I know it may seem, depending on where you look and with whom you speak, that everyone is living a perfect life. Everyone is basking in the after glow of success, happiness, and goodness. And for some, that may be true. But I know that within that season of success, they encountered seasons of doubt, lack, and wandering.
If you are in that season of less, here are a few tips and stories of inspiration to propel you forward in all areas of your life.
You can always create your comeback
Recently, I had a major failure. I was not able to meet my August deadline of getting the “Unmasking The Strong Black Woman” book out.
But with a lot of ugly crying and persistence, I ordered the proof of it, which is the printed copy of the book sent out for final touches last week.
Click here for help curing your unending procrastination!
This idea of helping brown girls own their financial and emotional health, which has been a big part of me, which I believe is my life’s work, and which forced me to fail hard and publicly, is now an actual living thing that I will be able to share.
So the moral is just keep pushing… and if you can’t push, then nudge your way to the next step and try to get one thing done to make you feel good about yourself.
For Unmasking the Strong Black Woman book, it was a matter of clicking a link, filling out a few fields, and paying $12.00 for my dream to be shipped to me.
What will you be willing to do to recreate yourself and your comeback?
Click Here to Download a FREE Copy of the BMWK Generational Wealth Pledge for Black Families!
Know your needs vs. wants
In the Facebook community that I created, I shared that I recently finished my big ol’ bottle of Eucerin lotion after two years of use and not buying any smell good or lotion until it was done.
In the community, we had a lively discussion about needs vs. wants and the truth about claiming we can’t afford something when the reality is that we are spending money on things we don’t use.
My lotion addiction has been kept in check and saved me tons of money. It’s also allowed me to spend money on things that really mattered like travel, savings, or even The Frugal Feminista.
If you were to look at what you currently own in your home, what are five things that you do not need to buy more of for at least six months?
Monitor your media intake
I think social media can be great but I think it can be one of the worst things for your spirit and your self-esteem. If your thoughts are headed south and you noticed that it was after a marathon run on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, or your preferred weapon of choice, take a break.
Recently, I listened to an entrepreneur speak about how he stayed away from social media and even mainstream media because it polluted his creativity and put dents in his confidence. If you are familiar with Tim Ferris, author of the 4-Hour Work Week (and a book I highly recommend), he talks about this concept, too. Very powerful stuff from people who’ve had their money helping people break from their old thinking.
Start with the number 15
When I have a Herculean task to complete with the blog or the job or with my family, that’s where I jump-start my first-class levels of procrastination. But when I say to myself, “Hey, Kara, just do it for 15-minutes,” I feel a sense relief. The pressure to be perfect is gone and, of course, what happens is that I spend more than 15 minutes working on whatever it was that I was trying to avoid.
The 15-minute rule has been instrumental in helping me overcome many a fear, including organizing my bills, picking up the phone for my student loans, or asking for an uncomfortable favor.
What have you been avoiding? How could you use the 15-minute rule to help you reach your goals?
BMWK: How do you overcome anxiety? What strategies can you add?