In this journey called life, especially as you step into your encore years, finding joy in the smallest moments becomes more critical. I teach Does Your Life Pass the Joy Test™; part of that is noticing the glimmers. Glimmers are fleeting instances of positivity and happiness that often go unnoticed but can profoundly impact your overall well-being. Glimmers make you feel joy, happiness, peace, and gratitude. The Science Behind…
While we search far and wide for sources of joy, the most potent wellspring often lies within us. It’s a beautiful irony. Your relationship with yourself is the most enduring one you’ll ever have, and it profoundly impacts your capacity for joy. To elevate your life from merely existing to thriving, dive into self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-love. The Inner Mirror: A Reflection of Joy: How you view yourself shapes…
Let’s be honest: when we reflect on the moments that have brought us the most joy, they often involve the people we love and care about. Relationships are the critical ingredient influencing your existence’s flavor, richness, and quality. Relationships’ vital role in your sense of joy is one more step towards living a life brimming with happiness. The Emotional Currency of Relationships: Your emotional life and your relationships are…
“Money can’t buy happiness.” You’ve heard this adage, but if you’re honest, you also know money plays a role in your overall well-being and joy. While it’s not the be-all and end-all, understanding the connection between money and joy can offer valuable insights into creating a more fulfilling life. Let’s unpack this often misunderstood relationship. The Basic Equation: Needs vs. Wants: At the most fundamental level, money is a…
On our career paths, success is usually equated with tangible rewards — promotions, raises, and accolades. While these markers are important, they’re not the whole story. Your career isn’t just a means to a financial end. You spend a significant amount in it, making it a crucial element in your overall joy. The question is: How can you infuse joy into your career and, by extension, into your life? …
Joy is often relegated to the emotional or psychological realm, leaving physical well-being in the background. This separation is artificial and misleading. Physical well-being is not merely a backdrop for joy; it’s an active player and contributes shades and hues to the complex tapestry of a joyful life. Let’s dive into the underappreciated relationship between physical well-being and joy. The Symbiotic Relationship: Imagine the body as a vessel for…
Our fast-paced world often has us running from one task to another, missing the environment and beauty surrounding us as sources of joy. We forget our surroundings serve as a backdrop to our lives – a canvas for painting our emotional and mental states. Creating an environment that includes elements of beauty is not an act of vanity but a choice to live a life that fosters joy. Psychological…
In a world obsessed with productivity and ‘hustle culture, the importance of fun, play, and pleasure is easily overlooked. The story that you need to work relentlessly and sacrifice joy for long-term gains is about as far from the truth as you can get. You could easily write off the pursuits that bring joy as trivial or non-essential, but be very clear: fun, play, and pleasure aren’t just important; they’re…
Don’t try to teach a pig to sing — it wastes your time and annoys the pig. ~ Annonymous Do I have your attention? This may bring a smile to your face; however, the message is so much deeper. It goes to the core of some fundamental teachings and philosophies that were certainly prevalent when I was going to school, and I’m pretty sure things haven’t changed. Throughout your life,…
As you approach the stage of life where you may be stepping away from the workforce, the concept of “getting paid” takes on a new and broader meaning. In the context of Ikigai, this final element isn’t solely about monetary reward. It’s about fulfillment, personal satisfaction, and how you can contribute and receive value. We’ve already talked about passion, mission, and vocation, so in this article, we’ll explore the final…
The journey towards retirement or slowing down in business doesn’t have to mean leaving behind what you’ve built over the years. Your talents, skills, and what you’re good at can become the cornerstone of an enriching and fulfilling encore. We’ve already explored passion and mission. This blog post delves into the vocation element — recognizing and embracing what you’re good at. Embracing Your Vocation: Being a seasoned working woman, you’ve…
As a working woman looking towards your encore years, you may reflect on your legacy and how you can continue to make a positive impact. This phase of life offers an opportunity to align with something greater than yourself. In Ikigai, the Japanese concept “what the world needs” provides an inspiring framework for this journey. In my last post, we explored the element of passion. Today we’ll explore the mission…
If you’re a woman aged 59 or older, you might be at a stage in life where you’re considering shifting gears in your career, getting ready for your encore. It’s both an exciting and somewhat daunting time. But there’s a Japanese concept offering a meaningful guide to this transition. It’s called Ikigai and translates to “a reason for being.” Ikigai is about finding joy, fulfillment, and balance in the dimensions…
