So many times I get asked where I get the energy and drive from? My friends and colleagues always say to me. When are you going to stop? You’re successful enough, what keeps you motivated and striving for more?

The truth is I don’t see it as striving or wanting more. I am simply seeing it as a means to continuously challenge myself. I am motivated by personal growth and development and that is the fire within me.

You see for so many years I pursued other people’s dreams that they had for me. I was a type A kid at school always trying to impress the teachers and my parents, looking for recognition. I did well with my school grades and on the athletic fields too.

As I got older and it was time for college I pursued my parents dream of the type of career I should follow, the courses I should take and they even chose the college that I was to attend. I was too scared to tell them that was maybe not the career I wanted to pursue. But like so many others out there, I loved my parents and did what I was told.

Don’t get me wrong, I love them and they are the best parents in the world, but I really wasn’t being true to myself. They understand that now too.

I graduated top of my class for my Law degree and went into Law working for a Hollywood studio. I did really well, but it was so stressful and I couldn’t stand it. Eventually my relationships at the time deteriorated and became painful. I was on anti-anxiety medication and my body was breaking down.

I ended up quitting after getting really sick! It was during this time of healing where I decided I am going to pursue what I want in life, I was going to be true to myself and follow my life purpose. That is when I changed careers and decided to become a MOM-trepreneur and help others empower themselves and live the life of their dreams!

I also made a commitment to myself that I would stop being motivated by getting the recognition and approval of others but rather focus on myself and challenging my own boundaries. I was scared and had to dissolve those old beliefs that were craving acceptance and recognition. I had to step forward into growth and challenge myself everyday.

So that is what I did and that is what I do everyday now. I want to share with you six simple ways you can grow and challenge yourself everyday and exceed your own expectations of yourself.

Be true to yourself – Are you following your true passion and purpose in life? If you aren’t, ask yourself why? Why not? Are you living someone else’s dream? If so it’s time to start taking steps to pursue your life purpose. This takes a lot of courage.

Step out of your comfort zone – Making personal change and growing personally requires we step out of our comfort zone. If we really want success and growth we have to get way out of our comfort zone and go beyond what we thought was possible. Are you ready to step out?

Take a risk – I don’t mean going and jumping out of an airplane type of risk, I am talking about little risks in your life that happen on a daily basis. Maybe that implies taking a risk and applying for a job that seems way above you, perhaps it is signing up for that advanced spin class that day, or having your haircut a certain way, purchasing and wearing clothes you may not typically wear.

These small little risks may seem trivial but they all add up and build up our self-confidence and self-esteem.

Challenge yourself – Make a commitment to challenge yourself each day. Not just physically but also mentally. Challenge your limited belief systems that you hold about yourself and life. Maybe you think you’re not good enough to start your own company, maybe you think you can never lose weight because you don’t have the will power, maybe you don’t think you have the ability to write that book or have the discipline to study for a degree…well it’s time to challenge those limited belief systems.

What do you fear – What do you fear most? It’s time to confront those fears. Face them head on. Most of the things we fear are just images that our mind is playing over and over again. It’s your imagination that is getting the way. Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of Fear – so make sure you step right through it.

Stop looking to others for recognition – We need to accept our own divinity and how awesome we really are, no matter what our situation is. Looking to others for their approval, for their recognition is an exercise in futility and will keep us as slaves to the external world and others people’s opinions.

Real growth and change happens when we peel away all these false layers that are holding us back and stopping us from being true to ourselves and our own personal growth and challenge.

Don’t be motivated by fear, by others, money or success.

Look within and be motivated by your own personal growth. @hayleyhobson (Click to Tweet!)

Be motivated by pushing your own personal boundaries, by overcoming your own personal beliefs and fears and you’ll end up exceeding your craziest and wildest expectations of yourself.

XO
Hayley

Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, business coach, yogi, Pilates instructor, and holistic nutritional expert based in Boulder, CO. Her unique and intelligent style promotes strengthening while softening—empowering her clients to heal not only their physical bodies but their hearts and minds as well. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.