Ever wondered how to stay motivated and track your progress on your alcohol-free journey? In this episode of Tribe Sober's Sober Short series, Janet Gourand introduces the Tribe Sober Toolkit—a treasure trove of resources designed to support your sobriety. Janet walks you through the essentials, from workshops and a sobriety battle plan PDF to a sobriety journal that helps you document your milestones. Janet stresses the importance of facing your emotions head-on rather than using alcohol as a quick fix.

She talks about challenging the myths we often believe about drinking and highlights the power of community support. Whether you're just starting out or have been sober for a while, tracking your progress can be a game-changer. A simple calendar can help you see how far you've come and give you reasons to celebrate. Setting goals and finding new projects can also make your journey more fulfilling.

Janet encourages listeners to use writing or other creative outlets to process their emotions. With the Tribe Sober community by your side, you'll find the support you need to thrive in your alcohol-free life. If you're serious about getting sober, this episode is packed with practical advice and tools to help you succeed. Tune in and start charting your path to a healthier, happier you.

Learn how to use the Tribe Sober Toolkit to track your progress and thrive in your alcohol-free journey. Tune in for practical tips and community support.

Charting Your Path: Using the Tribe Sober Toolkit for a Successful Alcohol-Free Journey

SOBER SHORT 11 – Track Your Progress
I’m kicking off our Sober Short series by taking you through our Tribe Sober Toolkit – this toolkit is just one of the things that we share with you during our regular Zoom workshops – just go to tribesober.com, hit Our Services and you’ll find all the info about our workshops. You can do a group workshop or a private workshop to suit your schedule and time zone.
These workshops have been a gamechanger for many people so if you want to kickstart your sober life then sign up today.  Just go to tribesober.com/services and click on workshops
During the first 10 Sober Shorts, we looked at the first 10 Tools in our toolbox. Before we move on to tool number 11 let’s do a quick recap…
In this Episode 
Tool number 1 was “Get Connected”
<ul><li>Connection is the Opposite of Addiction” and if you’re serious about getting sober then you need to connect with others on the same path.</li>
<li>If you’re not yet a member of our tribe please check us out on tribesober.com – just hit “join our tribe” to read about the benefits of membership. </li>
</ul>
Tool number 2 was “Get Moving”
<ul><li>We all know is that exercise is “good for us” and many people exercise daily but they also drink daily – sometimes excessively. Ditch the drink and keep exercising and you will be amazed at how much fitter you will get!</li>
</ul>
Tool number 3 was “Building Emotional Strength”
<ul><li>All about “learning to sit with our feelings” – instead of trying to chase them away with alcohol – alcohol is the “easy button” and enables us to bypass difficult emotions.</li>
<li>We have to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable as Tribe Sober coach Lynette says, or as Glennon Doyle says, “First the Pain, then the Rising.”</li>
</ul>
Tool number 4 was all about Mindset
<ul><li>It was about changing your thinking – about drinking.</li>
<li>We talked about overturning those false beliefs that we have picked up over the years — for example, we believe that we deserve a drink at the end of the day!</li>
<li>We talked about overturning those beliefs – one by one.</li>
<li>“Do the work” and you will never see alcohol in the same way and…</li>
<li>You will never suffer from FOMO which is the key to sticking to your sobriety.</li>
</ul>
Tool number 5 – was about Visualisation
<ul><li>We talked about some powerful ways to use visualisation.</li>
<li>One of them was to “Play the movie forward” – if you get the urge to drink, then just think it through – what will happen after that first glass. Do you really want to wake up at 3 am full of anxiety and regret?</li>
<li>Do you really want to keep going back to Day 1 – and do the hardest bit - again and again?</li>
</ul>
Tool number 6 – Information is Power
<ul><li>It’s hard to believe it these days but not that long ago we had NO IDEA that smoking was bad for us.</li>
<li>Even if you do decide to carry on drinking then make sure that it’s an informed choice. The information is out there and just a quick google search will connect you with scientific research proving that alcohol is linked to 7 different types of cancer and more than 60 diseases.</li>
<li>That’s a good place to start and there are many QuitLit books out there and of course podcasts – almost 100 episodes of the Tribe Sober podcast are available now, all packed with advice inspiration and information.</li>
<li>If you’d like a QuitLit Reading list just email <a href='mailto:janet@ts.com'>janet@ts.com</a> – you can also go to tribesober.com and hit the <a href='https://www.tribesober.com/podcasts/'>Inspiration tab</a> where you’ll find a wealth of information that will inspire you to get started – and motivate you to keep going.</li>
</ul>
Tool number 7 was “Be Accountable”
<ul><li>When we embark on this journey, we need a community of people who actually care – people who have been where we are now and can advise and encourage us - people who are thriving in their alcohol-free lives and can inspire us that it really is worth doing this thing.</li>
<li>WE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE – we need to know that we can share our ups and downs with other people who really get us.</li>
<li>So, if you are looking for a sober community to inspire you and keep you on track just go to tribesober.com and hit join our tribe.</li>
<li>If you’d like to sample the kind of support we offer then email <a href='mailto:janet@tribesober.com'>janet@tribesober.com</a> and request our Sobriety Battleplan pdf which is packed with great advice, charts and trackers.</li>
</ul>
Tool Number 8 - which is “Journaling”
<ul><li>At our workshops, we advise people to buy a beautiful notebook that will become their sobriety journal throughout this life-changing journey.</li>
<li>Sobriety is a journey of self-discovery and recording your thoughts, emotions, struggles, and accomplishments is so beneficial.</li>
<li>Early sobriety is a very emotional time and for most of us it really helps to process emotions if we can write them down.</li>
<li>We can note our triggers as well as strategies for coping with them</li>
<li>Journaling will give us perspective – reading back on the early weeks of sobriety will remind us just how hard it was – and make us realise it’s getting better and easier every day.</li>
<li>To learn more about the magic of journaling listen to Tribe Sober podcast episode 98 to hear my interview with writer in recovery Melinda Ferguson – released on 26th March 2022</li>
</ul>
Tool No 9 – “Get a Project”
<ul><li>It’s very common for people to feel a bit flat once they have achieved their first few months of sobriety.</li>
<li>Many people in Tribe Sober (including me) experienced that “flatness’/depression/void” or whatever you want to call it – when they asked me what they should do about it I just told them to sit it out as it would eventually pass</li>
<li>However that advice changed after my podcast interview with Dr Loretta Breuning (author of the Happy Brain) – so do have a listen, its episode 55 and was released on 14 August 2021.</li>
<li>Loretta explained that my brain was quite happy during the first few months as it had registered that it was working on a project (ie sobriety) and I was making progress – however after a few months my subconscious was thinking – ok so now we are sober, now what?</li>
<li>Well here’s the thing – as human beings we need projects – think of the cavemen, they would wake up hungry and have to go and find some food, eating the food would give them a dopamine hit but then they would get hungry again and have to go hunting..</li>
<li>So as you settle into your first few months of sobriety GET A PROJECT to keep you on track and to keep those happy brain chemicals triggered.</li>
</ul>
Tool No 10 – “Be Prepared”
<ul><li>As with most things in life preparation is crucial…</li>
<li>Play the movie forward – what ARE you going to drink – if it’s a restaurant then check out their drinks menu online and decide what you will order</li>
<li>If you are going to a dinner party the text your host in advance and take some AF bubbly with you</li>
<li>Decide what you are going to say when/if people start to interrogate you – you can keep it simple “I’m on meds”, “I’m driving” or my favourite “I’m on a health kick – no booze, no sugar, no carbs for 66 days!” </li>
<li>If drinking at home was your problem then give away your booze – or move it to somewhere you can’t see it (the garage is a good place) and make sure your fridge is stocked with delicious AF choices – if you are in SA just go to drinknil.co.za and they will deliver to your door</li>
</ul>
Tool No 11 –Track Your Progress

