And just like that...nine years...

And just like that...NINE years!  

Nine years ago on August 31st, 2015 I closed the door on my 20+ year pharmaceutical industry career and opened the door to my entrepreneurial journey. In many ways it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like forever. The illusion of time. 

On this occasion and because it's September aka "mini New Year" I thought I'd share some nuggets that will be helpful for you if you're starting something new, or thinking about doing something new.

When embarking on something new, it can be totally exciting and it's also normal to experience feelings of self doubt, fear, uncertainty and all of the other "yucky" feelings that may come up. 

Here's a list of of nine things to consider on your way:

• Every expert starts out as a beginner.
  

  • Look for progress over perfection.

• Fear is a liar. It's normal to feel fear.
  

  • Action tends to quiet fear.

• Clarity IS a superpower.
  

  • You need to know what your desired outcome is if you want to stand a chance of getting it.

• Don't wait until you feel ready. 
  

  • The "right" time doesn't exist. Confidence comes from doing, not talking about it.

• Know your why. Make sure it's yours.
  

  • Take time to get clear on why you want to start something.

• Believe it's possible.
  

  • When self doubt creeps in, surround yourself with people who can see your potential.

• Trust yourself.
  

  • You know more than you think you do.

• In the beginning...be open to everything, rule nothing out.

  • Sometimes it's the unexpected that leads you to your next step.

• Keep going!
  

  • Sometimes what looks like a finish line, is actually a beginning.

If you're not feeling confident about your first step, reach out! I don't want you looking back years from now regretting not taking that first step.

Thank you to all of my clients, past and present. I am so grateful to do this work with you!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

And just like that…nine years…

Last minute reset...you've got time...

Last minute reset...you've got time to...

Pause. Recharge. Reset.

The unofficial end of summer is looming with that “back to school” feeling. Even if you're not going back to school, this time of year can feel like a mini New Year, and a New Year is often a call to evaluate where you're at.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. Ferris Bueller.

Have you taken a break yet? 

There's still some time to take a pause, recharge, and reset.

Pausing to check in with yourself. When you’re busy “doing” life, it can be easy to forget about taking time for yourself.

What does a pause look like?

Maybe you can't take a vacation and...you don't have to wait for a vacation to pause. It can be about finding moments in your day to pause...to step back, catch your breath.

Why does making time to pause matter? There are so many benefits:

• Stepping away from something gives you a new perspective on it.

  • Something as simple as getting up and going for a walk can be enough to refresh you and provide you with insights. Apparently, there’s research that shows that active rest, like pursuing a hobby, sport, or anything else where you are moving instead of sitting, boosts your creativity and productivity!

• It's a way to recharge.

  • When you charge an actual battery, you plug it in….you’re not a battery! In order to recharge your human batteries you need to set aside time to rest and take breaks from screens or other environmental ‘noise’. 
    
    They say everything works better if you unplug it...you included. When you do this, a funny thing can happen...you may feel refreshed and re-energized.

  • You can gain momentum by slowing down. Often, new ideas come in those moments when you’re doing something else.
    

Taking a break of any length can serve as a reset. A new baseline to move from.

So what can you do?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Pause and take some time to reconnect with:

• A hobby you never find time to do.

• Nature. Get out and sit by a tree or go for a walk.

• Your partner, dog, cat, or an old friend.

• Yourself. You may just find that by slowing down, you discover something new about you.

It's still summertime, truly the perfect opportunity to pause, step back, and reflect before you dive back into all of the activities that autumn can bring. Take advantage of it.

Every now and then, stop and take a look around, take in the scenery. Check-in with all of your senses. Track through your body, and notice your breath or balance. Listen to the sounds around you, near and far. Notice the picture unfolding around you and take in the details. All of it. Savour it. Put it into your mental bank account and then withdraw it anytime you need a quick break.

Take a pause and reset. 

Just like Ferris Bueller said…"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”.  And, you don't want to miss it!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Cheers,

Ann

Last minute reset…you’ve got time…

Overloaded?

