Goal Setting

How Moms Can Get Back into the Workforce by Becoming Successful Entrepreneurs

October 19, 2023

Many moms have had to step out of the workforce to take care of their children and families. However, with the evolution of technology and the rise of entrepreneurship, more and more moms are finding ways to balance both family life and running their own successful businesses. Starting a new business may seem overwhelming, but with proper planning, resources, and a determined mindset, becoming a successful entrepreneur can be a viable option for moms who want to get back into the workforce. Here, NMC Coaching provides some tips to get you started.

How Moms Can Get Back into the Workforce by Becoming Successful Entrepreneurs

Recognize New Market Trends

If you want to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor, you’ll first need to recognize new market trends, including:

● Consumers want on-demand services and products

● More shopping takes place online than ever before

● Digital storefronts are just as important as retail storefronts

With this information in mind, you should come up with your business idea and business plan based on your interests or desires. For example, maybe you can start a new marketing agency, start up a freelance web design company, or do something else entirely.

Just be sure to choose something that accounts for the above market trends!

From Stay-at-Home Mom to Successful Entrepreneur: A Guide for Moms

Consider Returning to School

Before your new business gets off the ground, you might want to go back to school to get an online degree or finish your education. There’s no better time to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree than when you’re laid off or working from home, as you have much more time on your hands. The right degree can give you the skills you need to thrive as an entrepreneur.

How to Start a New Business

Start your new entrepreneurial endeavor by:

● Writing a business plan

● Applying for funding (if needed), such as a business loan

● Hiring any necessary employees

● Buying supplies, like server hosting or product materials

● Choosing a business structure

As you grow your business, consider establishing a limited liability company. LLCs are advantageous as they shield your personal assets from potential lawsuits and offer tax advantages, flexibility, and minimal paperwork.

Ensure you get paid on time for your services by developing a process for invoicing. This can include billing clients immediately after services are rendered and offering them multiple payment options. You can create a branded invoice by using an invoice maker. Choose from a variety of templates and then add your terms, billing info, typeface, and logo.

How Marketing May Make a Big Difference

Starting a business is one thing — making sure that it thrives is another. You can market your business effectively and see stellar results or fail to market your brand and go out of business.

The best ways to market your business include:

● Using SEO (search engine optimization) and other research tools to identify your target audience

● Advertising directly to that audience with social media ads, banner ads, Google ads, and more

● Using email marketing to connect with and build long-term relationships with your core customers

Fortunately, the more you market for your business, the better you’ll get at it, and the more bang you’ll get for every marketing buck you spend. You may also want to bring in a digital marketing agency to optimize your website, SEO, and social media posts.

Also, make sure any marketing graphics or icons are of high quality and well designed; hire a graphic designer if need be. If you do work with a designer, get familiar with a file conversion tool so that it is easier for you to send high quality graphics through email. JPGs are often too large, but a PDF will preserve the quality while lessening the file size. You can easily convert your image format to documents using free online tools. Just drop in the file and the tool will do the rest.

The Mompreneur’s Guide to Success: How to Build a Thriving Business While Balancing Family Life

Achieve Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!

Ultimately, it’s more possible than ever before for women just like you to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions. There are many digital tools and resources you can use to get started. All you have to do is trust yourself, make a plan, and work to achieve your goal!.

If you are stuck and need some help determining what to do next with your life, contact NMC Coaching for guidance!

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Career

Advice for Parents With Disabilities: How to Make Your Dream of Running a Business Come True

September 25, 2022

As a parent with disabilities, you may not know how to make your dreams of entrepreneurship come true. How do you ensure you can balance your obligations as a parent, your health, and a business? Navigating Motherhood Coaching wants you to know that you can succeed with a plan, a home-based office, and a connection with clients.

For disabled parents: How to create your dream business

Start With a Plan

Before your dreams become a reality, you need a strategy. A business plan helps you manage your company through every stage. Many entrepreneurs choose a comprehensive traditional plan. This type of plan includes a summary of your mission, how you plan to be successful, and market analysis. It also details your financial projections, funding needs, and business structure.

To complete a market analysis, you need to look at your industry and target market. Check out the competitors and consider their strengths. What makes your competition successful? Figure out how you can offer something better. In addition to identifying your target audience, market research can also tell you if your business ideas are profitable. Always stay up-to-date on the market to ensure you know what clients want, even when needs change.

