Author: Missy Steadman

Just a girl on a journey. A journey through fitness, entrepreneurship, personal development, and christian mom-life of teenage boys.

Dorothy and Her Ruby Slippers

Missy Steadman

If you’re anything like me, you grew up watching the Wizard of Oz. Most of us have watched it so many times, we can recite lines from the movie by heart. However, did we really listen or understand the message in the movie? As a kid, probably not, but what about as an adult? Rachel Hollis made a comment during the her documentary Made For More Encore, that had me evaluating the themes within the movie.

After reaching Oz, Dorthy takes a journey. During that journey she meets friends along the way. Those friends have her back! Those friends start their own journey with her. Each have their own goals, but they are on the same path. Intelligence(a brain), Life (a heart), Courage, and Love (going home). Along this journey, they go up against those who are trying to sabotage their goal, and those that encourage their goals, but they fight through it all to continue their journey. Their GOALS were big enough to fight for and continue.

In the end, with each other’s help and encouragement, they succeed! Dorthy learns her pathway home was really her ruby slippers. She learned- You’ve always had the power all along. She needed the obstacles on her journey, the friends she met on the way, and the successes of each battle to learn she had the POWER.

What obstacles are you facing on your journey? Is your goal big enough for you to continue to fight through it all? Do you have people that ridicule or bully you for your decisions? Who is there to encourage you through each step on the path?

I have friends and family who do not support me. I’m sure it is out of love in an effort to protect me from failure. However, they need to see that I am DETERMINED to succeed. I have to battle my own mind when it comes to my physical journey…no one can put in the work at the gym except me. My goal to help others live the life they deserve, physically and/or financially, is true and pure. My joy and passion for others is contagious, and it will spread like a ripple in the water!

What ifs?

Missy Steadman

What are your thoughts on dwelling on the What Ifs in life? There are teachings that you should NEVER dwell on them; you should just focus on putting in the work. There are other teachings that you should ALWAYS consider the What ifs; if you can dream it then you can achieve it (Walt Disney).

Here are my thoughts. If you are dwelling in the past and considering the What ifs, then yes, you must let it go. However if you are thinking about the What ifs for the future, then dream away! The What ifs for the the future will motivate you, challenge you, and give you ideas to move forward.

What if you were made for more? What if you crawled out of your comfort zone and pursued a dream? What if you didn’t let your current career define you? What if you didn’t let the opinions of others guide you in your dreams? What if you turned your dreams into reality?

I dream big. I am determined to turn my dreams into reality. I will continue to think about the What ifs…and let them turn my life into something amazing!

Accountability

Missy Steadman

So I’ve been asked why I am willing to put my Before pictures, and starting weight and inches out to the world? One word, ACCOUNTABILITY.  See, I’ve done this before.  I’ve taken pictures, I’ve weighed in, and I’ve taken measurements, and then I’ve placed them in an area where very few people, including my husband can see them. While it weighed on my mind, there was no one to hold me accountable.

This year, I’m determined. This year, I will change, and it will be for the good. I know I can do this. I know that God wants us to live life abundantly, so I’m ready to stop living in the shadows where I hope no one will notice. I’m ready for others to notice. I’m ready to help others live the life they deserve, and I will go first to set the example! The potential is real and I’m ready to make it tangent.

So here it goes:

  • Starting weight – 290.6
  • Neck – 15″
  • Chest – 45″
  • Right Arm – 17″
  • Left Arm – 16.5″
  • Waist – 47″
  • Hips – 54″
  • Right Thigh – 29″
  • Left Thigh – 29″

My goal is lose 140 pounds and go to the gym 5-6 times per week. I’m thankful for my premium nutrition that will help me to achieve these goals! Now it’s time to put in the work!

2019 My Year of Determination

Missy Steadman

2018 was a roller coaster ride! I turned 43, and I’m officially middle aged. My mother passed away in March after battling lung cancer for a year. I don’t talk about it much because I get emotional, but I miss her. I found success in both of my side hustles, and I know she celebrated with me.

We were able to earn trips to San Diego Diego and Cabo San Lucas! It was amazing to escape with my husband and friends and celebrate our hard work. We spent time talking with others who earned the trip, and my husband was able to catch the vision and possibility of growing our future.

