Charting the Course: Innovations Shaping the Future of Healthcare

The transition from college to the "real world" comes with a whirlwind of challenges, and one that often goes overlooked is the struggle to find trustworthy doctors and manage one's healthcare independently. For many young adults, this can be a daunting task, filled with uncertainties and questions. 

In a prior blog post entitled "Navigating Healthcare Challenges for Post-College Individuals: Insights and Solutions," I explored the countless difficulties that young adults face as they transition into the "Real World." Regardless of whether one is employed full-time, part-time, on contract, or freelancing, securing healthcare in the United States is challenging. The task of locating a dependable and suitable provider can often be more daunting than obtaining a healthcare plan itself.

However, companies, such as One Medical, are stepping up to make this transition smoother for the post-college generation.

Need a little background from the previous blog post before we go forth? 

Young adults might have relied on the same family doctor they've known for years. I am guilty of going to the same practice for multiple years–even when I went to college out of state. Finding a reputable doctor nearby can be a significant challenge. Additionally, factors like long wait times, rushed appointments, and a lack of personalized care can lead to a disillusioned view of the healthcare system. Especially when your schedule is now confined to a 9-5 with minimal flexibility.

However, read the full blogpost here to catch up. 

This is where companies like One Medical enter the scene, reshaping the way young adults approach their healthcare. One Medical, founded in 2007, has gained popularity for its innovative approach to primary care, making it particularly appealing to the post-college generation.

Convenience: One Medical prioritizes convenience. With their user-friendly app, it allows patients to easily schedule appointments, renew prescriptions, and access their medical records. This aligns perfectly with the tech-savvy nature of young adults–definitely beats a phone call that may result in being on hold for over 10 minutes.

Accessible Locations: One Medical has strategically placed its clinics in urban areas, making them accessible to many young adults who often reside in cities post-college. This eliminates the hassle of traveling long distances for medical care.

Mental Health Support: The post-college age can be emotionally challenging, and One Medical recognizes this. They offer comprehensive mental health support, acknowledging the importance of mental well-being. Not into the whole office visit thing? One Medical also provides Live Video Chat (24/7!). 

Transparent Pricing: Navigating insurance and healthcare costs can puzzle young adults. One Medical offers transparent pricing, helping patients understand the financial aspect of their healthcare. They also accept (most) insurance plans, which can save you the headache of finding a provider in your area.

The Future of Healthcare for Young Adults

One Medical's approach is not just about providing medical services; it's about making healthcare more manageable for the younger generation. This approach is gaining traction and could potentially set a precedent for the future of healthcare. It’s also important to acknowledge that One Medical is not the only player on the field. Many startups and healthcare providers are recognizing the unique needs of young adults and are tailoring their services to be more accessible. 

The transition to independent healthcare management after college can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Companies like One Medical are redefining the healthcare experience for young adults, emphasizing convenience, personalization, and accessibility. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it's crucial for the younger generation to explore these options and take charge of their health with confidence. 

If you’re a provider who would like to grow your practice and are passionate about supporting your patients, schedule a complimentary strategy call. We can help you grow your practice, recapture your time, and bring your focus back to providing the highest level of care for your patients. 

In this ever-evolving field, it's crucial to prioritize the needs of your patients in order to deliver a high standard of care. This approach not only fosters the growth of your practice but also cultivates meaningful connections.

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We are not affiliated or sponsored by One Medical or practices associated with One Medical.

In a world where healthcare can be complex, many people are drawn to simplicity and ease. One Medical is a great example of a healthcare provider that's changing the game. They focus on making things easy for patients and skip the usual insurance hassles. If more healthcare providers follow their lead, we might see a shift towards simpler, patient-friendly healthcare. This approach challenges the old way of doing things and could make healthcare better for all of us.

Unlocking Business Success: The Power of Combining Business Coaching and Consulting Strategies

Don’t hire a business coach or consultant until you’ve done some soul-searching (and research!) about what you need. You may figure it out along the way, but you’re better off having an idea of what you want to achieve before you look to hire someone.

If you’re unsure about what you want, you’ll get mixed results, no matter who you work with - coach or consultant - how good they are, or their past clients’ results.

Descriptions of coaching and consulting, according to the International Coaching Federation (ICF) are below:

ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coaching is a client-driven process… With coaching, the assumption is that individuals or teams are capable of generating their own solutions, with the coach supplying supportive, discovery-based approaches and frameworks.

