you can do it…by Helen Dardik

This month continues to be all about support for me. My surgery’s been moved up a week to 5/23 (I didn’t even know they could do that!), and if I didn’t have my amazeballs hubby, Mom, and Virtual Wizard to rally around and offer lots of hands and help, my head would certainly explode. For me, I know I could never cross the Finish Line without a cheerleader or three, a real specific goal (“train for a 40 mile, 2 day walk” *not* “exercise tomorrow morning”), and the time carved out in my Google cal to ensure it happens.

What’s your surefire way to reach your goal?

Here are my When I Grow Up Grads sharing *their* surefire ways straight from our private Facebook group! (Click on their pics to be taken to their blogs/businesses/sites!)

What’s *your* surefire way to reach your goal? Share it in the comments & we’ll have an amazeballs arsenal of goal-achieving perfection!

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Yup. 10 more Nuggets o’ Genius from Ms.LaPorte. You can download ‘em here.

Have ya heard me gush and gush about the one and only Mademoiselle LaPorte? She’s been my mentor/loving “cult leader” since I attended a group Fire Starter session in NYC back in Sept ’09, and she even interviewed me for the digital version of The Fire Starter Sessions in 2010. Although schmemo prevented me from joining the NYC book party this April for the release of the published version of The Fire Starter Sessions – and also prevented me from cracking open my advance copy of the book before this past weekend (seriously, schmemo gives you this brain that is unable to read anything longer or more prolific that an Us Weekly-like article) – I’ve already gotten some Nuggets of Genius in the first 39% of the book (I have no idea what page I’m on – it’s so weird reading on a Kindle sometimes!).

I have to admit, I’ve seen Danielle speak so many times and have read pretty much everything she’s ever written that I’m waiting for the well to run dry. There’s this well-I-know-everything-she’s-gonna-say-so-there’s-nothing-left-to-learn-ness about it, and she proves me wrong Every Damn Time.  I mean, if I write down everything I highlighted just from the first 39% of this book, I’d have you scrolling down for days upon days. But instead, I wanna tell you What’s Stuck as it stands for me right now:

“Your Life is Content. Look at everything as material for your art. The inconveniences, the distractions – life – it all influences what you have to express and how you express it.” 

I read this sentence and immediately went to email my client about it. My client who’s been struggling with finding inspiration for her new Etsy shop, where she sells paper goods featuring her gorgeous graphic designs. She was claiming that the well was dry, because she was becoming “obsessed” with training her new dog. But many months ago she turned her then-obsession with baking to super cute recipe cards…so why couldn’t she use her new obsession to fuel her next design(s)? How adorable would a puppy card be? Or a Dog Training Graduate certificate? Or templated business cards for dog walkers? I love how Danielle reminded us that the distractions are sometimes anything but.

“Soul jobs are a full-meal deal: stimulation, inspriration, and cash, all in one. Ho jobs are low on the spiritual fulfillment but can go a long way in financing your art(…) The “Soul + Ho” combo is a double-time gig. And the return can be truly great.”

While I usually refer to “The Ho Job” as a j-o-b thanks to The Renaissance Soul, I love this vernacular and all it stands for. Consider it righly stolen (but will always be credited), Miss LaPorte.

“Being conscious of the true meaning of your work will buoy you in both the seemingly trivial and the seemingly impossible tasks of your work.” and “You won’t know the full value of what you’re offering until you just put it out there.” and “In order to attract that which we feel worthy of, we need to believe in our own merits.”

So it wasn’t one particular passage or quote that got my wheels spinning this way, but I can’t help it – I’m starting to think I’m shortchanging myself and my business. That’s I’m not stepping into my expertise/story/”power” (hippy-dippy but true!). There’s a part of me that is so so so resistant to teaching/consulting based on What I Know or What I’ve Witnessed – both in myself and in the 181 people I’ve personally coached – because it seems so anti-coaching, but yet…I know this is where The Gold is. I’m working now on brainstorming where the intersection/gray space is for me in that regards, so that it sits well with me and still allows people to find their own path and their own answers – not to do what I did because it worked for me.

