Little by Little

As 2020 rushes through its start, you may have found yourselves reflecting on where 2019 went and what you were able to accomplish within that time frame.

Some of your feats may have been grand and obvious, while others were smaller victories, perhaps only really known to yourselves. Maybe you faced some disappointments as well — for the loftier goals that weren’t quite completed.

I’m here to remind you that great things take time, and to bring some love and attention to those smaller victories that continue to pave the way to your dreams.

One of my proudest accomplishments of 2019 was finding a rhythm in slowly and steadily chipping away at my goals. Even though I have these massive projects I haven’t yet accomplished, the only way I’ll do so is by taking tiny steps each day. In 2019 I found peace in scaling back and doing my best, in committing to writing this newsletter weekly, even if that was the only thing I could fully complete. I began to take more accountability for my time; first by challenging myself to work on my passions for 10 hours a week. Eventually, that strategy became obsolete, because working on my projects turned habitual.

Small steps turn into habits. Habits set the tone for your life. And with that, it’s important to mention that when we falter — whether it’s by not “doing enough”, steering off a healthy diet, or making a similar mistake, we must still root for ourselves and keep trying.

Last year I also started a daily work out practice consisting of just 10 minutes a day. Even so, there were times when I was either rushed, exhausted, or sick, and didn’t complete my work out. In the past, it would’ve been so easy to see this as a failure and to quit on the whole thing. But instead, I continued my work outs the next day that I could, even if a week had lapsed by. Removing the self-judgement, and a black and white “success/failure” mentality from the picture gave me the freedom to be imperfect and to continue moving in a positive direction the best way I could.

There is no failure when we keep going, even if it’s little by little, in fact there can sometimes be more pleasure in taking it slow — like an artist finding joy within each brush stroke of their painting.

What’s New?

Video: How to Accomplish Your 2020 Goals

In this video I talk about how you can achieve your goals this year, in 2020. I present some powerful questions you can ponder and invite you to acknowledge what you were able to complete in 2019. Furthermore, I explain how you can break down your goals into smaller, tangible steps using some personal examples, and how these small steps turn into habits that will guide you towards success.

Watch

Goal Setting + Self Love Journeys

Hello friends:

In my last newsletter I mentioned how I was challenging myself to work 10 hours towards my creative projects/side hustle. Last week I began mid-week and accomplished 3.5 hours which was under goal. I had planned on setting time during a long layover at the beach (in between dipping + tanning 😉 ), but was instead rerouted and worked non-stop for three days (oh the joys of working in the airline industry).

Sometimes things don’t go as planned but it’s all about how we react to the unexpected trajectories and perceived “failures.” Most importantly, it’ about the relationship we have with ourselves through it all.

In the past, failing to accomplishing a goal would have made me feel like a loser. Like I wasn’t trying hard enough and that it may not be worth it to continue striving. It would have fed a belief that I’m just not good at consistency or “putting in the work.”

But, I’m choosing a different story now. One of compassion and understanding. I am simply doing my best. The fact that I set aside 3.5 hours for my creative work is a win, specially during my first week of being more intentional about time. And this week—and for the many weeks to come, I have the opportunity to keep working towards those 10 hours in a positive way.

I choose to see this as progress rather than a set back. With that, the weight is removed from my shoulders, I can breathe deeper and continue having fun with this—(may I remind myself)—self imposed challenge.

Instead of not feeling valuable until I create a set amount of work, I can use this “challenge” as a practice of self love + compassion no matter what ❤

Working towards those 10 hours per week is more about the journey than the destination. Just like self love.

I’ll explain:

I used to think self love was a goal to reach, at the end of continual self development and improvement. Each time I thought I had finally reached the most ideal relationship with myself, I would be presented with an emotional challenge that revealed just how much more profound my self love could be; how there was so much more room to love and accept myself— in all the crevices that still carried shame, guilt, emptiness, or whichever emotion manifested the idea of not being enough. It’s a never ending journey with an opportunity for more depth at every moment, whether you’re enduring a high or a low.

I know better now than to think reaching a goal can define me or make me feel more valuable; in other words make me more lovable to myself.

The opportunity to truly love every bit of yourself lies in the journey of it all; which includes the imperfections, the failures and the incessant striving on its own. We have the power to feel enough and loved wherever we’re at, and when we do that, every dream and every goal becomes an added bonus—a fun journey to be had.

Let’s see what we can do, and all that we can accomplish from a place of already being enough.

Love,

Gabriela

Creating Mini Goals

Happy Friday!

I’ve missed writing and connecting with you all! The more time I take away from doing it, the harder it becomes. I start second guessing myself and thinking of reasons why this isn’t the best time to write.

As a creative, I often struggle with the middle ground between creating on my terms and maintaining discipline. I have all these amazing ideas about work I’d like to complete and put out to the world, yet taking consistent action is tough. I like to take things day by day, enjoy the spontaneity of the present moment and simply create when I feel like it or have the energy.

