Free Yourself from Self-Imposed Limits
June 8, 2010 by Karen Fagan · Leave A Comment
Self-imposed limits are a result of our own thinking based on past conditioning. They are boundaries we’ve set in our minds about what we can’t be, do, have or achieve. These limits are not real; they only exist in our minds.
If you’re frustrated with boundaries and feel ready to expand your life, I encourage you to identify your self-imposed limits. Once you know what they are, you can free yourself from restrictions.
Self-imposed limits feel constricting and depressing. They often sound like the following
- I should stay in this career since this is what I earned my degree for.
- I am too old to even try now.
- I shouldn’t risk it; it could take too long and be too much work.
- I’ll never earn much money. No one in my family has ever made over $75,000 per year.
- I don’t have the time to “just do it.” I am too busy.
- I can’t publish a book; I am not a professional writer.
Self-imposed limits are false restrictions we place upon ourselves that stop us from taking further action and turning our dreams into reality. Imagine fully believing in your true potential rather than holding back because of self-imposed limitations.
This week, prepare yourself to jump out of the box and start creating your life from a much bigger space.
1. Make a List of the Limits You Place on Yourself.
Once you bring your awareness to the boundaries you’ve built, you can decide to make different decisions that align with what you really want. You no longer need to tell yourself “I can’t.”
Become inspired and open to all possibilities for recreating your life.
2. Change Your Beliefs.
Ask yourself whether you are truly limited in the way you previously thought. Why would you believe you are limited? What could you do without these limits?
Replace your negative, false beliefs with true and empowering ones.
3. Improve Your Self-Image.
Start seeing yourself as the highest and best version of you. Ask your highest self for daily guidance and listen to your intuition. By listening to your highest self, you start to develop a higher level of confidence.
What would your best and most confident self say to those limitations?
4. Have a Positive Expectation.
Expect the best with complete certainty. When you free yourself of limitations, you create space to fully see and believe in all that you’re capable of. Positively expect amazing outcomes. When you let go of self-imposed limits, you naturally release worry and need for perfection. You become present in the moment.
You were born to succeed and that is the beautiful truth. Now, fully expect it with certainty.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Empowerment Expert , and Master Certified Coach Karen Fagan publishes her “Live in Your Brilliance” weekly ezine. If you want special tips to live bold, brilliant and rich in your life and business, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to Live in Your Brilliance at www.karenfagan.com. Want to see more secret tips? see Karen’s blog at Karen http://www.karenfagan.com/blog/
68 Bold Ways to Move Beyond Fear
June 1, 2010 by Karen Fagan · Leave A Comment
Fear, doubt and worry originate from a place of lack, loss or security. Did you know your SELF is designed to never lack anything? It’s true. Everything you need to create wealth, well-being and happiness is within you. The secret is to be willing to see it and take steps forward to claim it.
One of the most liberating and empowering things one can do is to stop living in a state of fear.
Fear is:
False
Evidence
Appearing as a
Reality.
The fact is that fear is an illusion. Fear depletes your energy, clouds your self value and further keeps you from living the life you truly desire. Besides, being afraid only attracts more of what you’re afraid of. The fear of poverty creates more poverty, the fear of failure creates more failure, and so on.
Really the only thing good that comes from fear is personal growth and learning to align yourself with your personal power to move through it.
Here is a list of thoughts and actions to move you beyond your fear:
- Realize that fear is an illusion based on your past or future thinking. Fear is not real.
- Decide to stop running away.
- Face your fears boldly; only good will come from doing this.
- Understand that existing in a state of fear is nothing but a distraction that keeps you from living our best life.
- Acknowledge your fear and continue to take action forward no matter what.
- Ask yourself whether your fear is rational or irrational.
- Understand that what you resist persists.
- Do what scares you most.
- Shine a light on the places that frighten you.
- Develop an attitude of absolute certainty.
- Connect to your faith – always.
- Learn how to be a deliberate creator and you will no longer be paralyzed by fear.
- Create your best state of being; claim happiness, wealth and abundance now. You need nothing external to do this – it comes from within.
- Learn how to observe your thoughts and change them to create a better feeling state.
- Shut down the negative talk.
- Do not give precious energy to fear.
- Accept your truth and commit to end self-denial.
- Always encourage yourself, even when the picture isn’t fully clear.
- Celebrate your inner fierceness.
- Believe you will conquer.
