About Progress

Take a moment, just in your mind, and think of your priorities. Include all the things to which you are regularly giving all of your time. I'm sure this list includes people, maybe some places, and likely some things. So, do you have your list?What number are you on that list?I get it, you have so much going on and you are the sun in your little universe (if you don't get that reference you need to listen here!). All those things on your list of priorities are good things! But you simply cannot continue to pour from an empty cup. And when you procrastinate your happiness you are hurting yourself and, as a result, those priorities.In this bite-sized episode, known as a 'Growth Spurt' around here, I am giving you permission to change your priorities. I hope you feel inspired to figure out what's holding you back and I may even have some helpful resources for you.If you think happiness is a destination, something that you can achieve enough of to last you a lifetime, I'm not sorry to say that you're wrong. Fortunately, happiness is something to continually develop and this month you're getting allll the resources and ideas to do exactly that.SHOW NOTES Snag your Loom Journal at an exclusive discount with code ABOUTPROGRESS thru May 10! Register for Rediscover You Workshop FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you listened to last week's episode you know that the theme this month is all about how to be happy. Easier said than done? Not around here. This week you will learn three things you can change to be happy. Without even knowing it, you are probably holding on to some lies you think are making you happy. And while the specifics may be personal, they likely fall into one of three categories.New York Times bestselling author Richard Eyre delves into those three categories in this episode: control, ownership, and independence. He also explains how to shift your mindset towards what REALLY makes you happy. The Harvard business grad, now happiness guru,  teaches what to look for and how to change your thinking.Richard has even written a book on this topic, titled "The Happiness Paradox." If you are struggling to understand the how's and why's of happiness then this is an amazing resource for you. Right now, the About Progress community can purchase this book HERE and receive half off, plus free shipping, with code MONICAFRIEND.After listening in you will be sure to have actionable takeaways for what you can change to be happy. As you take them to heart and make your own happiness progress, would you consider sharing them with all of us?? Your voice is so valuable, learn how you can be on the show!SHOW NOTES Richard's Website, Instagram, and Facebook Get "The Happiness Paradox" here for half off plus free shipping with code MONICAFRIEND Snag your Loom Journal at an exclusive discount with code ABOUTPROGRESS thru May 10! Register for Rediscover You Workshop FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the one thing that unifies alllll of humanity? The desire to be HAPPY. And maybe also the overcomplicated routes we take to find how to be happy. So let's spend some time this month figuring it out together. Remember to tune in each week to learn more on this important topic.Why are we struggling so much with happiness? Perhaps we don't know what it really looks like and we are searching for it in the wrong places. In fact, last year thousands of you tuned in to these episodes on happiness and joy. Because of that this whole month will be spent diving deeper into a topic that is nothing new, but still matters so much.This month's intro. episode shares more about April's theme and walks you through what happiness actually looks like for you. It also gets a little bit personal, sharing the two CRAZY things that happened to me one year ago. So if you're feeling like happiness is out of reach, you are not alone and we can change that for you.After you tune in, stay accountable! You can get this month's Progress Plan and other FREE printables here! These are simple worksheets you can print out or complete from your phone. And this community would love to hear how this goes for you this month. If you didn't already know, the last episode of each month consists of listener submissions (listen to last month's here!) that you can just record on your phone and send in to hello@aboutprogress.com.SHOW NOTES FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for May!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 What a month! Did you work on one or two habits this month? I hope that everything we learned inspired you to narrow in your focus on one area of your life that needs some major help.Three experts in their fields gave real life tips on how to do this.As you know, for me that started with sleep. Our sleep episodes with Chrissy Lawler (here and here) triggered so many people into realizing how much they needed to shift their sleep habits. As a result, hundreds of you joined (and are still joining) our FREE 5 Day Sleep Makeover!Next, we considered what your motivational style might be (thank you Dr. Adam Moore) and how figuring that out will help propel you forward to better shifting your habits.And then a question that hits home for all of us, is time management a huuuuuuge struggle for you? If so, you need to let things go. Dr. Jen Riday gave thousands of you some lightbulb moments as you listened in about her own experience. For example, she discussed taking more time for herself--both for self-care and planning--as well as letting go of things that didn't line up with her greater priorities.Personal stories of growth from me and you!And don't forget about our growth spurt episodes! In these bite-sized episodes I got personal about my experience as an underachieving perfectionists and how to get out of your comfort zones.Today, we released our Dear Progressor episode. You get to hear a follow-up from a former voice bite with an update, how one mom learned to get herself