On a day when we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who risked his own life to make his dream of equal rights for all a reality, I’ve chosen to read many of the words he spoke during his lifetime. What a visionary. One of my favorite places to read quotes and sayings is www.brainyquote.com. You can search by topic or person and you’ll find a wealth of cool data.

One of my favorite quotes of Dr. King’s is this:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. “

Exactly one year ago, I had a dream … to FINALLY get clear about my path in life and business. To finally get clear about who I serve, the magic I offer, and the legacy I want to leave in the world.

You see, I had been in business for myself for 3 years at that point. Things were going well, but I have a confession to make: I felt a bit lost, a bit muddy, a bit scattered. Yup, me the woman and coach who may seem uber-confident and “put together” on the outside was swimming around in a sea of confusion. Ugh.

To help paint a picture, my business and personal life had transformed a lot during that time … I stepped away from freelance conference production work and leading in-person moms support groups and truly embraced my global coaching and information marketing business … I fine-tuned my niche a few times to best represent the types of women I wanted to serve … I had a child and was pregnant with baby #2 … I moved from the bright lights of New York City to the cultured country of the Berkshires … and I let go of some relationships that sucked me dry (that’s what energy vampires will do if you let them) to focus on spending time with people who fueled me and got me.

So in January of last year, I wanted to ensure that what I was creating in the world was still in line with the evolved vision I had for my life. I’d fallen in the trap of doing work in the past that robbed me of my top values of freedom, flexibility and family … and you’d better believe that I wasn’t going back there. It sucks.

Because I believe in getting HELP from experts, teachers and guides (the best investment you can make is on your own education and growth), I hired a top mentor to guide me on this quest: Fabienne Fredrickson of www.clientattraction.com.

Me + Fabienne after my "hot seat". What an experience!

It was faith over fear that allowed me to fork over $2,000 for the chance to spend the day with her and a handful of other heart-centered entrepreneurs for our coaching intensive meeting. Gulp.

Of course there was a massive snowstorm the day before our meeting, so much so that my mom (who flew up from Florida to watch my son) suggested that perhaps the meeting would be cancelled. But I wouldn’t be derailed. Your dreams have a way of pushing you like that once you’ve tapped into what those dreams are.

So off I went for my 3-hour drive to Stamford, Connecticut, 6 months pregnant and all. The roads were full of snow, but I enjoyed the ride, drove slow and steady, and stayed focused on my quest.

The day with Fabienne and the others was spectacular. It was there, while I was up in the “hot seat,” that I got clear about so many things:

• My message: “Find Your Path. Leave a Legacy. Enjoy the Ride.”
• My legacy: Empowering women (you!) to be gutsy leaders in sharing your gift with the world
• My next “big” move that will change everything: Writing my book
• Clarity around who I am: A lightworker
• How to share my big work with the world without losing my connection to my family or to myself
• How to think bigger and break through fear
• Why holding myself back hurts more than just me
• Why being coached by someone whose walked the road I want to walk shortens my learning curve and makes my life a ton easier and more fun

I immediately went home and started hosting this transformative days for my clients (how could I hold back something as transformative as what I had experienced?!), only I designed them as private VIP days for one client and myself … and they were spectacular. (You can read more about those days here).

Well, fast forward one year and here I am, about to host one of these days in New York City (my former home) for a handful of smart, savvy ladies who are ready to break free from a blah life, from a life that looks good on the outside, but is painfully not “you” anymore (or was it ever?) on the inside.

It’s the VIP Coaching Intensive, it’s happening in 11 days, and it’s freakin’ amazing. (And it’s priced very affordably at a lot less than $2,000!)

And if you’ve been considering it, but have been afraid to take the leap, well it’s time to learn from Dr. King and take that step even IF you can’t see the whole staircase. That’s exactly what one of the gals who has stepped up to join me has done.

Read her words …

“Dear Jenny,

I don’t have ANY money and I didn’t hesitate for one second. I will be living the next few months on CREDIT with an abundance mindset and after I pay my income taxes there will be money left over to pay off my accrued credit card debt! Can I put a price on my sanity or having a great 11 months? Nope and if I could I’m sure it would be a lot more than I paid! I remembered “JFDI” from the first phone call I listened to of yours. Plus, I missed the Retreat for Goddesses this past summer and planned on going this summer so to me it’s like getting NYC FREE and the 3-day Retreat at a great price!” – Julia Slike, Independent Senior Director of Thirty-One Gifts

You’ll notice Julia mentioned that she scored a complimentary registration to the Retreat for Goddesses. She’s a smart cookie! Well, in the spirit of wanting you to experience the transformation that awaits you at BOTH the VIP Coaching Intensive this month AND the Retreat for Goddesses this summer, I’ve decided to offer you this chance to score your complimentary registration to the retreat (your travel and lodging costs are additional) when you apply and are accepted into the VIP Coaching Intensive … but this offer DISAPPEARS midnight tomorrow, January 17.

