True Balance

A majority of the life coaching clients I play with are creative women in transition. Whether they are looking at career changes, lifestyle changes or have just begun to figure out what makes them tick, the common thread these women often share is “My well is dry.” Feeling like they do not have anything left to give and looking at me cross eyed when I recommend making some time for themselves. Too many women are totally overwhelmed by all they have to do and all of the roles they play,  praying there must be more to life than a never ending list of responsibilities.

A lucky few have decided to create a better life by stepping off of the fast paced treadmill of things to do, seemingly blasting by the essence of who they are.

If you share this feeling that your well is dry, I have a couple of questions for you.

1. What might it look like to live a life overflowing with abundance including time to be more then the roles you play?
2. How do you want to define yourself in the next chapter of your life?

When you have answered these questions you are ready to tap into an overflowing well of inspiration.

Filling your well might look like this:

• Evaluate your commitments

How much are you asking of yourself outside of work, family, and social time? Are you filling up every second of your time with tasks and responsibilities? Can you carve out an hour of time for yourself every day? What can you let go of?

• Get Silly!

One of the best teachers in my life is my daughter Marin.  This child is straight silly. While discussing what to make for dinner the other night we mentioned making big tossed salads. Within moments Marin was singing “Big Tossed Salad” and dancing around the laundry room.  Children have a way of reminding us to be silly.  Get your silly on!

• Ask For Help

When is the last time you asked a friend, peer or family member for help? Are you trying to do to much on your own? You are not meant to be a martyr. You are not weak if you ask for assistance. You are only as strong as your network of support. Reach out and allow yourself the help you need.

• Create a Collage of Beautiful Pictures

Have you ever created a collage? It’s easy. Grab a few magazines and catalogs, construction paper, glue stick and a pair of scissors and get down to business. You can quickly create your theme with bold phrases and colorful pictures that call out to you from each page. When you are finished put your collage in a space where you can admire it. If you have children this is a great activity to do together.

• Quiet reflection

Your life is a gift. You deserve more time to play and wonder where your life could lead. You do not have to be so frigging serious all the time. Lighten up and enjoy what each day brings. Part of lightening up is spending time alone in mediation or surrounded by natural beauty. You deserve peaceful time to balance how much of yourself you give away.

Nothing new here …

Just my take on how you can fill up your well and begin to enjoy the life choices you make in awareness.

Here is a helpful mantra or phrase I use when I’m feeling worn out and empty. Try it out.

“My life is a gift. I am filled with love and lightness. I deserve to be happy and fulfilled.”

How will you fill your well today?

Shann Vander Leek

Each week Marigold honors a woman business owner who has demonstrated outstanding business integrity and unwavering support for women in business.  I am honored to be the recipient of the prestigious award.

Each recipient is honored with:

• Special Marigold E-Mail Salute to 2,000 area business women
• Radio spots on 106.7 YOU-FM telling her story to all of northern Michigan
• Is the featured guest on Mary in the Morning
• Receive an engraved award at the Williams Honda Salute to Women in Business Luncheon at the Marigold Business Conference in September 2009.

Who is Marigold?

Marigold celebrates women’s economic opportunities through entrepreneurship and career development. Marigold’s passion is serving and supporting women in business, bringing together the talents of many professionals to offer high quality training programs, support groups, marketing opportunities, and technical assistance.

Tune to YOU-FM at 106.7FM or 105.5FM this Friday from 7:45-8:15 to join in the conversation with me and Mary Rogers, founder of Marigold.  For show information, click here.

Marigold Excerpt

Shann Vander Leek was a powerful sales manager in the television broadcasting industry.  After 16 years, the high stress levels of being a corporate creature was losing its appeal.   After thoughtful consideration, moving forward on the path of her dreams was the ONLY option. Shann’s leadership abilities that made her such a huge success in the business world were now affording her the opportunity to follow her passion to inspire women in transition. Congratulations Shann!

“I think too often we as women put everyone and everything first,” said Shann.  “We forget that we can give the most when we are living lives we love.  We can be the best mothers, wives, business owners or colleagues when we are feeling nurtured, fulfilled, inspired and self expressed.”

