What would it feel like to claim your own personal brand of power, build a profitable business working with clients you LOVE?

www.SmartWomenSolutions.com/retreat/

What would it feel like to effortlessly blend your personal life with a business you are so passionate about? What if you could create your own personal blueprint that includes every aspect of your life? (self-care, family, spouse/partner, children, friends, business and community)

How you set yourself up at the beginning of the New Year is an excellent indicator for measuring your success throughout 2012. I’d like to support you in making 2012 the year you make the BIG Leap in your life and business! Join me and a small, intimate group of women for a 2-day private retreat at a peaceful, relaxing spa location here in Southern California. Together, we will map out your entire year both personally and professionally so you step into 2012 with ease and confidence. AND if you register before December 30, I’m gifting YOU with a Free One Hour Massage! But you have to hurry! There are only 10 spots and 3 are already taken!

www.SmartWomenSolutions.com/retreat/

When we are faced with having to choose, we struggle. It can be something as simple as what to have for dinner to a more complex decision of leaving your job to start your own business. The struggle is typically with what you are choosing to leave behind or the thing that you decide not to choose. You second guess (and sometimes third guess) whether what you are leaving behind could actually be the choice that would take you to a place of nirvana – a place where life would be perfect. This whole process keeps you stuck, trapped and unable to move forward.

Recently, I’ve struggled with a decision that had to do with a health challenge in our family. I spent an enormous amount of time thinking about which option made the most sense and would produce the best outcome. After my decision was made, I immediately felt lighter and more creative. My energy level shifted significantly to a higher vibration. I felt clear and more focused. When you weigh yourself down in decision making and stall the moving forward process, the cost is high. It can affect your health and your business.

How about you? Are you struggling with a few decisions right now?

I invite you to grab a pen and paper and write down the areas in your life and business where you are undecided. Here are some tips and solutions I use when I’m feeling stuck and need to get moving:

1. Ask yourself a question: “What’s the worst that could happen?” Will the decision you make today matter in 5 years? I find this helps me speed up the process.

2. Research - If your decision requires research on a particular topic, block out some time to surf the internet. The internet is a wealth of knowledge and you can learn a lot in a short period of time.

3. Talk to experts or trusted resources - Reach out to people who have expert knowledge on this subject. In my case, I visited 3 experts about this health challenge in our family. It’s key to speak with people who have experience in what you’re dealing with – both personally and professionally. Talk with people who you feel make good decisions in their own life and business. I invite you to avoid taking advice from people who tend to be negative or do not have specific knowledge on your subject.

4. Practice solitude - This was the solution that helped me out of indecision and into positive action. Sitting quietly and listening to your internal voice (sometimes referred to as your “gut”) will never steer you wrong. After using the tips I mentioned above, sitting quietly in meditation brought it all together for me. If you are someone who tends to let others make decisions for you, this is a skill you will need to practice as you may not trust yourself at first. I invite you to block out some time to practice solitude and get in touch with your internal voice. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and has life-long benefits.

5. Set a deadline - Pick a date on the calendar to finalize your decision. The key to setting an effective deadline is to make it challenging, yet achievable.

As you reflect on 2011 and begin your journey into 2012, invest some time in the practice of regular decision making. From deciding on where to go for dinner to taking your business to a new level of success, the rewards will be huge.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 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 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 Creating The Spark.

1. Is my business Viable? Do people want my product or service? This is where doing some research on your industry can be quite valuable. Just because “no one else is doing it” doesn’t always mean it’s a great business opportunity. Yes, Steve Jobs did quite well being “the first” in his industry but many times success can be yours by taking an existing business concept and improving on it. Also, find out what the range of fees or prices are in your industry. Make sure you price your winning product or service so people will be clamoring to get their hands on it.

2. Is my business Visible? Visibility is a huge key to success. You may be the best coach, lawyer, virtual assistant or pet sitter in the world however, if you don’t have a marketing plan that is designed to get you seen and heard, you will remain the best kept secret in town! Getting your product or service out there in a big way makes a huge difference in how much growth you can expect in the coming year.

If you answered “Yes” to the questions above, it’s time to consider a few questions about you – the entrepreneur. These questions are equally vital to your success:

1. Do I have a true Desire? Do you dream about becoming successful in your business? Can you visualize what that looks and feels like? Do you have a craving to make it work? Desire can take you a long way on the road to possibility.

2. Am I Determined? Have you made the decision that there’s no turning back? I have a plaque that was given to me years ago by a mentor that reads “It Can Be Done.” That’s the attitude of determination you need to make your business dreams a reality.

