Get all the inside secrets and tools you need to help you bust through your fears, connect to your soul and get focused and clear so you can elevate your life, business and relationships… Listen in as Lori Harder, founder of the Bliss Project, 3X time fitness world champion, fitness expert and cover model, turned self love junkie - lifestyle entrepreneur and author digs in shares the goods! Each episode is designed to give you the tools, ideas, and inspiration to take action in your life. Tune in for an inspirational guest, a story or a "quickie" of motivation to get you out of a funk or blast you even further on your rockstar journey! Stop waiting until you are happy and go out and earn it! I promise to make sure we have some fun along the way - you can't take this life too serious. It's time to fall in love with the process and take back your control! Oh and please make sure to share the episodes that give you goosebumps and leave us a review!
Are you happy right NOW in this moment? Or do you have certain contingencies that it hinges on? Are you waiting or relying on someone or something to make you happy? Whether it’s a spouse, best friend, job or goal are you depending on something other than yourself to FINALLY bring you happiness? Here’s where that gets a little tricky…
“Happiness is a choice in each moment.”
We must understand that the “thing” you’re waiting on is NOT going to make you any happier in the long term than you are right now in this moment. And that’s why happiness can be a little sticky at times. If you are relying on anyone other than yourself, your happiness level will average out to be where you are now until you decide to be happy all the time. OK, I’m realistic. I don’t expect you to be happy ALL the time. If something bad happens, feel those feelings, but don’t let them hang around too long. Often it’s as simple as waking up and CHOOSING the mood you’re going to be in. It’s all about adjusting your “default mood.” Sure, there may be some things in your life right now that plain suck. But you know what? That doesn’t mean YOUR LIFE sucks!
“Start becoming really grateful and experiencing deep gratitude for all the little things.”
If you’re looking for the good, you’ll find it. The same goes for the opposite. Instead of looking for what’s missing, look at what you do have. I still have times where I need to remind myself to get in the present and stop blaming others – unfortunately we blame those closest to us first (sorry, Chris!). And this is usually when my daily practices/rituals are off kilter (not meditating, not enough sleep etc.). Most importantly, if you find that you’re relying (blaming) on someone/something to be complete, don’t judge yourself too harshly. Recognize it and forgive quickly – you’re human! So what is it that YOU desire? What could you shift your thoughts to right now and get really grateful for? I promise that when you can step into gratitude and learn lessons along the way, the happiness will follow (and so many other great things).
“Your happiness is what attracts amazing people and things.”
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
Subscribe to Earn Your Happy on iTunes.
Four years ago, teaching English in Japan, Melyssa Griffin decided to start a blog to connect with more people. She soon realized, however, that this blog was becoming less of a hobby and more of something she felt called to monetize and turn into a career. She left teaching and decided to offer web design services. After a couple of years, she had created a profitable business, but she still felt a touch restless… she still felt the pull to teach and do more with MORE people.
Melyssa decided to return to teaching, but this time in a different realm. She now teaches online workshops and courses to those who want to start their own business. And one of the things she’s most passionate about is managing the online communities that go along with them.
Community has always been an important and intriguing part of Melyssa’s life and I love that she had the opportunity to compare Japanese culture/community with American culture. While she found that Japanese culture, in general, tended to be more reserved (opinions and personalities) there was still a sense of community. It was a concept that wasn’t questioned – it just was. Originally from California, Melyssa found that while the culture varied (more outgoing, more flexibility), there was one universal truth. It became clear one day as she watched a Japanese man and his child play in the park. She noticed that even though she couldn’t understand what they were saying, she could still understand the “conversation” through their body language, intonation and facial expressions. It was a deeper human connection that we ALL have.
“We all have this intimate connection that we all have to each other that has nothing to do with the languages we speak.”
With a focus on this connection and sense of community, Melyssa went on to open and close several businesses – a greeting card shop, a web design shop and blogging. While one could have felt a sense of failure around the ups and downs of these businesses, it was through this process that Melyssa made a huge realization.
“Maybe the fun of it is knowing that it will change in the future and that means you’re still growing and learning new things.”