Make an Accessible Workspace

If your disability affects your mobility, you may want to consider a home-based business. Not only can you create an accessible workspace for yourself, but it also gives you more time to be with your children. You can sell anything from your home and use social media to advertise. And you don’t have to worry about non-compliant offices or other hurdles related to your disability.

You may need to meet with clients in your home depending on your business. Creating a distinct work area is vital for these interactions. You don’t want a client sitting at your dining room table with your toddler coloring next to them! Converting an unused room is the ideal situation, but if you can’t devote that amount of space, create a clear division between work and home by using dividers or strategic furniture placement. Also be aware that smells carry throughout your house. Even pleasant cooking smells should be whisked away by a quiet but efficient range hood in your kitchen. That way your client won’t be thinking about their dinner plans during your late afternoon meeting.

Things to consider if you are starting a home based business

Create a Financial Strategy

There are grants available for small business owners with disabilities, including those to help you with medical expenses, housing, and equipment. In some cases, you may have to establish a limited liability company before applying for the grants. In addition, look for other small business funding sources, like loans and lines of credit. It’s important to check your credit score before you go out soliciting funding. Many lenders will only fund individuals whose credit report shows they can handle money well. If your score is too low, consider postponing your quest for loans until you are able to raise your score.

Creating a financial plan can help you work toward your small business goals. If you are interested in investors, you need to have a proposal written out to show them how you plan to generate revenue and manage your expenses. If your company requires equipment, you may benefit from equipment financing. When you finance equipment, you do not have to worry about collateral because the equipment is collateral.

Use Accounting Software

Unless you’re a sole proprietor, you probably can’t get by without business accounting software. When you have business accounting software, it’s much easier to keep track of your business finances. This type of software can help you track your business income and expenses, so you always know where your business stands financially. Without business accounting software, it would be very easy to overlook crucial financial details, which could eventually lead to problems for your business. This software can also help you manage inventory and invoicing, so you can streamline your business operations and save time.

Connect With Your Clients

Make your customers feel special. Take note of how they interact with your brand. The way clients engage with you and your company can tell you a lot about your customer base. Learn to take constructive criticism. Respond to client concerns and encourage client satisfaction. Nowadays, most people have online platforms. Use your business page to connect with the customers. Keep your social media voice relatable to others. Be fun and casual on the internet.

As a parent with disabilities, you have your hands full at all times. Sometimes, you may not have time to generate your own content. Share your clients’ content on social media. For instance, if you sell products and your clients highlight the product on their page or take pictures of your services, repost them on social media. Encourage customers to talk about your brand.

Many people choose to include their pets on their social media posts to get the attention of the many pet-lovers out there. If you do choose to include your fur child on camera, make sure they’re at their best through regular grooming. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a professional though. Look online for great smelling pet shampoos. Then, get the kids involved in a designated spa day for your pooch to ensure they are always camera ready.

For disabled parents: How to start a home based business

You Can Juggle It All

Your life is full of hurdles. You may feel like you do not have the time for your professional ventures, but if you have a dream then you should pursue it. Start by creating a space that is designated for you to work, and ensure it has everything you need exactly where you need it. And take advantage of help through formation services and by re-posting your client’s content on social media. Juggling it all is about finding the shortcuts and the right support. You’ve got this, so make your vision a reality!

If you’re looking for a coach to come alongside you and motivate you to make your business a reality, then contact Darcey at Navigating Motherhood Coaching.

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Personal Development

How To Make Decisions When You Feel Stuck

September 19, 2022

If you are preparing for a career transition or another big event in your life, you may feel stuck. You may feel like you can’t take the first step. Maybe you don’t feel courageous. Maybe you feel hopeless about your current situation. You could just be feeling too drained to make that first move. However, there is one thing that stops people time and time again from achieving their goals. This one thing makes us play small and stay in our comfort zones.

How to make decisions when you feel stuck

You probably think I’m going to say fear of change, but while that is a factor, it’s only part of it. The one thing that stops us in our tracks is the difficulty with or inability to make decisions.

Do you ever have this problem? You are thinking about something for weeks or months. You want to make a decision, but you just can’t. You haven’t picked an end date, you’re asking everyone you know what you should do, you’re going back and forth and this decision is hanging over you like a dark cloud. Moths or years will go by and you still haven’t taken action. Why not? Well, because you’re afraid of making the wrong decision. You want to please others and be well liked. You are placing too much emphasis on what others think. Then where does that leave you? It leaves you stuck and with unfulfilled dreams. In this post, I’ll give you several strategies to help you make decisions when you feel stuck.