3. Am I Consistent? Do you have a consistent marketing message? Do you have guiding principles in your business that are solid and steady? I often see entrepreneurs change course or direction too often and this confuses your target market. They become unsure what you do or who you serve and it makes it challenging for them to refer business to you. To be sure, change is necessary and needed to stay current in business but I invite you to be cautious on how often you change course.

Grab a pen and paper and take a few minutes to truly reflect on your answers to these 5 questions. Celebrate where you’re on course and take a close look where you need some improvement. Brainstorm with “nutritious” friends and colleagues on what steps you could take to turn every answer into a loud and vocal “Yes!”

Success is easily within your reach when you get clear and focused on the right product or service at the right price point with desire, determination and consistency. When these 5 components are blended together, you can guarantee yourself more clients, more income and more freedom to enjoy life.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 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 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 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 Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

Over the last few months, I’ve completely revamped my online presence and I’m in the process of updating my personal brand as well. When you have a big vision for your business, it’s essential that you stay “current” in every area. If you’re in a product business, you’ll need to keep a fresh, new look for your product packaging. If you’re in a service based business, you’ll want a “new and improved” version of who you are becoming as a leader in your industry.

OLD WEBSITE

NEW WEBSITE

You may be reading this and thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work; my personal and professional brand seems to be working for me.” I, too, was slow about creating my own “new and improved” upgrade for far too long because I didn’t want to spend the time making the necessary changes. In the last few months, amazing opportunities have presented themselves to me and I know this is no accident. It’s because I stepped up my professional and personal brand image to reflect who I am becoming as a leader in my industry.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips and solutions on how to give your business a “new and improved” look and feel:

Online/Offline Brand

1. Website/Blog – Take some time to review your website and ask yourself if it truly reflects your business and more importantly, where you are going in the future. This is one of the first places people look to “check you out” and make buying decisions.
2. Social Media – Make sure your profile or Like page reflects the message you desire to send to your potential clients and referral sources. Tip: Add a current photo to all your social media pages. There’s nothing worse than going to connect with someone and finding a photo of their dog or worse, no photo at all.
3. Printed Materials – Carry your desired “new and improved” look all the way through to your business cards, brochures and any other printed material.

Personal Brand

1. Manage The “Mane” – Is it time for a new hairstyle? For years, the length of my hair was much longer until one day I realized this style no longer served me or my business. I’ve opted for a shorter more current look.
2. Say “Cheese!” – Is it time for a new photo? It’s essential that you update your professional photo at least every two years. It’s not as expensive as you might think to hire a professional for a few hours and it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re ready to uplevel yourself and your business.
3. Hit The Mall – Is your closet full of clothes that no longer reflect who you are? You don’t have to break the bank buying a whole new closet full of clothes. Invite a “nutritious” friend who has great sense of style to join you for a day of shopping. If your budget permits, you might want to hire an image consultant for a few hours to give you some tips on what colors and styles highlight your beauty and genius.

If you’re ready to step out in your business in a bigger way, these tips and solutions will cause people around you to sit up and take notice that you are serious about success in business. Taking these steps will unleash more referrals, more clients and more income – 3 necessary ingredients for complete success.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 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 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 Profits With Passion.

Let me begin by sharing with you that I don’t actually believe there is “work/life” balance. My belief is that women reflect on and declare their values that are personal to them and create a life to support those values. I place a high value on 3 areas in my life; self-care, family and supporting women to live the life they want – and deserve. Does it work perfectly? Of course not. Kids get sick, dishwasher breaks and laptops blow up! I will share that it does work 80% of the time because I’ve made a decision to be proactive using daily rituals to take care of myself, my family and my business.

Do you have rituals for success in your life and business? Here are 7 rituals I use to help me stay on course and honor what I value most:

1. Solitude – Learning how to just “be” is one of the greatest gifts you will ever give to yourself. If you have a busy lifestyle (like me) you’ll need to plan for solitude. I go for walks by myself, spend a few hours in my home alone and sometimes take a personal weekend retreat.
2. Meditation – Meditation has become an important part of my life. It is a tool I use regularly to help me get clear, focused and centered. Sitting quietly for 5 minutes can make a dramatic impact on your day. Depending on my schedule, I meditate for a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 20 minutes.
3. Negative Environments – Make a conscious effort to avoid negative environments. Surround yourself with positive, “nutritious” people who are success-oriented and think in abundance. Having a supportive environment creates possibility thinking and new ideas.
4. Quality Not Quantity – It’s my belief that quality time is more important than quantity time with family and friends. With a busy family and growing business, I realize I cannot do everything, however I make sure that I’m focused and present for my family daily when it really counts.
5. Focus Time – Success comes to those who plan for it. It’s essential that you create focus time for your business and your personal life. Plan to spend at least 1 hour a week reviewing where you are now and where you want to go in the future. Make sure the action steps you are taking will help you get the results you want.
6. Coaching And Mentoring – It’s essential to have a “thinking” partner along the way in your journey. Here’s what I know for sure: You cannot do this by yourself. Having someone there to support you and also challenge your thinking can help shorten your journey to success.
7. Ask – Period – Stop attempting to be “superwoman.” It affects your health and well-being. I know it’s a challenge to ask for what you want or need, however if you dream of celebrating a successful business while maintaining a loving, healthy, family – it’s the only way. Here’s what I’ve learned: people love supporting you. Family members will develop stronger bonds with your children because they have more time with them and there are people out there right now who would love to help you accomplish your vision.

Being proactive rather than reactive in your life and business can make a big difference in the way your day unfolds. It’s not perfect but it is pleasurable to be living in the 80/20 window of life. 80% of the time it all works beautifully and of course there’s always that 20% that just about puts you over the edge! I invite you to consider adding one or two of these rituals to your life and business. A mentor once shared with me that “the slightest shift can create the most dramatic impact.” That’s certainly true here.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 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 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 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 Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

Instead, I’ve decided to share something that happened yesterday. Something that moved me very deeply and it feels like I need to put a magnifying glass on it so you can see and feel it too.

Yesterday, when I walked my children to school, I had a few extra minutes so I accompanied my daughter to her second grade class. (There’s been some excitement in her class this week as the children are dressing up in character of someone they’ve written a biography report on and it’s been fun to see all the creative costumes.) I noticed my daughter’s teacher outside the classroom in deep conversation with a boy who was not in costume for his presentation of Davy Crockett. I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation and I learned that this boy had no costume. This child lives in an area of Los Angeles that is economically challenged.

Tears sprang to my eyes. I was overcome with emotion. Every child in my daughter’s class proudly marched into school this week with creative costumes ranging from Jackie Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, etc. This boy made a long bus trip to school knowing that he would be different from the others. He would be the only one to have no costume as he stood in front of the room.

I raced back to my home tears stinging my eyes and blurring my vision. I remembered a costume I had worn in previous years during the Thanksgiving Feast at the school. It wasn’t a perfect rendition of what Davy Crockett would wear but it was a lot closer than the t-shirt and jeans the boy had on. I delivered the costume in a bag and explained to the teacher what was inside.

Why do I share this story? Not because I want you to say or think, “Way to go, Joy!” “What a thoughtful act Joy!” That doesn’t interest me at all. I share this with you because if we as women want to truly make a difference in the world, we have to do it every single day in any single way we can. If you aren’t happy about the way things are, then I invite you to begin walking a path to make a difference. Sometimes you wonder if change is even possible in this enormous world we live in. It is possible. It must begin with You.

Notice What’s in Front of You – Yesterday, I took a small step on a situation that was in front of me. In that moment, I had an awareness that I could help someone and make an impact on his day. We get confused on what charity we should make donations to or where we should place our valuable time to make a difference. Notice what’s in front of you and begin there.

Pass It On – Teach children by embracing small acts of kindness. Let them experience first-hand from you on how to make a difference in the world. Yesterday’s experience was a teachable moment for my children. After school, we sat down and discussed what happened and why I felt called to rush home, find the costume and deliver it to the teacher. I could see the wheels of wonder turning in their mind.

Women must be the change they wish to see in the world…one person at a time.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 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 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 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 Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

In my work with women, one of the most essential exercises that we do together is peel back the layers of their lives and take a look at what’s working and what’s not working. It’s important to take a look at each layer and if necessary trim the excess so you can live each day doing what’s most important to you in your life. The challenge for most of us is in the “letting go” of what no longer serves us. Sometimes there’s so much debris in our lives that we are unable to clearly see how even just a slight trim in one area could create a dramatic, positive impact.

I, too, have been challenged with this in my life at times. Trimming the excess and making room for new growth is difficult for me as well. I will share with you that the most dramatic, positive change occurred in my life once I took this step. When I created the space to trim the excess “layers” from my life, real change began to show up for me.

How about you? Are you feeling like there are areas in your life that you would like to shed? Are there areas where you could “trim” away some of your time to create the space for something new? Not sure where to start? Here are some typical areas that you can take a look at in your life. (I invite you to sit in a quiet, peaceful place with your favorite cup of tea or coffee for this process):

1. Self-Care – How much time are you allocating to You? In my work with women, I often find that this essential practice is not anywhere in the layers of a woman’s life. It was a huge shift for me to make some years ago, however when I did this, it made a huge impact.

