Give & Grow
The Sweet Spot Between Your Comfort Zone and Chaos Zone
Has this ever happened to you? You come up with a great idea. You dream about it, imagine... Continue ReadingHas this ever happened to you? You come up with a great idea. You dream about it, imagine what would happen if you went for it, and then decide for a variety of reasons not to take the plunge. Next thing you know, somebody else somewhere on the planet implements your idea with great success. And you’re left kicking yourself for choosing to stay in your comfort zone.
We all do it. Make decisions that feel safe, familiar, comfortable. Who needs more stress and anxiety? And why would anyone want to risk failure and being judged?
Why? Because the truth is personal growth and transformation happen when we’re living outside our comfort zone. When we’re challenging ourselves.
Sure, it’s scary. But the only way to conquer our fears – the only way to freedom – is to walk through it.
You have to experience the fear if you want to overcome it.
So I always encourage women to stop playing small and step outside their comfort zone. But what happens when you leave your comfort zone only to discover that very quickly you’ve entered the chaos zone?
Not everyone experiences this. We all know those women who seem to be able to have it all – all at the same time. And if this is working for you – then girlfriend you do you!
But this ain’t me. When I enter the chaos zone I am not good for anything. I get stressed, overwhelmed, and crabby. And I wonder how I got there yet again.
Recently, I was trying to understand if this is just my personality. I know I tend to be a bit of a control freak. I know I like order and thrive on organization. But have I always been this way?
Apparently so!
My first job was at McDonald’s. Now you might think I worked the counter, and I did at times. But I found it so stressful – particularly when I had to use the ice cream dispenser and could never get the cone to look right. So instead, I preferred to grill burgers. Honestly, I was fascinated at the process the company used to ensure that every burger came out perfectly. It should have been clear then that I thrived in an environment that provided organization, structure, and certainty.
My second job was as a waitress at Poppin’ Fresh Pies (now Bakers Square). Now as long as we weren’t too busy, and I had plenty of time to service my tables all was well. But when we got “slammed” I was a hot mess. My friend, Heidi, was the hostess and I would plead with her not to give me another table.
Fast forward to becoming a parent. When I realized that my to-do list was rarely completed in a day and that my time was not my own – the stress set in. It took me quite awhile before I could adjust to this new reality. Twenty-two years and two kids later, I think I’m finally beginning to relax now that both boys are out of the house.
But as an entrepreneur I am constantly being pushed outside my comfort zone, which has been a really good thing for me. I needed to stretch myself. I needed the challenge. I needed to remember what skills and talents I possess and the new ones I have yet to acquire.
We forget how much we have to share with the world!
However, it takes discipline for me to know my limits. Know when I’m stepping over the line and into the chaos zone where I’m just not as effective. Where I don’t thrive. And, frankly, where I’m miserable and completely miss out on the joy of life.
The key is to know and love yourself just the way you are. Your personality, your temperament, the way you want to live.
That’s your sweet spot! And it’s absolutely perfect. Radical self-care and soul-care will help you get there and stay there more often.
Find the sweet spot between your comfort zone and chaos zone and live there!
Need help knowing how much of yourself to give?
Book a FREE Impact Breakthrough Session with me here… https://SchedulewithLis.as.me/
Be bold. Be daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Are You Using Your Personal GPS?
When one of my favorite books Eat, Pray, Love came out I dreamed of being able to escape... Continue ReadingWhen one of my favorite books Eat, Pray, Love came out I dreamed of being able to escape like Elizabeth Gilbert did. But as a wife and mother it wasn’t possible. Now that my boys are both in college, I took the opportunity to embark on a month-long sabbatical in Portugal and Spain.
There’s nothing like getting away from the day to day responsibilities of life to relax, clear the mind, and ignite the spark of creativity. For one month I had no “to do list”. Instead, I found plenty of time for savoring delicious food and sipping wine (Eat). Time for some inner work, visits to spiritual sites, and co-hosting a small group retreat (Pray). And quality time with my husband of 28 years (Love).
Yet despite my attempt to disengage, the experiences I encountered kept revealing lessons and metaphors for life that were hard to ignore.
Sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to enjoy the grander view
For one week of the excursion I was completely on my own driving through the Duoro Valley, making my way from Porto to Santiago de Compostela to meet my husband who was completing a 200 km walk on the Camino de Santiago. (He walks…I drive…it works.)
