Early Accountability

Our topic on this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is comparison, and how cutting back on the opportunities for comparison is helpful and beneficial. It has often been said that comparison is the thief of joy, and to take it a step further: comparison can sometimes keep us from starting new or challenging things. There are some environments where comparison is constructive and motivating, but if you find yourself in a situation or mindset that is counterproductive, consider these tactics for cutting back on comparison: 1. Celebrate small wins – If it is significant to you, it is worth celebrating and sharing with others. This can be anything from making it to the gym on time to drinking a certain amount of water every day for a week to not letting a toxic relationship get to you. 2. Don’t become a Bitter Betty – Learn to be happy for other people when they succeed, even if it is hard for you to see them doing something that you have been wanting to do. The ability to be content and be excited for others’ victories takes inner strength, but it builds character that will help you later on. 3. Awareness and protecting your space – Cut down on environments that promote comparison, particularly social media, where people tend to show only their highlights. It is unhealthy to mentally compare your lowest moments to other people’s best moments as shown on this platform. There is so much more to the journey than the milestones and highlights. This is one good way to protect your energy, but you also might find it helpful to clean up your feed by unfollowing people who do not push you to be a better version of your self . Topics Covered in this Episode: • Comparison • Keeping the right perspective • Contentment • Self-awareness

The topic of this episode is likely close to home for a lot of the Early Accountability podcast listeners: perfectionism. High achievers often struggle with perfectionism, having high standards and expectations which should lead to flawless performance. However, since perfection is not actually attainable, high achievers also fail to reach the goals they have set for themselves, which can lead to anxiety or depression. It is important to be realistic and self-aware enough to accept that sometimes “done” is better than “perfect”. Kimi outlines some of these specific times: 1. When it is going to keep you from striving towards and unattainable or unrealistic goal – No one has ever benefitted from setting themselves up to fail. It is better to succeed at an attainable or realistic goal. 2. When it will stop you from procrastinating – Often, high achievers procrastinate starting something until they think they can accomplish it perfectly. Sometimes the best thing to do is just get started and make adjustments along the way. 3. When it will stop you from diminishing yourself – Having unrealistic expectations of yourself will lead to lower self-esteem and feeling like you are “less than” or not good enough. You cannot be effective and successful if you are your own worst enemy. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Perfectionism • High achievers • When “done” is better than “perfect” • Self-awareness

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi interviews Kelvin Martinez, a photographer in the Dominican Republic, about how he launched his business. Kelvin has always wanted to be a photographer, but since he assumed it would be too difficult to learn, he tried other things like graphic design and web design first before he finally took the leap into photography. By taking a few online classes and watching tutorial videos, Kelvin built up his confidence enough to ask some of his friends if he could take pictures of them to build up his portfolio. He really launched his photography business in April of 2019, and he had enough of a web presence by June that Kimi came across his work and decided to hire him to take professional photos of her during her time studying abroad in the Dominican Republic this summer. He had put up a simple but elegant website and has been working hard on Facebook to build up his reputation, and he looks forward to the continued learning and other opportunities ahead of him. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Having courage and pursuing your goals • Taking a leap of faith • Feel the fear and do it anyway Connect with Kelvin: https://kelvinmartinez.net/

This episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is meant to give listeners a refresher about the purpose of the podcast and the specific ways that our content can help listeners achieve their goals. Our host, Kimi, is a school psychologist and wellness coach, and she uses her experience as well as interviews with her guests to create a conversation around goal-setting and motivation to achieve in a very attainable way. While listening to this podcast, you should feel equipped and empowered to make the best version of yourself a reality in these specific ways: 1. Abandoning excuses and strongholds – These barriers exist most strongly in your mind, and breaking these down is imperative to starting a new habit or stopping an old one. 2. Jumpstarting motivation – Be aware of where you are and where you want to go. 3. Igniting results – Success looks different for everyone, so we will provide you with the tools you need to find your own success and sustain those results. 4. Being encouraged – Guests on the podcast share their stories of success and transcendence but also of overcoming adversity and challenges along the way. Hearing from them should encourage you to continue on by developing emotional resilience. You deserve success if you work hard. 5. Finding purpose – With short-term and long-term goals, there is always a “why?” that is spurring you on to action. Deciphering that purpose and acting on it is so important to reaching the goals you set for yourself. By listening to this podcast, you will hopefully learn some practical steps to take in shifting your mindset and remaining focused on the goal in front of you. This is a lifestyle, and you can achieve what you believe. Topics Covered in this Episode: • What is early accountability? • What is the purpose of this podcast? • Achieving goals • Sustaining results

