An invitation to reflect + make 2018 your best year yet!

Every year, around this time, I love to reflect on the previous year: the highs, the lows, the wins, the lessons..all of it, to make space for what lays ahead and think about what I want to welcome in and attract in the upcoming year.

I invite you to join me in that process and make 2018 one of your best years yet! To help you get to it, I made two things just for you:

1. A Yearly Reflection Guide for you to print and write out your answers to some super powerful coaching questions that will help you reflect on 2017 like never before and really look ahead to 2018 as you explore what you really, really want!

2. The latest episode of First + Foremost | The Podcast brings you a behind the scenes look at how I myself am doing it. I share with you:

• My biggest failure in 2017

• What I'm letting go of (the thing that I have personally struggled with this past year)

• My #1 focus for 2018

• And more!

Be sure take some time out for you to reflect and really get intentional about what you want to bring forth into your life.  

Let's start reflecting, love!

My Top 10 Takeaways from 2017!

There is something about this particular year and season that has me feeling more reflective than ever before (you too!?). I am finding myself feeling waves of gratitude for the life I have with my husband Adam and our puppy Migo. Maybe it is all stemming from recently completing my Yearly Reflection (a peek inside is coming your way next week- complete yours here if you are feeling like doing some reflecting of your own in the meantime!) 

In this season of reflection, I want to share with you my top 10 takeaways from 2017.

1. Trust the timing of your life.
This one I have learned on a personal level, and also vicariously through the people around me. Think of any one thing you are wanting that feels out of your control. Then say to yourself, “I choose to trust the timing of my life.” Now doesn’t that feel like a warm hug? 

2. Don’t skimp on your self-care!
Skimping on my self-care leads to a tired, drained, and depleted me. It effects my mood, self-esteem, and my entire being. I have learned that it is a nonnegotiable. I must do it.
Every.
Single.
Day. (Get acquainted with your own self-care things here!)

3. Talk to the people you love about the things on your heart.
Talks with your person. Opening up in ways you don't always plan to. Sharing and baring your wishes, wants, hopes, desires. It's such an important part of feeling loved and feeling heard and understood.

4. Be your own advocate.
I received some advice from a medical professional early this year that just did not feel right. So I got a second opinion. I used my voice. I advocated for me. I took care of myself. Be your own advocate and take care of you, too.

5. Get a pet!
Having Migo our Portuguese Water Dog has completely changed my life. I now understand the love one can have for a furry friend. He has taught me lots about self-care and love, too!

6. Remember that everyone is going through something.
We only see what others choose to show us. Remember that every single person is going through something. The people who are jerks are going through something. The people who appear to have everything perfect are going through something.

7. Don’t get sucked into other people’s stories.
When someone is freaking out, when someone is highly reactive, when someone is highly emotional, don’t get sucked into their drama. Instead, remember that this is their story. It is how they are choosing to react. It does not have to be your story too.

8. Respect your own time.
This past year I blocked out 3 weeks of rest for myself over the upcoming holidays. And then, as December has been nearing, I noticed that I had filled up almost every single day with activities, meetings, and events. Before the holidays got a chance to tire me out, I felt drained just looking at my calendar. Then the lovely Mara Glatzel popped into my email right when I needed her most. She reminded me that I need to honor my time. I need to honor my own periods of much-needed rest. And so I went back and cleared my schedule. I moved things around. I reclaimed my space. And now I deeply look forward to rest this holiday season. Moral of the story.. respect your time. Honor what you need and say you will do. Give yourself periods of rest.

9. Listen to your body.
A few months back, I fell down our stairs. I was holding Migo in my arms (thankfully we both were okay!) but I ended up with a back injury. Fortunately, it is almost 100 percent healed, but wow has the experience taught me a lot about tending to my body. I have had to pause on working out and strenuous movement in general. I have used this time to really listen to what my body is needing and to be kind to it in the process. It has proven to be a gift, really. 

10. Be the fire!!!
My mantra from 2017! This summer, after going on a camping trip, I realized while talking with a fellow coach friend, that I was the cozy blanket at a campfire and that it was time to be the FIRE. Since adopting this mantra, it has moved me to action like never before (really!). So many things I have wanted to get off the ground are in full swing now (like my podcast + program!) and it feels amazing friends. I share this final piece with you because I have realized having a compelling mantra is everything. What words really resonate to be true for you? Make that your mantra!

There you have it! When you have a chance, take a moment to reflect on your own top 10 takeaways from this past year. What key lessons have you gained from this past year that you will carry with you into 2018?

Do you have a self-care plan? (Here's mine!)

