If you’re reading this, chances are you feel much like I did 18 months ago—overwhelmed, overworked, underappreciated, and disconnected. You go through your days managing your life and everyone else’s, rather than truly living it.
Does it ever feel like no matter how much you accomplish, it’s never enough? Do you find yourself giving endlessly to others, but feel drained and disconnected when it comes to your own needs?
The title of this article likely caught your attention because, deep down, you’re ready for a change. You want to break free from this vicious cycle of operating in survival mode and start shifting your reality. Am I right?
One of the most common questions I hear from women seeking transformation is: “Where do I start?”
No matter their circumstances, my answer is always the same: Start with personal accountability.
What is Personal Accountability?
Personal accountability is about stepping into ownership of your experiences in life. It’s recognizing that you have the power to choose how you respond to the events and situations you face and understanding that those choices shape your reality. It’s about shifting your mental narrative to one that supports the life you desire, rather than one that reinforces powerlessness.
At its core, personal accountability is the foundation of SELF-leadership—a crucial skill for anyone looking to live with alignment and intention. While we won’t dive into SELF-leadership in this article, it involves intentionally guiding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in alignment with your core values, purpose, and desired outcomes.
Now that we understand personal accountability and why it matters, let’s look at 6 simple strategies you can start applying in your life today.
We can’t change what we aren’t aware of or willing to accept; real transformation starts with self-awareness. Begin by identifying the areas of your life where you feel stuck or unsatisfied.
Once you’ve identified these areas, ask yourself the following questions:
Once you identify the areas where you feel stuck and recognize some underlying root causes, you can take intentional steps to break the pattern. Personal accountability begins with recognizing where you need to make a change.
When you embrace personal accountability, you move from feeling like life happens to you, to realizing that life is something you actively create. Often, we become stuck when we identify with our past experiences, instead of shifting our focus toward intentionally taking action to create the life we desire.
Remember: Our current reality is the result of our past decisions, and our future is actively being shaped by the choices we make today. Every day presents a new opportunity to create the future you desire. Start now.
To take this a step further, the next time you feel stuck, instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What is this teaching me? How can I respond in a way that aligns with the outcome I want?”
Our thoughts are powerful and have so much influence over our reality. This step is about noticing when you fall into negative thinking patterns, such as “This is just the way things are” or “I have no control over this.”
When this happens, pause and reframe. Ask yourself, “Are these thoughts actually based in truth?”
Then, choose thoughts that empower you: “I have the power to respond differently” or “I can influence the change I am seeking by rewiring my thoughts.”
Learning to shift your mental narrative is essential to taking responsibility for the life you want. It requires the willingness to recognize limiting beliefs, challenge them, and let them go.
Taking responsibility for your life means prioritizing choices and taking actions that align with the version of yourself you want to become. It’s about showing up, day after day, especially when it’s uncomfortable, and making decisions from a place of empowerment, rather than fear or discomfort.
When and only when you are willing to accept that you are the only one who has the power to shape your life, you reclaim your agency and become empowered to keep moving forward.
Personal accountability isn’t about perfection; it’s about making progress. By building a habit of compassionate self-reflection, you’ll stay committed to the process of creating the lasting changes you desire.
At the end of each day, ask yourself: “Did I make choices that align with the person I want to become?” rather than “Did I accomplish my goal?” Learning to move away from black-and-white thinking and pausing to celebrate all wins, big or small, builds the momentum needed for continued personal growth.
Many of us become so focused on the “goal” or “desired outcome” that we lose sight of the journey itself—and all the growth that happens along the way. I know firsthand the importance of fully embracing the journey, approaching it with a beginner’s mind, and detaching from desired outcomes. The real magic and alignment happens when we remain flexible and committed to ourselves from a growth perspective, rather than an outcome-driven one.
Part of the magic of living in alignment with your true self is trusting the process and believing in something bigger than you.
If there’s one key takeaway from all of this, let it be this: Surrender control, detach from expectations, embrace the journey, and watch the magic unfold.
The Path to Joy and Abundance Begins with Personal Accountability
To create the life you truly desire—one filled with joy, abundance, and purpose—the first step is to take full ownership of your experience. When you do, you’ll start to see that every choice you make will either bring you closer to the life you want or keep you further from it. The choice is yours.
I hope this article has inspired you and sparked the motivation to start applying these personal accountability strategies in your life today.
