The idea of willingly embracing incompetence might seem counterintuitive. However, there's a profound truth hidden within this paradox: "The best way to become great at something is to suck at it with enthusiasm." These wise words by Authenticity Empowerment Coach Mindy Aisling encourage us to shatter the fear of failure and boldly venture into uncharted territories, accepting that stumbling is an integral part of the journey towards excellence.

Embracing the Unknown
As human beings, we tend to stick to what we know and excel at, avoiding situations where our competence may be in question. We avoid the discomfort of feeling like a beginner because it threatens our sense of self-worth and competence. However, it's precisely this fear that often hinders personal growth and prevents us from discovering new talents and passions.

Embracing the unknown is a crucial step in personal development. When you decide to embark on a new journey, whether it's picking up a musical instrument, trying a new sport, or learning a foreign language, you are essentially choosing to leave the safety of your comfort zone. It's important to acknowledge that at the beginning of any such endeavor, you're likely to be far from proficient. You might even "suck" at it, as Mindy Aisling suggests. But this is where the magic happens.

The Power of Enthusiastic Sucking

To "suck" at something means to perform poorly or unskillfully in the initial stages. It means making mistakes, fumbling, and perhaps even feeling a bit foolish. But here's the key: it's okay to suck at something when you're just starting. In fact, it's more than okay—it's essential.

When you embrace the process of learning with enthusiasm, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. Enthusiastic sucking is not about accepting mediocrity; it's about recognizing that the path to mastery is paved with failures, missteps, and countless setbacks. These are the building blocks of success.

The Learning Curve

Every skill or talent has a learning curve. It's a graphical representation of your progress, and it often starts with a steep climb from the bottom, where you might feel completely out of your depth. This is where most people give up or shy away from trying something new. But this is also where the growth happens.

Think about a child learning to walk. In the beginning, they wobble, stumble, and fall repeatedly. But they don't give up. They keep trying, fueled by their curiosity and determination. Eventually, they become proficient walkers. The same principle applies to adults learning new skills or mastering new endeavors.

Overcoming Fear of Failure

The fear of failure is a powerful psychological barrier. It can prevent you from taking that first step toward something you've always wanted to try. However, when you acknowledge that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success, you can start to shift your perspective.

Failure teaches valuable lessons. It shows you what doesn't work, allowing you to make adjustments and try again. Each "sucky" attempt brings you one step closer to improvement. The key is to maintain your enthusiasm throughout the process, even when things get tough. As you gain experience and learn from your mistakes, you'll gradually find yourself moving up the learning curve.

Building Resilience and Confidence

Embracing enthusiastic sucking also builds resilience and self-confidence. When you're willing to endure the initial discomfort of incompetence and keep pushing forward, you develop grit and determination. These qualities not only serve you well in your current endeavor but can also be applied to other areas of your life.

As you make progress and see your skills improve, your self-confidence naturally grows. You start to believe in your ability to conquer challenges, and this newfound confidence spills over into various aspects of your life. You become a more adaptable and capable individual.

So, be brave enough to suck at something new. Embrace the discomfort of incompetence with enthusiasm, knowing that it's a temporary stage on your journey to mastery. Mindy Aisling's wise words remind us that greatness is born from a willingness to face our limitations head-on and to keep pushing forward, even when we feel like we're far from achieving excellence. Remember, it's not about how you start; it's about how you persist and evolve along the way. In the end, you'll not only become great at what you set out to do but also discover the incredible strength and resilience within yourself.

For many of us, our lives have become a checklist of tasks, and we've learned to evaluate ourselves by our productivity. The 30-Day Choose Happiness Challenge offers a refreshing shift in perspective, inviting participants to prioritize their happiness by engaging in activities they love every single day for an entire month. This challenge, beginning in September, encourages us to put intention and attention into the things that make us smile and nourish our souls. Focusing on what truly matters is a natural catalyst for positive changes in our lives.

The Power of Choosing Happiness
Choosing happiness is a revolutionary act in today's fast-paced world. It's about consciously making choices that uplift our spirits and nourish our well-being. While responsibilities and obligations are essential, they should not overshadow the simple pleasures and passions that light up our lives. The 30-Day Choose Happiness Challenge recognizes the significance of prioritizing joy, as it allows us to strike a balance between doing and being.

