4 Reasons Entrepreneurs and Their Team Should Work With a Coach

In the corporate leadership world, it has become quite fashionable to work with an executive coach. While you may think that coaching should be limited to C-suite types at large corporations, these leaders are on to something. Working with a coach can add a valuable set of learning tools in your leadership development toolkit. A coach can help you match the right solutions to the challenges you may face in growing your business.

If you are an entrepreneur, you might not have given much thought to leadership development, if any at all, because you probably started your business with a grand idea of helping people with a product or service, not developing yourself as a leader. But the truth is, as an entrepreneur, you are in the leadership business, and rather than resist it, you could develop your skills as a leader and give your support staff the tools they need to support the growth of your business and your overall mission.

Below are four very compelling reasons for entrepreneurs and their team to work with a coach.

1. Establish a clear vision, and get your team engaged with that vision.

If you have struggled to motivate your team and staff members, know that you are not alone. Building a strong vision and goals, and helping your team connect with that vision will increase everyone’s success and fulfillment. (And we know that happy staff are loyal and productive.)

2. Honest and timely feedback on effectiveness of leadership and systems.

You need an unbiased truth-teller, and an objective view of how your leadership contributes to your overall success. Coaching will help you build on your strengths while your business manager and support staff learn to take charge of their contribution to the success and growth of the business.

3. You need someone to guide you through reflection and self-analysis.

Anyone who has worked with a coach will tell you that the best part of having a coach is the ability to clear the decks on a regular basis to think and strategize without distractions. This accelerates your development as a leader by encouraging you to reflect and grow, and your coach will offer you tips, tools and the benefit of the breadth and depth of their experience.

4. Help with improving your ability to anticipate, strategize and stay on track.

Maximize potential by improving work performance and team effectiveness. With the clear vision, feedback and appropriate delegation of responsibilities, each person will gain insight and will experience mindset shifts that lead to new behaviors and better results in all areas of growth: self, team and business-management. This encourages everyone to think bigger, act more boldly and realize greater possibilities.

If you want to achieve beyond your wildest dreams (or beyond the limitations you can't seem to surpass) then why not schedule a one-hour complimentary consult with me to see if we can crack the code? One hour can change everything. Click here to schedule your powerful coaching call.

3 "What If?" Questions You Need to Ask

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What if??

I hear this question a lot, followed by all manner of frightful, worrying, utterly catastrophic outcomes, and yet hardly ever hear the potential amazingly awesome results that could come from taking a risk (or even taking one step toward that risk, for that matter).

On a mastermind call this week, I coined the phrase "Self-Sabotage Loop" for my own, and dare I say sophisticated (thanks to the ego always trying to outsmart the coach) brand of limiting and often debilitating "what if?" questions. As the words came across my lips, I had to laugh at myself, and then got very serious about what to do next to overcome and bypass the absurdity of the excuses I will often pre-fabricate based on a whole host of unknowns, just to avoid...um...what exactly am I trying to avoid? 

• Failure? Nope. I have failed a lot, and always bounce back higher, so that's not it.
• Embarrassment? Nah, most of my failures have gone relatively unnoticed to the outside world, so that's not it either.
• Exposure? Ooh...maybe. Oh gosh. Oh...oh dear. Yes. Maybe. Oh man. I've got some exploring to do in my next coaching session.
• SUCCESS? Oh, hell yes! Wait! What?! Avoid success? Now that's just crazy talk. 

The deeper I dig in my own personal development work, I learn that the biggest reason I procrastinate and avoid has more to do with upgrading my story from an undesired situation to the actual desired outcome. WHAT IF...it actually comes together the way I hope? 

Or, and this is good, so stay with me here:

What if it turns out EVEN BETTER than I ever imagined?

I have also learned in working with clients that I am absolutely not alone on this imaginary island of terrifying "what if?" questions, and although I am somewhat comforted, I prefer to issue a challenge to you, if you are willing to upgrade every single aspect of your life from mere excellence to absolute genius. You in? I sure am!

