Imagine if you were trying to lose weight and someone stood directly in front of you with a piece of chocolate cake. Or, think about how you would feel if you were getting ready for a presentation and a colleague ignored your request to leave your office so you could collect your thoughts?

Do your thoughts go to sabotage? Would you ask yourself, why are they doing this to me?

Now, think about the times you get in your own way. You know going to the gym would help you to feel better about your body, but you don’t schedule time to go for a workout. Or, you want to lose weight, but instead of preparing a healthy, nutritious meal for lunch, you order in the hamburger and french fries with your colleague.

Does the word self-sabotage come to mind? After all, these are actions you are in control of, yet you don’t always do what’s best for you. Of course, I’m not speaking only to you. I’ve certainly engaged in self-sabotaging behavior, as have most people. A logical question would be “why?” yet the answer is not simple.

We are bombarded every day with messages, often conflicting ones. The best way to lose weight, the best time management system, the best way to do this…and that. Is there really only one “best” way to do something? I used to think so and that’s where self-sabotage showed up in my life. If I wasn’t able to do an activity the “best” way, I felt inadequate and then shut down. I stopped taking actions that I knew would make me feel better or accomplish more in my career. Who stopped me? ME!

After hitting rock bottom, I had to set measurable goals for ME and my career and then set priorities so I could take appropriate actions for success. I knew I had to get out of my own way if I wanted to be successful and live a fulfilled life.

First and foremost, I had to make myself a priority. I had to make time for the gym, even if it meant not meeting friends after work one day, or waking up earlier in the morning than I was used to doing. Sometimes it meant asking for help at work, something I was not comfortable doing but realized it was in my best interest, and ultimately the organization’s best interest, for me to do so.When I took care of myself and felt whole and complete, I was more productive at the office.

Secondly, I had to plan my meals so I knew what I was eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As long as I had my healthy food with me, I ate nutritious meals. If I left my meals to chance, I was heading directly into self-sabotage syndrome. It didn’t take long for extra weight to stick to my body and my mood to fluctuate.

Thirdly, I had to learn how to say “no.” Sounds simple, right? However, it is not easy to do so when you always want to please the people around you. I had to learn that saying “no” with integrity was really saying “yes” to me.

Overcoming self-sabotage takes muscle, like the muscles we build at the gym. When we’re not used to it, taking care of ourselves feels uncomfortable. But when we reach our goals and feel truly alive, when we enjoy the gift in each and every moment, the possibilities for achievement are truly endless.

Your Assignment:

1. Write down all the ways you can make yourself a priority: time for the gym, getting a good night of sleep, etc.
2. Notice how you get in your own way and write down the occurrences.
3. Now, review some of the examples from #2 and write out steps you can take to make positive changes in your life.
4. Celebrate your achievements in overcoming self-sabotage (perhaps with a special dinner or a new article of clothing).
5. Notice how much happier and healthier you feel by taking care of yourself.

This assignment will help you understand how you can take responsibility for your health and well-being by getting out of your own way. If you are concerned about your nutrition and lifestyle routines and know you want to do things differently so you can best your best every day, contact me at jodi@bravowellness.comor call 413-282-7286. At Bravo! Wellness, I work with my clients to create manageable lifestyle changes so they are able to achieve their greatest potential in life, health and business.

Have you noticed? Have you seen? Everywhere you look it’s an epidemic of mediocrity.

With the endless parade of me-too events and offers. From folks who think it’s good enough to copy what everyone else is doing. To roll out the old marketing Xerox machine. And launch cookie cutter events that leave you uninspired. Just to make a buck.

I am about to let you in on something new. Fresh. And different. That is going to take your mindset about business and life through the roof. With tips on how to use profits to make a massive difference in the world (as you know, I recently donated 10% of the Fit, Focused and Fabulous upgrade package to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer).

My colleague Suzanne Evans has done it again!

It’s a one-of-a-kind Online Awards Interview Show. (You heard that right!) Featuring a parade of major players who are going to reveal the secrets of how they built their businesses. AND made a massive difference!

And the good news is: You can listen in to each interview with these business movers and shakers. Absolutely fr.e.e! (so if you are not listening Fit, Focused and Fabulous this week, I encourage you to sign up right now for the second annual Be The Change Awards).

These awards honor 11 entrepreneurs who are now only creating business but movements that are changing the world.

It’s a series of blockbuster interviews. With folks who are definitely NOT bit players. Or wanna-be’s. They are big time entrepreneurs who built powerful businesses. With honest-to- goodness, take it to the bank profits. Multiple six and even seven-figure businesses.

