Archive for The Dream

Oct
11

The First Rule for Defying the Box

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When was the last time you sat down and really thought about what you wanted in your life?

I’m not talking about those easy stock answers like – more money.  We all want more money right about now. The real question is- how much more and what would you do with it?

How would your life be different if you had more money? Get specific.

If I consistently made $10,000 a month in my biz, I would go visit my friend Danielle in San Diego whenever I felt like it. I would eat out at the fancy restaurants that I like and drink expensive wine at least twice a month. I would spend a month in Tuscany hanging out in the country side making pottery and riding a bike through vineyards and little villages.  I would rent a space in a studio with other potters and hang out there making beautiful bowls and platters that I would then give as gifts and sell at craft fairs. I would triple the hours that my VA worked for me and hand off more of the work that I don’t love doing to her. I would also quickly pay off my second mortgage because I can! That would be totally kick-ass!

Thinking about these things feels really juicy and fun! I know that when I spend time focusing my thoughts and energy in this way every day, things get kick-ass very fast. I get new ideas, and opportunities just show up.

A Kick-Ass Life doesn’t just happen. It requires you to identify what you want and focus your attention on what it will be like to have it. I think this is especially true for all of you non-conforming entrepreneurs who are working to create an out of the box biz. You don’t want the status quo, so it’s up to you to keep your focus on how you want it to be rather than what is right in front of you. You need to continuously make it up as you go along.

Sometimes this means totally ignoring the current reality that you see before you!

Right now it’s really easy to get caught up in the reality that the economy has tanked and everyone is struggling to just get by. I know that I got caught up in that reality for a while. I was focusing my attention on it, and I lowered my expectations.  The more I paid attention to the media and listened to people worry and complain; the worse things got for me. I expected that I would struggle and I did.

Buying into this reality also caused me to limit my ability to see other possibilities for thriving and I wasn’t really looking for new ways of doing things that would lead me there. I stopped focusing on what I wanted in my Kick-Ass Life and started settling for what everyone else was having. What everyone else is having sucks! I’m glad that I’ve snapped out of it!

It all comes down to this-You get what you expect- every time. I expected to struggle in my biz because everyone else was.

I had broken the first rule for Defying the Box- focus on what you want rather than what everyone else is doing!

I shifted my focus and things are changing!  I’ve been inspired to create a few new low cost options, and I’m putting together a mastermind to support other entrepreneurs who want to defy the box and break free from their pre-packaged biz. It’s all about flying your freak flag and becoming super shiny so the people who want what you have to offer can see you.

Let me know if you want in on this.

In the mean time, spend some time focusing on what you really want in your life and your biz. Get down to the juicy bits and pieces of how it will impact your life. If your current reality is not in alignment with what you want, ignore it! Defy the Box by focusing on what you want instead of what you’re supposed to do.

Kick-Ass Consultation

Categories : The Dream
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What do you really want from your work life?

How do you want to feel at the end of your day?

What do you need to feel secure-successful-satisfied?

Is owning your own biz the real solution?

It seems a common belief that the only way to have the freedom and flexibility that you crave is to own your own biz or and work for yourself, but is that really true?

On Monday Nov, 8th at 3 PM EST we will be talking about this very thing on My Kick-Ass Dream Life . The conversation will be focused on exploring what you want and the different ways to go about getting it. You might be surprised at what you learn.

Come get in on the conversation!

You can join the live show two ways:

1. Pick up your phone and dial
(661) 244-9817

You will be connected with the show and you can listen in live. If you want to join in the conversation and share something, or ask a question you can do so by pushing #1 button to virtually raise your hand and let us know you want to join in.

2. You can click this link to stream the show live over your computer.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/my-kick-ass-dream-life-/2010/11/08/is-working-for-yourself-really-part-of-your-kick-ass-dream-life

If you go this route you have the option to log into the chat that is going in real time with the live show. You will need to set up a free blog talk account to log into the chat…don’t worry…it’s easy.

If you can’t make the live show you can listen to the recording of the show via the same link anytime you like after the show airs live.

I hope you can make it!

Categories : Audio & Video, The Dream
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I often work with people who know that they want something more out of life, but they have no idea what that looks like.

I always suggest a bit of self-exploration to help them uncover their version of a kick-ass life.

I figured that I would share these 10 tips for connecting to your kick-ass life in case you struggle with the same thing.

Here we go………

1. Commit to looking for the things that make you happy. Start making a daily kick-ass list. Write down everything that feels good to you and that you want more of.

2. Create space to sit quietly and connect to your inner-freak every day. Listen to what it tells you. It knows the way to all that is juicy and fun.