You’re not going to want to miss either experience. I promise.

Get all the details here and put your faith in action.

I’ll sign off today with another fantastic quote by Dr. King. Let it sink in … there is so much truth in it, it brings me to tears …

“If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”

Sending you love, faith and purpose in abundant measures.

xoxo

Jenny

P.S. If you’re wondering, “JFDI” means: “Just freakin’ do it.”

P.P.S. It’s okay if you share this with a friend. Sure, the offer I laid out above can be transferred, but only until TOMORROW at midnight Eastern.

My yoga teacher shared this gem of a poem in class over the weekend. It’s one of the most profound metaphors for making change and not falling in the same trap that I’ve ever heard. Do you agree?

Here it is …

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost . . . I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

***************

Learn to Create a Kick-A** Life

Are you ready to take a new street in your life, career, business, relationships, health and wellness, finances? Committed to having more meaningful experiences every day? Wanna have fun?

Two things you’ll need: guts and support.

There are a lot of free resources in the Reveler membership tier of the brand *new* Gutsy Goddess Society. I encourage you to to use these.

I’m also offering 3 other membership tiers of the Gutsy Goddess Society – Rebel, Renegade and Rockstar. You can sign up at 50% off for the Rebel tier through Thursday, October 13 and get access to info and support that will set your world on fire.

For those of you wanting access to your own private coach, mastermind support group, virtual training, 24/7 forum, and a complimentary VIP ticket to the 2012 Retreat for Goddesses, you’ll want to apply for membership to the Renegade or Rockstar tiers (6 spots remaining). It’s time to quit making excuses, stop holding yourself back, and get moving on a sparkly path to living your dreams. Why not?

The Gutsy Goddess Society.

Happy Monday, beautiful.

xoxo

I’ve been in somewhat of a fog since returning home from Ali Brown’s amazing SHINE event in Las Vegas.   Sure, part of me achieved brilliant clarity, but another part of me was thrown for a loop emotionally, spiritually and physically.  (What can I say? I’m a Gemini.) Being tossed around is a good thing though … means I’m alive … and kicking.

People keep asking me when I’ll blog about my trip.  This post has been percolating in my head for days.  I’ve just been waiting for the right time to sit down and write.  As a work-at-home mom balancing business, motherhood, marriage and me, finding time to THINK and WRITE is often my biggest challenge … and most amazing self-discovery process.  I LOVE writing.  My heart sparkles when I write.  Know what I mean?

In addition to adjusting to jet-lag, I’ve been reading the beautiful, poignant, provocative summaries from my fellow SHINY women (like Alexis Martin Neely, Elizabeth Potts Weinstein and Leesa Barnes) and trying to learn from their experiences while keeping my experience, well, mine.  I have to admit, sometimes I’m intimidated by more senior, successful women … and think they must have more answers than I do.  So I check in with myself regularly and remember that my biggest teacher is myself. Then I remind myself that “success” can be interpreted LOTS of different ways.

So … how do I summarize 3 days of mind-blowing connections, content and growth? My top 10 a-ha’s from SHINE:

1. Clarity attracts $$

Want to make more money?  Get clear about what you do and who you serve.  If it takes you more than 10 seconds to explain your business to a stranger, you’re muddy.   Be crystal clear about your mission.  Don’t assume ANYTHING.  People have very short attention spans.  It’s your job to make “getting” your business and knowing how to work with you EASY.

2. Want bigger results?  Get a flip chart

Okay, this may seem funny, but it’s not a joke.  How can you think big and map out your grand plan on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper (or on your computer screen)?  Our minds want to explore and play and draw.  Invite your creative muse for a flip chart adventure.  I’ve never had a flip chart in my biz (used them in the corporate world all the time) … until now.   Genius!