2. Spouse/Partner – Do you schedule regular date nights with your spouse or significant other? I find this one area can slip under the debris quickly and I have to trim back the layers and make space for it.  Also, if you don’t have a spouse/partner and would like that, are you taking some positive steps to bring that love relationship into your life?

3. Family – Are you spending quality time with children, parents, siblings? The key here is quality—really “being” with them. My husband and I schedule “date night” with each of our children and this has created a closer bond for us.

4. Friends – Do you find time to see your girlfriends? Make sure your girlfriends are “nutritious”—they inspire you, champion you and give you those big laughs. I really enjoy taking long power walks with girlfriends and “processing” life along the way.

5. Business/Career – Are you doing work that inspires and motivates you? When you leave your business or work, do you feel energized or drained from the day? This created a dramatic shift for me 8 years ago when I changed the direction of my life and began my work with women.

6. Community – Are you feeling “called” to do volunteer work in your community right now? Or, is it time to “trim” back the layers of your volunteer efforts and let someone else serve? We are nurturers by nature and tend to say “yes” too quickly. I invite you to take a look at this and see what feels right for you moving forward.

Now is the perfect time to do this exercise. Autumn is the time of year to shed what no longer serves us in order to create space for the new growth and new ideas that will arrive in spring. I invite you to create some time in your calendar before the holidays to trim back the layers of your life and peel away what no longer serves you. I think you’ll be surprised at how life embraces you when you give it the space to grow.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.
*****

© 2010 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 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 .

If you are a woman entrepreneur, your goal is to create brand awareness with your ideal client. It’s essential that you develop a marketing “mantra” that communicates to people on a continual basis what benefits you offer your clients and how they will be transformed or better off after they work with you.
 
American Girl® does this beautifully. They have a unique product. It’s not just any doll. You have over 20 choices of dolls to choose from, and you can customize the doll’s look and personality. For example, you can create a doll that loves sports (Jenna’s favorite), nature, or one from a specific historical time period. The entire store is set up so you can experience all of the dolls in different settings and choose exactly which one is perfect for you.
 
Here are a few tips you can use to boost your brand awareness for your business. These are effective whether you are just getting started or have been in business for a few years.

1.  Create a logo – What is it that you do for your clients? Choose colors and a logo that represent your business. For example, my marketing has a lavender and ivory color scheme, and my logo is the nautilus shell because it’s my belief the nautilus shell is a near-perfect representation of a woman’s life. The American Girl® has the famous star graphic, as they want every girl to know she’s a star no matter who she is or what her preferences are.

2.  Create an “experience” – Think about the process you use with your clients. Is it enjoyable and relaxing? For example, if you are an attorney, think about what you can do to make their visit memorable. Maybe it’s serving their beverage in a beautiful glass with a colorful, thick napkin (maybe with your logo on it?). From the first phone call or meeting, you need to develop your stand-out style in order to create a lasting memory with people.

3.  Give them what they want – Make sure the services you offer are what the client wants and not what you want to serve them. When I first started my Women’s Success Circles over five years ago, I offered an all-day, one-time-per-month Success Circle. I had women who enrolled in the all-day Circle; however, most women could not devote an entire day to this process. Guess what? I was offering what I wanted them to have—not what they wanted. Once I created a half-day program, women flocked to the Circles. I had to make a change to what they wanted and give them the benefits and transformation they were looking for.

Now some of you may be reading this and thinking, “I’m just getting started, Joy. I’m a solo entrepreneur and not even close to being American Girl®.” Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl®, was a teacher, writer and publisher of children’s books. She created the American Girl® idea out of her love and interest in history. She had no formal business training, and yet her Big Idea is known to millions of people. When you find a process or system that’s working, I invite you to notice how you can learn from it and use it to enhance your Big Idea, Dreams and Goals.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 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 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.

I’ve been with the same mobile phone company for 9 years. Hard to believe, right? I’m slow to commit but once I do, loyal to the end! So the first place I went was to my current carrier’s store to see what they had to offer. When we entered the store, there were a quite a few people waiting and so we got in line and waited our turn. Not once did anyone say, “Thanks for waiting, I’ll be with you in a moment” or “Sorry for the delay, someone will be right with you.” Nothing. No eye contact. We felt invisible. I had quite a few questions about the new phones and was anxious to get my questions answered. When it was my turn (about 20 minutes later) something happened that was shocking. The person behind the desk looked straight at us and then just turned and walked away! I was stunned and frustrated at this point.

Not a good “experience.”

