True Calling Project | Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life and Career

​Nicole Christina is a psychotherapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience. She specializes in Positive Aging, eating and food related issues, burnout, and stress reduction.    In this episode John and Nicole discuss how feeling grateful can lead to peace and happiness in daily life.   Nicole explains how simple, grounded techniques can help you relax so that you are able to see the bigger picture and feel more grateful. From breathing exercises and leaving quirky notes to yourself, to finding a community of people where you belong, Nicole has some smart and simple tips you can work on to reduce anxiety and see the world through a different lens.   You can find out more about Nicole's web courses on mindful eating and being grateful at www.nicolechristina.com   "It's an attitude, not a practise. We have more control over our happiness than sometimes we think we do. It's not about what happens to you. It's about how you deal with it."

Mia Quaglia is a therapist who runs Divorce and Thrive, a coaching academy that heals and empowers women to discover life after divorce.   She helps her clients move through the thoughts and feelings of divorce and discusses how you can grow, take responsibility and find new life in such a major event.   Mia also shares how she found herself and the ability to help others after ending a 25-year marriage.    She and John talk about perceptions of divorce: Mia thinks men and women experience this differently, and her work helps women discover the affirmation of shared experience. They discuss how you know when to make a decision, how to leave behind blame and regret, and how to make this change a positive experience and stepping stone to the future.     "we can embrace divorce and you can come out of it being a better person; being able to experience life, breathe differently and have a different quality of life”   online:divorceandthrive.com email: mia@divorceandthrive.com tel: 2798199939

Shit happens.  Sometimes it's a little harder to take than others.  I had what I thought was a sure thing and a great opportunity for my career.  It didn't work out.  But it was a reminder of a very important lesson.  Sometimes the thing that doesn't work out, the problem you are resenting, is the very thing you need.  If you listen to what you are experiencing.  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:  www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject 

It's not easy to put ourselves out there for others. Even for people that "seem" to have it all together. Most people can be decent at self confidence, but struggle with self esteem. Because when we take away all of the success measures and accolades, what do we have left? Our innate self. And that can be scary to show others. But we're all attracted to honesty. We love to see other people's truth. Not only is it good for the people seeing it, but it's great for the person sharing it. And when we show up fully, we can cut the bullshit and the middle man out. We are going to get more aligned with the right people and those people who don't resonate with your truth will fall by the wayside. Win-win. Be true, be honest. Cut the fat and we'll serve us and others. It makes too much sense not to. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes or find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

Justin Spicer is a video producer at globevillestudios.com. He has a unique take on 'marketing' for counsellors and therapists.  Justin makes YouTube videos for private practises, and uses SEO to help more people hear these authentic testimonials. He takes time to have a conversation with people about what they love and lets their passion do the talking. It's not about creating a polished presentation - instead he helps people connect with others through sharing a snapshot of who they really are. He's helping clients be their most authentic and comfortable selves in front of the camera and is challenging the old ad tradition of marketing to fear and 'lack'. "We can promote what we love by just doing what we love"

One of our greatest habits is to look and expect to find all of the answers BEFORE we act. As if we need to have the most information in front of us, be without fear, or have ultimate certainty before we take a chance. We'll never know until we start. We can't. Maybe we're not supposed to. I'm coming close to accepting an offer for my business that 4 years ago I never would have imagined. And the thing is that without taking those first steps to get where I am, this opportunity wouldn't be there for me. Life isn't about finding certainty. It's about living life and that includes the doubts, failures, and uncertainties. And to get the things we're after, we first need to take that step that's right in front of us. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