Traditionally, retirement is associated with an end, a finale to the vibrant song of your working life. However, retirement doesn’t signal a quiet fade-out for today’s accomplished women approaching this phase. Instead, it begins a thrilling “encore” performance, brimming with the promise of new adventures and meaningful pursuits. Here’s how to take the first steps to join the ranks of the unretired: The Encore Mindset: Encore refers to a repeated…
PEOPLE PLEASING IS A WASTE OF YOUR TIME. I first heard the title of this post spoken by Wayne Dyer. It was a long time ago, but I believe the message and meaning more even now: Be true to yourself and stop living to please other people. If you want to be genuinely contented in your life, it’s the only choice. Still, when I first heard it, I didn’t integrate…
You have years of wisdom, ingenuity, and grit as a savvy businesswoman. With your encore life in front of you, you stand at a pivotal point: The business landscape where you are or have been may no longer have the same allure. You’ve been at it for 30 or 40+ years, after all. But you also don’t want to be idle or lose a sense of purpose. I recently stumbled…
Thought I’d share a journal entry today (with permission). It’s from a woman, Jane, in her 60’s who started a business early in her life and has been working it ever since. See how this lands for you: Today, I found myself standing in front of the mirror, questioning what comes next. I’ve spent so much of my life, almost 40 years, building my business, a company I’m truly…
Anyone can smile, but many people aren’t smiling as often as they could or should. That’s too bad because smiling can do a lot for you (and feels great!) For just a moment, think of all the people you know and how much they smile. What do the people who smile a lot have in common? What about those who rarely smile? Smiling is free, pleasurable, and benefits you and…
Life is a story, and you’re its leading lady and author. Your choices influence your life narrative — what you embrace or allow (the pluses) and those you let go of (the minuses). As you enter different stages of life, particularly significant shifts like stepping out of the workforce, it’s essential to reassess your life script and make revisions. This is where the Plus/Minus approach comes into play. Understanding…
If you want a fulfilling life, it’s important to remember the little things often make the most significant difference. Incorporating simple yet powerful actions into your daily routine can create a life filled with passion, growth, and self-awareness. Make these 13 things part of your life and experience how they can enhance your journey to fulfillment. Follow Your Passion:Your passions are the compass that guides you toward a fulfilling life.…
When we were kids, adults constantly asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The answer often depended on when they asked. Once, it might be a doctor. Then, a mom/dad. Or astronaut, President of the United States, teacher … Fast forward to becoming a high school graduate, and it’s time to choose your college and major. Did you have a counselor who helped you navigate that…
Are you ready to embark on an exciting new phase of your life? It’s time to say goodbye to the 9 to 5 grind or the responsibilities of running a business and say hello to a world of endless possibilities. As a boomer woman, you’ve gathered heaps of wisdom and experience, making this the perfect time to step into your destiny. In this blog post, I want to dive into…
This post is for all businesswomen embarking on a new chapter of life. Whether leaving a fulfilling career, a 9 to 5 job, or closing a business you’ve run for 30 years, if you’re ready, you start a journey of self-discovery and what’s next exploration. As you leave the workforce, you find yourself at a crossroads, ready to embrace the beauty of love, laughter, and life. Let’s embark on an…
You wear blinders. We all do. You live with a set of beliefs that may, or may not, be true. You never thought to challenge them — to examine where the belief came from or if it’s actually true. But when you can see beyond the blinders, you see more opportunities … Picture this: After decades of dedicating your time and energy to your career, you find yourself on the…
I was humming in the office one morning when a colleague came up to me and asked why I was so happy. Puzzled for a minute, I asked him what made him think I was happy. He chuckled a little and said, “You’re singing. You must be happy if you’re singing!” That made me stop and think a bit. Was I happy, and that’s what prompted my singing? At that…
We’ve all heard, “Just keep doing what you’re doing. Practice makes perfect, you know!” Sounds good on the surface, but is it true? Well, yes and no. If you practice something over and over, you will, indeed, become perfect at executing it. But … Imagine a young pianist who wants to improve her playing skills. So, she dedicates time every day to practicing scales, finger exercises, and challenging musical pieces. Over…
