Smart Women Smart Solutions» Big Idea

Smart Women Celebrate Their Independence

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:12:01 +0000

A few days each week I exercise with a few Smart Women in a park near my home that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It’s a beautiful setting that lends itself to taking your mind off the muscle pain and exhaustion from the workout! We are surrounded by magnificent sycamore and oak trees that stand strong and tall. The trees were planted and spaced apart in a very methodical way; however over time, they grew into their own independent and unique natural form with branches and limbs flowing in many different directions. This got me thinking about how Smart Women have the opportunity to stand tall and strong. You are independently unique from every other living thing on the planet; but are you making de cisions and choices that reflect the independent you?

We are “reminded” on a daily basis about who we “should” be. The covers of various magazines remind us that we should look thin and trim at all times. Our family, friends, and colleagues have their ideas of who we “should” be as well.

There have been times in my life when I wanted to be more of someone else and less of who I was. In my 20′s, I was really into fashion and fitness. I wanted to look and dress like many of the women I saw on the cover of the most popular magazines. In my 30′s, when I would meet a successful person in the business world, I wanted to emulate a lot of who they were being as I had a strong desire to be a successful entrepreneur. In my 40′s, I’m still interested in discovering effective ways of living in the world and being successful as an entrepreneur. The difference for me today in my late 40′s is that I know it’s essential to take what works for me and weave that into who I am at my core–my authentic self.

Unfortunately today, there are women and young girls in many parts of the world that do not have any freedom. There are women who are not allowed any independent actions whatsoever. Likewise, there may be a woman on your street or in your office who does not feel she has the opportunity to exercise her independence. Her personal circumstances or limiting beliefs may leave her feeling “trapped” and unable to move forward with her dreams and desires.

It’s up to you and me to lead the way. In a few days, our country will celebrate its “independence”. We are fortunate to live in a country where we can say, wear, do, or be whatever we choose.

Let me ask you a few questions:

Are you living into your Big Ideas, dreams and goals?

Are you taking advantage of the fact that you have the opportunity to be exactly who you are?

Are you walking and talking your independent thoughts?

As you move into the weekend, I invite you to reflect on who you are being now in your life and who you would like to become. The oak and sycamore trees in the park were planted to grow in a straight line along the street. Once planted, they began to take on their own independent shape and size. They are living into their uniqueness, their individual beauty, their independent growth. You are a beautiful, Smart Woman. You have your special gifts to bring to the world. Let your own brand of independence and uniqueness shine through. Take advantage of your “Independence Day” and celebrate who you are because there will never be another You.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.ProfitsWithPassion.com.

Smart Women “Live into and Find the Flow”

Joy Chudacoff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:08:37 +0000

A few days ago, I was sitting with my good friend and Smart Woman, Suzanne, in her backyard and I was complementing her on how well the yard was laid out from the play area, pool area, and lounge area. Everything flows so well in accessing the home and the backyard. Suzanne shared with me that the backyard was not designed this way when they first moved into the home. When they bought the house initially, the backyard looked a lot different. She shared that after they had lived in the house for awhile and found their flow as a family, she and her husband created a vision on how the backyard might better serve their needs. This got me thinking about how Smart Women need to “live into their Big ideas, dreams and goals finding their flow along the way”.

In my Women’s Success Circles, I sometimes find that women can get “stuck” and are afraid to take action on their ideas and dreams because they don’t have a full or complete vision on how it will all come together.

We can become fearful or resistant when we don’t have a clear plan. Although I encourage women to have a well thought out plan, sometimes just taking that initial step forward is what you need to make it happen. I had a mentor once who used to say, “Mindset first; details later.”

When I first gave birth to my business, Smart Women Smart Solutions, I had developed a model to help women in transition. It was a program that supported women who were ready to make a change in their life–both personally and professionally. I hosted Women’s Success Circles here locally around Los Angeles. That was my initial vision. As my business began to grow and ripple out into the world, it morphed and changed into something quite different. Offering my process to help women make positive change in their lives is still a “core” part of my business today. However, I now offer a host of services from public speaking to teleseminars that are steeped in the “core” of supporting women as they move their lives to the next level of success.

I started with a core vision and “lived into my work with women”. I found my flow, my rhythm.

