Are You Managing Your Time And Expectations?

There are 168 hours in a week, and guess what?  We all have access to the same amount. Although if I’m honest, sometimes is seems like I have way less than everyone else. With everything that needs to get accomplished in my personal life and in business, it can be so hard to even think of how I can possibly get some time in for myself to recharge let alone create. If we are not careful we can waste the most precious asset we have, our energy. 

We grumble and complain about how busy we are, but the real problem isn’t that we don’t have enough time, it’s that we have poor skills at managing the time we do have. And worse yet we have no idea how to manage our best energy. This leaves us at complete odds with what we really want to value and prioritize in our lives and then we end up frustrated and overwhelmed.

Just this morning I was speaking to a client of mine who feels this exact way. Currently she is trying to scale her business, to hone in on who she wants to serve as her ideal client so that she can achieve her business goals. But in the process she finds herself being way more reactive than proactive. It can be a vicious cycle if not left tended to. So, I will tell you the same thing I told her, "it’s time to break the negative habits that have governed your time so that you can really focus on what is important." And, that my friend takes some heavy lifting. 

Managing your time (which is really your energy) is all about having clear expectations. These principles can be applied to your life as well as your business. 

1) Realize that your time is valuable, and that you call the shots. Maybe right now you feel like a slave to your email or your calendar. Perhaps you can never find time to spend with the people you love because you are too busy trying to get things done. It can be easy to value everyone else over ourselves. That results in not really being able to serve anyone well. When you know who and where to invest your energy, you will find more joy in every project or interaction. 

2) Don’t skip over your priorities when something looks bright and shiny. Not everything is as it appears. Determine what is most important, and do that. First. Seriously, don’t delay - do it first thing. Your priorities (whatever they may be) should always get your best and most valuable attention. Then you can attack your to-do list. 

3) Learn how to manage your expectations. Feelings can be overwhelming, and sometimes we are so concerned with how our lives will affect someone else that we don’t learn to manage our own expectations. This requires shifting your mindset and really focusing on what is important. Not everything is a crisis, and not everyone needs your attention. 

4) Say good riddance to your limiting mindset. Don’t allow yourself to shift back into the negative patterns of belief. Give yourself the room to grow and change, and your life will follow. This will require time and patience. 

5) Make it a routine (habit). Do it over and over again until it becomes second nature. You will soon be excited about getting up every day because you will know where your time and energy needs to be focused. What has your focus gets your attention so focus on the right things. 

As you go about the month of December, focus on what really needs your attention and what doesn’t won’t matter much come January. 

We are better together! 

The Best Time To Set Your Goals

A few years ago I decided it way high time that I really started getting serious about what I wanted out of my life. It may have had something to do with turning forty, but whatever it was I am so glad that I did. I was tired of letting life happen to me, and not really feeling in control about what my life looked like. It started slowly by making a list of things I wanted to do in my fortieth year, and then progressed to really being intentional about the goals I had for my life.

But if I’m completely honest with you… I wasn’t really sure what I wanted at that point. And, that was half my problem. 

For most of my life I had allowed myself to believe that life just happens, and that we just have to roll with the punches. Pretty sad, right? That was until I decided that I was going to finally chart the course for my life and make a plan to get where I wanted to go. It was great, I finally was going to have some direction. It was then and there that I started making goals. Really big goals at that. It was all well and good… until…  I realized none of my goals were even attainable for the season of life I was in. It was pretty discouraging, and extremely frustrating. Now that I knew better, I still was unsure at how to go about getting there. 

Fast forward a couple of years… here I am in 2016 ready to take on a brand new year more excited than ever for what I will be able to accomplish. Why? Because I have learned not only how to set goals for myself, but how to determine whether or not they are practical. It was all about really determining what was important to me, establishing what my priorities were and then getting super specific. 

Perhaps you can relate to me. You have high hopes for your life, but you find it so hard to make it happen. Do you lack time, resources and sometimes the know how. Here are a few goal setting tips to get you started:

Step One: Set aside an entire day to allow yourself to be distraction free. Unplug from social media, email and anything else that may keep your attention away from focusing on your priorities. 

