Today is August 30, 2018 – (see August 30, 2018 on my Facebook page for video)
There are only two days left in this Facebook No regrets challenge. Over the course of this month I’ve shared with you many things about my life. I’ve shared my ideas on setting and taking steps to reach goals. I’ve shared with you my passion for helping people live lives of passion and purpose. I’ve shared my why, my thoughts on intuition, and the things that hold us back.
Today I want to give you a progress update. A few weeks back I went snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and I was afraid. I couldn’t make it to the buoy my friend suggested we swim to and I realized I didn’t have confidence in my swimming ability or my snorkeling equipment to be able to do it. I said I would at some point swim to this buoy. Unfortunately life’s been crazy busy and I haven’t found the opportunity to go swimming again to build y skill and confidence. I do hope to get out there again before the end of the season and swim to that buoy. But if for some reason that doesn’t happen I will take myself off the hook and be okay with myself. Before I would put pressure on myself and I would be stressed in trying to check this thing off my list. And when I did accomplish whatever I was going after, I really hadn’t enjoyed the process of doing the thing. My more relaxed approach provides me freedom to prioritize and reprioritize things that at one point were super important, but which later carry less weight.
The other update I have for you is that I’m now on page 60 of that 360 page novel written in French. Last night when I held it in my hand, the pages in my left hand were becoming substantial, it felt solid and I had a sense of accomplishment. Sure I still have 300 pages to go, but my reading three to five pages every day is working. I‘m learning new words and expressions. I’m learning French syntax and I’m reminded that slow and steady wins the race. Consistent effort over time leads to progress and confidence. Progress and increased confidence with continued consistent effort leads to success in reaching the things we have set for ourselves and which we continue to prioritize as important to achieve.
I started off this challenge by asking you what you want to experiences in your life so that you don’t have regrets at the end of your life. What was that thing you chose? Why is it so important to you to experience or achieve? And what progress have you made in this month to move toward that goal?
This challenge I put out there for you, but you don’t have to wait for someone outside of yourself to challenge you to do something that holds great importance to you. When I discovered this I found a challenge that led me to losing 75 pounds, which changed my life completely.
“If you want to be accepted accept yourself. If you want to be acknowledged, acknowledge yourself. And if you want to be challenged challenge yourself.”
I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow for the final day of this challenge.
Bye for now.
Patricia Brooks is a life experiences coach, speaker, and the author of Growing Bold: How to Overcome Fear, Build Confidence, and Love the Life you Live. She is the host of the Discovering Courage Podcast where each week she explores how ordinary people have managed to live extraordinary lives. Patricia is currently living in France, pursuing her dreams.
Photo Credit: Tobias Negele