I got the dreaded "your storage is almost full, soon you won't be able to send or receive messages" warning on my phone. Nothing was going to come in or go out unless I took some action.

Maybe you can relate? 

Every now and then, life can feel like that. If you continue to add things on top of the already big pile, eventually somethings going to have to give.  Despite what you may think, there's a tipping point for your capacity to take on new things.

But what if you really want to take those new things on?

With your phone? You can always purchase more capacity...but you're not a phone. 

There needs to be some sort of an assessment.

The concept that, in order to let something in, you may need to let something go. Sometimes it's quite literal...other times not so much.

Where in your life right now does it feel like things are brimming over and you don't have space on your hard drive for it?

Perhaps it's time to explore what's already there in that space.

Maybe it's old beliefs that aren't true anymore. Beliefs can be like that. Beliefs are limits you put on yourself. Yeah, that's the truth, all  beliefs are limiting because they filter out what we allow in and what we keep out.

Or maybe it's expectations you've been hanging onto? The idea that it was 'supposed to be this way'. Whether that's for you, others ...

Sometimes it's as simple as identifying something that's holding you back...that doesn't feel true for you anymore.

Other times it's redefining what you thought something meant. It's quite easy to get something wrong and upon reflection, say "whoa wait a minute!"... maybe that isn't what that meant after all. What are you ruling out because of this?

Taking inventory.

Unlike your phone, you're not necessarily going to get a warning. It may come up as a feeling: Restlessness, overwhelm, dissatisfaction... just trust when it starts coming up that now's the time.

What's going on for you right now? Everything good?

Is it time for a recalibration of sorts? 

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Here's your work and maybe not just for the week ahead... chances are you might want to take some time with this one. When you make a decision to assess, it takes thought and reflection.

What precedent have you set that no longer applies?

Make some space for what comes up and be prepared to let go of some things that no longer make sense for you.

What about all the day to day things?

They can have a sneaky way of taking up space.  Look at them, question them.  You may realize, oh yeah, yeah, this really does matter. I'm keeping this.

This is the thing. Taking inventory doesn't mean you toss out the things that add value. It's a good idea every now and then to stop and take a look.

What's no longer working for you that's taking up too much bandwidth?  Just like breathing, in order to bring new things in, sometimes you have to let something go first to make room.

Food for thought.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Overloaded?

What's keeping you up at night?

Is it wanting to do something and not yet finding the courage to do so? Are you wanting more but don't know where to start?

Hesitating to make that move, take a chance, to step towards the edges of your comfort zone?

You're not alone...you're human.  I know I say that a lot and it's purposeful.  Forgetting that you’re a mortal being with fears and doubts is common.  Expecting to breeze through all of life's challenges is admirable for sure and perhaps a little unrealistic.

Asking for a leg up, some help, can feel pretty vulnerable. Again...you're not alone. It took me years...yes, years, to finally admit that I needed an expert.  Not my friends, not my family or others that knew me, but someone who had no agenda for me other than helping me get some clarity.

A leap that paid off in dividends and...I had to swallow my pride, open my heart, and be vulnerable.

There's nothing wrong with you.

Swallowing your pride is step one, because regret is real. There's data to support it. When people look back on their lives, they never regret taking chances. Nope. They always regret not doing the things that tugged at their heart. The things they couldn't find the courage to.

Don't let that be you. It's NEVER too late.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

I want you to go deep this week, to dig into the thing that's tugging at you, the thing that's keeping you up, or constantly on your mind. That thing.

Ask yourself these questions:

When I'm on my deathbed what will I think about - the hesitating, the doubt, the fear?

Who or what is holding me back from doing this thing?

What risk seems so insurmountable to me right now?

In the rearview mirror it's funny how things become smaller, insignificant, almost silly.

What does that thing look like now?

I promise you...it's NOT too late to get started.

Let's start building the confidence you're seeking to make that move, take that step.

I've got you.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

What’s keeping you up at night?

Change isn't the enemy...your fear is...

