Who better to give advice on beginnings than a beginner?

Just a year ago, Ali Evanson started her dog training business, I Got This Sit.

Many things have changed since then, and now, like the rest of us, Ali is working to adapt and begin anew.

Beginnings ask you to imagine a new future and then commit to making it the best it can possibly be.

Often it’s scary.

Okay, usually it’s scary to begin something new.

You can’t control the outcome. There are no guarantees. But when you’re clear about what you want, you’ll find your personal balance of control and acceptance. 

You’ll feel empowered to move forward and take empowered action.

What helps you feel ready to begin, ready to take action, ready to move toward your goals? 

https://colleenpelar.com/77

Susan Friedman, PhD, talked with Colleen Pelar about the importance of being a bold learner, willing to explore and make a few mistakes. www.colleenpelar.com/26

Advocacy can be challenging, exhausting work.

This week on UNLEASHED (at work & home), Allison Leslie, LCSW, talked with me about "consultation" and its many benefits:

• Less burnout
• More engagement
• Greater creativity
• Less sense of isolation
• Increased joy and ability to see meaning in your work
• More FUN

That’s a win by any measure!

Consultation can be one-on-one (like in coaching calls) or done as part of a small group. The key is that it be a safe place to share your truth, knowing that the participants have your back and want what’s best for you.

You’ll be amazed at how having this support will allow you to ease the burden of your work and find ways to develop stronger and more effective skills so you can continue making a difference without burning yourself out.

Amy Morris, PE, PTOE, is president of T3 Design, transportation engineering company dedicated to solving traffic problems. She talked with Colleen Pelar on the UNLEASHED (at work & home) podcast about why problem-solving isn't as clear-cut as many think and shared tips for improving your problem-solving skills. Another fascinating look at behavior. www.colleenpelar.com/8

You don't have to feel resilient to be resilient. That quote from Leanne Lilly, DVM, DACVB, is worth embroidering on a pillow so you don't forget it.

It’s true, but somehow it doesn’t sound right.

Surely resilience is about being strong, purposeful, and able to leap tall building in a single bound. 🦸🏻‍♀️

But what if it’s not?

What if being resilient is having the courage to keep showing up for yourself, in big ways and in small?

What if it’s creating the internal and external support structure you need to live life on your own terms?

What if being resilient is about intention? Making a commitment to examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions so you can make wise choices about what comes next?

And what if it’s okay that it’s hard sometimes?

What impact would it have if you were certain that you are good enough, worthy, and more than capable of facing whatever comes your way?

You ARE resilient. Right now. Just as you are. And you can become more resilient. 

Listen to learn Dr. Lilly's suggestions for becoming more resilient and prioritizing what matters most to you. https://colleenpelar.com/67

Occupational therapist Melissa Winkle with her team of canine helpers applies creativity and ingenuity to help her clients meet their goals. She talked with Colleen Pelar on UNLEASHED (at work & home) about resourcefulness and shared tips for strengthening your own ability to think outside the box. www.colleenpelar.com/9

Kathy Sdao talked with Colleen Pelar about the idea of "worth." So many people struggle with feeling unworthy or think that they have to do something to earn their place. Not true. You are worthy just as you are. www.colleenpelar.com/39

Forty percent of the factors that affect your happiness are within your control. Forty percent!

In this interview with Rachel Finney, CEO of Columbus Humane, you'll learn strategies for managing your thoughts, feelings, and actions to produce better results and greater peace of mind. https://colleenpelar.com

Becca Keiser talked with Colleen Pelar about the power of positivity—and why it should never be confused with fanciful Pollyanna thinking. www.colleenpelar.com/46

This is a rebroadcast of one of our first UNLEASHED (at work & home) episodes. Patricia McConnell, PhD, joined me to talk about the importance of emotions and, as always happens when talking with her, the conversation veered out into larger life lessons as well.

https://colleenpelar.com/7

Erik Hofmeister, DVM, DACVAA, DECVAA, MA, MS, talked with Colleen Pelar about grit and how consistent effort helps pet professionals get better results than natural talent. Eager to develop your own grit? You’ll discover some simple strategies in this episode. www.colleenpelar.com/52

Is there something you’ve been longing to do? What would give you the courage to dive in? Karen Sinovich, an animal behavior practitioner, shared thoughts about reinvention. You have only one life, but that doesn’t mean you need to have only one passion. www.colleenpelar.com/56

Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, talked with Colleen Pelar about how important it is to define and celebrate everyday wins. What is awesome for you right now? www.colleenpelar.com/20

Jean Donaldson talked with Colleen Pelar about how feelings of scarcity create anxiety and harm our relationships with others. www.colleenpelar.com/34

Julie Fudge Smith, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about how grace begins with intention and humility. How much grace do you extend to others? How much do you give yourself? Explore some strategies for incorporating more grace into your life. www.colleenpelar.com/53

Kellie Snider, MS, BCABA, talked with Colleen Pelar about her personal experience with compassion fatigue and the steps she took to overcome it. www.colleenpelar.com/23

Jamie Holms, RVT, says her extraordinary organizational skills are a coping strategy that developed during a traumatic childhood. Quite simply, she learned to control as many factors as she could to help her deal with all of the chaos and stress she faced daily.

Today those organizational skills make her a valued team member and help her accomplish her goals. 

Coping strategies are interesting. We all have them. We all need them. Some are healthy and productive, others are not, but all of them spring from a place of self-protection.

The tricky part about coping strategies is that they often have their roots in childhood. You may not be aware of what you do to help yourself manage stress or deal with overwhelm because you’ve been doing it for so long that the behaviors are on autopilot. You may not even notice when you’re using them.

Jamie had to make deliberate choices and learn new strategies to ensure that she brings forth the best of her coping skills and leaves behind the elements that no longer serve her.

Developing the self-awareness to observe your behavior and make deliberate choices about it is quite simply the most powerful, life-changing skill ever. It allows you to explore new ways of being, to find what feels right and true for you, and to make deliberate choices about how you want to live your life.

Easier said than done, right? Absolutely. There’s a learning curve here, but it’s worth it. So worth it.

And this awesome discussion with Jamie Holms is filled with practical tips to get you started.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• 168 Hours, You Have More Time than You Think, by Laura Vanderkam: https://amzn.to/35c8ZDJ
• I Know How She Does It, by Laura Vanderkam: https://amzn.to/2FdzLBm
• Dr. Andy Roark: https://drandyroark.com/
• Uncharted Vet conference: https://unchartedvet.com/
• RecoverInitiative.org: https://recoverinitiative.org/

Note: I may earn a small commission on any books or products recommended on this page. I only include products my guest or I have used and recommend. UNLEASHED (at work & home) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Rise VanFleet, PhD, talked with Colleen Pelar about play. Play loosens us up, adds to our flexibility, and actually helps us function in our work better. www.colleenpelar.com/15

Dr. Patricia McConnell discusses emotions with Colleen Pelar on the UNLEASHED (at work & home) podcast. Learn how emotions help us and how they can trip us up. A fascinating look at the behavior of dogs and of people. www.colleenpelar.com/7