What do you want to hold onto from summer?

I hope you had a great summer – with time to unwind, to play, to refuel.

As the calendar turns from August to September, many of us recall feeling excited about the start of a new school year. (I always looked forward to what could be lying ahead for me, and feel that anticipation each September. My husband, on the other hand, finds himself feeling apprehensive each year at this time.)

No matter what your natural response is to this change of season, making the shift to anything new is worth considering.

New rhythms, new patterns of daily life, and new schedules, even when welcome, always entail adjustments.

How do you want your September to look?

Rather than just clicking to the next week on your calendar and jumping into a more demanding schedule, consider these possibilities:

1. What might you hold onto that made your summer special?

What small thing that you indulged in over the summer can you build into your routine now?

Maybe you’ll create space for quiet daily walks like the ones that allowed you time to simply connect to the smell of the air and take in the sky, without having to rush to be someplace or do something.

You might plan for a morning walk once or twice a week, even if a shorter walk than you savored over the summer.

Or, you can choose another way to enjoy some unscripted, easy time for yourself, maybe in the evening if that will work best, so you are not “on” all day every day.

2. Is there something new you are ready for now?

The start of the new season may be the perfect time to start making a longed-for desire or dream a reality.

That could mean starting to explore possible ways to move ahead.

It might look like reaching out to someone to get their feedback or their take on your idea.

It could mean setting a boundary or two to preserve needed time, as well as space for your attention to be focused on the way forward.

3. Is there something you’ve been tolerating long enough?

Times of transition are excellent prompts to take stock and consider what’s working well and what less-than-desirable situation you may be tolerating. 

If something comes to mind that you recognize as a situation or dynamic or relationship you are no longer willing to tolerate, you get to change that.

The change may be easy to make, or might entail thoughtful planning. And it may require help.

The key is to make the decision and take a step forward.

When you keep in mind the outcome that will eliminate the negativity you have been tolerating, it will be easier to find a way to make the change.

Change requires willingness

Whether you want to make space in your life for a piece of what made you feel happy over the summer, or you want to consider moving something from a back burner to the front burner, or you feel it’s time to stop tolerating something so you feel more joy each day, or you have the desire to bring something else new into your life, you will be called to initiate a change — and often a sequence of changes.

The theory, the imagining the vision, is the easy part.

Taking action is not always as easy.

Start by focusing on why the change is meaningful to you. You might do some journaling about it, to make the outcome you envision vivid.

Once you plan a first step to take,

• Be willing to take a bold stand for what matters to you.

• Be willing to get support.

• Be willing to take imperfect action.

• Be willing to course-correct and continue when things do not go according to plan.

And be committed to staying the course.

That’s what creators do.

I’m making changes, too.

This fall, I will be making changes that I began contemplating at the start of the summer.

I have been holding a vision and laying the groundwork.

I will share the changes with you next week.

Until then, happy September. I would love to hear about how the start of this new season goes for you, and happy to chat with you about how you want to create meaningful change in your life.

Grab a time for us to talk.

The mental spreadsheet that never closes.

Something I learned from years of design work carries over to the retreats I lead. People rarely buy the thing you describe as your offer. They buy what the thing removes.

Here’s what I mean.

A woman considering an experience in France doesn’t lie awake thinking about museum tickets. She’s thinking about whether she can put down the mental spreadsheet she’s been carrying for a decade, and whether the person who’s been burdened by it is still there.

The mental spreadsheet

You know the one. Who needs what by when? Whose birthday is coming? Which prescription needs refilling, which form is overdue, which family member sounded off on the phone?

The spreadsheet never closes. It runs quietly during meetings, during dinner, during the movie you meant to enjoy.

The days you spend as part of the L’Aventure Française retreat, where there is no list that’s yours to manage, do something specific to a mind that hasn't stopped churning in years.

The first day or two often feels strange. By the third day, women start hearing thoughts that had been long been drowned out.

What comes back

One retreat participant told me she arrived with no clear path forward and left stronger in her decisions, and finally able to focus on taking care of herself without guilt.

Another woman said she’d been letting fear make her choices and came home listening to her own read on things instead.

That’s the return I care about.

Not simply enjoying a nice week, though it is that, but a different relationship with your own judgment that holds up once you’re back in at your desk and back in your kitchen.

The experience starts before you fly.

We have a private coaching session focused on your Enneagram style, plus group calls so you land already connected to the other women.

Six women come with me.

September 26 we meet in Paris and then travel to the countryside before flying home October 4.

Every detail is planned for you, so you can be fully present and cared for.

If you want to know whether this is your year, a short conversation is the fastest way to find out.

Schedule a time for us to talk.

Nobody is pretending it’s an easy year.

I’ve had a run of conversations lately that all sound alike. 

Women telling me they’re fine, mostly, and then admitting a minute later that they’re running on fumes and can’t tell whether the exhaustion is theirs or the world’s.

My husband and I have had our own version of this at the kitchen table. Real conversations about where we’d live, what we’d do, how much we’d want to hold on to. I didn’t expect these particular questions in my lifetime.

So I’m not pretending the ground is steady.

What I keep coming back to

When we shrink, nobody wins.

Not us, not the people who depend on us, not the wider world that needs whatever we’re each here to give.

The people I admire most right now are showing up in their fullest form. That takes fuel, and fuel is the thing most women I know have not made time to focus on.

Your relationship with yourself is where that starts.

Not as a nice idea, but as the practical source of the energy you hand out all day.

An example of what refueling looks like

At a past L’Aventure Française retreat, a remarkable woman decided it was time for her to experience the wonders of France — but she did not want to simply be a tourist.

She yearned for an experience with deep personal meaning and one that would have lasting impact.

After relishing the delights of our time in Paris, exploring off-the-beaten-track spots I love to share, we traveled to the gorgeous French countryside.

It was in the quiet natural beauty there, with time to share deeply, create joyfully, explore charming villages and take beautiful walks that deep clarity rose to the surface for her.

This what she said as she reflected  on what had changed for her:

“Before this retreat I let fear inform my decisions. Now I listen to my inner self to make better, more informed decisions.”

That’s the mechanism.

Not the flights or the food. It’s the absence of anything for you to manage, the space to experience fully and open your heart, and have the kinds of conversations that only open up when nobody is checking a phone. f

The ability to trust yourself as never before might show up for you, too.

Another woman returned from this retreat having released an old wound she’d carried for decades.