3. Put yourself outside your normal day-to-day life to shake things up a bit and shift your perspective. (I decided to go for my dream of being a Life Coach when I was at Burning Man.)

4.  Tap into your curiosity and sense of wonder. Ask questions, dig deep, and let yourself be surprised.

5. Play more! Have fun! This will help you tap into the energy of your kick-ass life and attract more of it to you.

6.  Explore all the things that interest you and try it on for size. Conduct your very own Life Experiments.

7.  Pay attention to what you admire about the folks around you. Think about what exactly it is that appeals to you. (For example: You admire your friends open relationship. When you think about it, you recognize that what appeals to you is their ability to be themselves and pursue their own interests, and that is what you want more of.)

8. Give yourself permission to do all the things that you think you CAN’T or SHOULDN’T do, but you really-really want to.

9. Think about how you want the different aspects of your life to feel. (i.e. Work, relationships, body, spirituality, communication, sexuality, and relationship to money)

10. Imagine how you want to feel on Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, and Friday. What do you do on the weekends?  Get specific. Think about the kind of people you want to be around and the things you will do.

Pick a few to try out and let me know what happens in the comments below.

Categories : coaching, The Dream
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One of my summer time activities is to take part in the World-Changing Writing Workshop that is being put on by the cool peeps over at the Freak Revolution.

I like to write. I feel like I have at least one book in me, and it has been confirmed by several psychic friends too…so it MUST be true!  ;-)

Any way….

I love the Freak Revolution blog and I dig all the people they pulled in to teach, so I figured what the hell, I’ll do it.

I am one week into the workshop and I dive into my home work feeling all confidant that I can easily do it.

Then *BLAM*……

I am already feeling stuck.

The assignment is simple enough. It is to write out my world changing message in 100 words.
I know what my mission is. It is to help non-conforming souls break free from their pre-packaged lives and create their kick-ass dream life.

It’s simple enough.

You see, I truly believe that we are all meant to bring our own unique gifts to the world.

Your kick-ass dream life is the perfect manifestation of you doing just that.

When you are living your kick-ass dream life you are in perfect alignment with who you really are and all your unique gifts and special talents will come forth. Your life will feel good and the whole world will benefit from it.

People often ask me: “Why work with non-conforming souls”

My answer is simple:  “I am one.”

I know from my own experience that is takes courage to go against the mainstream mentality and blaze your own trail to discover your unique definition of a meaningful, satisfying, abundant life.

But , how do I break that all down into a 100 word message?

This is going to take a bit of work.


Categories : The Dream
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Jun
10

What Death Has Taught Me

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In this moment I am sitting by my Nana’s bedside watching her labored breath. Her eyes are open but I do not think that she is seeing anything anymore.  Nana is very close to the end.  I think that she is at peace with it. I do not feel any struggle coming from her.

Nana would be turning 96 this July 3rd. She has had a long life surrounded by people that she loves and that love her.

This past year she has often spoken to me of how she has outlived her siblings, peers, and most of her friends. She even outlasted one of her two children. (My Mom died in 1993) She said that she gets a bit lonely when she thinks of it too much, so she chooses to focus on what she has left; her son and daughter-in-law, 5 grandchildren, and two great granddaughters. That feels good to her.

Once the Drs. told us that she had cancer all through her stomach and esophagus and it would be over quickly, the family started pouring in to be with her and say our goodbyes. For 12 days she’s had visitors and phone calls from extended family and old friends, all sharing a moment, looking at pictures and surrounding her with love.

It’s been such a beautiful celebration of her life.

It makes me realize that in my vision for my kick-ass life, I want to include time to say good bye and celebrate my life when it is time for me to die. I want a peaceful release after saying goodbye to the people I love.

I never really thought about it in that much detail before.

I have thought about how I do not want to go.

I do not want to suffer through a long drawn out dance with cancer like my Mom, and denying that I was going to die when the end came.

I can’t really blame her for resisting it with all her might; she was only 55. This is what she told me in our last coherent conversation:

“This is the time when I am supposed to be enjoying my life, not dying. I did everything I was supposed to do and now it’s my time to have fun. Leah, you need to enjoy your life now. Don’t put it off until the future. “

I carry that advice with me every day.

When my Dad passed it was rather sudden, and most of the family was in a place of surprise and denial around what was happening. I feel extremely lucky that I was able to meet him where he was and discuss what he wanted & what he was afraid of. It was extremely powerful for me, and I would like to believe that it made it easier for him to release life and move on to whatever was waiting for him.

The experience taught me the great gift of being present with what is, no matter how hard it is to face.

The vigil for Nana continues. It is time for me to return home, but I leave her surrounded by love and peaceful.


Categories : The Dream
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