Consulting: Individuals or organizations retain consultants for their expertise. While consulting approaches vary widely, the assumption is the consultant will diagnose problems and prescribe and, sometimes implement solutions. 

There are some key differences between coaching and consulting:

1. Focus. Business Coaching focuses on the personal and professional development of the individual or team. Through a process of exploration, the client generates their own solutions with the support of the coach. 

   Consulting is focused on solving specific business problems or challenges, and providing expert advice. The consultant often provides the solutions and method of implementation, and may support the implementation process, or implement the solutions themselves. 

2. Approach. Business Coaching is collaborative and involves working with the coachee to improve their leadership, communication and decision-making skills, and developing individual abilities. 

   Consulting tends to be more directive and involves providing analysis, solutions and recommendations to the client.

3. Timeframe. Business Coaching is an ongoing process with regular meetings over an extended period of time. 

   Consulting is typically a project-based engagement with a specific timeline and deliverables.

4. Outcomes. Business Coaching outcomes are generally focused on personal and professional growth, leadership skills, and larger strategic objectives. 

Consulting aims to achieve specific business objectives, or to solve particular problems or challenges.  

While there are fundamental differences, there are benefits to working with a professional who can combine these two valuable services into one packaged offering. 

In our experience, the two can be kept very separate; however, our clients get the best results from a combination of coaching and consulting. 

Project-Based Consulting

We worked with a physician who was preparing to open a multi-modality practice where she would be the consulting physician. She engaged us for project-based consulting to open her integrative wellness center. 

She had already handled the legal and accounting details, secured a lease, and was beginning the build-out of the space. We worked with her for six months to establish the business model, set the operational flow, and get clear about the pricing structure for elective and ancillary services. We also engaged a medical marketing expert to build a patient base.

This was a fast-paced, challenging and exciting project. As the expert in the role of consultant, I took the lead on research initiatives, making introductions in the community, and was integral to the hiring process. It was incredibly gratifying to support this client from concept to grand opening and beyond. 

One of the limitations of a consulting-only relationship is the lack of time and a framework for coaching through challenges or if the client gets stuck when they need to make quick, clear-headed strategic decisions. 

The consultant has very specific guardrails, and due to time and other constraints, must stay in their lane. This presents major challenges if the client is lacking clarity or has a tendency toward analysis paralysis. 

Business and Executive Coaching

Early in my coaching career, I shied away from giving direct advice or solutions to my clients, even when they would get stuck on a business problem. This presented a dilemma because being a practice owner requires clarity, agility, and quick decision-making. Since I have extensive consulting experience, I started to incorporate opportunities for my clients to ask for solutions to their pressing business issues. 

The results were remarkable. My clients implemented the solutions I provided while continuing to work on their personal and professional growth. They reached and exceeded their business and professional goals, often way ahead of schedule, and we attribute this to their dedication to their own growth, and to getting support with specific business challenges. 

Coaching + Consulting

Most of our clients now work with us for combined coaching and consulting. One of our clients owns a regenerative medicine practice, and engaged us to work with them and their team to refine operations and patient service. We started with a full-day VIP strategy session to determine their strengths, main business objectives, and to define the scope of work.

We approached consulting in a collaborative manner to ensure the solutions we provided were tailored to fit their specific needs. Deliverables included business operations manuals, scripts for reception, and administrative training manuals. 

I coached the owner on communication skills, streamlining aspects of his role to conserve time and energy, and on raising awareness to the signs of burnout so he could head it off at the pass. I coached the head nurse, who is also the practice manager, on developing her leadership and communication skills, and delegating tasks that didn’t belong on her plate. 

Over the course of 18 months, what had been a disorganized practice with inconsistent revenues became a calm, spa-like environment with happy staff and patients-turned-repeat-customers, who became their main source of referrals.

The combination of coaching and consulting will support you in strengthening your leadership skills, and can accelerate the pace to reach or surpass your goals. 

If you’re uncertain about how to reach your goals, we recommend you speak with several experts to determine fit, and gain the clarity you need to become an agile and exquisitely fulfilled practice leader.

I would be honored to be one of the experts you speak with to see if working with a coach and consultant is right for you. 

