What I Believe

My mission is to help you examine, interpret, and rewrite yours. Because the truth is, stories are just that. Stories. They are not facts or truths. But they can determine our beliefs. They tell us about our self-worth, our abilities and if we become too attached to them, they can dictate what's even possible in our lives. Detaching from your story gives. you the freedom, autonomy, and vision to start anew.

Our need to make meaningful contributions can so easily get buried by obligations, expectations, or the next impending deadline. But your contributions, at work, at home, in your community--they matter. And when they get abandoned, go unrecognized, or get watered down, your sense of purpose does too. Being seen, heard, and recognized for the value we provide is essential to reaching our potential and finding fulfillment.

Alice Walker once wrote, "The  most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Though we can successfully guide, mentor, and inspire others to greatness, often it isn't until we are able to believe in ourselves that we are able to fully step into our own power as leaders. Through a process of examining and reassessing our core beliefs, we turn down the volume on our inner critic and begin taking direction from our inner wisdom instead.

Often when we think about the concept of fear, we conjure up visions of the obvious...fear of risk, fear of change...etc. But when fear disguises itself as procrastination, perfectionism, people-pleasing, bias, or judgment, it can be more difficult to spot. One of the most important steps in overcoming stress, managing self-doubt, and making sustainable change is recognizing where and how fear is showing up in our lives.

Some of us grow up with formulaic visions or scripted definitions of what the word "success" means. The meaning of the word "success" is deeply personal--there is no one size fits all. Only when you create your own unique recipe can you begin prioritizing what really matters to you, your family, your friendships, and your work. 

When we align our work with our instincts, our values, and our natural gifts, we can make a true difference in the world. But often we strive to achieve for achievement's sake. This can lead to a disconnect and sometimes a sense of disillusionment when all our efforts, while commendable on the outside, don't bring that sense of internal reward. That sense of alignment is often the missing link.

Advice on this is often conflicting. The idealist believes following your passion is the only way to be happy, while the pragmatist scoffs at this.  Most often we wind up abandoning what we love, our purpose, or our calling, in an effort to be practical and sensible. But rarely is anything so black and white. Happiness and fulfillment are most often found at the intersection of the two.

Though we value imagination iin children, often we overlook its significance as adults. Stress and day to day responsibilities underscore this. Ironically, the practice of using our imagination, dreaming about what's possible, and creating a vision of what we want are the very things that free us from the grip of daily stress and allow us to put a concrete plan into action.

As women, we often pride ourselves on being self-sufficient and independent. Maybe we need to prove ourselves, maybe we're trying to live up to someone else's expectation. Or maybe it doesn't even cross our minds to ask for help because we're so used to caring and doing for others. Whatever the explanation, we're shortchanging ourselves. The sense of connection, belonging, validation, and the strength we gain when we seek support from other like-minded women is immeasurable.