How about you? Are you waiting for the “perfect time” to realize your Big ideas, dreams and goals? I’ve got a secret for you: There is never a perfect time for anything in life: getting married, having children, or realizing a dream that you have.

Here are a few tips for you to think about as you begin to take the steps to “live into your dreams and find your flow”.

1. Just Do It – It’s an old cliché and has been used many times, however it is quite effective if you have a Big idea or dream that is screaming to make its way into the world through you. Find a coach or other “thinking partner” and take some steps to open the door to make it happen.

2. Find Your Rhythm – When Phil Jackson, coach of the LA Lakers was asked what made the Lakers perform so well on the court, his answer was, “they have found their rhythm as a team and as individual players.” I would have never found the “rhythm” of my business if I had not put myself out there and made it happen. I had to ‘live into” the process. Those of you who have been with me over the last few years have seen the process and how my business model has changed and grown to better serve women.

3. Course-Correct – Movement always wins over meditation in business. In most situations, you can “course-correct” and change direction. The only way to get clear and focused on what your vision or your dream will ultimately be is to take those first steps to make it happen. Even if you can’t see the end, just take the action steps and it will unfold as you go along.

I firmly believe in taking action. The women I work with begin with a plan knowing that over time they will need to make changes and course-correct.

That afternoon, I was once again reminded that we all need to “live into and find the flow” in our lives and in our businesses. Take that first step: Decide what part of your Big ideas or dreams that you want to take action on and “live into it” today. Find the “flow.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at http://www.CreatingTheSpark.com.

Smart Women Have 203 Days Left

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:55:47 +0000

I live in a community that’s a lot like Mayberry. It’s a community that has a focus on family. It’s the biggest reason my husband Greg and I decided to move to Pacific Palisades. Everywhere you go there are children involved in some sort of activity: soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, music, art, drama, playing at the park. The baseball league, in particular, is quite popular. They have a well thought out program in place with an Opening Day celebration, an organized season, and Closing Ceremonies to honor the players. Our family attended the closing ceremonies last weekend and this got me thinking about how Smart Women could learn a lot from the local Pacific Palisades Baseball Association.

As I look at my calendar, you still have 203 days left to realize your Big Ideas, dreams, and goals you set for yourself at the beginning of 2009. Or maybe you weren’t in a goal setting “mode” at the beginning of the year due to the economic downturn. It doesn’t really matter where you were then. That was then. This is now. All that matters is that you stop and think about what might be important for you to accomplish in the next 203 days. Here are a few ideas that I took away from our local baseball association that could be helpful to you:

Let Today Be Your Opening Day – do you have a Big Idea, dream, or goal that you would like to take action on? Great! Let today be your opening day— declare that you will get yourself in motion to make it happen. Come together with your “nutritious” friends who champion you and tell them about your Big Idea. Ask for their support. Open a bottle of wine or another favorite drink and toast the opening day for your goals to be realized. Take some time to sit down and write out your goal. Next, create a basic idea of what you need to do first in order to accomplish your goals. Who can help you? What resources do you need to make it happen?

Practice, Practice, Practice – During the baseball season, each team had regular practice every week to improve their performance with batting, pitching, fielding—all the skills necessary to play the game. When you set out to accomplish your goal, you will need to practice as well. For example, if your goal is to get in better physical shape, you’ll need to set a schedule for which days you will exercise and what exercise you will do. If you are starting a new business, you will need to decide what form of marketing would work best to grow your business and put those into place daily, weekly, and monthly.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People – One of the great benefits for our family during the season was being in a community with people who love the game of baseball. It was great for Jack to be with a group of boys who loved the game. If Jack was told at the beginning of the season that he should come down to the park every Saturday to play some baseball and that was it, he would never have formed the relationships with the boys or improved his skills. You, too, will need a group of like-minded people around you to achieve your goals. We all need a support system of people who are on the same path. If you have a fitness goal, find others who have the same goal. In my Women’s Success Circle, this is a big part of each woman’s success. Having that Circle of women involved in their journey is immensely helpful.

Create an End of Year Celebration – one of the questions that I ask women who I am fortunate to work with is: “What will you be celebrating on December 31, 2009?” It’s a question that invites you to look ahead to what you want in your life and then create a plan to make the choices and decisions to make it happen. A celebration is a time to acknowledge your success and achievements.

