I'd like to tell you about Lila Harper, Mindset Mastery Graduate.

Lila turned unexpected life changes into opportunities for growth during the Mindset Mastery course, and her journey highlights the effectiveness of focusing on clear, actionable goals to maintain forward progress in goal achievement.

Embracing the Unexpected

Initially, Lila set an inconsequential goal to lose 20 pounds and walk a specific number of steps. However, after relocating to New York City and finding herself walking everywhere due to the lack of a vehicle, she realized her original goal was no longer practical. The change in her circumstances, which she stated she “wouldn’t have chosen for herself” led her to adjust her goal to focus solely on tracking the number of steps she walked each day.

She reflected,

“I recognized my goal statement that included ‘losing 20 pounds’ was doing the opposite of what I wanted. I then changed it to reflect taking a certain amount of steps in a specific amount of time.

Here is my statement based on the achievements of this experience:

‘I am so happy and grateful now that I have consistently walked a total of 624 miles, surpassing my goal and demonstrating my commitment to health and perseverance. I am inspired by my progress and energized by the positive impact of my efforts. Each step I take aligns me with the abundant energy of a living and loving Heavenly Father, driving me towards even greater achievements’.”

The subconscious mind doesn't differentiate between types of loss based on context; it simply processes loss as a concept. Whether it's losing weight or losing car keys, the subconscious perceives them as forms of loss. Thus, focusing on "losing weight" might inadvertently frame weight loss as a loss, which can create mental resistance or anxiety. In contrast, focusing on positive actions, like Lila focusing on her commitment to health and perseverance, aligns the subconscious with constructive and trackable goals.

Achieving Through Bite-Sized Goals

Lila explained that, initially, her strategy for setting small goals was vague, and she typically set ambitious, long-term targets, which often led to feelings of overwhelm and she would abandon her goal. To address this, she shifted her approach to focus on a more manageable short-term goal of walking 10,000 steps each day.

She described,

“This goal was specifically chosen because it was both realistic and significant for maintaining my physical health while accommodating my busy lifestyle. Given that I live in a big city and have an active routine, I quickly surpassed this target, which provided a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

This experience highlighted the effectiveness of setting smaller, achievable goals as stepping stones towards larger aspirations. It showed me that breaking down big objectives into more attainable daily or weekly targets can help sustain momentum and prevent feelings of overwhelm. Moving forward, I plan to continue this approach by setting clear, actionable short-term goals that align with my larger aspirations.”

Actionable short-term goals are essential for making consistent progress, as Lila described. By breaking long-term objectives into smaller, manageable tasks, you avoid feeling overwhelmed and increase your chances of success. These bite-sized goals offer clear targets, keeping you motivated and allowing for frequent reflection and adjustments. They help transform big dreams into practical steps, ensuring steady progress and maintaining momentum.

Facing Financial Fears to Break Through the Terror Barrier

Confronting the fear of financial instability was a significant challenge for Lila. She put a lot of focus into Lesson 18–learning to “think truth in spite of appearances.” She trained her mind to distinguish between fear and reality by reassessing her financial situation and recognizing the steps she had already taken to ensure security.

She explained,

“I realized that my fear was rooted in worst-case scenarios rather than objective reality…I became more adept at separating fear from fact. Instead of allowing the fear of losing everything to dominate my thoughts, I concentrated on the realistic measures we have implemented to ensure financial stability. I recognized that while no future is entirely predictable, our proactive planning and prudent management provide a robust defense against financial insecurity.

This experience helped me to embrace a more balanced perspective, affirming that while it's important to be aware of potential risks, it’s equally crucial to focus on the truth of our preparedness and resilience. I learned that facing fears with a clear, truthful mindset enables me to manage anxiety more effectively and maintain a sense of control and confidence in our financial future.”

Thinking truth in spite of appearances means focusing on our faith and desired outcomes rather than the current challenges. By aligning our mindset with positive outcomes and our potential, we rise above apparent limitations and turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Advice for Facing Fear

Lila had some advice and counsel for someone who is facing their fears:

Identify and Understand your fear: Take time to clearly define what you’re afraid of. Understanding the specifics of your fear can help you address it more effectively.

Separate Fear from Fact: Examine whether your fear is based on actual evidence or if it’s driven by assumptions and worst-case scenarios. Assess the reality of the situation objectively.

Focus on What You Can Control: Identify aspects of the situation that are within your control and take proactive steps to address them. This can help shift your focus from what you can’t control to what you can influence.

Develop a Plan: Create a plan of action to manage the fear. This can include setting realistic goals, seeking support, or making changes to improve the situation.

Practice Self-Compassion: Recognize that it’s normal to feel fear, and be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend facing a similar situation.

Reframe Your Perspective: Look for positive aspects or opportunities within the fear. Sometimes, what initially appears as a threat can also present a chance for growth or learning.

Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or professionals.

Sharing your fears and seeking advice can provide new perspectives and emotional relief.

Stay Present: Focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future. Practicing mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and keep your thoughts grounded in the here and now.

Thank you, Lila, for sharing your journey with us. Your advice and your example of setting practical goals and focusing on actionable steps are on point, and your story highlights the importance of addressing fears with clarity and staying grounded in reality. Great job!

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