I couldn’t agree more, and I full-heartedly believe that if you’re not changing, you’re not growing – even if that means failing full force along the way. After all, when things are uncertain you might as well explore new things, am I right? Similarly, Melyssa encourages hopeful entrepreneurs to do the same.
“Move in the direction of what feels good. Don’t overanalyze it. Don’t try to calculate it. If something stops feeling good and you know that something is going to feel better, do that and start moving in that direction.”
Melyssa hasn’t always had such a great relationship with failure. Like many, she was raised to believe that she needed to be successful and wealthy. And admittedly, those are ALL great things, but it also implied that failure wasn’t an option. Today, she’s undone most of these beliefs, but she often has to consciously spin the negatives into a positive light.
“Failure is either going to lead you in a direction to something you will enjoy or that will turn out well, or you’re going to learn something massive from that failure and that will lead to something else that’s going to be that next step for you.”
So this is all good and great, but now you may be wondering how you actually even begin to turn your passion into a career you love? For many, there’s the common excuse of not having enough time. While both Melyssa and I agree that this is often the case, we also know that there are tiny spaces of time and small sacrifices you can make to just start. Melyssa suggests to start super small, but get super clear on how and who you want to serve. From there, begin by sharing your knowledge for free. This can lead to collaborations with other entrepreneurs – and you’ll be getting your stuff out there! More tips on getting your business out there
“The more you can have your audience know you, the more you’re able to grow your business and affect people.”
One tip from Melyssa… Don’t get bogged down with the thought that it’s all been done before. Yes, it probably has, but not by YOU! When people follow you, they’ll LOVE all facets of who you are. And they’ll love your story and where you’re coming from.
“We need more voices because we need people who can deeply connect to each type of person out there.”
Of course, you’ll always have those that don’t resonate with you, but guess what? It’s OK! They’ll just find someone else who does, and you will allow room for another to follow you. But what if you get someone who just can’t keep their thoughts or dislike for your message to themselves? Although difficult and sometimes hurtful, Melyssa suggests taking a day to process what’s been said if you need to while keeping the following thought in mind:
“Happy, secure people don’t go out of their way to hurt other people.”
With this in mind, assume that all people are good. That way when you’re ready, you can respond in the most loving way possible without judgment or anger. I love that Melyssa stresses the importance of coming from a place of love and community in all that you do. If your intent is to create a business that can grow, be sure to focus on Melyssa’s three Cs – Connection, Content and Collaboration. Focus on who you can serve and what valuable content you can provide and the community will follow. -- Melyssa Griffin teaches online courses and live workshops for entrepreneurs and bloggers who want to turn their after-work hobbies into full-time businesses. A few of her specialties include list-building, webinars, using Pinterest to get organic traffic, and content marketing. She also leads an active Facebook group of 60,000 members and helps almost 150,000 entrepreneurs with her weekly emails. But most importantly, she's the mom to one wacky corgi, an expert at laughing, and a green smoothie aficionado.
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/loriharder/145_Social_Media_Strategies_with_an_Accidental_Entreprenuer_Jasmine_Star.mp3"]
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Just a couple days ago on the 4th of July, I was able to take a WHOLE day just for PLAY with friends – no writing, no meetings, no worries – celebrating America’s birthday. And while initially I felt as though it may stress me out more (I am on a book deadline), I couldn’t have been MORE wrong.
Today I feel energized, more creative and honestly like I just drank about 10 straight shots of espresso (OK, let’s not get too crazy). I realized that the play is actually equally as (if not more) important as the writing, creating programs, podcasts etc.
“The play IS the work.”
It can be a bit confusing at first because while you’re “playing,” it doesn’t feel as though you’re being productive. But I assure you, you are! It’s especially beneficial when you feel as though you’ve hit a creativity rut.
“The play is productive. The play is important. The play is creative. The play is freedom. The play is expansion. The play is real connection.”
After you’ve taken the time, you’re able to come back with a fresh perspective – new eyes. Ideas abound and the world just seems…better. Am I right?
“Personally, when I play and try new things, I have so much more to say.”
Anyone else? You’re always up-to-date and relevant because you’re constantly thinking of new things and connecting. What would it look like for you to plan some sort of play into every week? Please share – I would love to hear all about it!