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, our guest is Asha Ma’at, founder of Dreams 2 Destiny, a business and life coach with an emphasis on the spiritual realm. She first felt led to start a life coaching business in 2015, and over the next few years she found greater spiritual clarity after quitting her job and going through a divorce, learning to embrace her doubts and questions as a part of the process. In 2018, she moved to Detroit and chose to become a deliberate creator, finding alignment with something greater than herself and getting in touch with the spiritual world through tarot cards and readings. She soon realized that her best employment option was to lean back on her previous training in home health care. She started her own home health company and also began offering business and life coaching as well as workshops. She encourages everyone to pray and meditate, which really equates to talking and listening to your own spirit or source. When you are in alignment like this, you realize that everything that happens is divinely appointed for that exact time in your life and you are meant to learn from it. Having this confidence translates into all areas of your life and you are able to move forward with that divine strength and purpose. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Spiritual clarity • Meditation • Being aligned with yourself and a higher power

EAP 79: Dealing With Overwhelm by Kimi Walker

We all have them. Those “absolute” statements about what we will “never” or “always” do. On this episode of the Early Accountability podcast, Kimi discusses these statements and how they can limit you from future growth if you hold onto them unnecessarily. For instance, Kimi determined shortly after her lifestyle change of 2005 that led to her losing over 100 pounds, that she would never wear shorts in public again. She was conscious of the excess skin and cellulite that were an inevitable byproduct of losing so much weight and drew the line in the sand that she could never be seen in shorts. A few years later, she had gained a bit of weight back due to life circumstances at the time and she bought a pair of “goal shorts” as a motivator to get back on track. This past June, when she was packing for her trip to the Dominican Republic, she found those goal shorts from 10 years ago and packed them. Not only did they fit, but they were a little bit too big, and Kimi ended up wearing those and other shorts many times during that trip. She felt so confident, in fact, that she took some photos of herself in shorts and even had some professional photos taken wearing shorts. The purpose of this anecdote is to demonstrate some of the ways that holding to absolute statements can hold you back in life. As you mature, change, and evolve in life, it is ok to shift some of your absolute statements to reflect who you are now, rather than who you were when you made those decisions. If this is something that you had been very public about doing or not doing and now you are rethinking your position, you might have to show some humility and admit that you were wrong or had the wrong motives. That is ok, and this is one way to prove to yourself and others the ways that you have grown in your mental state. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Mindset shifts • When life makes you a hypocrite • Be careful with absolutes • Not holding yourself back in life Connect with Kimi: https://www.youtube.com/user/KimiFitWell

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi has a very special guest who is wise beyond her years. Harmony is a rising 6th grader who is involved in Girl Scouts, Girls on the Run, running club, soccer, and robotics club in addition to being voted 5th grade Class Mayor and keeping her grades up. In order to become Class Mayor, she had to write and deliver a speech in every class and then be elected by her peers to represent them in venues like Business Town. Her commitment to learning new things and improving herself through all of these extracurricular activities is admirable for someone her age, and she shares with listeners her guiding principles in rocking her goals. • Make the time for what you want to do, but don’t be too upset if you have to miss something sometimes. • Take a break to rejuvenate between activities. • Prioritize the activities that are really important to you and then see what else you can fit in. • When you are nervous about something, put in the effort to practice and do your best. • Pay attention in school and focus on your work. Harmony’s mantra is one we could all integrate into our daily lives: You got this. Focus, try your best, and don’t worry what other people think. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Prioritizing what is important • Having good boundaries • Being confident even when you are nervous • Focusing on school and activities

Once you accomplish a goal or reach a milestone, it is important to set up a system to keep you from backsliding or getting off track. On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi outlines her 4 key steps based on her recent experiences in the Dominican Republic in a Spanish immersion program. Being back in the States now, it would be easy to revert back to speaking primarily in English, but there are some easy steps she can take to continue pursuing her goal of becoming bilingual. 1. Keep yourself excited about it – Set micro-goals to stay focused or join a team to keep the excitement going. 2. Stay on top of your progress – Have a plan to track what you have done so far, where you may need to improve, and how far you have to go. 3. Put in alternative supports – Come up with a schedule of when you are going to practice or work on your goals. 4. Find other methods of accountability – Grow, maintain, push forward, and accomplish what you say you will. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Staying on track after reaching a goal milestone • Setting up accountability measures • Perseverance and resilience • Tracking your progress

This episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is about the unexpected setbacks that Kimi experienced throughout her trip to the Dominican Republic. Her intention had been to study Spanish at a language school and volunteer with children in the community during her down time. However, due to some miscommunications and a series of unfortunate events, things did not work out as she had planned. She talks with listeners about her strategy for navigating experiences that don’t go as planned and still being able to pursue your original goal. 1. Stay calm – Try not to get too worked up about the situation and choose not to focus on it too much. The more you dwell on what has happened, the less clear-headed you will be. 2. Scope out alternatives – Research other opportunities that fit into your broader goal and timeframe and evaluate them to find the best fit. Reach out to locals or experts in the area for help. Be ok with saying “no” to opportunities that just aren’t the right fit. 3. Act and move forward – Work out the logistics and set up some parameters for what you are going to do or when you are going to make a decision. Be emotionally resilient and keep the bigger perspective on your goals. 4. Be grateful – Recognize that all of these opportunities are blessings and even the hardest situations teach you some vital lessons that can be used later in life. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Pushing past disappointment • Being intentional and strategic • Pursuing your goals despite setbacks • Expressing gratitude through the process

At the time of recording this Early Accountability Podcast episode, Kimi is studying Spanish in the Dominican Republic. In the weeks and months prior to Kimi’s trip, several tragic events happened to Americans in the Dominican Republic, but she did not let fear stop her from pursuing this goal of becoming bi-lingual. She shares with listeners her tips for feeling fear about something and choosing to do it anyway, with an abundance of caution rather than out of recklessness: 1. Be strategic – Think through who you are going to tell about your plans and when you are going to tell them. When appropriate, use apps or other technology that will allow certain people to keep track of you while still giving you the space you need to work towards your goals. Don’t let the fears of others impact your thought process unnecessarily . 2. Remind yourself of your “why” – Any goal worth pursuing is worth the effort it takes to get there. Recognize the experience-building potential and the new opportunities that will be accessible to you afterwards. 3. Acknowledge the fear – Trace back your apprehensions to their sources and put them into the proper perspective. Get to the place where you can move past that fear and accomplish something bigger. 4. Plan – Having specific plans in place for the logistics and next steps along the way will help you see the broader perspective and keep you moving forward. When you are able to look back on what you have accomplished already, you are better able to be motivated to keep working towards your next goal and not be so overwhelmed. 5. Be grateful – Take a look around you and express gratitude for the opportunity and the growth potential through this experience. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Pushing past fear • Being intentional and strategic • Knowing your “why” • Expressing gratitude through the process Connect with Kimi: http://www.kimiwalker.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimiwalker

The topic of this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is creating your own “winner’s circle” of people who will encourage and motivate you in your personal and professional endeavors. It has been said that when you look at your friends, you see the future you are headed towards because so much of your potential abides in the company you keep. Some people are tempted to rely too heavily on one person to fulfill their accountability needs, but when you diversify the voices you’re listening to, you will see drastic improvements in your results. Kimi purports that your squad or tribe should have one of each of these types of people, recognizing that one person can fill one or two roles: 1. Mentor – Someone who is where you want to be. You can bounce things off of this person and learn from them. 2. Mentee – Having this person in your circle is an opportunity to teach what you are learning and continue your personal development. 3. Coach – Different than a mentor, a coach is meant to provide strategy and technique for a specific goal or endeavor. 4. Beam of positivity – Someone who can find the good in every situation. 5. Motivator – An amp man or woman who can specifically motivate you to pursue your goals. 6. Voice of reason – This person uses a higher order of thinking to ask specific questions about your plan and goals and helps you bring your ideas back to reality. 7. Accountability partner – Someone who is on the same level as you or walking the same journey. This person is a sounding board and you hold each other accountable through consistent check-ins. This circle should be a give and take because we all need each other, and it is ok if people come and go from your circle. These people should provide balance for your life and propel you forward, motivating you to success. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Building your tribe • Motivation • Encouraging each other • Diversifying the voices you’re listening to

