Smart Women Smart Solutions» Support

Smart Women Know What They Want

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:05:10 +0000

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.

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 y our 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.

The challenge for me is that I know only a fraction of women in the world are living the kind of life I just described. It seems unrealistic to many women–not possible, not achievable. I think this is the reason I continue to write so often about this idea. I want to encourage women in every way imaginable that having a life that is overflowing with abundance is possible.

How about you? Is this something you desire? To create a life that is on purpose, both at work and at home, achieving those Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals? I know this is something that I desperately wanted in my life 10 years ago. I was searching for what might be next for me, what my purpose was, who could support me in g oing to the next level in my life. I would wake up most days with those nagging questions and the empty answers: “What do I want to do next?” “Who can I talk to that will be able to help me?” “What might be the next step to move me closer to my dreams and goals?”

Today I am living a high-energy, passionate, purposeful life but it was not by accident. It was through taking the right steps to find out what I truly wanted for myself (not what others might want for me), finding the right support to make it happen, and working with my support system to put a plan together that would result in a successful outcome.

I invite you to grab a pen and some paper, sit down, and ask yourself a very important question:

What do I want?

Not just what you need to get by or what other people think you should want. Initially, you might catch yourself writing something “safe.” “Safe” meaning it might be within your reach but it’s not really what you truly want at your core.

So yes, Greg, I will continue to write about Making your Big Idea , Dreams and Goals Happen. I’m going to write about living a life filled with unlimited energy, passion, and purpose and all the blah, blah, blah. At least until I’m satisfied that more women are waking up to this lifestyle each and every day.

The first day of spring is fast approaching (only 9 days away!). Now is the time to plant the seeds for what you truly want to happen in your life and in your business. I’ll be here to support your Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals but first you have to plant the seed. You have to decide what seeds are best for you……

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, 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 Love, Give……and Have Fears

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:13:18 +0000

This morning, as I sit here at my desk looking out the window at a beautiful, sunny fall day, I’m a bit at a loss on how to begin this article. This article isn’t any different from the others I share with you each week. As usual, it’s about my own life and the reflections that I believe are helpful to other Smart Women. This article is about loving deeply, giving gifts and feeling fear along the way. Sounds like something all women deal with—yes?

Over the last few months, I’ve been going through testing at UCLA Medical Center here in Los Angeles to determine if I might be a possible match to donate one of my kidneys to my husband, Greg. Greg has Polycystic Kidney Disease and one of the affects is possible kidney failure over time. His kidney function has steadily been declining and we’ve known for some time that this day would come. What we didn’t know until now, is that I am, in fact, a match! On Tuesday, December 1, we will go together to UCLA Medical Center where I will undergo a procedure to remove one of my healthy kidneys and Greg will receive that kidney so he can feel healthy, energetic and enjoy life to the fullest once again.

Why do I tell you this story? Because what I’m going through right now holds many similarities for women. Women love. Women give. Women have fears. Some days I want to go jump in my bed, pull the covers over my head, go to sleep and wake up to realize that this has been a bad dream. Do you think I’m scared? You bet. Do I have anxiety? Of course. Will I feel the fear and do it anyway? Absolutely. How do you feel the fear and do it anyway? I’m sure, as you are sitting here reading this, you are thinking about some fears that you have, right? And it’s possible that you haven’t been able to overcome that fear yet.

My definition of Fear is…
Feeling
Emotions
Appearing
Real

Because they are real—right? When you feel your own fear, it seems almost impossible to move through it. And this is what keeps you stuck and trapped.

What do you fear that keeps you from stepping into who you really are? Do you:

~Fear cultivating a loving relationship because of past hurt and emotional pain?
~Fear letting go of a relationship that’s toxic and no longer serves who you are?
~Fear leaving a job or career that you’ve outgrown long ago?
~Fear taking on the idea of starting your own business even though it’s always been a dream?

These are just a few of the “fears” that women may have at different times in their lives. Fear is natural, it’s healthy and it’s never going to go away. The key is to find solutions to “manage” your fear so that you can move through it. Fear is a natural partner to your creativity. Anytime you have a new idea (or in my case, a health crisis that needs to be handled) you have the opportunity to take the pieces of the idea or situation apart and make choices about how to move forward in a way that serves you and will be in your highest good.

Here are some of the ways that I’m “managing” my fear and doing it anyway:

1. Create an air-tight support system – I’m so blessed to have an amazing support system around me. By the way, it’s not by accident. I seek out positive, nutritious people to be a part of my life and my families lives. I’m intentional about decreasing the amount of toxicity and negativity in my life as much as possible.

2. Become “Curious George” – Recently, I had a very Smart Woman explain the difference between “healthy anxiety” and “unhealthy anxiety” to me. “Healthy anxiety” propels you into asking curious questions of people who can help you break down the fear barrier and move toward positive resolution. “Unhealthy anxiety” keeps you stuck and trapped—unable to move at all. Yes, I’m driving the doctors crazy with all of my questions and I’m sure my family is a little crazy with all of the planning I’m doing but it’s what I need to feel clear and calm.

