Ep30: Start Where You Are

With my birthday coming up this month, I’ve been reflecting on where I was just before my 40th birthday seven years ago. It was worlds apart from where I find myself today. Rather than judging or blaming that old version of me, I’ve come to understand that I needed to start right where I was, as difficult, despairing and despondent a place it was. So many of us are waiting for inspiration to strike, motivation to “build up,” or external circumstances to change before we take steps and get the ball rolling on something new or different. But the truth is that we have to take action first – just DO the thing, whatever it is – and the good feelings and emotions follow from there. The key is to try and “take in the good” as much as we can after we do it and truly *feel* the satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, pride, endorphins, or even recognize the self-efficacy that comes after we do. This teaches our brain to “do the thing” again next time; and that’s exactly what we need to do – over and over again. Consistency wins over intensity every time. Taking the small steps again and again is how the behavior becomes a habit, and then simply a part of who we are.Rich Roll podcast “Pay Now, Love It Later: Why I Work Out at 4 AM & The Mindset That Wins The Long Game”Dr Rick Hanson on how to “take in the good.”Visit me at: https://www.wellnesswithjuanita.comFollow me on socials:⁠Instagram⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/wellness_with_juanita⁠Facebook⁠⁠: https://www.facebook.com/wellnesswithjuanitajapan⁠LinkedIn⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanita-nagaiYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wellnesswithjuanitaMusic credit: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/belonging⁠License code: SEX8P9CEYVUGA9UJ