Step Two: Determine where mistakes were made in the past 12 months; what worked and what did not. 

Step Three: Decide what is most important in every area of your life, and prioritize where you would like to see growth in your career, physical health and recreation, spiritual health, relationships, and finances. 

Step Four: Choose three categories to focus on and develop an immediate action step to take in each area.

Step Five: Stay accountable to a coach, friend or partner. 

There is no better way to see yourself really achieve your goals and dreams than by setting a plan for yourself. Your dreams won’t come to life by wishing, it is time to start making a plan and staying accountable to see it through. 

These are some great steps that will get you started on your goal setting journey, but for a more detailed plan click on the video below. If you are ready to be intentional about your goals for 2017, enroll in an online goal setting course designed to empower you to live on purpose. 

Take advantage of CYBER MONDAY and save $200. Get instant access for $49.99. 

10 Ways To Beat Overwhelm And Stay Grateful

This is definitely one of my favourite weeks of the year. I’m a sucker for American Thanksgiving (and, yes - I’m a PROUD Canadian). It’s the gateway to the holiday season. In fact I have the stockings hung already, and the tree will be going up in a few days. Not to mention we already had the Santa Claus parade in Toronto, and our first snowfall of the season. So… bring on Christmas baby, and bring on the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. 

Although this can be the best time of year, it can also be super stressful and overwhelming. We become keenly aware that the end of the year is nearing, and we have not accomplished any OR all of our goals for the year. And, It’s easy to run ragged trying to please everyone, which accomplishes nothing, and leaves us stressed out. Not to mention getting together with family… need I say more?

To help you beat the overwhelm and stay grateful I have compiled a list of ten things that are guartanteed to help you not only get through the end of the year, but enjoy yourself. 

Don’t leave things to the last minute… sounds obvious but are you doing it? Set ten minutes aside each morning to make a list of what has to be done. Do the hardest things first!

Accept what you cannot do and PRIORITIZE what matters most… easier said than done I know. But make a list of what really needs to happen, and get that done first. You might find that everything on the list didn’t actually need to happen. 

Give yourself permission to say ‘NO’… guess what? You don’t have to go to every function, holiday party or even buy everyone you know a gift this year. Shocking isn’t it! Ask yourself what what is important and feels right, and do that. 

Take a breather and allow yourself time to relax… I know this this is not super easy for everyone, but if you take a few minutes everyday to just get quiet - pray, meditate, light a candle or go make a snow angel. Don’t worry about the small stuff. It’s all small stuff anyways. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help… with the cooking, cleaning, and even at work. Surely someone you know is wasting a bunch of time on social media and can lend you a hand. Just ask. 

Forgive yourself and others… this can be the hardest time of year, and comes with the most drama. Is it time you finally let go of some of the past hurt - it’s only hurting you. When you forgive yourself it becomes easier to forgive others. 

Make it a point to be grateful… write a card to a friend who needs you, or make a list of the people you really want to see, and tell them how much you love them. You’ll feel better instantly, and they probably need to be reminded that they are loved. 

Review what worked this year… and what didn’t. Be honest with yourself about what you were hoping would happen, and then be intentional about not repeating that again next year. 

Get intentional about how you want your life to look in 2017… 

Maybe you started this year off with the greatest of intentions, but lost your way a few weeks in. Life kicked in, and all of the sudden everything got pushed to the back burner. There is still time to redeem what is left of this year, and to set yourself up to accomplish great things in 2017. You don’t have to go through the rest of the year thinking about the “could haves” and the “should haves”. Accomplishing your goals for 2017 just got way easier! I’d love to share with you how you can live on purpose in 2017 - PRESS PLAY ... 

Do I Belong Here?

A common question we often ask ourselves when we feel inadequate is, ‘do I belong here?’ I should know, because I’ve said it countless times in my life, and even though many would never believe that I secretly wonder if I'm qualified to hold a position of authority, the fact remains that I do. Instead of standing securely in who I have been made to be, it’s easy to disqualify myself from great opportunities.

Ok, so I admitted that I have done it, what about you?