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
Upon listening to my recent conversation with my guest, photographer and business strategist, Jasmine Star, it will become quite apparent why I felt as though we could have continued to talk for hours more. Her story (so far) will have you hooked and feeling the serendipitous pull of it (not to mention all the social media strategy knowledge she drops here). In 2005, Jasmine walked away from a scholarship to UCLA law school to follow her heart. The path led straight to her mother's bedside as she battled brain cancer for the second time. Wanting to be at her side as she fought, she dropped out of law school (fully intending at the time to go back). Praying for her mom to be able to walk her down the aisle at her wedding to her high school sweetheart, she planned a wedding in three months to ensure that this hope became a reality.
Against all odds, both her mother and father were able to escort Jasmine down the aisle on a sandy beach in Hawaii. Shortly after, wedded bliss faded into the reality and she discovered she was jobless, broken, and desperate to follow her mom's earlier instructions of doing something she loved.
On a beach, barely a tan line on his ring finger, Jasmine confessed to her husband that she didn’t want to be a lawyer, she wanted to be a photographer. With no experience or a camera for that matter, Jasmine’s husband supported her decision. That Christmas he gifted her a camera and the permission to pursue her passion. Though not extraordinarily talented at the time, she tapped into her self-awareness, slowly building a brand and community, marketing her services, and transforming from a “doubtful photographer to a savvy entrepreneur.” Four years later, she was voted one of the top photographers in the world.
“As a byproduct of pushing through and consistently ending up on the other side, other entrepreneurs, quiet observers, are paying close attention to what you’re doing. They develop an allegiance not for the perfection, but for the sheer will to succeed.”
Amazing, right? Interview over. Kidding. I wanted to dig deeper and see just how Jasmine is able to teach her programs, keep up with her own social media AND stay inspired. The first tip Jasmine offers is that you can’t just sit around and wait for creativity to hit you like a bolt of lightning (you’ll be waiting awhile…). ;) She feels that she’s most creative and inspired when she’s working through something. Whether she’s unhappy or looking but not finding a solution – those are the moments when things tend to fall into place without evening knowing it’s happening.
“Inspiration is like a small drop, and all of a sudden you realize the bucket is filling – and that’s when you shift.”
So once you’ve locked in your passion, how do you attract your audience? Jasmine likes to create her “ideal” client by asking roughly 20-30 questions. Really tune into WHO you want to serve. Once you’ve figured that out (and this can take some trial and error), you can create content that’s specific to those followers. Jasmine often uses her own social media accounts to help her fill in gaps with her content. Keep in mind that when people comment on your posts, they often are telling you what problems they need help with. Wait now… Jasmine still monitors her own social media accounts? Yep. While she does have a small team to help, she feels it is super important for her to manage her accounts so she’s able to keep a pulse on her followers. While some struggle with the tremendous discipline and time management skills this requires, Jasmine thrives. Many days, her time is planned down to the minute. For example, her marketing is roughly planned out at 10 hours per week. That’s broken down into 600 minutes… and 20 minute increments from there (IG, FB, FB groups, hashtag follow-ups, plus an hour of research a day to keep up on algorithms and trends).
“We always have these high aspirations, but if we’re not clear on our trajectory, there’s a good chance we’re going to miss the mark.”
Jasmine also encourages entrepreneurs to add to this by making it a point to understand their audiences and bring more of themselves. If your audience likes long posts, write them, but know that unless engagement is high, the algorithms will suppress views (IG and Jasmine prefer shorter posts about 86-112 characters). Get real with your audience. Selfies do very well as do stories about your personal background. Show your workspace…let people get to see the REAL you!
“People want to see the simplicity and the grandeur.”
Lastly, Jasmine advises that it’s not all about you. Nobody watches TV, listens to the radio or surfs social media to see commercials, so don’t make all of your posts about your products or services. Instead of focusing all of your attention on selling your product or service, you must first build your followers’ trust.
“The more you show up and the more you build trust by providing valuable content, the better off you’ll be and the faster you’ll transfer them to customers.”
At the end of the day, Jasmine stresses the importance of people knowing that “you see them, you hear them and that you want to know them.” Make sure your brand is more than a website, product or business… Make your brand an experience for your customers. With a successful and ever-growing business, I think this is the perfect advice. For more tips, be sure to follow Jasmine at the links below.
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Go to jasminestar.com/freestockphotos to receive FIVE free stock photos.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Subscribe to Earn Your Happy on iTunes.
Do you feel supported by family, friends, co-workers etc.? If not, we must realize that this support will not magically appear on its own. In order to receive this support, we must first support ourselves – unconditionally.
There was a stretch of time when I felt that I didn’t have any true friends... I didn’t want to drink, party all night only to feel like crap the next day, but all my friends at the time did. I wanted to be healthy and fit, but my friends chose Thirsty Thursday over healthier options. Of course, thinking I had NO other options, I followed along and my dreams continued to take the backseat. But here’s the thing, it wasn’t their fault. It was me who wasn’t willing to put myself first. I wasn’t willing to let go of those short-term pleasures. I wasn’t ready to support myself and get out of my own way. It was time to step into my fear and CHOOSE to become the person I truly wanted to be.
So I chose to start supporting myself. I had to find things, even if it meant on my own, that would help me reach my goals and practice saying no to the things that wouldn’t. For me, the most pressing need when I started this journey was my health. I gradually started making the choice to not go out and drink myself into oblivion. And it wasn’t until I did that, that I could start pursuing my fitness goals/career. What’s your most pressing need right now? What would make you feel BETTER? To get more rest, to eat better, exercise more or change your circle of friends? Full honesty… It isn’t easy.
“But if you don’t start choosing to support yourself, you have to get comfortable with the idea that you’re never going to change.”
You must ask yourself if you’re OK waking up in five years and being in the same place. If nothing changes, nothing changes. It’s scary, but you’re the only one who can do it.
“You can either choose complete suppression or face your fear.”
Face that fear TODAY! What are some ways you can support yourself RIGHT now? Is it time-blocking your calendar to fit in 20 minutes of exercise? Is it scheduling dance or music lessons? Is it reaching out to someone to be your mentor? It doesn’t matter how big or small your acts are as long as you’re ACTING. Failure is a given, but if we choose to focus on the blessing rather than each individual failure we’ll fail faster into better success.
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
I’m always so excited to have today’s guest, Gabrielle Bernstein, on Earn Your Happy, but today is even more exciting because we’re talking about her Spirit Junkie Digital Master Class – the class that undeniably took my business (and life) to a whole new level.
So often when people have a pull to do something “more”, they automatically respond with, “Who am I to do this?” But really the question that should be asked is, “Who am I NOT to do this?” To nip these thoughts in the bud, one of Gabrielle’s foundational components, trains you in confidence. It’s your time to rise up and the only way to build that confidence is to practice clearing the fear and blocks from your path. One fear that comes up often is unapologetically making money while remaining spiritual.
“Earning for our great work is also a great opportunity to invest in our well-being so that we can continue to do the work we’re here to do.”
In Gabrielle’s teachings, she’s crafted her program to be equal parts spiritual and business growth and business training. She hopes to bust the myth that you can’t make money AND be spiritual at the same time.
“We have to do the spiritual work to clear the belief systems that hold us back from our earning capacity and hold us back from stepping into our light.”
Honestly, I understand this 100% because I, like many of you, was in this same position not that long ago. And it wasn’t until I shifted my way of thinking (with the help of Gabrielle’s Spirit Junkie Master Class) that my business and life catapulted to places I’d only dreamed. I was ecstatic about all the things that seemed possible to me. New opportunities were appearing, left and right!
“Change the way you perceive abundance, then abundance can flow.”
I cannot tell you how TRUE this statement is.
“When you’re in alignment with inspiration, joy, excitement and enthusiasm, you become a magnet for opportunities.”
So maybe you have the ideas, but you’re afraid that it’s already been done before. You’re right, it probably has. But that doesn’t mean the world doesn’t need more inspiration from people like you!
“There are far more people in need of that inspiration than there are people doing it.”
