11 Rules To Break To Set Yourself Free

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Want Clarity, Conviction and Confidence?

Want Clarity, Conviction and Confidence?

by | Feb 28, 2024 | Business, In-Power, Inspiration, Mindset | 0 comments

When I first began to think about creating my consulting and coaching business, I started to write every morning about what I wanted. I was in a reflective period, I had recently broken up with a boyfriend and was in a growth spurt. 

First thing after waking, sitting in my living room with a cup of Joe in hand, I wrote. The title at the top of the page, WHAT I WANT. I wrote a stream of consciousness, permitting myself to write whatever came to mind, with no rules, and anything goes. Every day for a month, I wrote for 15 minutes. Then every day for another month and another month after that. 

I got super clear. I got a conviction. I got committed. I got confident, to take action and start creating my life on my terms. Thus, the beginning of my coaching process.

That was 10 years ago. Back then, my business was called Eat the Brownie. I’ve always been super inspired to help people realize their full potential and get what they want, whether it’s more joy, freedom, money, success, peace of mind or whatever brings meaning. This is what “Eating the Brownie” is all about, knowing who you are, what you want and creating a life with #no regrets. (Read the story that inspired “Eat the Brownie” here.)

I call my morning writing ritual “Brownie Pages”, a take on Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages, the amazing author of the Artist’s Way.

What I know for sure is this: if you take the time to get out of mind mugginess, you will gain clarity on what you want. And if you take repeated action towards it, in 6 months your life will change. It’s how I got to where I am now. I changed where I live and what I do. My life looks very different than it did 10 years ago.

AND drum roll please..it’s time to do it again! Starting right now –  2 full months – I’m committed to writing “Brownie Pages” each and every day. So I can expand my vision for myself, my business and my life. And make 2024 the best year ever.

Who wants to join me? In just 8 weeks, you will have more clarity, conviction, and confidence to create the life you really want. Come on, let’s do this together.

Life is short, let’s get the party started. You in? Send me an email (amy at womanunruled dot com) and let me know! 

Eat the brownie

So You Want a Productive and Positive 2024? Avoid “The Rabbit” Hole.

So You Want a Productive and Positive 2024? Avoid “The Rabbit” Hole.

by | Jan 18, 2024 | Blog, Inspiration, Mindset | 0 comments

One of my main goals this year, and every year is to be highly productive. I can get hyper-focused but lately, I find I’m more susceptible to distractions. Perhaps it’s how fast things are moving and changing around us, or the turbulence and chaos in our own lives or our loved ones, the media and the biggest time suck of all – social media.

Going down a rabbit hole does have its positive connotations – expansive thinking, exploring, being in discovery mode. But in this article, I’m talking about the not so useful kind of rabbit hole that leads to anxious feelings and wasted time.

Let me know if any of these situations resonate with you:

  • Your child or loved one has a terrible rash and you “google the heck out of it” concluding she/he has a rare disease
  • You wake up in the middle of the night and your mind is spinning, going over the details of the day, ruminating about what you didn’t do or wish you hadn’t said
  • You get obsessed with a topic or person on social media and Instagram becomes your best and worst friend

One minute you’re having a productive and positive day, the next minute you’re in the midst of a downward spiral where your thoughts turn on your panic button, turn off your immune system along with the creative part of your brain.

It’s normal to want to know and have information, it’s a way to feel we’re in control and leading our lives. Yet when we start to feel crummy or disempowered or dissatisfied, it’s time to stop the Google, Instagram or FB obsession and comparison game.

In a world full of distractions, how do you stay on course?

  • You focus on your top priorities.
  • You create boundaries with your schedule and with people.
  • You monitor your thoughts and emotions so they are positive and don’t run on the fear track.
  • You make intention and discipline your mantras.

Let’s face it, we have control of what’s going on around us sometimes and sometimes not.

Here are some things you do have control over:

👉 You can flip the switch from your active monkey mind and focus on your heart.