Michelle Meiche is a coach and psychic intuitive. She hosts the weekly Awakenings podcast and runs the website SoulPlayground.life where she shares support tools and insights. Today she talks to John about her perspective on intuition at a time where people are collectively shifting to a new paradigm of thought. As analysis and logic leave us struggling to make sense of or control current events, Michelle shares her advice on how you can begin to listen to your intuition through behaviours and 'gut' feelings. She also discusses how this intuition will inform the psyche to make life-enhancing decisions from your soul. "We're all gonna make mistakes, that's part of the way we learn. But if you have that ill at ease feeling, wait: you'll see your intuition will be backed by reality in the real world if you give yourself the time to let it play out." Interested in learning more about the True Calling Project and what I do?  Find out more at www.lifemadeconscious.com Read more at http://truecallingproject.libsyn.com/podcast#GpOmb3Id6FMx80zs.99  

Is it true that what we resist persists? What would happen if we moved our energy and focus from what we're resisting, or fearing, to a place of creativity? So many times we aren't able to see our own potential, or potential alternatives to our problems, because we are in a place of fear and resistance. And before we can move into a place of creativity, we need to accept what is happening and what is going on. Not excuse it. Not give in to it. Accept it for what it is. Whether it's a career situation, a relationship, social issues, or a literal creative stagnation. Stop resisting and focus on creation. Chances are we'll find out that we'll get what we're ultimately seeking. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes or find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

Motivation is a great tool for getting us started on a desired change. It can come in the form of the excitement of seeking a goal, fear of a negative consequence, or even anger and frustration due to our current situation.  But what happens when motivation dies off like is always does?  What keeps us focused for the long haul?  Prepare for the inevitable loss of motivation and seek a deeper meaning in why you are doing what you're doing and why you are seeking the change you want.  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find the episodes here:  www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

Keri Nola is an Awakening Healer, Energetic Visionary and Founder of the Sacred Soul Circle. She's also the co-founder of the Galactic Vibrations podcast and an author.   Today, Keri returns to the show to chat with John about the 'shift', a global awakening that's causing us to reassess our place in the world and how we identify ourselves within it.   From the anxieties and fears springing from recent political events, to the social questions we face on daily basis, this in-depth conversation explores why so many people are feeling collectively 'off' right now.   John and Keri discuss self-identification in a gendered society, our attitudes to blame, fear, doubt, relationships and love and how a different viewpoint can overcome some of the problems associated with a rigid self-perception.   Keri also opens up about the car crash that changed her life and helped her make the decision to leave behind her career in clinical psychotherapy and pursue her true calling.   "There is a massive awakening. We really have to see how far from ourselves and each other we've really been. That's the pain we're experiencing and that's the upheaval that's necessary in order for us to really come back home to our truest essence"   Interested in learning more about the True Calling Project and what I do?  Find out more at www.lifemadeconscious.com Read more at http://truecallingproject.libsyn.com/podcast#GpOmb3Id6FMx80zs.99

True Take: Being Everything for Everyone. When you're feeling drained or burned out have you noticed that it's times when you feel over obligated or over committed? Often we try and wear too many "hats" and be too much for others. And often it's without being asked to be those things. What would happen if we didn't always try and have to come through for everyone or please everybody or even be perfect. We might actually have more energy to be the best version of ourselves. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here: www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

We've seen an emergence of speakers and authors talk about the shedding of blame and shame from self. While this is healthy, many times we don't actually shed that blame or shame. We just redirect it towards others or other circumstances. Ultimately, one bag we can never shed is the bag of responsibility. When we understand that responsibility and blame are not the same things we are able to focus on what we can control and what serves us. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

We've all heard about the importance of patience.  But how easy is it really?  And why do we struggle with it?  Can we make patience a valuable resource in and of itself? Getting out the cycle of addictive thinking and overdoing.  Much of time in the case of our lives and present circumstances, less is more.  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:  www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

It's easy to get sucked into the newest idea, theory, or practice. What happens when we don't get what we expected? This summer has taught me a good lesson on expectations and why we should be wary of "turning points" and the revelations outside of ourselves. Everything is an internal process whether we like it or not. And many times those needed lessons are not fun, exciting, or comfortable. Subscribe to the True Calling Project on iTunes and find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject

Technology is ruining our excuse that we use that says "I don't know how to do it" or "I don't know where to start". Knowledge is not something that is separate to be kept from us and guarded by the select few. No, you are just scared or insecure or not ready. And there is nothing wrong with that. Better to face fear and learn from it than hide behind the false notion that there is some source of knowledge out there that you're not privy to that is keeping you stuck. It's not that "we don't know how", we just may not know "yet". Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes or find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

We've been taught that material wealth and gain is the best way to measure our success.  But why are so many people who "have it all" miserable with their work and occupations?  I talk about reading Daniel Pink's book "Drive" and why if we don't have 3 factors in our work to express ourselves in, we are not going to be as satisfied with our work.  The science has spoken.  Money doesn't create job satisfaction. Catch the True Calling Project live on Facebook at 1pm EST every Thursday. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or find it here:www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject

We look to people with special knowledge to help us solve problems, or give us insight, that we can't necessarily do on our own.  But how often do we overlook our own abilities in comparison to these experts?  When others have a credible skill set, it doesn't mean that what we have to offer is somehow "less".  There is a tendency to shrink from putting ourselves out there in fear that we won't be as credible as others we see as subject matter experts.  However, expertise, in many cases is subjective. And we have to be the judge as to take in from others what is right for us.  The best experts still have to know how to communicate and connect with others to help them with their knowledge.  Otherwise, it's only knowledge and nothing more.  Even a small child can give us the bit of awareness that can help us learn something valuable.  When we recognize that true "expertise", in this weird experience we call life, is very much an illusion it allows us to give what we have.  We don't know who we can help and how we can help them if we don't express what we have.  Don't let others supposed superior knowledge keep you from putting yourself out there.  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:  www.lifemadeconscious.com/category/truecallingproject/

What is professionalism?  Is it the words we use?  How we say them?  Etiquette? Expected behaviors in professional environments?  Is it what we wear?  Many of us are forcing ourselves into a box and parameter that we "think" is the way we should behave and speak.  When we are constantly trying to be something we're not, the imposter syndrome comes up in us.  Are we doing the right thing?  Are people going to accept and appreciate us?  What if we identified our own sense of what being professional means?  Respect for self and others.  Compassion.  Honesty.  Being real.  Because we know we value those things.  Authenticity is professional.  Respect and being true to ourselves and our values is being professional.  Not meeting some societal standard and "playing the game" so we "fit in".  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:  www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Was talking with a good friend of mine last night about the state of the world, government, business, economy. It's not our boss, the government, the corporations, our neighbors, our lack of money, or anyone else's responsibility to live through our values and take action...except for us. We have this addiction of blaming our circumstances for our inability to create what we want and not being able to live through what's important to us. The blame game keeps us stuck and in resistance. And in resistance there is no creation of new. Just playing the same broken game. We're better than that and more than capable. Anything that says otherwise just keeps us stuck, subservient, and playing small. Be the change. No, literally. Be the change. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here: www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