Maybe you started your business, and it took off with gusto, but you still quietly question if anyone will find out you really don’t know what you're doing. It could be that you graduated with honours, got offered your dream job, but still don’t believe you're worth the amount of money they're paying you. Even though you desire to break the glass ceiling, you don’t believe that you have what it takes to get where you want to go. 

Sometimes it feels like an adolescent problem, but more and more women today are comparing themselves to one another. Are you comparing yourself to the women around you? Sizing them up to see who does it better, and who has earned more success. Can I just say - STOP IT! It’s a trap. The closer you get to your own success, the easier it seems to give into living with your insecurity. Trust me when I say, ”don’t go down the rabbit hole."

The truth is that is doesn’t matter if you question your level of ability, your appearance, or how people perceive you. Buying into the self doubt becomes a crutch, and before long you wind up needing constant validation from others to pull you from its firm hold. 

As a life coach, working with female entrepreneurs, I talk to a lot of women who suffer with anxiety, bouts of depression, and issues in their relationships. All of these stem right back to not knowing our value and worth. Please hear me when I say, that there are extreme cases when we need to seek a medical professional. But for many women, the anxiety will cease when confidence arises.

You may be asking, how is this possible? How do I move past the anxiety and feelings of insecurity and believe that I have a place at the table?

I would hate to leave you hanging without sharing with you three keys that will boost your confidence level.

Own your past. All of it - your failures, the rejection, and even the feelings associated with them. It may seem hard to move past those fears, but when you own them, they stop owning you. It’s time to realize that what has happened in your past does not define you, and has no power over your future. So, own it! When you are able to own what you don’t like about your past, you will start to see all of the amazing qualities in yourself you do like. And, own them too!

Lift someone above you. It takes a strong woman to encourage someone else, especially when you think they don’t need it. The best way to belong is to serve those above you. Maybe it’s your boss, or a leader in your life. It could be a friend who seems to hit the jack pot at every turn. Celebrate her! Her win is also a win for you. You’ll have your moment to shine, but in the meantime throw a party for those who have worked hard for it. 

Adopt the attitude that everyone wants to be your friend. I met a woman not long ago with a self deprecating attitude. She assumed that people didn’t like her, and guess what... it translates. And, not in a good way. One of the best lessons I ever learned was from my mom who told me to assume that everyone likes you, until you prove them otherwise. This is a great lesson to take into your personal and professional life. It’s not about being arrogant, it’s about being who you were created to be.

Last week, I spent three days with some of the most creative women in design. Somehow I found myself rubbing shoulders with amazingly talented women in the industry, and several times wondered why I was there. I began asking myself, ‘do I belong here?’ Do I belong amongst the ranks of women who truly know what it means to hustle? To be in the presence of women, who have seen their business go to the next level. It was a soul searching moment. A time where I had to put into practice owning who I am, celebrating the women around me, and believing that every woman there wanted to be my friend. Guess what happened? I was myself. I gave myself permission to belong, and in the process I learned a ton about myself, and how I can take my business to the next level. As a bonus, I met some incredible women, and was able to encourage them that they too, belong!

We Are Better Together! 

The Art of Living With Expectation

Sometimes I get these super aggravating thoughts that hijack my subconscious convincing me that I should never expect anything good to happen. I know better. In fact, I help others move past their own limiting beliefs. So it would seem as though I should be able to figure out how to tell myself how to stop worrying excessively and expect the best for my own life. Not so much! It’s one of the hardest things for me to do. And, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to having to convince myself to expect good things. 

Let me back up a little, in case you are completely lost. I’ve been coaching incredibly talented women for some time now, and I love it. And I’d dare say that I’ve found my sweet spot. Within moments of a coaching conversation, I can pinpoint exactly where someone else is leaning towards a negative outcome. It’s basically like seeing a whirling police lights over their head. But with a little effort, I am able to help them reverse engineer those negative thoughts, so that they are able to ‘reframe’ their perspective. 

So, why is it so hard to do for myself?

It could be because I am so closely tied to the situation and outcome, that I just can not see how anything could possibly turn around. Or, that I am so invested in the emotional ties, that it seems impossible to unravel any of them. So instead, I just stew in the negative, which results in rejecting anything positive. 