Here's how it works. You will ask yourself these 3 "what if?" questions and then let go. Answer if you like, and if you feel any resistance, hesitation or doubt, STOP trying to answer. Ask with open curiosity, the way a child might ask a series of questions, and then move on to something else. It's that simple. Ask yourself at the beginning or end of your day, or whenever contemplating doing something you feel afraid or trepidatious to start or complete.

1. What if…it’s amazing?

2. What if…my whole life changes? 

3. What if…I’m truly happy?

Remember to ask yourself with the openness and curiosity of a child, and allow your higher self (rather than your daily task-master, "practical" self) to go searching, then start to take note of what you notice.

Here is what you can expect. You will start to be more thoughtful about making decisions. You will begin to slow down before you speed up. You will relinquish some control, and your higher conscious will begin to search for answers, which will give you a chance to get out of your head and get some other stuff done. 

There is one guarantee I can offer: you will experience change by asking yourself these questions. The rest is up to you.

I would love to hear your experience after a day, a week or even a month of routinely asking yourself these three questions. Please leave a note, share your experience, and of course, contact me if you would like to experience a powerful one-hour coaching call with me.

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.

Freedom Defined

Are you TRULY free? I am not talking about living in a “free country” or anything like that.
Are you WILLING to set yourself free by releasing yourself from the stranglehold of: 

• perfectionism
• procrastination
• fear of failure
• fear of success
• unrelenting standards
• judgment
• worry
• over-thinking
• over-planning
• rigid “have to” and “should” thoughts
• pre-conceived ideas of how things should go
• trying to live someone else’s dreams
• societal ideals of what is or isn’t appropriate for you
• the EXACT outcome you desire and nothing else
• rules (either imposed or imagined)
• anything that you are allowing to hold you back from fulfilling your highest potential

Are you willing? Slow down. Breathe. Connect with kind and loving people. Be kind and loving to yourself. Be willing to release that list above and anything else that might be impeding your sense of exquisite fulfillment. To paraphrase a favorite author, Gay Hendricks ~ Why not get willing and see what happens?

Blessings. Gratitude. Love. ~ TLC

Ease for the Entrepreneur

If you are an entrepreneur…you are busy. Too busy to spend months or years trying to figure out how to take back or maintain your life (not to mention your sanity) while you build and continue to expand your business. 

You have launched or are almost ready to launch your business, and you are feeling scared. And excited. And nervous. And hopeful. And wondering HOW to get it all done without working every waking hour of your life.

You feel good about who you are and what you do. You are confident in your strengths and abilities. You don’t want to sign up for a business school program, let alone pay for one. You simply want to understand how to have the most fulfilling and wonderful life and career possible. 

You want to get clear on what you really want, and you want to learn from other professionals who have taken the GIGANTIC LEAP OF FAITH to become entrepreneurs. You want a plan to get you to that seemingly elusive place of happiness and exquisite fulfillment. No fuss, no muss.

But.....HOW do you do it? What works? What doesn’t work?

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to STOP WORKING SO HARD?

You will be happy to know that I have designed a system to help you take back your time, energy, success…and sanity!

I have designed a simple system to help you get control of your time, energy and ultimate success so you are prepared to build your business with the right mindset in as little as 6 months. This is a MINDSET opportunity, not a business or marketing program (your business and marketing plan are on you and your tribe of trusted advisors, or we can talk and I can refer you to some amazing experts.)

Read the interview below to learn more about Ease for the Entrepreneur...

Q: How long have you been doing what you do and how did you start working with Entrepreneurs?

I have been an executive coach since mid-2010. I joke that I became a coach “kicking and screaming” after leaving the corporate and consulting world and being home with babies for 6 years. When I was ready to rebuild my career, I was re-thinking consulting since I had traveled extensively, with short notice, for long periods at a time - a lifestyle not fitting for my family and young children.

Trusted friends and colleagues continually encouraged me to become a coach, and I reluctantly worked with a coach to learn about career options and moving forward. After working with the wonderful Jodi Nicholson of Success Coach Institute, I became a Certified Professional Success Coach (CPSC).

Q: Who are your clients exactly?

