Do you pee when you laugh? Sneeze? Run?
Do you lubricate less during sex? Does sex hurt?
If you answer yes to any of these questions and you're in your 40s the most likely reason is perimenopause- the years before menopause, when estrogen and other hormones, start fluctuating unpredictably and declining.
Because vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) isn’t a media-friendly term, NAMS (North American Menopause Society) has changed it to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). This term is also more encompassing, as it describes not only vulvovaginal symptoms such as dryness, burning, irritation, discomfort, and painful intercourse, but also recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary urgency (a sudden compelling urge to urinate), and painful or difficult urination.
Also, the new nomenclature, GSM, doesn’t imply that the condition is a disease, like atrophy seems to, but it better describes a cluster of signs and symptoms linked to decreased estrogen and other sex hormones affecting female genitalia.
Some women in perimenopause and about half of postmenopausal women experience GSM. Even though the incidence is so high, GSM isn’t a subject women talk about freely with their friends or even their physicians. GSM is under-reported and unfortunately for many women, under-treated. GSM affects women’s quality of life because of the negative effect on sexual function, enjoyment of sex, sexual intimacy, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
Don’t let GSM dictate your washroom breaks, ruin your intimate relationships or decrease your enjoyment of life. There’s an array of treatments out there and no need to suffer!
There are over-the counter (without prescription) products to alleviate vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, and painful intercourse. If these treatments aren’t effective, women can use prescription topical hormone therapy, a cream or vaginal ovule inserted directly into the vagina which does not have the same side/adverse effects as hormone therapy taken orally (in a pill form).
(I will write more about hormone therapy and side effects in another post!).
Some women may also experience structural problems, such as organ prolapse*, for which there are treatments available as well.
If your physician doesn’t ask about the health of your vagina and you are experiencing genitourinary symptoms, bring it up at your next visit.
Don’t let GSM decrease your enjoyment of life!
Teresa is a Trailblazer in the Toronto West branch of Happy Healthy Women. She provides one-on-one consultations, in person and online, offering support and care, evidence-based, and accurate information, to enable women to make informed choices about the management of their menopause.
To learn more about Teresa Isabel and her work visit: https://menopaused.org/en/
Contact by email Teresa@menopaused.org
There are days that we get up bright-eyed, bushy tailed, and ready for a morning workout!
Then… there are days when time is of essence, yet you still want to squeeze in some exercise.
Tabata workouts are perfect for busy days. Tabata training (named after its developer Izumi Tabata) is designed to be efficient and effective. Tabata is a form of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). It’s a timed interval method consisting of 20-seconds of maximum effort, followed by 10-seconds of recovery, repeated eight times for the ultimate exhaustive 4-minute workout. We all have four minutes don’t we?
HIIT is particularly amazing for:
losing body fat, yet retaining lean muscle;
strengthening the cardiovascular system;
developing a tolerance for high intensity capacity for longer;
challenging your mental resilience;
saving you time
Try this 4-minute Tabata workout that will be sure to wake your body up and have you feeling great throughout the day! Remember, for these workouts to be effective, you must go at your maximum effort during the “20-seconds on”.
Do each exercise for 20-seconds, then rest for 10-seconds before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the routine for 2 rounds for a total of 4-minutes. If you’re up to it, repeat the workout to make it either an 8 or 12-minute routine. Be sure you do a warm-up and stretch to cool down. I suggest 1-2 minutes of jogging in place and jumping jacks to warm-up. Do a full body stretch to cool down.
Quick Feet (narrow then wide)
Start by running in place as fast as you can, landing lightly on the balls of your feet for 2-seconds. Pump your arms.
Then spread your feet to run in a wide stance as fast as you can for 2 seconds. Keep pumping your arms.
Repeat narrow then wide, narrow then wide.
Curtsy Side Lunge & Kicks
Start in a standing position. Then step the right leg back (into a curtsy), then kick that leg out to the right.
Switch sides by stepping the left leg back (into a curtsy), then kick that leg out to the left. Repeat sequence.
Plank Jacks
Get into a plank on your forearms - - elbows are under your shoulders, neck is in line with your back, core is tight to avoid rounding or dipping of the back or hips, tuck the pelvis slightly under, eyes looking about a foot in front of you.
Jump legs open and close, while staying in plank. Keep the buttocks low as you jump legs open and close.