I frequently met women traveling together and they were quick to invite me to join them for dinner, unaware that I was relishing the time to myself. And when they heard I was driving alone they were shocked as navigating through the city streets was ridiculously confusing.
And then there were the mountains. As I was leaving one winery hotel to make my way to the next, I was advised to take it VERY slowly. The roads are narrow, steep, and there are no guardrails. Add to this the fact that I was driving a stick shift that didn’t always cooperate. More than once the car stalled, and I started sliding back down the mountain.
So I was really nervous to begin the trek. But as I already had a reservation, I decided to carry on reminding myself out loud…”I am brave. I am strong. And I am an excellent driver.”
Well the road was indeed narrow and steep, so I drove slowly and carefully. And if someone wanted to pass me by, I let them.
What I wasn’t told was that the views were breathtaking when I had the courage to take my eyes off the road. And when I finally arrived at my destination a bit worse for the wear, it was like finding a hidden paradise of grape vineyards, olive trees, and a charming inn nestled between mountains. Well worth the moments of angst.
When the only light you see is behind you don’t turn back – the darkness ahead won’t last forever
On another part of the journey signs on the road indicated I was approaching a tunnel through the mountain and I should maintain my speed at 100 km/hr. As I entered the tunnel, I could see the light behind me but only darkness up ahead. Eventually, the light behind me disappeared as well. The SOS phones every 100 yards or so brought little comfort. For a full four minutes I drove on in darkness (which is a REALLY long time to be in a tunnel), until finally a shaft of light broke through and I emerged back into the sunlight surrounded by beautiful vistas.
Just listen quietly for guidance and take the next right step
Throughout the trip my GPS was my lifeline. The female voice emanating from my phone became my best friend. And I got to thinking (because when you’re alone for a week there’s a lot of time to think) that maybe I should be more aware of the guidance system accompanying me in life. What would that mean?
- Recognizing that I have an advisory board of angels, saints, teachers, and guides who want to help – all I have to do is ask
- I need to listen very carefully and eliminate distractions
- I will only receive guidance for the next right step
- It won’t always make sense to me – they might use language I don’t understand
- But if I proceed slowly – doing what I believe I’ve been guided to do – and trust – then I will receive the next right step
- Sometimes – despite the instruction – I might make a wrong turn – but don’t panic because I’ll quickly be re-directed back to the correct path
- Without fail I will always arrive at my destination if it supports my higher good
Here’s what I learned on sabbatical. It really doesn’t matter in life if you go around, over, or through the mountains. What matters is that you find your mountain and consult your personal GPS. Your destiny is waiting!!
Be bold. Be daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Is Self-Care the same as Self-Love?
As women, we hear a lot about the need for self-care. I often encourage women to engage in... Continue ReadingAs women, we hear a lot about the need for self-care. I often encourage women to engage in “radical self-care” because, after all, it’s not selfish to take care of you! And there’s no need to feel guilty.
We can all benefit from doing things that may feel a bit indulgent – like getting a massage or pedicure, taking a bath or a nap, enjoying a girls’ night out or a weekend away.
It’s so important to do things that make us feel good, help us relax, and re-charge our batteries. Self-care can help us re-enter the world grounded and with a greater sense of purpose.
But is self-care the same as self-love?
No! Self-love goes much deeper. It gets to the core of how we feel about ourselves.
Ask yourself this:
Do I love me? I mean REALLY love me?
Do I love who I am? Who I’m becoming?
Do I love my life? Am I doing the things that bring me joy?
Do I know not only how to give love, but how to receive it?
Am I aware that I’m worthy and deserving of love?
So I encourage you to begin thinking about this: What would it mean to know and love yourself better? What changes might that inspire in your life?
When we truly love ourselves, we want to go deeper. We want to ignite our passions. We want to listen to the yearnings of our heart and discover our destiny…our calling.
Achievement and success no longer do it for us. Our souls demand a deeper meaning and fulfillment.
Ultimately, we want to know what our souls came here to do. But how do we do that? How do we know?
Your Calling is Calling Out…Are You Listening?
I’m convinced now that we don’t have to look for our calling. Our calling is calling out to us. And has been our entire lives.
At the prompting of a spiritual advisor, I have been asking myself these questions, and I encourage you to do the same:
- Who am I?
- What do I love?
- How can I serve?
And I’m surprised to discover that the answers don’t come easily! So I started to think back to my childhood, which is something you can try too to get more insight into your calling:
- What activities did I love to do?
