During Chaos, Know This...

This has been on my mind all morning, and I feel like I need to share it with you.

In times of instability, as best you can, focus on stability.

When overwhelmed with a deluge of information and disruption, focus on creating stability where you can.

If someone is purposely creating chaos and trying to overwhelm you, realize that they are trying to create instability because it makes you more vulnerable and easier to manipulate.

The most powerful action you can take against an oppressor is to shift your focus to creating stability.

If you are too tired and exhausted to create stability, simply look around you and notice the stability that already exists. Things like:

• The sun rises every morning.

• Your body breathes for you.

• Your heart beats consistently.

• The floor underneath you is solid.

Then think of something very small that you can do to create more stability for yourself. Can you:

• Set up your morning coffee?

• Go put gas in your car?

• Plug your car in so it's warm in the morning?

• Take a nap?

Nothing massive, just a small thing that makes your world more safe, more stable, more secure.

It's understandable to feel helpless against a seemingly giant opponent. That's what they want, but we don't have to fall for it.

Stability and safety is what I want for all of us, especially you.   

Warm regards,

Shannon

P.S. If you'd like more words of comfort, I've included a YouTube below.

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The Power of Lowering the Bar

Insight Timer as of 1/17/2025

So this post isn't to brag, but to provide your brain evidence that dropping the bar all the way down to the ground is one of the most effective ways to build habits and actually realize your dreams.

Back in August of 2017, I felt like I was being dragged behind a train. Life felt out of control, and I was searching for a way to get back in the driver's seat.

So I thought back to the things that had helped me in the past. Martha Beck calls this finding your last hot track. I remembered that when I felt more in control of my life, I was doing some kind of meditation/breathing practice. I'd learned it in my early 20s and had done it on and off since then.

So I decided to sit for 20 minutes every day. That lasted a solid 3 days. The tracker I use shows my doing it in fits and starts until about November.

I remember being frustrated that I couldn't keep my promise to myself and I didn't understand why it was happening. I had the desire. I had the time. I just couldn't make it happen in the 3D.

Then I made a decision that changed everything.

I lowered the bar.

As a recovering perfectionist, this was excruciating. I had to deal with all of the messages I'd heard and been taught.

"Go big or go home!"

"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well!"

"Don't coddle yourself!"

"Reach for the stars!"

"Set your sights high!"

I think we all have some version of this roaming around in our skulls.

In fact, I lowered the bar so low, I didn't think it would even be effective. But it's all I could do, so I gave it a shot.

I decided to do 1-minute of some kind of breathing/meditation/listening to encouraging recordings/really anything that helped me tune back into myself and helped me figure out what I wanted versus what the culture around me was telling me I should want and what I should do, every day.

I figured that I could sneak in 1-minute in the bathroom at the very least.

My mind went bananas with complaints, criticism, and forecasts of failure. But I just kept doing it.

I remember one especially rough period where all I could do was turn on "She Let Go" by Safire Rose and listen. It was better than nothing, so it had to be good enough.

And it worked. I was able to regain the wheel.

Not only that, my "better-than-nothing" practice of checking in with myself for 1-minute a day was something I could actually maintain. Most days I do have a longer practice, but I still keep the bar at 1-minute to ensure I can do it long term.

And here is the evidence.

More than 7 years later, I haven't missed a day.

Again, this isn't to brag, but to prove to your brain that it's okay for you to lower the bar when you are trying to create something new. Nothing bad will happen. In fact, you might just unlock the key that lets you build the life you've always dreamed of.

If you'd like support finding a way to stay focused on your goals, I host a group of us who are working through the practical steps of bringing our big ideas into reality. You can check it out here: www.shannonlpost.com/journey.

How Many 5-Gallon Buckets Can You Carry?

My first winter in Alaska, I worked as a sled dog handler for an Iditarod musher. It was a dream come true. Literally. 

I was finally living out a vision I had seen in my head for years. The weather was crisp, the dogs were crazy, and I was on cloud nine. 

And...

I quickly realized I didn't have the physical strength I needed to be a top-notch dog handler. It was shocking how heavy everything was. How long the days were. How much power the dogs had. 

In the beginning, even feeding my teams was a challenge. 

We fed the teams a stew-like meal twice a day and after training runs. We prepared dog dinner in 5-gallon buckets in the dog barn, grabbed two buckets, and walked it out to the dog lot.

Easy enough. Not rocket science. 

But my knowledge, will, determination, and drive didn't help me carry those buckets. 

The buckets were about 50 pounds apiece. As handlers, we were expected to carry two buckets, so about 100 pounds. That was roughly 75% of my body weight at the time. I'm also only 5'4" tall, so I can't just let the buckets hang from my arms. I have to lift them up so the buckets don't drag in the deep snow.

The first week, I couldn't even lift both buckets off the ground at the same time.

Dog breakfast and dog dinner were mentally and physically the hardest parts of my day. I had figured out hacks to everything else I needed to do except for hauling those lead-weight buckets (I don’t know why we didn't use a sled or wagon). 

Hauling buckets was part of my mental and physical growth as a handler that simply required diligence and patience. I had to wait for my muscles to grow.

Push too hard, and I'd injure myself and take two steps backward. Not push enough, and I wouldn't get any stronger. I had to figure out a way to get the buckets to the dog yard and not hurt myself. (And hopefully, retain some of my pride.)

My solution was to haul one bucket at a time. Switching the bucket from arm to arm as I made my way to the screaming dog lot. This approach allowed each arm a bit of recovery time while still getting the job done. 

I was much, much slower than my co-workers at first, but eventually it worked. And it didn't take long before I could carry both buckets and just put them down from time to time. And then soon after, I could walk with the other guys to the yard, chatting, laughing, and kidding around. 

It’s the same when you start pursuing your dream. 

In the beginning, you won't have all the skills and strength required to do it well. 

Likely, you'll be right at your edge of growth, of what you can handle mentally, emotionally, and even physically. You'll feel tired and cranky. Your bad habits will emerge. You'll question your choices. And at times, you won't think you have what it takes to keep going.

But you do. 

You have just enough of what you need to take the next step. And that's all you need to do.

Every day, you'll find a way to bridge the gap between where you are and where you need to be. 

Compassion is the most efficient approach. As best you can, don't beat yourself up, but give yourself encouragement. Build the skill and muscle you need AND give yourself time to rest. Try to remember that nothing is going wrong; you are just building strength - just as you would if you were in the gym. 

If you push ahead too far, your instincts will have you running back to what feels safe. Don't take any steps forward and you won't gain the mental and emotional strength that's required to move forward. 

On the days when things feel out of balance, or you feel exhausted, take it as a good sign. You've stepped out of your comfort zone and into something new. And on the days you fear you are being lazy or you're bored, recognize this as a period of necessary rest and recovery.

Little by little, you'll be able to handle everything required for this new, awesome life you've been dreaming about. 

Now I'm curious, what muscle do you need to start building for your next stage?