If you found this article helpful and want to dive deeper, I’d love to connect! Join me at my Downtown Toronto Happy Healthy Women events, visit my website, or follow me on Instagram for more resources and support on your journey!
Emily Zhuang is a Certified Health Coach, Lifestyle Transformation Coach, and creator of The Balance and Thrive Method. Emily specializes in empowering purpose-driven female entrepreneurs to define their self-worth and gain the confidence they deserve, so they can create the life they truly desire. By guiding women to realign their time, energy, and resources inward, Emily enables them to live in alignment with their true purpose, and experience a life of freedom and true fulfillment. Her client-centered approach focuses on whole-person health, addressing the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual states of being, utilizing sustainable lifestyle shifts rooted in her Core Pillars of Health to deliver lasting results.
As a high-achieving woman entrepreneur, you're no stranger to setting ambitious goals and pushing boundaries. But have you ever wondered why, despite your remarkable accomplishments, you sometimes find yourself doubting your abilities or focusing on perceived shortcomings? The answer might lie in a fascinating cognitive phenomenon called confirmation bias. In this post, we'll explore how understanding and leveraging this bias can be a game-changer for your entrepreneurial journey.
What is Confirmation Bias?
Confirmation bias is our brain's tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information that confirms our existing beliefs while disregarding contradictory evidence. While this can sometimes lead to errors in judgment, it also presents a powerful opportunity for personal growth and achievement – especially for driven women like you who are shaping the business world.
The Double-Edged Sword for Women Entrepreneurs
As a woman entrepreneur, you may have experienced how confirmation bias can work against you:
But here's the exciting part: once you understand confirmation bias, you can flip the script and use it to your advantage.
Strategies to Harness Confirmation Bias for Your Success
Instead of dwelling on perceived shortcomings, actively seek evidence of your competence and resilience. Remember that pitch you nailed? The investor who believed in your vision? The team you've built from the ground up? These aren't flukes – they're proof of your capabilities.
Action Step: Create a "Success Journal" where you document your wins, big and small. Review it regularly, especially before important meetings or decisions.
Surround yourself with diverse perspectives that challenge your assumptions and broaden your horizons. Seek out mentors, join women's entrepreneurship groups, and engage with peers who inspire and push you to grow.
Action Step: Attend at least one networking event or conference per quarter focused on women in business or your specific industry.
Use confirmation bias to your advantage by clearly defining your goals and visualizing success. When you prime your brain to look for opportunities aligned with your vision, you'll be amazed at what you start to notice and attract.
Action Step: Create a vision board for your business goals. Include images of women leaders you admire, representations of your target revenue, and symbols of the impact you want to make.
When you catch yourself in a spiral of self-doubt, pause and ask: "Is this thought helping or hindering my success?" Replace limiting beliefs with empowering affirmations that reflect the leader you are becoming.
Action Step: Develop a set of personal mantras tailored to your entrepreneurial journey. Examples might include: "I am innovative and resilient" or "My unique perspective is my superpower."
Instead of fearing criticism, view it as valuable data for growth. Actively seek feedback from mentors, clients, and team members. When you receive praise, don't brush it off – internalize it as evidence of your capabilities. Feedback is a gift, and I’ll never forget the mentor who helped me understand this notion.
Action Step: Implement a regular feedback loop in your business, both for giving and receiving constructive input.
The Ripple Effect of Your Success
By harnessing confirmation bias for positive change, you're not just transforming your own entrepreneurial journey – you're paving the way for other women in business. Your success challenges societal biases and creates a ripple effect of inspiration.
Remember, the key to leveraging confirmation bias lies in consciously directing your focus toward the outcomes you wish to manifest. By doing so, you're not just building a successful business; you're reshaping the landscape and inspiring women entrepreneurs everywhere.
Are you ready to harness the power of your mind and take your business to new heights? The world is waiting for your unique vision and leadership.
Elaine Dickens, MA, Registered Psychotherapist, is a dedicated advocate for high performers and recovering perfectionists seeking to overcome burnout and deepen their emotional connection with others. Through her practice, Live Inspired Wellness, Elaine combines evidence-based strategies with actionable insights to guide clients toward sustainable success and well-being. Her expertise in mindset optimization, emotional intelligence, and ADHD empowers ambitious professionals to thrive both personally and professionally. Elaine's mission is to reshape the narrative around high achievement, proving that peak performance and personal fulfillment can coexist harmoniously. For inspiring resources on mindset and emotional wellness, follow Live Inspired Therapist on Instagram or visit our website.
