Smart Women Smart Solutions | Helping women create an extraordinary life
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 to take a bubble bath (a nightly self-care ritual!) and reflect on his question.
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Yesterday, as I was on my way to pick up my kids from school, it occurred 
to me that I was feeling exhausted—I mean really tired. As I made a mental scan of my day, I realized that I had been in a “reactive” mode most of the day rather than a “proactive” mode. We do need to react to situations that occur in our lives as best we can at that moment, however, Smart Women know that living a “proactive” life where you plan, prepare, and practice conscious living is clearly more rewarding.
Living a “reactive” life can be exhausting and frustrating. There are a lot of quick stops and fast starts–most of them unplanned. The best way for me to describe my day was it felt like I was in a ship without a rudder. No direction, just floating out in a big sea of confusion. No real direction, just reacting to each wave. There was no planned course or clear navigation. I was just trying to keep this rudderless boat afloat and get back to shore.
In contrast, when you are living a “proactive” life, your days are on course with clear navigation, doing things that will lead you to your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals. Being “proactive” about your life is being conscious and thoughtful about how you spend your days. You are queen of your ship, with a well thought out map on where you’re going, what you’re going to do, and with whom you will do it.
The other day, I was listening to one of Madonna’s great dance tunes, “Jump.” 
It’s a fun song that makes me want to jump up and dance around the room. It also motivates me into thoughts about the “jump” in my own life–to take the leap to the next level. This got me thinking about how Smart Women take the leap into realizing their Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals.
We all have passions and dreams inside of us. There may be times in our life when those passions and dreams can take a “back seat” to other areas in our lives, but they are still there—they never disappear or go away. They wait patiently for us to acknowledge them and take some sort of action—a leap toward them. As we begin to fantasize about those unfulfilled passions and dreams, we can sometimes fall into a trap of believing that they may never come true. Why? Because these dreams usually require change that’s really “big.” Change would need to occur in our lives. Change brings about uncertainty and being “uncomfortable.” Do you think I might be writing from experience?
Many of you know my story. I founded and ran an international marketing company for 12 years. It started as a part-time business because I needed to earn extra income. Over time (and a lot of hard work!), it became an international company that was very successful. This allowed me the opportunity to travel to wonderful places all over the world to do my work. When I became a mom, I realized that this was no longer the right path for me. After much soul-searching, I felt a calling to work with women to help them realize their own passions and dreams. Was it easy? No way! Was it challenging to make such a bold change in my life with two young children? You bet.
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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.
A few weeks ago, my sister Rene and I had the opportunity to visit our Mom in Florida. It was a “girl’s getaway” filled with shopping, going to the beach, tasty food, wine and great conversation. Every morning we had a ritual of getting up, grabbing our coffee and heading out to the beach for a walk. On the first morning, I noticed a large, magnificent lighthouse that stood in the distance. Whether it was a bright sunny day or one surrounded by dark, gloomy clouds, the lighthouse was performing its job. In the top of the tower, you could see the bright light on a continuous turning cycle, reminding those at sea that a safe harbor and guiding light is close by if you need one. If you look the word lighthouse up in the dictionary, it’s a “tower or structure displaying a very bright light for the guidance of ships to help avoid dangerous areas.” This got me thinking about how Smart Women always need a lighthouse in their lives.
In order for you to realize your Big ideas, dreams and goals, you need to have a “beacon of light” in your life. Having a “lighthouse” can help you navigate “troubled” waters and avoid a possible dangerous situation along the way. I’ve shared with you many times that I would not be where I am today without all of my coaches and mentors—my “guiding lights.” It has been a key factor in navigating my passionate, purposeful life.
“Troubled” waters come and go in our lives. Smart Women make sure that they have a safe harbor and a guiding light for these times to help them navigate a clearly thought out map on how to proceed or move ahead with clarity. I’m going to share a few ideas so that you can begin to think about creating your very own “lighthouse.”
Find a Coach – Nearly all of the successful, clear thinking people that I meet have had a coach at one time or another. They realize that living a meaningful life requires a thinking partner. Someone who can help them navigate their journey along the way, see possible danger, and help provide solutions to avoid these areas. Every year, I create time in my calendar and a place in my budget to have a coach help me navigate the year ahead.
Form a Mastermind Group – Bringing a small group of like-minded people together at a regular time each month is a wonderful way to provide that extra “beacon of light” in your life and others lives. I facilitate several Success Masterminds for Women here in Los Angeles and I’m a member of one myself. These groups provide an overall sense of clarity and positive action steps to move ahead. Make sure that everyone in the group is positive and intentional about their journey forward. Having a strong confidentiality policy is always wise.
How about you? Do you have “lighthouse” in your life? Do you have a person or group of people who champion you? Someone who offers a safe harbor where you can explore where you are now and help you navigate what’s next? Many women express that my Women’s Success Circles act as their “lighthouse.” The Success Circle creates a “safe harbor” where women can share their lives in a non-judgmental, confidential setting.
One morning, we went out for a walk and the sky was turning dark and gloomy. The ocean waves were rough and the wind was picking up. In the distance I saw boats being guided by the lighthouse to make it back safely to the harbor. Whether your life is in a positive, upbeat phase or possibly times of “troubled” waters, Smart Women know they must have a “lighthouse” in which to turn.
Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.
****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff
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™, a Professional Certified 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.
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.
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.
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.
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?”
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.
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I’m thrilled to see so MANY women starting businesses these days. It truly is the only way to make the income you dream about and have the freedom to live the life you desire.
I also know sometimes being an entrepreneur can be overwhelming and confusing. It can be challenging to decide or choose which steps will work best to attract more clients and generate more income while giving you the time to enjoy it all.
I’ve been there and I know it’s a lot to consider when you are desperately trying to grow your business or take it to the next level of success. That's why I created the Smart Woman's Business Basics Blueprint™.