When we focus on gratitude in our lives it's NOT about ignoring problems or only seeing rainbows and gumdrop smiles. It's about seeing the WHOLE picture. Our brains are predisposed to be vigilant to identify what we can lose, or what we have lost. It's normal and natural to think negatively in many circumstances. BUT, since the mind is trying to keep us safe, it has a hard time being appreciative. So we have to be smarter than our monkey minds. GRATITUDE is about accepting the whole reality of life. It's healthy, balanced, and NOT bullshit. That's reserved for the part of our mind that only wants to see loss and catastrophe. Gratitude can make space for recognizing all the good stuff while also seeing that without some of the crap, we can't appreciate the good in life. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Dr Gary Brown is a licensed psychotherapist who has been in private practice for over 30 years. His primary focus is helping people connect to themselves and other people at a deeper level than what they might be used to, and his years of practicing have led to a number of interesting opportunities. In recent years, Gary has experienced a unique level of continuity of care: he has second-generation patients. Couples he worked with 10 to 20 years ago are now referring their adolescent children to his practice. Gary is able to see first hand how all sorts of traits travel through families. Not just mental health, but also physical, biological and emotional traits. Gary also has years of experience working in crisis intervention (which is, unfortunately, constantly relevant). During his time working with the the survivors of terror attacks and disasters, Gary has learned strategies that anyone can employ to mitigate the impact of shared trauma. The 24-hour news cycle gives us too much exposure to these traumatic events, and that can warp our perception of both the events and the world. Perform an honest self-assessment: what is the impact I am experiencing after seeing this event? Are you having trouble sleeping, seeing persistent images of the trauma, withdrawing, becoming hyper vigilant, experiencing fear? You’re not crazy or wrong for feeling what you are feeling – these are normal, human reactions to abnormal events. Talk to somebody you trust. “Pain shared is pain halved.” Assess your self care. Are you staying healthy and sleeping? Acknowledge that you aren’t impudent in the face of huge tragedies. You can help yourself and others heal by volunteering and giving back in your community. We will all do well to remember that there is nothing disorderly about PTSD – it is simply Post Traumatic Stress, and it’s a very normal reaction to trauma. “The most beautiful things, and the most important things in the world, are our abilities to express love to each other and our ability to receive love from each other.” -- Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Talking with a friend recently about the nature of low mood and low energy, or depression, and how it can help us bring clarity to our current situation. But only if we suspend judgement of what we are experiencing. I really think the Buddhists had something when they taught about releasing judgement. Notice how much easier life is when you are not judging your current situation, your relationships, your mood, your surroundings (gasp...politics). If we value ourselves and what we can bring to others and the world, we first have to get out of our own way. And to do that, we have to leave the judgement behind. Let others be the judge, we just need to focus on allowing ourselves to put out there what we need to. Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes. And find it here:www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Today’s guest, Kosta Stoyanoff, isn’t your typical positive speaker. He is the Founder of Uplifted Life, where he tries to remind people that there is more to life than what they have been conditioned to experience, and more to them than they could have ever imagined. We discuss how we can find the part of ourselves that will be essential if we want the world to change, and why we need to look internally – not externally – if we want to create that change. I was first introduced to Kosta through his video, “A Reminder To All Activists.” He discusses why activists need to come from a space of love, compassion, gentleness, and kindness. Who you are is more important than the fists in the air, the rallies, or the posters. If you are angry, resentful, and full of toxicity and you are trying to change the world, you’re not part of the solution – you’re part of the problem. Some will argue that we have to resist loudly and aggressively if we want change, and his own ideas about activism have received some resistance. However, if we look at the negative things happening in the world, they are happening because of fear, exclusivity, and insecurity. It’s a symptom of me against you; competition. We are always looking externally to solve the problems in the world, but we rarely consider that we might be part of the problem. It’s feels a lot easier to point a finger and blame something else than it is to look inside, take some ownership, and begin addressing your own level of consciousness and awareness. The funny thing is… you can’t actually change anything externally. The solution to any problem comes from within. You have the most influence over your own personal state of being, which will then ripple out and affect the people and things in your life. You may not be able to change the world by yourself, but you can still become the highest version of you; the most loving version of you. Then you can lift up the people around you. If we can understand that, then we might be able to create lasting positive change.   “Take ownership of who you are. You will receive and you will experience the way you choose to look at life – and the way you choose to look at life is either from a perspective of fear, insecurity, and separation or from a space of love, compassion, caring, connection, and courage.” -- Resources: Learn more about Uplifted Life: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube “A Reminder To All Activists”   Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Being afraid of pissing people off might be the #1 dream killer of all time. I was reflecting this week on how overly cautious we can tend to be (me included) when it comes to not wanting to possibly offending someone else. As if going through life solely to be polite can get us what we need...or be able to become what we were meant to become. Conflict is a part of life and relationships. We can't run from that or simply appease. When we are going after what we want our actions might hurt other people. But that doesn't mean it's always our problem, or our fault...or a bad thing. When we all show up as ourselves, we might piss each other off. But is that always a bad thing? Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes or find it here: www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Today our guest, Michael Kuhn, shares a powerful story about transformation, presence, relationships, and the metaphysical aspects of life (and death). Michael struggled with relationships and substance abuse for much of his early adulthood. After waking up in a jail cell, he decided he had to make a change. The need for knowledge became his new addiction. After almost drowning, his perspective was changed further. Michael believes that our goal as a species, and consciousness in general, is service to others. Intentionally living a life driven by your want and need to help others is the ultimate form of love. Michael’s journey towards discovery and transformation was a long and tumultuous one, but he shares it with others so that we can be inspired and learn from his experience. “Don’t live our life only for you. It’s pointless. When you wake up and you help others, you get so much more out of that than striving to buy or do something for yourself ... Striving to be a better person and help others as much as possible is the ultimate form of enlightenment.” -- Resources: Gaia.com Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

