Dr. Maya Shankar

And I think probably I thought at some point, let me just get this guy off my case and just do this thing so we could get to bed.

But something magical happened when I started to do it.

So I remember thinking, oh, I'm so grateful that I've worked with the same people for over 10 years.

The same people that I worked in public policy with still work with me today.

I'm so grateful that I get to do these Zoom workouts with my incredibly positive trainer, Matt.

I love being an aunt to my six nieces and nephews.

I love hosting a slight change of plans.

I get to meet the most incredible people and interview them.

And podcasting is such a joy.

And as this list flowed out of me, I started to realize that my life was so much richer and more multifaceted than I'd given myself credit for.

So sometimes when we are so single-mindedly focused on a goal, and I imagine, again, so many people listening, they have their heart set on achieving a goal.

We can develop tunnel vision.

We can forget that there are so many other identities that matter to us that we take great pride in that are still very much intact.

And so after I did this exercise, did I feel amazing going to bed that night?

Of course not.

But did I feel like not all of me had been taken away by this change in plans?

Yes, absolutely.

Did I feel like there was still fullness and richness in my life?

Absolutely.

And so I would urge people to do a self-affirmation exercise, no matter what stage of life they're in, because it will reflect back to you what your values are, what you care about in this world.