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What happens when you hit the swamp zone? Why should you work on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable? Do you know what the power of fun holds?
In this podcast, I speak with Kate Kneifel about how you can boost your productivity in everyday life and how to unlock the power of fun if you’re feeling swamped or demotivated.
Meet Kate Kneifel
Kate learned about making changes the hard way -through the 5-year plan. It took her 5 years to learn how to swim freestyle without a panic attack. It took another 5 years to finally establish a meditation practice. Kate learned quickly that if she wanted to move forward she’d have to find a different way to do it or live to be 200. These experiences shaped her desire to help people move from insight to action in order to move forward with their own habits and goals. Kate started out as an elementary and special education teacher. It was during those years that she learned how to break down complex concepts into small digestible pieces. Currently, she works as a counselor specializing in anxiety, depression and trauma in a private practice setting. Helping people bridge the gap between insight and action is one of her favorite things.
Visit her website. Connect on Instagram @full.of.shift and @yellowkeycollaborative. Listen to Kate’s Full of Shift Podcast.
In This Podcast
Summary
- Approach with curiosity to boost productivity
- “Moving from fear to dare”
- Elements of fun to add to your goal setting and improve productivity
Approach With Curiosity to Boost Productivity
If you approach a situation with judgement, or perfectionism, you shut down all your options and we treat ourselves as if we were the problem instead of thinking about how we could relate to the situation differently.
[Sometimes] some things really don’t work … but when we blame ourselves and start to shut down, we cut off all of these other options versus … how can we shift and approach something from a place of curiosity and think “what doesn’t work about this for me, what does work for me, what have I noticed in the past?” (Kate)
When we make this shift and approach tricky situations with curiosity instead of judgement we can move forward more easily, and separate ourselves from the situation because if the situation failed, it does not mean that you have failed as a person.
By using curiosity instead of judgement, you take the pressure off of yourself to be the winner or to be the best, and you can react to the situation with calmness, intrigue and find new approaches instead of shutting down and quitting entirely.
“Moving From Fear to Dare”
If you are feeling stuck, go through this framework and ask yourself if you relate to any of these:
F – Fusion: fusion is being stuck to a thought; for example, you have an idea about yourself and your abilities – a self-limiting belief – but you have fused with it, and now you stop yourself from trying new things because you have fused to this self-limiting belief that keeps you stuck.
E – Excessive goals: this is where you give yourself too much to do in too a short space of time. In this way, you already set yourself up to fail because it becomes unrealistic to complete so much in such a small space of time.
A – Avoidance of discomfort: none of us like being uncomfortable, but a level of discomfort is needed when you want to make a change. When you want to make a change to your physical or mental health, you need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
R – Remoteness from values: this could also mean “sexy goals” and it pertains to thinking that “the grass is greener on the other side”, and that if you did what other people were doing – not what you want to do or believe in, your values – that you will find fulfilment.
This is a framework that can help you if and when you are feeling stuck in your progression, and really sit with yourself and be honest and open.
Elements of Fun to Add to Your Goal Setting and Improve Productivity
Fun is important because it gives you that little boost of endorphins in your brain. So, when you’re trying to do something new with a habit or goal … people change faster when they feel good, so you want your brain to feel good and [have that] “yes, I did it!” [feeling]. (Kate)
Fun helps your brain to enjoy a new habit or hobby because fun encourages self-awareness and makes you an active agent in this new thing that you are adding into your life.
Fun does not mean naïve or unserious: you can be serious about your fun, but know that you can incorporate fun into doing something that you are serious about.
Useful Links:
- www.fullofshiftpodcast.com free e-book
- Youtube: The Fitness Marshall
- Instagram: @full.of.shift
- Instagram: @yellowkeycollaborative
- www.yellowkeycollab.com Total Transformation With Eve Guzman | BM 66
- BTBFM FREE EMAIL COURSE
- Sign up for Busy to Bomb Fit Mom
- Connect with Melissa on Facebook and Instagram
- Email Melissa: info@melissavogelfitness.com
Meet Melissa Vogel

Melissa Vogel is an energetic keynote speaker, business owner, certified personal trainer, certified group fitness instructor, 1st degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a mother of three, and a podcaster.
Melissa has been voted as the Best Personal Trainer for 2020 by Inland Empire Magazine, and Built the Busy to Bomb Fit Mom exercise system.
She is quickly becoming recognized for her expertise and influence in her field!
Melissa has contributed to numerous publications and has been featured in the Trail Blazer Magazine, and published in the April 2020 edition of Health Magazine. Her approach incorporates personal experience, energy, humor, and charisma.
Thanks for listening!
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