As a child, I remember getting the best christmas gifts. This one year I got a puppet resembling a monkey that had velcro arms and legs to tie around my body. I freak’n loved that thing. I would wear it all over the house, and barely ever took it off. But then there came a time around twelve years old, where my expectations seemed to never be satisfied. My mom had gone all out to buy me a special gift that year. We had ripped through every other present when I noticed a small box remaining under the tree. I was so excited that it was for me, even though it was not something I had asked for. When I opened the small box, I saw a dazzling set of earrings. Now, I’m not sure what I had been expecting to see, but at the sight of them I burst into tears. They weren’t at all what I expected. And instead of being grateful, I told my mom she should return them. 

Ok, so besides being a complete brat, which I was. Something was rooted deep within me that day. I gave myself permission to expect only the outcome I wanted. And for a twelve year old, you can imagine that is likely the worst possible scenario. The crazy thing about this realization is that I spent a majority of my adult life doing that very thing. Any time something was given to me that I felt was unnecessary, or even something ‘I did not need’, I would reject it. 

You see I had made up my mind about what I wanted, what I deserved (or not), and what would be good for me. My expectations had become fully entrenched in my warped theology. Subsequently, I learned to never expect God to do anything on my behalf. After all He knew how much control I needed to have over my life. Yikes! Even as I write this I am convicted on so many levels. 

Maybe you have felt the same way, and didn’t even know it. Why would the creator of the universe ever want to give his children good things? 

Our ability to walk in the fullness of his blessing is directly related to our expectation of what He desires to do in our lives. Seems simple, and yet we make it so complicated. Lean into the goodness of God, expect Him to be there during our difficult moments, and He blows us away with his extravagant love. When we believe that He will come through for us, not only does he meet our expectations but he exceeds them. He loves to give us good gifts, and loves nothing more than to see us walking in the favour of his blessing.  

We Are Better Together!

My life changed for the better the moment I got fired.

Not gonna lie, I have been wanting to write about this for quite awhile, but felt as though it might be like playing a game of chicken with an oncoming freight train. At what point do I leap for the sidelines after starring down the barrel of this fast moving machine? Let’s be real here, I would never stand in front of a moving train. I know better. And, I’m also the sister of a railroad engineer. But, that’s what this feels like, talking about getting fired. It’s the sore spot of rejection in my life that has taken many years to heal. And, I wonder if it ever will be completely restored.

If you have ever been fired, let go, given a pink slip, forced into early retirement, or told that 'this industry' is not for you then you will be able to relate to everything I am about to share with you. But, on the off chance that you have never had to go through this kind of pain, well then good on ya. Hopefully you never do. 

My parents instilled within me great work ethic. In fact my mother had me cleaning the house top to bottom before I was even allowed to hang out with my friends every weekend. They insisted I start baby sitting at a young age, and because I was a pretty responsible kid, it seemed to them like a great idea. I hated it, and yet still managed to be asked to babysit every Friday night. By the time I was fifteen, I was taken out of my misery, and hired at a department store where all my friends from church worked as well. It was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. And as life would have it, tops the list of my longest held job to this day. 

It was the summer after my sophomore year when my dad got me hired (yes, you heard right) at a gas station. It was as awful as you would imagine it to be, and I was not there six weeks before I was fired and asked to turn in my polyester uniform. Who gets fired from a gas station? This girl. Although it was a huge blow to my fragile ego, I was so ectastic to never have to pump gas again. But this was not the only time I would be ‘let go’ from a job. Over the next two decades I was terminated/let go/fired from four more places of employment. This may come as a shock to some of you who know me personally. It has definitely shaped who I am.

You may be wondering what can someone possibly learn from getting let go that many times. It was a long time before I would admit to those closest to me, how painful each and every experience had been; every hard conversation, the devastation of leaving a position I had valued, and the feeling of rejection. There were a lot of tears shed in those seasons, my belief system shaken, and a new levels of humility experienced. All of which shaped me to be the woman, coach and friend I am today. It has made me more empathetic, and given me the ability to help others live their lives with purpose.