We provide a proven, impeccably designed method to help you scale your practice while preserving your most precious assets: your time and energy. 

Click here to schedule your complimentary 45 minute Practice Assessment Strategy Session. 

High Turnover? Maybe It’s a You Problem

I said it. Maybe turnover is a you problem. 

Stay with me here. 

If you follow the news, economic forecasts or anything remotely connected to the outside world, you’re hearing a lot about recession and labor shortages. So, logically, that could explain why your practice is experiencing high turnover. And that’s that, right? 

Except, it’s not. I wish it were simple, but if it were, then you’d be destined not to have a capable, well-trained team working with you. It’s not that you’re a bad boss or yours is a toxic work environment (if it is, that’s a whole other conversation). 

You need a different strategy.

Let’s look at some facts. Turnover is expensive in terms of money, time and energy. Hiring and training new staff is time-consuming. It can also be a huge energy drain to you and your team on top of keeping your practice running. Labor statistics show the cost of turnover is at least equivalent to that position’s salary, if not several times multiplied. That’s compounded by lost productivity, decreased speed, training and the time that position remains vacant. 

Most data on healthcare turnover is from studies on hospital centers, so these numbers may be a little different for your practice, but let’s take a look at an example:

According to the 2022 NSI National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report, the RN turnover rate in 2021 was 27.1%, and the average cost of turnover for a bedside RN is more than $46,000, which costs the average hospital between $5.2 million and $9 million per year. Each percentage point increase or decrease in turnover represents a loss or savings of $262,300 per year. 

Let’s say your practice runs best with seven full time RNs and your turnover is 27%. Two RNs leave this year. The cost is over $92,000 to hire two more nurses. If your turnover stays at the same rate year over year, you’ll be carrying heavy costs to keep up with your staffing needs. You can do the same math for any position at your practice and see the impact on the bottom line. This doesn’t take into account the time spent writing, placing and managing posts on employment sites, interviewing candidates and all of your due diligence before bringing on a new team member. And then there’s the aforementioned training period and human power required to work with your new employee before they’re up and running.

You need a different strategy. 

One of my clients has a complementary medicine practice in a small, rural town. In general, their location and the low population density are challenging enough, not to mention a glaring shortage of registered nurses. So, when they needed to hire an RN to run the clinical side of the practice, we had several angst-ridden conversations about whether finding a qualified, experienced candidate was a pipe dream, or if it could indeed become a reality.

Rather than get stuck on the “fact” that it’s hard to find qualified RNs willing to work in a small private practice, we decided to make them stand out as an employer. I also reminded my clients that they needed only one impressive candidate to fill this role. To facilitate this, we dedicated a coaching session to outlining their strengths and what sets them apart as a private practice. 

In the job post, we highlighted the practice’s hours are basically banker’s hours, Monday thru Friday, so candidates knew they would have a consistent schedule, which was a huge draw. They also offered competitive pay with additional benefits like healthcare, education stipend, and support with their own health and wellness at low or no cost to them. 

Because this client’s practice is dedicated to seeking and treating the root cause of disease and chronic illness, we focused on their mission and commitment to their values. We also addressed staffing shortages (a major reason RNs cite leaving their jobs) by showing my client’s commitment to making their practice an intimate, spa-like experience for their patients. Their schedule would never be overbooked. For the exhausted, burned-out nurse, this created an opportunity to work in an environment where patients choose to be there, are dedicated to improving their health, and where the employer is committed to keeping stress levels low and job satisfaction high. 

Our intention was to make it clear that working with my client could present an opportunity to boost their clinical knowledge and to work in a calm, beautiful setting with a doctor who is committed to helping their patients heal and take charge of their wellbeing. 

This strategy helped my clients find the ideal candidate who was growing weary of seeing patients in her previous role getting sicker, and she was thrilled to find a position where her schedule was predictable. She was qualified to step into a leadership role as the clinic manager, so this worked out to be a win-win scenario. Do you want to know how many candidates they interviewed? Three. They were all good candidates, but the one they hired stood out above the others.   

There’s no question that these are challenging times. Staffing shortages are real. Burnout is real. But you don’t have to get the short end of the stick because of this.
You can take a different strategy: 

• Get clear about your strengths and what sets you apart from other practices. 

• Get clear about your mission and vision, and communicate them with your team and prospective employees. 

