by Amy Matthews | Feb 25, 2020 | Business, In-Power |
I talk to people transitioning in their careers almost on a daily basis, both clients and potential clients alike. Time to rant and lend perspective on this week’s conversations.
Two potential clients, a man, and a woman, successful tech leaders in career transition. They both reached out for help, looking for clarity and direction as they initiate their new job search. It makes perfect sense to me as their needs are aligned with many of my clients. When we embark on something new, it’s fitting to want a clear path forward, especially for those of us who are high achievers. We want to do it right, the first time.
After listening to their unique backgrounds and situations, I responded in a similar fashion.
The opportunity in front of you is to:
Define who you are today – not 5 years ago when you accepted your last position
Define your superpowers so you leverage them in your next position
Create your authentic brand – from the inside out and reflect it in all your communication
Let go of old identities, personas and limiting beliefs that are based in the past
Define an intention and parameters you want in your next position
Create a strategy and action plan to get the position that’s the perfect fit
They responded in a similar fashion too.
Thanks Amy. You get me and your process resonates. I want to work with you. Before I commit, I need to talk it over with my spouse/partner. See what they think.
I truly understand that answer.
We often need to talk over decisions with a partner, especially when it involves a financial commitment. Plus, it’s always a good idea to think about a decision before we make it – whether that decision is working with a career and business coach, or another decision that requires us to be All In.
Before you initiate a conversation with someone you’re in partnership with, ask yourself these 3 questions:
How much do I want this?
Am I looking for permission or buy-in?
What is the best approach to gain buy-in and support?
Be intentional with your communication and create the outcomes you want.
Give yourself permission to be your own authority.
by Amy Matthews | Feb 18, 2020 | Business, Mindset |
When a topic comes up three times in a week, I usually write about it. I am compelled to write today about getting real and seeing the truth in every situation. Yep. It’s time to take off the rose-colored glasses.
Here are a few examples of what I am talking about:
A prospective client says he/she doesn’t want to work with your company but you are convinced you can change his/her mind
The person you are romantically involved with tells you he/she wants to ‘just be friends’ and you say, he/she will come around
Your partner says he/she doesn’t want to go to therapy to work on your relationship but you think you can persuade him/her to go
Your boss tells you that you’re not working out in your position and you work harder to prove yourself
It’s not easy to face the truth, especially when we don’t like it. Many of us want to see what we want to see. We’d rather run away, cajole, manipulate, sweet talk our way out of it, blame another or brainwash ourselves into thinking we can will what we want to happen to fruition. Rather than accepting what the other person is telling us, we’d rather deny it.
Next time you anticipate having a difficult conversation with someone who has a very different perspective, use these 5 steps to ensure a connected and constructive conversation:
1. Take what the other person tells you at face value. Believe what they say. Period.
2. Don’t judge, react or make the other person wrong. Leave your emotions out of it.
3. Ask Why. Be curious and open to the other person’s point of view.
4. Don’t take what they say personally. Seriously, it’s never about you.
5. Accept their truth. There is no black and white in any situation.
Truth is power because that’s when things can change. Once you know the truth, you can pivot. You can create options. You can create possibilities. You can create choices you didn’t know you had! And, you get to decide what truly empowers you and choose the best option for you.
The truth will set you free.
by Amy Matthews | Feb 11, 2020 | Business, In-Power, Inspiration |
I was at Rancho la Puerta last week, an amazing wellness and fitness retreat in Tecate, Mexico. Have you been? I was honored to be a speaker for the week. I went there 5 years ago as a guest and forgot how magical it is! Amazing early morning hikes, organic plant-based food, all sorts of fitness classes, mindfulness classes, inspiring performers and speakers. It’s a soulful and rejuvenating place because of its sacred land and its people are kind, warm and friendly.
We can learn so much from the Mexicans. They lead with their hearts, then their heads, rather than the other way around. They are insightful and wise. I was reminded of my corporate days when I ran a Latin America for a tech company. Back then, I was an intense, over performer with a big job. I traveled constantly and my entire identity was wrapped up in what I did.
I was focused on my performance and super stressed. Truth be told, I wasn’t happy.
