Start with Small Steps

Explore the surprising benefits of maturity, from building resilience in tough work environments to enhancing emotional and cognitive skills. Discover how delaying gratification can lead to greater long-term rewards and how mature teams excel by fostering collaboration. Learn about the neurological evolution of our decision-making abilities and the importance of emotional regulation for workplace satisfaction. Ultimately, maturity empowers you to manage stress, improve relationships, and navigate life more effectively.

Explore the hidden barriers of perfectionism that stifle creativity and progress. Discover the surprising fear behind perfectionism and how it leads to self-sabotage. Learn practical strategies like setting realistic goals and embracing 'good enough' to boost productivity. Jill discusses why quitting at 70% can be a protective move and how self-compassion acts as a powerful antidote. Gamifying goals and prioritizing project tasks can make the journey more enjoyable. It's time to challenge perfectionism and celebrate imperfection!

This discussion dives into the mantra of radical self-expression, questioning its actual benefits. It highlights the balance between authenticity and adaptability, revealing how different settings require different selves. The paradox of choice is explored, showcasing how too many options can lead to anxiety. Faith traditions are reflected upon, emphasizing freedom with responsibility. Social media’s role in fostering conformity under the guise of individuality is also examined. Ultimately, it encourages redirecting self-expression to serve others.

Life's unfairness touches us all, but it doesn't render us powerless. The key lies in how we respond, shifting from victimhood to agency. Comparison steals joy—focus on your own journey instead of others' highlights. Reframe your challenges by asking 'What now?' and take small steps forward. Pain can cultivate resilience and clarity, transforming difficult moments into defining ones. Embrace gratitude and community support as you reclaim your power and define success on your own terms.

Life can feel overwhelming with too many choices. Instead of grand plans, learn to identify and take your next best step. By categorizing areas like health and relationships, clarity emerges, guiding your small actions. Remember, progress beats perfection—it's okay to start small. The boulder analogy helps you reflect on your role in tackling challenges. Analyze your situation, take ownership, and act now, not later. Small, faithful actions can lead to significant change over time!

Discover the art of readiness as a way to live with ease and flexibility. Learn how simple systems and habits can be your best defense against unexpected challenges. From having go bags to maintaining a clutter-free home, preparation fosters peace and reduces last-minute stress. Explore how professionals like pilots and paramedics rely on routines for success, and embrace the Buffer Principle to give yourself a cushion against life's surprises. Get ready to transform your daily life into a smoother, more joyful experience!

Dive into the debate between 'fake it till you make it' and 'do it till you true it.' Discover why pretending can undermine trust and create stress. Instead, learn how taking small, authentic actions builds real confidence. Explore psychological theories that show how behavior influences belief, and understand the balance between honesty and ambition. This enlightening discussion reveals that confidence is not a momentary switch but a journey built on steady, honest progress.

In this episode, I share the life-changing power of personal guardrails and why understanding our bandwidth is essential for building a balanced life. I explore how growing up with minimal rules, dealing with ADHD, and navigating family addiction history led me to build boundaries that have saved me from burnout, addiction, and overwork. I walk through practical ways to design a lifestyle where structure supports — rather than stifles — freedom. What Are Guardrails and Why We Need Them?I use personal stories to explain the concept of guardrails — voluntary boundaries we create to protect our time, energy, health, and relationships. From childhood freedom to self-imposed limits, I show how these rails have guided me back from the brink more than once. Understanding BandwidthBandwidth is our capacity: physical, emotional, mental. I talk about how to recognize your own limits and the importance of honoring them to avoid stress, anxiety, or collapse. Real-Life Guardrail ExamplesFrom no-snack-after-6PM rules to time-blocking calendars, I give practical examples of how to set guardrails in areas like health, work, finances, digital use, and family dynamics. Creating Healthy Digital HabitsI talk about curating your social media, staying out of algorithmic rabbit holes, and replacing tech-driven anxiety with intentional engagement. Spiritual Guardrails and Sacred TimeGuardrails aren't just practical — they can also be spiritual. I explain how sabbaticals, quiet time with God, and sleep routines contribute to a deeper, more centered life. 📘 Takeaways: Setting personal boundaries isn’t about restriction. It’s about protecting your peace and living your best life within your true capacity. Whether you’re prone to overwork, addictive habits, or simply feel overwhelmed by daily demands, guardrails offer a way out. By knowing your limits and building boundaries around them, you gain clarity, consistency, and a healthier relationship with yourself and others. https://startwithsmallsteps.com/243-guardrails-and-bandwidth-building-a-life-that-protects-you/ The goal isn’t perfection — it’s protection. And with a few small steps, you can build a life of sustainability, joy, and purpose.Jill’s Linkshttps://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallstepshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallstepshttps://twitter.com/schmernEmail the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.

In this episode, I share how learning one core skill—discipline—through weight loss ended up transforming far more than just my health. It changed how I handled money, how I managed time, and how I dealt with emotional impulses. The surprising truth is that success in one area can spill over into every part of life—if we recognize the pattern and reuse it. Top Topics Covered: Transferring Skills from One Area to AnotherI talk about how the process of losing weight—tracking food, resisting emotional eating, staying focused—taught me the same principles I needed for budgeting and other goals. Once I saw that the structure I used for health could be used for money, time, and attention, everything began to shift. How Emotional Impulses Drive Daily DecisionsA lot of the choices I made—like eating or spending—weren’t based on logic. They were reactions to stress or boredom. I reflect on how I used to live in “drone mode,” responding to emotions instead of real needs. Learning to pause and ask, “Do I really need this?” became one of the most powerful tools I picked up. You’re Already More Disciplined Than You ThinkPeople often believe they’re just not naturally disciplined. But I’ve found that nearly everyone has at least one area in life where they were focused and committed. Maybe it was music, sports, or school. I explain how identifying those moments can help you rebuild discipline where you need it most right now. Working With ADHD and Building Mental AnchorsAs someone with ADHD, I’ve had to build structures to help me stay on track. Forgetting goals was a big problem—until I started using tools like tracking, setting reminders, and celebrating small wins. These small shifts helped me stay connected to what really mattered. Takeaways:This episode is a reminder that your past successes aren’t isolated wins—they’re blueprints. If you’ve ever followed through on anything, you already know how to build habits, stay focused, and achieve goals. The challenge is taking what worked and applying it somewhere new. You don’t need to reinvent yourself—you just need to reuse the systems that already helped you succeed. The same discipline, tracking, and mindset can apply to health, money, time, or any area you want to improve. Thanks for listening—and if there’s something in your life you’ve already mastered, think about how you can let it guide the rest. Jill’s Linkshttps://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallstepshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallstepshttps://twitter.com/schmernEmail the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.

In this episode, I reflect on a powerful idea that has reshaped how I approach anxiety and overthinking: we spend too much time fighting ghosts and dragons—imaginary fears and situations that never actually happen. By sharing personal stories and experiences, I explore how these invisible battles drain our energy, damage our mental health, and distract us from solving real problems in life. 1. Understanding What Ghosts and Dragons Really AreThese are the thoughts and fears that don’t have a basis in reality. They’re the assumptions, the “what ifs,” and worst-case scenarios we invent in our minds. Whether it’s an old trauma or a new worry, these ghosts keep us on edge and steal our peace. 2. The Cost of Fighting the Wrong BattlesFighting imaginary dangers leads to emotional burnout, missed opportunities, and even strained relationships. When you prepare for problems that don’t exist, you waste the energy you need for what actually matters. 3. Strategies for Letting GoI share several practical tools: labeling fears with silly names, journaling to find patterns, asking grounding questions, and taking small steps to focus on the real world. These methods help interrupt the pattern of overthinking. 4. Faith, Stoicism, and ReframingWhether it’s a verse from Matthew or a quote from Epictetus, I talk about how different philosophies help us accept what’s real and reject what isn’t. Our brains are wired to detect threats, but that doesn’t mean every alert is valid. Takeaways:If you’re feeling anxious about a situation, ask yourself: is it really happening, or is it just a ghost? Stop wasting energy on things that will never happen. You don’t need to fight every scary thought. Label it, laugh at it if you can, and walk away. Focus on what’s true, take small actions that make you feel safer, and trust that today’s real worries are enough without borrowing tomorrow’s. The path to peace starts with acknowledging how much power you give to the imaginary.Jill’s Linkshttps://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com https://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallstepshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallstepshttps://twitter.com/schmernEmail the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.