“Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.” –Chinese Proverb

I use the phrase “doing the work” quite a bit these days and sometimes get blank stares like I’m speaking a foreign language. I am fortunate to be in circles where my closest friends are all into self actualization, but not in a hippy-dippy-we-are-one-with-the-planet way (although I actually think that’s true). We are pushing each other to be our best selves, grow in self awareness, and share tools to help each other love well. 

There are communication techniques such as empathic or reflective listening, and self growth tools such as the Enneagram, professional therapy, and life coaching. There’s journaling, which studies show can tangibly improve your life circumstances, practicing gratitude, meditating, podcasts, books, and more. The list is almost endless because every person will connect to themselves and our Creator in a different way.

The “work” is just as much a mindset as it is action. It is the desire and willingness to use our brains the way we were meant to – to create the life we want instead of letting life simply happen to us. The work allows us to develop self awareness to see when we’re triggered and how we react. The work gives us a way to regulate all the fear-based, selfish behaviors that have derailed relationships since the beginning of time, and step into a more enlightened, harmonious way of existing. 

If you aren’t actively doing the work, you can start with a simple step I learned from Roddy Carter, an Executive Coach and guest on a YouTube channel I help produce:

Write down the 3 things you are most proud of – the 3 assets that make you the powerful person you are. Carry this around with you every day and it can start to transform your mind.

Intentionally becoming instead of just being is work we can all take pride in.

[Photo by Ahmad Odeh on Unsplash]