One had space to clearly realize the direction she want to set for her business.

One stepped into the courage to make a bold personal change she had been afraid to initiate for far too long.

What might show up for you if you gave yourself the space to be on this retreat?

How the retreat unfolds

We meet in Paris, stay in a stylish flat, and explore museums, neighborhoods and shops as we savor the food and ambience of Parisian life.

We then take a train to the southwest where we live in a gorgeous, private  retreat center surrounded by fabulous gardens in the countryside. This is where the pace slows way down.

Walks into the village, gathering from the gardens, making things with your hands, tasting the love in the food our hosts prepare for us, and shared, unhurried conversations.

Six women, September 26 through October 4.

And the experience begins before you pack, with a private coaching session and group calls so you arrive already knowing the circle.

If some part of you leaned toward this while reading, let’s talk. A short conversation tells us both whether the timing is right.

Schedule a call with me here.

Who Thrives at L’Aventure Française?

Let me be honest about who thrives when they choose to be a part of the L’Aventure Française retreat.

The first question is usually what the days hold.

Here’s the shape of it.

We begin in Paris, living together in a beautiful, comfortable flat. It’s situated in a great part of the city with easy access to several metro stations, and there are great bakeries and shops nearby.

We explore the city by metro and on foot. We visit museums — including some less familiar than the Louvre, and quite spectacular. We explore quiet corners and market streets most visitors never find. We wander varied neighborhoods, stop in amazing small shops, and eat beautifully.

Then we take the train south to Nouvelle-Aquitaine in central France, where we settle into a private retreat center in the country.

We live in a modern building that was transformed from an ancient structure. We enjoy our own open space for creating, with cozy sofas to curl up on for deep conversations. It has a cathedral ceiling and is flooded with light, and the lush landscape outside fills every window. Our comfy bedrooms and modern baths make it a delight to live there.

Our gracious hosts feed us meals in their charming country house down a path. The delectable local food is prepared with love you can taste. The gardens are exquisite and the surrounding villages invite long, unhurried walks.

A surprising aspect for women is how personal the experience is before we even leave home.

You and I meet one-on-one ahead of the trip, to explore your Enneagram, so that you arrive in France already grounded in who you are.

And, we all meet on group calls before arriving in Paris. There’s individual coaching in the country too, along with playful creative work that opens your heart in unexpected and delightful ways.

I arrange everything from the moment you land to the night before you fly home.

Your part is to show up and be present.

Can you envision what it would be like being part of this experience, and how much the adventure might impact your life?

I’d love to walk you through it all, answer your questions, and help you see what can be possible for you.

Schedule a call with me here.

Inside L’Aventure Française: What days in France look like.

When women hear about the L’Aventure Française retreat, the first question is usually what the days hold. Here’s the shape of it.

We begin in Paris, living together in a beautiful, comfortable flat.

We explore the city by metro and on foot, visit museums and the quiet corners most visitors never find. We wander varied neighborhoods and eat beautifully.

Then we take the train south to Nouvelle-Aquitaine in central France and settle into a private retreat center in the country. Our gracious hosts feed us meals prepared with love. The gardens are exquisite and the surrounding villages invite long, unhurried walks.

The piece that surprises people is how personal the experience is before we even leave home.

You and I meet one-on-one ahead of the trip, to explore your Enneagram, so you arrive already grounded in who you are. And, we all meet on group calls before arriving in Paris. There’s individual coaching in the country too, along with creative work that opens your heart in unexpected and delightful ways.

I arrange everything from the moment you land to the night before you fly home. Your part is to show up and be present.

I’d love to walk you through it all. Schedule a time with me here, and I’ll tell you everything.

The Multiplier Effect: How Self-Discovery Impacts Everyone You Love

I led a retreat last month, and I keep turning over something that I witnessed there.

When a woman gets clear about who she is and what she wants, the change rarely stops with her. It moves outward.

Incredible changes unfolded

Over the course of three days, where women engaged in deep conversation and heartfelt sharing, as well as a range of creative experiences that opened their hearts and allowed clarity to emerge, remarkable changes were set in motion.

A healer who had craved creative play that had been eluding her revelled in the experiences she had. Her joy was palpable and lifted us all. Over the course of the retreat she faced and dispelled significant limiting beliefs that had been holding her back, and she’s now returned to caring for her her clients with more presence.

A consultant found new ways to cope with pressing personal challenges, and reshaped routines to care for her physical wellbeing, too. In turn, she was inspired to reshape ways she works with large organizations.

A mother moved from acknowledging a deep desire to have more time in nature to ways to bringing that experience into her reality each day. And now she shows up differently at her own kitchen table.

A woman in the midst of a professional transition also found clarity about a key personal relationship. She has set new standards and is now bringing more clarity and confidence into everything she does.

I have come to think of it as a multiplier effect.

How you can ignite something meaningful

The work you do when you step into a space of self-discovery and expansion reaches far more people than you alone, because you carry it into every room you enter.

To get a taste of what that can feel like, you can give this small practice a test-drive at home.

Even a small opening can have an impact for you, and those around you, too.

1. Pick a quiet spot. Have a journal and pen next to you.

2. Sit and think of something special — something you have longed to do, or something you can imagine that would make you really happy in the future.

3. With that image in your mind, notice how you feel. Excited? Peaceful? A little nervous? Curious? Eager? Amazed? Notice how your body feels, too. Are your shoulders relaxed? Are there flutters in your stomach? Maybe you feel tingly.

4. Next, relax into the vision and see if you can imagine more — as though you were actually living in that experience. What are the sounds you hear? What’s the weather like? What colors are around you? What do you smell?

5. Now write down what you envisioned. And note how you felt, and how you imagined the expanded vision. Describe it all as vividly as possible.

Savor the experience you had. The next day, pull out your journal and reread what you wrote, and revisit it during the week and beyond.

You might want to share your vision and feelings with someone close to you.

You can also add to your journal — write more about the vision as your imagination plays with it, and maybe jot down a small action you can take to get a clearer picture of it, or a step you might take toward starting to make it happen.

As you continue to hold the vision in your mind you may sense that the people around you notice something new in your energy.

As you rise, so do others  

When I see women rise, and the way people around them feel and respond to them, whether in retreats I lead or when I coach great women, I feel especially moved.

Time and again I observe that when you give yourself room to grow and step into an elevated space with an open heart, everyone around you feels it.