3. Listen for clues

If you want to hone in on your niche or create new offerings, become a detective.  Listen for clues.  People are telling you what they want and what would make their lives better all the time.   You’ve got a focus group brewing right under your nose.  Listen, learn, take action.

4. My purpose + my business’ purpose are not the same

Prior to SHINE, I seriously thought my purpose and my business’ purpose were one and the same.  Not so.  My purpose is to inspire and empower women (through coaching, support groups, and the written word).  My business’ purpose is to make money.  It’s really that simple.  My business is the vehicle for allowing me to live my purpose.  My goal for 2010: allow my business to fulfill its potential … while inspiring an amazing group of passionate women and moms.

5. Sometimes you have to go fetal

Inc. 500 CEO Ali Brown shared some fascinating news: she cries every day.  I would have thought a successful woman like her is too strong to cry that often.  I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to hear her share her vulnerability with us.  Her tip: sometimes you have to go fetal.  Sometimes you’ve gotta curl up in a ball and feel the fear.  Thanks for giving me permission to be soft, feminine and real.  The next time I’m scared, I’ll allow the fear to flow through me instead of resisting the feeling.

Growth is often uncomfortable and inconvenient.  Write that down.  It’s huge.

6. If you want to go up, you gotta show up

Want to move to the next level in business and life?  Don’t shrink.  Show up … consistently.  Share your truth, walk your walk, just do it.  I’ll take it a step further and say that it’s more than just showing up.  It’s then following up and following through.

7. ADD is good

Increase your impact and efficiency (and stop driving yourself crazy):

A = automate

D = delegate

D = delete

Automate tasks that can be.  Delegate tasks that don’t allow you to create and drive growth (think about hiring a Virtual Assistant NOW.  My pal Donna Toothaker’s company is a great resource). Delete tasks that don’t support your vision and mission.  There are things you are doing now that can be eliminated immediately … freeing you up for more valuable pursuits.

8. Don’t go for correctness, go for connection

If you’re waiting for perfection before you launch your business, introduce a new offering, approach someone about a joint venture, you’ll be waiting forever.  Don’t overthink. All you have to do is connect.  Speak to your customers, clients, potential partners as if they are real people (they are!).  That is all.

9. Fake it ‘til you make it

A lot has been said in other SHINE wrap-ups about some of the uber-successful keynote speakers “lying” to get ahead.  Some people had an issue about these lies.  I did not.  And I’m a woman who values honesty.  So why didn’t I get upset about these “lies”?  I saw them as white lies (i.e. no one was hurt in the process).  Some of the most successful people  (men and women) in the world “acted as if” to achieve their vision.  They saw opportunity and jumped on it.  No harm, no foul.

10. Mentors make the difference

I’ve been looking for a mentor for a long time … and now I know WHY.  Mentors, coaches, guides are the KEY to your success.  You can be a woman with TONS of moxie and know-how, but nothing will fast-track your growth (personal and business) like someone who believes in you, gets you, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and helps hold you accountable.

11. Get in the hot seat

(I got so excited while writing … and couldn’t keep my a-ha’s to just 10.)

I had the pleasure of getting selected by Ali and James Roche for the HOT SEAT at SHINE (pictured in this post).  Lucky me.  I had a LIVE BUSINESS MAKEOVER on-stage in front of the entire audience.  I never would have been picked if I hadn’t applied for the opportunity … and I wrote my application FULLY believing I would be picked.  I wanted it that bad.  What an experience … a full recap is another blog post in the making.  (I got so many ideas, connections and good energy after my hot seat experience.  It was SO worth taking that leap.)

The point here is you’ve gotta strap yourself in to your own hot seat on a daily basis.  Put yourself out there.  Get feedback.  Synthesize and get moving.

GRATITUDE

Special thanks to Ali for sharing her energy and vision with the world.  She’s playing big and it shows.  She exemplifies her brand and reminds us all to be our brand, be ourselves, be our best.  Ali’s ability to attract such amazingly talented women (and some cool guys, too!) is a gift to entrepreneurs.

My deepest gratitude to everyone at SHINE.  There was a reason I was compelled to attend this event (I even sold my wedding dress to help fund my trip).  YOU are the reason why I was pulled.

Let’s keep doing this.  Let’s keep rockin’. Why?  You know why.  And if you ever get frustrated and scared and think about quitting … just remember this one reason:

So we don’t have to get a J-O-B (as raw food coach Karen Knowler so eloquently says in her fab British accent).

xoxo

Jenny