Jump Rope
If you don’t have a jump rope, pretend you’re holding onto one. Start skipping with a standard jump (feet together and skip). Turn the rope with just your wrist. Jump as quickly as you can.
Mimie Louie is a Certified Fitness and Nutrition Coach, founder of keepingitrealfit.com. She specializes in helping women who want to feel more empowered and free in their body. She helps women get lean and strong, and feel more confident. Her programs are designed to work with a busy woman’s schedule and lifestyle. She is a Trailblazer in our Etobicoke Branch. Feel free to reach out at mimie@keepingitrealfit.com
I believe that there IS enough for all of us, and that we are all here to tap into the many blessings that have been provided to us. Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset may take time, depending on how habitual scarcity thinking is for you. It’s commonly suggested that just “thinking positive” will magically cure all the negative thinking, and that we’ll be floating in a bubble of happiness. Well, it’s not that simple.
Yes, thinking positively and having an attitude of expectation is important, but I find that, unless I anchor my thoughts in a way that I can actually feel myself moving forward, no real change takes place.
Here are some questions to begin gaining clarity on how you can start journeying towards abundance:
What often feels scarce or lacking in my life?
What effect do these scarce feelings have on other areas of my life?
How would I like to feel instead?
Feeling abundance in this area of my life would….
It’s true that we may experience things that cause us to feel vulnerable or limited in our lives. However, a scarcity mindset is a CHOICE we make, just as an abundance mindset is a CHOICE. We get to choose how we feel about the things that we observe in our lives, and this empowering gift to choose is what allows us to attract or push away what we most desire. Choosing to see things differently doesn’t ignore the fact that challenges exist. By seeing things differently, we stretch into newer versions of ourselves that ultimately allow us to attract those higher vibe things and experiences that we want in our lives. Why? Simply because we’ve changed on the inside, and once that inner change takes place, the outer reflects who we’ve become. It’s beautiful when that happens.
So, how can you move away from scarcity thinking and embrace an abundance mindset even more?
Written by Milissa Harding
One of the primary things I teach is the importance of eating anti-inflammatory foods, regardless of whether one is on a weight loss program or not. The quality of food that you eat can have a huge impact affecting your quality of life and ability to lose weight
What is inflammation?
So, what do I mean by inflammation? “The word “inflammation” traces back to the Latin for “set afire.” In some conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, you feel heat, pain, redness, and swelling. But in other cases — like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes — it’s not so obvious. If you didn’t go looking for it with tests, you wouldn’t even know it’s there, read more.”
Am I Suffering From It?
and bio impedance assessment.
Checkout my Health Profile Questionnaire measuring inflammation based on symptoms to see how you Score.
GET YOUR INFLAMMATION SCORE and stay informed know on upcoming events, offers and receive helpful insights for a healthier & happier life. If you are interested please email me at info@drsherbovay.com
If your score was greater than 30 you may be suffering from inflammation based on the Health Profile Measurement System based on the symptoms you have identified. If you have any questions on your results on the survey email me at info@drsherbovay.com
How to clinically measure inflammation
Blood Test (measure for HsCRP) can be ordered either by a medical doctor or naturopath.
BIA (Bio impedance assessment) which measures increased water retention in the extracellular space which is an indication of inflammation. As well I use BIA system on all my patients to measure how much fat they are losing as well as measuring water loss or retention. I can measure muscle mass to ensure that this is not impacted during my client’s weight loss program.
Why Should I care About It?
Chronic inflammation contributes to many health issues, here’s just a few.
Heart disease
Arthritis
Skin disorders
Digestive upset
Auto-immune diseases
Asthma and Alzheimer’s/dementia
I know that sounds scary … but the good news is that much of it is either reversible or preventable. What are some of the early warning signs that you should look out for:
Chronic stomach or digestion issues
Persistent joint pain (fingers, knee, hip, shoulder for example)
Muscle fatigue or slower recovery after a workout than in the past
Persistent sinus, nasal congestion
Mood swings and headaches
Brain Fog
Skin irritation and rashes
Did you know that Men with a waist measurement of over 40 inches and women with waist measurement of over 35 inches are at risk for increased inflammation due to belly fat?
There are several foods that contribute to the inflammatory response. You would be amazed how quickly your body heals once these foods are eliminated. Another bonus is it will make losing weight much easier. Targeting that belly fat that your body loves to hold onto.
What Should I Do About It?
