015 Becoming Better

I SAW MICHELLE OBAMA!!! Yes, I’m screaming this at you! It was amazing to see her on her “Becoming” book tour! Her words in person and in the book have inspired me to record this episode. This episode I want to inspire you to Become Better.

After listening to Mrs. Obama I realized that I have much work to do before I go to the next level. Are you ready? I mean, if you could have it all today, would you really be able to handle it? Would you have the skills, the knowledge, the time management…everything you need to handle your dreams. For many of us the answer is no, not really.

So how? How do you become better? Well the first step is to be consistent. Without consistency you can’t do anything else. Then read, learn, take trainings…do things you haven’t done in a long time to better yourself.

A part of leveling up is ensuring that you are ready for that next level. I hope that you feel inspired to become better, success is just around the corner.

xo-LaShawnda

Becoming by Michelle Obama: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Michelle-Obama/dp/1524763136/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543190356&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+michelle+obama

Joel Osteen Podcast, Keep Growing: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-growing/id137254859?i=1000423839902&mt=2

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014 An Attitude of Gratitude

Have an attitude of gratitude…I’m sure you’ve heard that a million times. But what does having an attitude of gratitude really do? This episode I share how having gratitude, even for things I didn’t originally appreciate, changed my attitude and feelings about it. What what “thing” am I talking about? Well for me, it’s my stretch marks (in my whispering voice). These things have been a pain in my tush for a few years now, but I’ve come to be so thankful for them. So how did that happen? Here’s how you can go from dislike to being thankful.

1. Acknowledge it! Before I could accept it, I had to acknowledge how I truly felt about my body. Be honest about how you really feel. This is the first step to feeling gratitude.

2. Pray for understanding, for perspective, and for clarity about whatever it is you are dealing with.

3. Instead of asking God to change the “situation” ask him to change your heart and mind about it.

This holiday season is the perfect time to truly reflect and to be thankful for everything…the good, the bad, and the ugly. I hope you feel inspired to be thankful and share your gratitude.

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013 Get Back Up

Sis, I had a rough week and I completely fell off! I mean no praying, no reading, not much working out…I did some work, but I wasn’t as committed to my goals as I normally am. Nobody’s perfect (remember episode 12) so this type of thing happens. This episode I talk about why it happens and how to get back up again.

We fall down, but we get up. That Donnie McClurkin song was such a big hit for a reason. Falling down happens to the best of us, but we can’t stay there. We MUST get back up! First, you must know why you fell…overwhelmed, lazy, distracted, or AFRAID? Which one have you been lately? Once you discover your why, now it's time to remember why you started and simply do it.

How do I get back up? 1. Ask for help (from God or a friend) then 2. Do it! Make a plan of action and get to work! Getting up probably isn’t as complicated as you think. God has given us everything we need to get back up when we fall down. Now’s the time. What are you waiting for? Let’s goooo!

Scriptures mentioned: Proverbs 24:16 and Proverbs 24: 33-34

Fervent by Priscilla Shirer https://www.amazon.com/Fervent-Womans-Serious-Specific-Strategic/dp/1433688670

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012 Nobody's Perfect

Perfection…there’s nothing real about it! This episode I hope to inspire you to be authentic. I was inspired by Will & Jada’s Red Table Talk episode that was so transparent. It made me long for that type of transparency in the world. During this episode I provide a few tools to help you get over some of the things that keep us from being transparent.

Here are my top 3 reasons we are not authentic:

1. Perfection

2. Uncertainty

3. Shame & Embarrassment

The need to appear perfect, being uncertain about who you truly are, and feelings of shame and embarrassment hinder us from being our authentic selves. It takes time and patience, but becoming our authentic selves is possible!

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011 No Limit

When is the last time you let your imagination run wild and free with thoughts about what you really want to accomplish in life? When is the last time you truly believed you could accomplish the things you dream about? If you haven’t done this TODAY, now is the time to take the brakes off and start pursing your dreams with no limits!

This episode I encourage you to work toward living the life you want…the life you TRULY want. The life that you dream about at night. The dreams that you haven’t told anyone about yet. It’s time to make them a reality.

Don’t be a dream killer and I encourage you to watch out for others who may intentionally and unintentionally try to kill your dreams. Guard them with your life and daily, do the work! I hope after listening that you feel encouraged to take the next steps toward your dreams, to stop living with doubt, and to dream with no limits!

xoxo-LaShawnda

Joel Osteen: Keep Your Vision in Front of You https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-your-vision-in-front-of-you/id137254859?i=1000422497275&mt=2

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010 Nice For What

Drake’s “Nice For What” is my jam, but during this episode I give you a few reasons why you should be nice. It seems that in today’s society being nice and kind are a lost art, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. I want to inspire you to simply, be nice.