If that idea stirs something in your heart, hold onto it. 

If you’d like to know more about retreats and the multiplier effect, email me and let’s talk.

What Are You Putting Off? Begin with One Small Step

What are you putting off?

(We all have things we avoid, for one reason or another!)

It may be a decision.

It may be a reply that’s overdue.

It may be a task that feels too hard, too big, or just plain unpleasant

Figure out what’s in the way

Step 1: Set yourself up for easy access to insights

Whatever comes to mind for you, take a little time to think about why you are putting that thing off — what is holding you back.

Are you feeling stuck?
afraid?
confused?
overwhelmed?
when you think about the matter?

It’s helpful to identify the emotion that’s prompting you to put that thing off.

To set yourself up for discovering what that emotion is, start by moving your body. Movement will help your energy to flow, and in turn, help you think clearly.

Take a walk and get some air, or listen to music and move to it. 

Now you’ll be more at ease and more able to access answers.

Step 2: Pick a good tool to explore with

You might set a timer for 5 minutes and sit and free-write. (You can write for longer if you’re on a roll!)

Don’t edit or worry about punctuation. Just write. Then take a look at what showed up on the page.

Another good option is to ask someone you trust to listen as you talk it through for yourself.

This person is not there to “figure it out” for you! Choose someone who loves you, wants the best for you, and is willing to simply listen and ask open-ended questions to help you go deeper, until realizations come to light.

What comes next 

With clarity about why you have resisted addressing the matter, you may feel ready to get into action. That’s great, and if that’s where you are, skip this section!

And, often, simply knowing the culprit is not enough. It may still feel daunting to get started.

If so, now’s the time to actively transmute your stuck energy so you can release it from your system.

Again, you have choices for how to proceed.

Consider these options:

1. Do something creative — and do it with gusto!

You might pull out crayons or markers and make a hideous drawing that reflects the stuck emotion you want to release. Do as many intense, scribbled drawings as it takes to feel relief from the anger, or frustration, or shame in your system!

2. Move again, this time with even more focus

Dance to super-loud music until you feel wrung out! You can imagine being an animal and moving as though it were angry or excited.

Put on running shoes, get outside or on a treadmill, and see how long it takes to feel like the emotion is “done with you.”

Do yoga and envision that difficult emotion dropping down, deep into the earth, leaving you free of its grip.

3. Shout or pound out the emotion

Sometimes yelling into a pillow, or slamming a pillow or plush doll as hard as you can, will feel like the best way to get stuck emotion out of your system

Now, choose to take a very small step

With the heavy emotion having cleared, it may be tempting to try to tackle a big matter all at once. And sometimes, what’s been stuck will suddenly seem easy to resolve in one effort, which will feel great.

You can also choose one small thing to do first.

That could be to draft the email, but not send it until you reread it later.

You might simply assemble the necessary tools, or find a good video that demonstrates the steps you will need to take.

You might seek an introduction to an expert, or tap your network in another way that will help you tackle a big challenge.

The key is to take some kind of action, that you can then build on with another step and then another.

And if that thing you have been putting off is focusing on yourself, there’s an opportunity that you can take a small step to explore. 

Your first step to finding clarity about where you're headed and building confidence to move forward (in any area of your life that's on your mind) is to hop on a call with me.

LiveBigCall.com

On the call you can share what’s going on and what’s in your way. I’ll help you see what’s possible and may be able to provide resources for you.

There’s no obligation or pressure — just a chance for you to gain some clarity and find a first step toward the future you want.

Book your call here:

LiveBigCall.com

Personal transformation and powerful impact

Last week a remarkable group of women showed up for themselves. 

They set aside three days to focus on what they deeply want to do at this moment in their lives, what they want to have in their lives, and also how they want to show up for it all — the woman each of them wants to be.

Profound insights came to light at the Live Big Live! retreat, as each woman connected to her deep desires and ignited her abundant creative power.

The fuel for all that unfolded was the energy and joy of creating and expressing boldly throughout the retreat.

As well, the women were lovingly supported by one another.

It felt safe to open their hearts and share, and safe to look closely at what gets in their way, too.

We examined old stories, habits that run on automatic, resistance to making changes, and letting negative messages of the self-critical voice limit them. And we talked about new ways of overcoming those limitations.

The women not only set incredible visions for the next part of their lives, on the last day of the retreat they identified specific ways they will live in the months ahead, to make those visions real, step by step.

And on the last afternoon, the fantastic creation each woman made will serve to anchor her to all that she experienced.

The full impact is yet to come  

Leading these women for three amazing days was an honor and a joy.

And, as much magic as I witnessed at the retreat, what means the most to me is that the real impact will be so much greater than what each woman left with.

There is a multiplier effect when women commit to themselves and bravely step into new ways of living and working and relating in their worlds.

As they show up authentically, set higher standards, delegate and create space for what matters most, they are models for those around them.

Their energy becomes magnetic, and that elevated energy is felt by everyone in their spheres.

As each woman shines her light more brightly, she will contribute to her universe of contacts — personally and professionally. Whatever her role, she will impact individuals, communities, organizations, and the greater world.

As I envision the breadth of that expansive impact, I am grateful for the courageous engagement of each of the women and moved to envision their collective impact as they shine brightly.

One of the vision Boards and some Photos of what happened At the Live Big Live! Retreat.

Gain Clarity To Begin Creating Your Best Life

When we’re busy and try to be focused while constantly aiming to keep all the balls in the air, we are not only living with stress, it’s easy to lose connection to ourselves.

Many of us don’t take time to appreciate our complexity, and that all of who we are — our attributes and aspects of our greatness — matter.

Many remarkable women I speak to and work with tell me they skimp on the time and attention and nurturing required to show up fully, energetically, and with clarity about the life they want for themselves.

Do you create space for reflection and joy?

When you take time to consider where you are now, and sort out both what is right about the mix of personal and professional and what is not aligned or missing, your clarity will serve as a compass.

Layer on gaining clarity about what brings you joy, and how you can create conditions for that joy to be a regular part of your life.

That clarity is key to being able to feel whole and satisfied. 

What comes after gaining clarity?

Once you specifically envision the more aligned, balanced and fulfilling life you yearn for — one with less friction, more happiness, and where you feel confident knowing that you are on a clear path — here’s what you can expect.

In all likelihood there will be intentional steps to take to shape the life you know you want.

These 3 ingredients will take you far.

To begin to create the life you desire you need willingness.