Greg was pretty frustrated and wanted to speak with the Manager. I had no intention of speaking with anyone there. The mood and tone was set and I no longer wanted to do business with that store. We turned, left the store, and walked a few blocks away to another mobile phone store. Once inside, we were greeted right away by a store manager who had a customer service representative at our side in a matter of seconds. He spent a lot of time with me and never made me feel rushed. I got all of my questions answered and in the end decided to leave a 9 year relationship with my old mobile phone carrier and start anew.

You see, it’s not always about price (the new carrier was more costly than the old one). When I called my former mobile phone company to get my account number and tell them I was leaving, they bent over backwards to get me to stay with lots of “incentives.” I switched carriers partly because I really liked what the new phone could offer me in terms of benefits; however, a bigger reason was that they had given me an “experience” that made me feel special.

How about you? Are you giving your loyal, current clients the same “experience” that your new prospective clients receive? Your current clients have value beyond measure. Here are some tips and solutions that you can review to make sure that your customer service “experience” is polished and ready for 2010:

1. “I’m Listening” – When you are with your clients or prospective client, it’s essential that you make them feel special. Show a genuine interest in what they have to say. Don’t text someone or take phone calls. Focus your attention solely on them.

2. Act Quickly – when a client or prospect makes a request and it’s something that you know you can help them with, make sure you respond quickly.

3. Under-promise and Over-deliver – This is a mantra to live by if you want your clients raving about you and your products and services. It’s one that I aspire to each and every day. If you commit to creating this “experience” in your own business, you are guaranteed lasting success.

As you begin 2010, I invite you to spend some time reviewing the “experience” you are offering to your current and prospective clients. This “experience” will serve as one of the pillars in building your business this year.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2010 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(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.

Today is my 50th birthday! The five decades behind me were all wonderful and as I reflect on each one of them, I can clearly see how each decade blended into the next to bring me to where I am today. I’m very excited about the next 50 years with lots of ideas and plans for living a meaningful and full life. In keeping with my family “tradition,” I’m going to share with you my five “pearls of wisdom” that have been instrumental in my life so far. This is not an easy exercise! Choosing five was a real challenge. We all have beliefs that we carry inside of us. They come from our families, mentors, and life experiences that we have along the way. However, I’m clear now that the five “pearls of wisdom” that you read below are the ones that have shaped my life in the most profound way:

1. Be on Time – Sounds simple doesn’t it? When I was a young girl in my teens, my Dad was forever rallying my sister and me to be on time. (When I was a teenager, the only thing I wanted to do was stay up late and sleep-in the next day!) What I’ve learned is that people who arrive on time (or even a little early) get access to opportunities and decision-makers that late-comers don’t. All (and I mean all) of the successful people I’ve met in my life arrive on time. Thanks Dad.

2. Listen – My favorite line in the movie, “Pulp Fiction” is when Uma Thurman asks John Travolta, “Do you listen or are you always waiting to talk?” Brilliant. Stop for a moment and ask yourself that question. It sounds simple, but have you mastered the skill of “listening?” It is one that I highly recommend that you practice. This one “pearl” alone has made a big difference in the course of my life. My grandfather used to say, “There’s a reason you have two ears and one mouth.” Enough said.

3. Be open to learn from the unexpected – I’ve been to lectures and seminars that have been taught by people who were highly educated and the information was insightful.  However, one of my most influential teachers, who ultimately became my mentor, was a high school drop-out who became a multi-millionaire.

4. Follow your instincts – In my work with women, I refer to this as “follow your internal voice.” As I reflect on the last five decades, every single time I didn’t follow my internal voice, I got myself into hot water—very hot water! Your internal voice is always with you (she’s been with you since the day you were born). She knows you better than anyone else and she will never, ever misguide you.

This “pearl of wisdom” leads me to #5 which is…

5. Practice Solitude – I discovered this “pearl of wisdom” in my 40’s. When I was in my 20’s and 30’s, I was so busy running around living a very fast-paced life, that I never, ever appreciated (or was comfortable with) solitude or silence. When it got quiet, I got moving. As I crossed the threshold into my 40’s, I began to crave solitude. It was like breathing. It was necessary for me to live. This “pearl of wisdom” ties right into #4 – “Follow your instincts”. It wasn’t until I learned to practice solitude that I could “hear” what my internal voice was telling me. She speaks very softly and with all of the roles and responsibilities you have as a woman, it can be a challenge to hear her words of wisdom. It is in those precious moments of silence that I hear and visualize the best next steps for me in my life.

These are my “5 Pearls of Wisdom” and as I reflect on each of them, they come together like a single thread weaving their way through the fabric of my life. It is my hope that if you practice even one of them that you will begin to see positive change in your own life. As a mentor once shared with me, “The slightest shift creates the greatest impact.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff
 
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