11 Rules To Break To Set Yourself Free

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How to Thrive in Uncertainty

How to Thrive in Uncertainty

I’ve been writing about living with uncertainty for three years now. It’s still a popular topic as our day to day continues to shift. 

Uncertainty is a scary thing for most of us. We crave security and the fear of the unknown has caused anxiety and worry levels to skyrocket on a global level. The truth is, we grew up thinking we had control over situations, outcomes, people, and our environment. Then the events of the last three years happened. It brought us a stark reality we never had control in the first place.

As the new year unfolds, here are a few reminders on how to thrive in uncertainty:

Tips for Thriving In Uncertainty

1) It’s a Part of Life

Learn to Accept It. Wishing and wanting things the way they used to be, only makes us struggle, miserable, and even more fearful. We all know that what we resist, persists. If you find yourself worrying excessively, focus your attention on problems you can solve.

2) Create Different Possibilities

It’s hard not to know what the future holds. Yet, you can be open and plan for other scenarios. Your realm of possibilities lies at the intersection of your unique strengths, skills, values, and passions. Get creative and come up with a Plan B and even a Plan C.

3) Nix Expectations

Unrealistic expectations set you up for disappointment and will take you off your game. I’m a big believer in having high standards, a clear intention and vision, and consistently taking action toward your goals. Just don’t get attached to certain outcomes!

4) Exercise Your Resiliency and Adaptability Muscles

Resiliency is the key to success, especially during stressful times. Being able to reframe a difficult situation into something positive allows you to bounce back more quickly. Consistently exercising these muscles will build strength so you can handle anything that comes your way.

5) Focus on What You Can Control

We have control over many things. Our attitude, routine, the food we eat, exercise, beliefs, thought patterns, actions we take, how we respond to situations, the company we keep, and how we spend our time. Every single day, you get to make empowering choices that support your well-being. 

6) Practice Being Present

Our natural tendency is to run away from uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. That’s where mindfulness and meditation come in. When your mind starts racing, try taking a few deep breaths or a brisk walk. Either will help you shift so you can fully experience what’s happening at the moment.

Change is the only constant in life. You may not know exactly what lies ahead but you can open up and plan for expanded possibilities.

What breakthrough are you seeking?

When nothing is sure, everything is possible. - Margaret Drabble
Decision Making, Made Easy.

Decision Making, Made Easy.

It’s a human need to want to be ourselves and be accepted for who we are.

After my corporate gigs, I joined a start-up as VP of Sales which had just received an unheard amount of capital, a whopping $36 Million in its B round.

The CEO was 32, Stanford MBA, with little leadership and operational experience. To say it kindly, he was a control freak and needed to know my every move. I had been accustomed to a lot of autonomy so it was a bit of a shock and an adjustment. He also wanted the entire team to eat lunch at the company – every day. Lunch was bologna on Wonder bread, which if you know me at all, is not my cup of tea. 

So what did I do? I’d go out and buy a salad.

Early on, the CEO wasn’t receptive to what I had to say, about anything. Again something I wasn’t accustomed to. In retrospect, he may have thought I was rebelling when I spoke up or didn’t eat bologna. The culture was hierarchical, dominating, and fear-based. I knew after the first week, it was a terrible fit. Instead of accepting I had made the wrong choice, I resisted it. I thought I could make it work, which only made me more stressed and miserable. 

No matter the culture – whether it’s within a company, family, romantic relationship or friendship, none of us want to feel contained or controlled. When we feel we can’t be ourselves, it’s natural to shrink, feel suffocated or resentful.

We always have a choice. We can either accept the situation we’re in or not. 

There are pros and cons to every job, relationship or company. You get to choose what’s right for you. Do a Ben Franklin. If there are more pros, then stay. If there are more cons, bring up your concerns, if the situation allows for it. If not, perhaps it’s time to go.

Decision making – made easy. It’s simple if we let it.  

Never Minimize Yourself

Communication is the Real Work of Leaders.

Communication is the Real Work of Leaders.

Communication and the ability to influence is the #1 skill for every single one of us. Yet often, we either don’t make it a priority, forget to share details, or avoid a conversation altogether. From my experience, it’s because we are fearful of how the other party will respond.

  • Will the person get angry?
  • Or reject us?

  • Or be hurt?

If we have our druthers, most of us would prefer to steer clear of conflict and confrontation.

It’s just human nature.

We all know how it feels to encounter someone with poor verbal communication skills. We’re left feeling confused, frustrated or even worse, disempowered. You know what I mean. Instead of being lifted up, it drags us down.

A strong leader doesn’t need to be the smartest person in the room or work longer hours than others do. What is needed is to have a high degree of emotional intelligence, and bring people together around a common goal. A strong leader must use the right words to build up their team and articulate clear goals for individuals and for the organization.

In a LinkedIn survey, Emotional Intelligence ranked in the top 5 soft skills most sought after. EQ and knowing how to communicate with influence go hand in hand. Think Yin and Yang. Or Bonnie and Clyde.

Becoming a better communicator requires being intentional in both your conversations and in writing.

Here are my 6 simple and proven communication strategies for any conversation you embark on:

1. Be Prepared – Know what you want to say ahead of time

2. Be Clear – Keep it clear and concise

3. Be Confident – be strong in your point of view

4. Be Thoughtful – speak with compassion and empathy

5. Be Grounded – eliminate distractions, stay present and listen

6. Be Open – look for synergistic outcomes

Learning how to be a good communicator is crucial for your success in business and in life. It requires focus, practice, and commitment. It can be a lifelong journey so be patient and stay the course!

Remember, speaking up is a responsibility. So, use the 6 steps to be intentional and strategic in every conversation.