But here's the best part; it gave me a strength I never knew possible. And, today I am going to share with you the biggest lessons I learned from getting fired. Trust me when I say, it has made me a better person. 

1) I developed perseverance when the road seemed uncertain. And let me tell you when the fog rolls in and you have lost your bearings, it can be hard to navigate the journey. For me it took a significant amount of perseverance to believe that God had a purpose in all of my suffering

.2) I discovered my true value and identity and learned there will never be anything that I can do, or not do that will determine my worth. And, although I may want to see my value in a position or title that I have been given, that will never determine who I am in Christ.

3) I had to forgive and move myself forward. This one was a tricky one because I had to fight to not only to forgive those in authority over me who had wounded me in this process, but also forgive myself. There will never be another person who can hold your destiny in their hand. 

4) I learned to get up every time I fall. I fell so many times that it felt like I should just lay there and give up. But, even with a bruised spirit, I had to get up and keep going. The fight was more about my character than what I would do with my life.

5) I began to trust that God has a plan, a hope and a future for me. It would have been easy to fall into the trap of belief that I am not enough, that I am a failure, and that God will never use me. But God’s plan for me is quite the contrary. He uses every mis-step, every failure and every disappointment to build and refine my character. He has a plan for my life, and I believe that he has a plan for your life as well.

Are you facing the sting of rejection in your life?

Maybe you have been told by someone in authority that you are not good enough, or that you are not the right fit. Can I just tell you that YOU ARE ENOUGH. And, God has something for you that fits just right. His purpose for your life will bring you joy and peace. This may be a season of your life of learning and growing. Stand tall, and keep moving forward my friend. You got this! 

Why All Smart Girls Have Boundaries

Some may say that having boundaries in your life will stifle your freedom. Keep you from being your true self. I heartily disagree. In fact, I think that couldn’t be further from the truth. Smart girls have learned that boundaries are not meant to hold them back, but to guard them from potential harm.  They’ve discovered that they can thrive within strong healthy parameters both personally and professionally. And, not only do they thrive, but succeed and live with greater purpose. 

Many years ago I made a conscious decision to live my life intentionally. At the time I was not really sure how to go about it, so I started studying women that were rising in leadership. What I quickly learned from their life was that they said ’no’ way more often than they said ‘yes’. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to glean from them, but it turned out to be one of the best lessons in living on purpose. So, I tried it.

At first saying ’no’ was not easy. In fact it was down right hard. I hated it. It seemed as though I was passing up every opportunity that came may way. One day it dawned on me that the women who were saying ’no’ had a reason why they were doing so. They had created healthy boundaries around their personal and professional lives. They had discovered that not every opportunity was a good opportunity, and that in order to really live out their callings they had to limit what they did on a regular basis.

All of the sudden it became clear to me that I had to do the same thing. I could no longer live the same way as everyone else if I really wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, and to accomplish the calling on my life. Having boundaries in my life were not meant to limit my freedom, instead to ensure I was protected. 

As women, I think one of our biggest struggles in life is having healthy boundaries around our personal and professional lives. The tendency is to allow too many voices to speak into our lives, to say ‘yes' when we really want to say ‘no', and to be everything to everyone. 

Smart girls have boundaries because...

1) They have developed the confidence to walk out their purpose. 

Girls who KNOW their purpose inside and out exude confidence. Although it does take dedicated time and effort to live with purpose and intention; life is never the same. 

2) They hold themselves to a higher standard. 

It can be lonely to take the road less traveled. When expectation is raised, responsibility and capacity are increased. 

3) They have fought + won the battles.

Setting up boundaries will be the catalyst to experiencing victory in every area of life, both personally and professionally. The battles fought are not easy and require sacrifice to see massive change.  

It may seem as though living life in the confines of boundaries can be difficult, but let me tell you the freedom that comes with living a life that is fulfilled and full of purpose is worth every sacrifice it takes to get there. 

We Are Better Together!

