Have The Life You Love! | Smart Women Smart Solutions

Smart Women Get a “Personal” Check-up

February 5, 2009 By Joy Chudacoff

Recently, my husband Greg was in the hospital for a health issue. 02-05-09doctor He started in the emergency room and was eventually admitted to the hospital. This experience created a lot of thought and reflection for me on many levels. One that I think might be helpful to you is how Smart Women occasionally need a personal or business check-up if they are to truly realize their Big Idea, Dreams, and Goals. This week, I’m going to offer you some simple solutions on your “personal” check-up. Next week, I’ll share some reflections and simple solutions on your “business” check-up.

“What am I passionate about?” “What am I called to do?” “What would provide me with a happy fulfilled life each and every day?” I asked myself these questions 8 years ago. I knew I deserved to wake up every day full of energy and anticipation. Unfortunately, there is no “magic” pill that provided the answers. I needed help. I made a decision to get my own “personal” checkup, and went through a process of evaluation. Follow these easy, simple solutions that I’ve created for you to begin your “personal” checkup:

Get Connected With an Expert – Ask the “Right” Questions. During Greg’s entire stay at the hospital, there was one constant at all times: He was asked questions, a lot of questions. And when you thought there could be no more questions, the experts asked more questions. Why? To clarify what was really going on; to get focused on what seemed to be the root of the problem. It’s important to spend some quiet time thinking about where you are right now in your life and ask some clarifying questions: What’s working? What’s not working? What do I need to change? What do I need to let go of? Get connected to a coach, mentor, or other wise individual that can help you ask the “right” questions so you can get on the right path to a life that you love waking up to every day.

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Smart Women Ignite Their Fire

February 2, 2009 By Joy Chudacoff

01-29-09candle1 As I was getting ready for a day of skiing on a recent family ski trip, I had one goal in mind: Stay warm! I knew it was going to be cold and windy that day, and I wanted to make sure that I kept my body heat inside. This got me thinking about how Smart Women who are living a life filled with passion and purpose do just the opposite: They give themselves permission to release their “fire” of desire and passion out into the world.

As women, we can spend years–if not decades–keeping our “fire” of desire and passion inside of us. We hold our Big Ideas, dreams, and goals at our core because we are nurturers by nature and put others’ needs ahead of ourselves. We give care and support to family, friends, colleagues, and community. The great misfortune is that if we’re not careful, our fire can get blown out or extinguished. Unsupported, we begin to have conversations with our committee of one about how our Big Idea or Dream “would never work, it’s not possible, what was I thinking?” Even worse, if we can become courageous enough to share an idea with someone, we often find a negative judgment or criticism about the “fire” of desire and passion we hold so close in our heart, soul, and core of our being.

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Filed Under: Big Ideas & Goals, Have The Life You Love!, Smart Women Articles Tagged With: Dreams, passion

Smart Women Have Dreams Too!

January 22, 2009 By Joy Chudacoff

My son Jack came home from school today with an excited, “Yippee Mom, there’s no school next Monday because it’s Martin Luther King Day!” A few minutes later he comes running back into the kitchen and asks, “Mom, who is Martin Luther King anyway?” Wow—what a question. How do I answer that one and still have time to get dinner on the table?

So here goes. Martin Luther King was a man who lived in courage and vision every day of his life. He was a man who most likely lived in fear and faced challenges for pursing his dreams and convictions. In August of 1963, he gave a speech entitled, “I Have A Dream”, which changed the way this country saw equality and fairness forever.

What, you might ask, does this have to do with Smart Women? Well, a lot actually. Many times women live other people’s dreams. Not because we don’t have any of our own. You all know that I believe we are the most creative beings on earth with Big Ideas. Many times we don’t even realize that we are not connected to our dreams and desires. Women are so busy helping others to realize their dreams, (family, friends, co-workers) that we don’t take the time to ask ourselves the question, “What am I dreaming about?” “What’s my vision for my future?” And… “Do I have the courage to act on this dream and vision?”