Receiving feedback is an integral part of personal and professional growth. However, it can also be one of the most challenging aspects of developing any project, especially something as personal and meaningful as a course that you've poured your heart into. The art of receiving feedback really goes beyond just listening to others’ opinions; it involves processing, understanding, and using that feedback to refine and elevate your work.
I’d like to share my own journey with feedback, especially as it relates to refining my courses. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences since I started in the online space.
Let’s face it—receiving feedback can be emotionally taxing. When someone critiques your work, it’s easy to feel vulnerable, especially if the feedback isn’t entirely positive. We often tie our self-worth to our creations, making it hard to separate constructive criticism from personal judgment.
For me, creating courses is not just a job; it’s a passion. I’ve spent countless hours crafting content that I believe will make a difference. So, when I first started receiving feedback, there was an internal struggle. I had to learn how to take a step back and look at my work objectively. Was the feedback coming from a place of helping me improve, or was it just a matter of personal preference?
This distinction is crucial because it allows you to filter out the noise and focus on the feedback that truly adds value.
Some of my students and clients have been sharing feedback on Course Design School, my signature course, regarding the content, the delivery, and the experience so far, and their feedback is inspiring some incredible changes. It’s amazing how their insights have opened my eyes to new ways of enhancing the course, making it even more impactful.
I could kick myself for not thinking about some of these ideas sooner, but instead, I’m embracing the gift of their feedback and getting back to work. Every tweak and adjustment is bringing me closer to creating the transformative experience I’m striving for.
As I embrace this feedback, I have now started a process of refinement. I am revisiting the course material, tweaking, adjusting, and sometimes overhauling entire sections. The process isn’t easy—it requires time, effort, and a willingness to let go of certain elements that I had initially thought were essential. But as I make these changes, I am noticing a shift. The course is going to be more streamlined, the content more focused, and the overall experience more impactful for the participants.
This process is teaching me a valuable lesson that I know but needed a reminder of: no matter how good you think your work is, there’s always room for improvement. Feedback is not a sign of failure; it’s a pathway to excellence.
Based on my experience, here are a few tips on how to receive feedback gracefully and use it to your advantage:
The art of receiving feedback is a continuous journey. It’s about embracing vulnerability, being open to change, and constantly striving for improvement. My experience with refining my course taught me that feedback, while sometimes challenging to hear, is an essential component of growth. It’s what transforms good into great and what helps us evolve in our work.
As you move forward in your own projects, remember that feedback is your ally. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide you to greater heights. The path to excellence is paved with the insights of others, and it’s up to us to walk that path with an open mind and a willing heart.
Ready to embark on your own course creation journey? Let's turn your expertise into a profitable online course. Book your FREE 90 Days to Course Launch Breakthrough Call.
Tracy Sherriff is a Certified Course Creation Expert who helps coaches, consultants, and other experts transform their expertise into a profitable online course in 90 days with just 5 hours a week—no overwhelm! Connect with Tracy by visiting her website, tracysherriff.com, or finding her on Instagram @tracy.sherriff.
Our bodies have the extraordinary power to let us sense when danger is present, and oftentimes they do so without us having to think about it. We become acutely aware when dis-ease sets in and hampers our normal functioning. As a nurse working in the hospital setting the changes experienced by people are often managed by medication.
Have you ever experienced a sense within your body that doesn’t fit into the usual five categories? It is fascinating to note that our body has over twenty senses internally and externally. These incredible sensory functions manage to keep us safe and connected to the world around us. Without going into the scientific depths of how our sensory receptors function, exploring with a curious mind can help us tap into the wonder they hold.
We have all experienced pain in our lives whether it be at skin level, deep into the muscles, organs, or emotionally. Each one of these has special properties that can stop us in our tracks when triggered. When the pain response is activated, we have a choice of what we do with it. As a nurse, I ascribe to the definition of pain as “pain is what the experiencing person says it is, occurring when they say it does.” Pain provocation, quality, radiation, severity, and timing are all explored.
The other sense that we recognize as important is our temperature. Our body identifies heat and cold and has built in processes to allow heat to escape or trap it in. This is another protective process.
We also have mechanical receptors that sense our body position, balance, and muscle stretch. Such complexities that we do not have to think through. We do not have to think about the way our joint is positioned in space. There is structure and organized function aligned within our body.