The enemy isn't the change, the unfamiliar, or the unknown. The enemy is the fear of the change, the unfamiliar...the unknown.

Enemy sounds like a strong word...for purposes of this blog I use the definition of enemy to be: "a thing that harms or weakens something else, as in "fear is the enemy of change."

If you're working on making a change, you may recognize some of the feelings that can come up. The doubt, the idea of getting uncomfortable...because it is uncomfortable to make a change, even if it's for very good reasons. It still makes you uncomfortable. That's normal.  Our brains are biased towards the familiar. That's why you will hold on to and do the same things repeatedly, even if you're not satisfied with what they're getting you. The human condition.

There's no getting around it, even if you're a seasoned expert, when faced with making a change, you will always have that initial catching of the breath, the heart pitter patter, or maybe you feel it in your gut.

The difference with being a "seasoned change expert" is that you've built up your toolkit and you're quickly able to shift from the fear to:

• Recognition.

  • Ah...there's those feelings.

• Acknowledgement.

  • I know that this is a normal part of making a change.

• Make a plan.

  • If you're good at change, you probably already have something you can rely on.

And if you're new with it? It takes more time, especially depending what it is that you want to do.

Recognizing, acknowledging, making a plan...the practice.

That's the focus for today. 


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

It's summer. I'm writing these blogs well in advance so as I write this, it's early July and you're going to read this in August. By the time you read this, changes that I've been thinking about will probably be made. That's because I'm practiced at this.

How about you? Where are you sitting on the fence about something, or really, really feeling like you want to make a change and you're struggling with moving from the familiar.

Here's your work this week:

• Start by cutting yourself some slack.

  • All your responses are probably normal. Change will trigger fear and your natural propensity to stay with the familiar.

• Take some time to recognize and acknowledge those very human feelings.

  • Know that this is a normal part of making a change.

• Make a plan.

  • That plan may be one small step to seek some advice or input. It can be small.

• Build on that step.

  • That's the beauty of small steps, when you commit to small, doable steps, the next one can be equally small.

You can do it.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Change isn’t the enemy…your fear is…

Are labels limiting you? Possibly...

Why do we always look for labels?

Probably because, from the moment we're born and learning to talk it matters that we have labels for things so we understand that: This is a shoe...this is a stick...this is a cup...

This makes perfect sense. These are fixed identifiers...for things.  A shoe is a shoe and will always be a shoe.

Where labels are less useful...is when you affix them to people.

• They're difficult.

• They're not competent.

• They're unreliable.

• They're...you fill in the blank.

Labels.  Used to explain someone's behaviour rather than exploring. We put limits on others when we label them.

But...what if it's YOU believing in, or attaching labels to yourself...putting limits on you and your potential?

In fairness, it's not necessarily your fault. Many of those labels have come from years ago by the people surrounding you, especially in your formative years. That's the first thing to let go of...to realize that the labels you've worn for so long are someone else's projection on you. If those labels are weighing you down, or don't feel true...it's time to take a look at them.

You're a grown up now and consequently, you get to decide what sticks and what doesn't. 

Probably the most important thing is looking at the labels that are getting in your way and to start questioning them.

The ones that are eroding your confidence and keeping you from doing the things you really want to do.

• I'm not a risk taker.

• I'm a victim.

• I'm bad at ...

Who told you that? Pay attention. 

Taking the time to examine the labels that are holding you back can reveal what's really true for you. One by one, peeling off the ones that aren't true so that the real you can shine through.

This is work.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Identify one "label" that you've been wearing that's holding you back. One that you want to challenge.

Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• Who or what circumstance led to this label?

Look at that label again.

• Take a deep breath and ask yourself: "Is this really true"? 

Once you ascertain this information, check in and ask yourself:

• How is this label limiting me?

What's possible for me if I let this label go?

• Allow the answer to come to mind.

Now what?

Probably the first thing is to notice what it feels like to decide that you're no longer going to identify with that label. Liberating? Scary? Something else?