Today is June 11. You have 203 days left to make it happen. Thoughts determine what you want. Actions determine what you get.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at http://www.CreatingTheSpark.com.

Smart Women Are “Plugged In”

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:02:29 +0000

A few days ago, I did something that I’ve never done before. I went hiking in the desert mountains with my good friend and Smart Woman, Debra. I’ve hiked many times in the mountains but I’d never been out in the desert mountains. This was quite a different experience for me. I highly recommend it as a way to get some exercise and see new forms of nature.

During our hike, we stumbled 0nto a conversation about how people have the option to carry a positive energy source or a negative energy source as they move through life. This got me thinking about how Smart Women are “plugged in” to a positive energy source—much like an electrical outlet.

What you think about will often manifest itself in your life in one way or another. For example, if you are continually thinking about money or the lack of it in your life, it’s possible that news ways of earning money will not present themselves to you. For example, a new opportunity may present itself, however, if you are constantly thinking about lack of money, then you might not even see the opportunity. It will pass right by you and move on to someone who is “plugged in” to a positive energy source. This person will immediately see all of the possibilities and begin to take action. What was the difference here? It was the mindset right? The way of being—open to new ideas, new possibilities. One of the exercises that I use in my Women’s Success Circles is “Reframing.” “Reframing” is choosing to adopt a mindset of looking at life’s situations in a new or different way. In other words, you are taking a situation and “reframing” it so that you can see the silver lining.

Are you “plugged in” to a positive energy source that provides you with a positive outlook on life? Are you hopeful and positive about your Big Ideas and dreams? Is your energy level unlimited for the life that you are living? Are you open to new possibilities?

In contrast, are you “unplugged?” Do you find yourself feeling blue with little or no energy? Are you living in fear? Are your hopes and dreams dashed by the current economic situation?

If you are feeling “unplugged” there is one step that you can take right away to get “plugged in” to a positive energy source. Look for and surround yourself with “nutritious” people. Spend time with people that will motivate you, champion you and support you in seeing the silver lining in your life. Yes, there are silver linings in your life. I promise you that there are possibilities in your life that you are tripping over every day. What it takes is a new mindset or getting “plugged in” to a positive energy source.

Sometimes it can be challenging to believe that a new mindset is part of what you need in order to change your life in a more positive direction. A positive mindset is not all you need to bring more of what you want in your life. It does, however, play a large role. The good news? It doesn’t cost anything. It’s free. And you don’t even have to leave your house to find it. It lives within you 24 hours a day and with every breathe you take. It’s a choice. It’s a decision. Remember, it’s the choices that you make every day that will shape your life moving forward.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Certified Professional Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at http://www.CreatingTheSpark.com.

Smart Women Never Miss an Opportunity

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:11:51 +0000

Recently our family took a trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It was a great trip that was both fun and educational for the entire family. Did you know that the Falcon and the Cheetah are the two fastest animals in the air and on the ground? I also found it interesting just how effective the Park was at marketing. Everywhere you went in the Park, whether it was to watch the “African Birds Take Flight” show, the “Journey into Africa tour” or the local café, they never missed an opportunity to educate you on the benefits of membership. This got me thinking about how Smart Women never miss an opportunity to get the word out about their Big Idea or entrepreneurial dreams.

Are you a woman with a Big Idea? Do you take every opportunity to market your business? Let me ask you a question: How are you getting your message out to your ideal client? Are you sitting in your office waiting for the phone to ring or watching your inbox to see if you receive any emails from people needing your product or service? In my work, I often notice there are one or two marketing tools that women use to build their business. Usually they have a business card ready to give away to anyone who would like one. And sometimes they will have a web site listed on the business card so that their ideal client can take a look online at their services. It’s possible that they may occasionally attend some networking events.

When I first started out in business over 20 years ago, I relied heavily on referrals and networking events to market my business. In today’s world, with so many messages being sent to us 24 hours day through the media (internet, television, radio), you need to explore and discover innovative and creative ways to communicate your message to your ideal client in a way that will attract them to you.