Over time, I discovered that I absolutely love working with entrepreneurs, and so have honed my skills in this niche of amazing, inspirational people. In my one-on-one coaching practice, I work with established entrepreneurs who are on the brink of massive expansion in their businesses. Many of these incredible people are preparing to launch their grander vision, which takes a tremendous amount of faith, courage and serious gumption and tenacity.

My clients are big thinkers. They have HUGE VISIONS. They have a lot of drive. AND…they get easily distracted, feel like almost every opportunity is a great opportunity, and sometimes lack focus and energy. They often find themselves feeling over-worked and frustrated with their progress, no matter their financial success.

Q: What happens if you haven’t yet worked with people in my situation?

As a subject matter expert on clarity, direction and inspired action, I can help you get crystal clear on your vision of success. Once you have established your vision, the action steps will become more and more obvious, and you will write your plan. We understand that THIS is your inspiration, and that…

INSPIRATION + ACTION = MOTIVATION 

Motivation is not inherent. Inspiration is. So we tap-in to your inspiration and get you taking “inspired daily action” - THE BEST motivational tool available.

Q: How are you different from other “Life Coaches”?

I would first say that I’m not your typical Life Coach. I am an Executive Coach who has developed a system to help entrepreneurs stop working so hard. What makes me different is that I approach business and success as I do anything else in life, including projects, relationships, lifestyle management and wellness. I am passionate about helping people find empowerment and harmony in a way that leads them to a feeling of exquisite fulfillment, with the understanding that from this feeling, we can create anything our hearts desire. My approach is holistic, and we examine every area of life, including sleep, exercise, water consumption, thoughts and other habits.

Incorporating my experience and applying the coach skill set, I will help you get very clear on what you really want, and you will write your personal vision of success - also called “updating your story” - which will allow you to take the inspired daily action steps to achieve it.

Q: What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?

My requirements and expectations are very simple: Show up willing and open. With willingness and openness, you can expand your vision, grow into it and manifest your heart’s desire. Truly. The “work” is easier, and feels almost effortless, when you are willing and open.

Q: What type of person is this program NOT going to work for?

A person who is not ready to take full responsibility for his or her success and failures would probably not be ready to do the “work” it takes to create unspeakable success and fulfillment (and, as a side note: I believe that failure is the best launchpad to our highest success). If excuses, procrastination and blaming are your game - and you are not ready or willing to change that - then you will not get the results you desire.

Q: What exactly is Stop Working SO HARD! Ease for the Entrepreneur, and what does it include?

Stop Working SO HARD! Ease for the Entrepreneur is a simple system of daily actions, mindset practices and course corrections that help the entrepreneur get very clear about their real desires. Once this clarity is established, then we start to look at regular roadblocks to success, strategize the work-around methods to getting past those roadblocks (which we could also call “self-sabotage”) and celebrate every success to keep the inspiration and motivation necessary to continue moving forward. This proven methodology incorporates years of study and practice in various schools of thought and their application, condensed into bite-sized chunks.

Q: Does this “Ease for the Entrepreneur thing” really work?

Yes! It will work under very specific conditions: you must be willing and open. Each person decides and commits to the level of desired success. It is that simple.

Q: What results can I expect?

First, show up willing and open. You can expect to leave the webinar with a clear vision of your own success, a method to access your genius (yes, YOU have genius; we all do!) and simple ways to stay motivated, even on the toughest days.

Q: How will we work together and what does the program entail?

First, listen to the webinar to learn more about the concepts. As I said, you will leave with a clear idea of your vision of success, ways to break through your own barriers to success, and knowledge of what inspires you, which will help you stay motivated.

During the webinar, I invite you to join one of two mastermind groups for entrepreneurs - one for “Emerging” and one for “Established” Entrepreneurs. If the opportunity resonates with you, then you will apply for the program by email, and we will take it from there.

Q: How long is the Entrepreneur Mastermind program?

Each mastermind group will work in similar, yet different ways:

The Emerging Entrepreneurs (EE1) will meet for 90 minutes, once per month, for 6 months. Email me for details and application if you would like to learn more about upcoming mastermind groups.

The Established Entrepreneurs (EE2) will meet for 2 hours, once per month, for 6 months. Email me for details and application if you would like to learn more about upcoming mastermind groups.