I’m capable of making decisions that are best for me

Follow Your Intuition

The most important thing is to follow your intuition. Some of us don’t trust us and have fears of this because we don’t trust ourselves, but this is the only thing in the end that really matters.
If we can feel that a decision is good for us in our body, that is so important. That means it’s a healthy decision for us. If there is negative tension in our body around this decision, we may need to rethink it.

Set a Deadline

The second most important thing to do is set a dead line. Pick a date to make a decision by and stick to it. Market on your calendar if you have to. Meanwhile you can use the strategies listed below.

Do Research

Do your research. If it’s something you’re deciding such as which product to buy, how much to spend on certain items, which school your kids should attend, which classes you want to take etc. Google is your friend. Other times research may involve calling a company, driving to different locations, interviewing people, visiting a library etc. Write down the results of your research if necessary. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t be afraid to keep investigating. Your intuition will serve you well here. For example, if you are making a career decision, Talk to people who work for the company you are interested in. Visit their website, check out the company culture and values, look for salary information, look at reviews etc.

If you do the proper research, you can make your decision not only on your intuition and feelings, but the hard facts as well. Using both of these methods, you will make a decision you feel comfortable with.

I believe in my ability to make decisions

Meditation

Meditation can work as well. If you were questioning something major in your life, maybe you want to meditate over it for several days or weeks. Let your intuition guide you. After each meditation, you may want to write down your thoughts and or feelings about what came up for you. Then using what you wrote down, you can use this information to guide your decision.

Pros and Cons List

A simple way is to make a pros and cons list. Which ever list is longer is the one that is your deciding factor. This may be a good strategy for simple decisions, but if it’s something more complicated where you have to weigh all the factors, this might not work for you.

Deciding between healthy and unhealthy food

Ask for Advice

Finally, you may want to ask someone for advice. However, if you have a pattern of struggling to make decisions based on what other people think or fear that they will not like you depending on the decision you make, I would use this sparingly. It should be someone you trust, someone that can keep an open mind and someone who can keep things confidential. Especially if it’s a sensitive topic. Again, someone that is trustworthy is key. I would also suggest against asking too many people for advice. The more people you involve, the muddy or the waters. Unless the decision directly affects someone, you don’t have to involve them. unless you feel good about doing so.

Some questions you should ask yourself in the decision making process:

Am I calm and thinking clearly?
Do I need to step away from the situation before making my final decision?
What are the consequences of either side of my decision?
Does my decision align with my values?
What would I tell a friend if she came to me asking for advice?

How to make confident and clear decisions

To summarize if you are having decision fatigue or you are struggling to make decisions because of fear or people pleasing,, there are several strategies that can help. Following your intuition, setting a deadline, meditation, using a pros and cons list, doing your research and or asking others for advice. What strategies do you use to make decisions? Tell me in the comments.

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Personal Development

30 Back To School Prompts for Teachers

September 10, 2022

Here are several prompts to help you through the transition of getting back to school. You may want to use these prompts to shift your mindset, get clear on your goals for the first quarter of the school year or create a self-care plan.

30 back to school journal prompts to help you through the transition30 back to school journal prompts to help you through the transition

School Related Journal Prompts

How do I feel about teaching at this moment?
What is my purpose for teaching?
What do I enjoy about teaching?
What do I dislike about teaching?
What lessons have I learned from teaching?
What are my favorite lessons to teach?
What plans do I have for the first quarter?
How will I stay energized throughout the day?
What will cheer me up if I have a bad day?
My plan for time management at school is…
What can I do if I feel unheard?
How can I be better at listening?
What can I learn from a failed lesson plan?

Home and personal Time Journal Prompts

How will I take care of myself?
Create a self-care plan.
My plan for time management at home is…
How will I stay present with my family?
How will I deal with stress at home?
Who can I go to for support?
What tasks can I take off my plate and or delicate?
The activities that bring me joy are…

30 back to school journal prompts for teachers

Journal Prompts for Moving Forward

What is my biggest struggle right now?
What is the first step I can take to overcome that struggle?
What is coming easily to me right now?
How can I bring that feeling to other parts of my life?
What am I grateful for in this moment?
How can I bring more joy into my life?
What are my long-term goals? (Personally or professionally)
What action steps do I need to take to achieve my goals?
What small actions can I take? (Today, this week, this month etc)

There you have it. 30 journal prompts to help you through the transition back to school. You can pick the ones that call to you and work from there. Even if you write for five to ten minutes a day. Journaling is a great way to process thoughts and feelings as well as a brain dump. You can get rid of all that clutter in your head before starting the day or going to bed at night. Does journaling help you in any aspect of teaching? Let me know in the comments.