In my Women’s Success Circles, I share 10 Marketing Strategies to support women in taking their business to the next level. These are strategies that I’ve used over the years to begin, grow and double my profits time and time again. I’ll share several with you so that you can think about how to never miss an opportunity to get your message out:

1. Publish a newsletter. This is a very effective way to share your product or service with your ideal client. You are reading my e-newsletter (ezine) right now. I send this every week to 1,000’s of women across the country. It’s important that you offer some great content like an informative article, some valuable tips and of course, information about your product or service.

2. Attend events where your ideal client will be. Tomorrow I will be attending the Manhattan Beach Women in Business Conference. There will be a fantastic group of 400 or so, positive women entrepreneurs at this event.

3. Social Networking. This is a tool that all Smart Women entrepreneurs should be using. It’s free and you can make some excellent connections using this tool. I’m currently active on Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In, which are in the top 3 of all Social Networking venues. I made a connection on Facebook that gave me the opportunity to host a teleseminar for women entrepreneurs and I’ve also had several ideal clients show up from all 3 groups.

“Word of mouth” referrals from satisfied clients and colleagues are still the optimum way to attract your ideal client. However, to stay in front of your ideal client and keep them remembering who you are and what benefits you offer, it’s essential that you use many forms of marketing in different places to retain their loyalty and interest.

At the end of the day, we were tired and hungry from our day at the Animal Park. Everyone in our family was looking forward to the pool, spa (and wine for the parents!). However, we made sure to do one important thing before we left the Wild Animal Park: We joined their membership program and began to plan our next trip back to enjoy all the benefits that membership has to offer.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Certified Professional Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at http://www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com.

Smart Women “Experiment”

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:30:19 +0000

Recently, both my children participated in a science fair at their elementary school. My son, Jack, did an experiment that involved an electromagnet. My daughter, Jenna, was curious about how batteries work so she chose to make a “homemade battery.” Needless to say, my husband and I were challenged on both projects! This process got me thinking about how Smart Women could benefit from using “the scientific method” in their own lives both personally and professionally.

If you have not taken action yet on your Big Idea, Dream or Goal this year, there’s still plenty of time. One of the trends I’m noticing in my work with women right now is that many are using this time to “experiment” or become “curious” about what might be possible for them. Spring has arrived! It’s a great time to do this work. The days are becoming longer and nature is alive with possibilities for the coming months. It’s the perfect environment for real growth and opportunity both in your personal and professional life.

Here are some tips and solutions that you can easily use to “experiment” with some new possibilities in your own life:

1. Decide what you’re interested in. What do you dream about? In my Women’s Success Circles, there are several women who are “exploring” new business ideas. They are doing their research and trying on the possibilities just to see how it feels. One essential is to block out some dedicated time in your calendar to spend working on your Big Idea, your dream. Block out the time, just as you would for other tasks and make it a priority.

2. Become Curious. Once you decide what you will choose as your “experiment” ask yourself a few key questions:

a) How would I feel if this became a reality in my life?
b) How would my life or business be different?
c) If I achieved this, what would become possible for me?

3. Plan your “experiment.” Grab a large pad of paper and some colorful pens. Don’t use standard 8-1/2 x 11 paper. (How big can an idea get if it’s created on small paper?) Jot down some ideas about what you can do right now to explore your Dream or Big Idea more deeply. Do you have an idea for a product or service? Who would benefit most from your service? Keep a notebook just for this experiment so you will have all of your ideas and notes together. Go online, go to your local library, take classes, join a community of like-minded women who are on the same journey.

4. Don’t Give Up. “Experiments” can sometimes be frustrating as you are trying something “new” in your life. Get some support from the positive people around you during this time. Spend time with people who champion you, who believe in you. My son Jack’s experiment with Electromagnets went well on the very first try. My daughter Jenna’s “homemade battery” experiment did not work. She tried it two different ways and spent a lot of time trying to make it work. I think we all learned a lot more from Jenna’s experiment. Jenna was quite sad when her “experiment” did not work out the way she had hoped. I shared a story with her about Einstein who had over 10,000 “experiments” with little or no success before he managed to discover his Big Ideas.

5. Create a Conclusion. What did you learn from your “experiment?” Did you find yourself full of energy and ready to take the leap towards your Big Idea, Dream or Goal? Did you learn some interesting information along the way about yourself? Did you come up with even more ideas on how you will make your dream come true?