Being Grateful Saved My Life

I’ve never been one to write a gratitude journal, even though it was insanely popular when Oprah was doing it. And, the time I tried to read ‘One Thousand Gifts’ by Ann Voscamp, I got a chapter in and realized I was in way over my head. It’s not that I don’t believe in being grateful. In fact I completely believe in being grateful. The only problem is that I have not always shown a whole lot of gratitude.

Let me ask you, how grateful are you?

There was a time in my life when I believed it was enough to say thanks for what I have, but that I also had the ability to go out and get what I want. I was raised to be an independent woman. And, although it served me well in many areas, it robbed me of my need for what others had to offer. Worst of all, I was never satisfied with what I had, and therefore not very grateful. 

Maybe you can relate. Surely, I am not the only one. 

The thing about being independent is that we learn to rely fully on our capabilities, and what we can provide for ourselves. It’s ok to go without, when we know that we are able to come up with what we need at a later date. Unfortunately, it leads to not being able to ask for help when we really need it. 

A few years ago, I embarked on a journey of starting my own business. It was risky, but I was willing to do it. Since then, I have experienced some serious ups and downs along the way. My goals were first and foremost and I desperately wanted to succeed. I know that doesn’t sound like a problem, but it was, and here’s why.. I got so caught up in what I wanted that I forgot to be grateful for what had already happened. 

My desire to get ahead eclipsed anything that I had achieved, or what God had already done. I had totally forgotten to be thankful for even the smallest wins. I basically came to the end of myself one day when I finally realized that there was no possible way of doing this one my own. My body had broken down, I was a wreck emotionally and weary from the process of trying to do it all myself. 

I needed God, and I needed to be grateful for the what He has already done in my life. It was during that time when I finally realized that I am not alone. God does want me to succeed, but he is more concerned with our relationship. He desires my worship (gratitude) over anything else. It’s ultimately all about him, and not really about me at all. 

Perhaps you find yourself in that place as well. You are ready to move forward but find it difficult to be thankful for the small things. Trust seems to elude you. Can I encourage you today to start seeing every small win as something greater, and then be thankful for it. Take time to celebrate, to worship God and to count every blessing that comes your way. It’s ok if things don’t happen in the speed you think they should happen. At the end of day, we are only given one opportunity to really make this life count, and I want to be thankful for it. 

Together We Are Better ... (and happy Canadian Thanksgiving)!

The Secrets I Learned From My Girl Squad

When I was a young girl, I quickly realized that girls can be 'catty' and mean. You’ve probably seen the movie ‘Mean Girls’. Need I say more? Learning that not everyone wants to be your friend was not an easy one. But, on the flip side, it taught me to make friends with girls who I could trust and count on. By the time I was fifteen years old, I was surrounded by a gang of amazing girls who I knew had my back. We were an unlikely bunch of girls from youth group who became known as ‘upstate girls’. I won’t go into the story behind the name, but let me assure you that these were my ride or die girls. 

Many years have passed, and some of those same women still remain in my life to this day. Because of those friendships, my desire to connect with women on more than a superficial level has allowed me to make the most amazing friends. I consider many of them my confidantes, sisters, and those who I turn to during the best and worst of times. Over the seasons in my life some have come and gone, but one thing has remained constant. They have taught me more about life than I could ever have imagined.

There may be some of you that read this and immediately wish you had a group of women in your life that you could call your squad. Some of you may have one or two really close friends. And, that may be all you need. Others of you may not know how to really be vulnerable in that kind of relationship. Allow me to share with you some of the lessons I have learned from my girl squad. 

You'll never stand in the ring alone. 

Life is messy, and the fight can be long and painful at times. But, when we are surrounded and supported by our squad we will never have to stand in the ring alone. They will be there to pick us up when we are down, and to tell us to keep fighting when we need to get our breakthrough. 

It’s ok to not be ok. 

It can be hard to admit defeat and disappointment, especially to those closest to us. But our real friends will allow us to be real and honest about where were are without condemnation. They also won’t let us stay there forever. 

Everything is better after ice cream and laughter.

Why do we have to take everything so seriously? Sometimes we need to just fall apart and then fill up with ice cream and laugh with each other until we cry. At the end of the day, not every crisis we will have needs to be hashed out over and over. It’s ok just to be with one another and realize that this too will pass. And, then share a pint of ice cream. Or, in some cases a bottle of wine. 