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Career

Three Ways Modern Women Can Get Ahead in the Workplace

August 23, 2021

This week, I’m sharing a post written by Brad Krause. Are you a mom trying to juggle work, family and other responsibilities? If your career is an important part of your identity, it can be a struggle to maintain balance while furthering your career. You are not alone. There are so many of us in this boat! However, there are strategies that can help you become and stay successful in your profession regardless of your career path. This post maps out 3 ways women can get ahead in the workplace.

3 ways women can get ahead in the workplace

The fight for equality for women in the workplace seems to be making progress. As of 2019, 47 percent of workers in the U.S. were women. But in spite of that significant number, there’s still much to do when it comes to establishing women’s worth in the professional sphere.

NMC Coaching offers three specific ways women can achieve their dream careers without giving up their rights.

Adjust Your Attitude at Work

While no one can argue that it’s women’s attitudes that hold them back in the professional sphere, perception can play a significant part in your ability to boost your career. Changing the way you act, speak, and even email can affect your work.● Muscling your way into the break room won’t earn you any favors. But learning and applying powerful body languagecan increase your confidence (and impress your coworkers). It can also help you communicate more effectively in high-stakes situations.● Consider changing up your speech patterns. One speech coach suggests cutting “filler” words such as “like,” “I mean,” “just,” and others from your vocabulary for more powerful communication. Changing your speech may not be necessary, but it could impact the length and impact of your verbal interactions.● Understanding different communication styles is also crucial for success in the workplace. There are gender communication differences, so learning more about them can offer insight and help you strategize.

Make the Workplace Change for You

While many women are content to rise above professional barriers, others will feel compelled to break them down. And the truth is, making the workplace change for you is one way to ensure a well-trodden path for yourself and future generations.

● Encourage your workplace to host training workshops on diversity, sexual harassment, and other relevant topics that impact your work experience.

● Enlisting other women for support and advocating for work-life balance are two ways you can navigate a male-dominated field. It may not be easy, but it’s meaningful work that could pay off in the form of a promotion.

● It’s not easy to report harassment or deal with the aftermath. But if it’s happening to you or a coworker, you have rights. When it comes to discrimination at work, know the law and your rights so you can be prepared.

Business woman juggling work life balance

Do Something Different

Taking a different path than ‘most women’ in your profession (or generation) can be refreshing. Consider doing something unexpected with your career, and you may have a more unique experience than you’d think.

● Research suggests that women remain underrepresented in senior management roles. While you may not be in complete control of your professional trajectory, setting your sights higher is one way to start chipping away at the glass ceiling.

● If you really want to break the mold, choosing a male-dominated career path could be the perfect fit. For example,women in STEM roles are a minority. Despite the barriers, embarking on such a trajectory could mean more opportunities.

● Consider the benefits of adding a credential to your name. Even if your field doesn’t require it, obtaining state licensure or a formal degree can elevate your professional standing.● For women who are balancing (or want to balance) growing a family with their career aspirations, recognize the challenges and potential payoffs. You can enjoy both family life and professional endeavors if you don’t let guilt or a non-supportive partner get in your way.

3 ways women can design their career path

Pursuing a rewarding career shouldn’t be controversial for women. And yet, getting ahead isn’t always seen as a priority. But these avenues toward achieving your goals can help you recognize the potential that exists for your professional future.

After spending most of his time in a corporate setting and neglecting his own self-care far too long, Brad embraced his calling and decided to become a full-time life coach. He now spends the rest of his life helping people get a better foothold on their wellness above all else. To learn more about Brad and his work, visit Self Caring.

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Goals and Dreams, Personal Development

How To Achieve Your Goals in 5 Easy Steps

January 18, 2021

Since this is a beginning of a new year, it’s the perfect time to think about setting goals and of course, achieving them. If you didn’t make New Years resolutions, don’t worry about it. If you have already fell off the resolution wagon, that’s okay. You can start over. I will show you how to achieve your goals in five easy steps.

Step 1: Choose Your Non Negotiables

What will you make non negotiable? Meaning what will you focus on? What areas of your life light you up or which areas need to be improved?