👉 You can go for a walk or hike and BREATHE.

👉 You can grant yourself a daily dose of gratitude.

👉 You can turn off notifications when you’re working on a deadline.

👉 You can create blocks of time on your calendar to get things done.

👉 You can respond to texts twice a day – rather than 100.

👉 You can reduce time on social media and how often you read/listen to news.

👉 You can discipline your thoughts so they are “I AM ENOUGH”, “I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO”

👉 You can make your goals a priority over those of others.

A whole new year is unfolding. It’s up to you to curb everyday distractions that get in the way of meeting your goals and accomplishing what you want most.

If you’re ready to maximize your potential and productivity this year, let’s get on a call. https://calendly.com/woman-unruled/30-minute-etb

What breakthrough are you seeking?

Book A FREE 30 Minute Call with Me
Where were you a year ago?

Where were you a year ago?

by | Dec 29, 2023 | Blog, Inspiration, Mindset | 0 comments

A brand spanking new year! For me, it’s an opportunity to look back and reflect on how much I’ve grown and accomplished in the past year. 

Years ago I was working with a coach (we all need one!) who gave me specific questions. Since then, I’ve come up with a list of questions of my own. Every year around the new year, I take a time out before I move forward to the next year. Here are the questions I ask:

What did I learn?

What did I accomplish?

Who did I serve?

Who was I kind to?

Who was kind to me?

What inspired me?

How did I show up?

What am I most proud of?

What brought me the greatest JOY? 

As you usher in the new year, own your brilliance and all that you’ve become. Celebrate yourself. Toast yourself with a glass of bubbly. Celebrate thoroughly. Then ask:

What do I want more of in 2024?

Happy New Year! A super-abundant, freedom-filled meaningful new year awaits.

 

Own Your Brilliance

Turn on the Lights this Holiday Season.

Turn on the Lights this Holiday Season.

by | Dec 20, 2023 | Blog, Inspiration, Mindset | 0 comments

It’s Winter Solstice today, the shortest and darkest day of the year. A time to pause, BREATHE, reflect and renew.

The shortest day can only mean brighter days ahead.

It’s been easy to focus on the darkness surrounding us lately. Let’s face it, it’s an intense year FOR EVERYONE. People are tired and at their wits end.

Yet, truth be told, darkness, begets darkness. Anger begets anger. Resentment begets resentment. Anxiety begets anxiety. Hate begets hate. And fear begets more fear.

On the flip side, light begets light. Peace begets peace. Calm begets calm. Kindness begets kindness. Respect begets respect. And joy and gratitude, begets more joy and gratitude.

Just like a highly contagious virus, emotions can be like a super spreader event.

If you’re feeling stressed and A LOT of fear these days, believe me, you are not alone! Today is an opportunity to SHIFT.

From patience to understanding

From distraction to presence

From crazy busy to more ease

From self loathing to self love

From judging others to accepting

From cynical to trusting

From feeling like a victim, to feeling empowered

You always have the power to turn on the lights or sit in the darkness. FLIP THE SWITCH to bring more light into your life and your relationships.

The B Word. Boundaries.

The B Word. Boundaries.

by | Dec 6, 2023 | Blog, In-Power, Inspiration, Mindset | 0 comments

The topic of boundaries is coming up in conversations with clients these days – I MEAN A LOT.  With the added pressure of the holidays and finishing out the year, the need for setting boundaries is everywhere.

Boundaries at work with bosses, employees, customers and clients. At home and our social lives, with spouses/partners, children, friends and community. We know boundaries are important, yet most of us struggle to create them.

It’s human nature to want to be loved and accepted so we believe if we say NO, a calamity could happen. We will be rejected. Or judged. Or labeled not good enough, not reliable enough. Or nixed out of the group. Our fear and mental chatter takes over and sounds something like:

If I can’t meet the deadline, they won’t be my client. If I say NO, I won’t get the promotion. If I say NO, he/she/they might quit and shit will hit the fan. If I say NO, he/she/they won’t like me or will move on to someone else. If I say NO, I won’t be asked back again.

