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coachmelaura.com
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Laura@coachmelaura.com
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Tue, Jun 25, 2024 08:49 PM
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Hello my friends  Some may know I am writing a book and have been contemplating what makes my stor
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Hello my friends  Some may know I am writing a book and have been contemplating what makes my story unique, engaging, and, importantly, helpful to others who would read it.  I think I hit on the vital ingredient. What is that?  GRIT!  My follow-up questions are: what is it? Do I have it? Is it a skill I can develop, or is it an innate trait? If I can build it, how do I do that? And is that helpful to those I serve? I had many questions and found some answers to help me understand how I got here, where I am headed, and why. I thought sharing it with you might help you search for the life you would love.  Let's start with what Grit is. Grit combines a growth mindset and mental agility that allows you to adapt when things go sideways. It is an inner strength that tells your brain that failure isn't a stop sign. It is a detour, so continue. It is a dogged determination in the face of challenging circumstances.  Think of Ants! They do not stop. If something is in the way, they crawl over it, under it, sideways, through cracks, and don't quit until they achieve their goal.  Is it a skill? Yes, we can naturally have some grit, but it is built over time by doing hard things repeatedly. Each time I try something challenging and accomplish it, even small things, it is like building a muscle. Let me share with you my journey in building Grit!  I took my husband to the California Moaning Caverns in Angels Camp, CA, this past Sunday. It was our anniversary; by year 38, the day seemed to come and go. This year, I wanted it to be different. I was not just going to the movies; I wanted something different, an adventure. So, I made reservations to go to a place that is 165 ft deep, FIrst going down steps into the darkness with walls that at points make you turn your body sideways to take the next step, and ducking down low to miss headbangers, at 65 feet we were at the first platform. They offered anyone who could not handle the remaining steps to the bottom to return to the surface with the other guide. We were in a group of about 20. My husband and I were likely the oldest of the group, and a couple of others decided not to continue. The rest of us descended a circular metal staircase built-in 1922 (celebrating its 102 birthday)  There were 235 steps to the bottom platform or 165 ft into the Cavern. For those who are athletic (not me), you can spelunk into small crevices on a 4-5 hr belly crawl with a guide. I do know my limits!  We learned a lot about how it was formed, why no gold was found there, and how the miners repelled down with just a candle and then turned off any lamps, so it was pitch dark. After that, we were invited to climb the steps back up. I knew when I chose this activity that I had a weak left knee and that going up was going to be harder than going down, but I stepped in front of the line and started climbing back up one step at a time.   I got to the 65ft platform a little out of breath as I forgot that loose dirt that gets kicked in the air can cause me to gasp, but I was almost there. I just needed a few minutes to rest and could make it. I wanted to let all the other people pass. To get out of their way, I took a step off the central platform to the side, which was only about 8-10" lower than what I was on, and as I stepped down onto my left leg, my knee gave out, and I dropped to that knee on the metal grating that was on the floor. I fell forward, catching my upper body with my hands on the grate so I wouldn't do a face plant!   It hurt like a mother, but I got up as others passed by me and had to pull myself together. I had 65' more to climb, and although the steps were straight, those protrusions and headbangers still made you turn sideways to pass through.  You might wonder where my husband was during this, he was there, just out of reach to help break my fall, Mr. tall thin, and athletic enough to spelunk (ugh). I got in front of him after I saw the rest of the people were at least two landings above me and used the handrail to pull myself up one step at a time until I reached the surface.   I have to say I was scared going down and worried about going back up, but I told myself every step that I had the strength and Grit to make it. Even though I was almost at my "64th trip around the sun," I wasn't done yet!   You might wonder how this relates to my questions about Grit, and I will tell you one way to build that skill is to try things that are hard in other areas of your life if you feel scared to take business concerns head-on. Remember that fear is just another form of resistance. It is when we lean into what we fear that we rise.  Also, allowing stress to enhance performance (or, in my case, at minimum, get me out of a cave! LOL) rather than seeing it in a negative light. Reframe the stress as a positive incentive to keep going.  Taking ownership of your story and giving yourself agency to shape the narrative to be the outcome you want is the beginning of Grit. Then, build that muscle. Think of doing push-ups. You start by doing a push-up!  Finally, ask yourself why? Why are you doing what you are doing? But don't stop with one why; go five deep. Add because after each answer until you get to your deep-down why. When I got to 5th why, it came down to I wanted to feel connected to my friends and family and have a purpose.  Where to start? Ask yourself, "What is hard right now?" Write it down and own it. Then, take one small step toward doing a hard thing, even if it is in a different area. To celebrate, I bought myself an expensive ring from the rocks and gem store we went to after the Cavern! Although my knee is now one of many colors, and Tylenol is my friend, I am proud that I pushed myself to do something hard for me, and I am encouraged to do more. Like, write this email!  If you have read this to the end, I encourage you to join me on this journey by joining my weekly free Zoom call, Laura's Inner Circle. [www.coachmealaura.com]() Notaries gather, and we discuss all things notary, business, and the hard stuff in more depth. It is 8-9 am Pacific time on Saturday mornings. It's a great way to wrap up the week. And if you want to adventure in your notary business, check out my best-seller book, Beyond Loan Signings, found on Amazon.com.  Until next time, I am always at your service, Laura   [Unsubscribe]( | Sent by Laura Biewer
520 13th St. • Modesto, CA • 95354
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