The Challenge Unveiled
Starting in September, the 30-Day Choose Happiness Challenge encourages participants to dedicate each day to an activity or experience they genuinely love. This activity could be anything – from spending time with loved ones, engaging in a creative hobby, taking a nature walk, reading a favorite book, indulging in self-care rituals, cooking a favorite meal, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around us. The goal is to shift the focus from measuring our lives by productivity to valuing moments of happiness and contentment.

Breaking the Routine
One of the most remarkable aspects of this challenge is its ability to break the monotony of daily routines. By actively seeking out activities that bring joy, participants step out of their comfort zones and create new, exciting experiences. This break from the ordinary infuses a renewed sense of enthusiasm into life, making each day feel special and worth cherishing.
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Fostering Mindfulness
The 30-Day Choose Happiness Challenge also promotes mindfulness – the practice of being fully present in the moment. As participants engage in activities they love, they learn to appreciate the nuances of each experience. Whether it's the aroma of a homemade dessert, the laughter shared with friends, or the feeling of grass beneath their feet, mindfulness deepens the connection to these moments, amplifying their impact on overall well-being.

Creating Positive Change
As the challenge progresses, participants often notice positive changes manifesting in their lives. This shift is not just a coincidence – it's a result of focusing on happiness and self-nourishment. When we prioritize joy, we become more attuned to our needs and desires. This heightened awareness can lead to healthier habits, improved relationships, reduced stress, and enhanced creativity.

Building a Supportive Community
Embarking on the 30-Day Choose Happiness Challenge doesn't mean you're on this journey alone. Enrolling friends, family, or colleagues to join you can create a sense of camaraderie and accountability. Sharing experiences, challenges, and triumphs can deepen connections and encourage everyone involved to continue prioritizing happiness long after the challenge concludes.

The 30-Day Choose Happiness Challenge is an invitation to transform the way we perceive our lives. By dedicating 30 days to engaging in activities that bring joy, participants embark on a journey of self-discovery, mindfulness, and positive change. As September approaches, let's prepare to embrace this challenge and remind ourselves that life's true value lies not solely in what we accomplish, but in the happiness and nourishment we cultivate along the way.

Join me on social media as I share my 30-day challenge journey every single day in September! 

​​❤️ Mindy

There is a common storyline where the hero is simply going about their daily tasks and adventure finds them.  Bilbo was sitting in his living room with Gandalf showed up with a tribe of dwarves, Cinderella was at home doing chores when a couple of mice and a fairy godmother sent her to the ball and changed her life and Jack was at the market doing some grocery shopping when he was offered magic beans.  Simple stories that contribute to this idea that we don't have to do anything to make our dreams come true - that adventure and magic will find us sitting on our couch and sweep us away. 

Learning to let go is one of the hardest stages of the personal growth and development journey.  It is human nature to want to hold on to what is good, and to try to control our environment to give us the things that we want.  That might work if you were the exclusive force in this world - but that's not the case.  The truth is that life itself is a force, or more accurately two forces.  I call them Magic and Chaos.  

Magic is when something desirable happens that is not linear or logical.  It doesn't quite make sense by the rules of this world.  This is the force behind the teachings of Law of Attraction and The Secret.  I'm a pretty logical, data-driven Type A person, but I have had things happen in my life that defy logic.  I have encountered and aligned with this "Magic" in my life on more than one occasion, so I know first hand that it exists.  

Chaos is when something undesirable happens that is not linear or logical.  Why does one person suffer, and other person gain?  Why did an intoxicated driver hit my car, and not the car right behind me?  Why didn't I leave the house 1 minute later?   Why was my child healthy, and another child born sick?  The truth is that there is a force in life that brings unexpected trauma and tragedy to us, and we can't control that force. 

So, we have the two forces of life, and then our own unique life force, and these three forces make up our reality.  The thing is that these forces are like air - they are streams of power.  They can't be controlled or contained.  This is why life is designed to be touched - not strangled.  

Staying accepting to the present moment while at the same time aligning your vibration with that which you most desire most in the future allows for you to touch life gently while using your life force to create more of what you want.  

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We all have certain beliefs that we hold as true, despite evidence to the contrary. Whether it’s a superstition that we’ve held since childhood or a myth that we believe in, these beliefs can often hold us back from living our best lives. In this blog post, we will explore five common myths that people believe in and how debunking these myths can inspire us to lead our best lives. By the end of this article, you will have a new perspective on these myths and hopefully, feel empowered to take charge of your life.