- Be consistent with your thoughts, beliefs, words and actions.
- Connect daily to sources that inspire you.
- Practice meditation.
- Create amazing images of abundance in your mind.
- Embrace and accept change.
- Do things that increase your level of self-confidence.
- Be daring.
- Take some risks.
- Take bold action even if you’re fearful.
- Indecision and procrastination are fear in disguise; make a decision. Now.
- Surround yourself with like-minded people.
- Get in touch with how you feel upon waking up.
- Your feelings are the best indicator of the day you will create.
- Practice personal responsibility no matter how fearful you are.
- Journal daily about your true desires and fully feel them as if they were already met.
- Be accountable to yourself; have a mentor to hold you in high regard.
- Hug your partner, children and friends.
- Get out of your environment; have a change of scenery.
- Do yoga or pottery.
- Belly breathe.
- Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
- Feel good in your skin.
- Practice self-love; love yourself no matter what.
- Love yourself some more.
- Create a positive environment around you.
- Do not participate in lack thinking.
- Refrain from sugar and self-medication of any sort.
- Turn your television off.
- Stop telling yourself you’ll try. JUST DO IT.
- Do not curl up into a fetal position and withdraw.
- Act as if you already have it.
- Seek guidance from a coach or mentor.
- Listen to inspirational music.
- Read about people who moved beyond fear.
- Relax and get some rest to recharge your energy levels.
- Empower yourself through moving your body.
- Choose empowerment over disempowerment.
- Write in your gratitude journal.
- Remind yourself that moving beyond fear is expansion for your soul and leads to greater success.
- Be present and live in the now.
- Practice self-care always.
- Do that one thing you resist.
- Talk to someone you trust who will reflect your best back to you.
- Do things that bring out your best.
- Exercise.
- Be willing to see your personal value.
- Wake up each day with a “one day at a time” attitude.
- Choose love.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Empowerment Expert , and Master Certified Coach Karen Fagan publishes her “Live in Your Brilliance” weekly ezine. If you want special tips to live bold, brilliant and rich in your life and business, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to Live in Your Brilliance at www.karenfagan.com. Want to see more secret tips? see Karen’s blog at Karen http://www.karenfagan.com/blog/
Why Are You Settling?
May 27, 2010 by Karen Fagan · Leave A Comment
I used to settle a lot. There were years when I’d accept so much less than I wanted because I just thought that’s the way life was. At other times, I didn’t even know exactly what it was I wanted; I just knew that whatever it was, it was missing. I knew I had a longing, I just didn’t know I had a choice.
I wasn’t empowered to make the decisions that would move me toward living my authentic life. I disconnected myself from my inner truth because what I found there scared me. At the time, it seemed easier to hide out in the relationship I was unsatisfied with and try to convince myself that my career was just fine. And, I suffered some major consequences. When you settle for less than you want and deserve, you are acting from a place of fear. What I learned from my experience is that in all things, we must act from a place of love.
When you choose to be driven by love, you will begin to believe that life can be exactly how you want it to be. When you choose to become conscious of your truth, you will realize that the power of choice is available to you.
Ask yourself, “Why are you settling?”
We influence our life’s experience through the choices we make. And I’m talking, all of the choices we make. If you think about it, there is no such thing as a small choice. Every decision we make — choosing to eat or not eat, to say or not say, to listen to your inner voice or not listen — has a consequence. Whether it’s short or long term, with good or less than desirable results, each choice has an effect. Our power and influence over our lives comes from our ability to make choices. When we settle, we lose sight of that power – knowing somewhere in our heart that our inner truth has been compromised.
Examples of settling for less:
- I guess this is as good as it gets.
- It doesn’t really matter to me if I get married or have children.
- As long as I have 6-8 clients, that’s better than nothing.
- I can do this by myself. I don’t need any support.
- It’s better to have these friends than no friends.
- I can live on $2000 a month, so that’ll be good enough.
- At least I have a job, even if it’s one I hate.
- I’ll never lose these last 20 pounds, so why even try?
Ignoring your inner truth inevitably leads to self-sabotaging behavior – overeating, procrastination, a lack of personal responsibility – and ultimately, pain. Feelings of anger, boredom, frustration, loneliness and hopelessness take over and lead to chaos in our lives. The only reason we deny ourselves our inner truth is because our conscious self is too frightened to take bold steps, so we make less than authentic choices.
