Don’t compare yourself to others.  Instead, compare yourself to previous versions of yourself.  That will allow you to see your gains and recognize your growth.  I heard that message recently in a video from Benjamin Hardy, author of Personality Isn’t Permanent.  What an impact that message is having on me.

It’s allowed me to understand how much my mind would work to compare myself with another, which always ended in a not fun experience.  The simple and profound act of shifting and taking “other people” out of the picture puts me back in the driver’s seat.  I’m driving in my lane, not anyone else’s.  This has resulted in some personal growth recently, and gratitude for Hardy.

My inner truth feels clearer to me.  My nervous system feels calmer.  I have to say that Hardy’s book PIP (mentioned above) has had a profound impact on my life.  The theories shared within those pages are within my reach.  It’s not as if I have to do 10,000 prostrations, lose 20 pounds, quit my job and hike the Pacific Coast Trail (shout out to my book club members, Mary and Maureen - love you!).  Nope.  We can begin to peel off those labels of “Introvert”, “Late Bloomer”, “Fill in the blank”.  Those no longer apply.  Who will your future self be?

Hardy encourages you to have a big goal, one that feels attainable and also requires a bit of a stretch.  Write that goal down, every day.  Begin to take small daily action steps in honor of that goal’s completion.  While you are at it, start to rate your weeks.  Did you accomplish one task towards making your goal a reality?  Two?  Whatever number you want to give yourself, on a scale of 1 - 10, for example, go ahead and do it.  Look back and say, Wow, I had a ten week.  Or if you had a 7 week, ask yourself, what’s one thing I can do differently next week to rate myself at a 9 or a 10?  Be gentle with yourself.  Be kind.  Cheer your freaking self on.  Rinse, repeat.

Another life change came from reading something from Chapter 5 - something about willpower diminishing at night.  I read those words and it was like Truth walked right up to me and smacked me in the face.  Gotta go to bed at a decent hour.  That’s what I’ve been doing.  It was a TOUGH decision because there are wonderful things that start at 8pm EST, such as the QOD Book Club.  I am convinced that, somehow, something equally as wonderful, or more so, will come to me because of this huge decision to give my body 8 hours of rejuvenating rest.

**Note to my readers, I have not finished PIP yet, wrapping it up soon.  The details above about rating your week, actually came from another amazing video that Hardy has on youtube.  May not be in the book.  Still awesome, though.

“Often, it is incredibly small and simple acts that can have the biggest impact on our lives.” - Benjamin Hardy

Wow, it is awesome to be writing this blog.  I am grateful!  What to write about?  How about sticky notes?  There are many sticky notes around my house, reminding me of wonderful things.  Such as:

• Make your own luck, JKap. (That's one of my nicknames)
• I am a creator.  I create things.
• What if this were the greatest moment of your life?  (Thanks, Eda, for sending that quote to me)
• Choose Your Future Self.
• Let's be curious together.
• My life is going to turn out to be more wonderful than I can even imagine!
• It's ok to have needs.  I find ways to meet my needs.
• What do we say to our children?
• Trust!  (my dear friend, Jen, helped me to focus on this)

Do you have any post-it notes around your space that lift you up and remind me of how fabulous you are?  Or provide a reminder on a theme that makes your heart happy?  Helps you stay focused and on task?

Let me know, I'd love to hear and add to my current reminders.  Create some novelty and new energy.