Most of you who have been following me for a while know I am in Physical Therapy because of back and hip issues.

In February, my new primary doctor referred me to a cardiologist who was also a cardiovascular specialist.

I walked into his office limping, and he gruffly said, “Why are you limping?”

After giving him a side-eye, I explained that I had hip and back issues, which is why I limp. It’s painful.

Last month, after several conversations, he attempted to convince me that I did not have any hip or back problems but had a vein problem. A simple procedure would fix the issue, and I would be pain-free.

This weekend, I had the procedure done. Afterward, I felt immediate relief. After 48 hours, still no pain.

Before the procedure, Dr. K and I did not see eye to eye. Instead, I fought him on everything he said because I had seen so many doctors over the years, and NONE mentioned anything about veins.

Was it possible to fix a problem I’ve had for YEARS with one procedure? Impossible.

All of a sudden, he had the solution.

Impossible.

But he did.

It’s been a few days, and besides a few aches, I’ve been able to walk without a limp.

I had a lot of resistance because I couldn’t believe the solution was that simple.

My mind was attached to the pain, limping, and the identity around the problem. The narrative I created said I couldn’t enjoy life for a long time because of my hips and back. I was resigned to the solution of physical therapy for years. I believed it.

But here’s what happened.

I met someone with over twenty years of experience working with patients like myself. He’s heard every story and has seen many scenarios. He immediately knew what it was after spending a few minutes together. A sonogram confirmed his suspensions.

I had to answer the following question.

My ultimate goal was to walk. So I took Dr. K’s solution, and now I’m walking better than I have in years.

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Many also walk around believing an old story about you holding you back.

• I’m too old to write that book.
• I’m too private to advertise my business online.
• I have no degree, so I have no other options
• I will always be single
• I’ve messed up so much financially I will never be able to buy a house

You can insert your own story because we all have them.

These narratives only help keep you grounded in one mindset–there is no way I can change.

It’s not true.

We all can grow, learn and move forward. You have to ask yourself the question:

Do you want to solve the problem or stay comfortable in the story you’ve told yourself?

It’s possible to change.

If you want more information on how to overcome resistance, here is an excellent article with specific steps from The Well Being

It’s up to you!

I’m rooting for you!

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Feeling overwhelmed? Need clarity for a decision you need to make? Need quick tips on how to manage what is on your plate? I’m the objective voice you are looking for to help!

The post Why Am I Resisting appeared first on Leslie Limardo.

These are all great things! I love a great vision board. I have my board, but here lies the problem.  The vision board you create this year should be connected to a bigger vision board for your life!

I didn’t always think this way.  My job was my life.   I knew how to achieve goals and get things done, but my goals always revolved around my career and not my personal life. 

In 2018, I left my career in higher education burnt out. I didn’t recognize who I had become.  I was stressed and unhealthy. Leaving was an opportunity to change my life trajectory in a way that honored how I served others and showed up for my family and friends.

I needed a new vision.

WHERE DO I START?

The first year out of my job, I started focusing on my business. The one question I kept getting asked was, “what was my why?” 

Why do you want to become an entrepreneur?

Why do you want to become a writer?

What kind of impact do you want to have in the world?

I had those questions answered for my career in higher education. But this was a new way of thinking. I switched to entrepreneurship because I didn’t just want to change my job, but I wanted to change how I lived. I desired the freedom to choose. 

I wanted to be free to travel,  start and end my day the way I wanted, live where I wanted, etc. I wanted to be free of the responsibilities of managing someone else’s company.  I wanted to be open to using my gifts and talents in the way I believe would best serve women. 

That’s great, Leslie, but where do I begin?

The first step in creating a vision for your life is asking yourself why? Why are you living how you live now? Is it satisfactory for you and your family?

If your answer is no, then you need to dream a bigger dream.

What do you want instead? 

Don’t censor yourself with questions of doubt. ( I don’t know how I would ever be able to get a house. How would I find another job? I don’t have the qualifications? Traveling seems like fun, but I don’t know what to do)

Allow yourself the space to dream big dreams. 

If you want to travel, where would you go?

If you want to move, where would you go?

Do you dream of a different job? What do you envision for yourself?

Take a notebook, or type out your thoughts. Think about the main areas of your life and write out a bigger vision. Remember, don’t censor yourself. 

• Finances
• Health
• Relationships
• Career/Job
• Children
• Spiritual life
• Fun
• Travel

Next week I’ll show you how to start building, making this vision a reality!

The post Create a Vision for Your Life appeared first on Leslie Limardo.

For the past few years, I have chosen a word for the year. Selecting a word or words helps me to stay focused on one idea throughout the year. Sometimes my word is around a habit I need to change or something I want to see from God. Last year I chose consistency. I needed to work on patterns that kept me consistent in health, financial choices, spending time with my daughter, serving in my business, etc.  I wasn’t perfect at all, but it helped me to stay focused on my goals when I wanted to quit. 

This year my word is abundance.

I want to experience the abundance of God in every area of my life, especially in health (most importantly), finances, connecting in friendships, business, etc.   At the end of last year, this word came to me as I was thinking and planning for the new year. 

If you have never done this, here are some tips to help with your word choice.

1. What do you want to see in the new year? Is there a habit you need to change that will help push your goals forward? Is your life moving in a new direction for the new year? Think of a word that helps to summarize a change you want to see in yourself or your life this year. Here are some examples: Trust, Abundance, Consistency, Truth, Overflow, Love, God, Restraint, Forward. 
2. Write down why you want to use this word. Is it connected to your goals or something you want to see changed in your life?  Write down your why and make it clear. 
3. Once you have your word, post it somewhere in your home where you look daily.  You can make this into a creative vision board or graphic for your phone. Place the word in a prominent location so you can see it every day. It will help keep you focused on your goal. 
4. Find scriptures or find inspirational quotes that help you anchor your word in your goal.  For example, using my word Abundance: 

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