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Filed Under: Big Ideas & Goals, Have The Life You Love!, Smart Women Articles Tagged With: Dreams, goals

Smart Women Know What They Want

December 22, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Last week, after my husband Greg read my article “Smart Women Are a Lot Like Rocket Ships,” he had an interesting question: He said, “Every week you write about the same thing—making your Big Idea happen, Reaching your Goals and Dreams, getting the right support, blah, blah, blah… when are you going to write about something else?”

Being a woman who encourages new ideas and new perspectives, I went off to take a bubble bath (a nightly self-care ritual!) and to reflect on his question.

In my work with women, the foundation is always around passionate and purposeful living. In order to live a life full of unlimited energy filled with passion and purpose, you will be making big things happen in your life. You will be connecting with your Big Ideas, dreams and goals. You will seek and find the proper support to help you achieve your goals. This becomes a way of life for women who choose to live without boundaries around what they can and deserve to accomplish.

Smart Women Know How to Work the Puzzle

October 30, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

This morning, my 6-year-old daughter Jenna decided to work a new puzzle that she received for her birthday. The puzzle, when put together, would represent our solar system. She dumped the pieces out all over the floor and began to realize how “big” this process was for her.

I could feel and see that she was becoming overwhelmed. I sat down with her and asked if it might be a good idea to place the cover of the box in a place where she could refer to the “big picture”—what the puzzle would look like when she’s all done. She agreed and set to work turning over each piece, getting organized, and putting the pieces that looked similar together.

This got me thinking about how Smart Women create a blueprint of what their lives and work should look like, get organized, and then put the pieces where they need to go.

In our personal and professional lives, when a change or transition is looming we can become anxious about what this might mean for us moving forward. Sometimes we want to “dump” our options out all over the floor and quickly choose something so that we can get on with our lives. Change can be a challenge, especially if we have not given ourselves the quiet space and time to reflect on all of the different puzzle pieces in our lives and our businesses. The key is to focus on where we want to go in our lives and create a framework or blueprint to reflect this. It’s important to see the “big picture” and then look at what puzzle pieces would make it come together in the most effective way.

In our personal lives, we need to ask ourselves what’s most meaningful to us right now: self-care, relationships, family, friends, career, community involvement. These are just a few pieces of the puzzle called a woman’s life. We have to reflect and explore which pieces of the puzzle would bring the blueprint of our lives together in the most meaningful way. What makes the most sense right now? What feels “right?” Which pieces seem to fit together?

Smart Women Visit the Magic Kingdom

October 16, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Recently, our family took a trip to the “happiest place on earth”—Disneyland! As we made our way to the Magic Kingdom, I noticed a large sign hanging over the entrance that read, “Where old friends meet for the very first time.” I began to smile. This got me thinking about how Smart Women take time to reconnect with their old friend—the authentic self.

Sometimes, our lives are moving at such a fast pace, we can become disconnected from what’s truly meaningful in both our personal and professional lives. We are so busy “doing” everything for everyone around us that we lose touch with that part of us that knows what we should be making time for. Your authentic self is like an old friend. She is secure in knowing exactly who you are and what you are passionate about. She knows every gift you possess and can help you access them. The challenge, of course, is staying connected to this old friend. Life, with its many twists and turns, brings about such “busyness” that we often find ourselves too tired at the end of the day to stay connected to our authentic self.

If you are a woman in business, the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey is about realizing a Big Idea with passion and purpose. You begin to navigate a course to accomplish your goals. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation. Somewhere along the way, you can get off course in your business by working “in” your business rather than working “on” your business. If you are always working the day to day tasks and never giving yourself the creative space to vision the future of your business, the chances of optimal growth are minimal. In my Women’s Success Circles, the space for possibility thinking and a plan to support women in their vision is created so that they can realize their Big Idea.

Smart Women Get Off the Fence

October 9, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

While driving along Sunset Blvd. a few days ago, I thought about a conversation I had earlier that morning with a friend about how difficult it is for some people to make a decision. This process can be a challenge and create a lot of anxiety. I’m not sure if people are aware that “sitting on the fence” when it comes to making decisions takes a serious toll on their energy levels and their lives.