Do It Yourself
Try eating an anti-inflammatory diet for 30 days and directly measure the impact by redoing the Health Profile Questionnaire again in a month see how your score improves. You should also notice physical changes in health during this period.
Seek Professional Help
Discuss it with your health practitioner, who understands inflammation to get support and guidance on making these dietary changes along with other health recommendations.
TIPS ON EATING AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET
Reduce / Eliminate the following foods:
Sugar
Simple Carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, simple grains, pasta)
Gluten (wheat), for some people all grains
Dairy
Processed Foods
Trans Fats (great article on Trans Fats)
Replace with the following high nutrient foods:
Vegetables and Fruit in particular:
Dark leafy greens
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale)
Berries
Healthy Fats
Olive Oil
Coconut oil
Omega 3 (fish oil)
Nuts and seeds
Avocado
Proteins
Fish
Grass fed beef
Free range poultry
Herbs and Spices
Ginger
Turmeric
Garlic
Parsley
Rosemary
Basil
Thyme
The most common feed-back from my patients is how quickly their inflammatory symptoms improved after only a week on the Breakthrough Weight Loss Program. Pain decreases/disappears, digestion improves, skin issues improve, congestion decreases/disappears.
Make the best investment in your health … because you really are what you eat!
Dr Sher Bovay is one of our Toronto Trailblazers and she runs several clinics in Toronto. She has helped 1000s of patients achieve remarkable weight loss and health results through her innovative personalized programs based on the most up to date insight and research.
A graduate of Queens University, a chiropractor by training Dr. Bovay has developed an expertise in Lifestyle Medicine primarily focusing on weight loss, stress and sleep management.
She has over 25 years of clinical experience and is certified through The Institute of Lifestyle medicine at Harvard Medical School.
It’s true most of us do not drink nearly enough water.
Yea you say “so why should I care? I mean really, I drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day and glass or two of water over the course of the day, surely that is enough, right?” Well you’re not alone, the average person consumes 2.5 glasses of water per day.
In fact you should be drinking ½ of your body weight (in lbs.) in ounces. A 180 lb. person should be drinking 90 ounces of water per day, that’s 11 cups or water or 2.6 liters. And If you are exercising you should be drinking well in excess of that.
And why should you care?
1. It promotes weight loss
2. Increases energy and relieves fatigue
3. Flushes out toxins from our body
4. Boosts our immune system
5. Improves regularity
6. Improves skin composition
What can I drink?
Keeping your body very well hydrated is always important, especially so when you are doing intermittent fasting. When the body is in nutritional ketosis (meaning burning fat) you will find that you need to urinate more frequently and for this reason the body needs even more water. This is a natural reaction to fasting as water is a byproduct of burning fat. Also drinking water helps take one’s mind off of food if you “think you are hungry.”
Often when we think we are hungry, what the body really needs is water
Water – make it interesting by adding lemon, cucumber, basil, mint, a few berries anything to make it interesting from vegetables, herbs and fruit. Drink it hot or cold
Herbal teas
Stay away from diet drinks and artificially flavoured drinks
Coffee is allowed but does not count towards your water as it dehydrates the body
So make the decision today to take another step in improving your health by simply drinking more good old H20. Your body will thank you for it.
Dr Sher Bovay is one of our Toronto Trailblazers and she runs several clinics in Toronto. She has helped 1000s of patients achieve remarkable weight loss and health results through her innovative personalized programs based on the most up to date insight and research.
A graduate of Queens University, a chiropractor by training Dr. Bovay has developed an expertise in Lifestyle Medicine primarily focusing on weight loss, stress and sleep management.
She has over 25 years of clinical experience and is certified through The Institute of Lifestyle medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Jump in with Both Feet.
Here’s the thing. Life can get tough, it can get real tough. As women and men, we are faced with decisions we need to make every single day, small daily crisis’s and sometimes big ones. We have bills to pay, mouths to feed, little people to nurture and care for and for many of us, we have elderly parents to care for. On top of that, we have jobs. We have people we are accountable to, and people that we lead. It’s full isn’t it?
We go through the motions. We do life. We just do it.
And that’s all good, and that’s admirable. But there is usually more. A lot more. And sometimes life can kick us in the pants.
We can get hurt. We aren’t treated well by our boss, or by our company. We ‘thought’ we were getting that promotion. We don’t feel fulfilled at work. Our leadership is lack lustre because we may be feeling inadequate, or insecure. Maybe you are running your own business and you feel lost, alone and fed up. After all, you do have 1.2 million daily responsibilities.