Just make sure that the work you’re doing lights you up from the inside out. If you’re excited about creating your content, trust and know that other people will get excited about it too. The Spirit Junkie Master Class helps you connect with the spiritual side of this process while also allowing you to get laser-focused and successful with the business component. Make sure your energy is aligned with your inspiration.
“Your most valuable currency is energy. If your energy isn’t clear, joyful and inspirational, then you won’t be a magnet for more of that.”
If you’re feeling like you have a message and you want to be unapologetic about sharing that message with the world, I highly recommend joining the Spirit Junkie Digital Master Class tribe. See the resources below to sign up and to receive a very special bonus offer from me. I could not be more grateful for Gabrielle and this course as it pushed me to the edge. She gave me richness and deep roots that gave way to the freedom to take my business to new and different places. I cannot wait to hear about the shifts YOU make because of this course as well…
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
To say I was honored to have a one-on-one conversation with Danielle LaPorte is an understatement. I recently just finished her newest book, White Hot Truth, and it was just what I needed to access my freedom in writing my own book. Talking with her took it to a whole other level.
For those of you who don’t know who Danielle is, she’s an author, speaker, a poet, a painter, and a former business strategist and Washington-DC think tank exec. She is also an invited member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100, a group who, in Oprah Winfrey’s words, “is uniquely connecting the world together with a spiritual energy that matters.” In addition to her recent book, she’s also the author of The Fire Starter Sessions, and The Desire Map: A Guide To Creating Goals With Soul – this book also evolved into a yearly day planner system, a top 10 iTunes app, and an international workshop program. You’ve also likely seen her #truthbombs on social media.
At a glance, like many other successful people, one would not believe the career hurdles she’s overcome so far in her life. Very early on, Danielle remembers always having an entrepreneurial spirit. She was the girl running the lemonade stand and intuitively finding other opportunities to make money. Danielle once thought she would be a fashion designer, but she changed directions when she realized she got headaches every time she went to sew. From there, she began helping friends and naturally fell into being a publicist. This eventually led to the creation of her own communications agency – landing gigs in Washington D.C. pitching and selling white papers to the Pentagon. This in and of itself is an amazing accomplishment as she never went to college and is from Canada. When her work in D.C. was complete, Danielle went on to start a consultancy for soulful personal branding, which led to her first book, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design. It got the attention of Oprah and she received a lot of media and investment interest from that. That small consultancy incorporated and soon after she was fired. While none of this made her feel great, she believes that,
“All the worst things have turned out to be my best things.”
True to her words, Danielle went on to coach entrepreneurs, author the above listed books and hasn’t looked back since. While some would let all these different events knock them down, she persevered by focusing on the reason she’s here. She unquestionably knows her why and she knows what her talents are. Danielle goes on to say, “Life happens. You tried your best and it didn’t work out…You just have to keep showing up.” Danielle also adds that you must take the time to grieve these hard times.
“When you don’t win, you need to stop, you need to cry and recover, and feel the sting and how you feel about what just happened.”
Life is hard. So just take that breather – but then come back – ready to work.
“If you’re going to be brighter and sexier and smarter and more feminine and more innovative and more progressive than the status-f*cking-quo, you’re in for a fight.”
There will always be losses, but you need to know that you walk away knowing more. You’re better. And you’re actually more yourself because of it. I love that Danielle phrases it as,
“Sometimes you need to be lost to be found.”
This is SO true. We need to go through the highs and the lows – and learn from them. And sometimes this means setting boundaries. This is easier said than done as a woman though – and not because we’re too emotional. Danielle explains that as women, we naturally want to merge and connect with people… We want to nourish and heal. We don’t want to be “mean,” and we don’t want to be a push-over either. Being tolerant can be a good thing, but being “excessively tolerant” = almost no boundaries. Danielle doesn’t expect you to do this all on your own. You need someone else to objectively tell you when your boundaries are being taken advantage of.
She goes to say that once you’ve put up that “fence” to keep those people out, you’ll find that no one died. You didn’t kill anyone. And you feel just a little big lighter. Recently, there has been some stress in Danielle’s business where she’s had to use some of the above practices. It’s comforting to know that no matter where you’re at, we all experience resistance in our lives. While she takes time to “walk in circles” and wrap her head around the problem, she also makes a point to view disappointing events in a positive light.
