Brave Lessons: The Wrap-Up

I would have totally forgotten the year of Brave was wrapping up, but then I saw some of my favorite bloggers choosing their new word for 2015 here and here.  2015?!  Is it here already?

Here's what I've learned about Brave and here are my thoughts on next year's word(s):

• Brave, you suited me well.  I needed you throughout the year in different situations and with different projects (like writing a book).  You were an encouraging sidekick to me.  
• There were times where I could have renamed Brave to other words like Bold or Confidence. Now, that I am typing that, I think all three words come from the same word family.  Would you agree?
• Brave is all relative.  My Brave is different than someone else's Brave.  Perhaps, the bigger lesson here is that all things, situations, and challenges are relative & person dependent.  It reminds me of that idiom, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  LIFE is in the eye of the beholder, too.
• I loved how Bravery found me in places I least expected - the kitchen (hence, my new cast iron skillet pictured above), on the trails, and even in my workouts.  Since October, I've added four mini-workouts a week into my fitness repertoire (they are roughly 20 minutes long).  Those are in addition to my regular hikes, walks, and trail runs that I do with Jedi.  I can see the micro-differences those mini-workout additions have made.  In fact, noticing those micro-differences fuels me to keep going in 2015 with my mini-workouts of the Dailey Method.  Here's to Brave fitness and not giving up!
• Now, that 2015 is upon me, what will my next word be?  
• I'm also thinking I might abandon one word and go for a phrase in 2015.  

What words or phrases do you suggest?  Do you have a word (or phrase) to keep you focused for 2015?  I'd love to hear....

Happy New Year to you!  

xo,

Jen

Brave Lessons {No. 5}

I cannot believe how much I've needed to lean into Brave these last few weeks.  Do you remember when I was wondering if I even needed Brave?  You can find that blog post here in case you missed it.  What was I thinking?  I bet a few of you were like, oh, she needs Brave, for sure.  Wait for it, Jen.

My word for 2014 is rightly chosen for me.  I need Bravery.  Period.

Here's what I've learned about Brave since the last update:

• I am afraid of many things.  I know I may not look like I am afraid or sound like I am, but I am. I'm afraid of failing, letting others down, letting myself down, sounding like an idiot, dreaming too big.  Fear, fear, fear.
• The antidote to all of those fears is one simple thing, Bravery.  I only have to be Brave.  
• I've learned I am not alone.  Recently at a leadership retreat I attended, I found about 30 people (out of 40) who feel like I do.  Fearful.  And we all agreed, if we could just be Brave the fear would be a non-issue.  A non-issue!  Gone.
• This book I'm writing.  Oh, man, have I had to own it lately.  Here's a true story - one that took Bravery and is a good example of dreaming too big (or dreaming just the right amount - depending on how you look at it).  I am on the airplane to Chicago to attend the leadership retreat I mentioned.  The guy next to me asks what do you do?  You know what I say?  I say, I'm an author.  I'm writing a book.  What?  Have I lost my mind?  Yep.  I'm an author (amongst many hats I wear, which I further described to him later in our conversation).  Bravery to say I'm an author aloud, plus a whole lot of audacity.
• Oh, here's another true story.  I spoke to my literary agent last week.  I mean, if you are writing a book you need an agent, right?  She happens to be a childhood friend of mine, too, which makes our conversations equally serious and playful.  Anyway, she was sharing information about some of her authors and their "two book deals" they've received.  When I awoke the next morning, I said to Mr. UpCyclist, I think I have two book deal in me.  What the bleep?!  I haven't completed one book and I've got ideas for book #2?  And that's the day, I started a new list in my notebook, Topics for Book #2.  So far, I have two ideas written down.
• That was also the day I started to question myself - is this Bravery or arrogance?
• But, this I know.  Arrogance doesn't get you anywhere.  People dislike you.  No one wants to be around you.  Bravery is just the opposite.  The braver I become, the more magnetic life becomes.  So, what feels like arrogance, I believe is confidence.  And what feels like Bravery really is because I can feel and see the path clearing in front of me.  The more I lean into Brave, the clearer and wider that path becomes.

I hope you have one of those path-clearing-weekends - even if its a path right to your couch for fall movies, which totally sounds delightful.