But here’s the thing, you’re a go getter. You’re a savvy business woman, you take no prisoners.
Yet… the past hurts keep you up at night.
Yes, been there. Felt it. Damn near killed me.
Here is what I know, and I was reminded of this when I was in church on Easter Sunday morning in Mexico. My good friend Bob reminded us of this; Don’t let past hurts or failures stop you from believing what you know to be true. Don’t let them stop you from moving forward’.
Of course, we can apply these simple, yet powerful words of wisdom to almost every aspect of our lives. Our belief system, our faith, our workout goals, our marriages and relationships, our careers and most importantly, our life’s purpose.
We’ve all been hurt. We’ve all been mistreated, we’ve all been disillusioned by someone or something. I take comfort in knowing I have a fellow sister tribe of others who have experienced the same thing. Vulnerability is okay, and I know I am not alone. Vulnerability is courage.
I truly believe those hurts, those lessons and those moments of WTF in our lives, are designed to make us BETTER. STRONGER. WISER. AUTHENTIC. COMPASSIONATE.
Truthfully, do we have a choice? It’s best to rise up. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about thriving, moving forward and empowering others.
As a coach, helping others discover their superpowers and really dive into their leadership and influence in my passion, it is without a doubt what I was put on this earth to do- to pull the greatness out of you. It really was. My coach once said to me, ‘Katy, people are like your food and water, aren’t they? You just love to be with people?’ Absolutely, 100%. Thus, I know that my failures, my hurts and my disappointments only compel me to be an outstanding coach. I’m using what I thought was once going to kill me, for good.
So, do this. Sit back and think about those hurts and disappoints and think about what you can pull out of them to help YOU move forward by giving back to someone else. Discover what your passion is, and chase after it, chase after what you love and what lights you up.
Do what you just can't stop thinking about! Just jump!
Keep shining!
Katy
Katy Loewen Co.
The liver is an essential organ. It plays a role in metabolism, digestion, energy storage, and hormone production. It is also the major detoxifying organ in the body. The liver transforms substances that would be harmful in your body if they were not altered before being excrete.
The detoxification process happens in 2 stages:
Phase 1: It is the first stage of the process and many nutrients are needed to ensure that toxins are starting to be removed from the blood stream. Vitamin B and Enzymes are essentials in the this phase to burn toxins including fatty ones so they can be more water soluble and easier to eliminate
Phase 2: This phase needs certain nutrients as well (amino-acids and sulphur) to continue the process of what is left from phase 1. The liver makes enzymes that are responsible for the transformation of toxic substances, and how quickly the liver perform the function is directly related to the nutrition and how much liver loaders we are giving to our body.
Both steps of the detoxification process have to be in balance and the only way is with enough nutrition for each step to work properly. If toxins aren't broken down fast enough during phase 1, they are recirculated through your blood until the liver has the material it needs to handle them, so when the packaging in phase 2 isn't able to keep up with the detox process, the partially-processed toxins build up in your body again. These free radicals can do more harm than the original toxins.
When you're exposed to a heavy load of toxins through the environment or diet, the nutrients needed for the second stage can become exhausted, preventing your liver from handling the load
Weight gain or inability to loose weight, skin rashes, eczema. rosacea, irritability, elevated cholesterol, bloating easily, too many coffees to keep up with daily activities, liver roll. These are some of the symptoms that might indicate that your liver needs support.
What are the liver loaders that create the symptoms mentioned above? Alcohol, trans fats, caffeine, refined sugars, pesticides and toxic skin care products and medications.
There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver, as well as a good liver support supplement that in my opinion, maintains proper liver function.
Green tea, grapes, leafy green vegetables (daily), lemons and limes, olive oil, cruciferous vegetables, cabbage, turmeric are some of the foods that we need to include in our diet regularly.
We forget the big role the liver plays in our life. Next time you choose a liver loader, think about the consequences that those foods and toxins can make in your body in the long run.
Roselby Rodriguez Health and Movement Coach
www.roselbyrodriguez.com
You are ALWAYS interacting with your environment whether you know it, or not. And even small changes to how things look and are placed around you can have a massive impact.
What's going on in your home, is going on in your life.
