Make It Happen: Getting Over Fear

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

So FEAR! We all experience it on all different levels about various things all the ways from creepy critters to mental roadblocks. The focus of this blog post is to address the latter and help you overcome fear and move forward.  Here are some suggestions to help you transition from operating out of fear to operating with hope. Let me be clear though! I do not think you can meet goals just because you are hopeful, but rather when you change your mindset. Ok? Let's dive in!

1. Recognize that fear is wasting your time:  

I absolutely have been convicted about this since the launch of Periscope! Ha!  All the thoughts >>>> I don't want to look stupid. I don't know how to use it. What is nobody shows up.  It's no different than any other situation we may find ourselves in.  When you pace and delay action and fret, you are wasting your life. This is why I personally am encouraged by a verse in the Bible: Matthew 6: 25-34. Read up on it! Don't worry, but rather pray, have faith and courage, and do it!

View fullsize

2. Take time to make a plan:  

Fear of the unknown can be an absolute killer to dreams if you let it.  You certainly can't know how everything is going to pan out before you begin!  You can, however, do the research and learn a little bit about that goal of yours before you dive in. Want to lose weight but are afraid of failure? Research and make a plan. Do you want to start a blog but afraid of what people will think or don't know where to begin?  Research, learn, and go for it! Make a plan and reevaluate after a set amount of time.  What is your goal?  Don't go about it blindly - make a plan!

3. You are Unique and Have Something To Offer.  

Ok, so you actually know A TON about something and have a goal surrounding it, but you are still feeling fear about your goal. Maybe you are worried about others will think of you if you put yourself out there? Maybe you feeling like you should just let those "more experienced" people do it all. NO! There is room in this world for YOU and who you are and what you have to share is valuable! Don't downplay who God made you to be! Don't let fear win.

4. Recognize the benefits that are greater than your fear.

If your child needed your kidney to survive, you can bet that you would overcome your fear of the process to help him or her. Now that's extreme, but you can apply the same thinking to any situation.  When you are feeling fear about a goal, take time to write out the benefits of moving past your fears and accomplishing what it is you are going for!  The process is rarely easy, but as I like to say, "If accomplishments were easy, they wouldn't be rewarding!" 

So what fear are your facing today? What steps are you going to take TODAY and THIS WEEK to move forward?

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

Fall Fashion 2015: Color Crush Marsala

Whether you call it marsala, burgundy, wine, or bordeaux, one thing is for sure - the color is here and it looks great on everyone.  Fall is by far my favorite season of the year, with cozy sweaters, leather boots, warm apple cider, and meals around the table while we talk about the day.  As a Pacific Northwest native, the temperature is pretty even, sunny with a little crisp in the air, but not yet gray and drizzly with rain.  The change is pretty gradual and down right beautiful.  

As a work at home mom and fashion lover, I have to admit I am torn at times when I see super cute outfits in person or online that I'd love to wear, but just don't fit with my day to day life. I have three kids, teach people how to paint furniture, and right now, I have literally finished my workout and am admittedly still in my workout gear (that's just my schedule today!)  I love my sky high heels and pretty dresses, but need practical go to items in my closet that still make me feel confident and look my best.

Wanna hear a real, very funny story?  Our youngest, my son, was overlooking my shoulder one day this summer after I had finished a workout.   I had my laptop open to Facebook.  He said, "Mom, I like it when you look like this [pointing to my profile photo], not this"....as he pointed to me.  Thankful it was a funny moment for me and teachable moment for him, but truly, looking and feeling pulled together makes a difference, to us and to others.  I'm not as concerned with adorning this body God gave me, but rather honoring what He has created. That's just my perspective. :-)

Now how about some color?!  I love to research and find these pieces for you (kind of like a stylist) - I do share personal outfits here on the blog, but I also believe in buying less and choosing well. Not to mention finding sales!  I hope you love these finds and snag the perfect marsala piece for this fall!

Have a beautiful day!

