This may surprise you but unlike many, I was NOT one of the people frantically journaling in my new diary about all the amazing goals I was going to achieve in 2017. I was NOT ideating on empty resolutions to drastically change myself and I was definitely NOT putting the pressure on to do anything of the like. As I watched Instagram quotes and facebook posts flood my digital world, I did feel a sense of comparison-itis, like, “shit, I preach this stuff and I’m not doing it myself!” but then I realised that whilst goals need an end date, they don’t need to be started on day one, or on a Monday or within any other timeframe that’s governed by anyone else. Nope, goals are yours to decide when and how they happen so if you’ve been feeling pressure, relax baby! The inspo will come in due time.

So, why do we even bother setting goals? The obvious answer is to feel a sense of achievement or to tick it off our list (btw, best. feeling. ever!). But goals play a much bigger role. They provide a renewed sense of focus (stay tuned on an upcoming blog on my second favourite f-word) which in turn starts to create new habits and behaviours.

So what’s some tricks to setting goals and most importantly, following through with them?

1. Make them inspiring. Well duh, but time and time again I see people creating goals that feel more like dull chores than something they actually want to work towards.

2. Set yourself a time limit and if it’s a big, scary AF goal then schedule in milestone dates to keep yourself on track.

3. Be dreamy with a realistic outcome. I’m all for setting the standard high, but if your goal is to run your first marathon next month and you’ve never ran before than perhaps a 5km fun run might be more achievable.

4. your friends and family about your goal and allow them to support you.

5. Make your goal something that you WANT to do, not what you feel you SHOULD do. If you’re the kind of person that says “I should go to the gym” but you know you loathe it, then find your fitness magic by doing exercise that lights you up – be it a surf, dance class, walking your fur-baby - make it enjoyable.

6. Feel into the end result, like really FEEL it. Visualise yourself having already achieved your goal and take notice how it feels in your body, breathing deeply as your make the image more and more compelling.

That’s just a few ideas to get you thinking and taking action. With the weekend pulling us on to the dance floor, maybe spend 10 minutes over this time to get stuck in. Or be totally rebellious and do them on Friday!! Yep, that’s how us goal diggers roll!

I’d love to hear your goals if you feel so inclined to share. Post them on The Devine Life page, Insta or email me at lauren@thedevinelife.com.au and I’ll happily give you some of my time to help you achieve them.

Happy Friday diggers!!

How to bring those holiday moments into your daily life

I have just come back from a blissful couple of weeks on my ‘soulo’ journey to Bali (more on that in the next blog) and I’ve gotta say it doesn’t take long to get back into the swing of life’s ‘not-so’ high-vibing tasks (yeah I’m talking about the job, the house, the cleaning, the kids, you know, that stuff?). In other words, REALITY.

When you get back from holidays, most people will deliver the standard questions of “How was your trip?’ followed by the obligatory phrase of ‘Oh well, guess it’s back to reality now for you!’ And whilst you probably want to sarcastically thank them for reminding you that you are no longer lying on the beach drinking out of fresh young coconuts, the actual truth is this: you were living your REALITY whilst you were on holidays. Whoah!!

And so I’m going to share with you some really simple tips to bring ‘dem holiday feels into your daily life.

1. GET YOUR GROOVE ON

Music always has a way of reminding me about awesome nights out, or just chillin’ by the pool and so my first tip is to Shazam the tracks that really help get your groove on or ask the venue for the playlist – there’s a good chance you can just download it and then you’ll have your holiday soundtrack available all year round baby!

2. DRINK UP

It’s weird but everyday foods always taste better on holiday, especially tea. When I’m on holidays you’ll always hear me say “OMG this is the best tea I’ve ever drunk’. So, ditch the trashy souvenir and instead purchase yourself some local packaged tea to bring home and enjoy (just make sure to keep it sealed until you get home).

3. BRING THE FLAVOUR

If you’ve been somewhere exotic and you loved the food, then find some recipes that you can incorporate into your weekly meals to ignite your holiday tastebuds. For me, I’m mastering Mie Goreng like nobody’s business!

