2018 was a wild one.
In true WILD fashion, the year went out like a LION. I felt A LOT of energy on New Year’s Eve. How about you?
That intense energy needed to simmer down a bit for me to sit down and write this year in review. I had so many highlights and lessons swimming around in my mind. The hardest part was carving out the space to simply write.
3 young kids + lots of sports + Christmas festivities + me needing a break + Sean’s upcoming 10th birthday = my reality.
And frankly, I don’t HAVE TO write this. The online business police will not come and arrest me for not writing a year in review.
I’m writing because I WANT to write this. Because it’s so helpful to look at what happened last year. So I can celebrate my progress and remember what I’ve learned. When I know something to be be true for me and my business, I don’t have to re-learn that lesson. I’m all set. This contributes to bigger strides and less drama.
You should know that I wrote this while on a social media sabbatical. I’ve freed up so much space in my brain with this short break. If you don’t take regular getaways from social media, I HIGHLY suggest playing with this in 2019. Say hello to MORE SPACE IN YOUR BRAIN.
Here we go … 10 powerful lessons from a wild 2018!
1. Run more experiments.
As we started 2018, I felt something new coming through. I’d been leading my mastermind and coaching school for several years, but I hadn’t created a new program in quite some time. My interests were evolving. My kids were getting bigger. I wanted to shake things up. I wanted to have the courage to fully follow my intuition and see where that would lead me.
In early January, I took a trip to Salem, Massachusetts (yes, the place of the famous Salem witch trials) with my friend Sarah after reading the book “Witch” by Lisa Lister. That book spoke to me so deeply it’s hard to put into words. The Salem visit gave me the creative inspiration I needed to introduce my first experiment of the year >> a new program about activating your intuition in business so you can do less and make more.
Intuitive Power was designed around the phases of the moon and was SO FUN to lead.
I led Intuitive Power live twice in 2018, and invested in a Facebook ads team and ads for the launch in the fall.
Intuitive Power led to the creation of =====> Program Creatrix, a program teaching you how to create, launch and lead group programs and retreats. I have been designing and launching group programs for more than 15 years. It felt incredible to put my process into a program and teach it to women ready to help more people and generate more consistent cash flow.
I led Program Creatrix live twice in 2018.
Intuitive Power and Program Creatrix led to the creation of =====> Power Brand Camp, which was a play on the energy of summer camp since I led it live in the summer. I took my experience around building solid brands and led 6 trainings live in our Facebook group over the course of 3 weeks. It was a total blast.
Over the summer I also partnered with two women to share their great work with my people.
The first woman I partnered with was Gabby Bernstein. I am an alum of Spirit Junkie Masterclass – Levels 1 and 2 and I had finally had space in my calendar to come on board as an affiliate partner for the Spirit Junkie Masterclass Digital launch. I again hired my Facebook ads team for this launch and allocated budget to invest in ads. This paid off pretty well for my first time promoting this program. I also interviewed Gabby for my podcast.
The second woman I partnered with came as a total surprise to me. I joined Amanda Tress’ FASTer Way to Fat Loss to get healthier and stronger. And started sharing my joy on social media and then my community and friends started joining at my recommendation. It was the easiest program to share! I’ve referred more than 40 women to the program since August 2018 and am now one of the top influencers! I basically get paid for being healthy and talking about it (tip: you can do this too). OMG > what fun!
Amanda was also a guest on my podcast. Her journey is very inspiring!
After close to 3 years, I retired my mastermind GLOW. I had done with GLOW all I wanted to and it was time to make space for something else. It’s a bit scary to step into the void of the unknown, but it always pays off. You simply must be patient and stay in faith.
2 new programs showed themselves to me last fall and I knew they both were meant to be created by me. The tricky part was that they both wanted to be created around the same time!
MAGIC MAKERS is a 1-year power circle for women ready to supercharge your intuition, income + impact by doing less + making more. We create and connect harnessing the energy of the moon, the seasons, your intuition, and our circle of incredible women leaders.
I intentionally chose NOT to make it a monthly membership because I want to create a TIGHT COMMUNITY without the revolving door energy that often comes with memberships. I also only want to work with women who are ALL IN and understand the power of making a solid commitment and following through. The women we have in MAGIC MAKERS already (around 30!) are INCREDIBLE. We are in for a powerful journey together.
I’ve been leading a mastermind since 2011. I LOVE this type of program. It’s high-end and totally intense (in the best of ways). The growth that happens for my clients and me is truly extraordinary.