Learn more about Stop Working SO HARD Mastermind Workshops for Entrepreneurs!

Q: What’s the investment?

The webinar is a complimentary introduction to these concepts. YOUR INVESTMENT is your time, energy and undivided attention to the concepts and ideas presented. The more focused and attentive you are, the greater the benefit to you.

Q: OK, I’m ready to do this for myself, but I have a couple of additional questions. Can I call you?

Of course! It would be my pleasure to speak with you and answer any questions you may have. Let’s schedule a time to chat!

I look forward to meeting you and helping you expand and grow!

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

7 Things You Need to Know to be Successful

Do you wish you had a quick checklist to track your success? It's not in to-do/ta-da! lists. These are helpful and vitally important, to be sure, but I'm talking about how you feel. How do you feel when you complete a project, when something amazing happens or when you realize that you have accomplished a goal that you had thought was impossible? Do you celebrate or diminish your success?

If you catch yourself saying any of the following (or some rendition thereof):

• (after receiving kudos) "Thank you, but I'm just doing my duty as a human being."
• (after accomplishing something challenging) "Well, I could have done X better."
• (after receiving a compliment) "Yeah, but my (body part) is still kind of big/ugly/fat/too skinny/whatever-other-perceived-imperfection."
• (after hitting all green lights on your commute) "Well, that was a fluke. It'll never happen again."
• (after receiving thanks for anything) "Oh, no problem! It was nothing!"

STOP THAT! Those types of reflexive responses, without any thought, are blocking the flow of abundance! Yes…flow, abundance, airy-fairy speak for some, I know. But think about it. Have you ever paid a compliment to someone only to hear all the reasons why you are either wrong or that they do not deserve the compliment? How did you feel in that moment? It feels a bit like one foot on the gas, one on the brake.

Do you want more out of life? Do you want improved self-confidence, better health, more success, a great relationship, more money? Are you willing to make some changes? If so, then consider printing the list below and practicing this every day. Commit to 7 days, and make note of how different you feel each day. Then extend this practice to 21 days, keeping track of how you feel. Note any changes in your life, your outlook, what "happens" around you and what you notice. After 21 days, see if you are practicing these 7 things regularly without thinking much about it. WOW! You have formed a new habit, and I predict at a bare minimum, that you will experience change. It is up to you if that change is positive, though I am pretty comfortable saying that I believe you will experience positive change.

Below is a list of the 7 things I have learned, re-learned and re-re-learned, especially in the last few months, and I share them with you freely. You're welcome (insert goofy emoji smiley face of your choice).

Here are the 7 things you need to know to be successful:

1. Get CRYSTAL CLEAR on your vision, and believe in it relentlessly.
2. When a door doesn't open, make sure you've tried pulling as well as pushing - just in case.
3. If the door doesn't open either way, lean back and look to see if it's a facade; the real door is probably very close by, and all you need to do is adjust your view so you can see it. Then gently push/pull that door, or find a window and do the same.
4. Draw up your plan, then let go of the exact details of the final outcome. Think: "This or even better…"
5. Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.
6. BELIEVE that "it" will come together. When you believe it, you will see it.
7. CELEBRATE and invite the flow of abundance. Stay open to it, do not diminish the good stuff. The more you allow yourself to see and feel the awesomeness of your accomplishments, the more you will accomplish.

I wish you the best of success as you continue to strive toward your highest fulfillment. You've got this.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love. ~ TLC

Are you having any fun?

"Most of the time I don't have much fun. The rest of the time I don't have any fun at all." - Woody Allen

Do you get excited about the weekend? Why? And, what makes Friday so special?  Why T.G.I.F.? What do you look forward to most on the weekends? I ask honestly, because I have noticed that a lot of people look forward to the weekend, seemingly because they will rest and be less busy, and yet they cram-pack their weekends with errands and lots of "have to" activities.

How busy are you? Do you take time to take excellent care of yourself? I mean, besides working out and eating "good" food (if you do)? Many people think that working out and consuming mostly clean foods is "good enough" to be considered excellent self-care. I certainly know a lot of people who also think this is enough.

