Episode 664: 5 Small Habits That Lead to Big Personal Growth (Mindset & Self-Care)

EBT664 – 5 Small Habits That Lead to Big Personal Growth

Intro  00:01

Hey food bloggers. Thank you so much for joining me in this mindset and self-care focused episode here on Eat Blog Talk. One of the reasons I started a blog talk was to hold a space to talk about the importance of mindset and self-care. Being an entrepreneur can be a lot. If we are not taking care of ourselves, then getting actionable information about SEO Pinterest or whatever else is all moot. I will meet you back here every Wednesday to discuss various mindset and self-care topics. So you have the energy and space to tackle the rest.

[00:00:33]  Megan Porta 

Food Bloggers hello, How is it going this week? I cannot even tell you what a rough week it has been for me. The last time I talked to you I was just starting to come down with a sickness that I thought was maybe on the tail end of the situation, but it was not.

[00:00:51]  Megan Porta 

It was actually the very beginning and this week has been a blur of probably the worst sickness I’ve had in over a decade. So I’m just emerging from that. So so like I said last week, bear with me, have grace as we get through this episode. I’m really excited to chat about the topic at hand today, which is small habits that are going to lead to big personal growth.

[00:01:17]  Megan Porta 

You guys know I’m all about the habits. There’s so much power in them. Habits can make you or they can break you. Ever since I read one of my favorite books ever, maybe my favorite book ever, Atomic Habits by James Clear, I have been on a mission to create the best, longest lasting habits I possibly can in order to live the best, longest lasting life I possibly can.

[00:01:45]  Megan Porta 

So in this episode I’m going to run through five suggestions for small habits that you can incorporate into your life. But the specific habits are not what’s actually important. What is important is that you pick five small habits, whether it’s ones mentioned here or others that you’re inspired by, and you stick to them.

[00:02:07]  Megan Porta 

Choose small habits so you don’t get overwhelmed and quit the good habit after two weeks or two days or two hours. Another important thing to note is that once selected, you will be so much more successful if you track your habits. When we’re in the moment, in the grind with carrying out fresh new good habits, it can feel like we’re not making any progress.

[00:02:33]  Megan Porta 

But when we track them over time, we can see that those habits are stacking up quietly, amounting to the positive results that we desire. Some ideas for tracking you can write in your journal. You can write on a whiteboard, a Google Doc or a Google Sheet post it notes Whatever works for you.

[00:02:54]  Megan Porta 

Taking small, consistent steps in the right direction can can lead to monumental shifts over time. This is such a powerful concept when put into action. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through five simple habits that you can consider implementing into your daily routine, or pick your own that will have a powerful impact on your personal growth journey.

[00:03:16]  Megan Porta 

Let’s do it. Are you ready to dive in? 

[00:03:20]  Sponsor (Terrence Roche)

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of unfinished posts in your computer? You sometimes wish you just had more available time? My name is Terrence Roche and I am one half of the Plant Power Couple, food blog I run with my partner, Brittany. I’m also a former English teacher who spent 20 years helping young writers find their voice. I currently offer freelance content writing and copywriting services for other bloggers. I can ghost write recipe posts, informative content, About me pages, LinkedIn bios and more. If you have any old posts or outlines sitting in your backlog, I can help get those up on your site by writing SEO keyword rich posts for you freeing up your precious time for other personal or business endeavors. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or to request writing samples and my rate sheet you can contact me at terrence@plantpower couple.com That’s T-E-R-R-E-N-C-E@plant powercouple.com.

[00:04:09]  Megan Porta 

Number one start your day with a positive affirmation the way you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s so amazing how the first few minutes after waking up can influence the entire rest of your day. Have you ever noticed that? How many times have you started your day with a negative thought, only to find that the entire rest of your day was met with weird challenges?

[00:04:39]  Megan Porta 

It’s like the mind becomes fixated on the negative, and that’s exactly what we attract back to us. But what if we shift that narrative every day? A simple yet powerful habit is to begin each morning by speaking or just thinking. A positive affirmation to yourself and maybe to your higher power. It’s such a small action that can make a huge difference.

[00:05:05]  Megan Porta 

You could say, very simply, I’m capable of achieving my goals today, or I am worthy of success today. By setting your intentions at the very beginning of the day, you shift your mindset to focus on possibility rather than limitation. It’s definitely not about ignoring your challenges or stuffing them aside. Instead, it’s about empowering yourself to face them with a positive mindset.

[00:05:34]  Megan Porta 

How this leads to personal growth Positive affirmations can help to rewire your brain by breaking negative thought patterns and building confidence. They prime your mind for success, boost self esteem, and encourage an empowered approach to your challenges. Over time, these affirmations can help you move through obstacles with so much more resilience and a sense of personal power, adding powerful momentum to your personal growth.