Many of us believe that success is directly correlated with popularity. We often think that we need to fit in with the crowd to be successful. However, the truth is that standing out and being different is often what leads to success. By embracing your individuality and pursuing your passions, you may discover a niche that sets you apart from the crowd. Remember, the most successful people are often the ones who go against the norm.​

Many of us believe that fear is a limiting factor in our lives. We often think that we need to overcome our fears to succeed. However, fear can be a powerful motivator. It can inspire us to take action and make changes in our lives. By embracing our fears and using them to fuel us, we can achieve incredible things.​

Many of us believe that success is a destination that we need to reach. However, success is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It’s a daily effort to achieve our goals and aspirations. By embracing this idea of success, we can enjoy the journey and appreciate the growth that comes with it.

By debunking cultural myths, we can gain a new perspective and feel empowered to take charge of our lives. Remember, success is not a destination, fear can be a motivator, and failure is an opportunity for growth. By embracing new perspectives, we can achieve incredible things and lead our best lives.  ​

People are always looking for ways to accelerate their personal growth, whether it be on a professional, emotional, or spiritual level. But where do you start? It can feel overwhelming to know where to begin when embarking on a journey of self-improvement. However, with the right tips and strategies in hand, you can make great strides towards achieving your goals. 

Living a life of growth and development requires a certain mindset that is open to learning and personal growth. When we create positive mindsets for ourselves, we open up the world of possibility for our lives. Let’s explore what kind of mindset is required for personal growth and how you can cultivate it within yourself. 

Successful Mindset Habits 
The first step to developing a successful mindset is to be mindful of the words and thoughts that you allow into your mind. Research has shown that speaking positively to yourself can help increase self-confidence, optimism, and resilience. Being aware of how you talk to yourself can help you shift from negative thought patterns to more positive ones. This will give you the confidence to take risks and try new things as part of your journey towards personal growth. 

Another important habit for cultivating a successful mindset is goal setting. Setting achievable goals gives us something tangible to work towards, which can motivate us even when faced with obstacles or failure. It also helps break large projects down into smaller tasks so that they are more manageable and easier to achieve in the long run. Additionally, writing down goals can help clarify what exactly it is that we want out of our lives, guiding us towards taking actionable steps towards achieving them. 

Finally, if we want to grow and develop ourselves, it’s essential to have a learning mindset rather than an ego-focused one. Having an open mind allows us to listen without judgment or criticism; this encourages others around us as well as ourselves to take risks and share ideas without fear or hesitation. By creating an environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged, we set ourselves up for success on our path towards personal growth.  
 
Developing a successful mindset takes time and effort but it is worth it in the end! Having a positive attitude towards life will open up more opportunities for learning and discovering new things about yourself while still being able connect with those around you in meaningful ways. With these habits in place, you’ll be well on your way towards embracing the journey of personal growth and all the rewards it brings! 

​We all know that feeling. It's the end of December, and we're reflecting on the year that was. We start thinking about all the things we didn't accomplish and how we want to change that in the coming year. And so, we make a resolutions list for the upcoming year. But then January comes, and we find ourselves struggling to keep our resolutions. Why does this happen?

The problem is that we often set resolutions that are too vague or too ambitious, and then we don't have a plan for how to achieve them. So, this year, let's change that! Here are some tips to help you prepare yourself to achieve your new year's resolutions.
Feel The Vibe 
The number one thing that you can do to prepare yourself to slay your New Year's resolutions this year is to develop a wild, heart-pounding, burning YES! to pull you forward towards what you want.  Let's face it - change is hard.  It requires the FOUR D's:  The Dream, The Discipline, The Discomfort, and The Dedication.  Research shows that the people that are successful in achieving their goals are the people who are deeply connected to their dream.  So, the first thing to do is connect with the story of your dream and feel the vibe of what you are creating for your future.   

Pick One Thing
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to New Year's resolutions is trying to take on too much at once. So, this year, pick one resolution and stick with it. Trying to lose weight, quit smoking, and start exercising all at the same time is likely to be overwhelming and will increase your chances of relapse. But if you focus on just one thing, you're more likely to be successful.  Your dream life can be created by developing the ability to direct your full focus on one small area at a time.  