Lean in to your strengths and vision, and a whole lot can change for the better.

We help our clients navigate the challenges of being a provider-owner by taking back their time and finding the right strategy to grow their practice without burning out. If you’d like to talk strategy with us, schedule a complimentary Practice Assessment Strategy call. We’d love to see what’s possible for you and your team.

Boldly Going...Where you want to go

“Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.” – William Shakespeare

I like to live my life the way I like my coffee: bold, strong, multi-faceted and somewhat sweet, with a touch of indulgent, creamy goodness. The above quote really caught me because as I look back over the last few years, I see that through some difficult times and struggles, I have found my rhythm, I am living my life with intention, and I have become bolder. I still have goals I want to reach, and aspirations that need attention. I am a work in progress and have experienced a few blips on the radar screen, but as I observe where I am, I see that I have reached down inside of myself and accessed my strength, even, or maybe especially, in my more fragile moments.

If you really know what you want from life, and you are secure in who you are, you will live your life according to your own principles, and you will get your needs met. Make no mistake, diplomacy is key in most situations, and in no way do I mean to say that you should conduct “in-your-face” confrontations to get what you want from life. The boldness I speak of is derived from internal strength, virtue and goodness that cannot be easily shaken, and possesses a beautiful, warm subtlety.

A friend recently observed that some people’s confidence comes from within and some externalize their confidence to cover up what they are lacking in strength. I understand that one must derive boldness from an internal source in order to go anywhere, let alone to the unknown. In-your-face feels abrasive and uncomfortable, and does not represent true strength or courage; in fact, that kind of behavior usually masks insecurities and fear.

I am very fond of quiet strength. I believe that in knowing who we are, solidly grounded in our own foundation, we can be bold. In my youth, I had what I call “fake strength” that presented as cockiness, and a little bit as steam roller. It was a feeble attempt to protect myself from getting hurt, to build a tough exterior and prevent anyone from getting close to me. However, with life experience and maturity, I have learned to be quietly bold, and to let down that barrier and just be myself. To me, boldness sometimes means planting a seed, sometimes I “just do it” in spite of my fears; yet other times, it means standing tall in the face of something that seems threatening or scary.

Have you discovered your bold self? Are you ready to make some progress and move forward? If so, then keep reading. If you want to boldly take yourself where you have never been before, to where you really want to be, try this on for size.

“If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” - Dr. Shaun Marler

1. Listen to Your Inner Voice. It is not always easy to know which way to move or where to place your foot in order to take the next step. It may take some time to figure that out. Take a few minutes to listen to your inner voice, and really listen to what it is telling you.

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” – Dr. Benjamin Spock

Pay attention to your feelings, what your inner voice, or “gut” is telling you. When you listen to your internal voice, the part of you that really knows what you need, you can then allow yourself to expand beyond the farthest reaches of what your life has been so far.

2. Be Open to the Unknown. If you give yourself permission to expand, you will inevitably open yourself to all the possibilities, including the wide-open unknown. Meditate, write in a journal, take a class, or find another way to provide yourself the creative freedom to broaden your horizons. As you open yourself up, you will learn to listen to yourself more closely. When you have begun to really listen and trust yourself, you will step forward without fear, because beneath fear and uncertainty lies the inner knowledge that always tells you which step you need to take next. So, open yourself up, dig a little deeper, brace yourself in your core, and move forward.

3. Take a Step. When you know what you want, and you hear the inner voice say it is time to make a change, you will put one foot forward, take just one step, and you will know you are safe to continue. You will only get to where you want to be, however, if you make it happen. You must be the one to put one foot in front of the other and walk.

I once shared part of a recent struggle on Facebook, and when asked if everything was OK, I said, “Oh yes, all is well. Just processing, growing, opening the next chapter and pushing, pulling, crawling, leaping, shoving myself to the next level.”

We all struggle and have moments when we are lacking in confidence, for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reasons, know you are not alone, and keep on going. Move yourself forward, learn from your mistakes, and trudge ahead. Take the first step toward your bold self, learn to be quietly bold, and get yourself where you need to be.

Believe in yourself, trust your instincts, and keep your intention clear. When you are confident in who you are, your boldness will be natural, and you will take the first step effortlessly. May you be virtuous and good, bold and fearless in your life journey.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

G.O.I. Are you willing to get over it?

