Greetings lovely humans!!
This week, I want to throw a giant party and shout from the rooftops!!!!
Today's Broadcast marks our 7 Month Anniversary!!!
You + Me = 7 Months!
Here's why this is a big freaking deal...and why it matters to you too!
(If you too struggle with habits, consistency, and follow through, check out my follow up Broadcast about how I've changed this part of my life I thought was IMPOSSIBLE!!)
Why this matters?!
1) It's SEVEN, not six.
When I looked at the calendar and realized this was the first week of a new month, I thought, "Huh, I wonder how long I've been doing this thing?" So, I flipped through my calendar to count up the weeks/months, and sure enough, this week marks 7 Months!!!
I had to count it a few times to be sure I had it right. I remember when I committed to publishing my first Broadcast, I thought, "Whoa, I wonder if I'll be able to make it to 6 months??"
At the time, that seemed SO far away, and damn-near impossible. (See point #2 below)
The fact that I have not only made it TO 6 months, but have PASSED 6 months (without even knowing it) is freaking HUGE!!!! I feel like such a badass rockstar. Do you hear that??!! It's me, tooting my own beautiful horn.
It hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been grueling either. I haven't been counting the days until I could call it "good enough" and quit. I haven't been counting the days at all. I've just been showing up, no matter what.
Don't get me wrong, there have been nights when I've hit 'send' at minutes before midnight, but I've done it and I've created work I'm proud of. I've kept my promise to myself, and I hear from folks all the time about how these weekly insights have been helpful. That's what matters to me most.
2) 7 Months = An Impossible Eternity
You see, I've never done ANYTHING consistently for 6 months. Habits, consistency, discipline, routine....these are words that have HAUNTED me my entire. life.
It wasn't a lack of desire or drive. I would begin something with 100% commitment, certainty, passion, and vision. I'd make a foolproof plan. "This time, it WILL be different", I'd swear. And I'd believe it, despite all the evidence.
Then, somewhere around month (or week, or day) two or three, I'd lose sight of what I was doing and why. I'd just get distracted and forget there was a thing I'd committed to doing!
It made me feel so stupid. It was the thing about me I was most ashamed of.
Somehow, over and over again, I would dust myself off and begin again. I would commit again.
Then, I would fail again.
So, WHY 7 months ago did I even THINK about putting out a weekly Broadcast?!?! Temporary insanity? Memory loss? Masochistic tendencies?
Nope, none of that.
I actually had the courage to try BECAUSE of all those failures.
You see, when you get really good at failing, you understand it's not the end of the world. Somehow my life kept on going, I wasn't a total loser, I paid my bills, and kept myself alive.
My greatest shame created one of my greatest superpowers. Turns out, this is often the case. It's brutally exquisite.
3) AND, this time, something WAS different.
I had the courage to make this commitment, not only to myself but to all of you, BECAUSE of my recent successes. Miracles, I call them. Because that's how they feel. Impossibilities made real.
Over the past 3 years, I have been able to change many of the things I'd just accepted as truth; untouchable facts.
Examples of other miracles:
~ I've started preparing my taxes in the first week of January. (I didn't even FILE taxes in 2014!!!) Prior to that, I had NEVER filed my taxes before April 15th at 11:58 pm, OR without an extension. LOTS of extensions.
~ Last year, I not only filed early, I'd saved nearly 3 times as much money as I actually owed so I had money left over to start my first IRA!!
~ I floss my teeth regularly. For most of my life, I'd be lucky to brush them once a day. Gross, I know; but did I mention routine has been hard for me??
~ I tidy the kitchen at night before I go to bed; empty sink + clean counter. In the past, I've had to dig a fork out of the sink and wash it just so I could eat dinner.
~ I have a regular at home yoga and meditation practice. Dude!! This is something I've tried to accomplish for decades!
~ I've been going to the gym (almost) daily for the past 6 weeks. I've cut out sugar, grains, dairy and COFFEEEEEE!!!! +gasp+
~ I've built a thriving coaching practice, and paid all my bills for 5 years running my own business!!
Yeah, the list goes on...
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So, HOW has all of this happened??? Well, I'm going to leave you with that cliff hanger.
But I'm here to tell you - if I can do it, YOU can do it.
So, celebrate with me!! Bask in the glow of it being POSSIBLE!!!
It IS possible. I promise.
I've gathered some tools I want to share with you next week. These are things that have allowed me to create the space, and tackle my habits, to create the changes I've described.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for being here and being part of my journey. You are incredible to me, and I am grateful for each and every one of you.
YOU are one of the biggest reasons I've been able to keep this commitment. You matter to me. It matters that you're here.
If you're struggling to begin this new year the way you'd hoped you would, don't give up. Just 'begin again'.
xoxox
- Angie Cole
Writer, Wanderer, Wonderer, Guide