Deciding what you need to focus on is the first step towards achieving your goals. For me, one area that I focused on last year is fitness. Specifically, exercising daily. I didn’t specify how much weight I wanted to lose or what size I wanted to drop to. I focused on one specific measurable action. To exercise for at least a half an hour daily.

Once you have decided on area to focus on and a specific action to take, it’s on to step 2.

Types of Goals you can achieve

Business goal: To have 10 coaching clients by December 2021.

Specific action: Reach out to 10 people per month on social media and invite them to a discovery call.

Personal goal: Read 20 books in the next 6 months.

Specific action: Read for 15 minutes each night before bed.

Relationship goal: To have one date night per week.

Specific action: Make a list of 20 date night ideas.

Parenting goal: To be more present with my children each day.Specific action: Put phone in another room for 1 hour each day.

I would suggest starting with two or three areas that are the most important to you. Then make one, two, or three goals for each area.

Step 2: Make your goals measurable

Remember that specific action from step one? It’s time to break those down even further.

This will help you track your progress and celebrate your wins! It will also make reevaluating your goals easier.

Here’s one example from my business goals. My over arching goal is to get 10 paying coaching clients by December of 2021. One strategy I will use to promote my services and find clients is using Instagram. Here are two measurable action steps I can take.

1. Post once per day,

2. Comment on at least four other people’s posts per day.

Since I can’t control the actions of others meaning whether they will sign on as clients, I can control my level of engagement. Building relationships with people through engagement is my strategy.

Here’s another example.

Goal area: Fitness

Specific goal: To lose 20 lbs in 6 months.

Measurable action steps: 1. Run 30 minutes each day.

2. Eat one serving of fruits and vegetables with each meal.

3. To drink 4 glasses of water each day.

Do you notice how the action steps all relate to fitness, but they are different? Let’s say the person misses a few days of running, but they are still able to eat healthier and drink more water. Technically, they are still working on their goals and it can still be a win even if you don’t do all your action steps each day. Having more than one measurable action is like having a backup plan.

Step 3: Accountability

The third step towards achieving your goals is holding yourself accountable. Meaning how will you commit to your goals? Will you write it down in a place where you will see it everyday? Will you tell someone who will check in on your progress? Do you work best when you work on your goals alone?

Often, we achieve our goals faster if we have an accountability partner. I know for me, if I’m going to check in with someone about the goals I’m working on, I feel worse if I have nothing to report. Finding an accountability partner may be a good motivator to stay on track. It may also help if your partner is working towards the same goals, but it’s not necessary.

Some things to consider when looking for an accountability buddy are:

Who will you choose?

When will you tell them?

How often will you check in?

If you’re a person who works best alone, here are some suggestions.

Put a sticky note where you will see it everyday.

Create a vision board representing your goals.

Send reminders to yourself using your phone.

Write your top goals each day when you get up each morning.

Step 4: The hard work of achieving your goals

You’ve chosen areas of your life to focus on, you’ve created goals and specific action steps and you’ve found ways to keep yourself accountable. Now it’s time to do the hard work. It’s time to put your plans in action and make your dreams a reality. This is where people often get stuck. This is the most important step and where you can start seeing your progress which will look different depending on your goals. If you are crushing your goals, that is fantastic, but if you get stuck, ask yourself:

What do I need to put in place to help me achieve this goal?

It could be anything from a physical item to getting rid of thoughts of self doubt.

How will my life change if I achieve this goal?

By answering this question, you will reach the why behind your goal. You will see what will be different if you keep going.

Finally, if you feel the goal is too big,

How can you break it down into even smaller steps?

What is stopping you from achieving your goals?

If you are on the hard work of step 4 and you are feeling stuck. It would be the perfect time to reach out for help. Let’s have a chatso that we can get you back on track.

Step 5: Reevaluate your goals

Reevaluating serves two purposes. First you see what progress you’ve made. Maybe you’ve already achieved your goal and can move on to the next. Maybe you are progressing, but need to keep going as you are. Finally, your goal may be too large, not specific enough or not as important to you anymore. If you don’t reevaluate, you’ll miss out on this important information. It’s a good opportunity to be honest with yourself about what you truly want.

When you are doing your planning, you’ll want to decide when you will be checking your progress. Will it be weekly, monthly, quarterly etc? These time frames will be different depending on the goal. Here are some examples.

Business: Make a 90 day marketing plan with at least one item to do each day.

Progress check: Have you done each item on your plan?

Personal goal: Write in your journal each day.