I see many people struggle with decision-making. We live in the question in many areas of our lives—where to live, where to send our children to school, what kind of car to drive, who to vote for, should we go back to work or should we stay at home with our children, what to wear, where to eat. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Why do we have such a difficult time making decisions? One reason might be that we care a lot about what other people think of our decisions. There was a time in my 20’s and 30’s where others’ opinions really mattered to me. I wanted to make the “right” choice so I could be with the “right” crowd. Today, in my 40’s, I make my decisions based on my own passion and purpose and what’s most meaningful to me. I ask myself if this decision will move my journey forward and, if it will, then I take action on it.

When you avoid making decisions, it takes a much greater toll on your life than you might suspect. “Sitting on the fence” between decision and indecision zaps so much energy from our body and soul. Imagine the energy and concentration that it takes every minute of every day by not making a decision for or against an idea or an action. It’s important to become clear about what you want in your life.

Smart Women Create the Right Web

October 7, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Earlier this week, I was taking an early morning walk with a good friend and smart woman and we ran into a few spider webs (literally!). It’s the time of year when spiders are spinning and carefully crafting their webs together in a way that will serve and protect them. This got me thinking about how Smart Women always create a strong and sturdy web in their lives both at work and at home.

If you look up the word “web” in the dictionary, one of the definitions is “anything put together in a careful way.” It’s essential that women take the time to put their lives together in a careful and thoughtful way. Why? There are so many options and opportunities for women in the world today. You have so many choices on how you choose to live your life. What’s most important is to make those choices authentically.

And then from that place of authenticity, spin your life together, design and build it with energy and passion. Let it be a life that soars with meaning to you, the designer. If you choose not to do this, then your life just “happens.” It can begin to unfold in unpredictable ways with no meaning or direction. Putting your authentic life together involves having people who are supportive and loving, an environment that provides relaxation, and a place for inspired creativity.

In your business life, when you have a Big Idea, dream or goal, it’s essential that you build a web that is super strong in its marketing message as well as making sure that you have solutions on how to manage your time well so that you get the right things done during your day. When my friend ran into the spider web, it was a challenge to pull all of the sticky threads off her hat and sweatshirt.

A well-designed spider web is very sticky. Have you created a product or service that carries a message that will “stick” with your target market? When your target market needs your product or service, do they immediately think of you or someone else? A spider knows that in order to build a strong web, she needs the support of strong tree branches to protect her from the wind and other elements. This is true for you as well. Having a strong support system in your life (both personally and professionally) is key to making it happen—to help you go to the next level.

Smart Women Know the Difference between a Job and a “Calling”

September 26, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

I am fortunate to spend time with a lot of Smart Women. A topic that comes up on a regular basis is this idea of a job vs. a “calling.” What’s the difference? How do you know what a “calling” is? Jobs are something that we do in our lives to keep ourselves and our families together. A “calling” is when our true purpose, our life’s work, is discovered.

I think most women would prefer a “calling” rather than a job. Why? Because jobs are too small for us. We are destined to do something more meaningful with our lives, our gifts. So why do we resist? Well, jobs are critical. We do need to “earn a living.” And “earning a living” gets in the way of the exploration to look for and reveal our “calling.”

We hesitate to answer the call from our authentic self, especially as we move into midlife. We become torn by the realities of being mothers and daughters—of taking care of our children and possibly our aging parents. We also become susceptible to accepting comfort and predictability. Predictability is typically the choice we make because, well, it’s predictable. We have a guarantee. Making a new or different choice creates an unknown, a mystery of sorts. Many women will ask the question, “Is it possible that I do not have a calling”? The truth is, we are all chosen. We all get the call. The challenge is making a decision to embrace your “calling” once you make this marvelous discovery.

Smart Women Practice Gratitude

September 18, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Last week, I was at my Mastermind Meeting and my good friend and Smart Woman, Chellie Campbell, mentioned that she had read an article on how expressing gratitude may be one of the keys to being a happier, healthier person. The very next day, I picked up a magazine which actually cited compelling research on how being grateful or showing appreciation can lead to a happier, healthier, more productive life. Hmmm… two times in two days? This got me thinking about how Smart Women practice gratitude.