4. HELLOOOO FUN

When we’re on holidays we often do things for ourselves that we wouldn’t do at home like; get a massage, read a book, enjoy some sunshine time at the beach, romantic dinner with your partner or adventurous activities (yep that includes sex). Why wait for a holiday to add more fun into your life when you can do it now. Take some time out each day or each week to add a sense of adventure, relaxation, romance or time-out to yourself. This doesn’t have to be big stuff by the way. Just small ways to commit to yourself each week in the way that feels best for you. For me, I’m bucking my normal structured week and adding more fun and spontaneity and the result = more creativity, connection and excitement!

5. CHILL OUT BABY

Just effing relax! This is a tough one because I know what it’s like to work crazy hours, feel pressure, and have those days that feel like you’re going around in circles getting nowhere. When we’re on holidays it’s like we automatically give ourselves permission to just relax and forget about the stresses back home. Thing is, they’re probably still there it’s just you’ve allowed yourself to distance yourself from them and I encourage you to do the same when you’re back. Find something that gives you that feeling of peace and do it, daily! For some it’s yoga, others it’s a quick 10 minute meditation/breathing exercise, it could be exercise or just lying in the bath in the dark. My point is give yourself that same permission to relax when you need it to keep those post holiday blues at bay.

So there you have it – five really easy ways to keep those holiday vibes continuing on well after the tan has faded.

In my next blog, I’ll share with you the reasons for my ‘soulo’ journey to Bali, what I learnt and how you can create your own ‘soulo’ journey.

I’d also love to hear from you? What’s been your best holiday and why? How do you keep ‘dem holiday feels flowing throughout the year? Share your experiences and tips at thedevinelife4u@gmail.com

Big Love

L xo

Ideas. Some days it feels like my head is full of them and I can’t keep up with them all and others I feel like a ravenous puppy tripping over myself in order to find that hidden treat. Let it be known that even though most of our ideas may end up at the “idea farm”, it’s the ones that you take a chance on that really ignite your passion.

The Confidence Collective has totally been one of “those” ideas and I’ll tell you why. Like most ideas, it was born from the consumption of liquid refreshments – espresso martinis to be precise. It was only to be a coffee date with my partner in confidence Bec but the sun was shining, the vibe was right and besides, it’s basically a chilled coffee but, I digress.

We got talking about our own businesses and found that there was a common link between our clients and that was confidence, or lack thereof. Hello, idea! What if we combined our expertise to create workshops that focused on creating confidence? (cue confetti, neon lights and happy claps all round). The name The Confidence Collective seemed to fall out of my mouth and the ideas just began to flow and then so did the fear and doubt. What if no one comes? Who cares about confidence? Can’t you just find an inspirational quote off Instagram? How do we do this? Where do we host it? What if no one comes? (yep that was a big one for us).

You see, the thing with ideas is that all that ‘stuff’ doesn’t matter. If you are clear on the WHY and if you are genuinely passionate about it, you’ll do whatever it takes to see it become reality. So that’s what we did. We poured our heart and soul into planning, creating, networking, building and last Saturday, we hosted our very first Confidence Collective workshop to a SOLD OUT room. Proud much?

Bec was incredible, demonstrating how to create your outer glow and maximise your natural features with expert make up advice and I discussed the concepts of the “inner bitch”, BS (belief systems), confidence killers and how to create killer confidence.

I recall taking a brief moment to look around the room at all the women who’s lives we were enriching and thought “the idea is now my reality”. It was such a profound moment and the feedback that we have received is encouraging us to grow The Confidence Collective even more. We are now in talks to host our next event and are booking private workshops for workplaces.

You see, this is the thing. Ideas don’t have to be BIG to be considered worthwhile. This idea hasn’t revolutionised the way we do things and it hasn’t solved world hunger but it has created a movement, a community of empowered and fierce women and it’s just evidence that an idea that it fuelled with passion and purpose can be one of your greatest ideas ever.

To join The Confidence Collective or to book a workshop, follow us on Facebook or Instagram or email theconfidencecollective@gmail.com

Check out these DEVINE tips to find out your true worth. That is, your self worth.