We could also explore the internal receptors such as blood pressure, blood oxygen content, bladder stretch, having a full stomach, and lung inflation. All senses that we are fortunate we do not need to think about, recognizing how marvelous our body really is.
So, what happens when dis-ease sets in or medications interfere with the natural function of these senses? We become misaligned with our body and our internal senses can become dulled or impaired. It takes practice to stay in touch with these senses beyond the five. Taking time to activate your senses and observe them through meditation can help you live in harmony with your senses.
Christie is a dynamic wellness practitioner. As the founder of Wellness Haven and Health Christie offers a circular approach to wellness with offerings that honour the seven principles of wellness: emotional, environmental, mental, occupational, physical, relational, and spiritual. Christie is a life skills coach, happiness coach, a breath work facilitator, as well as a medical aesthetician. Christie is joined by her daughter, Abigail, who offers home organization and a decluttering service. At Wellness Haven and Health we encourage and support others in their wellness journey.
Learn more about Christie and her business:
Breathwork is a powerful practice that when integrated, can transform your life. When I was first learning about Breathwork there were a few guiding principles that led to my internal awakening and continues to guide my practice and my life.
Some of the principles sound easy in theory but allowing yourself to fully surrender and trust yourself in the process can be difficult but is essential. In Breathwork the concept of surrender does not signify defeat or weakness, rather an opportunity for personal insight. When you surrender to the process, you allow new experiences and opportunities to present themselves. Our thinking mind can act like a vessel, defaulting to stories or scenarios that reinforce limiting beliefs. With Breathwork we step away from this thinking mind and remove the distractions that impact our ability to live in the moment.
The next principle is what you resist persists and the way past is through. In a Breathwork session life material arises when you are subconsciously ready and equipped to face it. In this safe container, you have the opportunity to explore, heal, and resolve items that may be holding you back from wellness.
Other Breathwork jargon you might hear is, everything is grist for the mill. So what does this mean? Basically, it’s acceptance that what will be will be and whatever happens, happens. Whether there are glitches in the music or you are interrupted by family, or distractions in the room. Your frustration, anger, joy, and laughter: they are all a part of the Breathwork session. Breathe into the emotion, breathe into any movement you experience, breathe to deepen and maximize the experience. It is all energy ready to be released.
After a Breathwork session, it is important to take time to reintegrate into regular daily activity. Here are some of the transitional activities to help integrate:
There is no limit to what you can do to integrate, do what feels right for you. As Breathwork becomes one of your self care activities, you will notice how impactful it can be in your everyday life.
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.
This is the work that changed everything for me.
As I look back, I see how my self image was a direct reflection of how I experienced life in my physical reality. I spent so many years trying to find myself. Now I know we get to create ourselves by using our minds. There is a vast difference between the two.
See I was searching outside myself for the answers. Who am I? What am I capable of? What am I worth? I thought confidence was something you had or didn’t have. I allowed my outside circumstances and results in my life to dictate my worth. My worth was dependent on achieving and being the best. I was only worthy if I was winning or coming in first place. I’m sure some of you can relate to this.
What I have come to know is that the image we hold of ourselves dictates our reality. This is referred to as our self image. We have an image we project to the outside world, what we wear, how we do our hair, how we carry ourselves AND we also have our inner image, the one we believe about ourselves. It’s that inner voice that plays over and over in our minds. The one that guides us, the one that determines our outside world. The one that the universe responds to. Our minds will always try to prove us right. If I have the thought that I'm not good enough or unworthy of money, then I will have experiences to show me I'm right. Alternatively, if I have a strong and healthy image of myself and my abilities, then I will have experiences that show me I’m right. Our belief in ourselves will dictate our results.
Our belief in ourselves is crucial because we will never outperform our self image!
Learn more about Kelly and her business:
We come into the world with a big breath often followed by a cry and we come to the end of life when our breath ceases. This is an automatic function that does not require us to think about it for it to happen but it is something that we can control.
When we are in pain we hold our breath, when we are anxious or excited our breathing becomes rapid. When we are at peace we have slow even paced breath. There is no disputing that breathing is essential to life and how we take care of our breath is important. The connection with our mental, emotional, and physical body is vital. There are many ways to utilize our breath to bring stability to this connection and Neurodynamic breathwork as a practice certainly can help.
