Consistency + Grace

Consistency is the key to success! I have struggled, and still currently struggle with juggling life, who doesn’t, it’s not meant to be easy. I have burned out time after time from pure exhaustion and it got me no further than a hop. With progress, there are going to be days of exhaustion, however with proper strategy, you can accomplish all that you set out to do without facing the dreadful sinister mark of failure.

I bet you’ve started something and a few days, weeks, or months later you became tired and lost motivation. The sparkle started to lose its luster, finding it less and less exciting or maybe even taxing to maintain this new standard, idea, skill, or goal. This is normal and it doesn’t make you a failure either. I am here to confirm that we all cannot uphold the same get-up and go day after day. The very first thing, once you realize “Hey, I’m really not feeling it today…” Permit yourself to feel that way. It is impossible and should never be expected for you to force yourself through situations. You are not giving 100 percent of yourself if you have to force your way through it; leave it for another day. You’ll be surprised how giving yourself this grace actually helps you bounce back more quickly; because you aren’t taking that lack of motivation to a negative place in your mind (feeling unworthy, or as though you have failed and can’t accomplish your goals).

Make peace and set the pace:

Think of a treadmill, you don’t turn it on at full speed and successfully get right on, especially on the first try. You’ve been on the hamster wheel and that fast pace feels like it should be right, but it will lead you to fumble, stumble, and send you flying. We want an adjustment, life is already flying by so fast. 

Close your eyes and pretend there is a plate in front of you and all the expectations and responsibilities are now food items; all over your plate, like you hit the Golden Corral Buffet and there’s just no more room you, can’t even see the plate. We are the plate. A beautiful foundation for a wonderful meal. I want you to wipe this plate clean and start by only putting your highest priorities (most nutritious foods) on the plate first. Your plate is what holds it together, allows us to pile on and often our eyes are larger than our stomach. The reason I used this example is because it’s easy to see when we overload our plate, it’s not as easy to measure just how much we can tolerate. Setting the pace by making a priorities list can help organize and unload unnecessary burdens. Giving you a visual of what needs to happen right away and what can wait, will give you relief and control.

Perseverance:

Course correcting and developing new life-changing habits needs consistency and grace. Not giving up on yourself despite the challenges life throws our way. Being aware of the fact that you wanted to make a change or shift to become a better you and a more mindful you is amazing! Grace, to just have the awareness that, “Hey, this change is hard for me, I am new at this, and I need to recover and regroup.”

Staring down those old mindset patterns takes loads of courage. Courage means strength in the face of pain. That is a big deal so really celebrate in your own way! 

Your brain wants you to be lazy. You will often need to be your own cheerleader! Perseverance is the continued effort to do or achieve something despite failure or opposition. I promise when trying something new, you will have setbacks and that is completely normal, it’s where we learn and grow. 

Falling down and getting back up may be difficult. There will be days you want to throw in/possibly burn the towel. Intrusive thought goblins make you question yourself and doubt your progress. Remember how far you’ve come and appreciate the progress you’ve made or maybe you didn’t make. Sometimes it really takes getting angry to get to the source of a problem that’s getting in your way. The anger should not be rash, just amp yourself up and shake your arms about – really getting your blood moving. 

• Remember when it’s hard to roll out of bed, start your day with gratitude. Today might be a rinse and repeat day but you are here! Humble yourself and appreciate that you can hug loved ones and that we are as much a part of their world as our own. We show them resilience. Resilience is to withstand and recover quickly from difficulties. 

Progress takes time:

How do you feel after a good gym session? Tired? Do you see the results immediately? No, and typically that’s why we give up. Pain! Pain is growth! You are growing in a different way obviously but it is still taxing. Mentally tired is a new kind of recovery when shifting mindset patterns. Everyone is different and may need more recovery time than another or less even. As long as you don’t stop, slowing down is necessary, from time to time. Maybe you do stop but set a goal or limit as to how long, and when to get back to work. You will build endurance and tolerance with each circumstance. 

No matter where you are starting, change is a climb, be sure to give yourself credit! You’re aware and ready to take action on making more mindful and better choices for yourself – that is incredible!

• It’s ok to make mistakes or have off days.

• Reassure yourself that you’re doing an amazing job!

• Notice the cycle and pace yourself – the “burnout cycle.” Go back to your inner voice and remember to communicate and express yourself! Communicate that you are not 100 percent yourself and you need the help of others – they love to be needed! You’re not a burden and if you feel like one assess your people.

Remember the buffet line?

• Small portions, right?

• Pick one priority from your list. On a separate piece or the back of this paper, write a list – branch out on that. What all needs to be done? Set that in motion. Getting started is often the hardest part. I find that all the things I procrastinate on are so easy once I actually start!

• Now reward yourself. Candy, coffee, lunch with a friend, a new book, a new shirt, whatever you deem reward-worthy. Your brain will grow to love change. We can’t always afford to indulge but it really is nice to treat yourself to something as simple as a quiet bath. 

• Once you accomplish handling one priority at a time you can add to it one at a time. This also helps with learning our boundary/ limit of how much we can tolerate.

Track your progress with a journal. It keeps you aware, consistent, and organized. It gives us more self-control and control over our lives. It’s all manageable, it does not have to be overwhelming! Taking care of ourselves is not selfish and should be encouraged throughout your inner work journey!