Make Your Mark    

I think you’d be surprised how much clothing comes up when talking with my career and business coaching clients. What is it about what we wear that seems to have such power over us?

Haven’t you put on a nice outfit and you suddenly feel like a million bucks? (Like The Red-Headed Diva shown in the photo.) Conversely, the wrong outfit can ruin your mood.

Sometimes we pretend we’re “above” that fashion stuff (while we secretly watch makeover shows). Let’s forget about judging or questioning it. Instead, let’s take a lesson from the drag queens who know the power of a great outfit!

Let’s consciously use that power of our clothes for our benefit.
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Tags: clothes, inspiration, Leadership, Networking, work life

Business can be fun!

Many business owners seem to be in denial about the fact that they own a business.

Most commonly, these are artists, writers, service professionals, and healing arts professionals. They are so busy focusing on their craft that they would like to forget they are responsible for pricing, marketing, etc.

Even if they accept that they have to deal with the business side, many still harbor an underlying resistance to it. I definitely did when I was first self-employed.

I’ve heard a lot of comments like this lately: “How do I make my business less of a business?” As if denying it’s a business will help. It won’t.

The question should be: “How do I make the business side easier and more fun?”

The answer is to look at what the business side really means, because it’s not the bear you thought it was. You’ll find you like it! It’s  like a gift waiting to be opened. Continue Reading »

Tags: heart-centered, self-employment, small business

I hear these kinds of questions a lot and feel compelled to write a post to say: YES!

Well, yes with a qualifier. I’ll give you the criteria below.

First, let me elaborate on the common ways I hear that fear expressed:

• “Isn’t the market saturated with that?”
• “Isn’t everyone trying to start a business right now?”
• “Is there really room for me too?”
• “No one is spending right now so why would they buy my services?”

There Is Room for You, If… Continue Reading »

Tags: Bringing Our Hearts to Work, inspiration, self-employment

As a career and business coach who specializes in helping introverts, you can imagine the trepidation I hear about searching for work, networking, and fitting in at a new job.

For clarity, introverts are NOT at a disadvantage when it comes to career transition, but they might feel more stressed by it.

My primary work struggle related to introversion was in valuing and speaking up about my talents and accomplishments. With a lot of help, including communication classes and a coach, I finally hit my stride with speaking confidently, authentically, and thoughtfully. It’s funny to look back because my communication now feels so easy and so “me.”

I’ve gathered a few resources that might help ease the stress of the career journey for other introverts. Continue Reading »

Tags: introverts, job search, Networking, work life

Many people wonder how to handle the lack of income security that seems to come with self-employment. I’ve seen people stop themselves from going for their dreams for that reason.

The trick is to stop expecting to find that sense of security that a job seemed to promise.

Wake up and smell the coffee, people. That job “security” was never real. Let’s face it. We were lulled into a false sense of security and it’s time to wake up. Continue Reading »

Tags: inspiration, manifesting, money fears, self-employment, Serenity Prayer