Take a look at where you are settling for less. Is it in your career, your relationship, your well-being? Make a list of those areas and describe how you’re settling.
Examples:
- I don’t like the way my hair stylist does my hair, but I keep going back.
- I buy and eat cheap, un-nutritious food.
- I continue to work with clients who submit late payments.
Now, make a list of the consequences you have endured as the result of settling.
Examples:
- I never feel cute and I resent paying for a haircut I don’t like.
- My food isn’t providing the nutrients that my body needs for proper health.
- I can’t pay my bills on time.
Ask yourself again. Why are you settling? Usually, we settle out of fear. We fear that we won’t have enough, that we’re taking too big of a risk, or we’re better off staying put rather than taking a chance. Take a good look at the underlying fear that leads to you settling for less. Is that fear rational? Why are you allowing it to hold you back?
Honor Your Power of Choice
Every choice you make has the power to shift your life direction. Intuitively you know that you desire more. Choose to end the chaos created by settling for less and begin to get clear about what you authentically want in your life. Change can be very uncomfortable; it’s time to get comfortable with it. Now, if you’re ready to commit to continuous growth and expansion, pay attention to what I just told you. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Never once have I heard any woman regret making the decision to no longer settle in her life. In fact, the reaction is always the opposite. “Look at the new abundant path I’m on! I can’t believe I settled for so long!” Getting comfortable being uncomfortable will lead you to take action and create the life you want and deserve. Empower your inner truth and honor your power of choice.
Stop settling for less.
Is Your Self Image Hurting You?
May 20, 2010 by Karen Fagan · 3 Comments
Do you find that you’ve become caught up in a cyclical pattern of “unhealthy”? I don’t mean that in a biological or medical way. I’m talking about repeatedly finding yourself in bad relationships, personal chaos, financial woes, or business fiascoes. If you keep getting the same cruddy results in your life, I encourage you to check in with your self-image. I’d bet that it’s not very positive, and I am here to tell you that it is high time you assess and adjust your ego to create a bodaciously loving view of yourself. It’s truly the only way you are going to make a change for the better.
Your inner and outer self-image is your creation and it directly relates to your present experiences in life. How would you describe the way in which you see yourself? Are you confident and secure in your abilities or do you question yourself and have a belief that you’re somehow “less-than”? Whether you know it or not, your true self-image is broadcast to the Universe and the people around you, which determines the reactions and results you get in life. After all, who knows you better than you? If you don’t believe in you, why should anyone else? Let’s check it out. Take the following Healthy Self-Image quiz and see what you truly believe about yourself. And, if you have a friend who could use a self-image boost of her own, please share it with her.
Answer the following questions:
- How do you view your appearance? (Beautiful, Okay, Fat, Ugly)
- What kind of personality do you have? (Rigid, Open, Fun-loving)
- How do you think others see you? (Crazy, Confident, In control)
- How do you see yourself? (Authentic, Hiding, Powerful)
- Do you believe that others like you? (Absolutely, Kind of, Not really)
- Do you like you? (Absolutely, Kind of, Not really)
If your answers are anything but confident and positive, you could benefit from a self perception make over. Here are three tips on how to take your confidence and self-assurance to a whole new level.
1. Take Charge of Your Mind
If you see yourself as unqualified, insignificant, unattractive, inferior, or inadequate, you are most likely co-creating a reality that doesn’t feel good and is not bringing you the results you want. The solution? Simple: Take charge of your mind. Stop letting your mind dictate negative thoughts and then watching yourself perform (or not) according to them. Your life is too important for you to let yourself be a spectator – or worse – a victim to your negative thinking.
The best way to determine how you feel about yourself is to stay connected to your emotional state on a daily basis. If your mind and thoughts are aligned, you will feel harmony about yourself. If you are not feeling harmonious, that is a true indication that your thoughts are out of alignment. Take ownership of your thoughts and create a different feeling state. Do it right now.
2. Decide to Accept Yourself
There is only one “YOU” in the Universe. That is the person who YOU are responsible for. Only you have the power to accept or reject yourself. Self-rejection is energy depleting and counterproductive. Bring awareness to the parts of yourself that you reject and fully embrace those areas. Fill up on self-love – this is your personal work. The only way to move forward to meeting your core desires is to accept who you are, as you are today, in this very moment. Understanding you and your authentic goals, deciding where you’re going – and how you’re going to get there – is up to YOU.