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009 Waiting Patiently on Your Promise

Waiting is Not Easy...this is the title of my kids' favorite book, by Mo Willems. It teaches them that though waiting isn't easy, it is worth it. Waiting patiently isn't just a lesson for kids, we adults struggle severely with being patient during our season of waiting. During this episode I discuss the importance of this season and give you some tips on how to get through it successfully. 

Tip #1: Remember where you started and why you started. Sometimes reflection can snap us out of our frustration. You my need to pull out those old journals and remember how far you’ve come. Taking a look back at all the things you’ve accomplished helps you realize that even though you may not be moving forward at this moment, you have come a long way. You also must remember why you set this goal in the first place. This will help you to remember that waiting is worth it!

Tip #2: Learn your lesson. During this season of waiting there are lessons to be learned and growing to do. It’s important to find out what you need to develop during this waiting period so that when your blessing comes you will be ready!

Tip #3: Pray and read God’s word. Praying is a given, but reading God’s word will help you see that waiting happens to the best of us, that there is always someone in a worse situation, and that God always fulfills his promises.

Resources: Your Version App: Mercy Like Morning: Discovering Truth in Seasons of Waiting by Jane Johnson.

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008 It's Time To Level Up!

We are now upon the last 3 months of this year! Why wait until the new year to level up? Let’s do it now! During this episode I hope to inspire you to put in the work now to reach your goals. Here are a few tips on how to do so:

Tip 1: Set measurable and SPECIFIC goals. This is where your success begins. You must be specific in your goal setting, and not vague. Setting vague goals get you vague results. Being specific in your goals will require you to be specific in your planning. This will help ensure that you reach your final destination.

Tip 2: Step outside of the box. In order to get different results you must do something different. Assess your current behavior and plans and see if there is something new you need to do in order to go to the next level.

Tip 3: Be consistent and practice DISCIPLINE. Having the goals and the plans are not enough! You much put in the consistent work and be disciplined in order to see real results. To help with discipline set a schedule and stick with it. Hold yourself accountable or get an accountability partner if necessary.

Tip 4: Stay positive. Hard times will come. You may get tired, weary, or just plain fed up, but don’t give up. Continue to remember your purpose and continue to remind yourself of God’s desire for your life, which is to succeed for His glory.

Leveling up is not easy, but by setting specific goals, stepping outside of the box, being disciplined, and staying positive, it will happen! So, lets make these last 3 months of the year the greatest yet!

xo-LaShawnda

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331

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007 Comparison Kills

The grass is the greener on the other side…or so they say! Often times we spend too much time focusing on our neighbor’s yard, when we should be focused on our own. For many of us, comparison has come to steal, kill and destroy our future. With the rise of social media, many of us are plagued with anxiety and depression due to comparison.

In this episode I discuss the effects of comparison and provide tips on how we can overcome it.

Tip 1: Check yourself. Though comparison can fuel our negative feelings, the root cause comes from within. You much search your heart and determine what in your life you are dissatisfied with before you look outward at others.

Tip 2: Guard your ears and eyes. Unplugging from social media may be unrealistic, but you must still be on guard about what you watch and listen to. Limiting watching and hearing things that trigger you will help you keep comparison at bay.

Tip 3: Focus on your goals. Comparison is a distraction that often times keep you from reaching your destination. Focusing on your goal will help you to stay the course and keep you from paying so much attention to others.

Tip 4: Keep your heart focused on God. This is the only way to eliminate comparison. Remember why you were created and pray and ask God to help you with jealousy and envy.

References:

Comparison Kills by Jonathon McReynolds https://youtu.be/XCGEcBojQls

The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer https://www.amazon.com/Resolution-Women-Priscilla-Shirer/dp/1433674017/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538109002&sr=8-1&keywords=the+resolution+for+women&dpID=51OK0615r8L&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

Surprisingly Satisfied Podcast Episode by Priscilla Shirer https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/resolution-for-women-surprisingly-satisfied/id840242536?i=1000291465981&mt=2

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006 The Power of "What If"

"What if"...it's something that I'm sure you've said in your head a million times! But did you know that 'What if" carries a lot of power!  How you use it can make or break your destiny.

In this episode of the Inspiring Women Weekly podcast I discuss the power of "what if" and give you a few tips on how to use "what if" to fulfill your dreams! 

Resources:

The Joel Osteen Podcast: "The Right Recording" https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-right-recording-joel-osteen/id137254859?i=1000419816729&mt=2

Scriptures mentioned: 

2 Timothy 1:7

Romans 8:28

Philippins 2:13

Luke 1:37

Jermiah 29:11

Visit www.inspiringwomenweekly.com for more information.

To work with me visit www.mclaurinmentalwellness.com

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