I had a really hard time relaxing over our holiday break. I knew January was going to be a big month for me in terms of work opportunities and I was feeling some nerves for sure. I kept telling myself to “just relax” until January kicked off, but my anxious brain could not. If you have an anxious brain like me, perhaps you can relate to how foolishly ineffective it is to tell yourself to “just relax”.  BUT… Now that we are IN January and I’m IN these opportunities, I’m having a blast. I’m running right up to some big edges of discomfort as I do new things and I’m having a great time seeing things come together.   As I was wrapping up last week, I had to remind myself: “You are good at figuring out new things.” “It feels really great to challenge yourself by finding new professional edges.” “The high that comes after reaching a new edge is the best.” As I mentioned, I have an anxious brain. I excel in worrying about things before they happen. Sometimes that worry exists for months before an event or life situation and it takes a lot out of me. I have done a lot of work to minimize this worry, but it definitely still creeps in at times.   I love challenging myself because I love - LOVE - the feeling of achievement. But I hate the feelings of worry (sometimes even dread) that can precipitate some of the best moments of my life. One of my top techniques to mitigate this worry is to really sit in the feelings that follow pushing my edges. I do this with skiing, with uncomfortable conversations, with new leadership opportunities, and when I’m working with new organizations - so pretty much anytime I’m doing something unknown or uncertain!   In this episode we talk about how to use these questions to lean into the magic of your new edges: How did that feel? How did you use your skills, gifts, and talents to accomplish what you wanted to accomplish? What does this accomplishment tell you about yourself and the person you are becoming? Cheers to a year of new edges, my friend! Thank you to our sponsors this month: Full-Time VA: Check out this free training on how to be a virtual assistant that makes full-time income with part-time hours: thefulltimeva.com/Shameless. Owner Amanda Rush Holmes is also including a bonus free guide for SMA listeners - The VA Kickstarter Workbook! Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today.   Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.  StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.  Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.  Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices