As an entrepreneur, you make decisions every day. Some are small, like choosing a meeting time. Others are huge, like launching a new product. But all of these decisions shape your business. One key factor in making good choices? Confidence.
Let’s break down how confidence affects decision-making and how to use it to your advantage.
The Basics of Decision-Making
When you make a decision, your brain considers several options. It weighs past experiences, personal biases, and even your mood. Confidence acts like a filter for all these factors. It changes how you see the risks and rewards of each choice.
Confidence and Bias: A Balancing Act
Sometimes, we’re too confident. This is called overconfidence bias. It’s when we think we know more than we do or that we’re better at predicting outcomes than we really are. As an entrepreneur, your passion can make you especially prone to this. Being aware of this bias can help you make more balanced decisions.
Confidence in Uncertain Times
When things are uncertain (which is often in business), confidence becomes even more important. It’s what allows you to make decisions without having all the answers. Being confident doesn’t mean you have no doubts. It means you trust yourself to handle whatever happens.
The Two Faces of Confidence
Confidence is crucial, but there’s a catch. There’s a big difference between real confidence and just acting tough. Real confidence comes from skills, experience, and knowing your limits. It keeps you open to new ideas. Fake confidence can lead to hasty decisions and missed chances to learn.
Building Your Decision-Making Confidence
Want to boost your confidence in making decisions? Try these tips:
Wrapping Up
Understanding how confidence affects your decisions can make you a better entrepreneur. Remember, it’s not about always being right. It’s about making decisions with confidence and learning from them. As you run your business, let confidence be your guide. Just remember to balance it with humility and self-awareness. That mix will help you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Be bold. Be confident.
Karen Vaile is a Confidence & Mindset Coach and Founder of Karen’s Coaching Korner. She helps businesswomen gain the confidence to take bold action and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Karen’s mission is centred on transforming uncertainty, self-doubt, and apprehension into assertiveness and decisive ambition. Through her 1:1 coaching program “Create Your Confidence,” she tailors her approach to each client’s unique needs, helping each one to reach her fullest potential, attain her goals, embrace boldness, and embody confidence and grace in every aspect of life. Karen can be reached via DM.
In the fast-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, standing out isn't just about what you do—it's about how effectively you share your knowledge and expertise with the world.
One powerful way to elevate your business and personal growth simultaneously is by creating an online course. Here’s how embarking on this journey can help you become a better version of yourself in business:
Creating a course requires you to distill your knowledge into a structured, actionable format. This process not only reinforces what you already know but also challenges you to fill gaps and stay updated with the latest trends in your field. As you research, plan, and teach, you deepen your expertise, becoming a go-to authority in your niche.
Effective communication is key to success in any business endeavor. Developing a course demands clarity in conveying complex ideas, engaging your audience, and fostering understanding. As you craft content, explain concepts, and interact with students, your communication skills naturally sharpen, enhancing your ability to influence and connect with others.
Launching a well-crafted course establishes you as a thought leader in your industry. It demonstrates your commitment to sharing valuable insights and solving real problems for your audience. This positions your brand as trustworthy and authoritative, attracting potential clients who seek your expertise and solutions.
Courses provide a platform to connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and clients. Engaging with your course community fosters relationships built on shared interests and mutual support. These connections can lead to new opportunities, partnerships, and invaluable feedback that propel both your business and personal growth.
Creating a course pushes you beyond your comfort zone. It requires innovation in content delivery, engagement strategies, and problem-solving. Embracing this challenge nurtures your creativity and resilience, equipping you with skills to adapt to changes and seize opportunities in an ever-changing market landscape.
Beyond immediate benefits, courses offer a sustainable revenue stream. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly without significant additional effort, allowing you to leverage your time and expertise effectively. This passive income stream not only supports your financial goals but also frees up time for further business development or personal pursuits.
Ultimately, creating a course is about making a meaningful impact. By sharing your knowledge and empowering others to succeed, you contribute to their growth journeys. Witnessing the transformation and success of your students brings a deep sense of fulfillment and reinforces your purpose-driven approach to business.
Creating an online course isn’t just about expanding your business—it’s a transformative journey that enhances your skills, expands your influence, and fosters personal growth. It’s an investment in yourself and your future, offering rewards that extend far beyond financial gains. Embrace the opportunity to share your expertise, inspire others, and become the best version of yourself in business and beyond. Start today, and unlock the potential that lies within you.
Ready to embark on your course creation journey? Let's turn your expertise into an impactful learning experience that transforms lives. Book your FREE 90 Days to Course Launch Breakthrough Call.
Tracy Sherriff is a Certified Course Creation Expert who helps coaches, service-based professionals, and other business owners successfully scale their business online with high-quality, high-impact courses and programs. You can connect with Tracy by visiting her website tracysherriff.com, or finding her on Instagram @tracy.sherriff. You can also connect with her in the Happy Healthy Women in Business Facebook Group.
Many of us with a creative idea, vision, or project often struggle with the same thing: the gap between having a brilliant idea and bringing it to life.
The common problems of perfectionism, procrastination, and overwhelm get in your way and prevent you from making any real, significant progress. You dither for months, years, and sometimes even decades, all without taking action on your creative dreams.
I know because I’ve been there. But over the last ten years, I’ve been able to overcome those problems and launch the passion projects of my heart — and I want the same for you.
I’m using everything I’ve learned to outline the 5 mistakes you’re making that prevent you from taking action — and the 5 solutions to fix them.
Mistake #1: Trying to “Figure it All Out”
You want to start a blog so you start researching the best web host, the best cross-posting tools, the best SEO strategies for headlines and metadata. But when do you get around to actually launching that blog?
You want to start a podcast so you start researching the best microphones, the best editing software, the best way to soundproof a room. But how long does it take before you get around to recording your first episode?
You want to start writing a novel so you start outlining every character backstory, every plot twist, and researching every setting for total accuracy. But at what point do you actually sit down and write your first page?
There’s a point when trying to “figure it all out” stops being about planning and starts being about perfectionism and procrastination.
The solution?
Limit your research and planning.
If you find yourself stuck in the research and planning phase without ever moving forward into execution, it’s time to STOP and just START. Set a limit for yourself — define the absolute most important pieces to know and figure out the rest later. Remember: as painful as it might feel, you don’t need to have everything figured out all the time.
Mistake #2: Waiting for “Inspiration to Strike”
When you wait for inspiration to strike, or when you wait until you “feel like it” you oftentimes never get around it.
The solution?
Well, here’s a secret successful creatives have discovered: Your muse doesn’t suddenly appear by itself. You can summon your muse — simply by showing up before it appears.
The great Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art, says:
“When we sit down each day and do our work... The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned her favor.”
Sitting down, showing up, and getting ready to work is how you summon your muse so you can get things done.
Mistake #3: Setting Lofty Goals
How familiar does this sound?
“Okay, I’m going to sit down and outline my whole novel.”
“All right, I’m going to sit down and wireframe my entire website.”
“Great, I’m ready to sit down and finish mixing my latest music track.”
And then what happens? You start feeling overwhelmed by the huge task. Or you start getting bogged down in details and minutiae. Or you start thinking that it’s going to take forever to finish and begin to get discouraged.
The solution?
Use time bound limits. Give yourself a set amount of time to work, and then stop when the time runs out. It doesn’t matter if you complete the task in one sitting or not. All that matters is that you made progress. Setting a time limit hinders your overwhelm and procrastination, because you know you only need to start — you don’t need to finish. Which brings us to mistake #4.
Mistake #4: Trying to Make it “Look Right” or “Sound Right”
You start writing your novel and spend hours tweaking the first paragraph or first page. You spend so long trying to find the perfect words to convey what you’re trying to say that you never move past the first chapter.
Or you start working on a design and find yourself repeatedly adjusting the colour palette and font choices, going back and forth, but never actually getting around to the rest of it.
The solution?
I have a saying: “Make Bad Art”.
Now, this doesn’t mean producing poor quality work. It simply means that you don’t need to get it right the first time, or even the second, third, or tenth time. When you create with the intention of doing it badly — on purpose! — you get rid of that perfectionism and procrastination.
Remember, you can always fix it later. The key is to simply make progress, bit by bit, even if it doesn’t look or sound the way you want it to at first. Give yourself permission to be bad at something and I promise, you’ll see life-changing progress in your creative pursuits.
Mistake #5: Thinking Your Idea is Unoriginal
How many times have you thought something like this:
“Someone else is already doing my idea.”
“What do I have to say that a dozen other people already haven’t?”
“There’s nothing original under the sun.”
Many of you worry that your idea isn’t original. You see other people doing it and think that it’s not worth doing yourself. You get imposter syndrome. “Who am I to do this, when other people are doing it better?”
The solution?
Find your “twist.”
Because here’s the secret: Being unoriginal is actually a GOOD thing! It means there’s a market for what you’re creating. It means there’s an audience for it. People want what you’re making.
You just need to figure out what YOU bring that no one else can. What’s the differentiator that comes from your perspective, your personality, your background, your experiences? Find the “twist” that is unique to you and you’ll stand out — even if you think you’re unoriginal.
One of the toughest things when it comes to creativity is bridging the gap between having a brilliant idea and bringing it to life. By limiting your research, summoning your muse, setting time bound goals, embracing “bad art” and finding your unique twist, you can overcome the obstacles that hold you back. It's time to stop dithering and start doing.
Ready to take the next step? Visit candicelee.ca to see how we can work together to finally bring your creative vision to life.
Candice is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur dedicated to writing, music, and mindset shifts. As a multi-six-figure bestselling novelist, wellness e-com founder, affirmation product designer, and amateur music producer, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Creativity Facilitator. Candice helps clients overcome indecision, refill their creative wells, get rid of blocks, and take action on their passion projects. With an enthusiastic and empowering approach, she offers 1:1 coaching and workshops to guide people toward their creative goals. Candice's mission is to inspire and support others in achieving their dreams so they can find fulfillment and joy.
Let’s admit it: starting a new creative project can be scary.
Maybe you’ve gone months without writing a single word.
Maybe it’s been years since you last picked up a pencil to draw.
Maybe it’s even been a decade since you played a single note on your piano or guitar.
But there’s something inside you that wants to take action on your creative work.
There’s an itch in the back of your mind, or an urge in your heart. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore it.
But you’re scared. You start thinking, what if I’m not good at it anymore? What if I try and I fail? What if I share my creative work with the world and get crickets?
I’m here to tell you, it’s okay if you’re afraid. We’ve all been there. It’s understandable to feel
that way if it’s been a while.
But there’s a way to move past that fear, to curate your own personal inspiration, and to dive into the creative work that excites you. Here’s how.
Step #1:
Get something to write on.
Take a piece of paper and a pen. Open a notes app on your phone. Open a blank Word doc on your computer. Whatever is easiest for you.
Step #2:
Think of one thing that inspired you to make and create.
Maybe it was a video/book/blog/album/painting/animation/movie that made you think, “Wow,
I’d love to do that, too!”
Maybe it was a specific person who encouraged you.
Maybe something important or significant happened in your life.
Dig deep and find that one special moment that sparked your creative urges.
Step #3:
Note down how it made you feel, and why it inspired you. Why and how did it make you want to create?
What was it about that album that made you want to play music? What did your 8th grade
teacher say that made you want to write? What about that animation made you want to draw?
Really sink into those emotions and note it down in as much detail as possible.
And finally, Step #4:
Every time you feel afraid to pick up that pencil, every time you feel that fear of putting fingers
to keys, I want you to pull out that note you just made and remember. Remember how it feels to be inspired. Remember why you wanted to create in the first place.
Channel those memories, those moments of inspiration, and I guarantee, you’ll be able to power through that fear and bring your creative vision to life.
Candice is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur dedicated to writing, music, and mindset shifts. As a multi-six-figure bestselling novelist, wellness e-com founder, affirmation product designer, and amateur music producer, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Creativity Facilitator. Candice helps clients overcome indecision, refill their creative wells, get rid of blocks, and take action on their passion projects. With an enthusiastic and empowering approach, she offers 1:1 coaching and workshops to guide people toward their creative goals. Candice's mission is to inspire and support others in achieving their dreams so they can find fulfillment and joy.
It was the beginning of March 2023. I was in Las Vegas for a mastermind—a powerful mastermind that would change my life. I was elevating, stepping into a newer version of myself... and then I had a few too many drinks, and old ways of thinking crept back in.
The next day, I wasn’t hungover. I felt shame—an awful feeling.
It wasn’t as though I had a drinking problem; it had been quite a while since the last time I lost control. But there was one thing in common: shame that I felt the next day. Embarrassment.
I dug into this emotion. Why was this coming up? I hadn’t done anything wrong. I hadn’t done anything bad. I just indulged a little too much.
The shame came from parts of my past that I thought I had forgiven myself for. Turns out, I hadn’t. The thoughts in our subconscious minds have a way of presenting themselves.
The shame also came from my perception of who I was being in those moments versus the woman that I was trying to embody—the old me versus the new me. The resistance.
This is a part of the story that I haven’t openly shared before. But as I am coming up on my one-year anniversary of deciding to be a woman who doesn’t drink alcohol, I think it is important to share.
March 11, 2023, was the last time alcohol passed my lips. And it was the easiest decision of my life.
I want to flash back to about 6 months before I made this decision because I think this is important too—no matter what decision you may be avoiding.
I had the idea that the person I wanted to become didn’t drink. And she definitely didn’t drink more than one glass of wine with a meal. That was the image I had in my mind of myself with my goal achieved. This was personal to me because of who I wanted to be and what I needed to let go of from my past. I was struggling to step in to her. One glass sometimes would turn into two. There were a few times where I did lose control.
But I didn’t make the decision to stop completely because of the stories I held onto.
That story about ‘it's only one glass of wine.’ That story about ‘will people understand.’ That story about ‘if I give up alcohol, they will think I had a drinking problem.’ That story about ‘what will I do at parties.’
Those stories were all BS. Completely.
Once you make a decision that is aligned with the person who you desire to be, aka your higher self, everything works out.
No one questioned my decision. People were incredibly supportive. I inspired other people to make the same decision, which in turn has changed their lives for the better. I have been attracting more and more people who also have made the decision not to drink into my life.
The morale of the story - no matter what decision you face, if it is going to align with your higher self, the person you want to be, and help you step into your self-image and become the person who is achieving your goals, you owe it to yourself to eliminate the BS stories that you are creating. This is your life. These are your goals. The truth is, if you think people will judge you, that is on them, not on you. And what will likely happen is if you make a committed decision and stick to it, you will find that you are so incredibly supported.
If there are decisions that you are struggling with, or you aren’t sure of the image you want to step into of your next level self, reach out. I would be happy to hop on a complimentary discovery call and see if I can help you with some clarity and direction.
To your limitless potential and stepping into who you desire to be,
Kayleigh Kennedy is the Founder and Mentor of Limitless Coaching. Contact Kayleigh at hello@kayleighkennedy.com or follow her on Instagram @thekayleighkennedy
February, the month of love. Valentine’s Day has passed and with it the roses are drying, the chocolates are consumed, and the jewelry is worn or it’s found a home in the jewelry box. Lovely, but all temporary things. In life we see events unfold in our personal sphere and we cannot always control it all. What we can control is how we handle it. Lead with love. How do we do this?
Remember, you are your most valuable asset and it is essential to invest in you. Take personal inventory of what you like and don’t like then show yourself compassionate acceptance. Next to grace, make an honest plan on how you can nurture yourself in all parts. Understanding the importance of developing self love and acceptance is key to moving forward in life and business. It enables you to be firm in your boundaries and to identify what is acceptable in other relationships. Love that genuinely comes from deep within automatically flows out and spreads to others. As leaders and entrepreneurs leading with love will build a stronger community.
Christie enjoyed a long career in nursing and is now pursuing her passion in self development. Wellness Haven and Health offers Life Skills Coaching, Happiness Coaching, and Neurodynamic Breathwork. Encouraging self empowerment for all clients with a focus on the seven principles of wellness.
Grit up to Level up
Building self-confidence one challenge at a time
Grit – It's not the latest trendy snack, nor the stuff you find in your kid's sandbox. Nope, in the world of self-improvement, grit is the shiny golden ticket to success. But don't worry; it's not all serious business. Grit is like that cheeky sidekick who makes every superhero story more fun. So, let's unravel the mystery of grit, why it's the peanut butter to your confidence's jelly, and how resilience adds a little cherry on top of your personal success sundae.
What's Grit Anyway?
First things first, let's break it down – grit is not just the sandpaper's cooler cousin. It's that never-give-up attitude, the tenacity, the "I won't take no for an answer" spirit. Grit is the unsung hero that keeps you chasing your dreams, even when life tosses obstacles your way. It's like the alarm clock that won't let you hit snooze on your goals.
Grit and Confidence: A Dynamic Duo
Grit and confidence are like the dynamic duo of personal development but without the spandex costumes. Grit is your trusty sidekick, the Robin to your Batman, pushing you into the spotlight, onto that stage, and straight into the action. It's the initial surge of energy that gets you going when you're about to tackle something new. Without grit, you might just stay in your comfort zone, forever wondering "what if."
But wait, here comes the twist: grit, on its own, is like trying to bake a cake without any frosting. It's kind of dry and not nearly as sweet. You see, life is full of curveballs, and sometimes, you'll need more than grit to catch them. Enter resilience, the cherry on top.
Resilience: The Cherry on Top
Resilience is your secret weapon, your ability to bounce back from setbacks with a smile. It's the cool, collected friend who helps you deal with life's surprises. Resilience is what keeps you from crumbling when things don't go as planned. It's like a trusty umbrella in a sudden downpour; you stay dry, while others are running for cover.
Imagine you're a surfer catching a gnarly wave, and that wave represents your confidence journey. Grit is what gets you on your board and paddling out into the ocean, ready to conquer that wave. It's the rush of excitement as you ride it. But, just like in the real ocean, sometimes you wipe out, and the wave crashes over you. That's where resilience becomes your lifeguard.
Resilience is like the lifeguard who helps you back on your board, no matter how many wipeouts you've had. It's the reassuring voice that says, "Don't worry; you can tackle that wave again." So, with grit as your surfboard and resilience as your lifeguard, you're ready to ride the waves of confidence, wipeouts and all. Cowabunga!
In the grand adventure of personal development, grit is your witty sidekick, while resilience is the cherry on top of your success sundae. So, go ahead, rock your cape, jump into your adventure-mobile, and embark on your journey to confidence. With this dynamic duo, you're ready for any challenge that comes your way. It's like a superhero movie but starring you, and the plot is your journey to unstoppable confidence. Holy grit, Batman!
Embrace boldness. Embody confidence.
Karen Vaile is a Confidence & Life Coach and Founder of Karen’s Coaching Korner.
She helps businesswomen create the confidence they need to take the bold action necessary to achieve all their personal and professional goals.
Karen's mission is centred on transforming uncertainty, self-doubt and apprehension into assertiveness and decisive ambition. Through her 1:1 coaching program “Create Your Confidence” she tailors her approach to each client's unique needs helping each one to reach her fullest potential, attain her goals, embrace boldness and embody confidence and grace in every aspect of life. Karen can be reached via DM.
Karen is happy to be a Happy Healthy Women Toronto, ON Trailblazer.
Portrait of Carole Filion, Mindset Coach and Mentor
There's a unanimous consensus among experts that a sharp, professional headshot is non-negotiable in today’s digital business world. However, the real questions emerge when we consider taking it a step further – when and why should you invest in your personal brand photography, and what tangible impact does it have? Why bother putting your face out there if you’re not a model or selling your radiant smile?
Let’s explore why your portrait is more powerful than you might think.
The Face Factor: Why your photos speak volumes
Portrait of Dr. Lucille Necas, The Joy of Purpose
Imagine your personal brand as a storybook, and each photo of yourself is a chapter. Even if you're not selling your looks, people connect with faces and personalities. Humanizing your brand makes it relatable and approachable. Your face becomes the visual anchor that helps your audience remember you in the sea of online content.
Still wondering what does your face have to do with what you sell? Think again. When you choose a lawyer, real estate agent or a business coach to work is (and boy, it’s not an easy task!), you expect certain professional qualifications. But how do you pick the one out of many, all other things equal? It’s their personality that makes you want to work with them. Whatever traits you are drawn to in people, they are embedded in their brand, and it all starts with first impressions.
So, whether you're a coach, consultant, or a product-based business owner, your face is your secret weapon to stand out in a crowd. People connect with people, not logos!
Strategic Placement: Where and when to shine
Now that we've established the importance of you showing up, let's talk strategy. It's not just about plastering your face everywhere; it's about knowing where and when to showcase your personal brand photography for maximum impact.
1) Your website: Your website is your virtual storefront, and your photos are the welcoming committee. Your best shot on your homepage creates an instant connection with visitors and it could be a deciding factor in whether they are scheduling that first discovery call with you. I kid you not, this is how I chose my therapist. Don't shy away from including photos across different pages to maintain that personal touch throughout the browsing experience.
2) Social media: Whether you are more present on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok, social media is where your personal brand photography can truly shine. Depending on the platform, you might choose to show more fun and quirky side of your personality, or authoritative and educational. Regardless, no one is just one thing. And the beauty of social media is that it gives you an opportunity to showcase different sides of your personality, allowing more people to relate to you and identify with what you do. Use professional and personality-packed photos for your profile pictures and cover images. Intersperse candid shots to give your audience a closer look at the human behind the brand.
3) Email marketing: Inject a dose of personality into your emails by incorporating your photos strategically. A well-placed portrait in your email signature or a candid moment in your newsletter can make your messages more memorable and personable.
4) Events: Whether you’re organizing a virtual summit or an in-person conference, your face should be front and center. Attendees connect more with real people, so use this opportunity to showcase your personality and make lasting impressions.
Humanizing your brand makes it relatable and approachable. Your face becomes the visual anchor that helps your audience remember you in the sea of online content. ~ Veronica Kucherov
Portrait of Sushma Kashyap, Founder, Upright Bookkeeping
Setting the Stage for Success: How to become photogenic when you think you’re not
Still have hard feelings about putting your face in the spotlight? You are not alone. So many successful business owners put off their photo session as long as they can simply because being in front of the camera feels so uncomfortable. It might all make a lot of sense from the business perspective, and yet, there is nothing more personal than your face. How do you step out of your comfort zone when deep down you believe that you just don’t look good in photos?
Let's talk about the crucial planning stage. It's not just about grabbing your smartphone and snapping a selfie (although those have their time and place). Strategic personal brand photography begins with meticulous planning. To look good, you have to feel good first. And to feel good, you need to trust the process. Here is how to do it right:
• Planning like a pro: Before you start worrying about posing and your facial expressions, take a step back and ask yourself: What story do you want your photos to tell? Are you the friendly next-door expert or the sophisticated industry maven? Align your photo strategy with your brand message. It's the difference between a scattered photo collection and a cohesive visual narrative.
• Know your audience: Your ideal client is at the heart of your personal brand. It’s not just about you – it’s about what you can do for them. Thank about speaking to them at their eye-level. If your audience is stay at home homemakers, go for casual, relaxed shots that exude approachability. If they are high-level corporate executives, opt for images exuding strength, power, and authority.
• Outfit selection: Your wardrobe can make it or break it. Choose outfits that not only align with your brand but also look fantastic on camera. Solid colors often work best, avoiding busy patterns that might distract from your message. Don't forget about accessories – they can add that extra pop of personality without stealing the show.
• Getting camera-ready: Talking about “feel good first”, it’s hard to show up with confidence if you’re concerned about your hair being out of place or makeup done right. A professional touch with a skilled hair and makeup artist ensures you look your absolute best, boosting your confidence and translating into stunning visuals. Think about these photos as an investment in your brand and in yourself. If it’s worth it to pamper yourself for someone else’s wedding – it's okay to pamper yourself for your business success!
To look good, you have to feel good first. And to feel good, you need to trust the process. ~ Veronica Kucherov
Portrait of Carole Filion, Mindset Coach and Mentor
DIY vs. Pro: Imperfect action beats perfect inaction.
Professional photography is not cheap, and you know that you get what you pay for. As a professional photographer, my suggestion is either to do it right and consider it an investment, or DIY it yourself. Yes, I just said it. I heard too many horror stories about people deciding they are never doing a professional photo shoot again, because their 5-minute headshot didn’t turn out everything they wanted it to be. If you prefer to invest time, there are a lot of resources online that can help you understand the basic principles of photography, such as lighting, posing, and composition. If you are just starting out and have limited funds, with the right planning and a good eye, you can get you “good enough” images until you can afford the magic that a professional photographer brings to the table.
When to DIY: If you're confident in your photography skills, have a solid understanding of your brand and your marketing plan, and don’t shy away form a camera, DIY-ing your personal brand photos can be a budget-friendly option. Invest in good equipment, pay attention to lighting, and, most importantly, be patient with yourself. Research the examples and practice posing and facial expressions in front of the mirror. The DIY approach saves you money as long as you are realistic about the time that you will have to invest in exchange.
When to choose a pro: Hiring a professional photographer can elevate your photos to a whole new level, and ultimately saves you time – and yes, money too. Apart from the obvious – such as technical expertise and an artistic eye – a seasoned photographer can help you with your styling and planning. From location research, arranging a hair and makeup artist, and mapping out your shot list in line with your marketing strategy, the main benefit is in taking the stress out of your photo shoot, and freeing you up to focus on being your authentic self.
In conclusion, whether you choose the DIY route or opt for a pro, the key is to approach personal brand photography with intention and to be kind to yourself in the process. Your face is your brand's greatest asset, and your story is what makes you unique. To bring that story to your audience, the only step you need to take is the one outside of your comfort zone. I know it takes courage. You got it! Cheers to showcasing the amazing face behind your brand!
Portrait of Sushma Kashyap, Founder, Upright Bookkeeping
Veronica is the owner of Vongue Art Photography - a full-service portrait studio in Toronto helping camera-shy people over 40 look and feel their best in their photos. Veronica's mission is to photograph you the way you want to be seen. Whether it is to level up your business marketing, or to preserve your personal history in custom heirloom albums and wall art, you deserve to have portraits that make you feel beautiful and proud.
In our ever-evolving world, staying ahead requires an unwavering commitment to continuous learning. Yet, merely scratching the surface of new subjects won't yield the profound transformations you seek. To truly unlock your potential and attain mastery, it's imperative to adopt a resolute mindset dedicated to immersive learning. Within this blog post, we will delve into actionable strategies that empower you to embrace the path of mastery and amplify your learning voyage.
Establishing Your Learning Objectives: To wholeheartedly commit to learning, commence by crystallizing your aims. What specific skills or knowledge are you striving to acquire? Set forth precise and quantifiable objectives that harmonize with your passions and ambitions. By defining your learning goals, you'll blueprint a path that steers you through the journey and keeps you driven and resolute.
Devote Yourself to Steadfastness: Consistency stands as the linchpin for deepening comprehension and enduring progress. Allocate dedicated intervals for learning each day or week and uphold that pledge. Steadfastness generates momentum, allowing your intellect to assimilate new information more efficiently. Treat your learning expedition as a top priority and safeguard your exclusive learning moments against diversions.
Welcome Deliberate Mastery: Deliberate mastery encompasses actively engaging with the material, pushing past your comfort boundaries, and embracing feedback. Fragment intricate concepts into bite-sized, manageable portions and methodically practice them. Challenge yourself to tackle issues, finalize projects, or engage in dialogues tied to your chosen domain. Solicit input from mentors, instructors, or colleagues to enhance your competencies and deepen your insights.
Foster Inquisitiveness and a Cultivated Mindset for Growth: To wholeheartedly embark on a learning quest, nurture your inquisitiveness and uphold a growth-oriented mentality. Embrace the belief that intelligence and skills develop through diligence and practice. Welcome setbacks and disappointments as opportunities for advancement, not as excuses to surrender. Inquisitiveness will impel you to investigate novel ideas, pose queries, and actively pursue diverse viewpoints, fostering an enriching and dynamic learning odyssey.
Submerge Yourself in the Learning Ambiance: Forge an environment that nurtures your learning expedition. Encompass yourself with educational resources such as literature, podcasts, online courses, or workshops. Engage with communities, forums, or study circles where you can connect with kindred spirits and share knowledge. Immerse yourself in the subject matter by attending conventions, webinars, or seminars affiliated with your field of interest.
Embrace Diverse Learning Modalities: Each individual has their unique learning approach, so explore a spectrum of learning modalities to ascertain what resonates best with you. Marry conventional approaches like reading with hands-on experimentation, visual aids, auditory materials, or interactive online platforms. Embrace a versatile range of resources to keep your learning experience captivating and comprehensive.
Reflect and Refine: Regularly introspect on your learning expedition to evaluate progress, pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, and adapt your methodology accordingly. Celebrate even the smallest achievements and milestones to sustain your motivation. If confronted with roadblocks or stagnation, do not hesitate to reevaluate your strategies, seek alternative resources, or solicit counsel from mentors or experts in your field.
Wholeheartedly dedicating oneself to learning is a transformative approach that unveils doors to personal development and achievement. By setting precise goals, embracing unwavering persistence and deliberate mastery, nurturing curiosity and a growth mindset, immersing yourself in a supportive learning atmosphere, exploring diverse learning methods, and reflecting on your journey, you'll embark on a gratifying voyage of perpetual learning and attain mastery in your chosen sphere. Therefore, take that initial stride, pledge to your learning journey, and embrace the multitude of possibilities that await you!
Tracy Sherriff is a seasoned educator, non-profit manager, and Certified Director of Operations with advanced training in adult education. Her company Accelerated Learning, specializes in aiding coaches, consultants, and creators in scaling their businesses through high-value, impactful curriculum-based courses and online programs. Tracy also hosts the Scale Your Course podcast and is the visionary behind Course Design School.
In today's world where women are redefining boundaries and shattering glass ceilings, the value of confidence cannot be overstated. But what is often missed in this narrative is the expansive freedom that confidence can bring into our lives. As women invested in health and wholeness, it's essential to understand how cultivating confidence can lead to holistic well-being.
Here's a glimpse into the freedoms unlocked by confidence:
1. Freedom of Expression
Confidence empowers women to voice their unique opinions, beliefs, and feelings. It paves the way for genuine communication, free from the constraints of societal judgments.
2. Freedom to Pursue Dreams
Every woman has dreams and aspirations. With confidence, the horizon expands, making it possible to chase those dreams, take calculated risks, and step into uncharted territories.
3. Freedom from Fear
Confidence serves as a shield against the fears of failure, rejection, or criticism. It emboldens women to act decisively and reclaim their narrative.
4. Freedom of Authenticity
There's a raw beauty in being genuine. Confidence lets women shed facades, encouraging them to embrace and celebrate their true selves.
5. Freedom from Regret
Decisions made with confidence, even those leading to mistakes, eliminate the burden of perpetual "what ifs".
6. Freedom in Relationships
Confidence builds the foundation for healthier relationships, enabling women to set boundaries, articulate needs, and foster mutual respect.
7. Freedom from Limiting Beliefs
Every woman carries the power to challenge internal barriers and self-imposed limitations. Confidence is the key that unlocks this potential.
8. Freedom to Learn and Grow
Instead of viewing setbacks as defeats, confidence transforms them into invaluable learning experiences, promoting growth and resilience.
9. Freedom of Self-Love
At the heart of confidence lies self-acceptance. It's about liberating oneself from relentless self-criticism and embracing self-love.
10. Freedom from Dependency
Confidence breeds self-reliance, reducing the constant need for external approval or validation.
11. Freedom to Innovate
Creativity flourishes in the face of confidence. It encourages women to challenge the norm, think unconventionally, and birth new ideas.
12. Freedom to Lead
Confident women often rise as torchbearers, inspiring and guiding others with their vision and passion.
The journey of confidence is deeply personal. While these freedoms might resonate with many, each woman's experience with confidence is uniquely her own. As we embrace health and wholeness, let us also open our arms to the incredible freedoms that confidence can bring into our lives, recognizing it as an integral component of our holistic well-being.
Karen Vaile is a Confidence & Life Coach and Founder of Karen’s Coaching Korner. She helps businesswomen create the confidence they need to take the bold action necessary to achieve all their personal and professional goals.
Karen's mission is centred on transforming uncertainty, self-doubt and apprehension into assertiveness and decisive ambition. Through her 1:1 coaching program “Create Your Confidence” she tailors her approach to each client's unique needs helping each one to reach her fullest potential, attain her goals, embrace boldness and embody confidence and grace in every aspect of life. Karen can be reached via DM.
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Karen is happy to be a Happy Healthy Women Toronto, ON Trailblazer.
The journey towards achieving our dreams and aspirations begins not in an Instagram or TikTok reel, but within the quiet chambers of our own hearts. The expression of our desires and ambitions is nurtured in the garden of our hearts. The quality of our relationship with ourselves is where we plant, cultivate and grow our desires and ambitions.
Releasing The Patterns Of Conditioning
Our relationship with ourselves is partially shaped by societal conditioning, familial influences, and the patterns we unwittingly allow to govern our thoughts and actions.
As we grow, explore, and take in teachings, we're bombarded with the beliefs, values, and norms of the society around us. We absorb these messages like sponges, internalizing judgments, expectations, and standards that may not truly align with our authentic selves. Family, too, imprints their mark on us, sometimes leaving imprints of their own limitations and self-judgment that cast shadows over our potential.
It's crucial to recognize that these influences are not the final verdict on our potential. As we master the ability to step back and evaluate what serves our genuine dreams and what inhibits them, we are able to make our own decisions. This self-awareness allows us to disentangle the threads of conditioning, making room for our own beliefs and desires to emerge.
Creating New Paths
Unraveling the patterns that have long held sway over us requires a conscious decision to create new paths. As we release the grip of old behaviors and thought patterns, we open the door to the liberating expanse of possibility. It's within this space that the seeds of our true potential can germinate and flourish.
Remember, every ripple in a pond begins with a single drop. Similarly, the shifts we wish to see in our external world start as gentle vibrations within. By nourishing our relationship with ourselves, we cultivate the roots of confidence, resilience, and authenticity that will guide us toward our goals.
Just as a garden flourishes when cared for with love and tenderness, so too do our lives when we practice self-compassion. The wellspring of change is replenished by the nourishing waters of unconditional love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness – all extended not only to others but, crucially, to ourselves.
Our internal dialogue, the conversation we maintain with ourselves, serves as both the architect and sculptor of our reality. Replacing self-criticism with self-encouragement, doubt with belief, and fear with courage, we rewrite the script of our lives. This dialog shapes our thoughts, our actions, and the energy we emit into the world.
Healing Our Heart
To truly embrace the journey of self-relationship is to embark on a journey of healing. Just as a broken bone, when set right, grows back stronger, our wounds when acknowledged and healed, pave the way for resilience and self-love to flourish. The scars that mark our history are not signs of weakness but of strength – proof that we have endured, overcome and emerged wiser.
As the tapestry of our lives continues to unfold, we must remember that the most powerful catalyst for change begins with the love we extend to ourselves. Just as the warmth of the sun nourishes the earth, the warmth of self-love fuels our growth and transformation.
Rewrite Your Narrative
You possess the incredible power to rewrite your narrative. With every step you take towards nurturing your relationship with yourself, you sow the seeds of your dreams and aspirations. The old patterns that once held you captive are no match for the resilient spirit within you.
Let the unconditional love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness resonate within. Allow your internal dialogue to be a guiding light, illuminating your path toward a life rich with fulfillment and purpose. Embrace the process of healing, for it is through healing that you will discover the boundless capacity of your heart to love yourself unconditionally.
As you water the garden of your soul with nurturing care, watch as it transforms into a flourishing landscape – a testament to your journey of self-discovery, growth, and unwavering self-love.
Judith Richey is A Force For Transformation. She offers spiritual healing and guidance to women entrepreneurs seeking profound transformation and progress beyond the work they have done in personal development and mindset shifts.
Her unique and unconventional approach harnesses the power of energy healing and nontraditional techniques to help her clients become the best version of themselves, and to find fulfillment and abundance in all areas of their lives.
If you are ready to release the conditioning that has been writing the negative narrative that has controlled your life, then we should chat. You can schedule a time with me here.
You do have the power to create your own path! I can help.
“This is just who I am. I can’t change now.”
Have you ever said those words?
Is it true? Are you destined to be the same person, with the same personality forever? Most of us think so.
Well, get ready for a paradigm shift!
It turns out that our personality, our consistent attitudes and behaviours are not set in stone, contrary to what we've been led to believe.
Most of us believe that our personality is innate, like an unchangeable fingerprint, defining who we are and how we behave. It's as if we were assigned a fixed set of traits at birth and are stuck with them forever. We believe our personality is our real, authentic self. But hold on tight, because that view is being challenged by the research!
Our personality is not set in stone, it has been programmed and conditioned by our past. Each person and experience in our lives, especially as children, has shaped our thoughts, attitudes and behaviours and that programming has played on repeat in our lives. That programming has become so automatic that we have come to believe this is just who we are… We are just like our mom, or our grandma, and there is nothing we can do about it.
The research and my own personal experience is telling us that we can absolutely change our personality and create a new identity. We can choose to become more confident, more optimistic, more compassionate, more creative if we believe we can. Your personality is a work in progress!
For most people, the idea that you can imagine and create yourself and your own personality sounds like magic. It may feel like magic but it is possible!
Your personality can actually be chosen by you!
You can design your identity, behaviour and environment to serve the future you want to create. What goals do you wish to achieve? Who do you want to be? You can choose your personality based on the person you desire to be and the goals you wish to achieve.
When we set worthy goals that are fuelled by our desires, we have to grow into the person who can achieve those goals. Maybe you want to write a book… What are the personality traits of an author? Committed, determined, focused, ambitious, creative?? Ask yourself “What would an author do right now?” and then begin to act “as if”. The more you repeatedly choose a thought, an attitude or a behaviour, the more it will become a part of you and begin to become part of your personality.
“Your personality should come from your goals. Your goals shouldn’t come from your personality.” Paul Graham
In a nutshell, the idea that our personality is fixed is being challenged by a growing body of research. So, let go of the notion that you're stuck with the same old traits forever!
Embrace change, adopt a growth mindset, and believe in your ability to shape your personality. With intentional effort, open-mindedness, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, you can unlock your full potential and become the best version of yourself. Get ready for an incredible journey of self-discovery and personal growth!
Kelly-Anne Appleton is a Mindset & Manifestation Coach who helps women 40+ stop settling and create a life they love! Through 1:1 and group coaching Kelly-Anne helps women reprogram the beliefs that are keeping them stuck, rewrite their self image and amplify their results.
She co-hosts a weekly show, Raw & Unscripted on YouTube and she shares meaningful insights and tips to help you live a life you love on Instagram and Facebook.