When you are facing one (or more) of the storms of life, the last thing you usually want to do is press forward. Whether you are going through the loss of a loved one, a financial crisis, unexpected employment changes, broken relationships, or anything else that disrupts your sense of calm, it can be difficult to know how and when to move forward. On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi outlines her 6 things to keep in mind and action items that can help you weather the storm: 1. Allow yourself “yuck days” –Feel the feelings, accept the moment you are in and validate your emotions. 2. Just because you move forward doesn’t mean you completely let go – Especially when you are grieving the loss of a loved one or a significant aspect of your life, it is important to recognize that healing looks different for everyone. Know yourself and your process, and don’t be influenced by what other people think you should do in this moment. 3. Put a stop on it – After you have given yourself the time to feel and start healing, decide on a specific day when you will shift your mindset to focus on pressing forward. The best way to do this is by literally doing something different on that day than you have been doing. Be honest and vulnerable with yourself as you work through the growing pains that come with walking through a storm. 4. Keep a broader perspective – While it is not necessarily helpful when other people tell you that good is going to come of this situation, you do need to keep this in mind. Not only will it help you put things into perspective, but it will give you hope for the future and perhaps the motivation you need to take the next step. 5. Set realistic expectations – Know that some things will take time, so you aren’t doing yourself any favors by expecting to heal or feel better before you’re really there. Be in the present moment by reflecting, stilling your mind, and being calm. 6. Pay it forward – Undoubtedly, at some point in the future, you will come across someone else who is walking through the storm you currently find yourself in. Be there for them and walk alongside them as they struggle with the doubts, feelings, and struggles that you have already faced. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Facing life’s storms • Pressing forward • Perseverance • Accept the moment • Be present and hopeful

With Memorial Day signaling the unofficial start of summer, it can be easy to shift to “vacation mode” and start coming up short on your personal and professional goals. On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi gives listeners 4 strategies for enjoying summer while being productive. 1. Define your work-life balance – Understand your personal, professional, and family roles and goals. Think through your desires and what works best for you and those around you during this season and then define what and when your breaks are going to be. 2. Plan, plan, plan – Consult with the stakeholders in your various roles to make plans and then commit to them. Write them down, set reminders, create alarms on your phone, and use timers when you need to stay on track and hold yourself accountable. 3. Set contingencies for yourself – If you have something coming up that you are looking forward to, come up with productivity milestones along the way where you get to reward yourself with as aspect of the upcoming event. For instance, when you finish this thing on your to-do list, you can book your flight, etc. Not only does this build up the anticipation of the trip, but it helps you spur on your productivity ahead of time, so you can truly enjoy yourself without feeling stressed about the work that you didn’t get done. 4. Intertwine work and fun – When possible, add on a few days of vacation to a work trip or schedule a meeting with a client if you are going to be in their area for vacation. Double-duty trips like this are cost-effective and beneficial because you are able to check a professional box and a personal box at the same time. Get out there and enjoy your summer and use these tips to maximize your time and productivity! Topics Covered in this Episode: • Productivity maximization • Intentional planning • Work-life balance • Time blocking • Self-awareness and motivation

As we wrap up this mini-series on mindset shifts during this Mental Health Awareness Month, Kimi talks through a topic she is very passionate about: you are what you eat, drink, and think. You have to make intentional and consistent decisions in these areas in order to take full advantage of the resiliency, mental clarity, and focus that help make you the best version of yourself. There are 5 specific categories of your life that Kimi recommends you focus on: 1. Exercising – It is a proven fact that people who exercise at least 2 hours per week have a higher rate of goal achievement because of their increased levels of mental clarity and self-awareness. Exercise does not have to be anything extreme, but just an activity that raises your heart rate: a YouTube workout video, gardening, yoga, and walking all qualify. 2. Eating Healthy – This goes hand-in-hand with exercising to get you moving in the right direction towards a healthy lifestyle. Recognize what works for you and how you need to plan ahead to make sure you are able to get nutrient-rich meals and not have to fall back on fast food in a pinch. Try to abide by the 80/20 rule of making good choices 80% of the time and splurging 20% of the time. Additionally, be conscious of your consumption of substances such as alcohol and tobacco and practice moderation. 3. Getting Enough Sleep – Consistently getting 6-8 hours of sleep every night reduces your risk of health problems and provides vast improvement in your mental clarity, productivity, and the quality of your work. 4. Managing Stress – Know your triggers and proactively set up safeguards to prevent stressful situations from getting to you but accept that you can’t avoid every stressor. Find a mindfulness practice such as meditation, exercising, cutting things out of your life, or unplugging that will help you cope with what is going on that you can’t control. 5. Positive Affirmations – Give yourself something positive to think about every day, whether it is something that you have done, something that you want to do, something that you are proud of, or just something to keep you moving forward and staying positive. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Mindset shifts • Developing a healthy lifestyle • Managing stress • Positive affirmations • Mental clarity and focus