I know I’ll be sitting down and devouring the other 61% of the book within the next few days (it’s so easy to read like that), and I’d love for you to join me! That’s why I’m giving away 4 copies of The Fire Starter Sessions (each winner will have a choice of an e-book or a hardcover) on Friday. You can enter by:

• commenting below on the Nugget Of Genius your muse/mentor/cult leader has left ya
• likin’ my Facebook page
• tweetin’ “Wanna be a Fire Starter? @WhenIGroUpCoach is helpin’ ya by givin’ away 4 copies of @DanielleLaPorte ‘s bestseller! http://bit.ly/JJTm9V ” (or, really, anything you want that contains my handle & the bit.ly link)
• signing’ up for my newsletter (you’ll get a library of free, downloadable content when ya do!)

I’ll use random.org to pick a book winner from the blog comments, another from my Facebook fans, another from the tweets that’re posted (tweet as often as ya like!), and yet another from all my newsletter subscribers. Woo-whee is that a lotta ways to enter/win! I’ll “close” everything on Fri 5/18 at 11a and will announce the winners right here on my blog shortly thereafter. So much fun you guys!
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Nothing to Fear but Fear by Indelible Ink Workshop

As promised, Rachel Luna’s back with 3 ways to work through fear and uncomfortability (is that a word? It is now!). Yay hooray!

Fear, the worst of all the 4-letter words, is usually the root cause of our stunted growth and progress when it comes to life and business.  But, the most successful people know that in order to achieve the lives of our dreams, we need to push past that fear.  Here are 3 tips on you can use to start getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and step through fear to be and do exactly what you wanted to do when you grew up.

#1.  Put yourself on display.

The best way to get comfortable with fear is to take a deep breath and tell everyone in your circle about your dreams, hopes, and goals.  This will make you extremely uncomfortable, but change is uncomfortable until you continue to do it, and then it becomes comfortable.  By putting yourself on display, you put yourself in an uncomfortable situation and are then forced to keep moving in your purpose.  The more you do this, the more comfortable you’ll get.

#2. Get knowledgeable.

Knowledge is power.  The more you know, the less fear you have.  Fear is false evidence appearing real.  So you need to learn the truth. And the truth shall set you free.  Let me give you a great real life example:

A friend of mine wanted to start her own line of nail polish.  Her big fear was that she’d be tapping into a huge part of her savings and she’d never be able to recover her investment.  She decided to get educated on the nail polish industry and went on to calculate the financial numbers. Doing this work helped her learn her break even point and made the decision to take a big chunk out of savings less scary.

#3. Go for it, even if you don’t feel like it.

Successful people do things even when they don’t feel like it.  Even if they don’t feel ready.  Even if they are scared serious.  They do it!  They move forward with nausea, sweaty palms, racing hearts, the whole 9 yards.  But they do it.  And that’s why they succeed.

And I want you to succeed.  I want you to know that fear is essential to our survival.  Fear is a great tool.  The more fear you have surrounding a goal or dream, the greater result you can expect.  Because if you’re not scared, then it’s not essential.  It’s not pressing.  IF you’re scared, you are onto something my friend.

Go forth, embrace fear and in the comments below, put yourself on display!

Rachel Luna is the best selling author of Successful People are Full of C.R.A.P, and founder/owner of TheTailorMadeLife.com where she shares motivation and inspiration to help you achieve any and all of your dreams.  Rachel has helped thousands of women stop wishing, stop hoping and start taking action towards the lives they were meant to live.  When she’s not changing lives, Rachel is chasing after her two daughters, Isabella and Valentina.

Stop Faffing And Get On With It by JayHell

Today’s Tough (Question) comes to us from Rachel Luna of The Tailor Made Life. Answer the question today, and then come on back tomorrow to hear her tips to keep on keeping on… 

You have a dream.  You have a burning goal yearning to be achieved.  And yet, you can’t move forward and step into your greatness…

I asked a few of the ladies in my mastermind group this juicy question and the answers, well, I could totally relate!  It was a variation of: “I’m afraid to fail. I don’t have the credentials.  I’m afraid of what people will say/think…” Like I said, totally relatable, right?  We’ve all had thoughts that stop us dead in our tracks when we’re trying to climb the ladder of success.

Let’s stop standing still and start taking action.  Share in the comments:

What’s stopping you?

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 7 May spots are left! Grab one now or forever hold your peace ’til July-ish.

