Holding On To Me: Life, Work, Family, Balance - 5 Tips

A few months ago, I drove to San Diego, CA on a Wednesday morning for my Global Leadership Program quarterly weekend meeting with Lisa Nichols and drove back home to Pasadena, CA on Sunday.   I spent two quality time days on the deck with my son creating memories. Then on Wednesday morning I flew to Dallas, Texas for a five-day business networking conference.

Do you feel like holding on to yourself as you juggle work, profession, life, family is getting harder?  Do you find yourself some days just whispering, “I wish I could just have a little time for myself?”

First, I honor and acknowledge each of you. Whether you’re a entrepreneur, wife, mompreneur, CEO… you rock! I honor the powerful choice that you’ve made.  I recognize that it is what fuels, inspires, and fulfills you.

How is it going for you?  Do you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know you’ll miss the family gathering, parent conference or a planned event with your spouse/partner or a birthday because of work?  How do you quell the voices in your head and the chatter of self-doubt and selfishness?

Let me offer 5 tips that can soothe and honor the all aspects of you.

·       Understand your worth & significance:  At the core of all you do is your feminine energy.  This energy nourishes, creates, sustains, and ultimately is the fuel for everything you do.  When you honor you, you honor and replenish all the aspects of you. Your desires, dreams, and goals matter and are a significant part of your worth and value.  Know your worth is innate and nothing changes the value of what you bring to the table.

·         Expectations: Mine or Yours:  Too often we hear the voice of our mothers, friends and siblings whispering in our ears and allow that to determine what we do.  Whether it’s when you clean your house, how you parent your children, how many hours your work, take the time to get laser clarity on what your expectations are for yourself.

·         Create a “Me” Ritual:  What nourishes your soul and spirit?  Commit to your “me” ritual a minimum of once a week or at least twice a month.  Take a bubble bath. Walk through a museum.  Turn the music up loud and sing off key.  Read a chapter in your favorite novel.  Claim it as your ritual, put it on your schedule and then let others know.

·         Daily Spiritual Practice: Tapping Within: The energy you need to sustain your efforts and your spirit is something Bigger than yourself.  Tap into this daily just like plugging a light cord into a socket, plug into your Source, however you define it.  Meditate, pray, inspirational reading or music are just a few options but make it “your” go to practice.  Lastly,

·         Stay Connected:  Other like-minded heart centered women offer you support, resources, validation and laughter.  Making connections is the equivalent of a lifeline to sustain your success and goals. Networking, women’s groups, Meet Ups all prevent you from feeling alone as you achieve your goals.  Commit to twice a month staying connected as part of how you hold on to “you” in the midst of living your life.

In the end, holding on to you requires setting priorities, boundaries and recognizing your value demonstrated by making time to refuel and replenish. When we define our success as wholistic, we understand that we must honor all aspects of ourselves: finance, relationships, spiritual and health as necessary to hold on to ourselves.

Author: Jenenne Macklin, Wholistic Wealth Guide

Women who have woke up in the middle of their life wanting more: meaning & money, solutions & success, health & happy find clarity, courage and confidence in coaching with Jenenne.  Audiences are inspired to take the action to move beyond stuck to stand in their power, be fiscally responsible, and live a wholistic life. Whether its making a money mindset shift, creating success, getting happy first, Jenenne empowers women with tools and techniques and unique strategies to achieve their goals and stay accountable to their dreams. As a catalyst for transformation she empowers people to live their life out loud unapologetically and authentically. Visit her at www.jenennemacklin.com

Communicate Your Ideas with Impact

“Good ideas are not adopted automatically.

They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.”

~ Hyman Rickover

      

How many ideas do you have percolating, yet you’re stuck, overwhelmed, and in inaction? What stops you?

     You want your ideas to have an impact – on your business, family, community, or the world. IMPACT^© is the mnemonic for a system I developed that represents the sequence of thoughts and actions that help you position your ideas for profit.

I - Initiate your idea.

Apply critical and creative thinking to choose the idea on which you’ll focus. Then capture your idea details.

M - Mold your message.