Who am I to have boundaries, anyway? 

Who are you not to have boundaries. With all that’s happening in our world, it’s time to let the old chatter go. Boundaries are essential for our productivity, success, wellbeing and happiness.

If you find yourself at wit’s end without reserve in your tank, perhaps, you’re saying YES to working 14 hour days or to people who don’t respect your schedule, or to the demands of your kids or catering to others expectations of you and to what you’ve always done for them.

We can’t always have things the way we want them. No question, there are many times we need to say YES out of obligation or duty –  that’s just life. Saying YES is a good thing but not all the time. Saying NO is the first step to finding room for what we want more of in our lives. 

Boundaries empower us and contribute to feeling we’re in the DRIVER’S SEAT of our lives.

Is there one boundary you can set today?

What breakthrough are you seeking?

Book A FREE 30 Minute Call with Me
The Art of Listening: Your Most Important Leadership Skill

The Art of Listening: Your Most Important Leadership Skill

by | Dec 1, 2023 | Blog, Business, Inspiration | 0 comments

We hear it all the time. “You’re not listening to me.” “They totally missed my point.” “He/she talked over me.” Our desire to be heard and understood is a basic universal need. When we feel listened to, we feel connected, and closer to the person and it contributes to our well-being. When we don’t feel listened to, we get frustrated, and angry and dig our heels into our point of view. Not feeling listened to begets not listening.

Social media, email, texting and Slack make teams more efficient for sure but the downside is we have fewer conversations. I’m a huge fan of Slack but it’s not a one-hit wonder. There is much room for misinterpretation, and nuances are missed which can lead to confusion and not being on the same page.

Add the fact that the attention span of humans is less than a guppy, the art of listening has gone by the wayside. But here’s the thing: we think we need to listen so the other person feels acknowledged. The truth is, that listening is good for the listener. It increases empathy and keeps us cognitively engaged and focused. It’s even proven that the less you talk, the more you enjoy the conversation!

I help my coaching clients with all kinds of communication. Prepping for board meetings, interviews, team kick-off meetings, how to ask for the promotion, how to let someone go. What to say and how to say it, with clarity, connection and conviction. Listening is as important or more important than perfecting your message and what you want to say.

Why Listening Matters

  1. According to a McKinsey study, teams that prioritize communication and actively listen are 50% more likely to have high productivity levels. As leaders, our ability to listen directly impacts the bottom line.
  2. The International Journal of Listening highlights that effective listening reduces the potential of conflicts escalating. Teams where leaders actively listen experience 40% fewer conflicts.

Here are 6 Tips to Sharpen Your Listening Skills:

  1. Be present which means remove all distractions. Turn off your devices. Being fully present shows respect and creates a deeper connection.
  2. Get out of your head. Most people are thinking about what they want to say next vs. truly listening. Put yourself aside and focus on the other person.
  3. Ask open-ended questions. The name of the game is “Be Curious”! Asking open-ended questions gives people permission to tell you what they really think.
  4. Keep it simple and brief. Don’t get into the weeds or go off on a tangent. Clear and concise communication fosters better understanding and connection.
  5. Do your best not to interrupt.I know how it feels when you get excited and dying to make your point! Take a few breaths or count to three before responding.
  6. Remove judgment and bias. Be open to a different point of view, you’ll learn something! Judgment and criticism are linked and no one wants that 🙂

Will the noise and constant change around us, being a leader who is grounded and intently listens will set you apart. Listening is not just hearing what another person says. Listening is the ability to understand what others are saying and having them trust you. Cultivating your listening skills will create a more engaged team and. provide you with more fulfillment in your leadership journey.

To be a good leader, you have to be a great listener.

-Richard Branson

What breakthrough are you seeking?

Book A FREE 30 Minute Call with Me