True transformation and growth occur when there is a willingness to embrace the mystery of what is about to unfold for you. 

Willingness is needed, too, to venture into deep introspection — even when it gets uncomfortable.

And willingness is required to move forward when you don’t know exactly what you will encounter as you go.

Next you need to believe.

When you believe that you matter, you do not put yourself last. And that belief in yourself extends to trusting that you can create the life you want, and take true steps toward making your desires your reality.

This embrace of your creative power enables you to envision all of the possibilities you want to become real.

This is how you become what you believe.

The final ingredient is commitment.

Commitment is required to create structure and space in your life to cultivate your creative power — in the ways you think, care for yourself, set bold visions, and show up and express yourself authentically as your visions take shape, step by step.

This deep commitment to yourself, and to the focus on the effort required along your path, is the key to implementing desired change in your life.

Becoming a creator of your life  

You have the opportunity to start the process of defining and creating your best life today — even if you take a mere baby step forward.

Because each small step is meaningful. And small steps build momentum and add up quickly.

And if you want to consider having support to ease your way, I may be able to help.

Let's connect on a quick call.

You can find a day and time here.

With love,

Do One Joyful Thing Today and Feel Your Spirit Lift

When was the last time you did something for yourself, simply for the joy of it?

This morning, as I looked at the tightly scheduled line-up on my calendar, I was about to dive in, when I asked myself what I really yearned to do.

What my heart wanted was to return to the mild, bright morning I’d glimpsed when I opened the front door to get the newspaper. (Yes, I still love reading a printed newspaper!) My heart wanted me to go for a short walk.

The old me would have over-ridden that urge.

Having sipped my coffee and eaten my usual breakfast, I'd have felt compelled to get right to my desk and get the first item on my to-do list crossed off.

Today, I made a different choice.

The joy of moving, as I breathed in clean air, wearing only a light-weight coat, lifted my spirits in a way that made everything else in my day flow with ease!

Treat yourself today

Maybe you are juggling a lot today. Maybe you feel pressured. 

No matter what is going on, ask yourself what one small thing would add joy to your day, lift your spirits, make you feel good.

You, too, might choose a short spin around the block — without looking at your phone, getting a call in, or otherwise connecting to anything other than your breath and the sensations of being in motion.

You might decide to sit down at the piano, or pick up a journal and write whatever comes to mind, or reach for colored markers and doodle.

You might listen to a favorite piece of music and dance to it, or sing along and feel your heart swell.

Those few minutes to disconnect from what needs to be done, and attend to your heart, will pay dividends.

Nourish your soul, create more powerfully

When you open space for small (or bigger!) opportunities to delight yourself you are likely to find, as I do, that no matter what comes next it will be lighter, easier, more pleasant to move through. 

Especially when there’s a pressing deadline, or a challenging conversation, or there’s a task on your mind, the energy you liberate after doing something that has opened your heart will help you engage your creative power in great ways.

The more you set the stage for ease in these ways, the more easily you will open channels of expansive thinking, curiosity, willingness to try new things without fear, and resilience to continue creating even when obstacles appear.

Why not test it for yourself a few times this week and see what happens?

Activate Your Best Energy This Season

Last week I spent four remarkable days in Texas attending a retreat led by my coach. 

Making time for this retreat is always a priority for me. And even though this retreat came at an especially busy time, I made it work.

Why?

Because being there never fails to open my heart and enrich my spirit. I always leave with deep new insights, as well as tools I can use in my life.

And I bring my new way of being, and what I learn, to my client work — with my private coaching clients and with the women who attend my retreats.

I am happy to share some of what I brought home from this retreat.

Change can align with the seasons

This retreat was timed to happen during the transition from winter to spring.

Spring, in addition to being a time when leaves unfurl on trees and flowers bloom, is when we can feel excited about activating new ideas that often emerge in the quiet of winter. 

And it's a time to step into making those ideas a reality.

That calls on us to show up more decisively in the world, to make clear choices, and show up more dynamically. 

And, of course, it means creating in new and bigger ways.

Positive energy is a key to making big ideas real

When you feel the urge to do something big and new (whether your ideas are fully formed or less clearly defined at the start), new levels of energy are required.

That elevated energy doesn’t simply appear — it needs to be cultivated.

And building energy can be a challenge if tough emotions are moving through your system, or if you have a physical issue you are dealing with, or if your spirit is flagging.

Rather than try to muscle through, there are effective ways to build positive energy and in turn, experience less struggle.

Great ways to build great energy

Something wonderful happens when you find your way (or ways) to build great energy. Energy that is heavy or stuck at the start can be eased and released — and that opens space for inspiration, realizations, and excitement to fill your spirit.

So think about where positive energy is easy for you to access. We will not all tap into more positive energy the same way!

Consider these possibilities:

Spending time in my studio works brilliantly for me. I get deeply absorbed and let go of distracting thoughts. Whatever I may be feeling at the start — from frustration or anger to joy or excitement — moves through me onto the page or canvas. Time disappears and my spirit expands. (This approach works for people who love to garden, or cook, or sing, or build with their hands.)

For others, connection is the key. That can include meeting with friends, connecting to nature on walks, connecting to their hearts in meditation.

Some people build energy first thing in the morning, by stating an intention for their day and making it their mantra.

Some love moving their bodies early in the day, often outside. They find the somatic awareness to be uplifting as they relish feeling fully alive.

Many people find writing in a journal to be a great way to start their morning, or when they pause to write during the day. They simply allow themselves to write freely, or start with a prompt from an oracle card, and feel great afterwards.

Take a moment to think about what appeals to you to make a regular part of your life that will help you build and sustain positive energy.

And be assured, even small efforts can have a significant impact!

How to sustain your elevated energy

After you try some approaches, share what works for you with others.

You and a friend may want to experiment together and then keep one another accountable for practicing the ways you find are best for each of you.

Because getting inspired is wonderful — as I experienced at the retreat I just attended.

And, we all know that inspiration can fade.

It is in the ongoing commitment to staying aware of how you can keep your energy building to live your best life, and your commitment to incorporating small new practices into your routine, that meaningful change will become the new normal for you.

Let me know the ways that keep you feeling great — and what you are excited to create in this new season.

Email me or make a date to for us to chat.

What If Success Could Feel Easy?

For too many women, pushing and struggling is a daily experience. I spent most of my life pushing hard. I believed that was the only way to succeed professionally, and the only way to keep up with my personal responsibilities.