- What did I most look forward to?
- What did I love to play or make pretend with my friends?
There Is a Grand Plan for All of Us…
When I was little, we used to pretend we were moms, teachers, doctors and nurses, secretaries (shows my age), and actresses.
As an undergraduate student, I studied business. In grad school, it was finance, entrepreneurship, and management of non-profit organizations…all things I loved then and now.
So now as I look back, I realize that all those things I loved growing up have found their way into my life as an adult.
I’m a “mom.” I “teach” women how to be effective in the social impact space and the need to “heal” their wounds so they can be more fully who they came here to be. I’m an “entrepreneur” and I “speak” on webinars and podcasts.
It’s as if there was a grand plan all along. As if my life has been calling me to this. Imagine that!
Life is loving you into the magnificent being you are and always have been.
How does it feel to know you’re loved that much?
Isn’t it time for a little self-love? Sending you big hugs!!
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Lis
P.S. Love yourself into my new Facebook Group called Business Women Giving Back and discover how you can Grow Your Business and Grow Your Impact! https://www.facebook.com/groups/businesswomengivingback
Is Anger an Effective Tool for Social Impact?
😡Anger. Divisiveness. Name calling. Bullying. It Seems Like Anger is Everywhere Today Sound familiar? It does if... Continue Reading😡Anger. Divisiveness. Name calling. Bullying.
It Seems Like Anger is Everywhere Today
Sound familiar? It does if you ever turn on the news or follow social media (and who of us doesn’t?). It’s pretty much everywhere. Or so it seems.
And understandably so! There’s a lot to be angry about when almost weekly we learn of yet another abhorrent incident that would make even the most grounded folks feel enraged. It leaves us wondering:
What is wrong with people??
How can this be happening??
Why isn’t anyone doing anything to stop it??
Is Anger Working? Can It Drive Social Impact?
So if you feel yourself being drawn into the darkness (and you’re not alone!), I want to propose a better way forward. Ask yourself this question, “Is anger working for me?”
The even better question might be: Is anger working in our world?
What do I mean?
We often think of there being two types of emotions…the good and the bad. The good ones are things like love, peace, joy, happiness. We all know the “bad” ones: anger, rage, shame, guilt, resentment.
In truth, emotions aren’t good or bad. They just are – and we experience a full range of emotions if we’re alive and aware.
It’s not healthy to just express the “good” emotions while stuffing down the “bad” ones. This leads to mental and physical illness. But we’re not meant to get stuck in our emotions, either. We need to feel them, let them move through us, and release them.
Why Anger is Not an Effective Tool for Social Impact
I would submit that what we’re seeing today in our world is a lot of unhealthy and “stuck” emotions. Wounds that have never healed. Children who have never grown up. And, sadly, many of those in leadership positions are struggling with this.
So is jumping on their bandwagon really the best solution for us personally? Not for me!
Why not? Because in my experience, anger is not an effective tool for social impact. Or, frankly, for anything productive. Anger is just another form of fear. It gets in the way of finding solutions, of being light in the darkness.
And this energy of anger, of fear, of darkness explodes out into the world in rage, violence, and war.
Changemakers Know the Secret to Overcoming Anger
If we want to be effective as change-makers, philanthropists, humanitarians – as human beings – anger is not the answer. Why not? Because anger cannot be overcome by anger.
The secret to overcoming anger is by expressing the opposite – love, compassion, tolerance, and patience. 💜
It doesn’t help for us to be drawn into the darkness. It doesn’t help for us to be hating on people who believe differently than we do.
To be effective, we need to show up differently. And we can!
Let anger be the spark that leads to inspired action.
It’s not so much what you’re against – it’s what you’re for.
Let peace be the path you take to impact. If we create our reality – then let’s create the peaceful world we dream of.
This is why at AWE Partners, we recognize that the inner work is as important – and even more important – than the outer, if we want to make our AWE-thentic Impact. When we do the inner work of healing our anger, grief, trauma, and feelings of separation, we can then be open to the inner wisdom of the authentic self which lies at our core.
The result is more clarity, guidance, and authentic personal power. Now, we can confidently take action from a place of love, compassion, and balance, rather than coming out fighting.
Small Steps to BIG Impact
Want to learn more about our AWE-Inspiring approach for inner and outer transformation? Join my upcoming Facebook Challenge…Grow Your Business – Grow Your Impact For More Passion, Purpose & Profit.