Take steps right now to accept yourself exactly as you are in this present moment.
- Determine a higher value for yourself.
- Decide exactly what you want from a place of higher self-image and confidence.
- Take action each day that improves your perception of yourself.
3. Take Action to Build Your Confidence
Filling your thoughts with negative self-talk or keeping your authentic self hidden are exactly the things that keep your confidence levels low and contribute to a poor self-image. As they say, “Can’t never could.” When you find yourself thinking, “I can’t,” or “I don’t know how,” take a moment to re-adjust those thoughts to, “I can learn,” and, “I am capable.”
Make peace with the mistakes in your past. Embrace them for what they were – valuable learning experiences that have taught you priceless lessons that will lead you to your greatest success. Free your mind to move beyond the past and take the steps and actions necessary to achieve your goals. When you’re faced with a decision, ask yourself which choice will build your confidence and boost your self-image. Then choose that one.
Only you have the power to believe and present the most positive, and self-assured YOU. Decide today to no longer allow negative thoughts to control your emotional wellbeing. Re-focus your thinking to positive, self-assured, confident thoughts and if you have to, fake it until you make it. The more effort you put into seeing the good and wonderful things about yourself, the easier it is. And the more those brilliant, fantastic parts of you will shine out to the Universe and the world.
Create Power to Innovate Your Life
May 13, 2010 by Karen Fagan · Leave A Comment
Personal innovation is the expansion into a bigger version of oneself. And isn’t that what you say you really want? In order to innovate your life you must connect to your creative flow. You may not recognize it but the power to innovate is already within you. Everyone is born creative, it’s simply a matter of connecting to those talents.
Do you want to change your life, grow your business and make space for the new to enter into it? It’s not as complicated as it may seem. Really, it’s not. Once you choose to see that the power to change your life and grow your business already lies within you – you can then start to access it and make a transformation.
I highly encourage my clients to take ACTION – big or small – because taking action is absolutely necessary in order to attain creativity and innovation. This past week I had a fantastic session with a highly motivated client. She is working on innovating her business and creating her first information product (which is great, by the way). During our session we reviewed her progress and she said, “As I began to write, it just came to me.”
Now, let me back up a bit. Only a few short weeks ago this exact client came to me for help because, although she knew she wanted to create a product, she had no idea what it was going to be. Sound familiar?
Innovation is about coming up with something new. In order to create new you must move toward it . . . not resist it. Here are five important tips for bringing innovation into your life instead of pushing it away:
1. Get Out of Your Head
When you can’t figure it out and you get frustrated – whether “it” is what to write or draw, or which products and programs to design – get out of your head. Creativity is a flow of energy that is inside you. You can’t force it; you have to connect to it. When you’re stuck trying to decide what you should be creating, rather than staying in your head trying to force ideas to come, get up and go for a walk on the beach, move your body and shift your focus. Turn to sources that inspire you and allow yourself the freedom to get your creative juices flowing. Rather than staying stagnant in your head, move your energy and allow your creativity to work its magic.
2. Create Space
If you want to innovate, stop telling yourself you don’t have time. Create space for it. Creativity does not come from feeling restricted and telling yourself you’re too busy or that you “just can’t right now”. Make the time. You decide your day; use that power to create the space to do the work you want to do.
3. Have an Attitude of Willingness
One of the biggest creativity blockers is resisting innovation because you’re looking for a guarantee. Be willing to ease up on the need for reassurance and allow yourself to create without resistance. Truly, the only guarantee we have is change, and the best way to respond to that is through creative innovation. Once you surrender yourself to the process, you’ll find that innovative spark.
4. Find Your Own Style
Be on your own path, not everyone else’s. Do you embrace your personal style or are you afraid to express it? Stepping into you and choosing to stop hiding allows those things that are uniquely yours to flow, which lets your authentic self shine through.
5. Practice Bold Brainstorming
A lot of the time we wait for our ideas to appear and they just don’t come through. Rather than beating yourself up for being stuck, practice Bold Brainstorming sessions. You can do it alone or with a like-minded person such as your coach. The process of Bold Brainstorming can not only help you come up with a ridiculous amount of new ideas, it can help you decide which is best and how to implement.