Progress check: How many days this week did you write in your journal?

If not, what stopped you.

Personal goal: Losing weight

Progress check: Weekly weigh in.

Have you lost weight? Gained weight? How many days this week did you exercise? Why or why not?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are reevaluating your goals while feeling stuck.

Is this goal still important to me?

What is getting in the way of me achieving this goal?

How can I remove these blocks?

What different measurable action steps can I take?

If this goal is no longer meaningful, what are my new goals?

How can I hold myself accountable?

How am I feeling about this particular goal?

How will I feel when I accomplish this particular goal?

Summary

To summarize, there are five easy steps you can take to help you achieve your goals.

Step 1: Pick 1, 2 or 3 areas to focus on and make specific goals.

Step 2: Make it measurable. Write 1, 2 or 3 action steps that you can take to achieve your goals.

Step 3: Keep yourself accountable. Find an accountability partner or write your goal in a place where you will be reminded every day.

Step 4: The hard work. This is where you put your plan into action. This is the most important step. You can get stuck, but you can also make things happen!

Step 5: Reevaluate. Here’s where you see your progress. You will learn what is working and what you need to change.

What are your goals for 2021. I’d love to hear about them over a discovery call. If you are feeling stuck, need some help prioritizing your goals or need an accountability partner, I’d love to work with you!

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Goals and Dreams, Personal Development

How to Choose Your Word for 2021

December 31, 2020

Since 2020 is finally wrapping up, I want to start focusing on 2021. Honestly, I’m grateful that 2020 is ending. It has been a horrible year for many. However, I will be taking some things from 2020 with me like the importance of slowing down, continuing to build my business as well as the personal progress I’ve made this year. While I know all the terrible things won’t go away the moment the ball drops, it’s important to look ahead. Have you been thinking about New Years resolutions?

The truth is most people make resolutions and then lose their motivation after a month or two. This is why I’ve gotten into the practice of choosing a word for the year. Even if you change or drop your goals, your word can still guide you. You don’t have to feel guilty about not sticking to those New Years resolutions. You can use your word as a guide for your daily actions and even if you skip a day or a week, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Doesn’t that sound much better? Here is how to choose your word for 2021.

Word for 2021 Brainstorming Exercises

You may already have a word in mind or you might not know how to start if this is your first time. The first step is to brainstorm and you can go about this in several ways.

Journaling

Write in your journal. Describe what you want 2021 to look like. Don’t forget all areas of your life. Personal, family, professional, social life, hobbies etc. The sky is the limit.

Do any themes reoccur?

Do any words pop out at you?

What feeling do you get?

Vision Board

If you are a more visual person, you may want to create a vision board for 2021. If you spend time visualizing your goals, you will achieve them. Just the act of visualizing your goals can bring them closer. If you don’t know where to start or don’t have any inspiration, there are tons of vision board images and tutorials online.

You can create a physical version with a sheet of poster board and some cut out pictures or you can create a digital version.

Here are some things you may want to put on your board.

Inspirational quotes or phrases,

Words that resonate with you,

Places you’d like to travel too,

Items you’d like to have,

Pictures of your dream home,

Pictures that represent your goals such as money, fitness, schooling, new hobbies etc.

Family life: Children, weddings, new partner, current partner etc.

The sky is the limit with this exercise too. Let your imagination and creativity go and make something you love!

Word Cloud

Make a word cloud or list of words that resonate with you. Whatever pops into your head. You can either do this exercise first or be inspired to make your list by one of the other exercises. Anything goes here as well.

What word or words pop out at you?

Which words connect to your goals?

Set Goals

If you haven’t already, set some goals for the new year. I know that I’ve said you may not want to set New Years resolutions, but there still may be goals or dreams you have in mind for 2021 and beyond. Maybe you want to get in better shape, find a new relationship, be more present with your kids, take a family vacation etc. List your goals and the steps you need to take to get there. For more specific goal setting tips, come join me on Instagram!

For now, just make a list of your top goals and see if any of them are connected. Perhaps, that’s where you will find your word.

Let’s take my goals for 2021 as an example.

1. Get ten coaching clients.

2. Take a course for marketing on Instagram.

3. Create my new weekly newsletter.

4. Meet the man I have been talking to online.

5. Be more present with Rosebud.

6. Try a new hobby.

Most of these goals relate to beginning, creating, or starting something new, so I have chosen the word beginning for 2021. When I picture 2021, I picture a year of beginnings. A fresh start with opportunities to create something new. Wiping the slate clean and drawing a new picture. Rosebud has this new writing tablet and when she is done with her picture, all she has to do is push a button and it disappears. You are left with a blank screen to start over. That is my metaphor for 2021. Beginning again.

