Investing in Yourself and Embracing Your Journey
In the episode of Thriving Changes with Marianna Lead, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Master Certified Coach and the founder of Goal Imagery Institute, she shared wisdom born from years of guiding others and navigating her own journey of resilience. Marianna’s words were inspiring, practical, and deeply resonant. In this post, we’re diving into the powerful lessons she offered to equip you with actionable steps to thrive through life’s inevitable changes.
Investing in yourself is the best decision you’ll ever make.
Investing in Yourself: The First Step to True Growth
Marianna emphasized the transformative power of investing in yourself—not just financially, but with your time, energy, and belief.
“I may not have made any money, but I learned so much—about running your own business, trusting yourself, doing things on a grand scale, and following through with your destiny.”
This mindset reminds us that personal growth is not always linear or immediately lucrative. The true return on investment often lies in the knowledge, experience, and confidence gained along the way. Whether you're starting a new business, shifting careers, or pursuing a passion project, these steps can help:
Start Small, Dream Big: Begin with attainable goals while keeping your larger vision in sight. Track your progress and celebrate small wins to build momentum.
Seek Knowledge: Dedicate time to learning—through books, courses, or mentors. Treat each setback as an opportunity to deepen your understanding.
Reframe Risk: Rather than fearing failure, see it as a part of the process. Invest in yourself with the understanding that growth takes time and courage.
Aligning with a Higher Purpose
“If you're sincere in wanting something to happen, not just for the money but because there's a deeper reason, a higher purpose, if you stick with it, it will happen eventually.”
Pursuing a purpose-driven life doesn’t mean money isn’t important—it means it’s not the sole motivator. To stay connected to your purpose:
Define Your “Why”: Write down why you’re pursuing your goal. Keep this reason visible to remind yourself of what truly matters.
Stay Grounded: When challenges arise, return to your “why.” This grounding will provide clarity and strength during tough times.
Give Back: A purpose-driven journey often involves impacting others. Look for ways your work can contribute to the greater good.
Practical steps to get started:
Reflect on moments that made you feel deeply fulfilled. What themes emerge?
Create a mission statement for yourself. Let this guide your decisions.
Letting Go of the Need for Universal Approval
“You're not supposed to be liked by everyone. This concept is hard to digest because, by nature, we want to be liked by everyone.”
Marianna’s reminder is a liberating truth. No matter how genuine, talented, or hardworking you are, you’ll never please everyone—and that’s okay. To embrace this idea:
Focus on Your Tribe: Understand that your energy and authenticity will naturally attract like-minded people. Shift your attention from critics to those who support and align with your values.
Redefine Rejection: Instead of seeing rejection as a failure, view it as a redirection toward the right people and opportunities.
Practice Self-Compassion: When criticism stings, remind yourself of your worth. Journaling or speaking affirmations can help.
Practical steps to implement:
Identify your core values and ensure your actions align with them.
Set boundaries with people or situations that drain your energy.
Everything is a Lesson: Learning from Life’s Experiences
“Everything we do and everything that happens is for our learning. If we can understand ourselves just a little bit better, maybe we can understand the universe a little bit better too.”
This profound insight encourages us to see life’s challenges as opportunities to grow. To adopt this mindset:
Cultivate Reflection: Spend time daily reflecting on your experiences. Ask yourself, “What did I learn today?”
Adopt a Growth Mindset: Believe that skills, intelligence, and resilience can be developed through effort and perseverance.
Welcome Discomfort: Embrace challenges as part of your personal evolution.
Practical steps:
Keep a journal to document lessons from both successes and failures.
When faced with adversity, ask, “What is this teaching me?”
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Owning Your Potential
Marianna shared an epiphany:
“I’m smart. So why don’t I give myself the same ideas? What’s stopping me from opening my own school? Instead, I give my ideas to others and wait for them to act. When, in fact, I have the same capacity to do it myself.”
This is a call to recognize your own power and stop waiting for external validation. To take ownership of your potential:
Recognize Your Strengths: Make a list of your skills, achievements, and qualities. Use it as a reminder of your capabilities.
Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Ask yourself, “What’s holding me back?” Replace self-doubt with empowering affirmations.
Take the Leap: Action builds confidence. Start small but start. Each step forward reinforces your belief in yourself.
Practical steps:
Identify one idea you’ve been sitting on. Take one action today to move it forward.
Seek mentors or peers who inspire you to think bigger.
Some of the most beautiful moments happen when you trust the process, stay present, and let things flow.
Allowing Life to Unfold
“Allow life to evolve and unfold, moment by moment, day by day. We do things when we are ready, and we move forward when we are ready to move forward.”
This wisdom encourages us to let go of rigid timelines and trust in the natural rhythm of life. To embrace this philosophy:
Practice Mindfulness: Stay present. Focus on what you can do today rather than worrying about the future.
Release Control: Understand that some things are beyond your control. Focus on what you can influence.
Trust the Process: Believe that progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.
Practical steps:
Start a gratitude practice to stay present and appreciate the journey.
When you feel stuck, remind yourself, “I’ll move forward when I’m ready.”
Final Thoughts: Thriving Through Change
Marianna Lead’s insights are a testament to the power of resilience, purpose, and self-belief. Life’s changes are not obstacles but opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive. As you navigate your own path, remember:
Invest in yourself.
Align with your purpose.
Let go of the need for universal approval.
Learn from every experience.
Take small steps toward your goals.
Own your potential.
Trust the journey.
Change is inevitable, but with the right mindset and tools, you can transform challenges into opportunities and adversity into growth. Take a moment today to reflect, take a small step forward, and remind yourself of the incredible power you already possess.
