This post is brought to you by featured guest author, Jesse Harless. He and his new book Smash Your Comfort Zone inspire us all to look at what simple challenges we can take each day to improve our motivation and to practice these actions that create growth daily. It’s for those who are looking to break through any self-imposed barriers. The result will be a life that excites you and helps you to thrive.

The age-old concept of the glass half-full or half-empty determining your outlook on life is far too simplified. This type of generalization regarding our situation is often why we struggle in the first place. When learning something new, relax and know that you are so much more than the contents of a glass. You will always be learning. You will be great at some things and not so great at others, and it is all perfect. When your inner judge gets too loud, open your heart to compassion and let her know that she will be okay, just like you will be okay as you dance your way through life’s lessons.

Make mental wellness a practice. Find what works for you and find a way to practice it, and you will find that your mental health becomes stronger and healthier. This nightly practice has improved my mental health and happiness greatly.

Featured guest author, Carolyn Colleen, explains Breathe, Focus, FIERCE Action, part of the F.I.E.R.C.E process from her book, F.I.E.R.C.E.: Transform Your Life in the Face of Adversity, 5 Minutes at a Time! This method can be used to overcome adversity and anxiety in many situations, whether moving through an anxiety attack or moving forward through painful and tiring chemotherapy on a larger journey of beating cancer. I am a huge advocate of using breath to recenter ourselves, which is a large part of the process she shares.

She is an amazing human being, doing great and impacting work, which I am honored to share with you!

How does your day typically start? Do you wake up with optimism, looking forward with anticipation to the day ahead? Or do you hit the snooze button, putting off rolling out of bed until the last possible moment? Consider that how you begin each morning determines the quality of your day. I’ve created a little action acronym to help develop a new morning routine to start your day with more enthusiasm, encouragement, energy, excitement, and expectations: N.O.T.I.C.E.