Organize your details to give structure to and gain clarity about your idea.

P - Plot your strategy.

Develop your idea implementation strategy. Work with a trusted partner who can see what you may overlook.

A - Attention…command It.

Use techniques that capture people’s attention so that they’ll hear your message and help you implement your idea.

C - Communicate for action.

Employ effective communication and presentation skills to convey your idea and garner necessary support.

T - Terminate assertively.

Ask for what you need to move your idea forward.

     Great ideas occupy smart brain cells. Follow a system to make an IMPACT^© with your ideas and position them for profit.

Author: Sylvia Henderson, Implementation Strategist, helps individuals and teams get out of their heads and into action with their ideas, for profit and purpose. Clients call her the “Clarity Queen of Ideas”. Using her design thinking process called IMPACT©, Sylvia helps you get clear about, develop strategies for, take action on, and be accountable to your ideas. Sylvia’s is the author of multiple books including "Hey, That's My Idea!", and hosts a cable TV program on implementing ideas. Turn your dreams into dollars, concepts into cash, and ideas into impact with Sylvia’s expertise & experience to guide and encourage you.

What's in a Name

I am amazed at the number of people I come across who are unaware of the meaning of their names!  Why would you not want to know what people are calling you every day?  I mean sure, you’ve heard it all of your life, but like any other word that has ever been sent or received, your name is spoken with purpose.  There is so much substance that can be discovered about who you are and what you’ve come here to do, just by knowing your name. 

This afternoon I was at the supermarket, and I started to go to the self -checkout lanes where no one was, but for me that isn’t always such an exciting or advantageous thing.  That’s because I enjoy connecting with people and experiencing their presence, no matter where I am or what I’m doing.  Miracles happen in the moments, and I was led to reroute my direction into the nearest check lane with a live person.  The woman working the register barely looked up to greet me, but I noticed her.  Her aloofness was attractive; people with closed doors inspire me to inquire within, they get me curious. 

My eyes were suddenly drawn to her name tag.  I smiled at our commonality, and said, “That’s my middle name, Nicole.”  She responded, “Yeah, it’s common.”  I proceeded to ask her if she knew what it meant, and that it meant “Victory.”  Suddenly she perked up a bit, seeming a little more interested in what for her was just another mundane moment on the job.  I went on to explain that someone once further edified me that it specifically meant “Victory for the People.”  She said she knew it meant “something” about “the people,” but not the “Victory” part.  I could tell right there that the smiles we wore mirrored a sense of pride.  As I gathered my bags, her demeanor was changed, and as I prepared to continue my day’s journey, she said, “Ok, have a good night and thanks for telling me that!”  Smiling still. 

It’s so exhilarating for me as a Restorative Life Coach to witness people shift into their higher selves.  In that brief but poignant interaction, an exchange was made in our words spoken, and I’m sure that conversation served a purpose.  I marveled at the possibilities catalyzed in the exchange.  Could her knowing inspire her to think differently about herself and her circumstances like it did for me?  Could it have given her greater insight on how she’s being called to serve in the earth?  I mean sure, Nicole is a common name.  She’s right.  But when you think of it, victory is often won with an army, even if that army is of one, the victory comes with a strength beyond your own which some would identify as the Spirit of God.  So though Nicole is a name often heard, it’s power is far from mediocre. 

Coming to truly know my name gave my sense of purpose depth.  Once I found out its meaning, it resonated with me and helps to make sense and give confirmation of what I feel in my belly that I am being called to do.  Even if you have an uncommon name, you can feel out the meaning by trying to find its root, or make up your own meaning by creating an acrostic poem which is when you take the letters of a word and attach your own representation.

For example, it was hard for me to find the meaning of Jonae, but I did find that its root is “John” which means “one especially loved by God.”  …I’ll take it!  J  I also did an acrostic poem for “Jonae”:

J-  Joyful

O- Overcomer

N- Negating the impossible

A-     All together

E- Excellent!

See?  Even if you can’t find or don’t like the meaning of your name, you have the power to give it meaning! 

