Day 29 - Is it just me or am I walking through mud?

I'm not sure if it is fact that "100 Days of 100%" gives you so much freedom or that I'm doing it alone but it feels like I'm walking through mud!  Day 29 feels like at least day 50.  The last three days I've had low energy and have lowered the bar even further.  Yesterday I committed to 50% and laid out what felt like a do-able description of 100%  I must admit for me this is new.  Usually I would have rallied up and white knuckled through it but I'm looking for something more here. Looking over it today I am pleased to award myself a score of 25.  I over delivered and it feels good.  This isn't about just making it through 100 days, this is about learning more about myself and what makes me tick.  Learning how to work best with what I've got... ME!  At conception this process of 100 Days of 100% was like an Iron Man contest but now I'm realizing it's much more than that.  The process is slower and I believe the effects will be longer lasting.  Perhaps even permanent?  If that's the case I better get back to it.  I'm making magic here for myself, sculpting a new depth, peeling off more of the onion and I don't want to cut off an important piece.

Day 26 - Take TWO! - Holding Your Hand While You Throw UP

Yesterday I was in a slump.  I honestly think a big part of why I go through these slumps is to keep it real with my clients.  I can more effectively walk through the trenches with them if I've been there too.  Yesterday I worked with my coach in the midst of my slump.  At the end of the call I felt marginally better but it took at least an hour for the coaching to begin to shift within me.  This morning the penny dropped and "I got it".

Often coaches are put on a pedestal, they receive accolades for helping their clients double their income, book a major role on a TV show or break into a new market.  What does not get mentioned is all the lonely work that's done to get there.  All the hand holding, support and all the inner battles and gremlins that are tamed to get through the forest.  I must admit that even I was getting caught up in the results and missing the great work I was doing walking along side my clients in the forest, holding their hand while they throw up and encouraging them to keep on fighting even when a part of them wants to give up.  The heroine's journey is not easy, that's what makes it a heroines journey.  If the prize were easy to attain it would lose it's value.  If my clients journey was as simple as to create a plan execute it and claim their success they wouldn't need me. 

What does this have to do with 100 Days of 100%?  If you are struggling, battling you way through the forest and are not able or ready to invest in a coach right now then use the work book as your coach.  Get the battle down on paper each day and ask "why" all the time.  Even when you want to give up, just pick up the book.  Use it as a light to help you through the forest, a through line to guide your way as you throw up and figure out "what makes you tick" as you continue on your heroines journey. 

P.S. If you need someone to hold your hand while your throwing up, it's my specialty, give me a call, you don't have to do it alone.

Day TWENTY - Sometimes 75 is Greater than 100!

Over these first 20 days of "!00 Days of 100%" I am noticing a pattern of 75%.  When I promise 75% most of the time I deliver or over-deliver.  When I promise 100 - there is nowhere left to go and often I under-deliver, not good for your emotional bank account.  75% is a huge shift for me as I am an over achiever but I can honestly stand up without embarrasment and proclaim, I'm committing to 75% today. 

Day Nineteen - Take TWO

Freedom is a necessity for me but I do so love structure.  I think the big fear about structure though is the expectations that come along for the ride and of course the good old fear of failure.  Setting a goal and not attaining it can mean a huge withdrawal from our emotional bank account.  Freedom is one of the many reason I love 100 Days of 100%.  Two days ago I began Day Nineteen of my 100 days.  I mapped out what 100% would look like but got side tracked actually disheartened.  A close friend of mine lost her father and my 100% seemed to pale in comparison in the grand scheme of things that day.  I did write down that I wanted to be there for her but couldn't bring myself to put a percentage to that.  There are days when 100% is just not even on your radar, that's OK.  I jumped off the horse for a couple of days and then picked it up again today, no guilt, no judgement, no BIG withdrawal from my emotional bank account.  Today I mapped out a great day and then stepped up to 100%.  How could I not, today I will complete my 100 powerful conversations and tomorrow it will be time for the next chapter, whatever that is.

Day FOURTEEN - It feels like I'm not doing anything!

I'm getting into a nice groove now with 100%.  Each day I am mapping our "what it would look like if I were to give 100%" and then going off on my day leaving that in the crock pot.  Yesterday I went off roading!  My map said one thing and off I went in a whole different direction.  At the end of the day I went for a hike with my good friend Jessica and had time to reflect on my off roading adventure.  I realized that the 100% map and the conversations I am having is so simple that I feel like I'm not doing anything.  It's such a straightforward concept - have 100 ten minute conversations.  I am wading waist high in the flow of this being carried along with productivity yet I don't feel like I'm doing anything.  I'm so used to trying hard, so used to having a complex strategy that I feel like I'm not doing anything.  Yesterday driven by that I went off road chasing some bright shiny object.  Luckily I had the 100 day of 100% workbook to bring me back to the road at the end of the day.

