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Together, we’ll dive deep and find the strength to never give up because Great Things Take Time.

What are the obstacles to your Great Things?

Over the last couple of months, we’ve been covering obstacles people commonly face when looking to reach their goals, their “Great Things.” These are things that I’ve faced over the years (and continue to face) as well as patterns I’ve noticed when talking to the community about their journeys.

So far, we’ve covered the need to separate ourselves from others’ opinions, and getting specific to name the exact thing that you want.

Today, we’re talking about priority shifts that come without communication to those around you.

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Here's what's in today's email

• Bring Your People Along For The Journey

• Moments with Maurice

• Collective Member Highlight

• What's Got Me Smilin'

Bring Your People Along For The Journey

When you’re on the path to a Great Thing and focusing on achieving that thing, sometimes the blinders need to come up; you need to focus on the task at hand. Your priorities shift. 

This may look like saying no to outside things so you can go to bed earlier. Maybe it’s the reverse, and you say yes to everything and spend more time networking or socializing. 

When you focus your energy on one thing, you naturally have to give less to something else. You can’t do it all. If you could, you probably would have done it by now, and everyone would be doing it.

But while being okay with an energy and priority shift is important, what matters even more is communication, and to be honest, most things in life come back to communication.

In my life, I spend a decent amount of time in front of a screen for work. When I get home from work, I know that I have to disengage from devices and not feel the pull of needing to be chained to the device and responding instantaneously. My friends and colleagues understand this now because I’ve told them (and apologized) that I’m not the best communicator via text. Instead of thinking I’m ignoring them, they just roast me endlessly and follow up or call me if they need an answer in that moment. It’s not great, but they know this is something I need so that I am ready for action and to be the best version of myself. 

I couldn’t do this alone. They say it takes a village, but sometimes it just takes a few people in your corner who can keep things conflict-free. 

When you’re building something, if others understand the process, you can be supported, and there is less of a chance for frustration to mount. Not everyone is thinking through things the same way that you are. When it’s something you’re working on, you’re picking it apart to figure out the best course of action. People won’t always understand your method, or how long you plan on doing something for, but if you bring them in on the ride, they’re more likely to support you.

If the sacrifice you have to make is a financial one, telling your partner how long you will have to cut back on things makes their sacrifice more palatable. If you need someone to help you out with something during your time together, instead of being annoyed, it can make them feel excited to be on this journey with you. If you have to cut back on time spent together for a few months while you’re studying for a test or preparing for an event, they’ll understand it because you’ve shared how important it is to your goal and what that goal means to you. 

But even better, when you bring them along on the journey, they’ll be there to keep you in check. They’ll be more likely to tell you to go home early, you’ve got bigger things to get ready for than a night out! They understand what this means to you and why you’re doing it this way. 

Staying silent will get you nowhere. As you start to cut back and sacrifice things that need to be sacrificed for the time being, 

Think about what would happen if I didn’t tell people I’m bad at texting (or blasted it out to thousands of people via newsletter). Think about what would happen if you didn’t tell your people about what you need to sacrifice? 

Don’t cause yourself unnecessary tension or friction that will distract from your Great Things, share what’s going on. They’re your people for a reason; bring them along on the journey. They, like I, want to see you win.

Moments with Maurice

If you only pause to reflect on your life for one moment today, do it now.

My second track coach almost ruined running for me.

I thought running had to always be fast and with an all-out effort. That you had to be serious, not a hobby jogger. Now, I’m finding joy running on a treadmill with a fancy microphone that hides just how tired I am. It might not have been that way if I took my coach’s instructions as the only way.

Early experiences and rigid teachings shape our beliefs about things like running, reading, or personal growth. How can you question inherited assumptions and reclaim joy and self-worth from activities you may have once dismissed, to continue learning and personal evolution?

Take a moment to read the answer below from Davine, I think it’s a lesson we could all re-visit.

You didn’t just come here to listen to me talk… er.. write? The world is made of connections and community and you never know who is going to inspire something in you.

Name: Christine 

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Steel City)

Hobbies/Interests:

Singing, listening to music, line dancing, fitness (bootcamps, running/walking, all things peloton), decorating, hanging out with family, watching competition-style reality TV (Spring Baking Championship, American Idol), game shows, fashion, skin care and makeup, hair care (glamour product junkie)

A Great Thing you are most proud of achieving:

I was never athletic and have always disliked exercising; in fact, during my school-aged years, I was famous for convincing my mother to write notes to excuse me from gym classes (I’m dating myself). In my adulthood, I exercised sporadically, never really sticking with anything.  My daughter introduced me to OrangeTheory Fitness, and I was going strong for a little over a year, noticing improvements in my body, feeling better, and getting stronger, then Covid hit, and the world shut down. 

Peloton then entered my life, and I’ve not only stuck with it but have pushed myself beyond what I ever thought I could do - a half marathon at age 58. It’s even more meaningful because I never saw myself as “that person” who worked out regularly or prioritized fitness, but I keep showing up and continuing to be amazed at what my body can do. I am proud of that!

A Great Thing you are working on:

I’m learning not to let fear hold me back from challenging myself and embracing new opportunities outside my comfort zone.  Even though it scares me, I’m pushing myself to run my first full marathon. 

What do you tell yourself when things get hard, you need to find motivation, or you’re feeling down:

I first try to focus on my relationship with God, how He has never left me and has gotten me through 100% of my hard days, because I am still here. Then I recall and meditate on the many scriptures I’ve memorized - verses that have consistently carried me through difficult times and filled me with encouragement. Two that speak directly to my hard things are:

• I can do all this through him who gives me strength.-  Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

•  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.- 2 Timothy 1:7

Your “hot take”:

 No matter when you begin, it’s never too late to evolve into your best self. 

Because no matter what, there is always something to smile about.

Good Sports and Giving Back

This weekend I was able to take a family trip to Boston for the Good Sports Gala. If you aren’t familiar with Good Sports, it’s an organization that works to provide equitable access for youth to experience sports and physical activity. I’m lucky enough to be an Ambassador for them and was able to tour the facilities and participate in a fireside chat led by Katie Feeney.

I have more to share on this in the coming weeks, but weekend was a reminder that giving back is something we all can participate in.

I say giving back, because at some point in most of our lives, someone took a chance on us or gave us an opportunity to access something we might not have. Many times, people don’t ask for anything in return, they just tell you to pass along the support to someone else down the line. We all have a unique way we can pass along our support.

Not My Cars, But I Can Still Drool Over Them

Did you expect to not see cars in the Monday content?

Remember:

-Adrian