September 2023 – ‘People who are successful are not only willing to get uncomfortable, but they know they have to make a habit of it if they want to stay successful’. – Jen Sincero

So, last month I finally sat down to read what my daughter refers to as the bad ass book (YOU are a BADASS; How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life) by Jen Sincero.

I’m late to the party on it, but, as it turns out, the timing was perfect.

You see, earlier in the summer I started with a bout of imposter syndrome that I couldn’t shake. So, I settled in with the bad ass book by the pool on a quiet, sunny Sunday determined to get my own bad assery back up and running.

I was several chapters in when suddenly my 40-something neighbour hauled out his boom box and fired up ‘I’m Too Sexy’, the techno version, ON REPEAT, as he proceeded to install his new fence, a project that he had been procrastinating on all summer long.

Although I was impressed with his boldness, I couldn’t help but put on my judgy face.

I mean …come on … a 1991 hit by British pop band Right Said Fred? On a Sunday? On level 10 on the boom box dial? For what appeared to be a minimum 3-hr DIY project?

What was he thinking!?

I know what I was thinking (in chronological order) ….

            1. My peace and quiet is totally ruined.
            2. These lyrics are super distracting.
            3. My neighbour is definitely not ‘too sexy’.

Here I was committed to self-improvement and inspiration and instead, I’ve got DJ Dan the Fence Builder jacking up the plan.

Then, the epiphany hit.

This was a perfect example of bad ass behaviour.

Coincidentally, a few minutes later, I landed on page 231 of Sincero’s book where she writes:

    • ‘An epiphany is a visceral understanding of something you already know

This is what I now call ‘Lessons from the backyard’.

I actually didn’t learn a lot of new things from the bad ass book that day.

It was more a case of being reminded of things that I already know. And, remembering that being uncomfortable at times is a necessary part of the path to bigger and better things.

I also learned that I’m too sexy for that song (if you know you know).

Happy Fall!

Krista Benoit - iSPARK Consulting
Krista Benoit - iSPARK Consulting