When a new member joins our tribe we send them a “starter kit” which includes an Annual Tracker.  This annual tracker is simply a calendar divided into 360 squares.  We suggest that people colour in a square as alcohol free in the morning to set their intention for the day.  If they slip up then they should mark it on the calendar.  This system has several advantages:-
<ul><li>It helps to give perspective, to keep an eye on the big picture – sure there may be slip ups on the way but what matters is a feeling of progress – are those “Sober Stretches” getting longer?</li>
<li>A bit like dieting there is a tendency to feel hopeless after a slip up, a feeling of “oh I will never be able to do this so I might as well give up altogether” –the tracker shows you that one slip up does not ruin everything and you are more likely to hop back on the bus</li>
<li>Accountability – on screenshot Saturday we ask members to share their trackers and on our chat group and everyone piles in to congratulate – or to encourage…</li>
<li>If you would like one of our Annual Trackers then just email <a href='mailto:janet@tribesober.com'>janet@tribesober.com</a> and Ill send you one right away!</li>
<li>It’s so important to celebrate Milestones on this journey – Milestones not only give you something to aim for but when you reach them you will get a dopamine hit as you feel a sense of purpose and share your triumph with others – that dopamine hit will give you the energy and enthusiasm to continue with your journey</li>
<li>The Forever word is just too daunting when starting out on this journey so we suggest 30, 60, 100 days as Milestones… followed by 6 months and then moving on to Annual</li>
<li>The great thing about Tribe Sober is that many people stick around after getting sober – they want to help and inspire others – we even have a chatroom for people with more than 6 months of sobriety – we call it “big school” and people are keen to graduate ;-)</li>
<li>It’s also important to track your Sober Firsts – there will be many during your first year of sobriety. The first Sober Wedding, Sober Holiday, Sober Birthday etc – see them as Challenges and keep your expectations low – don’t even expect to enjoy them – your work is to get through them.  You can be sure that next time it will be easier and eventually you will enjoy it just as much (if not more) than usual.</li>
<li>Make sure you plan a reward for yourself when you get through a Sober First!</li>
</ul>
So that was Tool number 11 – Track Your Progress – I’ll be back with our main podcast on Saturday and another Sober Short next Wednesday
Thanks for listening – please follow and share the podcast!
More Info 
Subscription membership – you can join up <a href='https://www.tribesober.com/join-our-tribe/'>HERE</a>.
<ul><li>To access our website, click <a href='https://www.tribesober.com/'>HERE</a>.</li>
<li>If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book <a href='https://www.tribesober.com/product/ebook-66-days-to-sobriety/'>66 Days to Sobriety</a>, please email <a href='mailto:janet@tribesober.com'>janet@tribesober.com</a>.</li>
<li>If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email <a href='mailto:janet@tribesober.com'>janet@tribesober.com</a>.</li>
</ul>
 
