Feeling Behind? Lessons From the Women Who Inspire Me

I had one of those brutally honest conversations with a close friend today. You know the kind—where you finally admit what's been eating at you for months.

"I feel like I'm falling behind," I told her.

I'm surrounded by these incredible women who seem to have it all figured out. They're building wildly successful businesses, crushing their goals, and navigating life with this enviable grace. There's one friend in particular who seems like everything she touches turns to gold. And here I am, working my butt off but feeling stuck in the same place for what feels like forever.

But here's what I realized: feeling behind doesn't mean I'm failing. It just means I'm comparing my chapter one to their chapter twelve.

What I Learned from the Women I Admire

After some reflection, I noticed these successful women all share certain traits—and they're not magic. They're habits and mindsets that any of us can cultivate:

They have unshakable discipline. They don't rely on motivation; they rely on showing up every single day. When they say they're going to get better sleep, they leave the dinner party early. When they commit to daily steps, they make it happen even if it means walking around their living room at 11 PM.

They're laser-focused on their goals. They know exactly what they're working toward and don't let distractions derail them. (This is probably where I'm stuck—I kind of know what I want, but not with crystal clarity.)

They have a problem-solving mindset. When things go wrong (and they do), they don't panic. They adapt. They see challenges as opportunities to grow.

They truly love what they do. Their passion fuels their discipline. They're not just working hard; they're working on things that light them up.

How to Start Showing Up Differently

Inspiration without action is just entertainment. Here's how I'm planning to level up:

• Audit my time. I'm going to track exactly how I spend my days and see where I'm getting caught up in distractions.
• Build micro habits. Small, consistent actions lead to big changes. Maybe it's finally joining the 5 AM club like so many of these women I admire.
• Embrace imperfection. The women I look up to aren't perfect—they just keep going despite their mistakes.

The Truth About Feeling Behind

I don't have to have it all figured out right now. What matters is that I'm showing up, learning, and taking steps forward. I want to be the kind of person who can hang with these amazing women—not because I'm exactly like them, but because I'm bringing my best self to the table.

If you're feeling the same way, you're not alone. Feeling behind is actually normal when you're ambitious and have big goals. It's not a sign that you're failing—it's an opportunity to reflect, grow, and level up.

What if instead of feeling behind, we chose to see this as our moment to rise? What if it all goes right from here.