The time has come for you to Ignite Your Passion. Passion is unstoppable: are you ready to spark it? Think about what excites you when you open your eyes in the morning. What would you love, love, love to do all day, every day . . . even for FREE? Now, think about what’s standing in your way. What are the fears that keep you from living out your passion? Is it worrying about what others will think? Do you doubt your ability to truly achieve your goals? Find your answers to these questions. Identify what things are keeping you from creating the life of your dreams.
Acknowledge your fears and then release them. Only then can you truly embrace your innovation and connect with the creativity that is within you.
Are You the Best Kept Hidden Secret?
May 6, 2010 by Karen Fagan · Leave A Comment
I know that you are really passionate. You are REALLY good at what you do. You deliver products and services to others to help them overcome challenges or improve their life. My sense is, you know somewhere deep within that you’re here to make a profound difference in this world.
However, I also know that you’re likely to question this knowledge if your business isn’t growing in the way you desire, or if you’re not connecting with as many people as you’d like. These fears lead to thoughts like:
- If I’m really meant to be doing this, why am I so stuck?
- If I’m as good as I believe I am, why isn’t my business growing?
- This is just another one of my crazy ideas. No wonder I struggle to pay the bills.
- Maybe I’m too overbearing with my ideas. People probably think I’m pushy.
- It seems like following my passion isn’t working; I should just go back to a “normal” career.
Unfortunately, these thoughts come in once you’ve already started your new venture, the initial euphoria and giddiness have worn off and you’re faced with the business part of your business. You’ve got the “Do what you love” part down. It’s the waiting on the, “money will follow” bit that gets those doubts rolling in.
Marketing can be a scary thing but until you realize that prospective clients can’t find you if you’re not marketing authentically, things aren’t going to change. Without proper marketing, your business is never going to take flight into financial success.
Your purpose in life and in business is to share your unique talents and message with the world.
As an entrepreneur, it is your responsibility to market your business to the people who would benefit from your services. Not giving people the opportunity to learn of the amazing insight and knowledge you have to offer is like a master baker spending all day making the world’s most delicious brownies, and never letting anyone taste them. Talk about a crying shame.
In my upcoming, transformational 12-Week Bold Business Creative Success Program, I will be teaching you how to overcome the fear of self-promotion, be intentional, gain clarity about who you are and what you offer, and create a strong business foundation that profits. Best of all, you will learn to have fun marketing. And, I promise, it is fun! The point is, when you don’t market your business properly, you don’t reach clients who need you and you deny them the experience of your knowledge. And you deny yourself the satisfaction of making a profound difference in the lives of the people who need you the most.
Look out for more information on my Bold Business Creative Success Program coming very soon! Click here to join the “First to Know” list to make sure you’re at the front of the line when the details hit the presses.
Until then, here are four simple tips to get you started. Use these to overcome your fear, market authentically, grow your business and have fun doing it all!
1. Replace Worry with Generosity
Stop worrying about what other people think and just give them more of the true you. You’ll be surprised … they really aren’t as concerned about you as you think they are. Instead of worrying about others and what they think about you, understand them and the challenges they’re facing in their own lives. Instead of worrying so much, take that energy and use it to transform lives by generously sharing your expertise and unique brilliance.
2. Get Clarity
Get really clear about what it is you actually do for your clients. Pinpoint what you have to offer and the benefits your clients receive from working with you. Doing so will make it much easier for you to talk about what you do and make you much more attractive to ideal clients. YOUR ideal clients are looking for YOU.
3. Take Bold Imperfect Action
Nothing is bolder than taking imperfect action. Face it: perfection is tough to come by, so just take action, imperfect as it may be. Sure it’s scary; do it anyway! Often we allow limiting beliefs, rules we’ve created, excuses, doubts and fears to hold us back. It is time to get out of your head, stop holding yourself back and take action. Embrace the reason you are here and your unique talents so that you can take steps to market and consistently grow your business.
4. Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People
There is not one successful person in life or business who has done it on her own. Ask any prosperous entrepreneur and she will tell you about the tribe that continuously supports her in achieving her goals. We all need a support system no matter where we are in life or in business. Surround yourself with individuals who believe in you and want you to succeed. Hire a coach to help keep you accountable and to help you grow.
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to contact me and we can discuss your struggles and how to create better results in your life and business. Also look out for more information on my upcoming Bold Business Creative Success Program. It’s a transformational 12-Week course that is sure to make a huge difference in your business and your life.
Remember, you don’t have to do it alone!