Lego “Let’s Build Our Own Adventure” by Oh, Dear Molly

This is part of  The Recession is Bullhonkey series, where I share stories of those who have gotten hired and/or started their own businesses (or sometimes both!) since 2008. This is Clare‘s  Story. She graduated from university in May 2008 and was unemployed for 4 months before finding work and setting out to create her own career. Adventure ahead!

In May 2008, I took an internship working in the U.S. Senate. I, a country girl from the middle of Ireland, came to the US for the very first time and got an all access pass to the highest branch of US government. It was amazing. I wrote policy papers on international affairs, met with fantastic American leaders and gave tours of the Capitol to the senator’s constituents. I thought I’d made it.

After my summer internship, I returned home to Ireland and was unemployed. I had a very healthy CV (volunteering in Zambia, several great media internships, a very active extra-curricular life in college) and just couldn’t find work. I (arrogantly) never thought I’d have trouble finding work. I’d been volunteering, interning & working since I was 15. Every rejection letter hurt. I grew more and more dispirited as my savings ran out and my self-esteem withered. Without the routine of a day-job, I quickly fell into bad habits. Sleeping in, eating crap and not exercising. I spiraled into despondency very quickly.

After 4 months, I got work with a magazine in Dublin and vowed never to unemployed again. I took the reins of my career and decided to make it the best it could be.

I worked hard, continued applying for jobs on the side and wrote my blog. The pervasive negativity of unemployment and economic collapse made it difficult to stay positive sometimes. It seemed like everyone was loosing their jobs, like I’d never be a success and that there was no point in even trying.

When my 5 month contract ended, I returned to Washington DC, managing the non-profit that arranged my internship the previous summer. While there, I got a phone call from another organisation I’d interviewed with months earlier. They had an opening coming up and wondered if I’d be interested. I started on a 2 month contract and ended up staying for 2 years, ultimately being promoted to manager.

I worked hard to expand my network and made the effort to keep in touch with my colleagues and connections. I wrote my blog, which won an award and I went on an all expenses paid trip to Malaysia.

After about a year, I grew restless and wanted another challenge. With the benefit of hindsight, this was a strong signal that it was time to leave but I was too worried about unemployment to make the leap. I continued to apply for other roles and was finally offered a position managing a program in Kolkata, India which I leapt at. It was a hugely challenging role and I learned a hell of a lot about people, non-profits and how to get things done. It was a volunteer position, so I dipped into my savings to afford it but it was worth it.

On my return, I found my current job through a friend and am happily employed until May when I’ll be off on another adventure.* I hope to start a masters program in International Journalism in September.

For me, the hardest part of unemployment was loneliness and the devastating feeling of worthlessness. It was difficult to stay positive and proactive when faced with constant rejection and criticism. Once I found work, I vowed never to let that happen again. I was determined to create my own career rather than relying on someone else to just give me a job. I’ve been trying, failing and succeeding to do that ever since.

If you’re unemployed, under-employed or unhappily employed, I feel for you. I’ve been there. It stinks!

My advice?

Try to stay positive. Take care of yourself. It’s not your fault. Be kind to yourself.

Stay connected to your network. Friends, former colleagues and other connections are fertile ground for job-hunting.

Stay learning. Take a class, do some volunteering or consider an internship. Vow to stay learning.

• adventure still to be defined.

Clare Herbert is a writer & social enterprise junkie based in Dublin, Ireland. You can follow Clare’s adventures on her blog or connect with her on Twitter. 

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Yay hooray! I have almost 4 whole weeks before my Fresh Boobs surgery, and that’s 2 whole weeks more than I was originally told/planning. Know what that means? It means that…drumroll please…I opened up some one-on-one coaching spots to use before 5/24!