I’ve helped hundreds of business professionals get clear on what they want to say and how to say it, whether it be to a boss, employee, client, colleague, partner, or friend.

If you’ve been avoiding putting off a tricky conversation, sign up for a complimentary Clarity Call with me here.

And, if you missed my LinkedIn webinar, Strategic Communication: Get the Outcomes You Want, here’s the replay:

strategic communication: get the results that you want webinar
3 Steps to Build Unshakeable Confidence

3 Steps to Build Unshakeable Confidence

Who doesn’t want to feel confident, comfortable in our skin and have the world by the tail?

Most of us are confident in some situations but not all. You’re killing it at your job. Your pickleball game is off the charts. You just landed a mega client. You are tickled pink about your love life. You got the promotion! But then something happens. Confidence can be tricky and fleeting – one moment you feel it, the next you don’t.

The truth is, real confidence isn’t situational. Confidence is knowing in your heart that you are enough. That you can do anything you put your mind to. That everything will be okay – actually is – okay.

If your confidence wavers, try these 3 steps:

Step 1 – Scrap Looking Good at All Costs

We all want to be liked and admired. But the people pleasing has got to go. Stop caring what others think of you ABOVE all else. The constant overdoing has got to go too. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not about how you look or what you do.

Step 2 – Find Your Purpose

When you have a dazzling north star, you feel connected to what really matters to you. We all have a purpose, it’s your raison d’etre or a deeper desire to serve or contribute. When you marry your authentic brand with your purpose, you are unstoppable.

Step 3 – Create A Bold Life Plan

A plan that is so expansive and inspiring that just thinking about it puts a smile on your face. You have big dreams and ambitions. Create a plan to make it a reality and work it. The more action you take. the more momentum you’ll build. The more momentum, the more motivation you’ll have.

We’re not born with confidence, we learn it. Confidence takes listening to your intuition and trusting yourself. The more you take inspired action towards what you want – regardless of the outcome – the more confident you’ll become.

It’s never too late to build your self-confidence muscle. Start building it today.

Ready to Be Super Confident and Unstoppable?

Say adios to goals that stress you out and get in touch with what truly matters. Take the first steps toward living the life you really want rather than waiting until the ‘Time Is Right”. Learn this 3 step process to create unshakeable confidence.

6 Communication Strategies for Any Difficult Conversation

6 Communication Strategies for Any Difficult Conversation

Remember when we could sweep an issue under the rug, put our head in the sand and pray it would go away?

Communication and the ability to influence is the #1 skill for every single one of us. Yet when conflict arises, it’s the first thing that gets tossed out the window.

 

Here are a few situations I’ve helped my clients navigate lately:

👉 A client works for a large Silicon Valley company. He’s a top, individual contributor yet is being asked to lead his teammates and do the job of two people. He is stressed and sleep-deprived. We talked about what to say to his boss but he said she wouldn’t understand.

👉 A client runs the Americas division for a well-known corporation. A member of his team is not cutting it, he’s not focused on bringing in more revenue. We discussed what he needs to say to his employee. He still hasn’t had the conversation.

👉A client’s in-laws came to stay the night and forgot to mention they weren’t feeling well. Oops. My client’s entire family got Covid. She was livid…how dare they? We discussed how to have “the honest conversation” so something like this wouldn’t happen again. She decided to not rock the boat.

👉 Another client is in real estate. She has a partner and for the last five years, helped build a thriving business. She now wants to pursue another career and told her partner but now she is avoiding her. We discussed how to have “the honest conversation” to get back on the same page.

 

Here are my 6 simple and proven communication strategies for any difficult conversation you embark on:

1. Be Prepared – Know what you want to say ahead of time

2. Be Clear – Keep it clear and concise

3. Be Confident – be strong in your point of view

4. Be Thoughtful – speak with compassion and empathy

5. Be Grounded – eliminate distractions, stay present and listen

6. Be Open – look for synergistic outcomes

You can have a connected conversation, stand in your truth, be kind and caring – AND – get the results you want.

I have helped hundreds of professionals get clear on how to say what they want to say. whether it be to a boss, employee, client, colleague, romantic partner, or friend.

If you’ve been putting off “the difficult conversation”, book a free 30-minute clarity call with me right here.

Boundaries Create More Freedom

Boundaries Create More Freedom

Freedom is top of mind these days, on so many fronts. To boot, we celebrated
Juneteenth this weekend and July 4th 🎉  is just around the corner.

Freedom: “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without restraint.”

The very word conjures up the feeling of “Let It Rip!”

The truth is, in order to feel free, we have to set limits.

The need for boundaries is everywhere.

Boundaries at work, with clients, with spouses/partners, children, friends and even neighbors.

There will always be someone who pushes your boundaries.

I hear these issues from clients:

The boss who reaches out at all hours of the night

The CEO who demands you to be available 24/7

The controlling client who doesn’t trust you “got this”

The friend who asks for advice – on his/her schedule

The colleague who is just so…annoying

The partner who flings his “stuff” everywhere

At our core, we know boundaries are important, yet we struggle to create them. We believe if we say No, we’ll be rejected. Or judged. Or labeled. Or not loved.

Our mental chatter goes something like this:

If I say “No”, to a proposed deadline, she/he/they won’t be my client

If I say “No”, I might get fired

If I say “No”, I won’t get the promotion

If I say “No”, she/he/they will move on to someone else

If I say “No”, my child will rebel

Whatever the chatter, try to let it go.

I’m a big believer in saying YES but not all the time.

Freedom begins with saying NO.

Boundaries are essential to our personal well being and mental health. They give us the room we crave and enable us to thrive.

Take your next step towards a breakthrough on creating boundaries. Schedule a 30 minute clarity call with me here:

What breakthrough are you seeking?