And in their interviews, they will reveal some especially exciting ideas for building your business and creating a life you love.

Many of these inspirational business leaders were at rock bottom and designed powerful, thriving, profitable businesses. You, too, can be the leader you dream of being.

Suzanne hand-picked each and every honoree. Shining examples of entrepreneurs who took it on. Who didn’t just create a business. They created a movement. That changed thousands of lives.

Yes, they created huge profits. But did it the RIGHT WAY. By making a difference as well.

You’ve never seen a red carpet like this before!

It’s truly a dream team of dynamic leaders. What is even more amazing is their generosity in sharing their stories with you.

These talented award-winning entrepreneurs will help you, once and for all, to say YES to the money you have always wanted. And the meaning you simply can’t live without. I know I’m ready to follow in the footsteps. Are you?

As always, to your health and happiness,

Next Steps:

1. If you haven’t listened to any of the f*ree Fit, Focused and Fabulous calls, there is still time. Sign up now.
2. Have you been dreaming of making a difference but don’t know how? Listen to the Be The Change Awards.
3. Decide what change you want to make in your life TODAY and commit to it.
4. Clear your head. Take a walk. Breathe. Enjoy who you are and what you bring to the world.

These steps will help you be more authentic in business and life. Be the best YOU possible. If you are struggling to find your path to healthy living and want to discuss how you can live a more vibrant life, contact me at jodi@bravowellness.com or call 413-282-7286. At Bravo! Wellness, I work with my clients to create manageable lifestyle changes so they are able to reach their goals and maintain a healthy and fulfilling standard of living.

How do you feel in the morning when you get dressed to go to work? Do you look in the mirror and smile, or do you avoid the mirror and thus avoid seeing what you don’t like about your body? If the latter describes you, think about how that negativity is affecting your career. Can you really be your best if you don’t walk into your office with confidence and high self-esteem?

Several years ago, when I was struggling with an extra 15 pounds, I set aside a few pair of pants and some skirts that I knew I would wear to work, and moved some of my favorite “skinny” clothes to the back of the closet. I didn’t realize it at the time, but doing this was actually setting me up for failure. If I looked in the mirror before leaving my apartment, my clothes said “fat” to me and I felt awful. If I didn’t look in the mirror, I’d walk into my office with anxiety thinking that people were looking at me and noticing how “bad” I looked; concentrating on work took extra effort.

Have you been holding yourself back from career growth because you don’t feel confident?

Do you feel your appearance does not reflect the image you want people to have of you?

I transformed my life by getting in touch with how I was holding myself back from success. Since my breakthroughs, I have started two successful companies.

Do you want the tools, support and mindset secrets to live your best life ever? I’ve partnered with a great friend and colleague, Loren Fogelman to empower other high-achieving professionals to finally get out of their own way and achieve the success of their dreams. Loren is a success expert and founder of Mindset for Marketing Success and has helped thousands of clients reach their goals.

Loren and I created a Special Topic Call Series, Your Body, Your Business. We’ve scheduled a FREE preview call on Thursday, May 13 at 5pmPST/8pmEST.

Clear your obstacles to success, gain self-confidence, increase your self-esteem and be empowered to live your best life NOW.

Register at http://budurl.com/OurPreviewCall

We open the book. Its pages are blank. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day ~ Edith Pierce

My good friend, Pat Mussieux of Steps2Happiness, posted this quote on facebook earlier today (her friend Barry Dunlop originally posted it). I read the quote and got chills. The word Opportunity jumped out at me, and then the metaphor of a book with blank pages on New Year’s Day was a powerful visual for me.  I understand there are things we cannot control in life, but what we can control, why not make them the best we can?

A blank page does indeed offer opportunity for us to visualize our goals and then write them down.  And, the book is customizable for each and every one of us, so we can write our own stories. What do you want your life to look like? What do you want to accomplish this year? This month? Today? Tomorrow? This is your story. This is your opportunity to create a vision for yourself.

Last year I made the decision to take great strides in my business. I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to get there. I read books, attended conferences and surrounded myself with people whom I knew could get me to where I wanted to be. And, I hired a business coach because I knew the support would help me accomplish my goals faster and more efficiently than on my own. All in all, my book of 2009 was great. Now, I’m prepared to make 2010 even better.

Here’s to your book of 2010. May it be filled with dreams and goals that make you happy from one day to the next.