3. Create a Vision of What’s Possible – Instead of focusing on the fear of not being able to do something, focus on what will be possible for you on the other side of the fear, once you conquer it and move through it. Think about how your life will open up to new beginnings once you take that first step.

What’s possible for me once my husband has a new, functioning healthy kidney? Our family can begin a renewed life and fully embrace living whole once again.

What’s possible for you once you feel your fear and do it anyway? Loving relationships, a Renewed life, a new business?

I share this article with you in the hope that you can take my current situation and look at your own life with a critical eye. Explore what’s holding you back in different areas of your life. Every time fear rears her head, use these solutions to help you move beyond your fear. I’m a woman just like you who loves, gives and feels fear…..and I’m doing it anyway. You can too.

Whether you’re donating a healthy organ to a loved one or making a decision to have more of what you want in your life and less of what you don’t, feel the fear and do it anyway. I’m doing it and you can do it too. I believe in You.

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(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.ProfitsWithPassion.com .

Smart Women Find Their “Flow”

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:39:14 +0000

Yesterday, when I picked my daughter Jenna up from tennis camp, she rushed over and handed me her uneaten snack and her nearly full water bottle, with a big smile on her face. I was surprised she hadn’t eaten her snack (after all, Goldfish is her favorite) and I couldn’t imagine her not drinking a gallon of water on this hot summer day! When I asked her about it, she exclaimed, “Mommy, I was having so much fun playing tennis I forgot to eat or drink!” Jenna was doing something that energized her. She found an activity that caused her to forget about everything. She was in her “flow.” This got me thinking about how Smart Women find their “flow” and live energetic, passionate lives.

When I was studying to become a Professional Certified Coach, I was required to read lots of books that were essential to my growth as a coach. I found one book in particular, Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life (Masterminds Series) by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (“chick-Sent-me-high”) to be quite thought-provoking. Csikszentmihalyi believes that many people walk through their lives without ever becoming aware of what energizes them or where they find themselves in the “flow.” Athletes sometimes refer to this as being “in the zone.” “Flow” is the place where you lose yourself and all track of time. You know when you are in the “flow” when you finish a task or project and you feel more energized than when you began. Have you ever done something and forgotten to look at the clock or stopped to take a break for lunch or even go to the bathroom? I personally find my “flow” in my work with women, watching my children play sports and listening to solo piano.

How about you? Have you found your “flow”? And if you have, are you practicing it on a regular basis? In my work with women, I find there are some who know where their “flow” is, and some who have lost touch due to their demanding lives and lack of time for self-care. Even though some women know where their “flow” is, they typically aren’t making the time to practice it as often as they should. One of the ways I support women is to help them find ways to have more “flow” in their lives.

In my Success Circles, I offer some exercises to help women discover their “flow”. Not sure yet what yours might be? Here are a few questions that will support you to finding the “flow” in your life:

Where do you lose yourself? What activity are you doing when you lose track of time, forget to eat, etc.?
Describe a time in your life when you felt passionate about being alive, inspired, challenged.
If you had a day off, and could spend it any way you wanted, what would you do?

Finding “flow” is a lot more essential in life than you might think. It’s the difference between living an energetic, passionate, purposeful life that holds meaning, or living one that feels full of boredom, humdrum, and just going through the motions. I invite you to find a quiet, peaceful place and ponder these questions. Once you have the answers, make the necessary changes to allow more time for you to be in the “flow” of your life.

“The quality of life does not depend on happiness alone, but also on what one does to be happy.”

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

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, 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 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 Need a “Lighthouse”

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:21:05 +0000

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.

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.

Smart Women Create the Right Web

Joy Chudacoff — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:54:37 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

In my Women’s Success Circles last week, we spent time focusing on the essential ingredients you need to put together your own carefully planned web for success in business. We had a conversation about marketing, time management and the importance of coaching during this building phase. We also talked about self-care, which is paramount to living a life full of purpose and passion both at work and at home. Smart Women know that life doesn’t just happen—you make it happen in your own carefully, planned out, thoughtful way.

As you begin to put together your own web to make it happen, ask yourself these questions: Do you have the right support system to hold your idea in place and make it successful? Have you created the right marketing message for your target market so that your product and service will “stick” with them? Have you created the time and space that you will need to build and grow your Big Idea, dream or goal? Do you have the right environment around you to make it happen?

As we finished our walk that morning, we stopped to gaze at one of the most carefully crafted spider webs I have ever seen. It was nearly a perfect Circle with all of the fine sticky threads placed in precise proportions. And what was the spider doing? Resting peacefully, right in the middle. Smart Women and smart spiders know one thing for sure: When you are living a life full of passion and purpose, that also means time for rest and relaxation—a time for reflection—a time for you.

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Joy’s website Smart Women Smart Solutions.

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.