Let’s approach this by using an example about you being asked to give a presentation to a large group. It's a big speaking opportunity and your first one like this as a speaker.

With that in mind, what would your first thought be and what would you initially feel? Would you think that it’s a great opportunity and feel excited, even if you were a little nervous?

Or would you question why you were asked, especially if you don’t think you are good at public speaking? Would you feel unsure of yourself and worry about the speech and how it would go until it was over?

When an idea comes into our minds, we start to spend time considering that idea. We may spend a few seconds, a few hours, a few days or even longer with that idea.

That idea is the thought and how we feel about that idea shapes it into a positive or negative thought.

Although the thoughts and feelings stemmed from one idea – a neutral idea - of presenting to a large group, the feelings help to create...

As an engaged leader, you know how important conveying confidence is.

It’s the key ingredient that enables your team or clients to buy into your vision or business - because they buy into YOU.

It conveys a strength, even if you don’t know all of the steps.

It conveys courage to take risks that are appropriate for growth, and even if the risks don’t pan out like you hoped, that doesn’t stop you from taking another one.

It conveys an ability to make and execute decisions and communicate the answer with grace and strength, even if “no” or “not now” are the answers.

Yet, if you aren’t really confident in yourself or your abilities, it will be difficult to be the confident leader you’re MEANT to be.

So when you think about having confidence, what does that look like to you?

• How do you stand?
• How are you carrying yourself?
• What kind of expressions are on your face?
• What words are you using?
• What kind of tone or inflection are...

Self-care is a vital part of being a successful leader because in order for you to give your best to your business, organization, or team, you have to take care of yourself.

As a leader, it's so important to refill your own cup, yet it can be one of the last things we remember to do.

There are many ways to make yourself a priority, but one easy way take care of yourself is to experience things that bring you joy.

When you get that warmth inside or a feeling that you could do something for hours and it feels like a few minutes, your enthusiasm comes through. Your joy shines through!

So instead of a life bucket list, what’s on your joylist?

What are things that bring you joy on a daily basis?

Things that make you smile.

That light you up.

Do you take time to enjoy them?

For me, getting extra cuddles from my kitties and spending quality time with my hubby are at the top. Tasting a great piece of chocolate, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, spending time at the...

As you lead your organization or business, time becomes a resource that you might feel you don’t ever really have enough of.

There’s always something that needs to be done. Something that requires your attention for the vision to move forward.

Just as some tasks or projects are completed, new ones are added to the list. It can be all too easy to not take a break because it feels like there’s much more to do. And even when you are passionate about what you do, you can still reach a point where taking time out for you would serve you more than continuing to tackle your growing to do list.

When those points come, do you take the break, leave the office or computer and really let your mind rest or is your mind still at work?

What if I told you that the break would do you more good?

What if I said that taking care of yourself needs to be on your priority list and not only when you are reach that breaking point?

It might seem selfish when there’s so much to do and...

So today is a little reminder that when you stop listening to the outside noise and start listening to yourself, you will start showing up as the leader YOU are meant to be. It doesn't mean frustrating things won't happen - it just means that those things won't keep you down. You'll trust that untapped potential you know that's inside you and be wiling to leverage it more and more. You'll be willing to also do that with each of your team members and let them shine in their own way.

So let's talk about something that seems almost contradicting to anyone pursuing their goals, leading their organization or running their business - the fear of success.

Yep.

That’s a thing.

The fear of success.

And if you’re like me, you’ve had to face this fear before, and sometimes it comes back up when you least likely expect it.

If you aren’t sure what this looks like, consider the following:

• Are you playing small?
• Are you not really putting yourself out there?
• Are you lacking confidence when sharing your ideas?
• Are you scared or reluctant to take on that high visibility, challenging project that you know is a great fit for you and will shine a lot of light on you and your work?

If you answered “Yes” to any one of these, the fear of success is a likely culprit.

So, how do you turn it around? How do you deal with the fear of success?

It’s super simple – recognize that it’s there and keep going anyway.

It...

As a leader, you set the bar of excellence for your business and organization.

If you have a mindset that is about continually learning, improving and growing, then you are more than likely looking at your habits and making decisions of what to continue or change. If you are a bit fearful of change, which we all can be at times, there might be some habits that are allowing fear to have more of a voice than it should. When that happens, try shifting your perspective on change – it’s neither good or bad, it just IS.

It’s the start of another workweek, and you are getting settled at your desk to start the day.

You have your morning tea or coffee in hand and are probably scrolling through your to-do list or emails before you tackle an assignment or head to a meeting.

You come to work to make good things happen, so you want to be as productive as possible.

But do you really know what’s expected of you? Check out part two of this two-part series to make certain you do.

Although it may seem like semantics, the difference is key. When you play to win, you are willing to push yourself.

You're willing to move completely out of your comfort zone, even if you're nervous. You ask for help and trust your teammates to do their part. You have a “can do” mindset, so you are open to possibilities and solutions. You make decisions based on the belief that you will succeed, not out of fear. 

When you play not to lose, you're timid in your actions, and you're not willing to take some risks.

The fear of failure is taking up too much energy, and you may be inadvertently holding yourself back. Playing not to lose also allows that inner critic to get louder and louder and be more in control than that still knowing on the inside and trusting yourself.

But just think – whatever these big, out of your comfort zone goals are - when you show up as the leader you know you are and you’re playing to win – then when you achieve them, it...

It’s the start of another workweek, and you are getting settled at your desk to start the day.

You have your morning tea or coffee in hand and are probably scrolling through your to-do list or emails before you tackle an assignment or head to a meeting.

You come to work to make good things happen, so you want to be as productive as possible.

But do you really know what’s expected of you? Check out this two-part series to make certain you do.