Power Tools for Your Personal Growth Journey
A close up of a wooden desk covered in a number of tools: a map, wrench, wooden triangle, protractor, ruler and drawing compass.
When it comes to personal development, you’ll often hear some of the same advice over and over again.
Develop a morning routine! Journal! Meditate! Lean into the discomfort!
I’ll admit, I’m guilty of giving this advice. I often remind clients, family, friends (and myself!) that these things can be powerful as you’re breaking old patterns and stepping into a new version of yourself.
On the other hand, I also know that when you’re deep in the throes of your own personal growth and are experiencing all the uncomfortable feelings that come with it, this advice may feel hollow.
It might cause you to unknowingly and uncontrollably roll your eyes because IF ONE MORE PERSON TELLS YOU TO MEDITATE…
Last year, a friend reached out for an emergency pep talk in a moment of panic after being put in an uncomfortable situation at work. She had just taken on a new position, was finally cleared for some in person travel, and was looking forward to meeting her team and the executive leadership in person for the first time.
Her first day on site, she walked into a conference room full of new colleagues and sat next to her manager. During the meeting, her manager asked her a series of questions and it put my friend on the spot as if testing her knowledge of the new role. She didn’t have the answers and her thoughts began to spiral.
“I should know these answers. I should be more prepared. I’m not qualified for this job.”
She was embarrassed and upset and after the meeting ended, reached out to me for that emergency pep talk.
Pep talks are kind of my jam, (I give them to myself often!) so when a friend reaches out and says they need one, I am alllll over it.
Except this time, all I could think was to give advice that seemed so simple and quite honestly, a little annoying.
I told her to walk away and take a few deep belly breaths. And I specifically remember telling her this:
“I know this advice is going to sound simple and it might be frustrating to hear something this obvious in your moment of panic. But hear me out…deep breaths are badass.”
Deep breaths are badass.
And so is meditating, journaling, waking up an hour earlier to get a little quiet time for yourself and leaning into the discomfort.
We then agreed “deep breaths are badass” belonged on a t-shirt. Or mug. Am I onto something here?
Because if the work of self-development and personal growth is badass (as the industry teaches us), so are the small, simple components that help us to live well along the way.
So the next time you’re moving through something challenging at work, confronting an old thought pattern in your mind, or setting a boundary that’s new and uncomfortable, remember this:
The deep breaths and meditative moments are your power tools. Add ‘em to your toolkit and use them.
It’s not enough to know they are available to you. You’ve got to keep them handy and regularly use them.
What are some of the power tools you use to help you through your personal growth journey?
On the left: Text reads “Personal Growth for Modern Corporate Women, Commit to yourself & growing into the next version of you.” Below is a radio button that says “Tell me more!” and by clicking the photo, you are directed to a page where you can learn more about coaching with Lauren.
On the right: There is a picture of Lauren, smiling, sitting on a park bench with her laptop.