Don’t stop there!  This can be a really empowering and fun exercise.  Make it speak to your spirit and embody who you already know who you are at your core.  I invite you to journey into your last name as well.  This is where you may really discover some interesting things, like your ancestry.  I don’t know the ancestral roots of the “Potter’s,” but I know that God is beheld as “The Potter.”  So, for that I envisioned and embodied me being shaped and molded into a beautiful vessel by the God of my understanding.  Now when I researched “Gill,” a surname inherited from my father who’s Trinidadian, that’s where it got really interesting for me because I for a long time didn’t know my family from his side.  I found that the “Gill’s” were an ancient Indian Jaat Punjabi tribe of warriors in India, somewhere I’m longing to go for some reason I’ve yet to discover.  But knowing my name, I mean really knowing, has helped me to take back my power and walk with a stride of strength in knowing because I made myself aware on divine Purpose!

Still don’t buy it?  Well what is the purpose of a fish “gill?” The gills of a fish allow it to breath, or experience respiratory exchange, under water…that’s what I do!  My chief calling is to breathe into spirits under water in need of life giving oxygen exchange so that together we can work to catalyze the manifestation of your optimal potential! 

Remember, I am here to serve you with triumphant encouragement so that you too may experience “VICTORY” in your life!

Author: Jonae N. Potter-Gill is a Restorative Life Coach and prolific Inspirational Communicator.   In addition to her profession as a nurse, she works with individuals as a spiritual midwife, nurturing them through the process of giving birth to their personal healing and transformation using a holistic touch and approach.  She is passionate about helping women and communities as a whole become empowered and achieve overall wellness through vision, creativity, and love! You can visit her blog at www.victoriousexhortations.wordpress.com to experience more of her messages of inspiration and encouragement.

90 days Until 2014! Are you ready?

Wow! There are only 3 months left in 2013! This time of year we prepare to gather with loved ones and we realize the year is quickly coming to a close. Let's plan to push hard in the final 90 days of 2013! Setting clear goals for the next 90 days is great way to start.

Set Clear Goals....

Often we declare a desire to get fit, get out of debt, get more organized or finally start that business. Many of us come up against real challenges bringing those desires into reality. Thus too often it remains an elusive dream. We must elevate our dreams to goals. The difference between a goal and a dream is a set lifeline. (Example: I will finish my business plan by Feb. 1, 2013.) Well, did you? As we set goals to help us reach our dreams, every action is bringing us closer to the reality we truly desire. Therefore, we are breathing life into creating our future. In order to achieve our dreams we must set goals that breathe life into our very existence, which all connects back to our unique purpose in the world. So instead of a deadline let us set Lifelines when we are moving toward our dreams.

Have you ever said, "There isn't enough time in the day"?  In reality we have the same about of time as billionaires, world class athletes or your favorite 5 year old. Life isn't about time-management. Can really manage time? Rather, let us focus on managing what you do in the time that you have. Instead of setting large vague goals by the end of the year, start with goals you can accomplish within each quarter. There are 4 quarters in a year, comprised of 3 months each, which is a roughly 90 days a quarter. Set goals per quarter which is not as intimating as a whole year and allows you to push yourself. Let's go 90 days left!

For every goal set, make sure you've noted milestones along the path. A milestone reminds us that we're on task to reaching the big goal. Sometimes we think we're not hitting the mark because it doesn't look the way we think it should. However, you won't know unless you've created markers are milestones along the way. Think of it this way, this is not a sprint rather it's more of a marathon. In every marathon, there are markers along the path. Those signs are a reminder that you may not have reached the finish line yet but you're one more mile toward accomplishing your dream. At each mile, there is a crowd to cheer you on and each mile feels like a win. Too often we come closer and closer to our dream yet we don't even know it because we haven't taken the time to celebrate our small wins along the way. Celebrate your wins!