If this causes you to cringe, not to worry. Let's look at a few simple Feng Shui secrets that every Soul Sista needs to know to raise the vibe in your home and in your life so you can avoid these bad Feng Shui cuprits for good!
Dirty windows? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
They say that your eyes are the window to your soul. So it makes sense that the windows of your home are the eyes to the soul of your home.
If you want a clear view of your life, create a clear view through your windows...and while you're at it, open up the windows to let the fresh energy flow in!
This puts a whole new perspective on cleaning your windows doesn't it? If you've got dirty windows, clean them and create a clear view so you know where you are heading.
Burnt out light bulbs? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
Sometimes having burnt out light bulbs sneaks up on you and before you know it, you find them everywhere! Raise the energy in your home right away by replacing them. And to save you precious time in the future, replace them with energy saving LED lights and you may never have to change them again in this lifetime - talk about "energy savings"!
If you've got a burnt out light bulb, change it and let more light into your life today.
Potpourri or dead plants in your home? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
Take stock of your plants inside and outside your home. Are any sick, dying or dead? If so, give the ones that have a half a chance some TLC, otherwise, remove the dead plants or flowers from your home. This includes potpourri; not only is it dead chi, its also a huge dust collector. With fall around the corner, be sure to rake off all the dead leaves in the yard as well.
By removing this dead chi or energy, you will avoid being dragged down by it. Instead, replace these plants with healthy and vibrant alternatives and watch your energy soar!
Lacklustre front entrance to your home? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
Your front door represents the mouth of your home and is where energy enters and exits your house. Freshen it up with a good wipe down. It's also a reflection of you and who you are to the world to the visitors who approach your home. What do you want your front entrance to say about you?
Make your front door area welcoming and visually appealing. Add lights, a wind chime, potted plants, statues, a beautiful mat; anything that says "you are welcome here" and let the energy pour in!
Hey Soul Sista, that's GOOD Feng Shui!
Leigh Ann makes her home with her family in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where they enjoy a life of balance, simplicity and adventure. Best known as a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner & Abundance Coach, Leigh Ann helps women declutter their life on a physical, mental and spiritual level so they can live a life they love!
Download the FREE Boost Your Energy Now Toolkit to enjoy 10 ways to create "less busy" and "more calm" in your day.
This job was a huge part of my life, I was so proud to be on the executive team. I felt proud of my boss, proud that we were in a business that is generally viewed as crooked, and shady, yet we were doing bigger and better things.
And then it happened.
I shared an idea I had. The then CEO looked at me and said, ‘Oh, that’s really cute Katy, but sweetie that’s not the direction we are going’. Uh, say what?
Now, I’m a pretty tough cookie, and working in the automotive world had encouraged me to grow a thicker skin, but the reality is… I EARNED my spot at that boardroom table, just like the other people did, and yet I didn’t see any of them called ‘Sweetie’.
So, it leads me to question, is it still a man’s world? Now, please don’t get me wrong. I love men. In fact, I’m married to a pretty incredible one, and I also have one who happens to be my son. I was also raised by a wonderful man. In fact, as a young girl I remember hearing my father often say, ‘We need more women to take on important roles in this world.’ My dad was a Sergeant in the Winnipeg Police force- he is an incredible man.
I believe Men are wonderful. So then why, why are we still going backwards with gender equality issues in a time where we should all be truly celebrated for each of our own giftings we bring to the table.
It is a fact today, that women earn $.87 to a man’s dollar. I’m perplexed here, as I don’t see how this makes sense. We work just as hard, we show up, we do the job.
Women make up 1/2 the world’s population, yet there are far fewer leadership/CEO opportunities for women. There are still an overwhelmingly low number of female leaders in the world, and again, this is something that puzzles me, and I hope it puzzles you.
Personally, I believe that many women are far better suited to many leadership roles within our country than our counterparts. I believe this because many women are gifted with empathy, many women are managing homes, children and aging parents, and their careers. They have become masters at multi tasking, prioritizing and understanding and appreciating the many different types of people and their situations.
We can certainly thank many powerful women who are bringing this issue to light and have been doing so for years. Oprah Winfrey, Geena Davis, Cheryl Sandberg, Dr. Maya Angelou and many more. I certainly salute these women; however there is much more work to be done. Perhaps we need to take a closer look at ourselves and wonder, ‘Are we doing our part? Perhaps we are contributing to the issue, perhaps without knowing?’.
