by Amy Matthews | Oct 30, 2020 | Inspiration |
During these disruptive times, It’s easy to feel ungrounded, uncertain, and anxious. The more I read the news and listen to political podcasts, the more unsettled I feel. Time for radical discipline! I’m refocusing on joy and possibility. This weekend couldn’t come at a better time.
This Saturday is both a full moon and Halloween. A friend passed along a forecast which inspired me. Here’s the gist of it:
Saturday’s full moon sets the tone for November. The theme is: release the past, free ourselves up from guilt, shame, resentments, regrets, move beyond our limitations and, refocus our attention on opportunities to improve our lives.
LOVE IT. Very Woman UnRuled like – right?
Once we let go of the mental and emotional baggage that drags us down, we have the capacity to see differently and think outside the box. Once we do, we open up to limitless possibilities and anything we can dream up.
DREAM BIG. That’s what I’m doing this weekend. How about you?
P.S. If you’re feeling a need for a Joy + Inspiration boost, I got you covered. Sign up for the Eat the Brownie Challenge below.
Joy is imperative, especially now.
Joy gives us strength, energy, and stamina for what we need to do in the world.
To reconnect with YOUR joy, join me on the Eat the Brownie Challenge.
Take an 8-day journey of introspection, inspiration, and passion with
daily practices that support a connection with what makes you come alive,
while easy to use tools help keep you on track.
by Amy Matthews | Sep 24, 2020 | Blog, In-Power, Inspiration |
We all have created stories about our experiences, some of which are true, others not. Here are two stories I’d like to share:
One of my clients struggled to learn how to read as a child so he grew up thinking he wasn’t smart. Fast forward, he went to Columbia, got his MBA from Stanford and graduated top of his class. It didn’t dawn on him he was super smart until years later when a CEO who he worked for, told him was. He was 38 years old.
Another client wasn’t asked to her senior prom so she thought men didn’t find her attractive and didn’t want her. Though she had several long term relationships and eventually married, when we began working together, she held that same belief.
To nip a Limiting Belief in the bud, try this simple exercise:
Grab a pen and paper. Write down answers to these 3 questions:
1.What is your top limiting belief or reoccurring thought that drains your energy?
2. On the left side of the page write down all the reasons it’s true. On the right, the reasons it isn’t. Hint: the right side always wins 🙂
Why It’s True Why It Isn’t True
3.What new belief are you replacing it with?
There’s no better time to remove beliefs that aren’t true. Take off the Shackles and create new ones that support your happiness, freedom, and success.
by Amy Matthews | Sep 22, 2020 | Blog, In-Power, Inspiration |
Ruth Bader Ginsberg paved the way for equality and justice for all. She had such a huge impact on our lives, it’s hard to fathom she’s gone.
RGB often quoted Justice Louis Brandeis’ famous line:
“The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people.”
So what do we do when we lose a trailblazer, an icon, and our role model?
We empower ourselves to speak up and share our point of view.
We take action towards what we believe in.
We fight for what we care about.
And, as RBG said, we do it in such a way, that will lead others to join us.
We all have the capacity to make an impact – whether big or small. I’ve talked to many people who feel powerless and want to know what they can do.
Here are four things to do right now to make a difference:
1. Contribute money – especially to flip the Senate, every bit helps
2. Talk to a family member or golfing buddy about racial injustice
3. Talk to your friend who hasn’t decided who to vote for
4. Initiate a conversation with your colleague about intrinsic bias
Drum up the courage. Have uncomfortable conversations.
Be willing to go where you haven’t before.
While being curious, inquisitive, and open.
Be THE Example. Let’s make Ruth proud of us.
by Amy Matthews | Aug 12, 2020 | Inspiration, Mindset |
The world has changed. Our new reality has left us distracted, ungrounded, isolated, and lonely. It’s a perfect set of circumstances contributing to feeling lost.
If you’ve lost your footing, you are not alone. If you don’t know why you’re doing the job you are doing or how you got to this place, you are not alone. If you crave freedom and connection, you are not alone. If you’re feeling unmotivated, you are not alone. If you are looking for meaning, you are not alone. If you want to run and hide, you are not alone. If you secretly wish you could flip a switch and go back to the way it was, you are not alone.
The truth is, it’s not. We won’t be “going back to the way it was before.”
If we can agree on that, what can you do right now to feel empowered and hopeful about your future?
Focus on yourself and your own growth. There isn’t a better time to uncover your essential qualities – your Natural Strengths, Skills, Core Values, and Passions that make up your Authentic Brand. Once you identify and claim your unique qualities, you will feel more empowered, energized, connected, and confident to create what you want most in your life.
In Northern California where I live, this week we had an unprecedented lightning storm, a record heatwave, and tornado fires throughout the region. Houses lost, people evacuated – almost overnight.
Things can change on a dime. For the worse AND for the better.
One minute you feel lost, the next you have clarity about who you really are and the conviction to create your future.
You can spend your time worrying about what’s next or ruminating about your ex or past mistakes. Or, you can rein in your energy and direct it towards claiming your superpowers and what you want to create next. You have options. Which one will you choose?
I’m excited to be offering my next class, Your Authentic Brand. Stay tuned for deets.
by Amy Matthews | Jul 20, 2020 | Inspiration, Mindset |
We are all running low, gas tanks on empty, if not, nearing empty.
Before COVID, we used to get tired and run on empty because we were always on the move. Now, we are exhausted because we are doing more while marching in place. I’ve heard many sentiments like these:
I’m tired of the same routine
Life is not my own
I don’t have any privacy
I’ve lost my motivation
As soon as I plan, I get hit with another curveball
I feel cut off from friends
I’m frustrated and sad
We feel depleted, aimless and without a rudder. We have lost sight of the shore and where we are heading. The truth is, many of us have lost sight of our desires.
I went on a 12-hour road trip lately. My brother in law gave me some great advice.
“Make sure you don’t let your gas tank go below 1/4 full.”
It’s up to us to fill up before we run out of gas. It’s up to us to give ourselves a break. We all need one. it’s up to us to refuel and replenish by getting back in touch with our own needs and desires.
Fill up on rest. Fill up in nature on the back nine, a hike, a beach walk, or bike ride. Fill up on gratitude and an open heart.
by Amy Matthews | Jun 22, 2020 | In-Power, Inspiration |
I found out last Wednesday remodeling was starting below my place that very same day. One minute it was quiet, the next it was seriously LOUD. Without any warning, my home was transformed into a very noisy construction site.
For days my clients, colleagues and I put up with hammering in the background of our zoom calls. I was beside myself. I was pissed! How could this be happening to me? I quickly recognized I was in victim mode. Whoa.
I wasn’t going to live in misery for a month. Nope, no way. Not on your life. The answer quickly came to me.
ROAD TRIP!
I asked a few friends to join me but the timing wasn’t right. So, I filled up the tank with gas, put air in my tires (all by myself) and packed the car. The next morning, I drove twelve hours with my plus one, Pie, my mini golden doodle. I am now in idyllic Sun Valley, Idaho for a week! It’s quintessentially charming and beautiful. The weather is warm. Views are stunning. Hiking is amazing. Every person I’ve met is kind. And, it’s QUIET. I can hear myself think and my creative juices are flowing.
As the saying goes, if you can’t change a situation, change your perception of it. Or, hop in yo ur car and get the hell out of dodge.
Create your own happiness.