In the ‘80s, I was a CPA and exceedingly unhappy working in one of the “Big 8” accounting firms in Las Vegas. I needed a change. A woman I knew asked me to go to lunch with her. Over lunch, we talked business, of course. Eventually, she got to her reason for our lunch: Would I be interested in partnering with her in an accounting practice? Now, I was unprepared…
Eliminate Distractions: 4 of 4 We’ve talked about Step 1 in the process of eliminating distractions: What is distracting you, and what type of distraction is it. You have the What’s Bugging You? worksheet to help you with this step. We’ve been talking about Step 2 and creating strategies to eliminate distractions. So far, we’ve covered things, events, and other people’s behaviors. You have the D3 Worksheet to help you plan your strategies. Eliminate Self-Created Distractions Completing Step 2 is to…
Eliminate Distractions: 3 of 4 Creating strong boundaries is the strategy of choice for distractions involving other people. Whether we’re talking about others or ourselves, people can be the most challenging types of distractions to eliminate. People are complicated, and it shows in our relationships. (Read the first and second parts about distractions if you haven’t yet – then this will make more sense.) Boundaries Other peoples’ behaviors are what push your buttons and…
Eliminate Distractions: 2 of 4 A messy desk is a distraction. Clean and organize it for greater focus and energy. You have your list of the things you put up with: something that distracts you, diverts your attention, and robs you of time. (If you didn’t read the first post about distractions, you can read it here, and download the worksheet, What’s Bugging You, to use as you eliminate one distraction at…
Eliminate Distractions: 1 of 4 You’ve learned to put up with a lot over the years: things that bug you, irritate and annoy you, and distract you from what you want to focus on. All of those things drain your energy a little (or a lot) and rob you of time. Every single day. How much time do you lose with distractions pulling your attention at work? At home? My…
“NO” is likely the most under-used word in a business woman’s life. Think about: How many women do you know who are overwhelmed, overloaded, and overworked? How many feel like there’s they just don’t have enough time to do everything that’s on their plate? Worse, how many feel guilty if they don’t get something done? (Does this describe you? Read on…) It’s such a damaging cycle. The stress of that…
One of the first things I learned as a professional communicator is the words we use are only 7% of the communication process. Being such a small part of the entire process, how is it that words can make or break you? Here are two specific ways your words can make a difference to your success. First is in the definitions you attach to words. Take any common word, “family,” for…
An adrenaline rush can be fun ad has it’s place. But adrenaline shouldn’t be part of your daily life. Our world is becoming increasingly complex. The demands of balancing work, family, and time for ourselves are overwhelming. We rush through each day doing, accomplishing and performing – getting things done while adding to a growing list of what still needs to be done. Where does it stop? This pattern produces…
My coaching business was full. I was busy with clients. When not working with clients, I was actively involved in multiple business organizations, sitting on committees and boards, and filling my time with activity. After all, activity suggests a life filled with purpose, right? So why was I miserable? I was exhausted all the time. I didn’t love my business anymore. I didn’t seem to have the time or energy…
“Don’t try to teach a pig to sing — it wastes your time and annoys the pig.” Do I have your attention? This may bring a smile to your face; however, the message is so much deeper. It goes to the core of some fundamental teachings and philosophies that were certainly prevalent when I was going to school, and I’m pretty sure things haven’t changed. Throughout your life, you’ve found…
You fancy yourself the Master of Multitasking — You and thousands of other women. I count myself among them. But here’s the rub. While multitasking at home might work (juggling meal preparation, chores, taking care of kids, etc), in the office it doesn’t. Every time you get interrupted (or allow yourself to be interrupted) you waste valuable time and energy. Think about the differences in the tasks you perform between home and…
In many religions when you sin you’ve committed an unpardonable act. In fact, when you sin, you must repent in some way and ask forgiveness or suffer eternal damnation. This is usually frightening enough to force us into submission and into doing the “right” thing according to . . . whom? Instead of this accepted definition of what it means to sin, look at the ancient Greek origins. In that…
Stuffing is the reason we do Thanksgiving at home every year! Thanksgiving is my holiday. I love the friends and family around, the prep and planning, and the food. Staples of our celebration are turkey and stuffing. We’ve been celebrating together since 1990. The only constant in all our Thanksgiving dinners is the turkey and stuffing. Sides vary. The stars of the meal never do. This stuffing recipe has 47 ingredients…