I took the leap of faith and quit my job in the water industry. I grew up in this industry and worked with mom until she retired. I met my husband in the industry, and we both found success in our own roles. However, I wanted more, and I will no longer allow the comfortable to define me. I’m determined to be more!

So, I am determined for 2019 to be successful. I’ve written specific goals. I will take pictures and measurements today and will use them as my Before stats throughout my physical journey. I will post it all here tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Begin as you mean to go on…

Missy Steadman

These words popped into my head this morning. Why, because my new beginning starts today! A lot of people use January 1st as a new beginning. However, when you quit your full time job on December 21st, you do not have the luxury of waiting another week. So today, I start my new routine.

Now this routine is a work in progress. I know I have certain things I want to get accomplished each day. I want to rise early to avoid interruptions. I want to exercise at the gym 5-6 times a week. I want to read or listen to personal development every day. I want to write a blog daily. Then, I must work my business daily! The work in progress comes from the finesse of this daily routine….what works on normal week days may not work while the boys are home on winter break. However, it all must get done!

This is where determination comes in. I have big goals. I have big dreams. I am determined to hustle has long and as hard has possible to accomplish them. You see, no one but myself can make these dreams come true. Time to go to work!

Today We Shop, Bake and Wrap

Missy Steadman

It’s 3 days before Christmas, and this determined hustle girl has a lot to do! This morning we are shopping! This afternoon I’ll do some baking with the boys. Tonight I’ll wrap! Thank goodness I have the energy for all this!

This time of year, the hustle and bustle does crazy things to different people! Some people thrive on the energy and others collapse under the weight and stress of it all! Every year, we say that next year, we will do things differently. We won’t wait until the last minute, we will do less, we will make things more meaningful.

Last week a friend and I were discussing the activities that usually come in December. We focus on what event is next. We don’t think about next week, we only think about tomorrow. We are in survival mode.

Personally, I don’t like living in survival mode. I am naturally a planner but when they holidays hit that all seems to out the window. This next year I truly will commit to putting specific tasks on my to do list starting in September. If I strategically plan out September, October and the first half of November, I could handle the little things that come up during December with grace!

However I must get through 2018 first! So I will wear my happy patch and focus in the next thing! Shopping then lunch, and then we will go from there! Of course, I need to give a shout out to my hubby for hanging in there with me… while wearing his own happy patch!

Change is Hard, but Change is Good

Missy Steadman

For the last 6 years as a Business Process Improvement Coordinator, I have repeated this phrase many, many times. Usually to others, but sometimes to myself, as words of encouragement during a time of change.

Times of change get us out of our comfort zone and gives us the opportunity to learn new things! When we learn new things, we grow! We grow in knowledge, we can grow in confidence, and we can even grow financially.

Technology is a huge catalyst for change for most people. However, there are some people, like my dad, who live afraid of it to a certain degree and will never make a purchase online. I, on the other hand, have embraced it and run 2 business with a device that I hold in my hand! Technology allows us the streamline and accomplish tasks quickly and on the go if needed.

While change can be hard during the learning curve, usually looking back over the journey it was not that hard. We have three capability to adjust, if we allow ourselves to do so.

Today, I am changing my life. Today, it will be hard to say goodbye to coworkers who are like family. However, thanks to technology, they really won’t be that far away. Today, change is hard, but I know tomorrow will be good. I need to be reminded of these words of encouragement.

Don’t Settle for Safe!

Missy Steadman

A friend of mine posted this recently on Instagram. I let the statement roll around in my mind for a while.

Usually the word safe is linked with security. While it is good to be safe and secure physically, it other aspects of your life, it can be a lead weight that stagnates your personal growth.

Safe can be financially responsible. However, it can create a chokehold on increasing your growth.

Safe is staying exactly where you are, doing the exact same thing you’ve always done. However, if you want to grow personally and financially, you have to get out of the comfort, safe, zone and explore! You have to take chances and ask the hard questions, get over the fear and jump!

