96 \\ Comparison or Confidence? How to Stop Measuring Yourself Against Everyone Else

In this episode we break down the difference between motivation and discipline, and why motivation alone will never carry you through lasting change. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of starting strong, but then inevitably find yourself quitting - this conversation will help you shift your perspective and find a more reliable way forward. You’ll discover: Why motivation is unreliable for long-term growth. How discipline builds confidence and self-trust. Practical tips to make self-discipline feel doable and sustainable. Plus, I include a few journaling prompts to help you reflect on where you’ve been relying on motivation - and how you can begin building self-discipline into your daily life now. Tip: If you're ready to make consistency easier, grab my Energy Boost Guide - it's full of 5-minute resets that will help you recharge and show up even when motivation runs low. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw

This episode is one of encouragement for anyone who feels “behind” when comparing their life to others. I want to remind you that growth doesn’t have to be visible to be real. You’re not behind. You're further than you realize, and confidence comes when you honor your progress instead of measuring it against others'. I share simple reflection prompts to help you spot your growth, celebrate it, and step into confidence without waiting for outside validation. Stop letting comparison steal your joy, step into your confidence and claim it intentionally. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw

Feeling stuck in comparison? This episode will help you break free from measuring yourself against everyone else’s highlight reel and start building confidence in your own growth. We talk about why comparison sneaks in, how it drains your energy, and the simple shifts that help you replace comparison with clarity. Plus, I’ll share a practical exercise to remind you how much progress you’ve actually made—even if no one else sees it. If you’ve been feeling “behind,” this conversation is for you. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw   Episode Mentions: Grit (Book): https://amzn.to/48BmNfl  Grit (Audible): https://amzn.to/46CRNco 

Saying “yes” can feel like the easier option, but every "yes" is also a "no" to something else. In this episode of A Fresh Start, we explore how to make choices without guilt, align your "yes" with your true values, and protect your time and energy in the process. If you’ve ever struggled with overcommitting, people-pleasing, or feeling guilty for saying "no," this conversation will help you pause and reflect on what you actually want to prioritize. You’ll learn simple ways to shift from reactive decisions to intentional ones, so that your "yes" becomes powerful and purposeful. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why every "yes" automatically becomes a "no" to something else How to release guilt around saying "no" Ways to align your decisions with your values and goals A healthier framework for boundaries and commitments Something to think about: Where in your life do you need to start saying "no" so your "yes" can mean more?   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw

New seasons often spark the desire for change, but what if you could tap into that fresh-start energy anytime? In this episode, we talk about how to give yourself permission to reset, no matter what the calendar says — and why the back-to-school season can be a powerful reminder that you are allowed to start over as often as you need. This is your encouragement to stop waiting for the “perfect time,” and start making small, meaningful shifts today. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw   Episode Mentions: Miss Congeniality (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Congeniality-Sandra-Bullock/dp/B002R5HQDK 

Whether you have kids or not, the back-to-school season feels like a natural reset. In this episode, I walk you through how to use this time of year to refresh your routines, simplify your schedule, and build habits that stick — without falling into the “do everything at once” trap. You’ll learn how to align your energy with your priorities, make small changes that compound over time, and set yourself up for a calmer, more productive season. If you’re ready for a fresh start, this episode will give you the exact framework to make it happen. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw

Do you ever find yourself saying 'yes' our of habit, only to regret it later? You're not alone. In this episode, we talk about how to shift from overbooked to living on purpose so you can reclaim both your energy and peace without guilt. You’ll walk away with a few gentle but powerful questions to help you make aligned decisions that protect your time, energy, and joy. In this episode: How to spot when you’ve slipped into automatic 'yes'-mode Why alignment isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what matters Journal prompts to help you reset your calendar and commitments XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw   Episode Mentions Geek Girl (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/81637842?source=35&fromWatch=true 

Do you feel spread thin, even though everything on your calendar seems “important”? In this episode, we explore the difference between being aligned and being overcommitted. You’ll learn how to recognize when your 'yes' is actually holding you back and discover ways to reset your priorities using the IDT Method. This is for the high-achievers, the helpers, and the quietly overwhelmed - you don’t have to stay stuck in hustle mode. Protecting your energy and peace matters too. In this episode, we cover: Why we overcommit even when we know better The subtle signs you’re overcommitted (and what to do) What aligned action actually feels like How to gently reset and protect your peace XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re making progress or just spinning your wheels, this episode will help you see your growth clearly - even when no one else does. if you have you ever looked around and thought, “Am I still stuck … or am I just growing quietly behind the scenes?” It’s a hard question, and this episode is here to help you answer it with clarity and confidence. In today’s teaching episode, we break down: The difference between being stuck vs. quietly growing How to spot real, internal progress even when it's invisible to others Why external validation can’t define your timeline The subtle signs that you're healing, becoming, and showing up more than you think You’ll leave this episode feeling encouraged and equipped to trust your journey, even if it doesn’t look loud, flashy, or fast. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw

You’re Growing, Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It Yet Do you ever feel like you're doing the work, but still stuck in place? Like no matter how much effort you give, you're not seeing results fast enough? This episode is for the quiet growers, the inner healers, and the high-achievers who constantly downplay their progress. Inside this episode of A Fresh Start, we’re unpacking: What real growth actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not always obvious) How to recognize emotional and behavioral progress The common mistake high-achievers make that keeps you feeling “not enough” Journal prompts to help you finally give yourself credit If you’ve been feeling like your efforts aren’t paying off, this is your reminder that growth is happening, even when you can’t see it yet. Press play, and let’s walk through this together. XO, Shannon   Resources: https://stan.store/shannonmarqueta  Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afreshstartcommunity TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonmarqueta   Email: [email protected]   2025: Hello / Goodbye Playlist Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8b909d05-f1fa-4eba-88ff-c8571aac6c3e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jv87DuQfexSEWCA6BcRrB?si=Z_RLfEYeQOigmba78oUFGw