by Amy Matthews | May 5, 2021 | Inspiration, Mindset |
Happy Cinco de Mayo! This day always brings a smile to my face. It’s a great reminder of victory and celebration.
My love for this holiday started years ago when I worked in Latin America. My team based in Mexico City taught me how to enjoy the little things in life which at the time, was a huge lesson for me. I was a stressed out, over performer on the verge of burnout. I was a big hot mess.
Since then, year after year, I’ve said I wanted to throw a Cinco de Mayo party. I would get excited about the idea, think about recipes, decorations, invite list, etc. I vividly imagined it yet, I never pulled the trigger. Why? I was making it a bigger deal than it really was. Rather than creating a simple get together, I had this idea in my head that it needed to be a big soiree with everything just so. I allowed my thinking mind to take over which squelched my inspiration.
I bet you can relate. We all get inspired by something we want but then let the spark die. We allow our minds to complicate things until it becomes overwhelming and then we don’t take action. Sometimes for years. Big things in life and the little things – like hosting a Cinco de Mayo party.
If there is something you say you want but you don’t have it, your desire to not have it is greater than your desire to have it.
If you really want it, you can have it. It’s that simple.
I am happy to report that we had a Cinco de Mayo party last year and are having one this year too! A simple affair, just a few friends, where we are all contributing. I am making this delicious Jalepeño-Roast Pork recipe, which I highly recommend. And yes, there will be plenty of tequila + margaritas. Because, Why Not?
Sign up for a free 45 minute coaching session with me here
by Amy Matthews | Apr 23, 2021 | Inspiration, Mindset |
I go for a long hike on Saturday’s with my friend Amber and my dog, Pie. It’s our time to catch up, solve the world’s problems and “get it all out on the mountain.” Our hikes are therapy for the body, mind and soul. This past week she told me about a friend whose mother died suddenly in a car accident. We quickly got on the topic of loss and how we never know when the unthinkable might happen.
A sudden death of a loved one, a business folds overnight, a marriage splits, a cancer diagnosis, a friend dies of Covid, the tragedy in India. There’s been so much loss lately. The truth is, none of us will leave this life unscathed.
So what to do when the unthinkable happens?
1. Honor your feelings and feel deeply.
It’s natural to want to run away from them, believe me, I get it. Yet the only way forward is through.
2. Give yourself permission to do whatever the $%&* you want.
Hide underneath the covers for as long as it takes. Being overly busy is NOT a solution.
3. Grieve. Then grieve some more.
Give into it. Trust that the grieving process won’t last forever.
4. Let your pain propel you forward on your life path.
Loss has a way of shining its light on what our purpose is and the action we want to take in the world. Only when you are ready, no rush.
5. Connect with what truly matters.
Restore and replenish first. Then reconnect with YOUR Joy and what inspires you.
One day you’ll emerge stronger, wiser and more resilient. You’ll declare: I’m back.
If you’ve experienced a loss and grieving, I’ve got your back. Sign up for a free 45 minute coaching session with me here
To replenish + reconnect with Joy and what truly matters, join my Eat the Brownie Challenge here
by Amy Matthews | Apr 16, 2021 | In-Power, Mindset |
I’ve had several conversations with clients this week who told me they are in a rut. They all want to move forward in an area of their lives yet they are struggling.
The specific reasons differ, but a common theme is they are judging themselves. They have thoughts like: I feel so stuck! This isn’t like me! Why am I not taking action? Why can she/he/they move forward and I can’t? Am I going to be like this forever? I am such a loser! If you feel at all this way, know you are not alone! We’ve all been there at some point in our lives.
Here’s a process to help you move through a rut:
1. Acknowledge you are feeling stuck.
Accept where you’re at and most importantly, have compassion for yourself! The moment you do, things will start to shift.
2. Begin to ask: Why do I feel this way?
Maybe you are exhausted. Or grieving. Or not connected with your purpose.Or really scared of change. Whatever your reason, give yourself some space and breathing room, as much as you need. Write down your thoughts or hit record while you’re out for a walk. Your intention is to get it all out of your head!
3. Consider the reasons staying stuck serves you.
The truth is, there is always a reason! Perhaps staying where you’re at is comfortable and safe, even though you may feel miserable most of the time. This may be an aha moment. Jot down your answers!
4. Then ask: Am I more committed to staying stuck or getting unstuck?
Be clear and honest with yourself in the moment. Your answer will give you information. Depending upon your situation, you may not be ready to move forward and that’s okay. Timing is everything.