It’s so Uncomfortable
April 29, 2010 by Karen Fagan · 2 Comments
I always tell my clients, “For change to happen you must be willing to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” And why do I tell them that? Because it is 100% true.
Now, for most people, we’ll do just about anything to not feel uncomfortable. We resist, push back, avoid, and procrastinate. We become moody, we sleep too much, eat too much, drink too much . . . the list just goes on and on. But what are these actions doing to service our growth and ourselves? Absolutely nothing.
Let’s face it: change is uncomfortable. Feeling comfortable comes from knowing what to expect, maintaining a status quo and staying within our same old boundaries. In order to make a change, we have to tear down those walls, climb beyond our self-imposed barriers and allow the Big Breakdown to happen.
The Big Breakdown is the uncomfortable period where the change starts to take place. It comes through painful thoughts like, “Who the heck are you to do that?” Systems go haywire, like computers crashing and dropped conference call recordings. At times there are physical manifestations in our bodies like headaches, heartaches, and bellyaches. We feel angry, frustrated and scared so we participate in actions like avoidance when we know, deep down, that it would serve us best to be facing our fears and discomfort head on.
And you know what? All this discomfort is a good thing! Just beyond the Big Breakdown is the Big Breakthrough where you’ll find everything you want and need to grow and succeed. Isn’t this cool? Actually, everything we need and want is right under our noses; the Big Breakdown is the Universe’s way of getting us to step back and see it. Our initial reaction to the Big Breakdown is to shut it off and run away. I’ve been there and I totally get it. However, I’ve taught myself to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, knowing that right past the Big Breakdown is the Big Breakthrough. . . and that’s where the magic happens.
Here are some tips to bust through your own Big Breakdown to reap the benefits of your Big Breakthrough!
1. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Learn to master this one and your progress will skyrocket, and you’ll experience ongoing growth and success. When it comes to accepting the changes in your life, feel your fear . . . and then release it. Once you release your negative, scary thoughts, you allow new opportunities to come into your life. The longer you avoid feeling your feelings, the longer it takes to eventually release them which only delays what you’re really looking for… The Big Breakthrough.
Change is going to happen. And there’s one thing I know for sure: good things always come from change . . . even if we can’t see it right away. Learn to trust in the process. Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and get ready to fly!
2. Create a “feel good” state of being.
Your emotional state is a big key to what you are attracting to your life. If you want to attract more, you must release old paradigms and false beliefs about yourself. When we are confronted with change, our minds automatically think about what we’re giving up, not what we’re gaining. That mindset keeps us in a place of lack rather than moving us into a place of abundance.
Create a “feel good” state of being to move into abundance and attract all that the Universe has to offer you. Instead of focusing on what you may not have right now, focus on what you want. Take a moment to visualize yourself as being enveloped in goodness and well-being. Close your eyes and breathe deeply while focusing on all that you want to attract to your life.
Here’s a list to help you get started:
- Love
- Trust
- Faith
- Joy
- Passion
- Enthusiasm
- Contentment
Imagine that you have all of these things, and more. Allow yourself to believe in and expect positive results from the change in your life. Trust that what you really seek will appear.
Are You Willing?
Ask and answer the following questions for yourself:
- Are you willing to trade short-term discomfort for long-term success?
- How badly do you want your ideal business and delicious lifestyle?
- Are you willing to find another way when presented with a road-block?
Just because your bridge telephone line disconnects during your live conference call, you completely spill paint all over a great piece of your artwork, or your important meeting gets cancelled, don’t take it as a sign that you’re no good at your chosen path, that you’re not meant to do it or that you’re doomed.
When things like this happen, remind yourself of your answers to the above questions. See these minor disruptions as opportunities to improve your systems. Perhaps you would benefit from delegating tasks, asking for help or simply taking a break. It’s all up to you! You get to determine what your Big Breakdown means and how you are going respond to it. Will you use it to become empowered or disempowered? (Hint: Pick empowered!)
Embrace the Big Breakdown to get to your Big Breakthrough, release resistance and allow the Universe to work its magic! I promise, it will be worth it!
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Empowerment Expert , and Master Certified Coach Karen Fagan publishes her “Live in Your Brilliance” weekly ezine. If you want special tips to live bold, brilliant and rich in your life and business, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to Live in Your Brilliance at www.karenfagan.com. Want to see more secret tips? see Karen’s blog at Karen http://www.karenfagan.com/blog/
There is No Competition. Period
April 22, 2010 by Karen Fagan · 2 Comments
Tough one, eh? It’s a hard concept to grasp and many coaches and helping professionals struggle with shifting their mindset to believe it. The thing is, the only time you are in competition with others is when you allow yourself to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. That’s because when you spend your time minding other people’s business, you stop minding your own.
