Daily writing prompt

What are your biggest challenges?

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The fears, the excitement, the dread, and everything that comes with a new year.

I don’t know about you, but starting a new year is a reminder of the things I didn’t accomplish (some for several years now, such as going to the Gym). It is also the happiness of starting a new year filled with opportunities, the self-criticism of how I will probably fail with many of my goals (again), and all the hope and dreams fueled by the almost worldwide excitement of starting a new year.

The (specific) challenges of this year (and of all my life).

Blog Astrid Helps.

Not so long ago, I started this blog as a way for future clients to know me, practice my writing, and (why not?) express myself. So far, I have had almost no interaction with other bloggers, found zero clients, and I know it will take a lot of effort and consistency to ever turn this blog into a source of leads or income. So, my biggest challenge this year regarding my blog is to persevere, not giving up, and managing to juggle between my Freelancer gig as a proofreader, editor, and virtual assistance while continue blogging.

I hate exercise and my brain sucks at releasing happy chemicals.

I hate going to the Gym. It was a relief to admit that to myself and others, but I haven’t searched for a sport or activity that could help me with cardio while helping me gain muscle mass. Something funny is that my challenge is that I’m not lacking knowledge. You see, if there’s something I know is all kinds of tips and tricks about how to keep your body and mind in a great shape. Now, when times come to apply those tips, well, I am not doing good. Although I visit my doctor at least one per year, buy more fruits and vegetables, and use just drops of oils while cooking, I am mostly bounded to my computer (I’m a couch potato), crave and eat sweets when I’m too stressed, and lack self-confidence.

Not everything is bad, tho. I’m diligently taking my depression med, go biking around Bogota with my boyfriend every Sunday (only this last month), and practice deep breathing when I am feeling overwhelmed. Still, it feels like I’m not doing enough, which takes me to my biggest challenge.

Absurd expectations and low (lack of) self-confidence.

That’s a terrible combination, I know. My unreachable expectations along with the depressingly low level of self confidence combine into a recipe for disaster. I mean, how can you motivate yourself to work and reach your goals if you believe from the start that you won’t make it? The answer is, you don’t, and that’s why the biggest obstacle that I need to fight is the person reflected in the twisted mirror of my own perception.

“We have met the enemy and they are ours”

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry

The plan.

One of the things I might need is to put the money where my mouth is and start to apply the Time management tips that I’ve shared in my own blog, but this time in intense mode, as I have noticed how I get distracted so easily. I’ll start by writing down my tasks for the day (keeping the list short) and setting time apart to focus on finishing the main one (at least 1 hour per day). I’ll set two days to work on my blog so Astrid helps doesn’t fall into oblivion.

Additionally, I know I need to keep on biking on Sundays and to start doing short rides midweek. I have to take advantage that biking makes me workout almost without noticing (I notice it when I go uphill, almost breathless). Regarding my mental health, this one is trickier. I will stick to my meds, go to therapy, and hopefully including more physical activity and receiving more sunshine in my body will help.

Uh oh, now comes the plan for the most challenging of the challenges I face. I am going to experiment this year and set easily achievable goals. If I reach them, then I will set new goals with just a slightly higher level of difficulty. I will also remind myself (with Google keep) about what I have achieved so far and how I can use my strengths to achieve more. I hope that helps me to set realistic goals and build up my self-confidence.

What about you? What is your main challenge to reach your goals? I would love to read you (and to help, if possible). Feel free to answer in the comments.

About the Author:
I’m Astrid, a biologist who made a career shift to become a virtual assistant and an accountability partner. My journey from the world of science to customer service and freelancing has given me a unique perspective on life, and I sometimes share it here on WordPress.

Do you need a capable and reliable accountability partner? Contact me on Fiverr or LinkedIn.