When I was a little girl growing up, I was audacious.  I remember being able to go up to and talk to anyone, everyone, unafraid.  Without thought or care of what anyone would think.  My sole focus was being me, making them smile and getting to know them.  I’ve always been a fan of people.  For a lot of my earliest years I don’t remember backing down from conversations or letting anyone ruffle my feathers.  It wasn’t until later junior high, when I really think back that I remember starting to second guess myself, but we’ll come back to that.  When I was young, I was that little girl knocking down every door to sell whatever it was at that time.  Girl scout cookies, fundraising for various things, and so many others.  If you said no it didn’t matter, I was moving onto the next.  I didn’t let it stop me, there was no not hitting my goals.  I was going to be the top in whatever the endeavor was.  I was definitely getting all the incentives that I could.  Yes, competitive even now.  I remember when my brothers or sisters had friends over trying to nudge my way into their conversation.  I wanted to be part of everything going on.  There was no leaving me out, if something was happening, I wanted to be a part of it.  I was a dreamer, but I was also a doer.  Big plans for my life.  When you think of that child in your life who has all the “big plans”, that was me.  I remember so vividly thinking, dreaming, imagining being in the spotlight.  I remember dreaming that I was going to be that girl that everyone remembered for making them smile.   I wanted people to know me, the real me.  I was completely comfortable with showing up and being seen!  

Then things shifted, back to what I mentioned earlier about later Junior High.  Actually, I gotta go back to fourth grade.  When I think, Jen, what changed, what shifted, this is where it first started.  I can’t quite pinpoint why, but I can tell you whatever is hiding in my subconscious can bring me to tears when I think about this time-frame.  This was also a time when I started having serious blackouts.  The doctor said it was a form of epilepsy.  Knowing now what I didn’t know then, I am not quite sure that that was it.   From this diagnosis, I was put on a medication called Depakote for about 5 years.  From fourth to ninth grade, I was taking a heavy dose of this twice a day.  It caused me to lose my hair and gain weight.  Now keep in mind I was already a heavy-set young lady, it never really bothered me until this time.  I’m sure the additional weight didn’t help.   Remember how I mentioned earlier how confident I was as a kid; this is when it started shifting.  I’ve always been very resilient and during these years, I started taking what others said and using it much differently, negatively.  I still had my swagger about me.  And, I still took a lot of risks, but the fear and anxiety made me second guess all the time.  I also started taking what other people said and letting it impact me.  Speeding up to ninth grade, I took a stand, dumped all my Depakote down the garbage disposal and told my mom, nothings wrong with me, I don’t need this stuff.  Best, most freeing moment, let me tell ya! 

In the years to come, I continued to have that little girl, audaciousness about me.  I have still gone after and worked my tail off for so many of the things that I wanted for my life.  I’m proud of the career I’ve build and achievements I’ve had but, there was so much unnecessary anxiousness and anxiety along the way.   I started listening to the opinions of others very differently than before.  I started taking them so literally that it shifted my desire to be “seen” as confidently as I use to.   I started looking at myself and thinking, “who do you think you are”, you can’t do that, urgh YIKES.  In many areas I held myself back.   Truth be told, my small business, this blog, the book I’m writing, and a few other things in the works have all been my dream for years, A LOT of years.  The thing is, we all get negative thoughts here and there.  We all have life fears but what you do with them when they show up is most important.  When you look at negative thoughts and don’t redirect, they can turn into second guessing, anxiety, depression even.  When you listen to other people’s opinions and believe them, it too turns into self-doubt, anxiety, it will hold you back! 

What’s your “thing”?  What is that piece that holds you back from being the amazing authentic you that you are?  It took me years to pinpoint it you guys.  It took me years of anxiousness in the front of a room.  It took me crying up in front of my college mates when I had to do a report in front of class the first time because was so afraid of being seen.  It took me years in boardrooms questioning what the team would say if I was just me and shared my honest real opinions.  Of course, I did all these things anyway but all the anxiety and stress and second guessing along the way was a strain on my mind, body, and my emotional well-being.  It held me back for far too long!   No one deserves to go through this pain!  Here is my stand, you my friend deserve to show up and be you.  You deserve to stand at the top of whatever you choose with the voice of confidence and belief in you.  It took me years of pain to overcome and I write before you today to say if I can overcome all of what I have, you can to!  Here are some things I used to overcome and get back that little girl, unafraid of showing up!
 
As Brene Brown writes, “Show up and let yourself be seen”!

1. Books: Back in the day, I would read books here and there.  But over about the last year and a half, I became engrossed in my own development.  I found myself at a very very low moment in life and thankfully found some amazing resources to pull myself out.  Each of the books you can find on my site have helped in one way or another.  There are so many others.  I would recommend googling “best selling books for (fill in what you are looking for).   If you ever want recommendations on something feel free to email me at jenzahari@jenshappymail.com, I’ll send you my book list. 
2. Podcasts: Whether you are looking to grow a skill, build confidence, etc.  Just hop on YouTube and there is truly something for everyone.  Find someone you connect with.  I believe we learn best when we find a way to connect to the “teacher”.  If you need any recommendations for this one email me be sure to include the topic you are looking for.
3. Get very very clear on what you want.  Write it down with as many details as possible.  Personally, I do three things, I have a manifesto that I read daily about what my life looks like in 5 years.  Close your eyes and think about what you want your life to look like, then write it out.   Second, your goals, what do you want to accomplish, in the next month, year, two years.  Get very clear on these then define what it will take.  Finally, I write one page every single morning as soon as I get up.  Often times this one-page details who I am, how strong I am, how much I have overcome and what I am capable of.
4. Get a coach: I cannot say enough positive things about having a coach in your life.  Whether you need a business coach, life coach, mentor of sorts.  There is are so many beneficial things to having someone provide perspective, help you work through things and hold you accountable.
5. Be aware, be very aware of how you talk to yourself and get steps in place to redirect those thoughts.  There are a number of things you can do to help with this, just understand it takes work and time.  The more you practice redirecting the easier it will get.
6. Just start, whatever it is.  Action has this interesting way of bringing clarity.

You can do and be whatever you choose in life my friends, this is your story, write everything you want into it!

Much Love,
Jen

Every morning I get up at 3:10, grab my workout cloths, get ready, run downstairs have a couple sips of coffee as I check my messages from the night (I know a habit I’m still working to fully change) and in the gym by 3:20 or 3:25 at the very latest.   From here it’s the same routine, 30-40 minutes cardio followed up with 30-35 minutes strength.  During all of this I’m listening to some type of podcast on any number of learning topics.  This habit of listening to podcasts during my workout is pretty new in the last year.  I must say it’s better then my old routine of the news. 

About a month or so ago, I wrapped up my workout and before I did my meditation, I took a step back and thought, dang, I don’t even feel like I got a good enough workout to feel it.  In haste of having to get ready for the day, I didn’t give it much thought after that.  Of course, I was sweaty and clearly had my heart-rate up, I just wasn’t feeling how I use to after a solid workout. The following day, I decided to use that experience as my “kick in the ass” to change up my “routine” and get off my usual habits. 

Generally, when I am doing intervals or running on my treadmill, I am so focused on my podcast I’m truly on auto-pilot with my workout.   On this specific day, when I was doing my interval training, I shifted my focus.  With each stride I was thinking, this is getting me closer to my health goals.   Paying attention to the strength in my legs and thinking about the benefits this is giving me.   Thinking as I paced down building a strong toned body.  By the time I wrapped up my intervals about 45 minutes later my legs truly felt the work I just put in.  I even felt it in my abs.  Following this, I turned up the music and moved over to rounds of band pull-ups and incline push-ups, totally 100 each.  On this day, during my work, I focused on how each pull made my muscles feel.  Closed my eyes and imagined the toning I was building with each push or pull.  Focused on each muscle group, feeling it build.  Now in the past, admittedly, I’ve had days I would be thinking the whole time “dang this is tough today” I made sure to be mindful of my thoughts.  I continued to think and say; this is building me stronger.  I can feel the impact I’m having on my muscles.   By the end of the workout, I can truly say, I felt that I had had the best workout I had in months.   That whole day, I truly felt as though I could conquer anything that was thrown at me.  

Since recognizing that I was stuck in auto-pilot with my workouts and using it as knowledge to stay off auto-pilot, I can say I have had the best workouts I’ve had in months.  I also feel better in my cloths then I’ve felt in a long time.  And, my patience level since taking myself back off auto-pilot has been amazing.

No matter what the experience is in life, working out, at your job, in your business, with your children or spouse, take a step back, and get off auto-pilot, the results will astound you.  
Here are a few tips I’ve learned from this experience and others throughout the years.   

1. Identify the area you want to work on and write down your goals.  I find this to be helpful with anything I am working on.  For me, I am not extremely detailed in my what/why but I find just the act of writing it down helps to get the thought stuck in my brain and conscious for memory.
   
2. When you are working on it, if something shows up in your thoughts that could distract you redirect it quickly.  As an example, as I was working to get off auto-pilot in my workouts, if I started thinking about what the day had in store, I would catch it and redirect back to how the exercise was building my health/body.
   
3. Find a way to acknowledge your accomplishments.  Not only does it feel great to celebrate our wins, but it releases the “happy chemical” dopamine in our brains. 
   
4. We all get off track, when you do just start anew the next day.  Please do not beat yourself up over it.  Each of those negative thoughts will delay your progress.   
   

Stay well my friends!

Much Love,

Jen