Let me ask you this. Who is investing into your life? And, who are you investing in? Maybe it’s been a while since you have given someone else permission to speak into your life. Trust me when I say that life is much better when you know your crew is by your side. They may not be perfect, but they will offer a fresh perspective that you just might need. 

Together We Are Better! 

Life is too short to stay where you are: it’s time to move forward and let your passion and purpose guide you. Registration is open for Designed With Purpose, but spaces are filling up -- join us on this journey. CLICK HERE

Who Else Wants To Make A Bigger Impact

Everyday I see these amazing ‘girl-boss’ type women making a huge impact on the world, and then instantly start comparing my life to theirs. It’s happened while watching my friends succeed, as well as women I follow on social media. Not gonna lie, it takes days to recover. Although I am definitely that girl that who celebrates the accomplishment of others, I still find it difficult not to want my life to be further ahead than it is right now. Somewhere along the way, the impact I wanted to make on the world got drowned by my own insecurity and doubt. 

Anybody with me?

Perhaps you can completely relate. It may not be insecurity that's taken root, but it could be complacency or fear that crowds your heart and mind. As women we have the ability to create, to nurture, and change the lives of those around us (along with many other things). Why are we so consumed with whether or not we are ready? We wait years for a door to open, or for an opportunity to appear on our doorstep. What are YOU waiting for?

My friend Paulina is one of those women who gets out there and doesn’t let anything get in her way. By the time she was in her mid twenties she had already graduated with a master degree in nursing, and had started a non profit mentoring young women in Liberia. She is a world changer that girl. It makes me wonder, what sets a women like Paulina apart from the rest of us who truly desire to make an impact on the world?

Perhaps it is what we think about our lives, whether we have been able to move on from our past and embrace what God has for our future. It all comes down to what we believe. Today I want to share with you three questions that I believe will help you determine whether or not you are ready to make an impact on the world. 

1) What do you believe about yourself?

The thoughts that we believe about 'WHO' we are will have a direct impact on our future. Both good and bad. We need to change our thoughts, and then start changing the words we speak over ourselves and our situation. This is not always easy, so ask a friend to help you. Stay accountable to speak truth about yourself. 

2) What do you believe about others?

The thoughts we have towards others will determine how we can move in our purpose. Start by asking yourself ‘HOW’ you can elevate those around you. If we start to seek opportunity to equip others to fulfill their purpose, we will start to fulfill our destiny. It’s not all about us. 

3) What do you believe about God?

It won’t matter what you believe about yourself or others if you don’t know 'WHAT' you believe about God. What does He want with your life? I love this verse found in Proverbs 19:21 - ‘You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purposes will prevail.’ God has a plan for you, but you have to be in agreement with the promises He speaks over you. 

Making a bigger impact always starts right in our own backyard. It’s the quiet moments of reflection, and the realization that God has gifted you do so much more that you could ever imagine. Let’s make a pact to stop wishing and waiting. Let's stop looking at what everyone else is doing, and start to see ourselves as God has created us. To believe that we can make an impact, and to trust God that His purpose prevails.  

Together We Are Better!

Are you ready to make a bigger impact, but you are not sure what your first step needs to be! Join me for a six-week interactive group coaching program that will help you align your personal values with your purpose. CLICK HERE

How To Set Yourself Up To Dream Again

‘You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.’ - C.S. Lewis.

As I sat down to write this my heart instantly felt heavy. The weight of my own unfulfilled dreams hit me like a wave. Unrelenting; a tsunami to my soul. I’ve always been a dreamer, but I have not always seen my dreams come to life. When I was much younger, I had such a strong belief that my dreams would come true. What I did not know then was the price I had to pay to walk out the process.

Are you disillusioned with where you are in your life right now? Feeling a little lost, hopeless, left out? Does dreaming for something to come to pass in your life seem like a complete impossibility?