Register for FREE right here! Can’t attend the live sessions? No worries, we’ve gotcha covered! You’ll get access to listen to the replays at your convenience.
Know someone else who’s ready to make a difference in the world and leave their legacy? Please spread the word and share this link. I look forward to seeing you there!
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
We Need You! Calling all Change-MakHers…
Our World Needs ChangemakHers Like You! Uncle Sam used the phrase, “We Need You” when recruiting for the... Continue ReadingOur World Needs ChangemakHers Like You!
Uncle Sam used the phrase, “We Need You” when recruiting for the military, but I’d like to re-purpose this phrase at this critical time on the planet and invite you to focus not on fighting a war, but on creating peace as a “Change-MakHer”.
Changemaker is a term coined by the social entrepreneurship organization, Ashoka, meaning one who desires change in the world and, by gathering knowledge and resources, makes that change happen.
Yes, ma’am! That sounds like something we could use more of right about now, doesn’t it? And since you’re reading this, I know you’re either already a change-maker or you desire to become one. So, I want to do everything I can to support you on your journey.
A Rising Consciousness Around Social Change
There is a rising consciousness around social change with more and more women embracing their power to effect change through decisions in how they invest, shop, and give. (I think Rosie the Riveter would be proud of us for using our muscle for the betterment of society – don’t you?)
It’s now possible to choose a cause that is near and dear to your heart and support finding solutions by intentionally using your wealth for good. And it’s not just happening in our personal lives.
Socially conscious entrepreneurs and executives are using their business as a platform to amplify their impact by involving their team members and clients in the effort. They realize now that they can use their business as a vehicle for compassionate, loving service in the world.
Are you as excited about this as I am? I hope so!
Why I LOVE Social Enterprises – and You Should, Too!
I LOVE social enterprises and honestly believe that every business should strive to be one. Don’t you think every business should care about not just profit but purpose as well?
Imagine the paradigm shift that would occur if this were our reality. Really think about this for just a minute. I believe we’re ready to begin making that shift and that women will play a critical role.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE = PROFIT + PEOPLE + PLANET
Are my recruiting tactics working?
Are you ready to join a powerful Movement Towards Meaning?
Be sure to join my Facebook Group called Business Women Giving Back if you haven’t already. And be on the lookout for new programming in early 2021 including my 7 Pillars of Women’s Re-Powerment and AWE-thentic Impact Circles.
Let’s co-create the better world we know is possible!
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Bring It! The Yang and Yin Approach to Business
I’ve spent most of my life in the left side of my brain. 🧠 My natural tendencies favor... Continue ReadingI’ve spent most of my life in the left side of my brain. 🧠
My natural tendencies favor anything analytical and logical. And growing up I didn’t think I possessed an ounce of creativity. Maybe you can relate.
So going to business school made perfect sense. I majored in finance in both undergrad and graduate school. I worked at a bank. Numbers were my friend.
As I gained more experience, I realized that I also love anything to do with strategy. I LOVE setting goals in both my business and personal life and then figuring out the path to achieve them. It’s a gratifying process for me.
The first half of my life has been characterized by the pursuit of knowledge, common sense, and frugality. All traits that lend themselves well to entrepreneurship.
The years I spent as a stay at home mom challenged my innate abilities.
As much as I tried to maintain order, my children had different plans.
And motherhood naturally encouraged me to explore my more feminine traits – those of nurturing, caring, and compassion.
It was like re-discovering a piece of myself that I didn’t remember existed. And it’s always a good thing to come to know yourself more fully.
However, there were still things that were not in my wheelhouse. I remember going across the street to my friend Mo’s (who is very creative) to pick up my kids. The kitchen floor was covered in artistic paraphernalia and Mo informed me that the kids were doing collage work. “Really”, I responded, “that’s a thing?”
Do it the way you’ve always done it? No way! 🙅♀️
So when I launched AWE Partners, my wise friend Bridget said to me, “You’re going to want to go back and do things like you used to. Don’t!”
What she meant was that I would likely go straight back to running my business from my head exclusively. And although that might garner some level of success, it would no longer be representative of who I was fully.
I was a different person than I was when I worked in the business world. There I fit in by displaying my more masculine traits.
Now to be successful and fulfilled, I need to bring my whole self to the business. The masculine and the feminine. My head and my heart.
In some ways this has been easy. Like when I write, I find it very easy to share things from the depths of my soul. Or when I work with my clients or have conversations with partners and colleagues, being authentic happens naturally for me.