When you’re constantly watching what others are doing and judging their actions against your own, your belief in yourself, your products and your services diminish to the point where you forget your unique brilliance. You then begin to wonder if you really have what it takes.
From this diminished place you start to think:
- It’s all been done.
- Who am I to do this?
- Insert your own here: ___________________
When you have these thoughts you have landed in the state of entrepreneurial envy. And what are the results? Your business stagnates and you get caught in a trap of comparing yourself to others, losing focus on yourself and your unique talents.
Here is what I mean . . .
Some of you know I was a competitive runner. One of the very first things I learned was to never look at the competition. So, why did my running coach tell me this? Because the minute you look at your competition, you slow down.
This advice worked for running and it works for business. The truth of the matter is that you don’t need to look at others because the results you’re after are for YOU. They’re based on what YOU decide, what you strive for. There are a lot of people who are overwhelmed, not deciding and under-implementing their brilliant ideas because they feel they don’t measure up to their “competition.” They are not doing what they need to do to grow their business because they are so caught up in what everyone else is doing that their self-value diminishes and they get stuck.
What about you? When you get an email or see a Facebook page offering services similar to yours, what is your reaction? For many people, their entrepreneur envy mind starts thinking, “Why should I bother? Everyone else is already doing what I want to do.” If that applies to you, pay special attention to what I am about to tell you.
Stop shutting down your brilliant ideas. Stop judging your value and your success by what’s coming into your inbox and focus on your own race.
Turn off your entrepreneur envy and build your business. When you compare yourself to others, or look outside of yourself for validation, your progress slows way down because you’ve lost focus of your goals. Stay true to your unique brilliance. Know and believe that you have something wonderful to offer the world and success will follow.
“When,” you ask? Well, that’s up to you. Success isn’t intangible or uncontrollable. Success is the result you get when you align your energy with your intentions. When I was a runner there were always runners ahead of me and runners behind me. The secret to winning my race lay in my ability to focus on MY run, on putting my one foot ahead of the other in the fastest, most deliberate way possible. The same applies to business.
There will always be people with more experience than you, and those with less. Don’t get caught up in paying attention to any of them. Stay focused on your own game. One thing is for sure, there is only one YOU. No one else is able to deliver your unique brilliance to your business and your life except for you. Bring it on!
Weekly Empowerment Tips:
- Turn off the entrepreneur envy and stop judging yourself based on what others are doing.
- Decide to own your success, step into your greatness and commit to ROCKING IT every single day.
- Commit to accomplishing three action items by the end of the week to move you closer to your success and DO THEM.
This is your business and nobody can do it like YOU!
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Empowerment Expert , and Master Certified Coach Karen Fagan publishes her “Live in Your Brilliance” weekly ezine. If you want special tips to live bold, brilliant and rich in your life and business, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to Live in Your Brilliance at www.karenfagan.com. Want to see more secret tips? see Karen’s blog at Karen http://www.karenfagan.com/blog/
3 EMPOWERING QUESTIONS
April 15, 2010 by Karen Fagan · Leave A Comment
“3 EMPOWERING QUESTIONS”
Who are you as a Woman?
Good question!
So many women are simply scared silly to own their truth about who they are and what their place is in this world. Take an honest look at what your life is right now. When it comes to your business, your relationships and your personal life, are you a woman who is rocking it authentically, or are you hiding behind the rock?
Where do you want to add more color in your life?
In what ways would you like to enhance your experience?
Who is Leading Your Life?
When you lead your life, you begin to get the results you want.
Successful, empowered entrepreneurs lead their lives and businesses by bringing their unique brilliance to the world. They say “Yes!” to new opportunities they receive, work only with their ideal clients and create a thriving empire for themselves. Other women take charge by reflecting on how they got to where they currently are, and make the decision to create a new path in their life, on their own terms. For corporate women, taking control of one’s life and destiny is about leading into transition, having more quality than quantity and embracing a true sense of freedom.
I believe you know where you want to go. The only thing stopping you from being the leader of your life is your fear. I am all about kicking fear to the curb, which leads to my final question:
Do You Boldly Dare to Step Into YOU?