It’s interesting to me. As women, we apologize for getting feisty at work. For some reason, we feel the need to say sorry. Perhaps we should practice being unapologetic. If we cry, maybe because we feel empathy, frustration or even happiness, we often are considered weak, or labelled ‘emotional’. The funny thing is, more often than not, when a man cries, his level of respect goes up considerably, and many of us all say in unison ‘awwwwww, what a good man’. Could it be our own behaviors holding us back?
Here’s another interesting finding. A young girl in the playground who is demonstrating some behaviors of ‘taking charge’ may be labelled as ‘bossy’. The same young boy in the playground who is demonstrating the same behavior could be considered ‘driven’ or a ‘natural born leader’.
Let’s dive into some self-examination.
Sometimes self-examination can be tough. I remember having a young female working for me. At our office, the dress code was fairly casual, however whenever a new client or potential client was visiting the office this employee upped her game. And I mean ‘upped her game’. The heels were higher, the skirt was shorter and the sweater was tighter. I never quite understood it, and to be very honest, I didn’t quite know how to handle it. It made me feel uncomfortable. But what I was most uncomfortable with, was the fact that she didn’t get it. She didn’t realize that she was disrespecting herself. To me, it was clear that she didn’t value herself, her intelligence enough …she had to use her body to get the attention.
Others areas of self-examination may sting a wee bit as well. Are we selling ourselves short as women? I’m wondering if it’s possible that we allow ourselves to be treated differently, or if we raise our children differently, that perhaps we have different standards for our sons as opposed to our daughters.
I believe it is imperative that together we work hard to use our brains instead of our beauty. I remember years ago I delivered a keynote in Zimbabwe, and my topic was ‘Building a Woman of Beauty and Brains’.
There in the heart of Africa my message to these incredible, strong and gifted women was to USE your giftings, to use your STRENGTHS, to raise other women up, to empower other women, to honor your husbands, but to first honor yourselves…. because that is beautiful. That is a woman of beauty and brains.
As women we have incredible gifts and incredible beauty, and we must use it accordingly, in the right situations. Not for advancement, or manipulation, or for self-serving purposes. Eye candy is just that, eye candy. It is not respected, nor will it serve us well.
Thus, double standards simply won’t work here.
What is the solution? What is the solution to gender equality? I really don’t know. But I know that we can all do our part today.
We need to respect and honour ourselves to know that we are ENOUGH. We need to use our voices.
We can work hard to empower and raise other women up, we can stand up for what is right and what is wrong. Isn’t it better to be a woman who raises others up instead of tear them down?
We can respectfully demand we be treated and PAID the same at our next job, we can be mindful of gender bias advertising, and teach others the truth about gender equality.
We can teach our sons, and our daughters that we are equal. We are equal.
We can honor our strengths, in fact, let’s celebrate them together!
One of the most important human needs is to feel valued. What if we became consciously aware to add value to others, including our wonderful counterparts?
This is what I know. The more we focus on our own growth, our own strengths, our own behaviors, we will improve over time. It is thru that improvement that we will be leaders to others, we will inspire others, we will encourage others to do likewise.
I’ve got a superpower!
Huh? Let me explain. Firstly, I believe very strongly that everyone has a superpower…we might just not know it yet.
We do know this, your strengths are UNIQUE to you, and you alone. In fact, if we were to take a look at your strengths profile, you will find you’re beautifully unique. 1 in 33 million people will share the strengths line up as you.
Let’s back up a wee bit. Dr.Clifton, who developed Strengthsfinder discovered that we all carry 34 talents within us, all at different degrees of course.
Our Top 5 are the ones that show up the most in our everyday lives. However, these are natural talents, and only…ONLY when we begin to uncover and discover what those talents are, and INVEST in them, do they become Strengths. Makes sense? We need to put a name to those talents.
Think of it like a muscle. We all have muscle. But only when we flex that muscle, and spend time to build and train particular muscles groups, we see results. The same holds true for our talents.
The awesome thing about talents is that they hold massive potential for us. It’s through our talents where we can really dive into our greatest potential for success.
So, once we take the time to discover, uncover, invest, build and nurture our talents, we can then begin to reap the rewards.
Back to the superpower. I love this. And I love superpowers, in fact I love just saying the word, ‘SUPERPOWER’!
When we are really dialed in and aware of our talents and the talents of our team, and with the help of a skilled coach, we can really start to seek out those SUPERPOWERS. How EMPOWERING is that?
