Author Archives: michelle

Start with Why, in life and in business.

A coach that is helping me create my story/my talk had me watch the following video before our first session together. And you know what the big aha was for me (AGAIN)?

That it’s all connected.

Whether it’s in speaking, business, non-profit, with family or friends…it’s really all about the WHY.

My speaking coach had me watch this TED Talk video to inspire digging deep; to get me clear on the WHY of my talk. WHY I felt passionate about it and WHY people listening would really care. As in, enough to become evangelists and part of the longevity of the story long after I’m done speaking.

I’m hoping this video will help you gain clarity as well…whether it’s on a story or book you’re writing, the way to express a complicated subject to your child or the why behind a new program or product in your business ~ start with why. You’ll find people leaning in…

As entrepreneurs, business-owners and, generally, as human beings we really are so much more powerful and able to truly connect when we not only know the WHY but are able to express it. When we do this over and over again successfully (clearly), this is when people trust us enough to do business with us.

What is your why and WHY should clients, potential clients care?

What is the why behind your vision?

What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

What do you really care about, what do you value?

(psst this is all “branding”;-)

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Doing it all vs. Having it all.

There’s always all this talk about women doing and having it all.

I have an opinion on it ~ “all.”

I believe we’re actually not able to DO it all. It’s a myth. There’s always something (or someone) that gets left out or, worse, we wreak havoc on our body, mind and spirit.

We need support, in life and in business (the village thing needn’t only apply to raising children).

And we need this support not only to save our important (and not-so-little internal operating systems) and enjoy life but to see leaps and huge growth in our business. Simple as that.

I not only believe this but have seen it to be true in my life and the lives of clients and colleagues around me. The second that I personally allowed true support into my business, the business, and my creativity, grew exponentially.

True: The quicker you delegate in your business and focus on your real areas of brilliance and genius, the quicker your business will double in income. How’s that for tangible?

So…get cozy with an assistant (virtual or not), interns (www.monstertrak.com), coaches and mentors (there are STELLAR ones out there), not to mention get hiring web masters, a designer, a bookkeeper etc. And don’t just keep them for a short time…keep them for a looong time (as long as you want to have a thriving business, anyway). It may sound like a lot of cash flow moving out of your hands, however, it all shakes out. And, really, has any uber successful woman in business not had support? No.

True: Once we decide we want it all, we must make a another choice. If there’s no turning back from living a big, beautiful life of entrepreneurship, we must make another big choice. And that choice is deciding to not do it all. We can have what we want ~ we can have it all ~ but the first step is not doing it all.

If you haven’t done so already or if you’ve just taken baby steps, declare a new life, really, and a new way of not only asking for help and support but learning to receive it over and over and over again. Giddily.

Success doesn’t skimp on herself. 😉

Connect with Michelle on Facebook and Twitter.

You did it.

Having studied yoga philosophy for seven months and generally living what I’d like to call a mindful life, I know the power in visualization.

Successful people don’t have something special that you don’t. They might do some things that are “special” or different than what you’re doing, however, there is nothing inherently more valuable or capable in her than in you. (there isn’t)

It’s all about the emphasis we put on certain practices, rituals and most definitely the super-size of focus, drive and level of trust in yourself that will make or break you (our conditioning is a big one).

Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell discussed his theory around 10,000 hours in his book Outliers. He believes it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something. Well, first things first. He believes you CAN become an expert if you simply put in the time.

But There’s More To It

I agree and also add the pieces mentioned above about routines and practices we partake in to keep us moving forward in the right direction.

You must take care of yourself and tune in to create a success that feels good: Practice mindfulness. Practice rituals such as visualization to see and feel what you want…it will motivate you to keep going no matter how scary or big you think the goal or vision is, trust me.

Here’s a Great (easy & quick) Visualization to Practice Often

Visualize the project you’re working on…

• the book you’re writing

• the program you’re starting

• the baby you’re growing

• the business you’re about to start

Imagine your thing as the most beautiful version of itself: what they’ll look like/be like once they are finished. Envision the joy they’ll produce for yourself, yes, but for the people its meant to touch as well.

Envision it being “done” ~ birthed.

You did it.

How does that make you feel? See the reaction others will have. Envision the feeling of having put something out into the world you’ve wanted to put out for such a long time. Let that feeling grow inside you, really allow it to take up space.

Take it all in. Let it sit. Let it simmer.

Now let it go…

It’s not your business how exactly that success will come to you (many times it comes to us in a fashion we haven’t planned on) but it IS your business to continuing putting in the time, energy and positive mindset that it will come.

In my opinion, visualization is a version of meditation I like to call reflection. Reflecting on what we want is so important. I really do see it as a way to take care of ourselves. A way to take pause yet keep us moving emotionally in the direction of our largest lives.

And for any of you parents out there, enjoy an article I wrote about re-inventing ourselves-slash-following what we want in life: Michelle’s article on Being the Mother or Father of Your Re-Invention on the HappinessSeries.com.

Connect with Michelle on Facebook and Twitter.

We are the Mothers of our own Re-invention, part deux

We are the Mothers of our own re-invention…

I’m so inspired by this truth; by the power we hold, not only in business but in life, that this might just become a regular “column” on the blog and in my newsletter. I hope you’re down with that.

Speaking of, I hope you’re able to let loose and get down tomorrow night for New Year’s Eve. Part of re-inventing is allowing ourselves to experience that side of ourselves that recognizes how far we’ve come…that sees the opportunity to celebrate the changes and successes we’ve put allowed in…and created.

As women we are creators, that goes without being said.

What we must remember as we continue moving forward towards our best life, however, is to allow this to happen: to see that and seize the opportunity to pat ourselves on the back and see that it was us, not anyone else, who made it happen.

Many times, we attribute our success to others…someone helped us. Or, maybe there’s even an element of luck that we describe when in reality it was us. I believe in order to create more of the same…to continue being successful we must see the brilliance and strength we have, and, even be able to talk about it. To be able to say “I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished” and not shrink, even the tiniest amount, to make others feel more comfortable.

When we begin to genuinely accept our greatness, we change the way our world sees success. (bye-bye glass ceiling)

With this practice also comes the responsibility, of course, to tell our daughters to also believe they got the A and that they are able to sit at the table:

Sheryl Sandberg, Ted Talk, on Why we have too few women leaders.

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