But when I’m making strategic decisions, my tendency is to go back into my head and figure out what makes sense.
Here’s the problem when you’re creating a business…
The problem is that when you’re “creating” a business the answers don’t always emerge from your head. Very often they come from a deeper place within.
And it’s rare that the answers are clearly laid out for you in a straight line that’s easy to follow. More often, if you’re listening, they come as an intuitive sense or gut feel about what to do next.
In truth, what you “hear” may not make sense at all. It may, in fact, be uncommon sense that’s filled with uncertainty.
It may sound risky and force you to step outside – sometimes way outside – your comfort zone.
And it feels a lot like trust and surrender, two words you are unlikely to encounter in business school.
Try a new, holistic approach to business.
But this, my friends, is the new approach to business. A more holistic approach that allows you to incorporate both your masculine and feminine sides. Your yang and yin.☯️
An approach that encourages you to focus on both profit and purpose in your business.
Because we don’t want to start a business or go to work and leave a portion of ourselves out of the equation. We’ve been doing that for too long and if you look around you can see it’s not working.
It’s time for a paradigm shift – a new approach to business. One that blends the best of our masculine and feminine traits. One that allows us to show up, take our place, and share fully with the world all of who we are and what we represent.
Because that’s what the world needs right now. It needs you, in all your magnificence, sharing all your gifts and talents, and helping solve our problems. Are you up to the challenge?
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Lis
Avoid Burnout: Can a Helper’s High be Addicting?
🎁 Giving is good for us! It’s that simple. The research confirms it… Giving activates regions of the... Continue Reading🎁 Giving is good for us!
It’s that simple. The research confirms it…
- Giving activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect.
- We feel more grateful when we give, and gratitude leads to happiness.
- Our health improves by reducing stress and strengthening our immune system.
- Altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain – such as oxytocin – producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.”
But can a helper’s high be addicting?
Yes! And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As long as we’re remembering the importance of self-care and taking steps to replenish ourselves, the risk of over-giving is low.
If, however, you find it difficult to know how much is too much, you might be at risk for burnout or “compassion fatigue” as it’s called in the industry. The reality is that burn-out is common among volunteers and professionals in the non-profit arena. Why?
Non-profit organizations have limited resources. Both financial and human capital are hard to come by and there just never seems to be enough of either. That’s why non-profits depend on a robust supply of volunteers to fill in the gaps.
If you volunteer, you might have experienced this. My clients tell me it can be challenging to feel like you’re already giving so much and then be asked for even more – whether time or money. You want to say yes, but you’re afraid if you do they’ll just keep asking.
So, who’s at risk of burn-out or compassion fatigue?
You are…
That is, if you’re already feeling overwhelmed by having too much do. Adding more stuff, even if it’s good stuff, can lead us to stress and frustration.
You’re also at risk if you’re an empath. Empaths are people who are high on the empathic spectrum and actually feel what is happening in others in their own bodies.
As a result, empaths can have incredible compassion for people, but they often get exhausted from feeling “too much” – unless they develop strategies to safeguard their sensitivities and develop healthy boundaries.
How do you avoid compassion fatigue?
The best (and easiest) solution is prevention. Here are some suggestions to keep you in prime form for healthy giving…
- Do a self-assessment before you give to be sure you’re in a good place financially and emotionally.
- Choose a cause you’re passionate about, so the time and commitment are meaningful and fulfilling.
- Share your natural gifts and talents, rather than agreeing to do something you don’t enjoy.
- Be clear up-front about how much you’re willing to give.
- Learn to say “no” and establish healthy boundaries.
- Be sure the positives of giving outweigh any negatives.
- Practice “compassionate detachment” – maintaining some distance between you and the cause or people served.
- Recognize when you’re beginning to feel frustrated or burnt-out and take a much-needed break.
Giving in any form should be something that results in meaning
and fulfillment – even though it can be challenging at times.
Making giving a way of life doesn’t mean you need to give until it hurts. We need you healthy, happy, and whole in order to make your AWE-thentic Impact in the world.
The need will always be there. Will you?
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Lis
Overcome Overwhelm: 10 Questions to Find Out if you’re an Over-Giver
Despite the historically high level of divisiveness in our world today – there is one thing I... Continue Reading
Despite the historically high level of divisiveness in our world today – there is one thing I think we can all agree on:
We’re overwhelmed!
