Leveling Up: Setting a Higher Standard For Yourself

 Raise your hand if life feels like it's moving at the speed of light!

via GIPHY

Our lives are very busy and oh-so-full these days. That's not necessarily a BAD thing, but the busier that life is, the more we tend to neglect ourselves and our needs as women.

Oftentimes what that looks like is looking back on the whirlwind and wondering when we got so behind on tasks and realize that in the day-to-day routine grind, we don't feel aligned with some of the things we are doing on autopilot. The joy in life has been a bit dampened by the cut and paste aspect of life. 

Let's Identify Where We Feel Stuck

Take a well-deserved quiet moment to yourself to sit down and think about your life. Consider the following areas in your life:

• Career
• Relationships
• Health
• Personal Growth
• Style (you KNEW this had to be there, right?!)

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you satisfied?
• If you aren't satisfied, what needs to be altered?
• What could increase your happiness in each area?

As you consider these areas of life, consider what your Strengths & Weaknesses are. Every single one of us has both and sometimes it's easier to see the weaknesses than the strengths. When you look at those weaknesses, do you feel like you could do anything to improve upon them and take small steps forward.

Next, it's time to think about your values and what matters to you. When you live in alignment with the things that you value, life becomes much more fulfilling. Here's a short list of values. It is not all inclusive by any means, but let it spark the values that may be important to you. Add your own to the list:

• Learning, Curiosity, Growth Mindset, Resilience, Discipline, Honesty, Compassion, Loyalty, Respect, Trustworthiness, Communication, Social Responsibility, Collaboration, Service, Equity & Justice, Integrity, Accountability, Work Ethic, Professionalism, Excellence, Health, Balance, Mindfulness, Gratitude, Happiness, Adventure, Creativity, Freedom, Humor, Optimism, Playfulness, Timelessness, Boldness, Minimalism, Sustainability, Comfort, Quality

Once you have identified the values that are important to you (choose at least 5), write down how you could make sure you are bringing those values into your everyday life.

Set a New Standard for Yourself

What do you dream for your life?  Write it down specifically for each area of your life listed above. What would your ideal life look like? Really dream here and write down details that make you FEEL something. As you think about it, break it down. What can you do to attempt to make your dreams a reality? Set SMART Goals toward your dream life and remember, it will not happen overnight, but the more you work toward it, picture it, and deeply feel the satisfaction of achieving your dreams, the more likely they are to come to fruition!

Reminder: SMART Goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

If you really want for something to happen in your life, you need to make investments in yourself. This could be learning a new skill, taking a course, or finding a mentor or Mastermind group to help you propel yourself forward.

Work hard to remove negative influences from your life. Sometimes this means spending less time with people who are always living life from a negative place. I know that can be difficult, but it's very important. Like energy draws like energy. If you surround yourself with positive people who also desire to expand and grow and learn, you will be much more likely to see positive changes in your life.

Grow your Mindset with Persistence

As you begin to grow, as you begin to live into your dreams and take action steps toward them, know that it will not happen overnight and it takes commitment and participation. Setbacks may happen, but that's okay!  Try to think of these not as negatives or failures, but as a way to learn the things that aren't working.  One of my favorite quotes is by Nelson Mandela and speaks to this:

I never lose. I either win or learn. 

Celebrate the wins, no matter how little. The more you celebrate, the more that will come your way, it's The Law of Attraction at work. 

Stay curious as you continue on this journey called life. Keep exploring, learning, and expanding your horizons. Don't forget to check in and make sure the dreams that you set out for yourself evolve along with any life changes that come your way.

Here's to a life well-lived!

Stylishly Yours,