What Mask do you Wear? #coaching

This month's coaching topic is about the masks that we wear, what happens when they fall off and being our true authentic selves.

Everyone has a mask. Everyone puts them on.

Picture yourself in a party or social setting. Are you the person that gladhands and smiles, seemingly talking to everyone? I bet you are wearing a mask! I find these people so interesting to watch in a social or networking atmosphere. They are so confident in themselves (or seem to be) but you know what? They're likely forcing themselves to shake hands, smile, strike up conversation and are actually trembling inside with the fear of being rejected.

I'll be honest, these types of mask-wearers make me laugh and shake my head. Why not just be yourself? Be warm, be inviting. If you're having an off day and just don't really feel like being there, don't force it. Be true to who you are, and I bet you dollars to donuts that you will make more real connections and lasting relationships than the gladhander who isn't being authentic.

Take your mask off.

I know it makes you really vulnerable, and I know that in and of itself is a super scary thing, but it is so necessary to take off your mask and be who you are.

After all, your clients want to know you, want to trust you and establish a relationship with you. They don't want the gladhander full of false hope and promises. They want you, as real as you can be.

Let your mask fall off, and be comfortable in your own skin.

Masks also show us the true colors of others, so try not to be too concerned when their masks fall off and the enchantment ends. People, relationships, connections will come and go. If the mask falls off and you find yourself less than impressed, just move on. There will be someone there to fill that space who doesn't wear a mask and truly wants to have an authentic relationship with you.

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.

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!

Coaching Moments: Alleviating Stress

Stress, for me, is the number one productivity killer.

The first thing that I work on with all of my coaching clients is identifying their areas of stress and come up with a plan to combat it.

More often than not, their stress stems from feeling overwhelmed by a massive to-do list, specific tasks that we identify that need to be taken care of fairly immediately, and the overwhelming fear of what if this doesn't work?

We work on cord cutting; getting rid of the negative energy in our lives to open ourselves up to the positive. We work on positive affirmations and meditation to ground up and give us a new sense of focus. We work on harnessing the stress and turning it into creative energy.

When we take control of that stress and look at it from a more positive angle, we are able to go forth, and be a better version of our selves.

How do you deal with stress? Let's work on it together with empowerment coaching!

Product Photography, before and after

You may have noticed a little tab up there that is new, and exciting and fresh and amazing.

Coaching.

Simply put, I am helping women see their inner strength, beauty and worth. I have found that there is no point in working on marketing yourself as a writer, blogger, brand ambassador, artist, business person until you truly believe in yourself and have the confidence to stand up for you and be the voice behind your brand.

For the past couple of months, I have been working with Kimberly of Kimberly & Co. We've taken her branding from home-craft-show-hobby to chic-trendy-accessories-boutique, and one of the biggest aspects of a successful transition to the latter is professional photography

Before, alot of dark at home photography. I find alot of handmade vendors {even me when I first started out!} take pictures of heir items on their kitchen tables, floors, a crumpled backdrop. I used to do it with a white bedsheet behind and thought that the wrinkled fabric looked artistic. Wrong-o!

After - see the difference  This is Etsy front page material and I am so thrilled for Kimberly to have taken this step with her shop. It's fresh and clean. The backdrop is simple and white and shows her products beauty before anything else.

Next we are working on at-home photography. It's one thing to work with a fabulous photographer like Hanlon Lain Photography, but another to take quick photos at home to get your items up in your shop immediately to be shared with all of your customers!

Stay tuned for our tips and tricks, and to stay up to date on Kimberly's business transformation!