I was perpetually exhausted. 

Maybe you can relate.

There’s another way to live

While there will be times when you need to put a heavier foot on the gas, it is easy to get habituated to pushing hard in order to do it all, and especially when you think it all needs to be done brilliantly. (Perfectionism is a related topic, that we can talk about soon!)

I’ve learned that there’s an easier and better way to live and achieve the outcomes I want. I am glad to share two great ideas that made a big difference for me.

A surprising solution for overwhelm

When, after being urged to slow down by my coach, I finally tried to do it in earnest, I found that I had space to breathe and think and feel.

I connected to what excited me and what felt fully aligned for me to focus on. And with that clear focus, I was delighted to discover that I got more done — while experiencing less fatigue and lots more energy! 

That energy felt like fuel for my system.

And when my coach then suggested that I could ask myself this question: “What if it could be easy?” I was given another gift.

Each time I asked myself that question, the thing I was doing got easier. My spirit felt even lighter and my energy shifted into even higher gear.

Creating great approaches and finding new solutions accelerated as fresh ideas flowed and I excitedly acted on them.

Not only did I have space in my life that made me feel calmer, I was more satisfied and celebrated better outcomes.

Are you willing to try something new?

If you are habituated to pushing hard, try slowing down. Think of one important thing to do today that you can open a little extra space for.

And experiment with the expectation that it may be easy to move through that task.

Start with something small, or go for using these approaches to a bigger project. Either way, be patient with yourself as you adjust to this new way of operating. 

If you, like I did, find that you are freeing up positive energy, go with that feeling of flow. 

As your creative power naturally kicks in to a higher and higher gear, it will be fuel for your system, supporting you to move with clarity, confidence, and even greater ease.

And you can always reach out for support if you find it challenging to make changes in the way you operate day-to-day.

Email me here or make a date for us to chat.

Use Creative Power to Ease Stress Now

Are you, like many people, stressed by so much that is happening in the world now and the dizzying pace of change?

Maybe you are dealing with illness or supporting others who need help. Maybe you are navigating a move or a change in your professional life.

It’s a lot for a nervous system to handle.

How your creative power can help now

While there are many exciting dimensions to creative power, one that never fails when you feel pressure is to choose a way — any way! — to express yourself creatively. 

And no special talent is needed for this to work wonders! The key is to do something that will feel easy and be fun.

Aim to recall things that were a blast to do when you were a kid.

Maybe you will choose to do something with your hands, like play with clay, dig in the dirt, knead dough, knit, build with Legos, or make a collage.

Do you play an instrument, or have you in the past? Make some music.

You can doodle or paint or draw with colored pencils.

You can sing in the shower or in your car, or sing along to music you love.

Why not dance? Write in a journal or compose poems. Cook something new!

Creating is like giving yourself a gift

Whatever way you choose to express yourself, I predict that you will feel your heart expand.

Any pressure that’s present at the start will be reduced, and may even dissipate completely. 

Your spirit will be lifted. Everything will feel lighter.

I have found that setting aside just a little more time to make art in the last few weeks has been great for getting back to center, and also deeply gratifying.

And I spent a weekend at a writing retreat. It was a reset for my spirit to be with a small group of brilliant and inspiring women, guided by a gifted teacher. (I find great satisfaction both leading retreats and experiencing them as an attendee.) 

And I had another surprise.

Walking as I left the retreat, I tuned in to the world around me with sharper vision. I noticed details and beauty in unexpected places. It was as if it was all waiting for me to discover it!

Awaken your spirit, light up your life

When you create expressively and open your heart, you not only feel better, you heighten your senses.

Seeing a glorious sunset stayed with me and inspired a conversation to go deeper. Tasting surprising flavors sparked new ideas for a project I’ve been considering.

Who knows what magic will show up in your life when you create to express yourself?

I’d love to hear from you as you explore and find the ways you love the most.

Email me or make a date to for us to chat.

Your Challenges Can Make You Stronger

All of us have dealt with challenges.

It can feel like everything is going smoothly and we then get blind-sided by an event that seems to come out of nowhere. 

Or, we may have lived through a challenge that seemed endless.

You might be going through a challenge right now, and figuring out how to get past it.

Challenges show up in countless ways

Some are health-related. They can be sudden, can be short-lived, or may impact your life for a long time.

Some are related to work. These may include stress about the possibility of job cuts or the sudden loss of a position; coping with harassment; feeling pressure to reach unrealistic objectives; having to tolerate conditions that take a toll over time.

Personal challenges are often related to family dynamics or relationships. Marriages end. People close to us suffer illness or die. We adjust to parenting. We relocate and create new relationships in new places. We are close to someone who struggles with addiction, or addiction is a personal challenge.

Financial challenges can be the result of our own decisions and actions, those of people close to us, or external economic dynamics.

While there’s no single strategy for navigating life’s challenges or overcoming them, we have all made our way to the other side of challenges in our lives — sometimes muddling through, sometimes having found a straight path.

And once on the other side it can feel great, or far from great.

The other side of challenges

Having made it through a challenge we sometimes celebrate ourselves for having overcome it, or celebrate the the way we moved through it.

That’s a terrific place to find yourself, as it fortifies you with pride as well as confidence about facing future challenges.

And, it’s common to live with regret, shame or bitterness about the event or how we handled ourselves.

At other times we try and forget it happened or the way we showed up, and we aim to simply move on.

Your challenges can be great teachers

Try this brief exercise and see what you learn.

1. Take a moment and recall a challenge you have moved through.

The challenge may have been recent, or something that happened years ago.

2. Identify the primary emotion that comes up as you recall that challenge.

Whether you feel relief, pride, shame, sadness, bitterness or regret, let yourself breathe for a moment and feel the emotion.

3. Whether you feel good, feel pain, or are upset, realize that you have the opportunity to learn from the experience.

Your takeaways may be things you learned in hindsight, or something that you can see now, with fresh perspective.

• Maybe you can see that standing your ground has risks but also benefits.

• Maybe you can see that setting a clear boundary is a key to reaching a good outcome.

• Maybe you can see that asking for help is important and does not signify weakness.

• Maybe you can see that daring to look at what has been uncomfortable opens your eyes to a fresh, clear perspective.

• Maybe you can recognize an old knee-jerk reaction and envision how you can let it go in the future.

• Maybe you can see that you did the best you could, and that was actually a lot.