If you’re looking for someone who “gets to the heart of what I was trying to say”, “keeps the conversation action-oriented ” and does it “with a powerful mix of a breezy tone, empowering words, and a healthy dose of hilarity” - so you can gain “a ferocious sense of who I am and what I can do” (yup, all the quotes taken from my testimonial page)- then I’m your lady (and you are my maaaaaan…whenever you REACH for me…gonna give all that I – oh, sorry, Celine Dion interruption). Here’s how we can work together:

• via my Singular Sensation package, which gives ya a 60-min call with me and a 45-min session to use as a follow-up within 2 months. This is best for someone who has 1 real specific goal/challenge to reach/overcome, as we have enough time to hone in on it, get some clarity around it, and determine the specific action steps you need to get down to business (figuratively or literally).
• via an Extensive Intensive day, where we actively coach for 2.5 hours of a 5 hour time block (the other time is spent doing homework, recharging, and other human functions like eating). Think of this as a personal all-day workshop, with on-the-spot homework, productive play, and clarity galore. This would be ideal for someone who wants to work through a bigger challenge (i.e. What do I wanna be when I grow up?) or who has a few things they wanna work through (like how to leave your job and launch your biz).
• via a Team Amazeballs membership to The When I Grow Up Clubhouse. Not only are you guaranteed a 60-min session for each month you’re a Team Amazeballs member (yes, even in June when I’m not offering any other coaching times), but you’ll get access to a pressure-free creative community, no-time-to-waste exercises, and all the workbooks I’ve ever written right when ya sign-up. This option is perfection for those that want the accountability and personal attention of having a coaching session every month, while knowing that ya thrive when you have 24/7 access to a group that’ll provide ya almost-immediate feedback, kudos, resources and support. It’s also my most affordable coaching option.

That’s a lotta poison to pick from, huh? I’d tell ya normally to book a consultation call with me so we can talk further and make sure we’re a match, but my next availability for that 30-min call isn’t until 5/18, and I don’t think these’ll last that long. So, if ya have any questions, shoot me an email at michelle@whenigrowupcoach.com & I’ll get back to ya in 2 shakes of a lambs tail (which is fast, I’m told)!

Run Hard/Feel Good by Lars Love Letters

As a coach, I’ve been trained in The Process. When I was getting my certification, I worked with 12 clients under the same format: 12 weekly 45-min sessions. I built the foundation of my business around that, modifying it slightly to include group coaching as well as a week off after every 3rd session. I felt the breathing room was beneficial for the client, as they can get a taste of how it would be like when we stopped working together and we could address those challenges while we were still within the 12 sessions.

I don’t remember when I offered the Singular Sensation package – 1 60-min session followed by a 45-min session within 2 months – but it took some kicking and screaming on my end, I remember that. While I knew that there were people who could benefit from a one-off session – those that had a more cut-and-dry challenge/goal and didn’t need 3-4 months of clarity and support – I couldn’t leave it at that. The 45-min follow-up had to happen because, well, I’m a life coach – and life coaches believe in experimenting, fixing what’s broken, and building on what works. How could we know what the outcome of the homework was unless we actually followed up on it? I sometimes still wanna say, “So that’s it?!” to my Singular Sensation clients at the end of our follow-up session, but I know they walk away enthused, optimistic, clear-headed, decisive and action-oriented. I actually admit I was surprised it “worked”.

My colleagues are proving this, too. Alexandra Franzen‘s one and only single, solitary service? A full-day, $1500 Velocity session where she writes 8-to-10 copywriting pieces for your biz. “How’d you like to catapult through a month’s worth of minty-fresh copywriting, promotional brainstorming, service re-packaging & digital story-shaping … in a single, voltaic day?”, the page starts. While it seems to good to be true, I know she can double her prices and still be on a 6 month waitlist (that’s right, baby – October’s the next open spot) because she not only delivers in spades, but she creates such goodness that she has her clients crying, taking their tops off and proposing to her (although not all at the same time, but it’s still early).

Hot Brand Action is a class that promised that you could find your brand – copy, colors, fonts, stories, styles, the whole shebang – in 4 short weeks. While I love me some Shenee Howard, I couldn’t say that I wasn’t skeptical. That’s something that needs time! And question-living! And knowing how to write and design already! And then I saw the before-and-after of my former client Abbie’s new About Me page, and I fell over. The story, the tone, the personal tie-in to why it makes her an amazeballs dog trainer…well, it improved because Abbie was a part of Hot Brand Action. Shenee knows wussup, is also delivering in spades, and is allowing you to create your whole damn brand in just a month.