Neurodynamic breathwork as a practice can:
Breathwork, in combination with other practices, helps you explore life in new dynamic ways. As integration takes place you will discover deeper aspects of life you never knew existed. Next month we will explore key principles of Breathwork and integration.
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.
Hello dear HHW Global community!
As we greet the rejuvenating season of spring, I find myself reflecting on growth - not just the blossoming around us, but our personal journeys of expansion and transformation. Let's explore this together, through the lens of my own story and the wisdom of Ayurvedic elements.
Consider a thriving plant. When it outgrows its pot, we don't hesitate to transplant it into a larger one, giving it room to flourish. This simple act of changing containers is a powerful metaphor for personal and professional growth. Just like the plant, we too need space to expand, to reach our full potential.
When I first embarked on my solo journey as a Reiki master teacher, the world of business was uncharted territory for me. I felt like a seedling in a small pot, yearning for space. Joining the HHW community was my way of stepping into a bigger container. This leap not only nurtured my growth as a Reiki practitioner but also as a solopreneur. It was a transformation that resonated deeply with the essence of Reiki - flowing with life's energy and embracing change.
Ayurveda, often referred to as the sister science of Yoga, is an ancient holistic healing system from India. It emphasizes the balance of body, mind, and spirit through the understanding of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. These elements represent different aspects of our existence and align with specific chakras, reminding us that growth is multidimensional. For instance, 'Earth' grounds us in stability, 'Water' nurtures our adaptability and emotional well-being, 'Fire' fuels our ambitions and transformative energy, 'Air' symbolizes movement and change, and 'Ether' connects us to the expansive, spiritual aspects of the universe.
This spring marks a special time in our collective journey - an opportunity to embrace the spirit of renewal and growth, aligning ourselves with the natural rhythm of the universe. As part of our Spring Awakening series, we will embark on a profound exploration of these Ayurvedic elements, each linked to specific chakras and meditations. This is more than just a learning experience; it's a transformative journey, allowing us to find our larger pot, where our roots can delve deeper and our branches can stretch higher. For more details about the series and how to be a part of this elemental harmony, please click here. Join us every Wednesday at 7:55 pm, from April 3rd to June 19th, as we embrace the renewing energies of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether, fostering holistic growth and balance.
As we each navigate our path towards a larger container for growth, let's draw inspiration from the Ayurvedic elements. These ancient elements guide us in fully embracing our potential, reminding us that growth is a harmonious blend of understanding and aligning with the natural forces within and around us. In our 'Spring Awakening' series, we'll explore this synergy between the timeless teachings of Ayurveda and the enduring wisdom of Reiki. Together, these practices offer a holistic path to growth, balance, and well-being. Join me in this journey as we transcend our boundaries and flourish in this season of renewal and awakening. Here's to growing together in harmony and wisdom!
Nasreen, a Reiki Master Teacher and founder of Japan Reiki Studio, is also the Canada chapter head of the Japan Reiki Association. She introduces women to self-care and energy work through her Wellness Reiki Circle, a first step in their transformative journey. With a philosophy of 'me first, then everyone else,' Nasreen emphasizes self-healing as essential for empowerment. A former skeptic turned passionate practitioner, she dedicates her life to teaching, healing, and life coaching, aiming to elevate vibrations and spread resilience and positivity.
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.
I think so many of us have it all wrong when it comes to happiness!
We see happiness as a destination that we never quite seem to reach. It looks like others around us are “there”, but we can’t seem to find the key to unlock the door of happiness.
In a world that often emphasizes achievements, possessions, and the pursuit of external success, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that happiness is something you'll reach once you've ticked all the right boxes. But here's the secret I want to share with you today: happiness is a journey, not a destination. Happiness is a direction we can head in. We can all choose to be “happier”.
Many of us have been raised with the idea that happiness is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. "Once I get that dream job," we think, "or when I have a certain amount of money, then I'll be happy." It's as if happiness is a place we'll arrive at, and we'll live there forever. But in reality, that's not how it works.
You might not like what I’m about to say, but ... No one and no circumstance can give you true happiness!
It’s up to you and only you to be intentional about choosing happiness everyday. While outside life circumstances may influence your mood, the ultimate decision to embrace happiness rests with you. It's about taking ownership of your well-being, choosing to respond positively to life's challenges, and making choices that align with your joy and fulfillment.
