You Better Work B*Tch!
I consider myself a pretty self -motivated individual, after all you can’t train for ultra-marathons, smash a bag of biscuits or drink a bottle of wine in one sitting without some level of commitment. That said – call it summer in Tokyo (man it’s a right royal B**tch) or being lazy – yeah let’s call it what it is – lazy…but I kind of hit a dead end for a while and have lacked the motivation to pretty much do anything. Anything linked to my own personal goals that is!
And that is just it…the hardest challenge is to keep a commitment to OUR own personal goals and dreams. The quickest thing that falls off my list is not what I do at the office or for others – but what I should be doing for myself.
I have let myself down so many damn times I can barely keep count. It seems that there will always be tomorrow and my goals aren’t as important as everything else that needs to get done for the day (or more importantly the things I am actually paid for AKA my job).
My biggest struggle has been trying to keep the energy flow going for the day and to keep focused to make sure I stick to my personal goals either before or after work. We tend to give so much of ourselves to everything else that there is little time to focus on what we need to or what we have committed to. The reality is then that if we don't make small changes daily our life will look pretty much the same in a years time.
So with less than 4 months to go until the end of the year (I really can’t believe it), I am working hard on committing to my personal goals - the ones that will lead me toward the life I strive to live. Personal growth is important and as humans are are designed to not just live life stuck in one place. Someone asked me the other day how I manage to have the discipline to focus on my own goals alongside everything else I need to do for work - I was like “oh my, I actually look like I have my shit together”…. But to be frank – it’s pretty darn tough. Motivation is one thing, discipline is something else. But in order for us to grow – we need to be uncomfortable. So no matter what your goals are, these four “hacks” have forced me to level up and focus on my goals even when I don’t feel like it:
1.Have an accountability partner
You know the ones that hold you accountable to what you committed to. I have a challenge because most of my “peeps” that previously held me accountable don’t live in Japan – that said I still get the odd nudge. I remember how my ex - hubby used to lock me outside with my running shoes and say he would only let me in when I came back from a run – a run that I had committed too but had decided it was much better to drink wine on the balcony and he knew it made me happy. Every time it happened (okay it was only like twice) I came back with so much gratitude and love for getting my ass out the door because if we all are honest exercise is like sex : sometimes you are not in the mood but you never regret doing it! These people are your tribe - the people that know what is good for you and make sure you follow up on what you said you would do. We tend to self – sabotage sometimes for fear of failure, success or what others might think. However I am fortunate that I found an amazing personal coach that really forces me to level up (Thanks Brie – I hope to make you proud one day) and an amazing boyfriend who is my biggest cheerleader and ass kicker, although he tends to get his arm twisted when I say let’s rather have a beer! So make sure you find that one person who can make sure the commitments you make to yourself are followed through, because after all – the biggest person we let down is really only ourselves.
2.The 5 Second Rule
Mel Robbins is not the queen of “rara” for nothing although sometimes I have debated that mine might need to be the 0.5 sec rule before my brain decides to get a bunch of other ideas or figures out what I am trying to actually do. It is pretty simple however – if you have an instinct to act on a goal or commitment you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it. We also know that if we want change, we need to take action. Give it a try – it’s a pearler and hey if all else fails, there is always Britney to get your ass into gear.
Cue my Alarm Clock:
“You want a hot body? You want a Bugatti? You want a Maserati? You better work B*tch”
3.Always be super vibey
I’m into spiritual stuff. Crystals, Sage. Good Vibes and just good energy. I don’t have much of it in my office to be honest which is where I spend the majority of my time and it is a major, no, massive challenge for me. That said – I do know energy impacts my flow. Outside of my podcasts I listen to (because I really feel like Gary, Jenna and Tom are my friends) I have my music too as another platform to raise my energy. Nothing gets me going quite like DMX, 50 Cent, Tupac and well anything that would generally have my friends call me a "whigger". You really are the people you surround yourself with. Make sure you are surrounded by people that want to see you grow, glow and get your goals on! It really is one of the quickest ways to keep you motivated to your goals and always remember – be the energy you want to attract!
4.Focus on your “non - negotiables”
My amazing mentor calls these your “soul non - negotiables’. I like that!These are your things that make your soul aligned and happy. Everyone’s is vastly different. Let’s also not confuse it with double chocolate chip ice- cream (although that makes my soul happy too) but rather the things that keep you aligned to your purpose. I have mine plastered all over my 20 sqm apartment. It looks like I am possibly sponsored by Post It, but by focusing on your non - negotiables and seeing them visible daily, you are making sure you turn your shoulds into musts. There is a very big difference - we all know we should do some thing (ie gym) but it’s the ones that make sure this is a must that actually follow through.
So here is to buckling up, focusing forward and really getting your groove on. The year might be winding down, but that does not mean we should follow suit. You got this. We got this. You little hustler you!