[00:06:05]  Megan Porta 

Here are a few ideas for positive affirmations. Take or leave these. You can totally make up your own if you’re more inspired by something else. I am capable of achieving everything I set my mind to. I attract abundance and opportunities into my life. I am worthy of success, happiness and fulfillment. Today I choose to focus on the positive.

[00:06:31]  Megan Porta 

I am confident in my abilities and trust the process. I am deserving of all the good things coming my way. I am grateful for the opportunity today brings. I am resilient, strong and capable of overcoming challenges. I trust myself to make the best decisions for my life. Each step I take brings me closer to my goals.

[00:06:53]  Megan Porta 

So pick one or two of these or something different that just feels right to you and get started tomorrow morning. Don’t forget to track it. Number two Set one Focused Goal for the Day There are so many days when my brain is absolutely swimming before I even get out of bed to start the day.

[00:07:17]  Megan Porta 

I haven’t been awake for more than a minute and my to do list is already trying to swallow me whole. This is never a good feeling. I know you’ve been there too. In order to not allow this to happen, we need to back up a bit to the night before. This is something I’ve been doing for a month or so now and I can tell you, for me, it’s been a game changer.

[00:07:42]  Megan Porta 

Set a journal or a notebook next to your bed every night just before turning out the light, pulling up your cozy covers and hopefully drifting off to sleep quickly. Pull out your journal and spend just a few minutes jotting down the main priorities for the following day. Don’t go crazy. You don’t have to write absolutely everything that you plan to do the next day.

[00:08:06]  Megan Porta 

I’d say keep it under seven main points. Of those 7ish things, what is the most important thing you will need to accomplish the next day? Underline it or highlight it. Put it in your mind as your priority. Everything else you accomplish will be icing on the cake. Setting your priorities right before bed is a power move.

[00:08:29]  Megan Porta 

You are prepping both your conscious mind and your subconscious mind for what is to come the next day. When you wake up in the morning, all your minds will know the scoop. They’ll all be in the loop and they’ll Be ready to deliver no swimming thoughts, no questioning yourself, and no wondering what in the world you’re gonna do first.

[00:08:52]  Megan Porta 

How this Leads to Personal Growth Having a focused, specific goal in mind at the start of the day trains your brain to avoid distractions and to stay on track. It will help you make steady progress on what truly matters and build a habit of discipline and consistency over time. This kind of intentional planning will help to accelerate your personal growth and your success both personally and professionally, while allowing you to tackle challenges with more confidence.

[00:09:26]  Megan Porta 

You are going to have your own unique goals to set. Each day could literally be anything in the world, but I’ll rattle off just a few examples of focus goals that you could set for the following day. Complete the draft of my blog post Launch a new email sequence Schedule social media posts for the week or the month Follow up with potential clients Catch up on admin work Declutter my workspace Create a strategy for an upcoming launch exercise for 30 minutes.

[00:09:59]  Megan Porta 

Like I said, it can be really anything at all as long as it is a priority that is moving you one step closer to your goals. Don’t forget to track it. Number three Practice Gratitude before Bed I have been well in the groove with practicing gratitude to start my days, but something I’ve been experimenting with lately is also practicing gratitude before bed.

[00:10:23]  Megan Porta 

This offers a double dose of gratitude during the day, which never hurts. It works that same magic as journaling about your next day’s goals. Like we talked about in the previous point, gratitude to start your day will set a good tone for the day. Gratitude before bed will embed thankfulness into your soul before you drift off to sleep.

[00:10:43]  Megan Porta 

Having the things you’re most grateful for at the tip top of your mind before sleeping literally etches them into your subconscious. Your subconscious receives inputs before sleep and works on them while you sleep. So all those things you express gratitude for will now swim around in your mind and gather momentum. I’ll bet a bunch of money that when you do this you will awake the next morning with positive thankful thoughts running through your head.

[00:11:13]  Megan Porta 

How this leads to Personal Growth Gratitude fosters a positive mindset. It improves your emotional well being too. By acknowledging the good in your life, you develop a more optimistic outlook which fuels your growth and happiness. All good stuff. Practicing gratitude before bed helps you focus on all the positive things that have happened to you that day and that week, preventing your mind from ruminating on challenges or disappointments.

[00:11:44]  Megan Porta 

I think it’s so easy for us to fall into this unless we’re really intentional. It also creates an energetic shift enabling you to attract more positive energy into your life and fostering long term growth if you keep it up. Here are a few examples of what to express gratitude for if you’re at a loss.