• Maybe you can see that taking care of yourself in the midst of a challenge makes a huge positive difference.

• Maybe you can see that you are strong and resourceful, even if you are not perfect.

• Maybe you can see how creative thinking helps to resolve problems.

The lessons will help you create your best future 

When you know that you have the capacity to navigate challenges big and small, and that whatever comes your way you can learn from the experience, you are able to face the future feeling resourceful and resilient.

That’s a powerful way to create your best life.

Set Intentions Without Expectations This Year

It’s February — we are already a month into the new year!

Now that the holidays are behind you and routines have settled into place, it’s a great time to pause and consider the big year in front of you.

Maybe you set goals for yourself.

Maybe you made a resolution or two.

Maybe you selected a word for yourself for this year. (And, if you still want to do that, you can grab my guide here).

No matter what you want for yourself in 2026, there are two keys that will help you to reach significant outcomes.

First, set intentions with care

Great outcomes begin with clear intentions.

And setting any clear intension entails thought. 

When you set a clear, meaningful intention you take a deep approach to defining what you want, as well as committing to what it will take to reach your intended outcome.

You might set an intention to take a particular action.

The action could be going to the gym regularly to get more exercise, or starting and sustaining a morning routine that will support you to have your best day.

The key is that to set an action as an intention, you’re prompted to think about why the action matters to you, and if it matters enough to commit to it consistently.

You might set an intention with an outcome in mind. 

The outcome might be achieving recognition related to your work, or setting a boundary that, when in place, will open more time for you to do things you love.

Setting an intention connected to an outcome entails thoughtfulness about what level of commitment you are will to make to see that outcome become your reality.

And, it’s important to consider what new way of showing up will be needed for you to reach that outcome. 

Then ask, “Who will I become to live my intentions?”

Whatever intentions you set, consider the question of who you need to be, or become, for those intentions to become your reality.

Perhaps you will need to feel truly worthy and value yourself enough to take the clear action called for by the intention you set.

Perhaps you will need to step into being a clearer communicator to see the outcome your desire become your reality.

Perhaps you will have to make a shift in an entrenched pattern or habit to become the woman who can stay committed over time and make her intention real.

Perhaps you will recognize that it’s time to ask for help in order to stay the course through the inevitable ups and downs you’ll experience along the way.

Watch out for expectations that can trip you up

Most of us, having set an intention, jump to a mental image of the way things should go:

• what the process should look like

• the speed we think we should move to see big results 

• what the outcome should look like

The problematic word to be wary of, that you may have spotted, is should. 

Every time you use the word should, you put an expectation in place — and, typically, a harsh expectation.

These expectations not only set you up for let-downs and self-recrimination, expectations close you off to possibilities for better ways to proceed.

They limit your ability to consider new possibilities and opportunities that you could not have foreseen at the start.

Expectations also tend to involve roles you think others will play, which often leads to disappointment or resentment.

When you get attached to specific ways things need to go, and precise outcomes, you are likely to fall short of the outcome fixed at the start. You set yourself up for frustration and also limit possibilities for different — often better — experiences along the way.

Here’s to a year of stepping into new, clearer ways of living so that your meaningful intentions become your reality.

Build Creative Power in 3 Simple Ways

It's a joy to write to you each week and share ways you can claim and amplify your creative power. My mission is to help women everywhere to create and live their biggest, best lives. 

Today, I am away leading my annual Creation Vacation retreat. I am filled with joyous energy as we are creating in fun and stimulating ways, diving deeply into what is revealed for each woman when we tap that energy, and focusing on where each woman wants to go — propelled by vibrant creative energy — in the year ahead.

3 ways you can build creative power now

Although you are not at the retreat with us, I’m happy to share 3 ways you can activate creative energy and power on your own that can have a big impact on your year. 

1. Claim your greatness!

It is crucial that you appreciate all of your genius in order to show up fully and create your best life. 

And, I know that for many amazing women, it feels boastful to name and claim their gifts.

Some also tend to minimize the attributes that make them special and remarkable — sometimes out of modesty, and more often because they fail to believe that they are really amazing. 

The truth is that we all are filled with greatness, and we need to acknowledge it to be powerful creators of amazing lives!

My invitation is for you to sit and write down everything that is special about you. Take your time and note all of your gifts and strengths — from the smallest to the greatest. 

Are you kind? Sensitive? Loving? Smart? Considerate? Generous?

Do you bring laughter into the world? Contribute new ideas? Take bold action? Solve problems?

Do you create beauty? Delight and inspire others? Write or sing or dance?

Write down every way that you are special!

You might ask a close friend what she sees as special about you. Add what she says to what you wrote.

Then look back at the list and breathe slowly as you take it all in. You might read the list each morning for several days. Keep it where you can reread it any time your belief in yourself falters.

Keeping your belief in and appreciation of yourself strong provides a solid foundation for creating your best life.

2. Spark your spirit!

Think about what lights you up.

Maybe it’s spending time with family or friends. Maybe you feel best when you are outdoors. Maybe you crave quiet and time alone to read and rest. Maybe going on adventures excites you. Maybe hearing live music or visiting a museum makes you feel amazing. Maybe travel, and planning travel, fills you with excitement.

Plan for ways to do things that fill you with joy, and aim to include small experiences that fuel you in your life on a regular basis.

The more you “feed” your spirit with joyous energy, the more creative energy you will bring to everything.

3. Imagine with abandon.

Now, envision ways you want your year to unfold.

Having embraced a solid appreciation of yourself, coupled with vibrant joy in your heart, you’ll be ready to tap into a vivid vision.

What do you desire?

What do you dream of?

What evolution of your life now can you name? Maybe it will be a big change in your current reality. Consider small things, bigger things, or a mix.

And bear in mind that it doesn’t take more effort to dream a big dream than a small one, so let your heart lead you!

Write down what you can envision for yourself at the end of 2026 based on your visions.

And think, too, about who you want and need to be to take steps to make that vision real.

You can write it out, compose images on a vision board, share your vision with a close friend — or all three things.

Then think of one small step you can do today to move in the direction of realizing your vision.

Be gentle — and commit to consistent action

Consciously moving toward a new way of being, to realize a compelling vision, can feel daunting. 

Yet as counterintuitive as it may sound, the best way to make meaningful shifts and realize significant change is to take very small, consistent steps over time.

Keep reminding yourself of all of your genius. 

Keep lighting up your heart.