If you’ve heard about mastermind groups, you’ve probably also heard about Hot Seats. And just as mastermind groups are not well-understood, neither are Hot Seats. Here’s what you need to know: The Hot Seat (called various things depending on the group you join) is the position in a Mastermind Group when you get to ask for exactly what you need to move your business or yourself forward. You could be…
Being a business owner is a dream come true for many: you make your own schedule, work towards your “Why,” choose the clients and the projects that are a good fit, and know you’re doing something you genuinely believe in. But amazing as it is, being a business owner, especially a solopreneur, can also be a frightening and lonely experience. As the business owner, you’re the leader. Your employees, whether…
You’re at a party or a business networking event, or maybe you’re at church or standing in line at the grocery store, and you get into a conversation with another person. Inevitably the conversation comes around to, “So, what do you do?” How often have you heard, “I’m a coach!”? Now, you KNOW there can’t be that many Coaches out there, right? And you’re right. There aren’t. There are, however,…
You Can’t Change What You Can’t See You want to be more focused at work so you can get more done. So you go into the office with great intentions ready to knock out the work. Time passes and it gets to be 5:00, time to go home. You leave the office frustrated because nothing changed. The pile of work on your desk is just as high as it was…
Control is an illusion. You think you have it but you don’t. And thinking and acting as if you have control is robbing you of time and causing stress. Where Do You Think You’re In Control? You think you can control what your kids do when you’re not around? Wrong! You teach them and have influence over their actions, but when it comes down to it, your kids are going…
Animals are my guides. I’ve learned to trust my boys when it comes to people. They are far more perceptive than I ever was. I’d take Joey, our first fluffer butt, on walks around the neighborhood every morning. He was such a friendly little guy and usually liked everybody we met. Until we ran into an older man across the street from us. Joey was having nothing to do with…
No is Enough. How often do you answer “no” and then feel compelled to say more to explain yourself? Let me remind you: No is a complete sentence. No explanation or justification is needed. If you mean no, just say it and stop. Women seem to be more impacted than men on this one. We tend to say more than “no” to get people to understand our position. It’s as…
You Can Never Have Too Many Tips for Productivity! We started this in the last post and Breaks and Productivity. Like you, I’m always looking for more ways I can be more productive in my work. Here are three more tips for you: Don’t Forget Lunch! How many days have you put off eating so you can finish just one more thing? Only when you finally lift your head and look around, it’s…
Breaks to Increase Productivity? Really? It’s not just taking breaks, but breaks in your day are a huge piece of increasing your productivity. There’s science behind it! So, what else can you do? Let’s set the scene: You wake up around 6 in the morning ready to take the world by storm. You’ve got a to-do list a mile long in your head. Your plan is to have conquered the business…
I was looking through my previous posts for something on time management. Imagine my surprise: In over 20 years of coaching, and with time management being one of the most common topics of conversation, still no writing about it. One thing is a constant, though: No matter who I spoke to through those years, time management always came down to the same thing – choice. The choices you make every…
When Are You At Your Best? Each of us has a body rhythm. For some, energy is highest in the morning. For others, it’s at night. Few people have consistent energy throughout the day. In fact, I don’t know anybody for whom that’s true. Knowing when you’re at your best, your peak performance time means you can take advantage of it. Make the Most of It Peak performance time is when you’re…
Perfect is Your Enemy Problem: You suffer from the malady of perfectionism. You have a contract due by the end of the week. That gives you three more days to get it done. You created your rough draft already. You figure one more pass and you should have it ready to go. Into the work-in-process folder it goes for later review. The next morning you pull the contract back out…
Jennifer Braster Talks About Laura Hessand PUSH the Envelope™ Mastermind Groups https://youtu.be/skcQBoaNYKI “I met Laura Hess about two and a half years ago, shortly before I started my business. I’ve worked with Laura before on some other matters and she told me about her mastermind groups. Laura put together an amazing group of women knowing our characteristics and what we were hoping to get out of a mastermind. There are five of…
Chrissy Carew and Her Thoughts About Laura Hessand PUSH the Envelope™ Mastermind Groups https://youtu.be/LvGqCla442g “Laura is a brilliant facilitator. My PUSH the Envelope™ Mastermind was a wonderful experience for me. I reached my goals much quicker than I would on my own. I really connected with the other women in the group and made some wonderful new friends. It was great to have people to bounce things off of. I had insights left and right,…