What is it about relationships that we find so rewarding?  What kind of people do we gravitate towards?  Is it their words?  Is it their advice?  When we have a good, solid, friendship or relationship, and connection with someone what are they doing that makes it so?  What can we focus on in our relationships to enhance our connection with others?  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:  www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Death is a unique process in human experience in that it can only be directly experienced by the participant, and it cannot be recorded. In almost everything else in life, people are ready and willing to offer advice… but, in this one area, they can’t. Bryan Wright, like many of us, is fascinated by this unknown, yet ubiquitous, experience. He is a student of Thanatology – the study of death, dying, and related processes – and he’s on the show today to discuss the postmodern phenomenon of denying death and the transformative power of the grieving process. Throughout much of history, death was considered an important part of the continuum of life and a community experience. Everyone and everything died, and the whole tribe was part of it. Western society has largely lost touch with that continuum. In Western society, we don’t often participate in the natural grief process. We often use the word recovery to describe that experience, but the field of Thanatology is moving away from the language of recovery because it can be oppressive to the bereaved and mourning. Instead, Thanatologists favor words like adaptation to describe and acknowledge what the grieving process really is: a reality-altering experience that forever changes who and what we are. “We have so few opportunities to really experience the true depth, intensity, and texture of human life. Death is an opportunity to experience those things, and a calling to explore that same level of curiosity in all of life.” -- Resources: Connect with Bryan at justwright04@gmail.com Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

NSFW. Or maybe it's AFW (appropriate for work). This isn't clickbait. Because clickbait is bullshit. This is about smiling through and letting go of a lot of what we get tied up in on a day to day basis. Do we really HAVE to put our energies and efforts into things that we can't control? Do we HAVE to play along with things even though we know they're bullshit? Like in the Emperor's New Clothes, we all know when we SEE bullshit, but we also have a keen sense of FEELING into bullshit. Trust your gut. But for today you can just practice with how good it feels to call a spade a spade by hearing yourself say the words "bullshit" and smile a bit. It'll make your day a little bit better.  Find the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and also find it here:  www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Today’s guest, Trevor Oldham, is a 20-year-old college student and co-founder of Become The Lion, one of the top ranked motivational blogs. Trevor has entrepreneurship in his blood, and he’s been running businesses since he was a kid. When Trevor was 17, he had success importing phone cases from China and selling them. It was a profitable business, but he decided that he needed to do something with more purpose and impact. At the age of 18, Trevor co-founded Become the Lion so that he could inspire millennials to become the best versions of themselves. One thing that Trevor learned early on is that, in order to become your best self, you have to ask for help – on top of that, he learned that many people are actually happy to offer help. He reached out to other entrepreneurs already running successful businesses, and he was able to learn a lot from them. Taking a chance and reaching out to Jon Gordon, author of The Seed, gave Trevor a helpful nudge towards finding his purpose. No matter where you are in your journey, and no matter what you are on a journey towards, there will always be someone one step ahead in the path who has something to teach you. Sending an email, or even just reading a book, can help you find success faster. “It’s nice having a revenue stream coming in, but it’s also nice being able to make an impact on people.” -- Resources: Connect with Trevor: Facebook | Instagram Learn about Become the Lion: Website | Facebook | Twitter Listen to the Trevor’s Become the Lion podcast “Five Extraordinary Things I Learned From Starting A Business At 18” by Trevor Oldham The Seed by Jon Gordon Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Funny how we fail to appreciate our impact on the people around us and our environment both in a positive and negative way.  We judge our impact as negligible when we are really the one's that need to be judging.  All our job is to express and create and leave the judging to others.  People will receive the impact of our actions regardless of what we think about them.  How can we be more intentional in what we do in a positive way?  In a way that is a true expression of who we are?  Taking notice about our negative influence and not turning a cheek on that either.  We're all small pieces in the world but equally important pieces.  What ripple do you want to set out into the world?  Because it matters.  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here: www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Listen up control freaks and self care junkies! This is for you. And for me. I'm done. Tired. Spent. Things are reaching their limit here with my business. But this time, instead of trying to self medicate the stress with "self care", I'm going to listen to it. Instead of trying to strangle control and lessen my anxiety, I'm going to let go. Not only that, I'm going to double down on listening to my stress and double down on letting go of control. We'll see how it goes. What's going on in your life that you're trying to over manage? What's getting in the way of what you want and value and what can you let go of to help you get closer to it? Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here: www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