With the space that opened up after GLOW and the way I was feeling about what’s happening in the world and in America especially, I knew that I wanted to lead something substantial. Something that would allow my clients to TAKE A STAND for what matters and to dramatically increase their visibility and position in the market.
TAKE A STAND MASTERMIND was born. This is the ultimate coaching experience + visibility boost for gutsy women ready to change the world. (And mastermind clients also get hooked up with a spot in MAGIC MAKERS – I love how it all came together so beautifully in its design!)
At first I thought I’d aim to fill the group with around 10 women. But I changed my mind.
I’m keeping the group to around 4 or 5. I want to go deep with my clients as they also get 1:1 coaching support from me.
I’m thrilled to report that these experiments led to more than $100,000 in NEW money and cash received in 2018 (contracted sales are much higher and will continue to provide revenue in 2019). These brand new revenue streams did not exist in 2017. I am grateful I was willing to follow my curiosity, run some solid experiments, give them my best effort, and be unattached to the results. The business is so much stronger now!
The most exciting part is that I am SOOOO excited about the programs I’m leading in 2019 and the high caliber of leaders we are serving. I am an artist and I MUST CREATE. Creating my art allows me to lead at my highest capacity.
My message for you >> Have the courage to experiment and expand. Feel into the truth that you will create something out of thin air this year that will change the world for the better. Say YES.
2. Life is better in the woods, running with the wolves (or dogs).
I was a voracious reader in 2018 (full list of books read is in #4 below). I read a book that had been on my “to read” list for 20 years. I finally read “Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
That’s what I have to say about this book.
I gifted the book to my mastermind clients and we read it together. We discussed it in Costa Rica on a retreat.
This book should be required reading for women.
“This is how she learned that it is true what they say, that the wolf is the wisest of all. If you listen closely, the wolf in its howling is always asking the most important question – not where is the next food, not where is the next fight, not where is the next dance? – but the most important question in order to see into and behind, to weigh the value of all that lives,
wooooooooor
aieeeee th’
soooooooool?
wooooooooor
aieeeee th’
soooooooool?
Where is the soul?
Where is the soul?
Go out in the woods, go out. If you don’t go out in the woods, nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin.
The message from this book deeply supported my “run more experiments” experiment.
So does the fact that I live in the woods. It’s been more than 8 years since I moved here from New York City and I have ZERO regrets. I love living in the woods with my family. I got the piece of art (in the photo above) to hang in my house to remind me how awesome the woods are.
And do you know who I run through the woods with? My wolf AKA new DOG Winnie. I said I would NEVER get a dog. Never say never 🙂
I’ve learned to truly embrace my wild side. Nourish my creative life like my life depends on it (it does).
I love that my kids are growing up in the “cultured country” as I like to call the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
We have the most amazing homeschool resources for Sean and Luke. And the sweetest Early Childhood program for my daughter Kate. Steven and I share the homeschooling responsibilities along with fantastic teachers who support the education.
My question for you >> has your life truly begun?
3. You mustn’t respond to everything. You needn’t react to anything.
Okay, I admit I’ve been working with this respond vs react concept for a while now. Up until last year, I thought it was either respond OR react (with “responding” typically being a wiser approach).
But this year a powerful message came through me that set the record straight >> “You mustn’t respond to everything. You needn’t react to anything.”
As a recovering perfectionist, this is HUGE.
I was voted Most Reliable in high school.
I was taught as a kid that I MUST RESPOND TO EVERYTHING IMMEDIATELY … or else.
Now I know >> I don’t have to. And I truly can’t.
I don’t have to reply to every message (FB message, email, text, phone call, Voxer) that comes in (and I don’t). I don’t need to respond to every request. I don’t need to respond to every social media question, comment, like or anything. I simply don’t have time for that. Or the desire.
My assistant handles responding to emails in our support mailbox (in addition to A LOT more things she handles). And this year I will be delegating even more to her. I want to solely spend time in my ZONE OF GENIUS.
I want to go even deeper with THE WORK.
There is so much freedom that comes from deciding how you want to do life.
My focus is on my health, my family, my mission, my business and my magic.
In my business, I’m all about systems and tools.
I use very little email.
We use a project management tool to move projects forward. Everyday I’m working, I go into this tool – Asana – to see how we’re doing on projects, answer questions, and to move my tasks forward.
My private clients have access to me through a powerful tool called Voxer.