Bravely yours, 

Jen

Brave Lessons {No. 4}

To keep myself accountable for my word for 2014, Brave, I started a new series, Brave Lessons. You can find the first installations here, here and here.  This is what I have learned since those first three posts about Brave and here's what I am celebrating:

• Last post, I was totally questioning if Brave was the right word for me.  I thought it might be too strong.  I was wrong.  Brave is exactly what I need.
• I've noticed I've needed bravery in unexpected places - like on the trails with Jedi, coaching clients, and asking for help from loved ones.
• My Brave is all relative.  I think about the girls in Nigeria, people in the path of a tornado, and some of the kids in my own neighborhood.  Talk about Brave.
• My friend & colleague KP shared this saying with me, "Sounds like a first world problem."  I use that line all the time now to put my life and its problems into perspective. Jedi has a crazy amount of ticks and they are driving me insane!  Sounds like a first world problem.  Should Lil O and I go to camp this summer?  Sounds like a first world problem.  Should I make my coaching business cards or buy them?  Sounds like a first world problem.  I realize most of my first world problems do not require bravery.

As for celebrating....

• I'm celebrating a recent collaboration with a fellow blogger who I admire tremendously.  Look for something fun regarding that next week.  I'll give you a hint:  You get to hear our voices!
• Coaching.  You know how I adore {life & creativity} coaching.  With my semester coming to a close, I'm about to take on new clients.  Whose stuck and needs to get unstuck?  Email me and let's set up an appointment to chat by phone (jenglara at gmail.com). 
• I have a few BIG things I will be announcing in the coming week. Dreams are becoming a reality and I am freaking out in the best way.  

Yay for Brave!  And yay for celebrations!  

Jen

I May Have Spoken Too Soon

How ironic that yesterday I blogged about perhaps not needing the word Brave this year as it might be too strong.

Then, I found myself getting my first root canal that late morning and kept thinking, Be Brave, Jen, Be Brave.

Dear Universe, I get the message.

Bravely it is,
Jen

Brave Lessons {No. 3}

To keep myself accountable for my word for 2014, Brave, I started a new series, Brave Lessons. You can find the first installations here and here.  This is what I have learned since those two posts about Brave and here's what I am celebrating:

• I am wondering if Brave is too strong of a word for me.  Brave can mean "ready to face or endure unpleasant conditions."
• With that kind of intense meaning, I don't necessarily need Brave on a daily or even weekly basis, but I do need to Be Strong or Be Bold.
• Can I change my 2014 word?  I imagine the universe and whomever keeps the rulebook on words wouldn't call foul, right?
• So.... I've been playing with Be Strong for over a week now.  I'm finding that phrase keeps me focused, courageous, bold, and in the moment.  Perhaps, better than Brave.
• But, I'm also not 100% ready to jump ship from Brave.  I need another couple of weeks to try all the words on for size.

As for celebrations.....

• I am celebrating that I'm open minded to switching words.  It seems most people pick a word and stick with it.  I think there is some Bravery in saying publicly, I may have made a mistake.

What's helping me since I keep forgetting I have a word this year.....

• Structures!  For example, one of my structures is the sun.  When I feel the sun intensely beaming on my face, I stop, face it and think about how I am honoring Brave (or Be Strong).  In coaching, we call those little reminders "structures."  The structure reminds me of the word (and action) and anchors me back to it.
• Another structure I've been using is painted just one of my fingernails a different color. When it catches my eye, I think about Being Strong or Brave.  A coaching friend taught me that structure and I love it.

What structures do you use?  Got any nifty ideas to share with me?

Bravely Yours (or Strongly, which doesn't sound as poetic),

Jen

Brave Lessons {No. 2}

To keep myself accountable for my word for 2014, Brave, I started a new series, Brave Lessons. You can find the first installation here.  This is what I have learned since then about Brave and here's what I am celebrating:

• It's difficult to be Brave if you are concerned about people liking you.  
• It's really, really difficult to be Brave if you can't take rejection from anything or anyone.
• I need to work on both.  Check back tomorrow about how I plan to rid myself of this fear.
• I am totally celebrating the announcement of a few early 2014 goals - the parenting class I am leading, taking on {life} coaching clients (I still have space for 1-2 more!), and a semi-top secret project that will launch next week in collaboration with some fabulous bloggers.  The project will be great for kids, families and allies.
• Lastly, I am celebrating my mom.  She calls, emails, and texts me weekly to say, "I see a difference in you this year."

Yes, Mom.  I am Brave.  And, you are Brave, too.  Let's share that word this year.

Anyone else want to share Brave with us?  It's not too late.  

Jen