Do you ever wonder why things happen? Do you feel like you need to dig deep, figure 'it' all out, and explain why you feel the way you do? Are you sure of how you feel? Are you allowing yourself to feel your emotions, or are you so intent on finding the explanation or solution that the feelings are lost?

Perhaps it's time to just "G.O.I.", eh?

Obviously, I know it's not that simple, and would never intentionally minimize anyone's experience. However, I read a blog by Nathan Otto this morning that got my wheels turning. He suggested trying something radical: ignore yourself.

Many are so focused on transformation that it may not have registered that the transformation could already be complete.

Are you willing to G.O.I., forget yourself, and feel your way into the next stage of your life?

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." ~ Helen Keller

Getting over it, forgetting the self...perhaps is not easy, but is more accurately described as an exercise in willingness.

I offer 3 simple steps to help you "ignore yourself", and you may find it curious that they all involve turning inward first. They are:

1. Acknowledge yourself as transformed. NOW.
2. Believe that you are valuable. NOW.
3. Offer yourself compassion. NOW.

Just like learning a new skill, playing an instrument or training for an athletic event, this 'G.O.I. thing' takes practice, and practice makes progress. Remember this and you will find yourself feeling so much more fulfilled.

I invite you to ask yourself if you are willing to reach into your heart, allow yourself to feel your feelings AND acknowledge yourself for who you are - perfectly imperfect, valuable, deserving of loving kindness. Oh yes, and you are amazing, just as you are. I value you, and I honor you where you are - NOW.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

Courage Without Strength: will you carry on?

Lately I have been hearing about a lot about courage and strength. A friend who is going through a difficult time recently said to me, “I just have to be strong and carry on,” which got me thinking: do we really have to be strong to keep going? I would argue that it does not always require strength to keep going. I am reminded of a woman I worked with a number of years ago who was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. At one point, she was very ill from the chemo drugs, and in a moment of frustration and extreme fatigue, she told her husband she felt like she wouldn’t be able to carry on, to which he replied, ‘You have to; we need you.’ She said she experienced a renewed sense of courage to face this disease head-on and to carry on, even in the absence of strength. She was physically and emotionally depleted, and yet she gathered up her might and continued forward. The last I heard, more than 10 years post-treatment, she has been cancer-free and living a very happy, healthy life.

• Have you ever asked for help when you felt you didn’t have the strength to carry on?
• Have you not asked for help when you didn’t have the strength to carry on?
• What kind of outcome did you experience?
• Did you learn?
• Did you grow? 

“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don’t have strength.”         - Napoleon Bonaparte

Even in the worst of times, we can gather our courage and carry on without strength. I would even argue that one of the most courageous acts we could undertake would be to ask for help when we feel we do not have the strength to face or manage something on our own. We are encouraged to be independent, even fiercely so, and yet, by nature we are interdependent. We need one another at times, and there is much opportunity for growth and learning when we ask for help.

I invite you to consider asking for a helping hand here and there to get comfortable with the idea of receiving. One day, you might truly need someone’s assistance, and you will be primed to accept and receive without resistance. If you are not so sure about this, consider times when you’ve helped a friend or loved one in need. Chances are, you did it willingly and without judgment. Remember the compassion you felt for that person, and offer it to your own self. Be open. Be willing. Ask. Receive.

Give it a try, and remember this question: How can it get any better?

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

Do YOU Experience Growing Pains? How Do You Know?

How do you know when you are experiencing growing pains? Young children often experience pain in their legs, the cause of which is difficult to pinpoint. Because growing pains is not actually a medical condition, doctors call it a “diagnosis of exclusion”. Excluding other potential maladies or injuries is the first order of business, and by exclusion, many parents find that their child is experiencing the general muscular discomfort referred to as “growing pains”. Consensus in the medical community is that bone growth does not cause pain. However, many children experience more growing pains during the rapid growth stages, into early adolescence. It is understood is that many children experience these pains after a very physically active day, and often for several days and nights in a row. Most doctors agree that the treatment for growing pains is a warm compress, massage and cuddling - a little TLC, if you will (insert winky smile at clever reference to my initials.)