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

OR find my guide directly at:

www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com/buynow

Coastal Interiors: Dining Room Edesign

View fullsize

Table / Chandelier / Napkin / Flatware / Plates / Chair / Rug

With the holiday season just around the corner, I have our lovely dining spaces on my mind. Our own dining area......well lack there of, has been a small project of mine I can't wait to share very soon. Just waiting on a backordered chandelier! #patience

I love putting together these edesign boards which I primarily share on Instagram under @coastalinteriors along with featured spaces of interior designers, bloggers, builders, etc. It's been a fun account to inspire others, but I inevitably get question after question about where items are from and understand that people may not prefer the liketoknow.it service.  This is for you!

There are a ton of great sales going on right now for dining spaces to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.  I tend to keep things simple around my home and so that's what I share in my designs.  This one above is a pretty basic concept, but just add some colorful recipes and fall-colored flowers and they will pair beautifully with the navy blue and warmth of the wood.

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

OR find my guide directly at:

www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com/buynow

Make It Happen: 3+ Practical Tips To Take The Next Step

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope - you can find me at Coastal Collective Co.!

So, in a world seemingly obsessed with the concept of "hustling" to get ahead in life (whatever that means, right?), I've found it fascinating and outright liberating to experience that that is an outright lie.  Some people may enjoy the hustle, but never really examine the cost of the game.

View fullsize

After taking some much needed time away from blogging (previously at www.ThisThatandLife.com) where I was continually striving for more in really an aimless and unsustainable system, I'm EXCITED more than ever to come back with a smarter mindset AND share what I've learned along the way through this Make It Happen Series!

This is all about sharing tidbits and actionable steps for you as applies.  We are all in different life stages, going through different ups and downs, so one tip may be the ONE you feel you need to focus on!

Are you on board?  >>>> Let's dive in! [For more, join the conversation on Periscope at @coastalcollectiveco]

1. Something's Gotta Give:  

It's not rocket science, but it is easy said than done.  In order to make significant strides toward our goals, we have to be intentional about carving the time out to make it happen.  Most of us are not sitting around with a ton of free time, so usually that means something that is not helping us accomplish our goals needs to either move aside temporarily, be decreased in our schedule, or eliminated all together.

Question: What comes to mind as something that is taking up a ton of your time, but is not bringing any value to your life or the lives of those you love? (i.e. - I don't prefer all the driving, but I'm still taking my kid's to sports practice).

2. Rethink Your Time:

Instead of trying to do a million things at once and hustle, hustle, hustle.

Instead of having a million tabs open on your computer at once.

Instead of trying to get dressed while you brush your teeth and listen to the news and, and, and alllllllll at once.

STOP.

Take a deep breath and know that you can accomplish more when you focus on less at one time. <<< tweet that!

It seems counterintuitive, but I can attest that it works!  Now I get it - we are all different. And yes, there are times when we need to pick up the pace and juggle more than a few things at once.  But think of that one thing that you keep putting off that you really want to make happen in your life, but are waiting for whatever reason.  By rethinking how you use your time, from working on a million things at once, to one or two things at once, you'd be surprised how quickly you can meet that goal of yours! (More on this soon)

3. Know That You Are Worth Your Dreams:

View fullsize

I think this can tend to sound cliche these days, but the reality of the feelings people have about their worth is higher than you may realize. I've been there personally and still struggle at times! I'm thankful for the people who have surrounded me in difficult times and believed in my potential when I didn't believe in it myself.  They prayed for me. They checked in on me.  They pushed me and were my cheerleader.  If I can pass that along to anybody, it is time well spent.  I know what it's like to have a dream and even a plan, and then procrastinate, self-sabotage, and ultimately feel like a failure. A little deep for this blog post, but just know that it's okay to make mistakes and it's okay to fail forward.

4. Bonus Tip: Mistakes are Learning Opportunities

This is a great phrase that our kiddo's 2nd Grade teacher would drill into the classroom...in a super sweet 2nd Grade teacher kind of way. ;-)  I believe it has been foundational for our kids and a phrase we adopted as a family to remind each other that it's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to not have it all figured out. In order to make things happen in our lives, we are often learning, growing and trying new things. Learn and keep moving forward.

What do you think?  What is ONE THING that you are going to commit to making happen in your life this week.  That one thing that immediately pops into your head!! What is it? Think small! It's often those smaller actions that lead to BIG success!

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com