And commit to taking small, consistent steps forward. Even if you find yourself backsliding from time to time, keep your commitment to taking small steps.

And reach out if you want to consider having support to fully believe in yourself, to stay on track, to keep your energy fueled, to set a compelling vision, and to make faster, smoother progress to living the life you envision.

Book a chat with me here.

Whether we determine that private coaching is ideal for you or there’s another way you choose to move forward, we’ll have a meaningful conversation.

Small Changes, Powerful Results: Start Today

Most of my life, I thought that big bold action was required if I wanted to make a significant change.

And in some cases, that was true.

When I realized it was time to sell my first business (after 27 years!), having felt the call to make a major career change and become a coach, I certainly took bold action.

Several years later, when I created retreats for women to have experiences that ignite their creative power and help them discover the path to a life that fully lights them up, big action was required.

And, I have come to understand — and experience — that making extremely small shifts is remarkably significant.

It is those small shifts that have led me to insights about what I desired enough to take bold action and make them real. 

“It has to be hard” is a myth

I’d resisted the idea of small changes having a big impact for a long time. It seemed counterintuitive.

And living in a culture that is focused on hard work, striving, and no-pain-no-gain, I rarely even considered what small changes I might make that could matter in a meaningful way.

And, as I was guided by great coaches, and then explored, learned, and tested, I experienced that I could make intentional small changes and the impact could be amazing.

Start thinking small for a change

I just spent four days at a powerful retreat with my coach, where we focused on an array of very small changes that can be enormously significant.

One of the most meaningful things I am taking away from the retreat is to remember that making extremely small shifts to my mindset leads to small and powerful shifts to my energy.

And the energy each of us brings to everything we do impacts the outcomes we experience.

You can try it for yourself.

Something small to try

This is one of the best ways I suggest to start making small, meaningful shifts that will support your strongest energy. 

Notice the language you use.  

Pay attention to your words — in conversations and in thoughts about yourself.

Spot the word “should.”

Also notice when the words “I have to” show up. They are another way that “should” sneaks up in our thoughts. And they are damaging words, particularly when used frequently.

It takes focus to catch yourself and it is worth doing!

Once spotted, substitute new words.

Try out: I want to, I get to, or it would will feel good to.

When you reframe by substituting one of these new phrases, you open a gateway to a reframe of your energy.

You will feel different.

Your outlook will be different.

Your physical posture may change, to sitting or standing talker, with a more open chest and open heart. It will feel good!

With that natural energy shift, you will move ahead in new ways, and you will experience new outcomes.

And in time, with repetition, you can change old habitual patterns of thoughts and behaviors that have limited you.

Bringing a focus to small modifications will bring rich rewards.

An ongoing way of living

The opportunity to notice small things — like thoughts that keep you in a state of harshness towards yourself (as described above), or fear, or doubt — and then consistently endeavor to make small adjustments to the way you think, will change you. 

Start with awareness.

Be intentional as you make small shifts.

Repeat. (Repetition is the magic ingredient!)

Experience the new energy you bring into every aspect of your life.

And importantly, make this process integral to the way you live. The quality of your day-to-day life will be transformed.

Take Small Steps to Achieve Your Big Dreams

If I asked you about your summer, and to recall a special event or moment, would something pop right to mind?

I am grateful to have had a special and action-packed summer. I lived in Montreal and also traveled — so I was inspired as I did a lot that was new and different. 

As I reflect on the numerous highlights of the last three months, the most recent is front of mind.

I was invited to speak to the NSA (National Speakers Association) Milwaukee chapter’s first meeting of the new season.

I led a morning program focused on guiding great speakers to identify their boldest possible dreams, and how to unleash creative power to make them a reality.

The afternoon session focused on ways to reduce stress to live your biggest life, without the sacrifice so many women (and men) face on a daily basis.

How big do you dare to dream?

Maybe generating bold big dreams comes easily to you.

For many great women I talk to, dreaming really big dreams feels hard.

Some feel it’s pointless given their lack of belief in themselves, or given life circumstances.

Some feel unworthy, or fear that they’ll be judged if they aim too high.

So they don’t dare to imagine big dreams.

I invite you to dream big 

Sit quietly and connect to the desires in your heart. Imagine what a huge dream could look like and visualize the way you would feel if it were real.

And if you know how to use the Discovery Dozen™, that’s found in my book, go ahead and use it to quickly generate a list of big desires!

Write down the dreams and choose one that stands out. Describe it as vividly as you can.

Then, speak that dream to someone you trust — someone who cares about and respects you, and who wants the best for you.

When you hear your own voice speak words out loud, and someone with a generous heart listens to you, a seed is planted for that dream to grow. 

And universal themes might trip you up…

A number of common concerns showed the day I spoke, that I often hear from women when they share their big dreams.

After everyone identified huge dreams and desires, I asked them to circle the top 3 on their list, and then choose the most exciting one.

As everyone buddied-up to share their dreams, excitement filled the air!

When I then asked the group to do another Discovery Dozen, this time to generate ideas for taking a small first step toward making that dream real, the tone in the room changed. 

Groans were heard as people asked, “You want us to get specific about taking action?”

I was not surprised!

As a coach and speaker, I help people dare to dream big — and also help them go beyond ideas and take real action. 

Because as hard as it is for some people to dare to dream really big dreams, overcoming the next hurdle — actually taking action — is where the biggest challenges surface.

• Self-doubt shows up.

• Fears of all kinds show up — fear of trying and failing, fear of rejection, fear of not measuring up, fear of being seen as an impostor, fear of possible shame, fear of people thinking they reached too high.

• The belief that huge steps are needed, and that those will be too hard to take, shows up.

• Worries show up, about knowing what to do, or about doing it “right” or well enough. 

And, taking your first steps does not have to feel so daunting.

How to get started

1. Lay your foundation.

To make it easier to do something new and bold, first reinforce belief in yourself. Shore up your self-love practices to do that. (Check out ideas for bolstering self-love here.)

2. Think small to go big! 

Next, plan a first small, doable step in the new direction — rather than aiming to do something audacious. It will be much easier to get started, and more effective than you might think.

Then commit to taking consistent, ongoing small steps. It will feel good! You will build confidence and momentum as you take baby steps, and those steps will quickly add up to significant progress.

3. Get support.

A great idea, when embarking on something new that matters to you, is to choose an accountability partner. You can each desire accountability for different kinds of efforts, or you can both choose to make a big dream real in tandem.