List of Words for Inspiration

If you aren’t inspired yet, here are a list of words to help you get started.

Adventure, Abundance, Change, Confidence, Connection,

Direction, Excitement, Focus, Friendship, Gratitude,

Happiness, Joy, Kindness, Learning, Love,

Movement, Positivity, Present, Productive, Reflection,

Renewing, Results, Self-acceptance, Self-care, Sharing,

Tolerance, Trust, Truth, Wealth, Wonder.

What is your word for 2021? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to know. I wish you a happy new year. May 2021 be filled with peace and prosperity for all of us. I hope 2021 will be a time to reconnect and reunite. As always, stay safe and healthy.

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Personal Development

How To Create Positivity from Missed opportunities

September 16, 2020

I had an experience last week that got me thinking about missed opportunities and the things that we participate in that we think are beneficial, but it turns out they aren’t. The question is what do we do with those missed opportunities? What do we do when a door closes? We pick up and start over. Here’s how to turn a missed opportunity into something positive. As the saying goes, turn lemons into lemonade.

When One Door Closes

This story is such a first world problem. It’s so inconsequential when we look at the big picture, but sometimes the smallest things can teach us the greatest lessons. I was apart of a Facebook group for bloggers where we can promote our blog using the daily threads. I have been a regular participant in this group for a while and always did my best to give more than I take. I’d always engage with the other bloggers on the threads. Whether it be liking social media posts on their accounts, commenting, or sharing their blog posts.If you know me, you know that I always try to go above and beyond to do things the right way. Especially when it involves helping other people. It was a shock to me that I was suddenly muted and could no longer respond to the other comments or post. There were days when I couldn’t respond until late in the day because I’m a busy mom. I make my original comments in the morning and then go back throughout the day to help the other bloggers. That is what’s always worked for me.

At first, I got mad because by doing that, they were basically accusing me of dropping my link and running. Then I was disappointed because I couldn’t participate for another month, but I quickly realized that maybe that group wasn’t the place for me anyway. When I thought about it, most of the bloggers in that group aren’t apart of my niche. While their content is great and they were super helpful, there wasn’t much of a connection. They aren’t the people that will become my clients. I could’ve waited a month and then tried to figure out what I had done wrong. Then I could spend time making sure I followed every rule, but for what?

I had to ask myself, how is this benefiting me? Is it helping my blog or coaching practice grow? How does it make me feel to be apart of this group now? It wasn’t giving my blog that much of a boost and I no longer felt welcome in the group. In the past, rejection hit me hard and while I felt a touch of that, I turned it around to something positive.

How To Move On

I started looking for groups that were geared towards busy moms, coaches and female bloggers. I found several that I have joined and so far, they’ve been wonderful groups. The best part is that they’ve given my blog a boost and the women are awesome. There is a supportive environment where we help each other. If you are interested in joining any of these groups, find their links at the end of this post.

Journal Prompts

How about you?
Are there any doors that have closed for you lately? How are you feeling about these experiences now? Here are some prompts to dive into if you use journaling to get your thoughts out. If you aren’t much of a writer, don’t worry about it. Just answer these questions in your head. The answers are all within you.

Describe your last missed opportunity.
Is this a positive or negative thing for you?
Did a better opportunity open up as a result?
If not, how can you turn it into a new opportunity?

List your first three steps for creating your next opportunity.

Finding Clarity

This process also works if you are trying to decide if a. New opportunity is right for you or if you need to get out of a situation. This could be a relationship, friendship or anything work related. Of course, we have to do things we don’t want to do at times. It’s a fact of life, but we can change our mindset. When deciding if something is right for you, answer these questions to get clarity.

How does it make you feel in your body?

If you let this thing go, what will happen?(pros and cons)

What are you giving up by moving on?
What are you giving up if you stick with it?
What are you gaining from moving on?
What are you gaining by staying where you are?

When thinking about doors opening and closing in life, I try to remember this quote. “What is meant for you won’t pass you by.” This applies in business, relationships, purchases, friendships etc. What doors have opened or closed for you lately? Tell me in the comments. If you’d like to talk about creating amazing opportunities in your own life, feel free to book a discovery call to see how we can work together. I’d love to hear from you!