The problem is, I don’t end up taking that much action or bringing my ideas to life. Even though I’m learning on a soul level that productivity does not define my value (I wrote about this previously), I can’t deny that my desire to express and share with the world is a part of my fiber, and brings meaning and purpose to my life. So when life speeds by me and I find I haven’t worked towards my most important goals, I end up feeling frustrated.

Can you relate?

The most effective game plan will push me to get sh*t done while not feeling bogged down by “work.”

I’ve been able to do this effectively with exercise. I always wanted to have a work out routine but never seemed to make time for it. I thought I had to go to a gym or a class and spend at least an hour there, plus the time traveling there and back. This idea didn’t suit my schedule nor was it something I actually wanted to do.

I simplified it so much for myself. For about a month now I’ve been exercising at home (or in my hotel rooms) for just 10-15 minutes a day. I simply lay out my yoga mat, put on an exercise YouTube video to follow along, and knock it out. My body thanks me for it and I end up feeling accomplished every time because I’ve set myself up for success.

When I have an exceptionally early start to the day or feel exhausted, I skip out on it and pick it back up the next day, without attaching any guilt to it. I try to listen to my body and respect when it just needs sleep or rest.

I can happily say I’ve made working out part of my routine, even if this is simply a baby step, though I actually don’t feel the need or desire to push myself to do more right now.

What I’d like to work on now is making my creative projects a part of my weekly routine. I’m challenging myself to work 10 hours a week on my “side hustle.” 10 hours seems like a doable goal, yet it will also push me to potentially create a lot more than I have before. Having a weekly goal instead of a daily one also allows the wiggle room to simply relax some days.

Tracking the time I work on my projects and watching each hour chip away at my weekly goal is both motivating and encouraging.

If you’re in a similar boat and know that there are some areas in your life where you want to start seeing progress, try this out with me.

How can you create mini goals towards your desired outcome?

It’s important to also treat this as an experiment and have fun, while not feeling bad about yourself if for some reason the mini goals are too much and you need to scale back a little.

It’s all about collecting data and figuring out what works for you.

Let’s support one another on this journey. I’d love to hear about what you’re working on and whether this resonated with you.

Love always,

Gabriela

Bringing Presence to Purpose

Happy Sunday y’all!

It’s a gloomy day in LA but I’m happy to have some quiet, alone time before work to say hello!

Writing this newsletter means so much to me and I just want to say thank you for being a part of it 🙂

This newsletter has been a tether that’s kept me connected to long-term goals. I hope to one day have a larger platform, and if the universe will have it, to write a book (or maybe even two). Sending out these weekly emails is a small step I can consistently take, when life seems busy and fast and all the other creative work gets buried under the motions of the every day.

I’m discovering though, that the true importance of this “small step” is to bring me into the joy of the present. I am learning to form ideas from my experiences and give them a place outside of myself. I’m learning to share insights that could also give comfort or guidance to others, the way I’ve found comfort in others’ words and work; teachers I’ve never even met.

I’m realizing how fulfilling it is to accomplish this one task, and that I’d still be happy and complete, if nothing else came of it but an outlet to express. And I believe that’s an indication of finding something good.

In that sense, writing this newsletter is no longer a means to an end, but a purpose on its own. And that perspective gives me the freedom to fully appreciate it in the now, rather than waiting to feel fulfilled or accomplished in an illusory future.

So tell me, is there a passion of yours you could bring more presence and appreciation into today and in this week to come?

xxGabriela

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Examining Worry

Sometimes I worry that I’ll end up unsuccessful and broke. Do I really believe that? No; but I’m programmed to think worry is a natural reaction to the uncertainties of being an entrepreneur.

I grew up with a single mother, who–naturally, worried and stressed about money, and with a grandmother who achieved financial security through hard work and controlled spending. I learned that to be a responsible, safe adult, I have to have a reliable source of income, save, and spend sparingly.

Quite frankly, I’m doing the opposite of that right now. I don’t know when or how my next earnings will show up, and I’m living off savings to invest time on pursuing my dreams. Nothing is certain, except for the faith I have in myself, which can sometimes feel…odd.

Anybody else in my shoes would be worried, I sometimes think; so I let the worry creep in in order to feel “normal.” During these moments, I worry about how my business will pan out, if I’m spending too much, and whether I’m crazy.

But, I’m beginning to realize that the worry isn’t even mine. I’ve taken on the worry that my family feels, and the worry I assume a normal person in my situation would feel.

It reminds me of when I decided to move to Vietnam for a year. I’d never been before and I didn’t speak any Vietnamese, so when I told people about my plans to move there, some reacted surprised and concerned. They expected me to be scared, but I wasn’t. I had faith in myself.

Was I crazy, then? I’d question. Maybe I should be scared, I thought, so I tried it on. I told someone I was scared about my move just to see how the words felt, and they responded, “I’d be worried if you weren’t.”