Set up a plan that’s easy for both parties — you might text at the end of every day, set up a weekly call, or keep a chart in a shared file, where you can each commit to actions to take, and then check them off as the actions are taken.

I would love to hear about your BIG dreams!

Reach out to share them, and let me know if you want to consider coaching support to help you accelerate your path to making those dreams a reality.

Turning Life Transitions Into Opportunities

While change can be exciting, people rarely find it easy to move through change.

Some changes are choices we make. When they are inspired by feeling open and excited, you feel ready for the change.

We can also choose to make a change because we face challenging circumstances and evaluate that making that change is our wisest decision, even if unwanted.

At other times changes are imposed on us. While these often feel distressing,  some can actually be a gift — even if only assessed that way in hindsight.

And when any change is underway at work, in the personal realm, or due to external conditions, there are easier and harder ways to move through change.

Choose the lens that will serve you best

When you are dealing with change of any kind you get to choose the way to view it. And you get to choose how to approach the process of navigating the change,

It’s easy to focus on what will be lost, and easy to understand why that is the usual response. 

And even when you are excited to make a change — say a relocation to a new city to live with a new partner, or to start an exciting new job — you can find yourself thinking about good things that will be left behind.

It could be a friend you hang out with on weekends, or a favorite bookstore or cafe that feels like a second-home, or a view you won't get to see every day after you move. 

And particularly when you face a change that is not your choice, you are likely to focus on what you will lose or miss.

And, it can be easier, even in worst-case situations. 

There are nearly always possibilities for an upside to the change — but you won’t find them unless you look for them.

One of my clients had to move from a beloved apartment she’d been in for 20 years, when the building owner decided to convert the building to a new use. The thought of quickly finding a new place and dealing with a move was daunting. 

After much sadness she chose to see it as an opportunity to find a home with more natural light — something she realized had been missing for years — and a small garden. 

She also realized she would get to touch everything she owned and take only what she really loved. Selling and donating things that were not truly meaningful turned out to give her great satisfaction. It also made moving and setting up in her sunny new place much easier and more enjoyable.

And in a situation where a client lost her job in a merger, after processing her emotions (hurt, resentment, fear), she was able to step back and realize that she now had new possibilities to consider. Asking, "What do I do now?" she asked herself what she really wanted.

With clarity about new possibilities, she was able to take action that led her to a a satisfying outcome she might otherwise never have reached. She now looks back on that layoff with gratitude.

There’s a creative gift embedded in change

When you look at change as full of possibilities, you can find tremendous opportunities to be a creator.

Once you choose a new point of view and frame of mind, new possibilities — including new possibilities for creative thinking — open up!

Rather than doing things as you always have, or as others you know have dealt with similar situations, you get to be curious and inventive.

• Ask yourself: Might there be other ways to move ahead or resolve this problem?
(Truth: other approaches are nearly always possible!) 

• Look for new directions that will bring you joy and satisfaction. (Consider: there may be something great waiting for you that you never imagined before.)

• Think of who else to turn to, to think creatively with you.
(Suggestion: think of optimists, creative problem solvers, people who are fun to "what-if" with. And consider having a coach to support you throughout your transition.) 

The more you activate creative thinking, the more energetic you will feel as you envision all the ways to make the most of every possibility, no matter what shows up for you. 

When you remember that you are filled with creative power, you’ll be unstoppable.

If you have a story about how you navigated change and thrived, email me and share it! 

Free Yourself From Mental Blocks

I think a lot about thinking — particularly about the power of our thoughts.

When any of us worries, feels insecure, or is doubtful, we tend to think about the external causes for those uncomfortable feelings.

We worry about things like our bank balance, we feel insecure about a relationship, we doubt our ability to meet someone’s expectation. We easily default to feeling fear and scarcity, And we point to reasons those thoughts are reasonable or justified.

The truth is that no matter what is going on externally, it’s your mindset that’s the key to the way you think about and respond to everything — the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Your thoughts can pull you down — or lift you up

When you tune in to the power of your mindset, the lens through which you chose to see the world, you can begin to choose your thoughts.

You have the opportunity to look at the old, ingrained thinking that has long kept your thoughts running in a specific way. And with that awareness, you can actively start considering the same situations differently.

For instance, with some focus, you can identify old stories you grew to believe, that drive thoughts that get in your way.

You stories and beliefs might be like some of these:

• You have to mind every cent you spend, because money is hard to earn and hard to keep

• You have to work really hard to prove that you are smart enough or talented enough.

• The world is unfair.

• Only having many degrees and certifications will prove you are smart.

When you continue operating without awareness that stories like these are coloring your outlook — or running the show — you are at the mercy of your thoughts.

The good news is that you have the power to begin to think differently.

How to start shifting stuck thinking

To begin to change old engrained ways of thinking, first identify the stories and beliefs that have been on automatic pilot in your head.

Pull out a journal and start jotting notes.

• Recall what you always heard a parent say about money.

• What did they say about love?

• What were their warnings about the world?

• Did they teach you you had to sacrifice yourself for other’s wellbeing?

• Did they judge your looks, your intelligence, your quietness or brashness?

• How about what you heard from teachers?

• Did a sports coach impart a way of thinking that has limited you?

See what shows up on the page. 

Then choose ONE thing to consciously be aware of for the next few days.

Spot when that belief or story shows up. (And congratulate yourself each time you spot it!)

Once you have noticed it, choose to consider the situation, in that moment, as if that old belief were not there. 

As you gently practice reconsidering and reframing a situation (like moving your thoughts from scarcity to abundance, or from feeling shame to ease —or even confidence), you will be making important mindset shifts.

Stay with it and watch how your life changes

Having made one limiting belief your focus for a while, you can begin to bring awareness to other old limiting beliefs you recalled in your notes.

The key is to be patient with yourself as you spot and reframe. You are doing deep inside work, and it takes time.

Thoughts that have been embedded for years will not disappear in a flash.

And, they will shift with consistent awareness and conscious efforts to see the world in a new light.

When you consistently believe in the real you — the woman who is remarkable in so many ways — without the doubts and fears that had been in your way, you will notice how much easier it is to move through each day.

You will relish feeling freer. Things will move more smoothly and be easier. You will naturally feel happier.

And if you want a guide to help you let go of old entrenched beliefs, book time for a call with with me here.

I’ll be happy to chat with you.