When we look for new ways to up our happiness quotient, we typically go out and buy a new pair of shoes or a new purse. Maybe we go to the spa for a day. And when it’s time to think about getting healthy, the first idea that comes to mind is, “I need to exercise more and eat less.” The article I read in the September issue of Body and Soul was about a 9-week study conducted by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology where one group kept a daily gratitude journal and the other group kept a list of the hassles in their lives. At the end of the 9 weeks, the thankful group appeared happier, healthier, and had spent more time exercising—up to 80 minutes more per week. The other group stayed the same with little or no change in attitude or health.

I view myself as a grateful person. However, this article gave new meaning to this simple, but not always easy to follow, practice. It’s simple because all you have to do is think positive, grateful “thank you” thoughts. It’s not always easy because some days feel like a big challenge. When you are having “one of those days” (and ladies, you know what I’m referring to), it’s easy to revert back to “woe is me.”

I have found myself becoming a more grateful woman over the last few years. When I was in my 20’s and 30’s, I was in the “pursuit of happiness” in the form of new cars, clothes, lavish vacations, etc. Now that I’m in my 40’s, I find myself more grateful for things that have less material value: walking my children to school, holding their small hands, enjoying a deep and meaningful conversation with my husband or a trusted friend.

Smart Women Are In Control of Their Ride

September 11, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

This summer, our family went to an amusement park in Park City, Utah, for a day of fun. When you take the chairlift up to the top of the mountain, one of the rides offered is the Alpine Slider. The Alpine Slider is a bobsled track that runs for about 3000 feet down the mountain. As we approached the starting gate, there was a very large sign that read: “WARNING! YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR RIDE.” I laughed out loud! My immediate thought? “Well, I should hope so!” And away I went down the mountain with my daughter sitting in my lap. This got me thinking about how Smart Women are in control of their ride—I’m referring to this ride called a life full of energy, passion, and purpose.

I can recall periods in my life when I did not feel completely in control. This idea can seem a bit like a fantasy. After all, we have businesses, careers, families, and other activities that demand so much of us, our time, and our day. When we finally get control of our time, it’s 9:00 at night and we are too exhausted to do anything! And in some cases, even though we don’t always realize it, we allow others to be in control of our lives. There are times when we are faced with a decision and we can become “stuck” or unsure that our ideas or choices could be the “right” ones for us.

Here’s the good news and bad news: You really are in control of your ride throughout your life. It can be full of energy and passion or it can be heavy and full of despair. It can go fast or it can go slow. Your life can be reckless or controlled and full of more of the things that you want to have happen. You see, you are in the driver’s seat. What’s essential before taking the ride is making sure that you decide where you are going and how fast you want to get there.

Smart Women Have No Boundaries

August 14, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Our family is vacationing in Park City, Utah this month. I enjoy sitting on the deck which overlooks a large pond that is frequented by ducks and geese. It’s a peaceful, quiet place to sit and ponder a meaningful life filled with passion and purpose.

The other day, I noticed the gardener mowing the enormous piece of land around the pond. What I found most interesting was how he created a boundary between the land and the pond. He left the grass and weeds a bit high between the pond and the ground around our deck. It created a “boundary” for people walking by. As a matter of fact, I’ve noticed that my children will not cross that area. Greg and I have not said anything to them about the pond and yet, this “boundary” created the idea, “do not trespass.”

This got me thinking about the “boundaries” that live within us as we walk through life.

The journey from being a child to becoming an adult is one that can be filled with lessons and advice that do not always benefit us later in life. Although these messages may be filled with love and good intentions, they can sometimes keep us from crossing our own “imaginary boundaries” into realizing our Big ideas, dreams, and goals.

Smart Women Get a “Personal” Check-up

Smart Women Ignite Their Fire

Smart Women Have Dreams Too!

Smart Women Know What They Want

Smart Women Know How to Work the Puzzle

Smart Women Visit the Magic Kingdom

Smart Women Get Off the Fence

Smart Women Create the Right Web

Smart Women Know the Difference between a Job and a “Calling”

Smart Women Practice Gratitude

Smart Women Are In Control of Their Ride

Smart Women Have No Boundaries

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