I have hired mentor coaches to nurture the private Facebook group for my new program Magic Makers. These coaches are certified coaches through Get Gutsy Coach Training School and will allow me to lead Magic Makers without feeling constantly pulled into the FB group (this can be a major energetic issue you need to watch out for) because I know the women inside are being beautifully supported by my team.
My message for you: be discerning with your time. It is the most valuable asset you have.
4. Read more books and quality journalism.
I set a goal to read 50 books in 2018. I didn’t accomplish that. If I listened to books on tape (I don’t) or read on a tablet (I don’t), I could read more. But I truly LOVE holding a paper book in my hands. That’s what reading is to me. Call me old school?!
I’m giving you my full book list. You’ll notice A LOT Of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I read those with my boys as part of homeschool. I was SO sad when the series was over. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE BOOKS.
Several books on this list are children’s books and they were so fun to read with my kids! I didn’t include EVERY kids book on this list. Only the chapter books.
Books 📚 read + finished in 2018:
- “Witch” by Lisa Lister
- “Little House on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “On the Banks of Plum Creek” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “On the Shores of Silver Lake” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “The Long Winter” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “Women Who Run with the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
- “Lucky Bitch” by Denise Duffield-Thomas
- “Lunar Abundance” by Ezzie Spencer
- “Little Town on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “Wonder Book” by Isabel Wyatt
- “The Green Witch” by Aron Murphy-Hiscock
- “Luckiest Girl Alive” by Jessica Knoll
- “These Happy Golden Years” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “The First Four Years” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis
- “Moon Spells” by
- “The Good Witch’s Guide” by Shawn Robbins + Charity Bedell
- “With or Without You” by Domenica Ruta
- “Whiskey in a Teacup” by Reese Witherspoon
- “Who Was Steve Irwin?” by Dina Anastasio
- “Understanding the Borderline Mother” by Christine Anne Lawson
- “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry
- “Blackout” by Sarah Hepola
- “Never Lose a Customer Again” by Joey Coleman
- “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown
- “Made Up Of Stars” by Meera Lee Patel
- “Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks” by Stephen Davis
- “Sabbats” by Edain McCoy
I also read the New York Times daily and that feels truly important to do.
I just bought a subscription to The Atlantic and am appreciating their thoughtful journalistic pieces. And I’m a founding member of a new media company – The North Star – that will not only change the news, but change the world.
My message for you: Stop spending so much time mindlessly scrolling on your phone and READ MORE WELL-WRITTEN BOOKS AND ARTICLES. Your reading will deeply inspire your work.
5. I am a daughter of the Universe.
I was sitting in a pitch black clay hut in Mexico when I heard a voice proclaim: “I am a daughter of the Universe.”
Chills ran up and down my spine.
I was participating in a temazcal ceremony with my mastermind clients and some other women at the retreat center when I heard those words spoken by a powerful woman in our circle.
They have stuck with me ever since.
I’ve been estranged from my mother for close to 2 years now. I still have a relationship with my dad. They’ve been divorced for 3 decades so it’s not hard for me to have a relationship with one and not the other.
The choice to go “no contact” with my mom was not an easy one to make … but it gets easier everyday. Because I have chosen to live an extraordinary life utilizing all of these gifts that I have. I have chosen peace. And I’m allowed.
And I know I am a daughter of the universe. I am a child of God. I am not alone.
This knowingness has inspired me to let go of other relationships that have expired and tasks that aren’t aligned and inspired. I have very clear boundaries and do not allow anyone to cross them. I know I’m supported. I know my worth. I know I’m safe to live free and truthfully.
My message for you: You may need to shift or end certain relationships in your life to realize your fullest potential.
6. The moon is my partner. My body is my guide.
I’ve been working with the cycles of the moon for a while now. It has shifted EVERYTHING for me.
As women, our bodies flow with the cycles of the moon. Once you get this, things get easier. You understand yourself more. And you stop pushing so damn hard. You simply show up and let things flow TO YOU. Your business will grow – not because you worked HARDER, but because you worked WISER. Your impact will grow because you listened to your intuition above anyone or anything else.
Do less. Make more. You’re allowed.
My message for you: You are a sister of the moon. Co-create with her. Your body is so wise. Honor her.
7. I’m unavailable for anything less than my – and your – best.
Here’s what I know: You either want it. Or you don’t.
You’re either ALL IN or you’re OUT.
I have been 100% on-board with this mission since day 1. Even as it’s evolved and changed shape throughout the years. I’m all in.