Imagine happiness as a scenic journey. There are mountains to climb, valleys to cross, and even some occasional roadblocks. But it's in the process of traveling that we experience happiness. It's in those little moments when we appreciate a beautiful sunset, share laughter with a loved one, or even find joy in a small accomplishment.
Happiness is not just about the destination; it's about the direction of the journey. It's about embracing the here and now, it’s about becoming intentional in bringing more happiness into our lives. It's about making the most of each step you take on your life's path.
Here are 3 ways you can start today to move in the direction of being happier:
1. Choose Happiness: Make a list of all the things that make you happy and bring you joy. Review your list every morning and choose a few things from the list that you are going to intentionally make a part of your day.
2. Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on what you're grateful for. This simple act can help shift your focus toward happiness.
3. Shift Your Mindset: As a mindset coach, I can't stress enough the importance of reprogramming limiting beliefs and choosing thoughts that serve you well. A positive mindset can be your greatest ally in the journey to happiness.
When you understand that you have the power to shape your happiness, you take the reins of your life, and that's where you take back your power! So, as you embark on your journey, remember that happiness is your birthright, and it's a choice you can make every day.
Choose happier!
Kelly-Anne Appleton is a Midlife 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 reclaim the power to create their desires. She shares meaningful insights and tips to help you live a life you love on Instagram and Facebook.
When I was young, the importance of deep friendships with women eluded me. It wasn't until my forties, following a heart-wrenching divorce and its aftermath, that I realized the need for meaningful connections in my life. I began to observe how women connect with one another, discovering a level of connection beyond anything I'd experienced before. These connections, my soul sisters, became an essential part of my life.
Soul sisters are those rare bonds that instantly resonate, a sense of belonging that forms an instant connection. Sometimes, the connection grows gradually, eventually revealing a profound understanding of each other's hearts and souls. No matter how they develop, the magic of a soul sister connection is undeniable.
Not every deep connection becomes a soul sister relationship; some remain acquaintances or friends. The soul sister bond goes deeper, creating an understanding that transcends surface interactions. Here's a glimpse into the power of these relationships, drawn from insights shared by women of all ages.
1. Deep Connection and Understanding
Soul sisters share a unique understanding that transcends words. They can sense when something is wrong without the need for explanations. An unspoken language and intimacy exist, allowing them to connect on a profound level. These connections are often made stronger by timely messages of encouragement and support.
2. Support and Encouragement
Soul sisters are your biggest cheerleaders, even when you doubt yourself. They offer unwavering support, helping you navigate life's challenges. They become your ride-or-die companions, providing assistance when needed most.
3. Honesty and Vulnerability
Soul-sister relationships encourage raw honesty and vulnerability. There's a transparency and acceptance that allows you to share your true self without fear of judgment. This openness creates a unique level of intimacy that's hard to find elsewhere.
4. Mutual Growth
As your connection with your soul sisters deepens, their insights often echo your own intuition. They guide you like a true north when life becomes disorienting. They're there to celebrate your joys and achievements, appreciating your journey more deeply because they've walked alongside you through tough times.
5. Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Soul sisters don't focus on flaws; instead, they emphasize your strengths and remind you of your worth. This unconditional love creates balance and fuels positive growth.
6. Shared Values and Beliefs
Soul sisters share profound truths beyond surface-level connections. They offer an intimacy that goes beyond ordinary friendships, walking alongside you in your personal growth journey.
7. Empowerment to Pursue Goals
Soul sisters believe in you, sometimes more than you believe in yourself. They offer motivation and strength during challenges, making difficult tasks seem less daunting through collaborative support.
8. The Enduring Impact
A bond with a soul sister becomes an integral part of your life, filled with shared memories and reminders of your strength. These relationships offer a space for your hearts and spirits to unite, nurturing trust and growth.
In the presence of soul sisters, vulnerability becomes strength, unity empowers, and individual journeys meld into a shared experience of love and support. If you're fortunate to have soul sisters in your life, consider journaling about your experiences and expressing your gratitude for their presence. These connections are treasures that enrich our lives, reminding us of the beautiful potential that blossoms when hearts connect in genuine understanding and empathy.
Judith Richey is A Force For Transformation. As a spiritual and transformational healer, she helps women entrepreneurs use unconventional and non-traditional methods to create the life of their dreams.
Judith is happy to be a Happy Healthy Woman Trailblazer on the Global Level.