6. Make It Happen. If you loved all of the possibilities you discovered during your “experiment,” take that leap of faith and make it happen. Find a coach, mentor or join a group of women who can support you to move your Big Idea, Dream or goal forward. One of my Women’s Success Circle members reported that it was the community of supportive women on the same journey that propelled her forward toward realizing her dream. Knowing that there are other women who gather together on a regular basis kept her working on her “experiment” and bringing it to fruition.

I invite you to use this time to explore and discover your Big Idea, Dreams and Goals. There is no better time than right now. The door to new possibilities, new ways of being and new growth is standing wide open waiting for you to enter.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Certified Professional Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at http://www.CreatingTheSpark.com.

Anything is Truly Possible…

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:33:50 +0000

Hey Smart Women! What a week in history. On Monday I read a story to my children about Martin Luther King and then watched the television coverage on the Inauguration of Barack Obama on Tuesday. I was struck by the power of what one person can achieve when they have a Big Idea. When the camera’s panned the millions of people who were present for the event, I saw tears of joy at an occasion that many thought they would never witness in their lifetime. It was only 54 years ago that segregation ended in this country and only 89 years ago that women achieved the right to vote in this country. Anything is truly possible…

Thanks to all of you who commented on my new photo in the eNewsletter. It’s been about 3 years since I had my last photo taken so it was time for me to “update” my photo. There is a great story about the blue blouse I’m wearing in the photo and I’m going to share it at my Live Event on January 31st. Debra Snell was my photographer and she has a great eye. Please contact her at
dsnell1001@yahoo.com, if you are in need of a photographer.

Good news for anyone that has been on the fence about coming to my “Smart Women Launch Into 2009 With Confidence” event on January 31st. I’ve decided to extend the Early Bird Rate. You now have until Monday, January 26 at 5pm PST to register for the event. Follow the link to get all of the details and see everything that you’ll be getting on this special day.

Are you on Facebook? If you are, please join my new group, Passion, Purpose, Plan, & Profits for Smart Women that I created for those of us that are networking online and want to learn from others. There is no cost to join, just get signed up here, http://budurl.com/fbgrp.

And if you want to know more about Smart Women and their dreams, don’t miss my article today!

Be well,

Smart Women Are On the Slopes!

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:00:36 +0000

Recently, while on a family vacation in Park City, Utah, I was helping my 8-year-old son, Jack, get ready for a day of skiing. It was sunny, 35 degrees and gorgeous outside. I handed my son his face mask and he looked at me puzzled and said, “Mom, there is no way I’m going to need this today–have you looked outside?”

I replied, “Yes, I have and you always need to be prepared for a quick change in the weather when you are on the mountain.” As I prepared myself to leave for skiing that morning, I began to reflect on how being prepared for snow skiing is a lot like preparation for success as a woman entrepreneur.

When you desire a successful day of skiing, there needs to be some planning before you get on the chair lift. You need to stop and think about all of the things that you will need in order to have a great day. (This is why ski wear has about 19 pockets located inside and outside the clothing!) If you are a woman who skis, then you know that the weather can change at any given moment so you need to pack accordingly. If you choose to go skiing without thoughtful preparation, you may be in for a challenging day.

If you are a woman with a Big Idea, Dream or Goal, realizing your big vision can be similar to a woman getting prepared for success in a day of skiing.

As I rode up the chair lift that morning, I thought of 4 solutions to help you have a great day of skiing and realize your Big Idea, Dreams, and Goals as a woman entrepreneur:

