OF SUPPORT OF SUPPORT

By Terez Hartmann

FAMILIAR SCENARIOS:

I started my new year all fired up and ready to take on the world, but then…

I seem to get to a certain point where I’m JUST about ready to break through, and then…

I was really getting my groove back and felt like I was on the path to moving forward in my life—then _____ happened.

It all felt insurmountable. If life gave me one more thing, I was just going to break. Even though I knew I had people who love me in my life, I still felt alone—as if there was no one on the planet who could possibly understand or even help.

Have you—or your clients you serve—ever experienced anything like this?

If so, you are not alone. Day-to-day life in the 21st century is filled with constant distractions, data-overload, and crazy world events that often make the idea of going back to living in a nice, quiet cave far, far away feel like a REALLY good idea. And when you add on personal, financial, health or relationship challenges, the idea of accomplishing goals or keeping those promises to yourself can all-to-easily fall to the very bottom of the list.

I personally have experienced EVERYTHING mentioned above at one or more times in my life and found myself feeling various degrees of frustration, anger, and even a deep sense of disappointment and sadness. I knew I was meant to do FAR more with my life than put out fires and simply get through the day, so I started listening, learning, reaching and researching a multitude of paths for moving forward.

Many of the tools I discovered during my journey are shared in my Onward, Upward & Forward courses (for ideas visit, https://www.terezfirewoman.com/shop2), but there was one key piece that took my results into bold new levels of success and joy: accountability and support.

The Data

A study conducted by ATD (Association of Talent Development) found that individuals have the following probabilities of completing a goal by taking these actions:

Having an idea or goal: 10% likely to complete the goal

Consciously deciding that you will do it: 25%

Deciding when you will do it: 40%

Planning how to do it: 50%

Committing to someone that you will do it: 65%

Having a specific accountability appointment with someone you’ve committed to: 95%!

No person is an island – that’s why THE most successful AND emotionally happy, healthy people ALL have some kind of accountability partner or support team in place. As leaders and mentors, many people look to us for guidance and a clear sense of direction, so doing all we can to stay on our game and in alignment benefits everyone who crosses our path. No matter how powerful, wealthy or independent you are, knowing that you don’t have to shoulder the weight of the world alone, and that there are people who care about you and who will root for your success and well-being, makes it FAR more likely that you will continue to keep moving forward, enjoy the journey of your career and life more, and even LIVE LONGER. On that note, here is a link to an amazing longevity study: https://www.bluezones.com/2018/08/moai-thistradition-is-why-okinawan-people-live-longer-better/

After discovering that humans can experience results like on-going and increasing success, better health and well-being, and even a longer life expectancy, I knew I was on to something— and here is what I discovered in my own personal journey:

Perspective.

When left unchecked, the human brain can take a random thought or challenging experience of the moment and turn it into a life-or-death catastrophe of epic proportions, resulting in a Lord of the Rings-esque melodrama. This, in turn, triggers the release of chemicals in our bodies that can cause anything from a mega stress response, to depression, anxiety, or even full-blown panic attacks. Not fun. BUT…

Sharing these same fleeting thoughts or challenges with a solution-focused coach, partner or group can massively help to tame and reframe those mental wild hairs and give you new perspective, which can diffuse the drama BEFORE it amps up, and get you back on the road to moving forward!

On the other hand, sharing challenges with friends or family who are not necessarily forward-focused, who tend towards ranting, or who lean into fear-based or negative assessments, can actually add MORE momentum to what you DON’T want, so be sure to connect with a partner or group who is/are able to see the best in YOU and who will help you to focus upon possibility for good results, and help you discover what you CAN do to move forward.

Giving myself permission to open up about life and share some of the challenges I was facing with forward-focused partners turned what was once an epic drama into a manageable sitcom! Talk about a shift in perspective!

Calm & Comfort.

I personally feel a deep sense of peace knowing that I have people in my corner who are TRULY there to hold the “high ground” for me, infuse some much-needed logic and reason when the monkey mind runs amok, rekindle the memory of who I REALLY am, and who will encourage and help me keep my eyes and ears open for the next way forward.

When you stop buying into the lie that you are all alone and see 3-D evidence that you DO have love and support around you, even the toughest setbacks feel softer and lighter.

Results!

As self-motivated as I am, I have to admit that the data definitely has proven to be true for me. Once I started doing weekly accountability check-ins, my productivity and follow through skyrocketed!

Not only was I checking things off my list EVERY week— regardless of any life challenges—but new business, fab opportunities, well-being resources, and even bonus income starting flowing in the most beautiful and unexpected ways! Some MEGA perks to truly FEELING productive and on purpose? It feels GOOD to move forward, your POA (Point Of Attraction) is in a high-flying positive place, and people, ideas, and good things start flowing TO you! Talk about a serious win-win!

In essence, the more “checkpoints” you create for yourself to focus on what you CAN do and what IS working, the faster you can turn things around, ignite your inner fire, and start attracting GOOD stuff—for the benefit of ALL.

THE BOTTOM LINE: THE POWER OF SUPPORT

I was raised by a single mom who always prided herself on doing everything on her own, which instilled a level of fierce independence that has served me extremely well throughout my life. But this also brought with it a sense of shame or feeling “less than” when even considering the possibility of reaching out in virtually any capacity. Granted, heeding my own inner guidance and using the tools I share with others HAS always produced good results for me, but having the courage to invite others “in”, allow others the opportunity to experience the same joy I feel when I know I’ve made a difference, and having consistent, weekly check-ins with like-minded leaders and fellow travelers* shifted something within me that goes beyond anything I can fully share in one article.

So with this spirit, may you also remember that it DOES take a village to live a healthy, happy, successful life, that we truly ARE all in this together, and that life, the Universe and everything win when YOU move Onward, Upward & Forward and break through to experience the best expression of YOU.

Here’s to working together so that WE can live life on FIRE—for the benefit of ALL!

*Like the idea of experiencing great strides forward too? Set the wheels in motion with group or individual coaching. I’d be honored to share what I’ve learned to be a support for YOU: Visit this page for ideas: https://www.terezfirewoman.com/coaching