Hey Shelf Improver! 💙 What if the biggest thing standing between you and your dreams isn't a lack of talent, time or opportunity... but YOU? 👀 This week on Shelf Improvement, we're diving into Chapter Four, Persistence, of Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, and this one has certainly got us thinking! We all love the excitement of a new idea, but what happens when the novelty wears off, things get difficult and life gets in the way? Do you push through, change direction or simply give up? We explore why everything in life comes with its own challenges, why you need to CHOOSE YOUR HARD, and how perfectionism might actually be stopping you from achieving the things you want. And we're getting personal again! Fresh from celebrating her 40th in Las Vegas, Holly shares some surprising realisations about her career, happiness and whether the grass really is greener on the other side. Meanwhile, Anna opens up about putting herself out there with a new business idea before everything was perfectly in place. We also discuss why rejection isn't always the end of the road, how persistence and consistency can change everything, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop overthinking and JUST START! Plus, could trying 12 completely new things in a year be the secret to rediscovering your passions? From singing and aerial classes to burlesque, we explore why you're never too old to try something new! Whether you're building a business, considering a career change, chasing a dream or simply feeling a little stuck, this episode is full of honest conversations, relatable moments and a few gentle kicks up the bum! 😂 Because the truth is, nothing worth doing is always easy. But are you choosing the hard that actually makes you happy? Grab a cuppa and join us! ☕💙 Next week, we're wrapping up Big Magic with the final section, Trust, and sharing our biggest takeaways from the book. 📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime. 💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below! 🔗 Ways you can support our show: If you have found value, enjoy our show and would like to support us please like, share and rate/review our podcast with your friends and family (its free :)) 📱 Join here to be on our email list for updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: info@shelfimprovementpodcast.com / ShelfImprovementPodcast@gmail.com📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week! Holly & Anna X