There is nothing I can offer to you other than words from my own playbook. I’ve been in a season where I’ve had to continuously bring my dreams before God and ask Him to either take them from me, or give me the faith to keep going forward. You see, I’ve experienced disappointment and doubt all along the way. Daily, I have had questions swirling in my mind. I’ve played the 'what if’ game, and asked ‘why’ more times than I can count.

So you see we are in the same boat, you and me. 

That brings me back to the question, how do we set ourselves up to dream again? Is it even possible?

Maybe you have experienced unimaginable loss or rejection. Perhaps you believed that by now you would be married, have the business you’ve always wanted. It’s hard to keep a dream alive when our hearts are pierced with pain and disappointment. 

Have you been tempted to take matters into your own hands? I know I have. It’s too easy to think just because the timing hasn’t been like what we think it should be that we need to do something about it. But, when we do the results always end in disaster. 

Stop over complicating things.

Stop over analyzing every situation.

Stop taking matters into your own hands.

Start letting go of the control.

Allow God to do the work that He wants to do.

Realize that your dreams are just a reflection of the work that He will do through you.

Here is the truth my friend… God is not done with you. Even if you have failed, doubted, felt pain beyond anything you could have dreamt, God will come through on HIs promise. Why? The dream was from Him to begin with. Reposition yourself to hear Him again. You’re never going to be too old, too broken, or made too many mistakes to begin to dream again.

Are you ready to dream again?

Are you ready to dig deeper than you ever have before to realize your purpose?

Are you ready to make a greater impact with your life?

Designed With Purpose is for you. This six-week interactive online group coaching program with equip you with the tools that will set you up to move your life forward like never before. You will be surrounded by life giving women, who will speak encouragement in your life, and give you space for your dreams to come back to life. Your time is now. Registration is open - CLICK HERE. 

Do You Have The Courage To Step Into Your Healing

My own personal journey of healing has been painful and beautiful all at the same time. Believe me when I say that I have faced wounding that I never thought I would recover from. It’s not something that happened over night, and there was no magical moment that took away the pain I was facing. Before I go any further, I really want to start by saying this. Whatever you are facing, or have faced can not and should not be compared to the struggle of anyone else.

When I was in college I experienced my first messy breakup. It shook me to the core. For days I stayed in bed, not wanting to face the world or a life beyond that moment. I was sad, depressed, and quite honestly hopeless. One day I was talking to my dad, and he told me something that has stayed with me to this very day, “don’t ever compare what you are going through with the trials that others face because this is the hardest thing you have ever faced.” There was something about that statement that allowed me to see that what I was going through was painful and that I was allowed to feel sadness. But, I could not stay there forever. 

Many of you reading this are facing unbelievable pain from hurt that has happened to you throughout your life. One out of three will have been abused physically, sexually or emotionally. You could have experienced the loss of a parent or a loved one at a very early age. Maybe you have battled with mental illness or some form of depression or anxiety. I’m not here to tell you today that there is a quick fix, or that your healing will be immediate. What I am here to do is to encourage you to take that one step towards your healing. 

For years I battled alone, until I finally had the courage to talk to a therapist. In fact that was the catalyst for me to pursue a career in helping other women. What I did not know then was that it would be the first time of many that I would need to sit and share my hurt with someone else. If you had asked me in that moment, I would not have cared if I would ever help someone else in my lifetime. I’ve come a long way since then. 

Taking a step of courage for you may look a little different. It could be that you release yourself from guilt, or maybe you forgive someone else for what they inflicted upon you. Whatever it is, this is your time. You do not have to do it alone.

If you have been doing the 21 Day Purpose Challenge, you may have gotten to today and thought to yourself that you want to throw in the towel. Can I encourage you to keep going. You can do this!! Maybe you haphazardly stumbled upon this blog today. I would like to invite you to join a group of amazing women who have decided to journey together. Click here and sign up right now. You will get access to a private Facebook group that I trust will encourage you to pursue your healing journey. 

Take it a step further and really pursue God’s purpose for you life by joining Designed With Purpose. We are better together!

Dare to challenge the limits of the ordinary. You, my friend were made for more! Designed With Purpose is a six-week interactive online group coaching program that will equip and empower you to reach beyond your everyday life to pursue your God given purpose. LEARN MORE.