5. Once you are ready and committed to moving forward, ask this:
What reoccurring belief is keeping me from what I want? It could be something like: What if I fail? What if I get rejected? What will people think of me? Who am I to think I can be or have that?
When we move out of our comfort zone, limiting beliefs always pop up, especially, when we decide to go after what we want most. The truth is, these beliefs holding us hostage are never true! It’s our job to bust through them and get to the other side, where our abundant life awaits.
by Amy Matthews | Mar 18, 2021 | Inspiration, Mindset |
When something surprises us or happens that we don’t like, our gut reaction is to reject it, judge it or go into victim mode around it. We try to make sense of it, understand why it’s happening and our emotions go into overdrive.
When you invest time and energy into something that doesn’t work out, it sucks. Here’s a story I want to share:
Earlier in my career, after climbing the corporate ladder, I joined a 30 person, tech start-up as VP of Sales. During my first interview with the CEO, we instantly hit it off and I was super excited when I received an offer to join the company.
I started the job on a Monday and by Friday, I realized I had made a terrible mistake. I mean a BIG one. The CEO was 30, super smart, had a big ego and was inexperienced. That I knew before I accepted the position. What I didn’t know was that he was a control freak and wanted to monitor my every move, and every person in the company. Not exactly my cup of tea.
Instead of accepting that I made the wrong choice and quitting, I resisted the situation. I fought the truth. I said to myself, I can make it work! Yikes, was I wrong. The situation only got worse. I stuck it out for a few more months but I was beyond stressed and miserable every single day. By the time I left the company, I was a big, hot, disempowered mess.
It took me awhile to learn that no person, relationship, job or organization was worth putting ahead of my own personal happiness. If I had the wisdom I do today, I would have cut my losses, learned from the situation and not looked back.
Ride the horse in the direction it’s going. Don’t resist. If the horse is going where you don’t want to go, change direction. Decide where you want to go next, take the reins and enjoy the ride.
by Amy Matthews | Mar 5, 2021 | Business, Mindset |
My sister gave me the above card recently – LOL. I can’t tell you how much it makes me smile! I keep it on my desk for inspiration if I feel alone or having a hard day. Because we all have times when we need a little extra support.
Here are a few recent situations with clients:
One client has worked diligently to get a promotion over the past year. She has grown tremendously and consistently receives positive feedback that she is greatly exceeding expectations, yet when review time came around, she didn’t get the promotion. She was told to work on gaining more exposure to her leadership team. She is giving a presentation to them next week so we’re going to do a trial run together so she nails it. I have her back.
Other clients are looking for new positions and need help editing their resumes, LI profiles, positioning themselves, interview prep and staying confident through the process. I have their back.
Another super accomplished client is starting his own consulting gig. He is a self professed collaborator and says he is better working with another. It’s just how he is wired. So we’re working together on his brand clarity and defining his service offerings. I have his back.
When you are stretching and reaching for something new, there is nothing better than knowing you are fully supported by someone who is invested in your success.
No matter what’s next for you on your path, I’ve got your back. Sign up for a free 30 minute clarity call with me here.
by Amy Matthews | Feb 18, 2021 | Inspiration, Mindset |
With so many things out of our hands these days – whether it’s COVID, a job falling through the cracks, a re-org, a health scare, unprecedented weather in Texas, a house falling out of contract – whatever it may be – the unexpected is the new black.
When things happen that come out of left field, it’s easy to jump to the worst case scenario. Here are a few good reminders for when “Unexpected” happens:
1. Before getting your panties in a bundle, take a time out.
Rein in your mind. Switch your fearful thoughts to thoughts about the best case scenario instead. Stay present to the situation, no matter how difficult it is.
2. Get advice.
People at their core want to help. Reach out and be willing to receive! Find someone who can give you the expertise or wisdom you need in the moment.
3. Try not to play the pity party card.
The truth is, shit happens in life – all the time. You are not alone. If you can embrace that, you will feel grateful and connect with what’s most important to you.
4. A positive attitude, always wins.
Having a positive attitude and not flexing your worry muscle can make most situations turn for the better. It’s not always easy, I know.
5. Learn and grow from the experience.
Whatever the situation and whatever the outcome, decide to grow from it. You can let the experience make you resentful or it can fuel you to be your best. Choose your best.