🤦 Overwhelm is Everywhere!
Even before the onslaught of Covid-19, our normal state of being was one of overwhelm. Working long hours, sacrificing vacation days, little free time to do things that bring us joy. And how many of us take time to sit in silence to be sure we receive the guidance we need to follow our calling and make a difference in the world?
Female Entrepreneurs & Execs are Overrun with Overwhelm
Many of my clients are female entrepreneurs or executives. In addition to managing their business or career, they typically have children and responsibilities at home that keep them running on a treadmill that never stops. There’s the shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, bills to pay, schedules to coordinate…and oh, so much more. Home schooling anyone?
Add to this the stress of ever-present technology…a barrage of texts and e-mails, social media accounts, and the fear-inducing updates from the news outlets. It’s no wonder our minds never stop, we don’t sleep well, and our to-do list just keeps growing.
Giving Back…or Over-Giving?
When a client tells me she wants to focus more on philanthropy or start giving back through her business, the first question we explore is whether or not now is the right time.
It’s not that I don’t want to encourage women to give. I just want to be sure they’re not “over-giving”. Because we women do have a tendency to do that – and it’s not healthy!
We give to everyone else first – to our families, friends, neighbors, schools, churches, communities, the world. And then we wonder why we’re exhausted, burnt out, angry, and resentful.
As you can imagine, this doesn’t make for good living or good giving. As challenging as it may be to sometimes say “no,” we must remind ourselves that we simply cannot give from empty cups.
10 questions to ask yourself to find out if you’re an over-giver…
Does this sound like you?
If so, you might be inadvertently contributing to the overwhelm in your life.
1. Do you sleep less than 7 hours a night?
2. Can you remember the last time you took a bath, read a book, or just sat in the silence?
3. Do you have a daily spiritual practice?
4. Do you exercise and eat well?
5. Do you disconnect from technology daily?
6. Are you the go-to person at home or at the office for planning events, birthdays, holiday celebrations?
7. Are you the person the school, church, non-profit, always asks to volunteer because they know you will?
8. Do you stay in toxic relationships or situations because you feel bad about removing yourself from them?
9. Do you have a hard time saying no when asked to do something – even (and especially) if you really don’t want to?
10. Are you having any fun? (Be honest here!)
For women who really want to intentionally give…
If a woman is already an over-giver but really wants to become more intentional and strategic with her giving, my question to her is what might she eliminate from her plate? What does she need to learn to say no to?
What busy work is getting in the way of her life’s work??!!
Now we’re getting into the nitty gritty. Are all the responsibilities really ours to bear? Are the things on our to-do list moving us toward our higher purpose? Are we following our life’s path – or have we taken a detour based on what everyone else wants or expects of us?
This desire she has – to become a philanthropist or humanitarian – to create a giving program for her company and include her team and clients in the effort…This is more than just another thing to add to the always growing to-do list. This is an opening – a doorway – that leads to her destiny if she’ll allow it.
She senses a calling from deep within…
She imagines a life that is more relaxed, joyful, meaningful. She wonders what it would be like to have the courage to live differently, counter-culturally even.
If you can relate, then I’m here to tell you there IS something more for you. A way of living that is more fulfilling and purposeful than perhaps you’ve ever permitted yourself to imagine. A way of living that allows you to get off the merry-go-round, write your own story, and make all your dreams come true.
I invite you to explore just what this might look like for you. Need help? I’m here for you…
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Lis
Give & Grow: Your Business CAN Make a Social Impact
7 in 10 Americans think companies have the obligation to take actions to improve issues that may not... Continue Reading7 in 10 Americans think companies have the obligation to take actions to improve issues that may not be directly relevant or related to their everyday business. They are expected to help solve social problems. That’s according to a 2017 study by Cone Communications.
Can Your Business Make a Social Impact? You Bet!
As a business owner or executive, here’s the awesome news – you’re in an ideal position to make a social impact! How? For starters, the skills and passion you and your team possess which enable you to make your business successful are often the same ones required to solve our most challenging social issues.
The best part is that you don’t have to wait until you’re well established or profitable to incorporate social impact into your business mission. Start now and watch your business grow as a result!
Heart-centered, mission-driven business leaders naturally infuse their companies with purpose. In fact, it’s at the core of everything they do. It flows from the company’s vision and mission and manifests itself in their culture, the way they treat employees, the customer experience, their interactions with suppliers, and the stand they take on societal issues.