Maybe we live in a world that’s more understanding of worry and fear versus faith and belief in ourselves. From my experience, one is more normal than the other.

I’m learning to own my faith and use it as a critical tool in moving forward with my goals. I have to accept that I may be misunderstood in that, and that sometimes others will express their loving concerns; but I don’t have to take on their doubts as my own. If to them it means I’m living in the clouds, so be it. Life’s more fun up here, where anything is possible.

Becoming Your Ideal Self, Today

I’ve been very future oriented lately. My days have been busy with dreaming, goal setting and hustling. Hustling to reach this “ideal version” of myself: the successful woman I’ll one day become.

This idea of a future-self has propelled me forward. It’s such an exciting life I’m building towards, why wouldn’t I want to work hard to get there? The problem is, I’ve placed this ideal version of myself somewhere far off in the distance. It’s a goal to be reached in the future, when a bunch of different pieces of my life fall into place.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s vitally important to have goals clearly outlined for yourself, and to visualize exactly the type of life you want to have. Clarity gives you a path and a better idea of the next best step, wherever you are in your journey.

The important thing to remember is not to get stuck in the idea that you can’t have any aspect of your ideal life yet, and to perpetually wait for the “right moment” to begin making necessary changes. You can create a shortcut to your dream life, today.

Here’s what I did, and what you could do to reach your goals sooner rather than later:

First, I created a list of all the things I wanted for my ideal life + self. I wrote down details for all aspects of my life, including: health, finances, travel, style, self-confidence + beliefs, relationships, career etc. To give you an example, under “health” I wrote down what I wanted my diet to be like, how often I wanted to exercise, get massages etc. Under “finances” I included how much I wanted to make per month, how much I wanted to save and give. In the “self-confidence and beliefs” section, I wrote down all the new beliefs I’d have about myself, such as “I believe, with 100% certainty, that I can accomplish anything.”
After creating this detailed picture of what I wanted for myself, I went through and highlighted all the things I could start doing now, even if that meant pushing myself a bit. I highlighted things like: “I eat tons of fruits and veggies every day,” “I have a regular yoga practice,” “I iron my clothing,” and “I am honest and caring in my communication.” The financial goals seemed the most currently out of reach for me, but I realized I could start tapping into some of those goals. Even if I couldn’t save x% of my income right now, I could push myself to save more than I had in the past.
I started incorporating the habits of my ideal self into my current life.

What I learned from this project is that I have much more control of the present than I thought. I can shortcut to that ideal life if I choose. I no longer have to wait for the “right moment” to begin. The right moment is now.

I’d like to invite you to try this exercise with me and see what happens when you start choosing to live out your goals now.

A video on the topic:

Motivational Tips for Dream Chasers

Chasing your dreams isn’t always rosy or easy. Sure, the ride is exhilarating and energizing when done right, but there are bound to be days when you may question what you’re doing and want to give up.

First of all, give yourself a pat on the back. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist/creator or just a badass whose paving their own way, you are choosing the road less traveled, and that’s something to be proud of.

Here’s a list of essential habits I’ve found to be helpful in order to stay focused and inspired throughout the grind:

Eat Well + Get a Good-Night’s Sleep: Ok, I know it’s obvious, but it can’t be left unsaid. Taking care of our bodies is essential whilst hustling. As creators, our livelihood and ability to give and inspire depends on our health.
Find a Morning Routine that Works for You: It’s taken some experimenting to figure out what lights me up in the morning, but I’ve found that incorporating a walk, meditation and journaling after waking relaxes me for whatever the day has in store. Sometimes, if I wake up anxious or stressed about my long to-do list, journaling helps me vent those emotions out. Meditation allows me the space to be still before working a full day, and walking is just a good, low-key exercise under some sunshine and fresh air. I encourage you to experiment with habits that make you feel great at the start of each day.
Immerse Yourself in Inspiration: Another part of my morning routine is to listen to podcasts on my walk, particularly of successful female entrepreneurs. It’s not just about the useful content. The important thing is to remind myself that there are other people who have successfully accomplished some of my own goals and dreams. It reminds me that it’s not impossible, and that there are kindred souls out there. You are not alone on this journey.
Set a Schedule: This one was a game changer for me. I used to take my business tasks day by day and just try to run through a long, mixed to-do list. Now, I set specific days of the week for specific tasks. For example, Mondays are reserved for admin and organizational tasks while Thursdays I film videos. That way, I’m immersed in a particular head space each day which keeps me in flow and increases my productivity.
Visualize and Talk About Your Goals: Frequently fantasizing about and seeing my desired future career and lifestyle gives me fuel to continue hustling. I like creating vision boards where I post photos of my dreams so I can have daily reminders of what awaits me if I keep working hard. Similarly, you can journal about your goals or listen to guided visualization meditations. Talking about those dreams with supportive loved ones will hold you accountable. You’re less likely to abandon a goal if you’ve told someone else about it.

I hope these simple steps can help propel you forward in your very own, dream-chasing journey.