In working with corporate groups, and with my one-on-one clients, I am hearing more and more about sleep deprivation and lack of time to read, write in a journal or have fun; and I just have to ask:   What's up with THAT?!!!

If you love being busy AND you feel happy, with an exquisite sense of fulfillment, then perhaps this is the pace you need and desire - if you honestly, truly feel fulfilled in all areas of life.

However, if you feel that something is missing, whether money, friendships, a romantic relationship, time to yourself, a sense of calm, peace and harmony...anything, even if it seems insignificant, it may be time to make a few minor adjustments.

Here are two easy ways to start having more fun, even if you think you don't have time, and you can start now, not wait until the weekend:

1. Laugh more. Laughter lifts us up, lightens the moment and brings more joy into our lives. Listen to a podcast of your favorite comedian, watch a funny movie or t.v. show, call your funniest friend, or visit your funniest co-worker. Easy, right? And it doesn't take a lot of time.
2. Make a fun date with yourself. Commit to take some time to go do something you've always wanted to do. Start with the easy, cheap, local "bucket list" item so you will actually do it. Put it on your calendar in ink and go do it. If you want someone else to join you, decide that you will do it whether they can make it or not. Remember, your happiness depends on you, so commit to yourself and follow-through.

Life really is meant to be lived and celebrated, so if you've fallen or knowingly stepped into the trap of not having time, having too much to do, or depending on others for enjoyment and fun, take a step back. Start with something simple, easy and cheap. Knock out all of your excuses by doing the easiest thing.

I'd love to hear from you. Are you having fun? Are you willing to commit to having more fun?

Please share what you do for fun by commenting in the space below.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

Two Questions You Need to Ask Yourself

I have tried to write about two different topics this week, and continued to bump into resistance around both. The first required research I didn’t really have time to complete this week, so I decided to table it for a few weeks when my schedule is lighter. The second topic is willingness, and what I find kind of ironic is that I was unwilling to stretch my own thinking enough to embrace the message that I really wanted to convey. Hmmm... This begs the question:

How do we know when it is appropriate to lean back, and how do we know when to push through to the finish?

My personal and coach-y answer is this: It depends.

There are so many times when it makes sense to lean back, soften the lens and see what we might not be seeing (you know, the forest for the trees thing). Actually, it makes sense to always lean back before pushing through. How often do you find yourself rushing to the finish, missing details? Have you ever pushed yourself to finish a project, or to “get over” a hurt, to later find that you have missed important details, or that you continue to feel hurt?

I know I say this a lot, though I also know at the very least that I will benefit from hearing my “steady drumbeat” message again, so I restate: Sometimes we need to slow down to speed up.

This is not the same as giving ourselves permission to quit or to stall progress, to procrastinate or make excuses for not stepping into our powerful genius. This leaning back gives us a moment to scan our energy, find resistance in our thinking (often manifested as physical pain, by the way - perhaps I will write about that another day), then address the resistance and take inspired action.

If you shoot an arrow, you must first get your eye very keenly focused on the target. Once you clearly see your target, you pull back on the bow, re-focus your eye in-line with the arrow, and finally release the arrow in the direction of the target. Imagine trying to shoot the arrow without pulling back on the bow. It would fall to the ground next to your feet, right? What if you take your eye off of the target as you release the bow? The arrow will launch in whatever direction you have it pointed, but will most likely land nowhere near the target. If you have a cramp in your shoulder or neck, how much energy is available to pull back the bow in order to launch the arrow with great speed and precision?

To avoid wandering too far into the metaphor weed patch, I will make this point: If you bump into resistance along the way, sometimes you can power through and just “gitter done,” possibly hampering your best energetic output. If you take your eye off the target (your goals, desired outcome, a dream you are making into your reality) you may miss it by a long shot. If you do not take a moment to lean back so you can get crystal clear on your goal, how will you aim, and will you even see the target? What’s more, how will you prepare yourself to build the momentum needed to get you through to the finish?

So, “it depends” is a simple and complex answer to the question: How do we know when it is appropriate to lean back, and how do we know when to push through to the finish? 