[00:12:03]  Megan Porta 

Your health. Thank your body for carrying you through another day and for all the small things it does to keep you going and big things Your relationships Express gratitude for your loved ones, friends, peers, all the people who support you and make your life brighter in some way. Your achievements Reflect on what you accomplished today, no matter how big or small it is.

[00:12:25]  Megan Porta 

Recognize the steps you’ve taken to meet your goals. Opportunities Be thankful for the opportunities you’ve been given, whether in your personal life or professional life. A Restful Home Appreciate your home as a place of safety, comfort and rest after a long day or week. Moments of Joy Think of the small, happy moments you experience today, like a good conversation, a laugh, or a beautiful moment in nature.

[00:12:53]  Megan Porta 

Your mindset Be grateful for your resilience and the strength you have to overcome challenges knowing that your mindset is evolving positively. Constantly Support from others. Acknowledge the people who have helped or inspired you, whether through advice, encouragement or kindness. You can literally write down anything as long as you’re truly grateful for it.

[00:13:15]  Megan Porta 

The cat sleeping next to you. The one minute of time your teenager gave you tonight. The time you took to meditate. Your warm, cozy home. Anything at all. Get it on paper and don’t forget to track it. Number four take 10 minutes for mindfulness or meditation. I know, I know. I talk about the power of mindfulness and meditation a lot in these mindset episodes.

[00:13:37]  Megan Porta 

There is a reason for that. It is truly one of the most powerful things you can do during your day that will bring you the best roi. You guys love that term, roi. Here is something that is going to deliver an awesome ROI and with very little time invested, taking a mere 10 minutes out of your day for mindfulness or meditation can significantly improve your mental clarity, emotional resilience, and overall focus.

[00:14:08]  Megan Porta 

I made this excuse for years. I don’t have time to meditate. Really. I finally had to say to myself, you can’t find 10 minutes in your day to do something that will significantly improve your state of mind. That is crazy talk. I said to a previous version of me, find the 10 minutes and prioritize this.

[00:14:31]  Megan Porta 

I’m so happy I listened to a wiser part of me because I cannot imagine life without this. Honestly, taking 10 minutes, you guys. 10. That’s nothing. 10 minutes out of your day to quiet your mind is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to creating good habits for yourself.

[00:14:52]  Megan Porta 

How this Leads to Personal Growth: Mindfulness and meditation are more than just relaxation techniques. I know a lot of people think of them as just that, but they are tools for personal growth. By regularly setting aside time for mindfulness, you improve your self awareness, emotional regulation, and your ability to stay grounded. That is huge in our industry.

[00:15:17]  Megan Porta 

There’s so much stuff coming at us, we have to learn how to stay grounded or we will go bonkers. Meditation helps you stay in the present moment, manage negative emotions, and cultivate that inner peace that we all want, which ultimately enhances clarity and focus for both personal and professional development. I could go on and on about how this one component leads to personal growth, but I’ll stop there.

[00:15:47]  Megan Porta 

Here are some ideas for adding mindfulness and meditation into your life. You could do simple Breath awareness Focus on your breath for 10 minutes, inhale deeply for four counts, hold for four and then exhale for four. There is no magic number. Just focusing on your breathing is enough. Repeat, allowing your breath to ground you in the present moment.

[00:16:08]  Megan Porta 

You can do a guided meditation. Use an app or YouTube for a guided meditation. It’s as easy as that. There are apps like Calm or Headspace that offer short sessions that can lead you through visualization or mindfulness techniques. If you want, close your eyes and do a body scan. Just slowly scan your body from head to toe or toe to head, noticing areas of tension and just consciously relaxing them.

[00:16:35]  Megan Porta 

You could do a gratitude meditation. Focus on your breath and just think of a handful of things you’re really grateful for in your life. In that moment. Feel each one deeply as you breathe in and breathe out. Mindful walking is another awesome option. I love doing this when it’s nice outside. If you are not wanting to sit still, take a 10 minute walk outside and focus on your surroundings.

[00:17:00]  Megan Porta 

Really focus on what you see, what you hear and feel. Pay attention to every step, every breath, engaging all your senses as you walk. You could do a visualization. Sit quietly and visualize a calm, peaceful place. Imagine yourself fully immersed in the sights and sounds and feelings of this place, allowing the peace of the visualization to settle in your mind and your body.

[00:17:26]  Megan Porta 

Or you could just listen to calming music, put on soft instrumental music and allow yourself to just listen to the sounds. Focus on the rhythm and flow of the music, letting it clear your mind. Do not overcomplicate this. It can literally just be you closing your eyes wherever you’re at and sitting. It can be as easy as that.