Purpose Isn’t a Marketing Ploy – It’s Your Brand’s Essence
Let me be clear – purpose is not a marketing ploy – and it goes beyond just incorporating it into your mission statement. It is infused into your brand’s very essence.
When done right, it becomes a core component of your business model and a key competitive advantage. Purpose allows you to grow your business and positively impact the world – all at the same time. Talk about a win-win!
Ready to Make a Social Impact? Here’s How to Start:
1) Be Intentional and Strategic:
Employees and customers want to know your efforts are authentic and not just window dressing. Take time to plan out why, where and how you want to share your resources, and commit to providing support for the long-term. Being consistently engaged with a cause will increase the likelihood of making a meaningful impact.
2) Choose Your Cause Wisely:
If you’re a solopreneur or have just a couple of employees, the easiest way to choose a cause is to go with what you are passionate about. Even better, you can select a cause based on the interests of your team members. Ask them what they care about and choose an issue that resonates with many of them.
You can also choose an issue you believe would be important to your customer base. Don’t know what that social issue is? Find out – doing so can help you understand your customers on a deeper, more meaningful level. Finally, you can select a cause that aligns with the business you’re in. For example, if you own a technology company, you might support initiatives to get more kids involved in STEM through after-school programs. Really, the possibilities are endless…
3) Identify the Organization:
Once you decide what cause or issue you want to support through your business, you’ll then go through the process of identifying the best organization(s) to align yourself with. Selecting a local organization makes it easier to engage your employees in the effort, but you can always lend support at the national and international level as well through donations.
Your due diligence is critical here because you want to be sure to align your business with a reputable organization doing high quality work. After all, these are the standards you hold yourself and your team to – and they should be the same for your social impact.
4) Promote with Purpose:
This is the step that sometimes holds leaders back – telling their story. They’re afraid that if they share their “why,” people will think it’s self-promotion. But that’s not it at all. In fact, people want to hear it.
Yes indeed, they want to get to know who you are and what matters to you. They want to know you’re authentic, compassionate, and have passions that go beyond the boundaries of your business. They want to do business with a person they can relate to – not a cold, sterile company. And they want to purchase products and services where their money is making a difference.
Your team members want to know this as well. It helps them feel connected and involved with the cause you support and fosters a sense of pride and fulfillment in their work. It also increases your success in attracting, engaging, and retaining talent.
Share Your Story to Broaden Your Impact
Finally, you want to share the story of the cause you support and the organizations addressing it effectively because this multiplies your impact. This is not about you.
This is about the cause that is near and dear to your heart.
A cause that is causing pain to people or the planet and a cause that needs attention. And you have the platform to do something about it.
Think about this for a second: if you never gave a dime or volunteered your time – you can still have a significant impact just by using your voice to spotlight the issue(s) you care about.
So there’s no reason to feel shame when you shine a light on a social issue and the efforts being taken to solve it. Instead, feel a sense of satisfaction and pride in knowing you cared enough to do something about it.
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Lis
Abundance…or a Scarcity Mindset? The Choice is Yours.
I grew up with a scarcity mindset. Like many of you reading this right now, I grew up... Continue ReadingI grew up with a scarcity mindset.
Like many of you reading this right now, I grew up in a scarcity mentality. It’s not surprising and I don’t blame anyone. But it’s something I’ve needed to spend a little time unpacking in order to live more fully.
My father’s parents came over from Poland as young adults in the early 1900’s. They married, settled on the south side of Chicago, and had eight children together. Dziadek was a carpenter and Babcia took care of the home and family. They struggled to make ends meet.
My mother grew up in a small town in Central Illinois and her parents divorced when she was just five years old. Her mother eventually re-married the president of the local bank. You could say she had a comfortable life comparatively, but wouldn’t be considered wealthy by today’s standards.
My parents and grandparents lived through World War II and the Great Depression – experiences which had a profound effect on how they lived their lives. As a result, I was raised in a home where we watched every penny.
Dad was a salesman whose income fluctuated each month. Mom was a nurse anesthetist turned stay-at-home mom. When my dad died of cancer while my siblings and I were still in school, finances became even more strained. As a result of life circumstances and studying finance in college, I adopted frugal financial practices which have served me well.
Being a Financially Smart Woman is Never a Bad Thing, BUT…
I attended a public college in my home state because it was the least expensive way for me to get my education. (I only applied to one school, which is virtually unheard of now.) Right out of college, I took a job with a large firm and began contributing to my 401-K plan as soon as I could.
