What we can learn from the Colorado Avalanche - Stanley Cup Champions!

I was reminded (twice) yesterday of the importance of checking in and seeing your growth over time.

We can get off the wagon for a day (or 3) and even when we get back on sometimes it's so easy to beat ourselves up and feel shame over our decisions.

Don't forget to ask yourself - if this was 6 months ago, 1 year, 5 years ago... would I have drank more? Would I have "overdone it" more than I just did?

If the answer is yes then celebrate that win. It's not about letting yourself off easy by any means - it's about focusing on the growth and how much work you've put in overtime and where you are now that matters. When you keep it positive it makes it easier to get back on track. When you focus on the negative or missteps (and we all know there will be plenty of them throughout our lives) the negative self-talk makes it that much harder to get back with that forward momentum.

It doesn't matter how small the step/growth/progress is, all that matters is that you're moving forward.

To those sports fans out there like me, yesterday the Colorado Avalanche (CO's professional hockey team) won the Stanley Cup! This is the biggest accomplishment you can achieve if you're a professional hockey player.

Yet, just 5 years ago, the Avs had the WORST record in the entire NHL. THE WORST! How do you go from being the worst team in the league to winning the championship?

• You continuously put in the work

• You never give up

• You show up every day - no matter how tired you may be

• You reflect and celebrate every win - no matter how big or small

• You analyze the losses or missteps so you can understand how to avoid them in the future or simply do better next time

• You take it one day (or game) at a time

• You set big goals, but even more importantly, you focus on HOW you're going to get there and break it down so small that it is almost easy to make progress

• When you have a bad day (or two) you wake up the next and decide to move forward.

• You believe in yourself

• You don't let any naysayers (including the one in your own head) dictate what you can or cannot do or if you will or will not be successful

• You COMMIT.

The Avs didn't win the Stanley Cup by showing up.

They did it by working tirelessly for years, practicing, committing, and taking care of themselves mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

They did it by coming together as a team, showing up and supporting each other, pushing one another, and advocating for themselves and one another.

It wasn't easy, but boy was it worth it!

Now it's your turn - take time this week and think about the BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT you've made so far this year. No matter how profound it may seem to anyone else, what - in your heart - do you know you've done/accomplished during the past 6 months that you can be incredibly proud of?

Take the time to really reflect on this, and when you've thought of something (or several things) I want you to:

1. Celebrate it - sit with it, feel it, get emotional, scream with excitement - whatever you're feeling in your soul - just celebrate how far you've come so far! Write it down or do an audio message on your phone so you can remember this feeling, this moment, the gratitude, appreciation, and pride you feel. Then REALLY FEEL IT!

2. Share it - send me a note or share with someone on your Squad! Your bestie, partner, mentor, kiddo, it doesn't matter - just say it out loud to someone you know will celebrate YOU!

(The ShameOver Squad is also here if you need more community in your life or like-minded people who are also working on moderation. We are a team - we are here for each other) and there is nothing better than celebrating, inspiring, and empowering one another! So share away and don't hold back!

You deserve it. You are worth it.

*Erica