Start now!!! I've said this a few times already but it's worth repeating. We all have dreams, yet there may be negative chatter in our heads saying we can't do it. Or it's too big and we sometimes give into that voice and say we'll do it later. "I'll start in January" is a favorite stall tactic. WHY? Start now. We'll never be less busy. There is no guarantee we'll have enough money later. The only guarantee we have is NOW. Give yourself the gift of your dreams and start in the present. It may not be easy but you are worth it. Remember, success and failure are both products of our thoughts.  So remember set clear lifelines for your goals. Identify milestones in the beginning of the process and most importantly start now.

Moving Toward Financial Success

Dr. James, our resident Money Scientist, has agreed to give you the first peek at her latest article for this week! You're the very first people to see it.

by Dr. Maria James

In our society, money is necessary. Whether it's something that you need or want, you need money to get it. In order to have shelter you're likely paying rent or mortgage. In order to feed yourself and your family you need to purchase food and groceries. In order to get around you need transportation, whether you take public transportation or you drive your own car. Money permeates every aspect of our lives; however, the majority of Americans can't answer questions about basic personal finance concepts. The majority of us are in debt, 80% of Americans have debt! That's right, so people with high incomes and a lot of money coming in are still in debt. That person who makes $100,000 a year hasn't reached financial success and likely has debt.

It's not what you make it's what you keep. It's how you manage your money and what you do with your income and resources. Unfortunately, many of us don't know how to manage it and it shows. Over 40% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. A small delay of incoming cash causes late payments of bills and hard decisions about paying for items such as food, gas for the car or medication. One small emergency will completely throw off or disrupt the shaky balance of your finances. No one wants to live this way. The good thing is you don't have to live in fear. You can change this circumstance.

Financial success requires more than knowing when your bills are due. The science of creating wealth has been determined. It's known, I know it and you can learn it too. You need a mix of the right knowledge, behavior and attitude. Financial literacy is a tool in your personal finance toolbox. So that probably made you wonder what are some other tools you should have. Here are a few other key tools:

1) A spending plan.

You must plan out your cash flow, how much is coming in, how much you're spending and where you plan to spend it. This is crucial to achieving your goals, one of the lower rungs on the ladder towards financial success.

2) A tracking system.

You have to have a way to track your expenses and income. For most, the income is easy. It's your paycheck. However, your expenses are variable and have many different categories. You need a way to keep track of the money flowing out so you don't overspend and you can properly take of your home, children, nourishment etc.

3) Investments.

Send your money to work for you to earn more money or at least keep up with inflation. It's an important part of your long-term money strategies and preparing for future expenses like retirement or your children's education. You don't have to be a stock broker, know how to pick stocks or know how to read the financial reports on the stock market in order to do this.

4) A reward system.

I know this one comes as a shock, but it's true. I believe in luxury in frugal living. You have to be able to enjoy the now as well. If you aren't having any fun and you only think of sacrifice and limitations when you're managing your money, you won't be able to stick to your plan. Include a reward system that correlates with your plan so you'll be able to follow-through and consistently implement your financial plan.

Having the knowledge and using the right tools will allow you to save money, conquer debt, build wealth and upgrade your life. Move towards living debt free. Move towards less stress about money. Move towards financial freedom.

If you'd like more information and detail, I'll be conducting a free webinar titled "Earn it. Save it. Grow it!" on Saturday, October 12, 2013. Click here for more information..

The Five Biggest Lies We Believe

by Tosh Patterson

Have you ever lost some weight, gained some weight? Then repeated the lose/gain yo-yo pattern?

Me too. You're not alone in that experience.

I was able to get out of the yo-yo pattern by first shifting my thinking. Releasing weight, instead of losing weight.

Releasing the mental weight of past hurt, fear, and doubt. Letting go of not feeling good enough. Losing implies you will find it again and, well, I know you don't want to find old physical or mental weight.

Coming at healthy weight management from the angle of releasing weight, instead of losing weight has made all the difference. And, honestly, taming my own inner mean girl seems to be more of a hurdle than shedding the pounds.

After working with clients PLUS my own personal experience, I believe there are 5 big ugly lies that keep us stuck.

Until you can recognize the lies you tell yourself, you'll stay stuck inside a blind force that keeps you standing still. The real question is, how long will you continue to let self-sabotage keep you away from vibrant health and well-being?

The 5 Biggest Lies We Believe

Lie #1: It Must Be Perfect. I can't say it enough: ditch perfection & chase consistent action. Striving for perfection can be toxic & cause you to throw in the towel if you make one mistake. MAKE MISTAKES...these are signs of your own growth.

Lie #2: I Don't Have Time. That's just a grown-up excuse for 'I don't want to'. There are more than enough hours in the day for you to cook your meals and exercise for 15 minutes. With 24 hours in the day, how many are you throwing away on TV, email, FB, etc? Make yourself a priority!

Lie #3: I Have To Because. In each moment you have power of choice: from what you put on your plate to what you drink to what you wear, you are always in choice.
There is absolutely nothing in the world that you have to do for yourself, or anyone else. Come, instead, from the mindset of 'I want to do this for myself because I say it's important".

Lie #4: I Can't.

Umm, hello, yes you can! Stop beating yourself up. Stop playing small. You are more than capable...just take the first step.

Lie #5: I'm Not Good Enough.

This, perhaps, is the hardest of the lies we believe. It lurks in our minds and it keeps us from stepping into being our best selves.

Often people say 'eating well is too expensive' or 'I can't do that (fill-in the blank) for myself'. But the truth is that you are more than worthy of eating well & living well. You deserve to be happy and love the skin you are in. You ARE good enough!
If your lie is one of these five, or another, we all have the ability to break free!

Here are three simple steps to help you break free from the lies:

Step 1: Accept responsibility for the lies you have told yourself.
Step 2: Acknowledge them when they arise.
Step 3: Practice releasing them & embracing YOUR POWER OF CHOICE.

So I invite you to break free from the lies that are ruining and limiting you from being your absolute best self.

About Tosh: Chief Healthinista, Tosh Patterson, helps her clients shift from being overweight to healthy weight with a three step system. She helps smart & successful women snatch back their lives, win back their bodies, and restore their mindset for long term success. Despite excelling in many areas of life, Tosh struggled with being overweight and was nearly 300 pounds. She is now known as The Healthinista, not because she's a size 4, but because she lost 70 pounds and continues to strive forward.

In addition to individual coaching, Tosh conducts corporate wellness workshops and business retreats. To receive Tosh's "Free Video Training Series Jumpstart Your Health" visit her site.

6 Things You Should Do at the Start of Each Day

The first few hours of your day can have a significant effect on your level of productivity- so maybe you won't be wearing sequins to breakfast, however it's crucial that your morning routine...sets you up for success.

ME-time.
It may be difficult for those of us with children or for whom getting up with more than 45 minutes to spare is a challenge. But starting your day with some quiet mind settling time to yourself can make a world of difference. Breathe! Slow down before you launch into any projects and make it a routine.

Arrive on time.
Whether you work from home or travel to an office. Arrive in a timely fashion which will help you feel more in control of your day.  Some items from your to-do list the previous day may be on the agenda for this morning yet each day is a fresh one, so why it wasn't accomplished doesn't matter, hit the ground running now.

Prioritize your day.
Now, ideally your first task during the "first hour" of the day is to assess priorities and to focus on what you absolutely need to accomplish. Set your task list before you check email so you don't get caught up in what other people want or need from you.  This one may be difficult but it's crucial for a successful day. Do not check your email first thing in the morning wait until you've gotten yourself focused. Once you dig into email prioritize those as well by responding to urgent emails first and then do the same with voice-mails and calls.

Acknowledge your team.
In other words be present, physically and mentally. If you're a boss with a staff or managing a team at work, you'll need to communicate effectively with them. So be fully present and take the time to connect with your team and this will allow you to set the tone for the day. (Works wonders with children too.)

Organize Your Space
Is your desk clear? Are your tools on hand? A clear and neat workspace sets a tone for the rest of the day. Hopefully, you were able to accomplish this the day before so you can have a clean slate in the morning however; it doesn't always work that way. Take the time to set your space a right.

RESET!
Plan a mid-morning or afternoon break. You'll need to check what you've accomplished thus far and take a deep breath so you can finish as strong as you started