Get Smaller
Your New Year's resolution should be something that you can realistically achieve. If your goal is too lofty, you're setting yourself up for failure. For example, if your goal is to lose 100 pounds, that may be unrealistic and could lead to unhealthy methods of weight loss such as crash dieting or over-exercising. Instead, try setting a smaller goal such as losing 10 pounds or slowly increasing your activity level throughout the year.  It is better to say that you are going to walk around the block 1x per day and actually do it - then to say that you're going to work out for 2 hours 3x per week and never get around to it.  Additionally, remember that self-trust is like a bank account, and you want to make sure that you're making more deposits than withdrawals.  

Be Aware
Once you've set your goal and figured out how you're going to achieve it, it's time to create a plan. This plan should include specific milestones and deadlines so that you can track your progress and adjust the course if necessary. Without a plan, it's easy to get off track or become discouraged when you don't see results immediately. But with a plan in place, you can stay motivated and on track even when the going gets tough.

Celebrate
One of the key pieces to goal achievement that people often gloss over is celebration, but celebrating your success is key to keeping motivation.  You see, when you celebrate yourself, your brain is flooding with the good hormones - the ones that make you feel invigorated, confident and motivated.  So, when you set small goals, and celebrate yourself for achieving them, you hack your brain's natural chemicals and set yourself up for success. 
Making New Year's resolutions is a great way to reflect on the past year and set yourself up for success in the coming one.  All too often, our well-intentioned resolutions fall by the wayside because we don't take the time to set ourselves up for success. This year, avoid these common pitfalls by feeling the vibe, picking one resolution, setting achievable goals, creating a plan for how you're going to achieve them, and celebrating yourself along the way. With these steps in place, you'll be well on your way to making this your best year yet!

What do stories and goals have in common? At first glance, not much. But if you think about it, both are nothing more than a series of events that lead to a specific outcome. The key difference is that stories are much more engaging than goals, which is why turning your goals into stories can be such an effective motivator.

Think about it this way: when you're reading a book or watching a movie, you're fully invested in the characters and their journey. You want them to succeed, and you feel invested in their story.  You can see how the entire arc of their story fits together, and how even hardship is leading them in the ultimate direction of their goal.  The same can be true of your own goals. When you frame them as a story, you're more likely to see them through to the end. 

Let's say your goal is to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year. That's all well and good, but it's not very inspiring. However, you can give your goal some narrative heft by saying "I want to lose 20 pounds so that I can become the healthier, more confident version of myself that I know is inside of me.  Losing the weight is just one part of transforming into this future self that I am becoming.  As I step more and more into being this future version of myself, I will get closer and closer to my goals, eventually becoming _____________ (whatever your ultimate goal is)" When framed as a story, suddenly you have much more motivation to see it through. 

The same goes for professional goals. Let's say your goal is to get a promotion at work. Again, that's admirable, but not particularly exciting. But if you turn it into a story by saying "I want to get promoted so that I can provide a better life for my family.  With this promotion, I will begin to build a legacy of wealth for my family that will allow my children and grandchildren to have the means to truly pursue their authentic gifts.  My family and I will have the opportunity to spend quality, meaningful time with each other.  Every Christmas, I will be able to afford to fly everyone in the family to spend the holiday together." then you have something much more worth fighting for. ​

Both of these are simple examples, but there are a collection of stories inside you that are deep, rich, and uniquely yours.  The more depth you give your stories, the easier it will be to achieve those goals.  Daydream until your stories are in technicolor.  Develop your stories to the point that you know what they taste like, smell like, and sound like.  The more detailed your stories are, the more powerfully they will motivate you to achieve your goals. 

Framing your goals as stories doesn't just make them more motivating—it also makes them easier to achieve. When you have a clear narrative arc, breaking down your goal into smaller, manageable steps becomes easier. 

Take our earlier example of wanting to lose 20 pounds. Once you've decided that your goal is to lose weight so that you can feel better about yourself and be healthier, the next step is outlining how you're going to achieve that goal. Do you need to diet? Exercise? Both? And what kind of timeline are you looking at? You can build these pieces into your story's arc.  You can even build in the challenge of disciplining yourself to exercise daily, and you can write you (the hero of your story) overcoming these challenges, and inspiring others around them as you do so.  (It's your story - and you can write whatever is alive in your soul!)

Again, this is where having a clear narrative arc comes in handy. When you know what your ultimate goal is—in this case, losing 20 pounds—it becomes much easier to map out the steps you need to take to get there. 

If you're looking for extra motivation to reach your goals, try turning them into stories. It'll make them more engaging and easier to achieve—and isn't that what we all want? ​