If we piggy-back on a child’s experience of growing pains and the doctor’s diagnosis of exclusion, we may apply this to our own experience as adults. Have you ever gone through a difficult time, and yet all other variables seem to be in place? I certainly have. There have been times when I’ve felt stressed, afraid and overwhelmed, and yet so much good stuff was happening in my life. By process of elimination (or exclusion), I often find that during these times, I am experiencing growing pains - a general discomfort associated with a sustained high level of activity.

Think about it. We grow and stretch, and stretch a little more, and leap and stretch, and duck and dodge bullets, and deftly maneuver around roadblocks every day. When you experience an unexplained sense of discomfort, or possibly pain, which could manifest in the forms of sadness, anger, frustration or apathy (however fleetingly temporary), it is helpful to run through your personal checklist of needs, unmet needs and possible adverse health conditions if you have any. If you turn up empty handed, give a nod to the idea of growing pains. Perhaps you have been so active that your whole being needs to rest and recuperate.

The doctor’s diagnosis of growing pains, and the parent’s remedy is simple: rest, warm compress, massage and cuddling - a little TLC. We often barge ahead in life, rapidly barreling forward, without taking a moment to address some of our basic needs. We all need TLC, love, a massage and the equivalent of a warm compress. Reach out to those who are close to you. Ask for some extra support in the form of kind words, a listening ear, a hug or thoughts/prayer. At the same time, be kind and compassionate with yourself. Make sure you have attended to your needs. Pushing through the pain is sometimes recommended, and sometimes rest and recuperation are just what the doctor ordered. Know yourself well enough to distinguish what you really need.

If you want to learn more about establishing the mindset for growing thru your growing pains and achieving blissful success, schedule your COMPLIMENTARY 30 minute consult.

I am here by your side on your journey, cheering you on, applying the warm compress, and offering a lot of TLC. Know that you are fully supported in your dreams, and you WILL manifest them!

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

Zen and the Art of Awesomeness

Zen and the art of what?! Here's the deal. Being awesome is something that can be achieved by simply being in the moment, and by being yourself. Y'know, "Zen". Sometimes my clients tell me, "I should really meditate more, but I'm not good at meditation. I guess I'm just not Zen." Huh? How does one become 'good' at meditation and ‘being Zen’? I do not fancy myself a meditation expert by any stretch, but I'll share my personal belief about meditation, awesomeness and becoming more Zen. Step into the moment. Stepping into the present moment takes practice, just like learning another skill, sport or musical instrument.

Zen and the "art of awesomeness" is simply being in the moment. We can be in the moment by checking in with ourselves, breathing deeply and often, and by slowing down to notice what is going on around us and inside of us.

Let’s back up for just a moment, though. What’s up with this self-judgment? I hear “I should” and “I’m not good at” and “I guess I’m just not” a lot. Bim, bam, boom. Stop there. Pause, interrupt the pattern, breathe and then move forward.

"Zen spirituality does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes." ~ Alan Watts

You see, when we slow down and step into the moment, we achieve a Zen-like state. When we pause to check-in with ourselves, we create the foundation for meditation, Zen-like states and mindful presence.

Here are some quick tips to get started with a practice of being present so you can readily and easily step into your awesomeness every day (some call this “flow state” or “in the zone”).

1. Breathe deeply and often. You do not need to be stressed or seeking relaxation to breathe deeply. Just be aware of your breath, and pay attention to some of your breaths throughout the day. You will find at times you need to breathe deeply, and other times you will not. By taking deep breaths, you are being proactive about your health: manage your stress, blood pressure and heart rate, and oxygenate your cells. You will help the flow of energy and improve your posture. How’s that for feeling virtuous? Now you’re stepping into awesomeness.
2. Slow down to speed up. I’ve been saying this to clients, class and seminar participants. I tell it to my kids. And......sometimes (okay, quite often) I need to remind myself. Sometimes we need to slow down in order to speed up. Every step of the journey is important, no matter the final destination. If you want to succeed in any area of your life, you will develop this habit. Take the time to write your goals by hand every day, write 3 actionable items on your list (and finish them) every day, and reflect on your accomplishments at the end of the day. Slow down in order to speed up; these 3 small habits take all of 2 minutes and yet launch you forward at warp speed, if you will allow it.
3. Peel the potato. Do nothing more than what you are currently doing. Dedicate your focus, attention, energy and intention to one thing at a time. Multi-tasking as a means of efficiently completing tasks is a farce, and diverts and dilutes your attention, changing the outcome - much like water to paint. Shift gears between tasks. Close the book (even if temporarily) on one actionable item before moving to the next. Give your brain time to adjust and switch gears. Studies show that it can take up to 15 minutes for the brain to fully close-out and switch to the new action when one attempts to manage multiple tasks at once. Focus, grasshopper. You will accomplish more and you will feel more grounded.