to sleep, an unsolicited testimonial of the Progress Program, a mom who realized the life she was living was THE dream-life she had had for herself 10 years prior, and what one busy mama of five has done to calm her busy-mind. I also share where I'm at with my Do Something List and some final thoughts I have about habit-formation and how that relates to our themes. And remember, it's not too late if you haven't started yours yet--just go for it!This has definitely been a month of growth and I'm so grateful you were a part of it by showing up here and sharing what you learned with others, both publicly and privately. Thank you SOOO much for supporting me and the members of this community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you wearing your 'busyness' as a badge of honor? How about seeking self worth from the exhaustion of trying to do it all? To put it bluntly, you need to stop. Because doing more does not mean you are doing better.As a mother of 3 with multiple jobs, Jeanteil Livingston was overthinking and over-planning everything. Can you relate?! Good news - through her own journey (which she shares!) she learned that busy is not best. And her advice? Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Even more simply put, to be human.But how? Ask "Who do I want to be in one year?" Then simplify your habits and live like that person now. Jeanteil even reveals the 3-word excuse she used to use before that change in perspective changed her. Odds are, you've probably said it, too.If you want to hear what real life progress looks like, then listen in. Want to take things one step further? If you are ready to spend less time being busy and more time being you, there are a few spots left in the Progress Program for April.SHOW NOTES Jeanteil's Website, Instagram, and Facebook Register for Rediscover You Workshop Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for April!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you find yourself using your comfort zone as an excuse, you are not alone. My comfort zone used to be my excuse to not push myself where it matters most.In this bite-sized episode I tell you what your comfort zone really is and give specific examples about pushing yourself. Here's a hint: my laundry piles up just like yours!It isn't too late to change your habits. If it looks messy, you're doing it right.SHOW NOTES Register for Rediscover You Workshop Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for April!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has your own life become out of your control? You CAN get it back and it can start with one small word, "No." Here is the permission to let go, prioritize, and put yourself first in order to better manage all the other balls you are juggling.A working mom of 6, Dr. Jen Riday of the Vibrant Happy Women Podcast lives true to her mission to help women get back their lives. After sharing a vivid personal memory of one of her lowest points she offers detailed instruction on how to find YOU in your time again.As you listen, and especially if you desperately need this, remind yourself that your commitment will help carry you through. Start with the actionable tips discussed and begin to create space for what really matters.SHOW NOTES Jen's Website, Instagram, and Facebook Register for Rediscover You Workshop Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for April!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have been where you are - afraid to fail and hating myself into growth. There's a name for it, underachieving perfectionism, and a way to change for the better. If you feel STUCK and crippled by the thought of setting even day-to-day goals, this is me calling to you from the other side of that.Your worth is not determined by the perfect ability to do anything. I hope that after listening in you know you CAN grow imperfectly because you are worth while.SHOW NOTES Register for Rediscover You Workshop Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for April!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you having trouble changing your habits and reaching your goals because you're lazy? No! You just haven't found your motivational style.Explaining his carrot-dangling-free approach, therapist Adam Moorepresents three motivational styles to help you better understand yourself AND others. Here's a spoiler: find what makes you feel effective.After listening to actual examples, you'll be equipped to find your motivational style and make a breakthrough on your habits, giving you the power to shift your life!If you you need somewhere to start, here's a FREE 5 Day Sleep Makeover. Use what you learn about yourself from this episode and get started on changing your habits today.SHOW NOTES Adam's Website, Instagram, and Facebook Adam's book recommendations: Drive and Beyond Pleasure and Pain Register for Rediscover You Workshop Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for April!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've heard the science and read all the tips, but what does sleep training look like in real life? This bonus episode provides a glimpse into just that.Tune in while Christine Lawler actually analyzes host Monica's sleep habits and maps out an achievable plan of action. Follow along and begin training yourself TONIGHT.If you've listened to this conversation and signed up for the FREE 5 Day Sleep Makeover then here is just one more tool to help your sleep habits. No more excuses, it's time to get that life changing sleep you need!P.S. Tickets for the Rediscover You Workshop are now available! Use code 'FINDME' for $30 off through 3/11.SHOW NOTES Christine's Website, Instagram, and Facebook Register for Rediscover You Workshop (use code “FINDME” to get $30 off until March 11th) Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for April!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Changes,” and “Golden Alley” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices