About Progress

Licensed marriage and sex therapist, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is well known to this community. Today she is joined by her sister, Carolyn Bever who is an acclaimed violinist. Through their respective careers they have both seen how a lot of people become overwhelmed at the prospect of getting from where they are, to where they can go, because of perfectionism. Together they teach the importance of knowing your strengths, your own capacity, and how strive for excellence in a way that works for you. Tune in to hear how Carolyn went from musician to marathoner, by taking it literally one block at a time. As well as, a "bad Jennifer story" where she shares an insecurity that may resonate with many listeners. Ultimately remember that the struggle with perfectionism is a very human struggle and how to move the needle anyway. About a few other things... The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more! Sign up for your spot in my FREE class, How to Make Habits that Stick, where I guide you towards narrowing in on your goals through habits. You can have more control and live with intention, and it starts here. Choose from 3 dates and times. See you there! Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday. SHOW NOTES Jennifer's Instagram and Website, Carolyn's Instagram and Website Get your Monk Manual for 20% with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' through January 31st Join the FREE January Joiner Challenge Sign up for the FREE Habits That Stick Class Better Help – online therapy Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been around here for a little while you may know the story of how this blog, and now podcast and community, got started. Years ago, I was a shell of myself, an underachieving perfectionist, but I had an idea. I made a bucket list of sorts, 30 things to do before I turned 30. This list is now what I have coined a "Do Something List" and I make a point to recreate it every year, you can even read my list for 2021! You deserve more and you are ready for more, let me help. I encourage you to start with last week's episode, Do Something to Unlock the Best Version of You.   In this episode I want to do away with the negative stereotype of being a January Joiner, so that whatever you start right now will set you up for success. There is even a free handbook you can get that will really guide you towards getting started. In this episode I detail 3 pitfalls that I think you may be facing, and specifically how to avoid those. This isn't magic, friends, but to me it is magical when I see the women of this community understand that the transformation lies in the process, and then get to work.   About a few other things...   The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more!   Sign up for your spot in my FREE class, How to Make Habits that Stick, where I guide you towards narrowing in on your goals through habits. You can have more control and live with intention, and it starts here. Choose from 3 dates and times. See you there!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Get your Monk Manual for 20% with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' through January 31st Join the FREE January Joiner Challenge Sign up for the FREE Habits That Stick Class Episode 280 "You'll Never Make It" Episode 311 "Do Something To Unlock the Best Version of Yourself" Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goals are GREAT. But, what if you are simply too tuckered out from 2021 to overhaul alllll of the things right now? What if you are empty inside from a year of giving so much, FROM so very little? What if you'd of course like to work on your habits, but you first need to figure out who you are SO that you can decide what those habits should even be? 5 years ago, I accidentally changed my life. And it wasn't because I made goals. In fact, it was because I made the opposite of goals. In today's bonus episode, I wanted to provide you with the same path that changed me: Do Something. You'll hear a special recording I made as I taught a Masterclass to my Strive Hive membership group this past week. They kindly let me share it with you, so that our whole community could be trained the way there were and create their own Do Something Plans for 2021. I want to re-emphasize here: goals are great. I want you to make them and pursue them. But the Do Something Plan is a terrific way to marry fulfillment with progress; and you have my full permission to first focus only on what I did five years ago: DO SOMETHING, and unlock the best version of you in the process.  Full transcript HERE! SHOW NOTES Join the monthly membership group the Strive Hive before doors close January 8th! Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday. Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As always, I'm sharing a little bit about what my family and myself have been up to, and why I'm actually recording from out of town. Plus, a little update about our future home and current homeschooling. I'm also excited to share my latest "good hard," meaning something that was really hard but has made me really proud. For this episode I called on you, the listeners, to share what this unexpected year taught you. 2020 taught me the importance of home, hobbies, and habits. I explain more in the episode about what that has meant to me. Tune in to listen to members from the About Progress community who graciously submitted soundbites sharing what this year has taught them! About a few other things... The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more! Take the #iamonthelist challenge! Listen to this epsisode and learn how to prioritize yourself. For fun you can complete this graphic either to remind yourself, or share on social media to stay accountable. Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday. SHOW NOTES Better Help - online therapy Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this time of year, and going into a new year, it's so important to know who you are. I am re-airing my favorite episode from 2020 to help you get started!   Arielle Estoria is a creator, writer, and speaker spreading light and positivity. She was also a self described “professional wallflower” for many years. Her description of not wanting to take up too much space may resonate with many of you, as it totally did for me. She details how she broke free of that mentality, giving herself permission and gaining the confidence she feels is her gift to share with others.   It’s time to recognize the power and gifts you already have, and step into the power they hold. If this feels too vulnerable, that’s normal. Arielle has just two steps you can take to “dream it out” and start living the life you’ve been given.   About a few other things...   The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more!   For the final episode of 2020 I want to hear from YOU! Email me a voice memo or call in to answer this prompt: 2020 taught me... Let's make this "Dear Progressor," episode the best yet.   Take the #iamonthelist challenge! Listen to this epsisode and learn how to prioritize yourself. For fun you can complete this graphic either to remind yourself, or share on social media to stay accountable.   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Arielle’s Website and Instagram Better Help - online therapy Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amidst the lengthy lists we make this time of year, including gifts to buy and service to render, are you on the list? While it's extra relevant throughout this holiday season, it matters all year long, too. In this episode I'm sharing why it's such a big deal to prioritize yourself, and the ways in which you start doing it right away.   About a few other things...   The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a little bit tired of the "rah-rah" messages of positivity despite all circumstance messages out there? What if you could lean into growth, while acknowledging the vast array of disappointment that all of us are experiencing to some degree. In fact, the reasons we become discouraged are often appropriate and logical, so would it help you to learn why discouragement is a gift?   Suzy Boyce Chriswell is a fellow progressor, just like you, and she's currently pursuing a master's in marriage and family therapy. She shares her experience of seeing the depths of discouragement in those around her, while coming to understand its necessity. She teaches us how to be resilient, lean in to relationships, and shift our perspective. And before you think this won't work for you, she shares her same struggles with perfectionism. Ultimately she realized it was only a buffer against accepting her weakness and working through it.   About a few other things...   The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more!   For the final episode of 2020 I want to hear from YOU! Email me a voice memo or call in to answer this prompt: 2020 taught me... Let's make this "Dear Progressor," episode the best yet.   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Suzy's Instagram Better Help - online therapy Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been around for any amount of time you know this, but our premise here is that life is about progress, not perfection. As a recovering perfectionist I know the highs are so high, but the lows can destroy your sense of self. There is no overnight cure for breaking out of that cycle. Sometimes we are taught the opposite is true, but really once you see how perfectionism is getting your way, you are free to live a more fulfilling life.   You will know Kolbie Blume as an artist, author, and teacher...now. But she has not always been the successful creative that she is today. In this interview she really opens up about the exact moment she decided the worst thing she could do by trying something, was fail, but that her world wouldn't end there. Kolbie's message is about how creativity (something EVERYONE has within them) is the antidote for the poison of perfectionism and this epode will leave you with a lot to think about and act upon.   About a few other things...   The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more!   For the final episode of 2020 I want to hear from YOU! Email me a voice memo or call in to answer this prompt: 2020 taught me... Let's make this "Dear Progressor," episode the best yet.   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Kolbie's Instagram, Book, Website Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I really don't like the word "should." Whether you've found others "shoulding" on you, or you "should" on yourself, it usually doesn't feel very good. Instead, say "I could do this..." or whatever else you could do. As we've been discussing that it's never too late I want to also impress upon you that there are times and seasons for all things.   In this episode I'm sharing two very personal times from my life, during which at both times I felt pulled in different ways and like something needed to change. I approached these different seasons with different solutions, but both were right for me and my family. In hopes to help you find peace with your particular time and season, I also share the moment my very wise husband told me "Now now, but not never."   About a few other things...   The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was there something you really loved as a child and gave up on? Or, even a passion you found more recently, but you convinced yourself was too late to pursue. What if you instead looked at those things as seeds. Even if realizing your dreams as you once dreamed them seems impossible, it is possible to learn to evolve alongside your gifts and grow from those seeds. Carol Lynn is a personal friend that I meant at church during a particularly low point in my own spirituality. She opens up in the episode about some of the more defining points in her life, and she has had her fair share of loss. Through theater, books, and poetry she stays connected to her lifelong interests. Those gifts have helped her weather storms, but also pursue her own thoughts especially as it concerns elements of her faith. Tune in to hear Carol Lynn reading some of her works in her own majestic voice and leave inspired by this women who continues to marvel into her late age. About a few other things... The Strive Hive helps Progressors who are eager to take action and strive for daily progress access LEARNING, CHANGE, AND COMMUNITY, so that they can find more and lasting personal growth and fulfillment. Join us for weekly chats, monthly masterclasses, self development book club, accountability and more! Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday. SHOW NOTES Carol Lynn's book of poetry "Finding Mother God", and Website Take a minute to fill out my survey! Better Help – 10% off first month with code ‘ABOUTPROGRESS’ Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! COVID School Resource Guide Get the Organization Overhaul audio course Join the monthly membership group Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices