I embarked on the second annual 60-Day Challenge to re-wire the brain, re-set the body, and re-balance the soul. Every day I posted a reflection question to evoke presence, inquiry, and support amidst the internet noise. Participants respond using the comments section or DM me.
I wasn’t sure I was going to do the challenge this year because I had launched my first 6-Module Stress to Strength Program, broke my collarbone and had two surgeries, worked a second job, and prioritized my relationships.
Honestly, I haven’t had many participants, I haven’t received much feedback, and I have wondered whether I was leaving an impact. Many times, I thought, “I’m not posting today. No one will notice. It doesn’t matter anyway.” And, you know what? I never let that thought become reality. I posted every day, for 60 days.
Building a business can feel extremely personal, unpredictable, and challenging at times. Ultimately, it wasn’t that I created the challenge to make money – that was not my intention at all – but what I’d hoped was to create a movement of a small group of people who wanted to spend a few moments to be present, reflect, and support each other.
I’m realizing that anything I put out into the world isn’t personal. And, whatever story I make up about whether it is “making an impact” or “of value” has nothing to do with the responses or lack thereof. It’s hilarious when I think of it because I teach my clients that “where your attention goes, your energy flows.” Much of the time, our attention is so unconscious that we’re living our days on autopilot. I am not immune to this experience. I was focused on external validation to soothe my inner fears.
How many times a day do we do this – act as if our perception of reality IS reality? Often, it is the stories we create that build the reality we’re trying to confirm. It has no basis in “reality” at all. These stories are our feelings, our limiting beliefs, our perceptions of our physical sensations, and the meaning we make about our daily lives.
Whether people participated in the challenge or not has no bearing on whether my work has value. And, because I’m ready to geek out and get existential, what’s my work anyway? I have built this identity of someone who is or does fill-in-the-blank (i.e. is a therapist, cares about people, broke my collarbone). While these things are true, they are also not what defines my worth, my value, or my contribution to making an impact.
For those of you who prefer less existentialism and more practicality, I also practiced many things I teach my clients and are outlined below:
Key Takeaways:
- Consistency is Key:
- The Power of Small Steps: Breaking down the goal into smaller, manageable tasks made it less overwhelming.
- Creating a Routine: Establishing a consistent routine helped me stay on track, even on busy days.
- Mindfulness and Self-Awareness:
- Checking In with Myself: Regular reflection helped me identify patterns, challenges, and areas for improvement.
- Practicing Gratitude: Focusing on the positive aspects of my life boosted my overall mood and motivation.
- Overcoming Obstacles:
- Embracing Imperfection: Recognizing that setbacks are a normal part of the process.
- Learning from Mistakes: Using challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned:
- Time Constraints: Juggling work, family, and personal commitments often made it difficult to prioritize the challenge.
- Solution: Trusting that inspired action would carry me. IT WORKED!
- Lack of Motivation: There were days when I felt uninspired or demotivated.
- Solution: Reminding myself of my long-term goals and celebrating small victories.
By sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage others to take on their own challenges and embrace the power of personal transformation. I wish you ALL well in your mind-body-soul integration.
Lighting the Path 