I’m a professional. I do what I say I’ll do. I show up. I honor my commitments. I see investments as opportunities to grow my business and advance this mission.
You want to work with me? You need to show up like a pro.
As a coach, my job is to work with women to help them grow and fulfill their potential. I’ve met A LOT of women through the years. Most have been incredible.
A small percentage have flaked out on their commitment … or think it’s my job or my team’s job to chase them.
Here’s my truth: I DON’T WORK WITH FLAKES. I DON’T WORK WITH AMATEURS.
I only will work with women who are absolutely serious and committed to their craft and their business. You don’t need to be chased. You don’t need to be convinced. YOU JUST KNOW WHAT YOU’RE HERE TO DO AND NOTHING WILL STOP YOU.
These clients bring out my absolute best … and I’m unavailable for anything less.
I’m not here to discount my brilliance or yours.
I’m not here to dance around the truth of what you’re here to do. And what I’m here to do. And what will happen when we join forces to advance our missions.
There are a lot of issues in this world.
There is a lot of shit going on that’s in need of massive change.
And you can do something about it.
You’re the one you’ve been waiting for.
Don’t forget that.
Stop waiting for someone else to do the work that’s yours to do.
TAKE A STAND.
You’ll go on the ride of your life.
And help a lot of people.
You’ve gotta say YES.
Every day.
YES.
My message for you: Be a professional. Be a leader in every sense of the word. Show up to go up.
8. Clear eyes. Powerful profit.
I’ve been following Mike Michalowicz’s “Profit First” system for more than a year now. It has changed my business forever.
I’ve been sober for 3.5 years. I think my sobriety is linked to me taking a harder look at my business numbers in the last few years.
Numbers are really nothing to freak out about. When I talk to a woman who is totally triggered by money conversations or making business investments, I know she hasn’t done the work on receiving that’s so necessary to business growth and sustainability. A big part of my work as a coach is to help my clients expand their capacity to receive abundance in every form.
So I had heard about “Profit First” for years but just ignored it (I wasn’t ready to have my eyes opened). Finally I surrendered and dove in!
As a result, 2018 was the FIRST TIME in 11 years I wasn’t stressed out when quarterly taxes were due because I had the money sitting in my TAX account (vs scrambling to find it / create the cash flow).
I always had money sitting in my OWNERS COMPENSATION account. Because I deserve to get paid, consistently. I don’t worry about this. I don’t screw myself over.
That feels SO GOOD.
It also feels amazing that our profits are higher than they ever have been in the business.
Revenue was down in 2018 compared to 2017, but that’s okay with me as we spent energy and resources running new experiments and carving out a more solid position in the market.
Financial results for 2018 are still being finalized, but initial reports show that PROFITS ARE UP by close to 50%.
Because I made critical cuts in expenses that weren’t essential. I made necessary team changes that have had a big impact on the top and bottom line. I have quarterly conversations with my financial strategist. I review our P+L even when I don’t feel like it! I basically got a lot smarter with my money and where to invest. And our results show it.
My message for you: Get smart about your business finances. Don’t bury your head in the sand. Be proud of being a businesswoman who speaks the language of money. Money is energy. Money is fun.
Learn how to expand your capacity to RECEIVE. Start with receiving compliments and offers of help (when aligned).
9. Family. Leadership. Magic.
These 3 words came through while I was leading retreat in Mexico in 2018.
These are my anchors. I look at my decisions and schedule through this lens > FAMILY. LEADERSHIP. MAGIC.
This is what I’m here to teach about, live, embody.
Magic is everywhere. Most people just don’t know how to see it, touch it, taste it. But I do. I’m here to help you remember … and help you go deeper.
On the family front, my clients in my higher-end coaching programs certainly become like family to each other. It’s glorious to witness. It’s magic.
It’s also been magic to witness the homeschooling journey of my sons Sean and Luke. The fact that Steven and I can homeschool our kids (with LOTS of help from homeschool classes and tutors) while growing our own careers is THE BEST. Homeschooling has been such an epic decision for our family. It will pay dividends for the rest of our lives.
My life has required me to be a TIME NINJA. I am a fierce protector of my priorities because I legit have no time to waste on bullshit. Do you?
These time mastery techniques allow me to be the magical leader I truly am.
When you design a business AROUND your family’s needs and YOUR needs, it’s pure magic. You don’t need to choose between awesome work and time with your people and time with yourself.
And it feels SO good to significantly contribute financially to your family and your future. YOU WILL EARN WHAT YOU DECIDE YOU ARE WORTH EARNING.