That’s the real question!
Are you ready to be happy, create success and take bold action?
Saying we want something is one thing; doing away with excuses and taking steps to get the results we want is another. Take an honest look at what is keeping you from making the bold, empowered actions necessary to be the leader of your life and step into YOU. What excuses are you allowing that are keeping you stuck in a “comfort zone” rut? I know you have so much more to offer to yourself and the world. More importantly, YOU know. Do you dare to step into you?
Stepping into the authentic YOU means no more excuses – no more, “I don’t have enough time,” or, “I’m too overwhelmed.” No more hiding or getting caught up in distractions. The time has come to be bold and take real action … I dare you! If not now, when?
Weekly Empowerment Assignment
Take the time to ask yourself these three questions. Be sure to answer them honestly.
- Who are you?
- Where are you going?
- Do you boldy dare step into YOU?
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Empowerment Expert , and Master Certified Coach Karen Fagan publishes her “Live in Your Brilliance” weekly ezine. If you want special tips to live bold, brilliant and rich in your life and business, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to Live in Your Brilliance at www.karenfagan.com. Want to see more secret tips? see Karen’s blog at Karen http://www.karenfagan.com/blog/
My Feel Good Formula
April 8, 2010 by Karen Fagan · 3 Comments
My life is so full and rich. I live every moment with love and gratitude in my heart. Now, I haven’t always been like this. My authentic story is that I spent a majority of my life feeling less than great. Sure, from time to time I’d feel awesome. But it would only last a short while, and would eventually lead me back to being in a funk. Needless to say, it was a less-than-desirable way to live.
I struggled through this emotional rollercoaster, never understanding what the problem was or why I couldn’t find a way to simply be happy. Then, one day it hit me. I had been living in this place of "not feeling good" simply because it was familiar to me. I knew how to "not feel good" so well that in a sense, it had become comfortable. My realization that I no longer wanted to be comfortable with feeling bad led to an empowering epiphany: Live bad, feel bad. Live good, feel good! Finally, I understood that I could choose to feel good. It was in my power to take action to make myself feel better; and, that’s just what I did.
I recognized that I had been living badly. I didn’t take care of myself the way I should and I didn’t offer myself love and kindness. When I realized all of this, I made a decision. I made, "Live good, feel good!" my mantra for life. In order to start living good and feeling good, I created a Feel Good Formula for my life. I taught myself how to live good so I could feel good, and make that my new familiar place. Your Feel Good Formula is unique to you. It is composed of the "live good" elements that empower you and support you in feeling good all the time. For example, my Feel Good Formula is Self-love + Exercise + Clean Nutrition = Feel Good.
The secret is, when you feel good, you’re happy! It’s a great place to be. The happier you are, the more you have to give to your family, friends, and business. When you feel good, your entire life changes for the BEST. Find your Feel Good Formula and live by it. The elements in the formula will reflect the things that YOU need to feel good and the results will astonish you. Let’s find out what your Feel Good Formula is!
Here are tips for creating your own Feel Good Formula:
- Make a list of all the things that make you feel good. List things that fuel your mind, your soul and creative energy. Think of "live good" things that make your energy level come alive, that make you feel GOOD. Write down as many as you can think of.
Here are some examples:
• Journaling
• Eating nutritious food
• Exercise
• Mediation
• A quiet cup of tea
• Kissing and making love
• Alone time
• Connecting with others - Take your list and prioritize the elements. What are the things that energize you the most, inspire you to achieve, and really get your Feel Good mojo going? Take your top two or three and fill them into the format: (Blank) + (Blank) = Feel Good.
- Live your formula every day.
That’s it. Three easy steps! Once you have your Feel Good Formula, write it on your vision board, put a Post-It on your fridge, leave yourself a voice mail . . . do whatever it takes to learn and LIVE your Feel Good Formula. No matter what your formula is – "Yoga + Journaling = Feel Good" or "Travel + Hugging + Long Walks = Feel Good" – live it every day. As I said, the components of your formula are completely up to you. Just make sure that you choose elements that are based in self-love and well being. For me eating nutritious foods and taking the time to journal are the things that make my soul soar. What are the things that inspire you? What actions can you take to find your self-love?
Find your Feel Good Formula. Access it and apply it to your life every day! You’ll experience wonderful growth and you’ll find that feeling good is a lot easier than feeling bad!
