This blog is written by GILD’s addiction recovery coach, Kendra McLaughin.

Join our new Recovery Focus Reset program & we’ll cover a lion’s share of the cost (limited time offer)… here’s a link.

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“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 

Why is it that there are days that we feel strong and powerful, ready to conquer the world and do everything on our “list” and then some… yet other days it seems we can barely get out of my own way?  

I mean… after all, we should be strong and determined every day for all the ups {I like those!} and the many, many downs that we’ve put ourselves through all these years…at least that’s what my logical brain tells me. 

What I’ve discovered is that strength and determination is something that is cultivated,  like a beautiful garden: over time. 

Ah… that’s the hard part, isn’t it?

Time.

We have grown to be so impatient.

That beautiful garden has to be planted, fed and nurtured in order to grow and most importantly…

THRIVE

Yes, we may be born with a smidge of underlying strength that is passed down from generation to generation, but for the most part we gain strength and determination through events that happen in our lives as we pass from childhood to adulthood and into our elder years. 

I have implemented some daily habits in my life to find hidden strengths, to develop these strengths and to keep my life in balance by being able to put determination and strength into high gear when I’m just not feeling motivated and strong. 

If you’ve been with us here on the GILDed Blog for any length of time, you’ve learned some of this before.

There is a lot of wisdom in understanding why a morning routine will set you up for success (though some of us cringe at the thought) – so check this out – it’s Dr. Jane’s take on the topic as well as her free e-workbook so you can create your own morning routine for success.

Find Your Strengths

 Yes!!

You DO have strengths even if you don’t feel like you do.

They are there like a long, lost friend, waiting to be discovered.

Or – in this case, re-discovered.

There are many ways to find your strengths.

Some people believe in taking a standardized test for the list of their top five.

There’s nothing wrong with that… but then, what do you do with it?

You can find your strengths and dreams with a little bit of self-reflection.

GILD’s Life Planning Workbook (also free, isn’t it grand?) can help get you started in that area, so grab it.

Also, Dr. Jane’s recently released book, Truth Bomb, is all about finding who you are and owning it for your own success.

You should check that out, too.  

Affirm Your Strengths

After you’ve done that exploration to realize what your strengths are, the work begins. 

We all have those days when we don’t feel *so* confident in our own abilities. 

That’s understandable. 

It’s up to you to set yourself up for fewer days like that. 

How?

Affirmations. 

Write them, say them, record and listen to them… or if you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about here, then just use ours. 

GILD has a full playlist on YouTube with affirmations for a host of purposes. 

If you’d rather have your own – here’s a template you can use:

I’m so happy and grateful now that I am blessed with _________________ so that I can accomplish _______________.

Put this mantra that you have just made for yourself on your vision board, on your mirror (dry erase markers are great for that!) in yoru car, and anywhere you know it will catch your eye regularly. 

If you don’t have a vision board, we have you covered – just click here and register for Dr. Jane’s and my vision boarding workshop.

Practice Self-Love

The best way to practice self-love is self-care.

The reality is that you may have days where you are feeling not as determined or as strong as you usually do.

It’s nothing to worry about if you experience this on occasion.

It calls for self -love, baby!!

When I feel like this the cure is actually to slow down a bit and take care of yourself.

Check out this blog Dr. Jane wrote over the winter holidays with some ideas of how to practice great self-care or this blog from one of our guest bloggers about self- love at Valentine’s.

Your body and mind are telling you to slow down so it can repair and rejuvenate.  

Revisit Your Why

If you don’t know what your “why” is or how to make a “why” statement you’re in need of our Personal Life Planner… which is free – here’s a link.

P.S. – you’re welcome, and we love you. 

Reconnecting with the deep reasons you are doing what you’re doing is paramount to your success, and can reduce your rebound time if you’re knocked off-kilter. 

Do you need to make some changes? Are you really passionate about what you are doing?

You will not stay determined if you do not love what you do. 

Check Your Fuel.

What are you feeding your temple??

Seriously…

Your energy, your strength, your determination depends on the food that you are putting in your body.

Junk in, junk out.

Good stuff in, AWESOMENESS out.

Get it together.

This is a super-easy change to make.

Move.

This is such an easy thing to say we’re going to do… until life gets in the way.

A daily routine will help you make sure that your movement is planned and that you stick to it.

Here’s Dr. Jane’s free e-workbook so you can easily develop your own daily routine for success.

No excuses, so far we’ve given you two free e-books!

SCORE!

Look at the day you’re having, rockstar!!

But in all seriousness…

Some form of exercise is crucial in maintaining strength and doing a physically difficult thing will help give you the stamina to stay strong and determined.

Your body depends on movement every day, all day, in order to function.

It is your duty to keep strong physically so that your body can maintain proper function. 

Affirmations & Meditation

If you’re not doing them, start now – literally… right now – with these.

That’s a playlist on GILD’s YouTube channel chockablock full of affirmations for different purposes.

…and you know what?

If we don’t have what you need, Dr. Jane will record one JUST FOR YOU if you ask her.

I’m not kidding.

That’s just the type of person she is, and that’s the type of growth she wants for you.

I do meditation and breathwork each morning, and affirmations are a big part of it.

Just a few short years ago, I used to think that this sort of thing was silly…

I mean, what were “they all” doing sitting there with their eyes closed anyway?

Wow!

I changed my mind completely!! 

I meditate every morning.

Meditation gives me clarity on my goals, keeps my mind present instead of in the future or in the past.

I’m focused for my day and I’m quite literally a much nicer person.

I’ll be honest it really depends on how you take care of your mindset, your health and your soul that determines your strength and determination.

Are you ready to level up?

Schedule a breakthrough session with us and let’s get on it.

You’re motivated – your time is now!