Episode Sponsor 
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then <a href='https://www.tribesober.com/join-our-tribe/'>sign up today</a>
Read more about our program and subscribe <a href='https://www.tribesober.com/join-our-tribe/'>HERE</a>
<a href='https://www.tribesober.com/book-a-discovery-call/'>Book a Discovery Call with me</a> to find out if our membership would help you
Help us to Spread the Word! 
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, You Tube, Tiktok, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/537492783099999'>HERE</a>.
Thank you for listening!
Till Next Week
Janet x
 
PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device)
<ol><li>Open the Podcasts app. EASY.</li>
<li>Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field.</li>
<li>Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes).</li>
<li>Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews.</li>
<li>Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).</li>
</ol>

Sober Short - Track Your Progress!

Recovery

Sobriety

Addiction

Self-Help

Mental Health

Healthy Living

Society and Culture

Relationships

Mindful Drinking

Alcohol

Alcohol, Addiction & Recovery

Sexual Health & Wellbeing

Creativity & Innovation

Health & Wellness

Substance Abuse & Drug Recovery

Family & Relationships

Financial Empowerment

How do I stop drinking?  How do I cut down?  Am I drinking too much?  I’m sober but why aren’t I happy?  Why do people stop drinking? If you ask yourself these kind of questions then this podcast is for you.  This show is for people who want to learn how to stop drinking and learn to thrive in their alcohol free lives.  If you have given up drinking, would like to give up drinking or are just plain sober curious this weekly podcast is for you.  We have recovery stories to inspire you, experts to inform you and QuitLit authors to entertain you. After struggling with alcohol dependency for years Janet Gourand finally ditched the booze in 2015.  She founded tribesober.com in 2015 and has helped hundreds of people to ditch the booze and thrive in their sobriety since then.  Tribe Sober offer a membership, workshops, challenges and recovery coaching.  For more info go to tribesober.com or email janet@tribesober.com

Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!

Ever wondered how to stay motivated and track your progress on your alcohol-free journey? In this episode of Tribe Sober's Sober Short series, Janet Gourand introduces the Tribe Sober Toolkit—a treasure trove of resources designed to support your sobriety. Janet walks you through the essentials, from workshops and a sobriety battle plan PDF to a sobriety journal that helps you document your milestones. Janet stresses the importance of facing your emotions head-on rather than using alcohol as a quick fix.She talks about challenging the myths we often believe about drinking and highlights the power of community support. Whether you're just starting out or have been sober for a while, tracking your progress can be a game-changer. A simple calendar can help you see how far you've come and give you reasons to celebrate. Setting goals and finding new projects can also make your journey more fulfilling.Janet encourages listeners to use writing or other creative outlets to process their emotions. With the Tribe Sober community by your side, you'll find the support you need to thrive in your alcohol-free life. If you're serious about getting sober, this episode is packed with practical advice and tools to help you succeed. Tune in and start charting your path to a healthier, happier you.

Janet

Janet

Sober Short - Track Your Progress!

Sober Short - Track Your Progress!

Sober Short - Track Your Progress!

Wednesday 6th April 2022

About this podcast

Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!

Charting Your Path: Using the Tribe Sober Toolkit for a Successful Alcohol-Free Journey