My team in Mexico City taught me a lot. I began to understand that you can enjoy your life without sacrificing your career. That you can prioritize your loved ones over your work. That you are valued for who you are, not what you do. That you are enough, just the way you are. That happiness and ease are a birthright. That authenticity and kindness always rule. That leading with your heart is IN.
Limitless, is my leadership program for ambitious, high performers who want more joy, adventure, confidence, ease, and greater success. It’s possible to create a life that is so expansive and inspiring, just thinking about it makes you want to get down and boogie. To learn more about Limitless, book a clarity call with me here.
You can have your cake and eat it too.
by Amy Matthews | Jan 28, 2020 | Business, Mindset |
We all have Internal conflicts. You know what I mean, when your mind is in a constant tug of war. One of the best ways to hold yourself back from achieving what you want most, is to want two opposing things at the same time.
A few examples:
You want to lose weight. And you are obsessed with eating ice cream.
You want to grow your business. And you spend all your time ‘on the business’.
You want to find a new job. And don’t want to look for a new position.
You want an intimate partnership. And you want to stay home and watch Netflix.
When we want two different and opposing things, we create resistance within ourselves. This makes us conflicted, creates confusion and mind mugginess which keeps us stuck.
To #Breakfree from this mental trap, ask yourself:
What is it I really want – right now? Not a month from now or 2 years from now. Right this very minute?
I reported to an executive years ago who was notorious for saying this.”You’re not a man without a plan. You can change a plan but you can’t change a no plan.”
I’d like to think that in today’s environment, he would have included “woman” in the above statement but you get my drift.
Empower yourself and make a choice. Create an action plan and commit to it 100%. If you don’t gain traction after some time, revisit your plan. You can always change it.
But you can’t change a “no plan”.
by Amy Matthews | Dec 10, 2019 | Business, In-Power |
In conversations with clients this week, all who are solo entrepreneurs grappling with growing their businesses, I found myself saying the same thing.
“You get what you think you are worth.” “You get what you think you deserve.” “You get what you are committed to.”
The good news is, as an entrepreneur, you get to define yourself and your business. Whether you’re pricing art, product offerings or a consulting project, you get to decide your value and what you are worth. That can be daunting because we are trained to define our businesses by industry benchmarks or what competitors are doing. But to differentiate yourself and stand out from the crowd, define yourself on your terms.
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you are worth. Claim it and own it. Don’t be afraid to lose business. Exude confidence and the right clients will be attracted to you and respond accordingly. “Like attracts like.”
If you believe you are worth it, then you are. It’s that simple.
If you are ready to expand your vision for your business and your capacity for success, book a call with me here.
Life is too short to not go big.
by Amy Matthews | Oct 22, 2019 | Business, In-Power, Inspiration, Mindset |
I have always sought out a coach or consultant when I wanted to get better, learn something or get somewhere. Personal trainers, therapists, healers, career coach, speaking coach, branding strategist, business gurus, marketing consultants – you name it. All of these experts are a type of coach and they have all helped me get to where I am today.
So many of us don’t ask for help. We poo poo the idea, or the cost, or the time. We run away from our feelings, we stay stuck in our analytical minds. We waste time and don’t go anywhere. I think it’s because for some of us, the idea of being and having whatever we want is – scary.
The truth is, the happiest and most successful people work with someone (or someones) to help them cut through the muck, get out of their own way and move to the next level.
The truth is, you can’t depend on your husband, wife, partner, friend to be your coach.
When you want to get into shape, you hire a personal trainer. When you want to understand your childhood and family background, you hire a therapist. When you want to resolve conflict in your relationship, you hire a couples therapist.
And:
When you need a strategy and plan for your life, you hire me
When you need to map out your business idea, you hire me
When you want to grow your business, you hire me
When you want to figure out what you want to do when you grow up, you hire me
When you want to fast track your career, you hire me
When you want to make more money, you hire me
When you want to become a better leader, you hire me
When you want to improve your communication skills, you hire me
When you want to embrace all that you are and be a total badass, you hire me
WE all need help. It starts with asking for it.
What would you like more of? Book your 45 min Clarity call with me here.