My Story

I became a certified professional coach and business owner because it gave me the chance to be completely independent and allowed me to reinvent my life on my terms.   A rich and full life dedicated to personal freedom, creative expression and the opportunity to deliver a meaningful coaching service.

After 16 successful years devoted to sales and sales management in the high powered,television broadcasting industry, it was time for a significant change. The high stress levels
of being a corporate creature and doing business in someone else’s boardroom was losing its appeal.  Even though my career path resulted in the realization of many of my goals and
dreams, I became completely disinterested in corporate culture and, unwilling to jump through any more flaming circus hoops for power and money.

After thoughtful consideration, conversations with my family and confidantes; moving forward on the path of my dreams was my ONLY option. I prepared, planned, dreamed and
schemed for 12 months.  I covered all of the bases to allow for my transition from the corporate world. I love being an entrepreneur.  I am a natural leader and find that I am
thriving by following my passion to inspire women while honoring my natural rhythm.

The birth of my daughter inspired me to become an entrepreneur along with florescent lighting and corporate politics. :-)  My family, friends and clients keep me inspired to “Show
Up” every day and keep growing personally and professionally.

I enjoy inspiring women in transition to create a more balanced way of living.  A life filled with extreme self-care.  I think too often we as women put everyone and everything first.
We will start a new business when the mortgage is paid off.   We will take yoga or art classes once the kids finish school.  We will get healthy or fit when we have more time.

My goal is to inspire as many women as possible to be willing to put themselves first, take care of their bodies, nurture their dreams, and make the best use of their talents.

My never ending curious nature along with a good supply of creative energy keeps me motivated. My mentor coach Deb Martin and my business partner at Seize True Success,
Diane Helbig have both been instrumental to my success.

The advice I share with women considering or in the beginning stages of ownership is as follows:

Figure out what you want to create and allow for a minimum of 12 months (if at all possible) to put your plan in action.

• Consider working with a coach or mentor to help you navigate the transition

• Involve your family and close friends

• Allow for setbacks and second guessing

• Set clear and specific dates of completion for each part of your transition

• Be flexible and find humor in the difficult situations.

Everything boils down to several simple ideas. Allow yourself the time to work through a serious transition, keep your family and close friends involved, allow for setbacks, work on a
reasonable time line and find humor in the day to day journey. Before you know it, you will be where you want to be - By Design.  Being in the business of inspiring people to recognize their brilliance is a blast!  The focus for the rest of my days is about inspiring women in transition to set big goals, achieve extraordinary results and create balance in their lives.

Discovering your groove and creating a luscious life is all about allowing for grace through the transition.

Learn more about my story - Walking Away From The Big Bucks In The Pursuit of True Balance in my new Best Selling book, Wake Up Women BE Happy, Healthy & Wealthy. Grab a copy today at www.truebalancelifecoaching.com or at Higher Self in Traverse City or Brilliant Books in Suttons Bay.  10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Resource Center in northern Michigan.

Thank you Marigold!

Sunset at Empire Beach

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”  -Jimi Hendrix

Create a Little Peace Today by focusing on:

Positive Thinking

- Attitude is everything … Start by choosing humor and happiness?  The next time you are cranky, think about how funny you are being all puckered up and pissed off.

Breathing

-Pay attention to your breath and watch your world settle down. Breathe in through your nostrils and fill your lungs to capacity and then exhale and let it all go. Repeat for 2 or three rounds of your breath.

Emotional Energy

-Let go of any excess baggage and learn how to tap into your happy place. Everyone has a crappy day … Learn to let it go. Say Ta Ta, Bon Voyage, Later to that big black hole of madness.

Self-Love

- Love yourself as you are - right now. You are an amazing critter. Embrace your quirks, strengths and short comings with kindness. There is nobody in the verse quite like you!

Gratitude Power

-Begin and end each day thinking about what you are thankful for. Consider writing letters of gratitude to the most important people in your life. Let them know you think they are … All kinds of alright.

Meditation

- Whether guided or silent, for one minute or one hour, make time to meditate for your soul. Do it … No excuses.

Knowing

-Your life is more important than you know. You are the author of your life’s story. What would you like to experience? Begin …

When you consciously embrace each step above you are cultivating peaceful awareness.

A little peace please …

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