Day ELEVEN - Low Calorie Zen!

It's my habit to do things FULL throttle and so typically when I am starting something new, it's not a solo endeavour.  By that I mean I tend to do three new things not one at a time.  I like to think of it as living my life in chapters and at the beginning of a chapter always seems, to me, like a great time to start new things.  I mention this because along with my 100 Days of 100% I am also, among other things, starting a new diet or "lifestyle" as my wonderful diet coach, Lacey from Diet for Health likes to say.  For the fist few days of my new "life-style", the angry serpent in me kept rearing it's ugly head.  Today however I think I have found the right configuration food to keep the serpent at bay and I am back to feeling the Zen.  Thank goodness, that is especially echoed by my four year old Sofie who has felt the sting of the serpent the most.  As  I sit and reflect on the last six days of my new "life-style" I am excited to pull out yet another 100% card.  A lot of the 100% program is about looking forward but it's also great to ask yourself "What have I given 100% too recently".  Sometimes it's only in retrospect that we see the accomplishments.  I have followed my new "life-style" oh can I just call it a diet already, for six days to the letter.  For my hard work I have been rewarded with a 4 1/2 lb weight loss.  Even more importantly though, well almost (I really wanted to get rid of those 4 1/2 lbs), I now feel the fulfillment of knowing I gave 100%  to my diet, I have been doing it 100%.  Giving 100% feels great especially when it's accompanied by balance, joy and success and... weight loss.

Day TEN - Leading with the right side of the brain

As I sketched out my 100% day this morning I started thinking about how it would look from the left side of the brain and the right.  The right side of the brain, traditionally the more creative side, is a comfortable place for me. Even so it's a place I sometimes have to remind myself to wonder into.  I can get caught up in strategies, goals, results and lists and forget all about the non-linear pasture next door.  Looking at my two 100% days side by side (left brain in one column, right in the other) I realized my left brain day is all about doing and my right brain day is much more about being.  I personally think it's important to tap into both sides of the brain as both can benefit us in different ways.  Then I let the 100% questions work their magic throughout the day on the back boiler of my mind.  Planting these subconscious seeds first thing in the morning is very powerful for me.  It's kind of like putting dinner in the crock pot and then going about my day.  When I get home, dinners made without me even lifting a finger.  When I looked back at my workbook tonight the waft of home cooked food was thick and delicious in the air.  Today has truly been a day of listening, connecting, being present and having a lot of FUN.  All the ingredients for a 100% day, today.

Day EIGHT

I forgot I get to make up the rules and guess what... so do you!  I am blogging through my 100 days of 100%.  Everyday I complete my 100% worksheet counts as one day.  I did my worksheet yesterday but didn't blog and I was going to blog now for yesterday when I realized,"I get to make the rules".  I don't really have anything much to say of interest about yesterday so I can skip the blog, I just gave myself permission, did you see that?  It feels great. 

Today is going alright.  I committed to an 80% day and am enjoying lots of productivity but I must admit I am exhausted!  The new diet, first week with my husband back to work and being Mummy is a lot to juggle and I am not used to it.  I am however really proud of myself today.  This morning when I began my worksheet, sketching out "What would it look like if I were to give 100%" I began to get on quite a roll.  Then something suddenly clicked and I looked at my quite expansive list of 100% and then I did something quite remarkable for me.  I picked up my pen and crossed things off it!  I put big black x's on the page and ended up crossing out 50% of what I had written.  Even with that done 80% is a stretch today and without those x's it would have been a joke.
Now if it would just turn 3:30 PM so I could eat all will be well in the world.

Day SIX

I'm getting into an effortless, productivity groove, I love it.  Day SIX on my calendar looked amazing.  I had several one on one clients whom I love, a 90 visibility session, lots of 10 minute calls and I had been invited to speak on my first panel.  Lots of stuff.  On paper I did feel there was a lot crammed in there, not to mention walking my daughter to school and going to Trader Joes to shop for day one of my new diet.  I opted for giving 80% and I nailed it.  The day flowed effortlessly.  Rather than feeling overwhelmed and worried about what's next all day I felt a sense calm, I was present and available for each moment, it was a blast.  My favorite moment by far was the panel, I had so much fun, I was giddy. "Made in the Valley" is an incredible organization and I was honored to be on the panel with so many amazing, inspirational and insightful ladies.  I came home energized and fulfilled and extremly happy with nailing 80%. I'm taking natural and organic action, tapping into my priorities and using my guiding principles to keep me on track.  Wow I'm practing what I preach again.