[00:17:49]  Megan Porta 

And don’t forget to track it. Number five read for 10 to 15 minutes daily one of my cruxes is business and mindset books. If I hear about a book I haven’t read yet, I feel like I have to go buy it right now. And this is exactly what I’ve done for years. After a very inspiring conversation I had with a food blogger on the podcast recently, this guest talked about how she stopped spending unnecessarily in her business for one entire year and how this massively paid off for her.

[00:18:23]  Megan Porta 

After that call, I perused my overloaded bookshelves and realized I had a lot of unread books that I had never made the time to read. I counted them you guys. There were 52 of them. The perfect number to strive to read within a year. One for each week. So I put myself on a year long book buying ban and started digging into the books with new fervor.

[00:18:50]  Megan Porta 

I’ve never been so excited about reading every day. It’s been so much fun. Plus they’re already in my house. I don’t have to buy anything this year. Do you know what’s amazing about reading just a few minutes every day? You make a ton of progress. 15 minutes of solid reading every day results in books being finished quickly, information being absorbed, actions being taken, and dreams being achieved.

[00:19:15]  Megan Porta 

Books are gold. I love thinking about this concept of authors pouring their hearts and souls and life’s lessons into a succinct little 1 pound stack of paper that you can inhale within a few days or a few weeks. These pages of gold deliver life lessons, sometimes learned over the course of decades in some cases, and we get the privilege of absorbing this information succinctly and quickly.

[00:19:45]  Megan Porta 

This is why I adore books so much. They hold massive nuggets of value that we can consume quickly. In a nutshell, read more and do so consistently. How this Leads to Personal Growth Reading, even for just 15 minutes a day, can be a transformative habit for personal growth. Whether it’s a book on personal development, business, or any subject that piques your interest, this small habit can broaden your knowledge, stimulate your creativity, and provide new perspectives.

[00:20:15]  Megan Porta 

Regular reading helps you grow mentally and emotionally, encouraging lifelong learning and self improvement, all of which support personal growth over time. Here are some ideas for how to incorporate reading into your day. Read first thing in the morning. You could set aside 10 to 15 minutes as part of your morning routine to read a few pages before jumping into work or other tasks.

[00:20:39]  Megan Porta 

Read before bed. Make reading a calming part of your evening routine. Instead of scrolling on your phone Pick up a book and wind down with some enriching content. You can consume audiobooks for commuting or walking. If you spend time driving, commuting or walking a lot, just listen to an audiobook. I do this all the time.

[00:20:59]  Megan Porta 

They’re such a great way to absorb information while doing other things. Set a timer Dedicate a specific time each day to read by setting a 10 or 15 minute timer, you’ll be surprised how much you can absorb in just a short, focused reading session. Create a book list. Curate a list of books you want to read and check them off as you go.

[00:21:21]  Megan Porta 

This helps keep your reading goals on track and it allows you to stay excited about what’s coming next. Incorporate reading into your breaks. If you’re taking a break during your day, pick up a book for a short reading session. This can help you to reach hard. Disengage your mind from whatever you were doing previously and learn something new at the same time.

[00:21:41]  Megan Porta 

Join a book club or a reading group. Find a group that shares your interests and make reading a social habit. This helps you stay accountable and offers opportunities to talk about new ideas and perspectives. You can carry your book with you wherever you go and just read while you’re waiting. Whenever you have downtime.

[00:22:00]  Megan Porta 

If you’re waiting for a meeting to start, if you’re at a doctor’s office or traveling, these are perfect moments to pull out your book and these moments will add up. For a list of book ideas to get started with, head to eatblogtalk.com/books and don’t forget to track your reading. There you go.

[00:22:20]  Megan Porta 

Five Small habits that can Lead to Big Personal Growth Starting your day with a positive affirmation, setting a focused goal, practicing gratitude, taking time for mindfulness and reading daily, or insert your small habit of choice. Personal growth does not require massive change. By consistently incorporating small habits into your life, you can create lasting transformation that compounds over time.

[00:22:48]  Megan Porta 

So get started today. Don’t wait until next week. Watch your habits begin to make a positive impact on your mindset, your business and your life. Thanks for tuning in and listening to Sick Megan once again. Next week I’m going to feel so much better. I will see you then. 

Outro 

Thank you so much for listening to this mindset and self-care episode here on Eat Blog Talk. If you are a food blogger providing a service for other food bloggers, and you want to spread the word about the value that you offer. I would love to offer you a free way to do just this. Send me a 60 second audio clip to be featured in a mindset and self-care episode here on Eat Blog Talk. Go to eatblogtalk.com/audioclip to learn more.