Tomorrow is my last day to work in the water industry. This is an industry that I’ve grown up in, literally working for my mom during high school, while paid in clothes. Then starting, officially, as a 19 year old college student in the office as a file clerk. I worked my way up while earning a college degree, to several positions of leadership. After 24 years, I will say good bye to an industry that has taken care of me and my family. All for what? To jump off into the unknown. All for the potential of exponential growth. More growth than I could ever achieve in the water industry.

Determination is what will drive me. Hard work is what I will do to make my dreams come true. Determined hustle is what I will focus on to crawl my way out of the comfort zone. I truly believe the results will speak for themselves and will make the journey worth it!

I’m tired of settling for safe. I want more! I want to do more! I want to help more! I want to be more! Just watch!

How do you design your own life?

Missy Steadman

What do you vision your dream life to be like? Focus, be real, and think about what it would look like to you.

Now think about what your life is like right now. What would you change? Think about financially, physically, emotionally. Think about relationships with family, friends, coworkers and teammates.

To help me create and maintain a vision of my future, I create a vision board each year. I can’t wait until after Christmas to work on my 2019 board! I’m already thinking of what I want to put on there! There will be some repeats from the last couple of years (I think big!) and there will be new goals and dreams to add.

For the past 2 years, I’ve wanted the income of my side hustles, yes I have 2 businesses, to pay for my boys select soccer expenses along with the expense of sending them to Pine Cove each summer. I have achieved these goals! However, starting next week, my side hustles will become my main hustle as I leave my full time job at the end of this week. So my main financial goal for 2019 is much bigger!

Personally, I’ve focused my mind and thoughts to Choose Joy. Life throws you curve balls, you have control on how you react. Will you be bitter, resentful, or angry, or will you rise above the chaos, control your thoughts and choose joy? I refuse to let others control my thoughts and emotions. I have removed, or at least lessened my time around people who are negative. I don’t want to be that way, and I won’t spend time with people who are either.

You cannot control other people’s actions, but you do have control over yours. You have to make the choice to change. You can design your own life through change. It’s up to you. What are you waiting on?

Don’t Point Out Flaws

Missy Steadman

Public Service Announcement: Don’t point out other people’s flaws in order to sell them something! It’s just rude. No one wants to buy anything from a rude person.

I know, I know, you have something to help them. You are just trying to help, because you care! I understand that, but until they care enough to help themselves, it doesn’t matter! They also could have accepted the flaw as part of who they are naturally.

See, that was me 3 years ago. I’ve been overweight most of my life. I didn’t need anyone to point that fact out to me. I’m smart, I can read and study for myself the dangers of being overweight, and the solutions for how to lose weight. However, I didn’t care, nor was I motivated to change.

Then we moved 3 years ago. I was tired and exhausted from the process of moving, and yet still had to be a wife, mom, and employee. I would come home from work, and if I sat down, I didn’t want to get back up! Yet, my boys, in effort to fit in and make new friends, tried out for select soccer. Of course, I wanted them to make the team and achieve their goals and dreams… but I was the one stuck taking them to soccer practice 4 nights a week! I didn’t want to go to the grocery store, and I certainly didn’t want to cook, so we ate out all of the time!

My husband was picking up the slack in my failings, yet I was resentful of him having all the “fun” with the boys. I felt like I had become a spectator in my own life while everyone was living life around me! My husband kept asking, what is wrong, and I would look at him like he was crazy for not being able to figure it out!

I knew something had to change, and that change had to start with me! I was finally ready for something different, and no pushing or prodding by others could force me to make that change. It was up to me!

For the last 3 years, I’ve taken the baby steps necessary to make positive changes in my life. Through personal development, I’ve learned, over time, that the only person I have control of is me, and I needed to be in control… not time demands, not food, and not others. I’ve gained my health back. I’ve got energy to go to the gym, cook, and interact with others, even after a long day.

Through watching others, I found help, gently… not a quick fix, but a lifestyle change. True change, on my timing, with God’s help. I’m participating in life again, and I’m finding joy in the journey. I’m excited about changes for the future! I’m a very different person than I was 3 years ago, and I can’t wait to see what the next 3 years bring! The next changes for me are giant leaps; baby steps are no longer enough!