Falling off the wagon...or the horse, without getting hurt!

What I love about 100 days of 100% is that it's OK to fall off track, as long as you pick back up again.  It's been three days off for me now.  Each day I have meant to sit down and paint the verbal picture of "what it would look like, if I were to give 100%" but too be honest I have been just doing it.  I haven't lost any momentum and am still enjoying lots of wonderful productivity.  I am however aware that when I don't map out and visualize the day I am in the passanger seat rather than the drivers seat.  That can work for a little while if you already have appointments on your calendar and projects mid stream that you are focused on.  Eventually though it's important to step back into the driver's seat again if you want to stay on the road that is.  My husband started a new job today, as a family we are starting a new chapter.  Today was about learning what the new game feels like - work minus hubby as child care provider.  Tomorrow I am looking forward to mapping out my 100% and opening up to even more possibility.

Day FOUR

I managed to keep out of the rabbit hole!  My brand new HTC Touch phone arrived today and I still had a productive day.  I commited to 70% and gave 75% which was nice.  I am feeling tierd but I must admit it's not because of a hard day.  I feel like things went really easy today.  I had a wonderful video shoot for my websites and feel really good about the clarity I had during the shoot.  I was clear about who I was speaking to and what my message is.  I guess I really do practice what I preach.  Traffic parted like the red sea for me on the way home from the shoot, amazing at 5 PM in LA.  I am also really getting into the groove and honoring one of my guiding principles this year "Regular work hours".  Thursday is the last day of the week.  For the last two weeks, Thursday has had that magical Friday quality and rightly so, I have been sticking to my four day work week and starting the weekend on Friday.  Now I can't guarentee I won't venture a little down the rabbit hole with my new phone tommorow, but it's all in the name of recreation.

DAY THREE

Painting a verbal picture of 100% each morning is a beautiful hybrid of the to-do list and visualization.  There is something so freeing about painting a picture of the perfect day.  Stepping into the driving seat and then conciously deciding what level of commitment I am willing to show up with is empowering.  Commiting to less than 100% is proving to be a powerful tool for me right now.  I don't think I will commit to less every day but it felt right the last few days.  Today I under delivered my score way -5 but I feel really good about my productivity.  I also felt a comforting level of balance throughout my day.  My focus is most certainly more laser and it will be interesting to see if the way and feel and the level of success and tangible results I see are comparable as the 100 day's play out. 

DAY TWO

Hmm the joy of a satisfying day.  I commited to 75% and delivered 80%, which feels fabulous.  Things really seems to be falling into place.  I am really lookingforward to starting a new chapter next week when Kirk starts his new job.  I feel really productive and happy.  Still time for a relaxing evening watching "House" on the DVR.  I have 73 ten minute conversations set up and they are flowing in very organically.  Doing the hundred days and talking about it to people at the same time makes this even more insighful.  Looking forward to another beautiful day tommorow.

Day ONE

It was a great 70% day.  I commited and delivered 70% today and it felt good.  Productive without pushing and still fun which is always important.  A high achiever by nature is feels good to be able to commit to less.  The crowning glory of today was that my husband, Kirk, who has been out of work for ONE YEAR, got a job offer today.  A celebatory family dinner was in order and the tension feels like it has eased.  It aint over till the fat lady sings but it still feels good.  100% would have been do able at a BIG push.  I could have wrapped up the whole 100% tonight but instead I am enjoying the celebration and sticking with 70%.  I am also honoring one of my guiding prinicples this year "Regular Work Hours".  I am looking forward to another day full of opportunity tommorow.

100 Days of 100%?

Two weeks ago I downloaded three questions from the universe; thanks Jessica for helping me articulate that. Since then I have been following very specific instructions from my intuition. I feel like an undercover agent on a secret mission. The main instructions I have received so far are:


• Have 100 ten minute conversations and ask the THREE questions

• Encourage the conversation to continue

• Create places and ways for the conversation to continue

Last week I had over 45 powerful conversations with 45 amazing, generous and determined men and women. What I didn’t realize when I undertook this mission was how powerful, insightful and fun it would be for me. This ten minute laser coaching is forcing me to keep my mouth shut and listen, give the other person the time and space to create their own answers and keep all the technical stuff under the hood.