Here’s an example, we just coached someone with Activator and Achiever in her Top 5.
Hello! I see a winner here…
People with strong Activator talents are super impatient for action. They can make things happen by turning thoughts/ideas into actions. They make decisions quickly. They are usually influencers.
People with strong Achiever talents have a constant need for completion. It’s almost like they have a fire burning within them – they MUST accomplish something at the end of each day.
Enter Superpower. This person really is a MASTER at getting things DONE. This person can not only masterfully influence a team, an organization or even a country, but this person can also EXECUTE beautifully.
Thus, she can START and FINISH something. Hello SUPERPOWER.
This is where skilled and purposeful coaches help open the door to each of our own potential and more importantly, our Superpowers.
What’s your Superpower?
Here’s the thing, running a business is tough, being a leader is tough, and leading and inspiring a team can be even tougher.
I want to share 3 ways you can make a difference with your team, starting now. Ready, Set, GO!
Leading is all about connecting and building relationships that have a foundation of trust- if you can do that, you are golden. It’s simple, but not easy. Truthfully, your day is probably consumed with so many other tasks, so many things you need to get done to keep things ticking along. So, this requires serious effort on your part, and you need become real intentional about it….schedule it if you have to! Connecting with your team is crucial to retention, first class customer service and productivity, thus your bottom line.
The reality is, the majority of your day needs to be spent with your people, with your teams.
Here are 3 tips that you can implement starting RIGHT now.
1. Share the Plan. This means you need to communicate some happenings within the company, or organization. Many companies like to keep ‘big secrets’ and not share news in the organization- they like to ‘keep people guessing’. Not only is this ego fueled, but such old school thinking. It’s insecure management. So, share the plan, ask for opinions, after all, 10 brains are better than one
2. Be vulnerable. You don’t have to be a superhero all the time, of course you need to keep it together as a leader, but it’s okay to let you team see your vulnerabilities. It’s okay to let them know you are human – your teams will admire the heck out of this. This takes courage and confidence
3. Seek out the GOOD stuff and say thanks. Be a seeker of talent, find and recognize it. Have conversations daily- let go of the ‘annual review’ and communicate daily.
These 3 tips are so simple and will ultimately transform your teams. Why have just a ‘team’ when you can have a ‘dream team’.
Whether you're young or old, or have children or not, September feels like the start of a "new year." There is an immediate shift in gears with planning and organizing during the initial flurry of activity that the start of Fall brings.
As nature begins to spiral inward, there is an opportunity for us to do the same. So if it's "back to school," "back to you," "back to routine," or "back to basics," whatever you decide to call it, take some time to reflect on how you would like your Fall season to unfold.
Gone are the unstructured and spontaneous days of Summer in exchange for more rhythm and routine of Fall. Just like a breath, Summer represents the "breath out" and Fall represents the "breath in."
So in the spirit of "breathing in," enjoy my favourite nourishing practices as you switch gears this Fall.
#1 Journal
Take a few moments to record your reflections. As the trees change colour and shed their leaves, ask yourself, "what am I letting go of this fall?" and let the pen flow.
Steep a warm cup of tea, cozy up with a blanket, light a candle and read your favourite book. Dust off your crockpot and enjoy simple hearty meals.
#3 Practice your "no" muscle
As the opportunities come flooding in this time of year, learn to say "no." Resist the urge to over-schedule because of a fear of missing out (FOMO). Be deliberate in choosing activities that support you versus deplete you.
#4 Adopt the mantra, "Hmmm, that's interesting..."
Be the calm in the storm of activity that September brings. Observe what's happening around you and allow the mantra, "that's interesting" to be your go-to saying to keep you centered and out of reaction mode and drama.
#5 Unplug and recharge yourself in nature
Invite more clarity into your daily life by simply being in nature. Enjoy the breath-taking scenery as the leaves begin to change colour.
While this "new year" can be a crazy time, don't forget to immerse yourself in the beauty and simplicity that the Fall brings when you allow it. Use these timely energy tools to help you not only survive this transition but to thrive through it as well!
Welcome in Fall with open arms and let her beauty unfold before your very eyes...with grace AND ease.
Leigh Ann makes her home with her family in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where they enjoy a life of balance, simplicity and adventure. Best known as a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner & Abundance Coach, Leigh Ann helps women declutter their life on a physical, mental and spiritual level so they can live a life they love!
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