It depends, really, on your answers to the following 2 questions:

1. Do you know what you want and why you want it?
2. Are you willing to commit to reaching your goals, even if you need to slow down, lean back, adjust, re-adjust and re-focus regularly?

It seems that I have circled back to willingness. One way to measure your willingness is by taking action. If you can answer question 2 honestly, and you answer “Yes”, then the easiest and most obvious “proof” is in your action. Here is where I may muck-up the simplicity of “it depends” and contradict myself: Sometimes we need to take a step even if we are uncertain if we are heading in the right direction.

Wait.....didn’t I just say to slow down, lean back, focus on the target? Yes. However, if you are prone to “Analysis Paralysis” (and you know who you are, right?!) and you painfully comb-over every detail, ultimately stalling getting started, let alone making any progress, you might need to look at your target, remind yourself of why you want to get there, and just go for it. This is a kind way of telling you to kick your own backside into gear, with love.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best,

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

When we are very clear on what we want and WHY we want it, then stepping out in faith is easy. Ask yourself those two questions regularly, and write down or speak-out your answers. Breathe life into your dreams and desires every day, and take at least one step toward them. You are actively leaning back and focusing by asking those two questions, so if you continue to ask and answer honestly, you will be performing the delightful dance of slowing down to speed up, and you know what? You’ll launch forward like a rocket. You will. Trust me; I’ve been there, I return there, I re-start there and I manifest from there. Know that you are fully supported in your journey, and have faith in yourself and your abilities. Stepping out in faith requires very little beyond understanding why you want what you want.

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

If you want to get crystal clear on what you want and why you want it, click here to schedule a powerful coaching consultation.

Are you ready to commit to yourself? Do you want to go beyond thinking and talking about making change in your life, and flip to DOING? Schedule your complimentary powerful coaching consultation.

How Do You Show Up? Refine.

“Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes reality.” ~ Roy L. Smith

When I was growing up, my parents and teachers seemed to use the word discipline interchangeably with punishment and consequences, and I used to have a visceral reaction to people telling me that if I wanted something, I merely needed to discipline myself enough to practice my craft every day. Now that I am “all grown up” and have some perspective, I agree wholeheartedly (now that I’ve gotten over my teenaged self’s knee-jerkiness). I’m here to share with you that if you understand why you want what you want, then the simplest way to achieve is to first make the decision, commit, make some adjustments and, finally, refine your habits. In my mind, excellent habits means committing to a certain amount of discipline.

Over the past few weeks I’ve written about making the decision, committing and making adjustments to how you choose to show up. We understand that it takes 21-35 days to create a new habit, so I hope that you have been taking some time every day to practice how you show up, and when necessary, revisit why you made the decision you made (to show up strong, confident, peaceful, etc.)

In my coaching practice, my clients learn a lot about habits. You see, the more we practice our new and good habits, whether for lifestyle, career, or relationship success, the faster we reach our goals. Practicing a new habit is a way to replace an old habit that no longer serves you, and to create an effortless draw toward the success you crave. Simply put: make your own life easier every day by making powerful choices to change your life.

In the interest of keeping it simple, I am offering an easy way for you to refine your choices in how you show up.

3 Steps to Refining Habits:

1. Choose one new habit. Commit to work and focus on that for 30 days. Of course, there will be other things you will work on, but really focus on and commit to that particular one (eg., taking a deep breath before you speak - every time).
2. Write it down every day. Breathe life into it by writing it down, or by speaking it out. This renews your commitment to it, and is a disciplined practice.
3. At the end of the day, celebrate your achievements. At the end of each day, review your day, and make sure you celebrate that you have practiced the discipline of breathing life into your new habit. You can simply say, “I did it!” and that is a celebratory acknowledgement of your success. It IS that simple.

Give this a try. Share your journey with me by leaving a comment below. I would love to hear from you and celebrate YOUR success!

Blessings. Gratitude. Love.

Are you ready to refine your choices? Want to go beyond blogs and videos? It would be my pleasure to set aside an hour to share a powerful coaching consultation with you. Click here to schedule your call.

“Refining is inevitable in science when you have made measurements of a phenomenon for a long period of time.” ~ Charles Francis Richter