As promised, here are the Facebook groups I mentioned above.

Mom Blog Network Personal Development and Wellness Bloggers

Successful Mom Entrepreneurs Women’s Side Hustle Network

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Personal Development

35 Fall Journal Prompts for Self Reflection

September 9, 2020

Technically, autumn is not here yet, but the leaves are changing color and the weather is getting a bit cooler. At least it is here in the northeast where I am. When the seasons change, it is a good time to stop and reflect. You can figure out what you want to do with the remainder of the year, explore personal growth topics or simply have fun writing about new and old fall memories. Here are 35 fall journal prompts to help you fill those blank pages.

Goal Setting

The last quarter of the year is a perfect time for goal setting. Prioritize and outline a plan to achieve your goals by the end of the year with these journal prompts.

What are your goals for the next three months?

How important are these goals? Put them in order.

If you were to achieve these goals, how will your life change?

What might block you from achieving these goals?

How can you remove these blocks?

What steps can you take to achieve your goals? (List out steps for each goal)

What is one step you can take today to achieve at least one of your goals?

How will you feel when you accomplish these goals?

How will you feel if you don’t achieve them?

What has helped you accomplish goals in the past?

Seasonal Prompts

Enjoy these fun seasonal prompts.

What feels different about the fall?

What are your fall traditions?

What fall traditions would you like to create?

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

If you could cast one magical spell, what would it be?

What is your favorite Thanks Giving memory?

What are you grateful for?

What are your favorite fall foods?

Describe your perfect fall day.

Take some fall photos and make a photo collage. Write any thoughts you may have.

Self Discovery

Use these journal prompts to explore your thoughts and feelings.

How does your self-care routine change in the fall?

What do you need to let go of?

What is the biggest change you’ve ever made in your life?

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

What are you afraid of?

Name 50 things you are grateful for.

What season of life are you in and why?

What would you like to achieve by next fall?

What are you excited to do each day?

How do you define beauty?

What are you open to receiving?

If you have kids in school, how do you feel about them returning to school this year?

What is your biggest struggle right now?

What is your biggest source of joy right now?

What do you need to do to prepare for winter?

Let me know if you find these fall journal prompts useful. Do your journaling habits change with the seasons or are you just getting started with journaling? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

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Personal Development, Self Care

40 Summer Journal Prompts to Keep You Inspired

July 28, 2020

Since summer is the half way point in the year, some people find it helpful to reflect on the previous months or to think about what they want to accomplish for the rest of the year. One way to do this is through journaling, so I have gathered a list of some of my favorite prompts for the summer. They include prompts for goal setting, creativity or reflection. There is a journal prompt here for everyone. Enjoy this list of summer journal prompts to keep you inspired.

Summer Prompts

Does summer feel different than other seasons to you? Why or why not?

Does your family have any summer traditions? What makes them special?

What part of summer do you look forward to the most every year? Why?

Take your journal outside and describe your surroundings. How are you feeling? What are you noticing?

What is your favorite summer memory from your childhood?

Create a summer bucket list.

Write a love letter to your body.

What is your favorite summer treat? How would you describe it?

What is your favorite outdoor activity? How can it translate into other areas of your life?

What are your favorite summer self-care ideas? Which ones can you do this week?

What does your dream summer day look like?

Journal Prompts for Reflection and Growth

What do you need to forgive yourself for?

Who do you need to forgive? Write an unsent letter to them.

If you could travel into the past, what would you do?

If you could travel into the future, what would you do?

Write about your biggest life changing moments.

What is the most valuable lesson life has taught you?

Describe the happiest version of yourself.

What do you do when people are unsupportive?

How do you know when to let go?

Make a list of the treasures in your life.

Prompts for Goal Setting

What quotes remind you of your goals and dreams?

What goals have you accomplished in the past six months?

Have your goals changed from the beginning of the year?

Have you accomplished what you wanted to so far this year? Why or why not?

What are your goals for the rest of the year?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

If you could attract anything into your life, what would it be?

What does success mean to you?

What holds you back from achieving your goals?

What are your goals for the month?

Journal Prompts for Creativity

What do you like to create?

What kinds of things did you create as a child?

What creative hobbies would you like to try?

How has creativity helped you?

How are you unique?

Make a list of things you enjoy doing.

Take a photo of something beautiful.

Make a hand written card or write a letter to someone you love.

Do you have any favorite journal prompts that you like to use for the summer? Tell me in the comments. Happy writing!

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