“I always take failure as an opportunity to reinvent.”
Danielle tells us to use these opportunities to question EVERYTHING (no, really – everything). Even through these less than ideal times for her business right now, the powerful message of her recent book, White Hot Truth, is a success. It was Danielle’s hope that people experience the book and feel relieved (mission accomplished with me). Since finishing her book, Danielle herself has more compassion for herself and for others. And she hopes that others will feel the same and then some – more self-love and self-respect, too. And once you do, Danielle encourages you to, “Get off your butt and do something – make the world a better place. The world needs YOU.”
In This Episode You Will Learn:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Do you feel like you’re living every day like it’s Groundhog’s Day? You know, same thoughts, same people, same problems… Sounds like it’s time to switch things up and add some excitement back into your life. But to do that we need to bust through fears and try new things. Of course, we can’t do that without first changing our thoughts.
To set the tone for the day, I highly recommend waking up and instantly repeating a positive mantra – either out loud or in your head. I know, I know… sounds a little cheesy, but I assure you, it works.
Every morning my husband and I say the following:
“I am happier, healthier, wealthier and more fit than I was yesterday.”
But that’s only the beginning of the day! Do small things throughout the day that keep the positivity and excitement going. Bear in mind that it doesn’t have to be anything HUGE.
“Life and enjoyment of life is made up of the very simple pleasures.”
Here are a few different things you could do:
This list could go on and on… Also, be sure you’re expanding your network – both virtually and in person. Ask a new friend out for coffee or to meet at a new workout class. And since social media has a tendency to highlight more negative things, be sure use that “block” button freely and start following more uplifting people/pages. Personally, I know that I don’t want any seeds of negativity growing in my mind, because that’s exactly what my mind will hold on to. It is SO important for YOU to weed out any potentially negative vibes. “You are the variable. You are the only one who can change your outcome.” Doing the same thing will only ever get you (you guessed it) the SAME thing. And who wants that? Certainly not me and likely not you. “If you want a different day, you’ve got to start with different thoughts in the morning.” Now, go let those thoughts lead you to THE BEST day!
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
One never knows what they’re going to do when tragedy hits, but JJ had to keep it together and learn fast after one of her son’s was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run accident. With 13 broken bones and an aortic tear, doctors knew he needed surgery, but they also warned he’d likely not survive the airlift to another hospital – much less the actual surgery. They gave him the heart-wrenching odds of a .25 percent survival rate. With that knowledge, JJ had a choice to make. Fortunately, the wisdom of her other son rang through as he asked the doctor, “Point-two-five isn’t zero, right?” Those words were just what JJ needed to make the choice to help her son FIGHT for survival. After a successful airlift and surgery, JJ’s son survived, but because of the trauma was in a coma. It was a daunting road ahead, but JJ start asking herself the “right” questions. It wasn’t “how will he survive this?” It was, “How do I get him to 110%?” And one of the top things she could do to get him there was to take care of herself.
“I did what I needed to do to take extreme care of myself.”
JJ knew she had to: 1. Be there for her son. 2. Ensure her book was a success (The Virgin Diet). 3. She needed to put her health FIRST. And that’s what she did to make sure she was at the top of her game to help her son fight for his life. Not long after JJ’s son’s accident, it was suggested that in addition to the book she had just written (The Virgin Diet), she should write about her recent experience with her son – what tools she used and how she kept strong and positive throughout it all. Thank goodness she said yes to that! JJ’s teachings have come to help thousands of clients reframe their mindset and realize their worth, mind and body. Oddly enough sometimes, it’s not the diet or exercise component that hangs people up, it’s the actual saying or writing down of the words, “I am worthy.” That’s great, but how do you get someone to actually feel worthy? JJ encourages taking ACTION. It’s all about shifting your mindset and moving into action.
