PERFORMANCE

As you follow your personal road map make sure to stop and take inventory to review your achievements. Is your road map working? Does it address your problem, or is it just another thing you’re trying to cram into your day?

This is where a coach really becomes valuable. Not only are they someone who provides accountability—someone you desperately do not want to disappoint—but they regularly ask you questions about how your routines, habits, and techniques are moving you toward your biggest goals.

Ideally your accountability should be both public and private— not only does this INCREASE your level of accountability but it also gives you the opportunity to inspire others to do the same in their lives! How wonderful that the ability to change the lives of others is a natural byproduct of achieving your own greatness!

I love hearing from you - drop me a line!

IN DISCIPLINE AND WELLNESS,

Shannon