If you have been one of the 45 participants thank you so much for being so generous with your time and thoughts. As per my instructions from the universe I am encouraging you continue the conversation and thought a good way to do that might be to share my 100 day journey and I will be doing this daily on this blog. If you would like to follow my journey through the workbook, 100 Days of 100%, please input your name and email address to the right and you will receive each day hot off the press. Even if you do not read it, it may be a nice daily reminder to ask yourself the three questions.

Over the last week, I have been sending anyone who takes the time to do a ten minute conversation with me a copy of my latest book “100 Days of 100%”. The 118 page book is made up primarily of 100 or so worksheets with some very simple instructions and FAQ’s to help you use it. The book is my way of encouraging you to continue the conversation with yourself.

I have also created a virtual forum for you to share your comments, questions and insights about 100% at http://www.daily100percent.com/ So far everyone is a little shy to jump in, maybe you could be the first?

My main point is, I’m listening. The three questions are powerful. Thinking about them regularly will re-calibrate you and I believe bring more balance, joy and success to your life.

What support do you need for this? Let me know, once again, I’m listening. I love empowering people, especially people who feel that there is room for improvement in their personal and/or professional life.

Have a beautiful day,

Your 100% partner

Marianne Emma Jeff
coach@motivatemyself.com
323-222-7950
http://www.daily100percent.com/

P.S.  Keep the conversation going, I'm all ears.

Are you giving 70% and expecting 100% in return?

Maybe you are giving 110% and seeing only 40% back.  We all have our own unique standards and expectations that dictate how we feel at the end of the day.   I believe by putting those expectations on the table we stop them from zapping our energy and can actually convert them into sources of positive energy, focus and balance.

My exploration of 100% began last year when, after a pretty amazing year, I pondered the question, with my coach, "what did I do 100%". The question sat and sat and sat until finally my coach offered… “Well you quit drinking” Yes I did! That was a clear cut example I could wrap my head around. With drinking (alcohol that is) you are either drinking or you are not, so gauging 100% was simple. What about all the other ideas, strategies, projects I had going on? Not so simple. Now I want to be clear here, I am not saying that I didn’t do a lot of wonderful things in 2009. However what became abundantly clear to me was that there was a huge gap between my expectations and reality.


After that I just began asking myself, "What would 100% look like?" about everything I could. As I set goals, planned my day or thought about an upcoming project. The more I did this, the more I realized that there were tangible things that defined 100% for me. I also realized that by raising my awareness and asking myself "What would 100% look like?" I could immediately see whether my expectations were realistic. A great example of this was when I sat down to create a goal list/project list for the week. I wrote down a bunch of to-do's and then looking at the list asked myself "What would 100% look like?". This fleshed out the to-do list considerably. I then looked at the weekly to-do list and realized that is was a month or more worth of activity. Putting it into perspective like this then enabled me to prioritize the tasks and set some realistic goals and priorities.

As you can see giving 100% is not about pushing yourself harder and as I like to call it "white knuckling" through a project. I see it as a simple tool that once incorporated into your life shifts your way of being. By being clear and specific you can enjoy more balance, easily prioritize and feel the joy and satisfaction of your accomplishments along the way. By asking yourself “What would it look like if I gave 100%” today at the beginning of every day you can live more fully. This is not about work or life or goals, this is about living. What would 100% look like on vacation, what would 100% of taking care of yourself on a sick day, look like… Then you intentionally decide what percentage you would like to give. Giving 100% is not the objective, the objective is to intentionally decide and to be realistic about your expectations. To set yourself up for success, joy and fulfillment in everything you do.

What I believe is so beautiful about this simple question is that it could work for everyone to bring balance and fulfillment into their life, almost like a reset switch or a way of re-calibrating. Whether you are a high achiever or a procrastinator it bridges the gap between expectations and possibility for you. Once I thought about this more and more and more I realized that it also brings you into the present moment, tunes you into your intuition and after you have asked the question a few times on a regular basis it shift your habits and behavior.

At the beginning of this year after completing The Foundation Course I made “What would 100% look like” one of my guiding principles for the year. Then it sat on the back boiler. As many of you know my husband, Kirk, has been out of work for almost a year. He is a trooper, busting his ass every day but as a lot of you can also appreciate it’s tough on all of us. Two nights ago I lay in bed thinking and I realized I haven’t been giving 100%. I’ve been giving about 70%. I then started thinking what if I were to focus on 100% for 100 days.

Welcome to a powerful conversation.  If you have ten minutes to spare to answer three powerful questions about 100% please follow the link below to schedule a ten minute time slot.  Once we are done I will send you the link to my latest e-book, "100 Days of 100%".  There is no sales pitch and no cost involved just three powerful questions that I believe will get you thinking and moving in a very positive direction.

https://my.timedriver.com/TT6TM