Being Alexandra’s first coach and seeing her big fat successes, along with seeing Abbie’s bio go from Blah to Rah made me ponder The Process and wonder if it was, well, bullhonkey. Could I still be true to my client’s journey and not spend 12 sessions with them? Could The Process not exist if the results were, over all others, Quick (yet stellar)? The true life coach I am, I set out to experiment it, looking for guinea pigs to spend 3 hours of a 6-hr time block coaching with me. I saw it as giving a personal workshop…we’d coach until there was obvious “homework”, and then we’d get off the call for the client to do said homework, and then she’d ping when the homework was done & we’d get back on and coach…rinse and repeat for our 6 hour block. I wasn’t sure how it was gonna work, but I did know (a) that it would probably still be beneficial for the client and (b) that we’d have that damn 45-min session within 2 months, because I am not ready to let go of that follow-up/check-in, thankyouverymuch. There’s something to knowing you’re gonna remain accountable that keeps you moving forward. I’ve coached too many people to not truly believe it.

This winter, I coached 2 “guinea pigs” for an Extensive Intensive, as described above. It was exhilarating. It was exhausting. It was fun. It led to multiple lightbulb moments and right-then-and-there action and immediate organization/system implementations and, well, this post. To say It Worked was an understatement, but still…The Process is still in tact no matter what. I learned that the way I coach – the questions I ask, the goals we set, the homework we assign – is true whether I’m working with someone for 45 minutes or five hours. There’s always forward movement to be had and clarity to be uncovered and discovery to be gained when the client is ready to make that commitment, safeguard that time, and Do The Work.

I’m not about to get rid of my Growin’ Up Goods and Operations!, two of the ways I work with people in the longer-term. I still think it would be tough to work with some who have Bigger Questions – like What Do I Wanna Be When I Grow Up? – to find those answers without living in those questions, and having time between days (not minutes) to research and explore and do for themselves. But I’m now a believer that you can get A+, crystal-clear, over-the-moon results on a challenge you’re facing if you hook up with the right person or program that can help.

Who knew?

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Yup. Thanks to my surgery being pushed back, I got 10 one-on-one coaching spots for May. Want one?

You Is Kind…inspired by The Help by In His Grace

Ooh, it’s a very new format for Tough (Question) Tuesday! While you’ll still get the stand-alone, straight-to-the-point tough question you’re used to each week, it’ll be accompanied by answers from various peeps in my tribe. I’ll be switching off each week asking the questions to those who’ve followed me on Twitter, fanned me on Facebook, joined my Clubhouse, worked with me for 12 sessions (I call ‘em my When I Grow Up Grads!) and sponsored this here blog! I’m so excited to start this off with my May blog sponsors,  amazeballs entrepreneuresses all!

Going into May, I’m totally totally totally focused on Support: the type I’m getting from my family as I prepare to go in for my Fresh Boob surgery (as my husband calls it) on 5/30, the type I’m getting from my Virtual Wizard that’ll force/allow me to delegate and keep the wheels moving in my business as I’m on a 2+ week break (I have a feeling this’ll lead to some really really good long-term effects that wouldn’t have happened otherwise), and the type I’m getting from my friends and my tribe in the form of much love, check-ins, Thinking Of Yous and donations to my team for the Avon walk. It made me ask my blog sponsors:

Who/what has helped you the most? 

Stacy of Stacy Kathryn: “For me who/what has helped me the most is the community. Finding other creative people who support, and help push me to realize my potential. I found a community in a few different place:  interacting on blogs, e-courses, attending workshops, your coaching sessions and facebook group, and connecting with others through social media (twitter, facebook, instagram, pintrest, even etsy). The sharing of ideas, and helping to support others, has proved invaluable.”

Sarah of ThreadWritten Textiles: “I would have to say that my work with you, Ms. Michelle, has been the biggest help to hone in on what I wanted to create and take action. Your enthusiasm, support, and way of simplifying what often seems complicated or possible only after x, y, and z (just go ahead and launch the indiegogo campaign!) made all the difference in working step by step to be where I am now: getting ready to spend June in Hungary and Romania! Thank you!”

Patty of The Plaid Cupcake: “My short-answer would have to be….drumroll….Etsy. Etsy has made it possible for so many people to share their passion with people all over the world- opening their eyes up to a creative world that goes beyond your big-box stores. Etsy ALSO lead me to YOU and a whole other awesome community of artisans that have become my support network.”