As you travel along your path, know that you are fully supported, and I honor your experience as your own. If you would like to learn more about building the foundation for superb awesomeness, I am here. I offer unwavering support, and would be honored to be by your side.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

Boldly Going...Where you want to go

“Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.” – William Shakespeare I like to live my life the way I like my coffee: bold, strong, multi-faceted and somewhat sweet, with a touch of indulgent, creamy goodness. The above quote really caught me because as I look back over the last few years, I see that through some difficult times and struggles, I have found my rhythm, I am living my life with intention, and I have become bolder. I still have goals I want to reach, and aspirations that need attention. I am a work in progress and have experienced a few blips on the radar screen, but as I observe where I am, I see that I have reached down inside of myself and accessed my strength, even - or maybe especially - in my more fragile moments.

If you really know what you want from life, and you are secure in who you are, you will live your life according to your own principles, and you will get your needs met. Make no mistake, diplomacy is key in most situations, and in no way do I mean to say that you should conduct “in-your-face” confrontations to get what you want from life. The boldness I speak of is derived from internal strength, virtue and goodness that cannot be easily shaken, and possesses a beautiful, warm subtlety.

A friend recently observed that some people’s confidence comes from within and some externalize their confidence to cover up what they are lacking in strength. I understand that one must derive boldness from an internal source in order to go anywhere, let alone to the unknown. In-your-face is abrasive and uncomfortable, and does not represent true strength or courage; in fact, that kind of behavior usually masks insecurities and fear.

I am very fond of quiet strength. I believe that in knowing who we are, solidly grounded in our own foundation, we can be bold. In my youth, I had what I call “fake strength” that presented as cockiness, and a little bit as steam roller. It was a feeble attempt to protect myself from getting hurt, to build a tough exterior and prevent anyone from getting close to me. However, with life experience and maturity, I have learned to be quietly bold, and to let down that barrier and just be myself. To me, boldness sometimes means planting a seed, sometimes I “just do it” in spite of my fears; yet other times, it means standing tall in the face of something that seems threatening or scary.

Have you discovered your bold self? Are you ready to make some progress and move forward? If so, then keep reading. If you want to boldly take yourself where you have never been before, to where you really want to be, try this on for size.

“If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”      - Dr. Shaun Marler

1. Listen to Your Inner Voice. It is not always easy to know which way to move or where to place your foot in order to take the next step. It may take some time to figure that out. Take a few minutes to listen to your inner voice, and really listen to what it is telling you.

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” – Dr. Benjamin Spock

Pay attention to your feelings, what your inner voice, or “gut” is telling you. When you listen to your internal voice, the part of you that really knows what you need, you can then allow yourself to expand beyond the farthest reaches of what your life has been so far.

2. Be Open to the Unknown. If you give yourself permission to expand, you will inevitably open yourself to all the possibilities, including the wide-open unknown. Meditate, write in a journal, take a class, or find another way to provide yourself the creative freedom to broaden your horizons. As you open yourself up, you will learn to listen to yourself more closely. When you have begun to really listen and trust yourself, you will step forward without fear, because beneath fear and uncertainty lies the inner knowledge that always tells you which step you need to take next. So, open yourself up, dig a little deeper, brace yourself in your core, and move forward.

3. Take a Step. When you know what you want, and you hear the inner voice say it is time to make a change, you will put one foot forward, take just one step, and you will know you are safe to continue. You will only get to where you want to be, however, if you make it happen. You must be the one to put one foot in front of the other and walk.

We all struggle and have moments when we are lacking in confidence, for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reasons, know you are not alone, and keep on going. Move yourself forward, learn from your mistakes, and trudge ahead. Take the first step toward your bold self, learn to be quietly bold, and get yourself where you need to be.

Believe in yourself, trust your instincts, and keep your intention clear. When you are confident in who you are, your boldness will be natural, and you will take the first step effortlessly. May you be virtuous and good, bold and fearless in your life journey.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.