By answering these questions one by one, you can peel off the labels that aren't true so that the real you can shine through. You've got this.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Are labels limiting you? Possibly…

You CAN change...if you want to...

People can change. People grow. It happens all the time.


I bet when you look back you can see a trail of things that you've done that have led you to where you are today. Of course you can! But does this mean you're "growing?" By default...probably yes.  You're bound to change whether you want to or not, even if you do nothing different, the world around you is going to change and you'll likely adapt.  This is change on autopilot.

Looking back gives you a perspective on the sum total of who you are, the decisions you've made. The evidence. And as you read this, you're laying down tracks for the next level of you. That's the cool thing...if you look back and like what you see, do more of the things you've been doing. However, if you look back and don't like what you see, here's your chance to take another direction to make a different choice. That's the beauty of retrospection.

Purposeful growth is intentional. It's deciding that you want to change and taking steps to do so. It's different.

It requires shifting your mindset.

This is just the way it is... it's too late...it's gonna be really difficult...

The stories.

If you want something different...you've got to be willing to do different things and, yes, that will be difficult initially. Because our brain's focus is to keep things the same so it can keep us alive, it will make change a challenge. Every. Single. Time.

A challenge and, not impossible.

The most important thing about achieving successful change is the desire to do so. Without this key ingredient, you're not likely to achieve success. That means, you can't do it for someone else.

Knowing why you wanna make a change and desiring to do so are gonna be the things that keep you afloat when it gets tough.

What change do you want to make?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

If you're feeling ready to make that change, here are a few things to consider:

• Start small. Really small.

  • You're probably working against well established behaviours - pick one small component that you can start with.

• Commit to daily practice.

  • Small things, done consistently, have a powerful way of adding up to big results.

• Be kind to yourself.

  • The autopilot you've been on is super powerful. When you find yourself leaning into old behaviours, acknowledge it and move forward. Rewiring that brain takes time.

• Repeat.

  • Once you've made that small change, choose another small change to focus on.

It's about opening up your mind to something different and it requires conscious effort.  So remember to be patient and kind with yourself. You can do it!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

You CAN change…if you want to…

Are you doing the same thing...and expecting a different response? STOP!

You can't keep doing the same things and expect a different result...yet that's exactly what we do! 

It could be at work, at home, or any other situation where you find yourself constantly looking back with frustration.  "They" did that again. I knew it would turnout this way again. I wish they'd...

Maybe it's time to get real and ask yourself: "What's (or maybe who's) the common denominator here?" Yikes, it can be confronting can't it? To realize that if all those different situations aren't going the way you hoped they would, that you're the one that's the common denominator. 

It takes self-awareness.

Here's the thing, how you respond to things, whether you realize it or not, contributes to the cycle that you're in. Stop responding the same way...and you disconnect the cycle. It's kind of like a circuit when you unplug the cord, you can't get the same response anymore because you've interrupted the cycle.

It's hard to change how you respond, you're a human,  emotional being. When something happens, especially with the people close to you, or in situations where the stakes are perceived to be high, your tendency is going to be to react with emotion, rather than respond with reason.

So what do you do?

Like anything, it's a practice. Start by paying attention to your own behaviour in situations where you're not getting the results you want. Notice what you're doing that's resulting in the outcome that you don't want, because let's face it, the goal is always to get more of what you want.

How do you interrupt a pattern of behaviour when you realize it's not getting you the results you want?

One of my all time favourite tactics? If you don't want to go there...don't take the bait. Much easier said than done...at first.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Sometimes something as simple as not responding the way you usually do will do the trick.That can include:

• Having a new, planned response.

  • If you think you've figured out what you're doing to contribute to the situation, having a planned response in your back pocket can diffuse a situation before it starts.

  • This is going to take awareness and practice AND it's well worth doing.

• Not responding at all. 

  • When you can see the pattern happening again..take a breath.

  • That may be enough to prevent the cycle starting and if not, revert to your planned response.

We all have buttons that others know how to press. By responding a different way, you're removing a button and... you can't press a button that no longer exists. This will change your outcome...guaranteed.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Are you doing the same thing and expecting a different response? STOP!