JJ teaches her members/readers to practice their “Daily Jam.” Upon waking up every day, the Daily Jam consists of: 1. GRATITUDE: Writing down three things you are grateful for (starting the day in gratitude is a MUST). 2. APPRECIATION: Text someone a message of appreciation. 3. MIRACLE: Write down three miracles that happen that day. And then… Write “I am worthy.” It can be a super difficult thing for some to write, but they work their way up to realizing they are a complete bad ass (and that’s how we ALL should feel by the way). JJ is completely transparent when it comes to her own case of “imposter syndrome.” We all have moments of not feeling like we’re good enough or worthy – that’s reality. There are still days where she wonders what the hell she’s doing. But then she remembers (from personal experience) that no one has it all together. Every successful person has failed their way there… in one way or another. Failure is just a part of life.
“What if fear was actually a sign that you’re stepping up onto a bigger platform and you should feel that? What if when you’re feeling nothing, it’s because you’re playing it safe.”
Fear is never easy to take… but quit playing it safe. Play ALL OUT, even if it means falling on your face.
“It’s necessary, it sucks, it’s painful, but it makes it all amazing and worth it.”
You must be willing to acknowledge the good with the bad. What was good? What were the wins? It’s about appreciating the present moment and lessons and getting real with gratitude.
“When you’re scared to death and you want to get fear shoved out of the way, gratitude shoves it and builds resilience.”
But JJ is again full honest… It never gets easier to take, but the tougher the experience, the more you step up, and the more you grow.
“If your purpose is big enough, it makes you push through. And every time you push through, you’re building that muscle of resilience.”
So on that note, know that you can handle “stuff” – whatever it is. If you set your mind right, you can reframe anything to be a good thing or your miracle. -- JJ Virgin a is celebrity nutrition and fitness expert, who teaches clients how to lose weight and master their mindset so they can lead bigger, better lives. She is author of 4 NY Times bestsellers: The Virgin Diet, The Virgin Diet Cookbook, JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet, and JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook. Her memoir Miracle Mindset: A Mother, Her Son, & Life’s Hardest Lessons explores the powerful lessons in strength and positivity that she learned after her son Grant was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run accident. JJ hosts the popular JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show podcast and regularly writes for Huffington Post, Rodale Wellness, and other major blogs and magazines. She’s also a frequent guest on TV and radio and speaks at major events. In addition to her work with nutrition and fitness, JJ is also a business coach and founded the premier health entrepreneur event and community, The Mindshare Summit.
In This Episode You Will Learn:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
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Quick…what are you thinking RIGHT now? Are they positive thoughts filled with love and gratitude? Or are they low-vibe, energy-sucking thoughts that make you want to eat a can of worms? If you’re the latter… don’t eat the worms! Kidding, but seriously, I do want to discuss the power of thoughts and how those thoughts affect your current situation.
I don’t know about you, but I’m fascinated with research – especially when it’s connected to the power of thoughts and changing outcomes. Currently, I’m reading the book, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza, and he discusses how by shifting our thoughts from being a victim of our circumstances we can instead cause an effect that creates a different outcome. Nerd alert – I get so excited reading about studies like this.
Dispenza shares research that directly links changes in DNA to positive thoughts. Did you read that? Changes in a person’s DNA!! Isn’t that amazing?! He advises though, that it’s not just about positive thoughts. Within the testing groups of one of the mentioned studies, the changes were only seen when there were positive thoughts AND feelings that went with them.
“It’s not just the thoughts, but rather the intentions behind them.”
We have the power to change our outcomes – just thinking and feeling different things. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m realistic. We’re not all going to wake up singing happy songs and dancing, but that’s exactly why we practice rituals that help get us present and shift into gratitude.
“When you feel grateful, you attract more to be grateful for.”
If you wake up feeling crappy, I get it! Acknowledge that crap sandwich, but don’t eat it! Feel those feelings, but don’t stay there. Give yourself some time, vent to a person if you need to, but MOVE ON.
“Get rid of the thoughts that aren’t serving you, because that’s the outcome you’ll be living in.”
Quickie Tip: Don’t let the idea of changing ALL your thoughts at once bog you down. This is not an all-or-nothing approach. The next time one of those negative Nelly thoughts comes for a visit, recognize it for what it is and choose to make your next thought just a little better. It’s those baby steps that lead to the most impactful and sustained growth.
In This Episode You Will Hear About:Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