April of Everything Little Miss: “My mom and my husband are probably my biggest supporters, and they have really helped me accomplish so much! My mom because she provides honest feedback about my designs, helping me make sure only the best get printed. She’s also helps me think through all sorts of ideas and problems. My husband because everyday he tells me he’s proud of me. That little bit of daily positive feedback is amazing. Plus, he’s my assistant whenever I need one (which is often), and he never complains.”

Holly of Holly KnitLightly: “At the risk of sounding like I’m just TOTALLY sucking up (haha!), I’ve gotta say you, Michelle!  We started working together when I was first starting out with blogging & you really helped push me into blogging & my business!  I was so nervous to start out but you helped calm my fears and I’m SO thankful for deciding to sign up and work with you.  You showed me that I could do what I want to do & accomplish my goals.  So, THANK YOU!”

OK, your turn! I’ll meet you in the comments with your answer to the question Who/what has helped you the most? …and will add my own answer!

Wanna be a sponsor? Shoot me an email at michelle@whenigrowupcoach.com and I’ll shoot ya the info! Figuratively, of course.
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 Because my surgery was pushed back 2 weeks from what I originally thought it was gonna be, I now have 10 open coaching spots between 5/9-5/22 (& then not again ’til July). If ya want the deets/to claim yo’ spot, click on over! 

Fortune Scarf…(Try Something New) by Xenotees

No, I’m not talking about my soon-to-be Gummy Bear Boobs (which I’ll be receiving on May 30th) when I talk about “soon-to-be shiny & new” – I’m talking about this here blog!

My love of Stacy Stone continues, and I spent 90 minutes of brainstorming awesomeness with her last week all about how I can refresh my blog and newsletter content, providing as much valuable content as I can offer/handle While I don’t wanna give away the farm, I need me some guest posts and wanted to sound the horn!

I’m looking for….

* …a My Favorite Things post where you list your fave products/platforms/people or review one particular book/product/etc

* …taking over my I Quit My Day Job monthly update videos for a minimum of 2 months

* …writing a Recession is Bullhonkey post with your story/opinion

* …submitting any other guest post (it can be written, video or image-based) that my readers’ll love….

I’m planning on running all o’ these once/month, and because of said Gummy Bear Boobs, I need quite a few in the arsenal sooner rather than later . Please email me at michelle@whenigrowupcoach.com, tell me what interests ya, & I’ll get ya on the (shiny & new!) editorial calendar!

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 The get-my-Unveiling-Your-Uniquity-workbook-+-transcript+recording-with-your-membership special ends at 11:59p Eastern today, so check out the Clubhouse now for your community/coaching/goal-gettin’/roadblock-stompin’ needs!

I wanted to make sure you loverly blog readers o’ mine know all about a goodies-filled promo I’m offerin’ ’til May 1st, where ya sign up for my Clubhouse & get yo’self:

• Unveiling Your Uniquity (& How The Heck To Apply It To Your Passionate Career) – get the video recording & 28-page workbook of the 90-minute workshop I conducted earlier this month. You will learn what makes you *you*, without being a slimy salesperson! After watching the workshop, you’ll have concrete action items that you can start applying to your passionate career immediately.
• Within 24 business hours of registering, you’ll be directed to answer some quick questions that’ll let me know exactly what you’re struggling with. Once I get those responses back, I’ll email you personally with a prescription for the perfect exercises to start working on. That way, you can take action in two shakes of a lambs tail (that’s super quick, or so I’m told).

You’ll also have the chance to win a personal 60-min session with yours-truly during the month of May, but even if ya register after 11:59p Eastern on 4/30, then you’ll still get the amazeballs action-oriented, creatively-consistant community and group coaching that’ll lead ya to say:

“I can not imagine a day without the Clubhouse support! Michelle’s help is invaluable and the sense of community is unparalleled. The Excellent Exercises alone are worth the price, so if you think that you also get monthly calls and daily discussions, joining is really a no-brainer. – Francesca Murano, Israel

Click here (before May 1st!) to find out more about “the awesomest Clubhouse ever”(yup, straight out of our private Facebook group)! And did I mention it starts at $27/mo? Because it does! I’m so proud of that, guys. Really hope you check it out!