You have the power...

...do you use it?

You have the power to bring out the best in someone else.

It's easy to underestimate your impact, your influence, on the life of someone else.

It should be obvious if you're in a leadership position but what can get missed, is the role that you play "outside" of your job.

What role?

Your role as a parent, relative, friend, child, partner, acquaintance...heck even in your role as a consumer at the grocery store! How you show up is influencing others...always. You're always one action away from lifting someone up or potentially tearing someone down.  It's that quick.

So how are you using this power, this influence that you have? Do you ever take a moment to check in?
Your words and your actions are constantly speaking, and somebody is always paying attention noticing...receiving.

What's different now when you think about that?

Maybe you've never thought of yourself that way before. Maybe now's the time to realize that no matter who you are, you're consistently influencing everything and everyone around you.

Quite a responsibility isn't it?

So now what? What are you gonna do with this new information? How can you bring out the best in someone else?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

If you're just realizing this amazing human power that you have, here are a few things you may want to pay attention to:

• How do you speak about yourself?

  • With kindness and acceptance?

• How do you speak about others?

  • With compassion and understanding?

And probably more importantly...

• How do you act?
  

  • This is the most telling thing of all.

• People pay attention to the things you do, not the things you say.

  • Are they in alignment?

Check-in.

• You can check-in with yourself and observe your own behaviours.
  

  • You need a lot of self-awareness to do this.

• What might be more useful for you?
  

  • Check-in with your truth tellers* to find out if what you're doing and saying is congruent.

If it is...fantastic, and if it's not, that's where your work begins.

Remember, you have a really important role to play. It can't be underestimated.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

*remember, your truth tellers aren’t always your friends…

You have the power. Do you use it?

Are you looking for certainty? Try clarity instead...

Apparently the only things in life that are certain are: death and taxes. As far as I know, that's proved to be true.

Certainty is one of those things that exists in the rear view mirror. You can do a "pros and cons" list, do some research, ask around...do all those things but when it comes to pulling the trigger, you have to take a chance. You have to trust that you've done the work...you've looked at all the options, and now you're ready to go.

This takes a certain kind of courage.  And chances are, you do this all of the time and don't give it a second thought. You're constantly making in the moment decisions without any concern for certainty. The wish for certainty usually comes up when the stakes are perceived as being higher. Maybe there's no do-over. That's when you really want to be sure that you know what you're doing. That the decision you're making is the" right" one.

Seeking certainty, when in fact, the right decision for you is going to be the one that feels right for you. You can take in the opinions of others or do an extensive analysis and at the end of the day, you have to decide. This is the right decision. Now is the right time.

What causes this uncertainty? In addition to the perception of high stakes, no do-over situations, in my experience is usually one of two things. You have so many options that you're overwhelmed with the possibilities so it's hard to feel like you're making the the right decision. Or, the completely opposite situation where you feel you have no options and so you're stuck. A lack of certainty.

I want to propose that maybe instead of looking for certainty, you look for clarity.

In my mind, clarity is a superpower. It can pull you forward, encourage you to take that first step and then it continues to pull you forward. With each step you take, it allows you to alter your path according to the information that you're getting.

When you're clear about what you want, you're less likely to get stuck in uncertainty because the clarity of your goal is gonna help you to make decisions and do things without a second thought.

If you're stuck in uncertainty right now, step back for a moment and ask yourself:

• What do I want?

• What's my goal here?

Allow this information to drive your first step.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Are you looking for certainty right now? Look for clarity instead...

Ask yourself:

• What do I want right now?

  • Keep it simple. Maybe you're looking for a creative idea.

• Who do I know that could help me with this?

  • Two heads are always better than one!

• What do I notice about myself when I have clarity?

  • Clarity puts fuel in your tank.

When you're clear, you're less likely to hesitate or wait to take action. It's like putting fuel in your tank. It also helps you build your "action taking" muscles. 

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Are you looking for certainty? Try clarity instead…