There is so much to love about February. Long walks on frosty mornings, the romance and red roses of Valentine's Day, a new year still in its opening act...
But often, at this time of year, we cast our mind back to the plans we set and promises we made to ourselves back at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, and very often we feel like we've let ourselves down by not working harder at turning our dreams into reality.
What are your New Year's Resolutions? What goals have you set for 2019? How do you feel about the aims you set for yourself back on the 1st Jan?
If you've stuck to them, well done you! You can pat yourself on the back for being part of an exclusive club of awesome, goal-smashing gals.
But if you haven't, don't worry. You're not alone, and you're still an awesome goal-smashing gal!
It's so easy to lose sight of what it is that we truly want, especially when the daily grind takes over, leaving us tired, depleted and with little energy left over to dream, plan and achieve those goals.
We can feel demotivated and demoralised, feeling like a failure and that our dreams are further away than ever and will never come true.
But THAT is simply not true.
No need to be harsh on ourselves or our life. Life is a busy, crazy, messy thing and it can get in the way of the stuff we most want to do. And that's OK.
But we CAN and WILL get there, one way or another, and even if our path to success stops and starts, twists and turns and meanders a little, which it will, accept that that is simply part of the journey and is OK.
The number one rule is not to be so hard on yourself. Don't berate yourself for having no willpower or 'stick-ability'. Maybe you know what it is that you want to do, but maybe the way to achieve that is a little fuzzy or daunting. Maybe you simply don't know where to begin? Perhaps you lack confidence in your ability to actually manifest your dreams? Perhaps you are scared to fail? Or even scared to succeed?
But know that you have within you the desire and the motivation to succeed. We all doubt ourselves and ebb and flow in terms of how much energy we have to make our goals happen. That is natural. Just ease up on yourself, flow with your own rhythms and believe in YOU because you are awesome!
A FEW TIPS TO REV UP YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE & SMASH THOSE GOALS
SHE'S MAKING A LIST, SHE'S CHECKING IT TWICE...
You have already achieved and done so much in your life. You have amazing qualities, skills, experiences and characteristics that you have drawn on, perhaps without even being aware of them, that have shaped your life in brilliant ways, both obvious and subtle.
Think of all the things you have already made happen. Maybe you went to college or university and studied hard? Maybe you are self-taught and super smart? Maybe you are a brilliant daughter, sister, friend, partner or mother? Perhaps you've travelled a lot, achieved success at work, or maybe you make people smile, laugh or feel better about themselves?
Whatever it is that makes you YOU, notice it, celebrate it and make a list and stick it on your bathroom mirror or some place you will see it often.
Remind yourself that you have already done AMAZING, UNIQUE things, and that you CAN, and WILL, do them again. Go, girl!
THOSE DOUBTS CREEP IN... THEN THEY CAN LEAVE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Yes, there will be lots of times when we doubt ourselves and think we have never achieved anything, that we never will achieve anything, yadda yadda yadda, and on and on we go with our negative, limiting self-talk.
But that's OK. We're human. It's probably better to doubt than not to doubt as it shows a healthy dose of humility and intelligence. Looking before you leap is a good idea; it only becomes a problem when we let fear win and we never make that leap, even when we've researched it, know it's a safe leap and we really want to make that leap, but allow our doubts, insecurities and fears to hold us back.
So don't beat yourself up over feeling down on yourself, just take yourself in hand, read your 'List of Awesomeness' (see above!) and then seek out some inspirational, motivational books or magazines to read, podcasts to listen to and learn from those people who have discovered how to feel confident and are super-motivated to reach their goals. If they can do it, why can't I? And just remember, no-one feels confident or motivated all the time, so don't compare.
There is no comparison. We are all uniquely different and uniquely awesome.
SHINE A LIGHT ON YOUR PATH
What is it that is stopping you from going after what you want?
Often, it is very simply a case of us not actually being able to see the path.
So turn on your light and light up your own, unique path!
What do you love to do? What are you passionate about?
And then just take baby-steps down that path, stopping to refuel, rest and restore as needed, and without guilt or self-judgement, and simply keep putting one foot in front of the other...
But take the first step in faith.
Go create the life you love, but don't forget to love the life you're already living, with all its everyday twists and turns and joys :-)
Shine bright! x