We are a little over half-way through 2019, and where have all the New Year’s resolutions gone? There is no shame in realizing you do not want to engage in the pursuit of a goal that no longer excites you. But how often do we give up great ideas because we “don’t have time/experience/money”? Yet here we are, binge-watching Netflix and buying $7 iced coffee while scrolling away and wondering, “How did she do it?”
If you want to make progress you need to make it your job to grow. According to a recent Forbes article, these excuses we make to not put in the work it takes to accomplish our goals leaves us subject to whatever is happening around us, which is not empowering. On the other hand, when you take charge of your own progress, your personal development will inspire and impact the people around you, including your colleagues.
Last summer, I decided I wanted to become a leader that others could rely on and get inspired by. Frankly, I wanted to become the role model I had been looking for since high school. So I connected with a community of digital nomads, and they introduced me to the world of self-development. I read all the classic books like Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. While these books were a fantastic introduction to business and leadership as I began my own business, I needed more. So I came across 3 creative entrepreneurs I could actually relate to. These women became my digital mentors, guiding me as I stepped it up in my career, fitness journey, and relationships.
Amy Landino
It all started with her YouTube channel where I stumbled upon Amy’s witty, informative, and motivating videos with tips and tricks to pursue your dreams. She is the reason I started calendar blocking, a skincare regimen, and a morning routine. Amy was working a comfortable office job (where she could have been set for life) when she began to hustle her business in the evenings and on weekends. She is a self-made award winning YouTube creator, best-selling author, and international public speaker. Amy’s YouTube content has literally gotten me out of my warm bed and into my running shoes to go finish that workout I said I was going to do. She has been my coach in integrity not only with clients but with myself. Amy has been a huge inspiration in staying true to my word when I set a goal for myself. She is also the reason I learned to say no. If you need that sister-like advice that will get you in motion to live out your dreams, this entrepreneur will help you get fired up and waking up an hour early just to get things done.
Jen Sincero
This success coach and best-selling author of the You Are a Badass books made me laugh out loud while completely empowering me to get my bank account to grow. I never saw myself as someone that could thrive financially, until Jen Sincero made her way into my thoughts to transform my relationship with money. After reading her book You Are a Badass at Making Money, I was jumping out of bed to get into activity to increase revenue. She stripped away my excuses about money, and made me go from “I cannot afford it” to “How can I afford it?” Her personal story showed me it was not too late to gain financial freedom. She took herself from being completely broke and living in a garage at 40-years-old to becoming a wealthy, sought-after speaker for multinational corporations, educational institutions, and nonprofits.
Rachel Hollis
I am obsessed with Rachel Hollis to the same degree I was obsessed with Britney Spears when I was 12 years old. Her podcast “Rise” is constantly playing in the background while I do the dishes and run at the park. Another self-made success, Rachel began her own business as a small blogger while raising four children. With a high school diploma, and the help of the Internet search bar, Rachel learned how to scale her business while writing best-selling motivational books for women. Her most recent book Girl, Stop Apologizing made me re-frame my personal relationships and career. In the past several months, other people’s opinions of my life and the industry I am in had become louder and louder until I was filled with insecurities that were not letting me move forward in ANY direction. Rachel famously says in her podcast and books that “other people’s opinions are none of your business.” How many times do we feel discouraged by someone else’s opinion to the point that we convince ourselves we cannot do something?
She also made me stop the comparison game we all play on social media as we seem to notice everyone’s grass is so much greener! Rachel Hollis is that song you play when you need to run an extra mile at the gym, wake up an hour earlier, or work on a Saturday to accomplish what you set out to do. She is the voice that drowns out all other negative thoughts so you can get to work.
For the past 6 months, whenever I did not feel like doing something, these women’s content was exactly what I looked for to get that push forward. There is something so life-giving when women that have reached wide success in their lives decide to share their path with the world, and inspire millions to become the best version of themselves. Whenever you get to the top, I hope you’ll look back to those climbing the mountain and give them a hand. That’s what I’d like to do, too. Giving up is always tempting, but not as easy when you have empowered women empowering you.
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Photo: silviarita, Juja Han on Unsplash; Nicolas Moscarda on Unsplash
