Don't Be So Hard On Yourself #coaching

This month in my coaching segment, I wanted to bring it back to your core and remind you of something.

 

There will always be critics out there doing the job for you, so why be so hard on yourself?

Stop with the I can'ts, What If's, I should have's and GO DO. If it fails, big whoop.
Try something else.

The point is you not beat yourself up about it. There will be times of failure. Times of loss. Times where you want to absolutely throw in the towel.

But why?

Why give up on a dream, on something that you started for a reason? Just because you failed the first time?

If I had given up on being an artist when I was told that I needed reference for every single tree/flower/animal/etc. that I drew, I wouldn't have graduated with a Fine Arts degree. I would probably have gone to teachers college like the original plan was, and been teaching {or trying to get a job teaching} history to high school students.

If I had given up when I was told that my work was reminiscent of a child's finger paintings, I wouldn't have gone on to complete a body of work worthy of being shown in a gallery in Toronto. I would probably still be looking for that teaching job!

So if you fail...it's fine. Water under the bridge. Don't worry so much about it.

Take a deep breath.
Try another way. Because, really, there always is another way.

You are YOUR Responsibility #coaching

A constant theme with my coaching clients is support. When we start talking about roadblocks, we often talk about support systems. Who is serving up, holding us up, helping us on our journey? Who is holding us back?

This year, I want to gently remind you that YOU are in charge of your life. 100%.

We are given this life {thanks, Mom!} but what we do with it is entirely up to us. The decisions that we make shape our journey and our path. The good, the bad, the complacent...it's all within our own two hands to shape for ourselves.

Sure, circumstances arise that can help or hinder, but ultimately we decide how we react to those situations and how we deal and cope, or grow and change.

So - my challenge to you in 2014 is to take stock of where you are. Consider the decisions that you have made to shape your journey and your path. Are you unhappy with them, and ultimately with where you are? Now is the time to take control, and change those circumstances. You hold the power. Just you.

And you are enough.

Custom Style Constulations and Guide

Something NEW for 2014 that I am offering with my confidence coaching is a custom style consultation and guide. I developed the custom style guides this past December when working with my lovely models for the Women in Business Conference, and each of the three women said that it was such a great resource to have in their toolkit.

What will you find in your style guide? 6 pages of outfits, all detailed as to why they were chosen for you and why they will work for you. Six beautiful outfits for whatever phase you are in at the current moment.

It all begins with a style consultation via Facebook or Skype {or in person if you are local}. We chat about where you are in life, what you do for a living, what you are passion about and how you want to present yourself. We identify the area where you struggle most {casual, business, trends, dressy, etc.} and then I get creative!

Book your appointment now, as limited spaces are available! Only a few clients are being taken on every month, and right now you can get this awesome service for $75! (originally $100)

Email me now to book!! shannon@sweetstellas.com

Trust Yourself

For the past few months, I have been struggling to trust not only myself, but the words of others {specifically when it relates to the miscarriage in August}.

When we don't trust ourselves, and our instincts, unfortunately that is when unpleasant things happen. We hold ourselves back, and we put up walls. How can we expect greatness and success when we cannot trust the one person whose intuition matters the most; our own?

One of the most helpful things that I do on a daily basis, and recommend to all of my clients, is meditation, and specifically through a podcast or app on your smart phone and with headphones in to block out distraction.

Meditation Oasis has a great meditation for trust. Whenever I feel the trust in myself slipping, I put this one on before I go to bed and wake up with a renewed sense of self.

This 12 minute meditation starts with relaxing music. I find that this music helps me clear out the mental clutter between my ears, and lets me focus on Mary's voice when she start speaking. She speaks about a basic trust in life, and in yourself.

Having a trust in life in general is important, especially when you are rocked by a tragedy or loss. Trusting that things happen for a reason, that your thoughts come when they are needed and are let go without effort. It's so important to recognize that life is an ebb and flow, that we can only control certain aspect and that trusting in the process is as important as the process itself.

Bring your awareness back to trust, both in yourself and in others. Trust people when they tell you nice things about yourself {who doesn't love a compliment??!!} and trust yourself when your instincts kick in.

Remember, you are the only one with the power to change things for yourself, so trust that voice inside!

Time to Get Started

Are you dragging a little this fall? Lacing motivation and inspiration?

So often with my coaching clients, I find that they feel lost. Some have persona reasons and roadblocks holding them back, others just feel that their inspiration is gone and their passion for their business or blog is dwindling. Some get overwhelmed with deadlines, others feel that they lack focus, and some even are just scared.

Scared of what?

Getting started

Source

Taking that first step can be scary. I know that when I started Sweet Stella's in 2010, I was terrified. I was on edge already because of my post-partum depression, and then there was the whole putting-my-art-out-there-for-the-world-to-see thing. Total vulnerability.

But, you know what? It made me stronger. Getting started is the hardest step.

I know that it's scary, but if you don't get things started for yourself...who will?

Who will know what's in your heart, and take the steps to develop those passions and make your dreams into a reality?
Who will take the risk?
Who will take that step and get things started?

The power comes from within. Harness it and create your own path!