Be prepared for all sorts of weather – If you can imagine the top of the mountain representing your Big Idea or Goal, then you know as you make your journey upward, there will be changes in the climate and the terrain. In your business, there will be times of quick and easy success and there will be challenges that need to be met along the way. Make sure you have packed the necessary items for success. For example, a detailed plan of action to reach your goal, lots of support, focus, and consistency. Don’t forget to bring energy and passion!
Don’t stay “Green” for too long – Smart Women know that you will need to get uncomfortable in order to become a better skier. To facilitate improvement, you will need to advance beyond the “Green”(easier trails) and move on to “Blue” (more difficult). In reaching your business goals, if you are feeling really comfortable, then most likely your goals are not big enough or you have lost some energy and passion for your vision. It’s important to stretch yourself. When I challenge myself on the mountain by taking a trail that’s a bit beyond my ability, it feels good when I reach the bottom and can look back and reflect on my accomplishment. Always strive to dream or have a vision that’s just a little bit larger than what you think you can accomplish. You will be surprised at what will happen!
“Follow The Leader” - I see a lot of people struggling on the mountain who are beginner skiers (by the way, I’m a beginner intermediate at best!). The fastest way to reach your goals whether it’s skiing or realizing your entrepreneurial vision is to follow the leader. Follow someone who shows a clear mastery of where you want to go. Take a lesson. This solution has been the one that has moved me forward the fastest in my own entrepreneurial journey. I like to move quickly when I have made a decision to tke action on a dream or desire. I always have coaches, mastermind groups, and mentors to help me achieve my Big Ideas at a faster pace. I continue to invest in my own learning every year to help me reach my goals more quickly.
Rest and Re-energize – Smart Women need to take breaks often. Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of energy. When we get passionate about something, we tend to go non-stop until we make our dream happen. It’s essential that you stop along the way to reflect and re-energize. It’s during those times of rest and relaxation that we can ponder what might be next with real clarity and focus.

It was a gorgeous day for skiing. The weather conditions were just about perfect. In the late afternoon, the sky became overcast and a chill was in the air. I know I was happy that I packed my face mask in my pocket. My son Jack was too. I’ll see you on your way to the top…

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions, a
Certified Professional Coach and Motivational Speaker. To read more
articles by Joy and learn more about her Success Circle workshops,
teleseminars or keynote topics, please visit her website,
www.SmartWomenSolutions.com or contact Joy at
Joy@SmartWomenSolutions.com.

Smart Women Face Their Fear

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:00:18 +0000

A few days ago, I was cleaning out a backpack that my daughter used last summer when we were in Park City, Utah on vacation. This backpack was one that she wore every day to her skateboarding class. At the bottom of the backpack, I found a piece of crumpled paper and pulled it out. It was an evaluation form from her skateboarding instructor, Drew, with these comments: “Learn to relax and face fear. Trust in Yourself.” This got me thinking about how Smart Women learn to face their own fears.

We all have fear about something. Fear of heights, fear of snakes, fear of roller coasters. Many times these fears are related to childhood. I’m fearful of snakes. It was a big deal in our family when I was young. We lived on a farm in the mountains and in the summertime, my grandfather, “Pop,” would continually share with us the danger of snakes and to be careful at all times. You hear that “message” enough and your fear begins to grow. As a young woman, this fear began to alter my life experiences. For example, I would not go hiking with a friend on a hot summer day for fear of snakes. However, when my children got to the age where they wanted to go to the zoo, I had to face my fear. Why? My children do not know that I fear snakes. And guess what? I do not want to create that fear for them so I oblige them when they want to go to the “reptile center.” Do I feel anxious? Yes. But it’s something that I must move through.

Fear can affect your life in so many ways. One of the big “fears” is fear of failure. Fear of trying anything new because you are afraid it might not work out–you might fail. This is why many of us do not share our goals or even write them down on paper. I read an interesting study recently that only 3% of the population writes down their goals. Why? Fear. What if someone reads the paper and finds out you did not accomplish the goal? Fear is an emotion that we feel that appears to be real. This feeling can keep you trapped where you are in life. You can remain stuck in a place that no longer serves you. Fear can keep you from stepping into a place full of energy, passion, and purpose. It can hold you back from realizing your Big Idea, Dreams, and Goals.

How about you? Is there something that you dream of doing but you know that fear is holding you back? Do you get excited about taking action on a Big Idea only to talk yourself out of it with a fear-based conversation? One of my coaches shared with me, “If the desire is there, the how-to will come.” If you desire something new or different in your life, now is the perfect time to look that fear in the eye and really ask yourself on a deeper level if the emotion you are feeling is real.

Here are a few solutions that can help you conquer your fear and step into your Big Idea, Dreams, and Goals:

1. Ask yourself this question: What facts do I have to support this fear becoming real? Where is the “truth” in this feeling of fear? See if you can find answers to support it. (My guess is you won’t–I’ve never been bitten by a snake.)