I want to give my husband Steven a shoutout for supporting my dreams from the beginning. He knew I was a woman who enjoyed work. He has never stood in my way or been threatened by my success.
And I don’t stand in the way of his dreams either. We have each other’s backs.
BIG NEWS: Steven has achieved a dream of working with his favorite sports team >> the CLEVELAND BROWNS. He has been hired as the producer of their pre-season games! He interviewed for the position while I was leading retreat in Mexico. He took our boys with him. They said it was one of the highlights of their young lives seeing a football game with their dad. This summer, Steven will share his gifts with the Cleveland Browns organization! I’m so happy for him.
My message for you: What are your anchors? This can be one word or three words. Or a phrase. A mantra. Know what you’re about. And run everything that comes across your desk through that lens.
10. Stand for something.
TAKE A POSITION in 2019. Stop being so freaking wishy washy because you don’t want to offend people or not appeal to everyone with your messaging and offers.
Do right by your own soul.
Speak your truth … even when you’re afraid.
If you are passionate about politics, you can and should discuss your views. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
My mother-in-law Doris Fenig writes letters to the Editor of the New York Times multiple times a week. She is VERY opinionated and outspoken about what’s happening in our world. She’s been published dozens of times. She’s in her 80s and she’s not slowing down. She has a point of view and isn’t deterred from sharing it. SHE CARES about the future of America and the world. Doris inspires me! Allow her to inspire you too.
Seeing that I am leading a new event called TAKE A STAND Live this year here in the Berkshires AND leading TAKE A STAND MASTERMIND, expect to see me taking a stand like never before. I have some things I want to say. And I will.
Will you?
My message for you: Speak up! What are you waiting for? Stop trying to be perceived as “nice” and instead say what needs to be said. There is a difference between kind and nice. And being clear is kind. Aim to use the following mantra before speaking: is this true? is this kind? is this necessary?
Where I’m Focusing in 2019
I have a much clearer picture now of what’s worth my time and what’s not. I know where to allocate resources from the business to grow impact and profits. I know what kind of energy and support I need from my team. I will use this wisdom to the best of my ability in 2019 to advance this mission.
In addition to FAMILY ADVENTURES, SOLO QUESTS and HEALTHY LIVING, here’s where you’ll find me …
LEADING EPIC PROGRAMS
TAKE A STAND MASTERMIND + 1:1 COACHING WITH ME // The ultimate visibility booster for gutsy women ready to take a stand, take the stage and change the world.
MAGIC MAKERS // 1-year power circle for women ready to supercharge your intuition, income + impact by doing less + making more. We create and connect harnessing the energy of the moon, the seasons, your intuition, and our circle of incredible women leaders.
GET GUTSY COACH TRAINING SCHOOL // Make a difference and a great living as a spirit-led coach. Package your magic and cash in on your calling working with clients all over the world!
Next class begins in February. Apply here.
NEW LIVE EVENT
TAKE A STAND LIVE // Gather with me at the FULL MOON this May to get up close and personal with what you stand for and why. Dance and make deals with the amazing women in the room. Be inspired to make the next power move in your business.
DATES: May 18 + 19, 2019 // PLACE: Hotel on North in the gorgeous Berkshires of Massachusetts
Clients in TAKE A STAND Mastermind, MAGIC MAKERS, and the next class of Get Gutsy Coach Training School have tickets to this powerful event. We MAY open up ticket sales to the general public. Stay tuned!
USING MY INFLUENCE FOR GOOD
FASTER WAY TO FAT LOSS INFLUENCER // I’ll continue sharing this extraordinary nutrition and fitness program with my people! Groups are offered every month or so. Find out more here.
LOTS OF WRITING
It’s been 4 years since Get Gutsy was published.
Time to write another book. I’m carving out the space for this. That means more delegation to team, eliminating things that don’t matter, and staying FOCUSED on my big WHY.
PODCAST
You’ll have some GET GUTSY episodes in your ears this year. I’m not stressing about a regular production schedule. I like to keep things fluid and organic and seasonal. I am excited to share these gems with you.
MORE EXPERIMENTS + MORE TRUSTING MY GUT
This worked so well last year. I’m doubling down in 2019 and inviting YOU to join me on this quest.
Where will we ALL be at the end of 2019? Somewhere awesome. Mark my words.
Thanks for reading! And thanks for being a leader!
Here’s to an extraordinary 2019.