Do you have a self-care plan?

It is basically a list of all of your things that bring you comfort and joy, relaxation, and rest. They are your go-to's to love on and take care of you. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and with the launch of First + Foremost | The Program coming up (we start November 27th!!) I thought now is the perfect time to reflect on self-care.

Here are some of my personal self-care things (currently):

Cuddling my puppy, Migo
Talking with my husband, Adam
Drinking a hot cup of coffee
Drinking kombucha in a wine glass
Going for a walk
Writing in my journal
Talking to my life coach, Beth
Talking to my therapist, Angela
Naming my 3 daily intention words
Reading a book (I'm re-reading You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero)
Watching one of my favorite shows (Currently: Shameless, Outlander, Project Runway)
Taking a hot shower or Epsom salt bath with lavender oil
Taking a nap
Drinking water
Sitting down to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner mindfully
Writing what I am grateful for

These are my current things. Every so often, I sit down and rewrite my things. I find sometimes that they ebb and flow based on the seasons, and they ebb and flow based on me, and how I change with each passing day.

I encourage you to take a moment to sit down and reflect on your own personal self-care things. As women and men, we need to know our go-to's for caring for ourselves. You may have an idea in your mind already of what they are, but there is something meaningful about sitting down to actually write them out. You can post it up, or keep it with you in your purse, wallet, or journal.

To help you get started, here is a template I created for you!

First + Foremost | the podcast is finally here!

Today, I'm over here happy dancing because First + Foremost, the podcast is finally here!

My whole intention behind creating this podcast is to help you take care of yourself, first and foremost. Over the years, I have used the words "first and foremost" to describe self-care. When thinking of a name for the podcast, my cousin Rachel pointed this out to me, and we both knew in an instant that this is what the podcast should be called (as well as the upcoming program that launches this November... stay tuned!)

The first 4 episodes are now live for you my friend, and I couldn't be more excited to share them:

In the very first teaser episode, I tell you all about First + Foremost and what you can expect on each episode. 

In episode 1, I share my top 5 tips for sharing your stories on social media. This episode is especially for those of you who crave more connection, more authenticity, and more vulnerability as you post on social media.

In episode 2, Beth Racine, my life coach and dear friend, comes on to discuss how to overcome pain after the unthinkable happens in a relationship. 

In episode 3, I share some practical tools for those of you finding yourself saying, "I feel so overwhelmed right now!"

And finally, in episode 4, Kirsten Wilson, founder and creator of the Hello Day Planner joins me as we chat about pushing past fear and self-doubt to create the thing you crave.

There is so, so, so much more to come, but for now, I hope you enjoy these mini episodes all made with love and intention to help you take the very best care of you. In the meantime, be sure to stay in the know when new episodes are released. You can subscribe in iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Just search for "First + Foremost" or my name, "Jen Wille" and you will find it!

Sending you all the love.

Warmly yours,

3 Tips to Push Past Fear

Fear.

It is the thing that oftentimes stops us in our tracks and keeps us from being where we want to be. It is the thing that feels suffocating at times, telling us we are not good enough. It is the thing that keeps us right where we are at, with the threat of never finding our true potential.

That is, if we keep on listening to it… 

What if today is the day you decide to stop letting fear lead you? What if you decide today to start paying attention to when fear shows up and instead push past it and go after what you want most?

Are you ready? Okay, let's get to it. 

1.  Create a mantra/ affirmation/ badassery reminder that you are amazing.
The next time you hear fear talking to you, come equipped to talk back (kindly of course!) with an empowering, fear-conquering, confidence-boosting statement to stop fear in its tracks. Try something like, "I take chances because I am worthy of knowing the reward."

2.  Ask yourself this critical question: what will your life be like if you keep listening to fear?
This question right here is the one that always reminds me that I will stay exactly where I am if I keep listening to my fear. I want to go places, thank you very much! How about you? Where do YOU want to go in YOUR life? What will happen if you keep listening to fear?

3.  Remind yourself that everyone, every single person, starts somewhere. Including you.
If you find that a lot of your fear is rooted in self-doubt, likely from comparing yourself to others, or not feeling good enough, remind yourself that every single person started somewhere where they once were at the very beginning. It takes a series of baby steps to push past fear and put ourselves out there to get where we really want to be. We all start somewhere. The key word, is start.

Pssst.. Was this note helpful today? If you want more, and are into all things self-love and self-care, let's get you on my email list, love! Think: weekly nudges and inspo, that are short and sweet and sent with love, delivered straight to your inbox. You can get in, right here!