2. To help you overcome fear and believe in yourself, grab a pen and some paper. Write down all of the compliments that people have given you over the years. This is an exercise that I use every time I’m getting ready to step into something new in my life. I pull out all of the rave reviews that women have sent me and I read them. You will be surprised how powerful and “fearless” you become after doing this exercise.

3. Surround yourself with a group of people who are supportive. In my Women’s Success Circles, we call these people “possibility thinkers.” Spend time with those who can think in terms of possibility. Most negative thoughts and conversations come out of fear-based thinking. When you are stepping into your preferred future, you want to minimize contact with fearful, negative people.

It’s interesting where we find the lessons in our lives. I certainly did not think that it would be in my 6-year-old daughter’s backpack. Take a leap of faith and begin this New Year with belief in yourself. “Learn to relax and face fear. Trust in yourself.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions™, a Certified Professional Coach and Motivational Speaker. To read more articles by Joy and learn more about her Success Circle workshops, teleseminars or keynote topics, please visit her website, www.SmartWomenSolutions.com or contact Joy at Joy@SmartWomenSolutions.com.

Smart Women Are “Lucky”

Joy Chudacoff — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:00:59 +0000

The other day, while standing in a very long line at a coffee shop, I struck up a conversation with the woman behind me. We began chatting about everyday topics–the weather, the holiday rush, and then we stumbled on to that dreaded topic of the moment–the economy. I asked her a question: “What do you think would be the most important thing you could have in your life right now to support where you are, given the economy?” She was a little surprised by this question, but her reply was very telling. She said, “Having an abundant source of constant cash flow.” My next question was, “And what steps have you taken to secure that?” After a long pause, the reply? “Not much.”

We all want an abundant source of constant cash flow in our lives. We all want to be healthy and fit. We all want to live in favored neighborhoods and send our children to the best schools. We want quality vacations and to dine in restaurants that serve refreshing drinks and delicious food. Here’s the Big Question: What steps have you taken to secure all of your “wants” in life?

I ran an anonymous survey recently in my business. There were questions about how you were going to accomplish your Big Idea, goals, and dreams. Some of the answers were: “Win the Lottery”, “Get married again”, or “I have no idea.” Honest, but troubling answers. These answers tell me that many of us are not taking ownership for our future. We are waiting for someone or something to make it happen. From my own experience, I can tell you this is a huge mistake. It’s like the old expression, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” You will need to take the required steps in order to create positive change in your life.

Have any of you who have achieved a certain degree of success been told by friends, family or colleagues, “We knew you could achieve that goal. You have always been lucky.” Sound familiar to anyone? I know I’ve heard that a few times in my life. I was fortunate to have a mentor who became quite successful. He created a lot of abundance in his life. He grew up in real poverty. He once shared with me his definition of LUCK: “Laboring Under Correct Knowledge.” Well said and I’ve never forgotten it. Two words stand out for me: Labor, which means work and Knowledge, which means taking classes and gaining the specialized knowledge that you need, including asking for help, in order to achieve your desired goals.

How about you? What are you willing to do in order to make your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals happen in 2009? What steps are necessary for you to create abundance in all areas of your life?

One of the exercises that the Women in my Success Circles do at the end of the year is to take a “Personal Inventory.” It helps to illuminate what went well and also where they might need some support moving forward into the next year. Grab a pen and some paper. Find a quiet spot and jot down the answers to the following questions:

1. What Goals were important to me in 2008?
2. Have I been persistent in following my plan to meet those goals?
3. Have I permitted procrastination to creep in?
4. Did I have enough support to accomplish my goals?
5. Did I use my time wisely?

These are just a few of the questions from the Personal Inventory exercise. I invite you to think about your answers. Be honest with yourself. If any of the questions were painful for you to answer because you are not where you want to be, I have good news for you! You are about to step into a New Year. You can create a new way of being. You can take positive action to make your dreams and goals come true. It all comes down to two things: Choice and Decision.

I’m going to leave you on this New Year’s Eve with one of the most powerful quotes of our time. You may have heard it before. It seems perfect as we get ready to step into 2009:

“Our Deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” Marianne Williamson

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions, a Certified Professional Coach and Motivational Speaker. To read more articles by Joy and learn more about her Success Circle workshops, teleseminars or keynote topics, please visit her website,
www.SmartWomenSolutions.com or contact Joy at Joy@SmartWomenSolutions.com.