Eventually I earned my MBA by attending classes at night while working for a company who paid 75% of the tuition. I lived within my means, bought clothes on sale, drove used cars, and did essentially whatever I could to build a solid financial foundation so I could feel secure.
Being financially smart is definitely not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a VERY GOOD thing. It’s very important, particularly for us as women, to be financially literate and to take control of our financial destiny. So, I can’t stress enough how much I highly encourage this!
What I hate to see is women being frugal because they’re afraid.
Maybe you can relate to some of these financial mindsets:
- I’m afraid there’s not enough to go around and if I don’t get mine now, I might miss out.
- I worry about being frivolous because I have to pay off my debt/save for my kid’s tuition/finance a major purchase/etc.
- If someone else is successful and makes a lot of money, then maybe I won’t (because I’m not good enough/smart enough/etc.)
- The financial world is spinning out of control and the powers that be are holding the strings of us, their puppets.
- We really have no say in what happens anyway, so the best thing to do is hunker down, protect any wealth we have, hold onto it tightly…and pray that we don’t have to endure another financial collapse.
If you’re nodding your head in agreement, who could blame you? Just a few minutes spent watching the nightly news, and it’s completely understandable why you would feel that way. Not just of what could happen financially, but in every aspect of our lives. Why? Because the purpose of the news is to make us feel afraid!
Banish the Scarcity Mindset Forever
But that’s not the world I choose to live in anymore. I’m done feeling afraid. And I’m done living a life of scarcity.
Because scarcity doesn’t just impact your pocketbook. A scarcity mentality seeps into every aspect of your being if you allow it.
It impacts your self-care. How hard you work, how much you give, how overwhelmed you feel. Is it too indulgent for you to take a bath or a nap? Can you treat yourself to a massage or having your nails done? Can you buy those sparkly new shoes that make you feel spectacular?
It impacts how you show up in the world. Do you celebrate the unique gifts and talents you’ve been given and share them with the world fully? Or do you hold back because you think maybe what you have to offer isn’t really that special after all? Who are you to shine your light?
The Impacts of a Scarcity Mentality are Everywhere
It means we hesitate to invest in ourselves and our businesses, robbing the world of what it needs to continue on the path of evolution, of which you (yes, you) are a critical part!
It impacts how much we’re willing to share. Because if the world is a scary place and there’s not enough to go around, then we better hold on tight to what we’ve got and only give from the leftovers.
And it impacts what you believe about God, Source, the Universe, or whatever term you use to refer to the Creator of all that is. If your God is a strict disciplinarian that doles out gifts based on who is deserving of them, then maybe you don’t make the cut. Maybe you’re not worthy.
STOP Believing in the Myth of Scarcity
Scarcity is a lie! I eventually figured that out and I hope you will as well.
Look around you…We live on an ABUNDANT planet. There are countless stars in the sky and grains of sand on the beaches. There are oceans and rivers, mountains and plains, flowers and trees. And every imaginable creature on land and in the seas. All created from an abundant Source.
Look around you… Look at the people on this planet. Every color, shape, and size. Every race, creed, and religion. All magnificent beings in their own right. All with unique gifts and talents to express if only given the opportunity. Look at your family and friends with whom you share this journey. Look – really look – at who they are as unique beings.
Abundance is YOUR Birthright.
And look at you! Just look at you. Look in the mirror. You’re beautiful! Look at how your body responds to messages from your brain and how your heart beats and lungs breathe without effort. Just look at your eyes and your smile! Look at you in that favorite outfit and bright lipstick.
If you’ve been living with a scarcity mentality, it’s time for a change NOW. Abundance is our birthright. It’s the natural state of being and one we have the choice to embrace or reject.
You are enough! There is enough! In fact, there’s more than enough!
Don’t believe the lies. Deep within, your heart knows the truth. Trust it and live life abundantly!
Be Bold. Be Daring. Be AWE-dacious!
Lis
P.S. Have you been living with a scarcity mentality? Are you ready to embrace ABUNDANCE? Here’s what I suggest:
Add a reminder on your phone that says, “Abundance is Everywhere!”. Set it to chime at the same time each day. When it does stop what you’re doing, look around, and take it all in. Say a quiet (or loud) thank-you for the gifts that surround you, then go about your day firmly rooted in gratitude.