Interesting opportunities are coming up lately.  Things that I never would have imagined even 3 or 4 years ago.  What if our limited mindset really is the problem? We try to seek certainty before we act thinking there should be this clear linear pattern from which to base our decisions from.  We think we know something until something new shows up in our lives. What's right in front of us right now that's trying to get our attention? Are we looking to only act on things that we are certain will "pay off" or are we willing to see what's "behind door number 2"?  What opportunities are possible to us if we allow ourselves to just...take..that step...that's right in front of us.  And then see where it takes us. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/  

Frances Harvey is a Professional Certified Coach targeted directly towards therapists and mental health clinicians, providing support, advice and all manner of help so they can reach their goal of running a successful practice and business. In this episode, we talk a lot about the idea of letting go. We all know that trust is important in so many aspects of our everyday lives, so how do we put this to use in our businesses? And what are the benefits? It may be a daunting task to ‘let go’ and open yourself up to trust, being vulnerable, but many times, that’s when we are fully able to allow the new to come into our lives and businesses. “Make a list of everything on your plate. When you go to do that task, ask yourself “Should I be doing this? I know it needs to be done, but should ‘I’ be the one doing it?”” Frances believes that therapists are simply called to do what they do, and that being able to successfully run a business around that calling is essential. In spite of this, many therapists lack the knowledge, skill or time to maximize their success. This is where Frances comes in, offering solutions to these blind spots. France’s first questions when starting a consultation are:   Who is the therapist as a person. Not as an entrepreneur or a therapist- who are they personally? What the therapist feels their greatest asset to the business is and how they are taking care of themselves. What steps can we take to maximize that care and get back to the original ‘calling’ that Frances feels all therapists have. It is because of this style of interaction that Frances can dive deep into not just the processes, but the mind of the therapist, and whilst she does utilize practical techniques, such as delegation of tasks, returning the therapist to their True Calling is of paramount importance. -- Resources: Connect with Frances: Website | Email Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

When should I push through and suck it up?  This comes up a lot for me. When do I push through and when is it ok to let go and relax? When is it time to step it up and when is it ok to take a break? If we only push ourselves all the time we'll burn out. If we only chill out and take it easy, we'll never move forward or grow. And there can be alot of guilt and angst about not pushing it hard all the time.  Knowing why we're doing what we're doing and implementing a plan and cycle in our actions and goal setting can help. Limiting and making boundaries to "go all out" as well as a time to step back and recuperate. Planning and executing both. Room for engaging as well as releasing.  Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Feeling especially reflective when I recorded this on Monday. Thinking about the things that I've tried and failed at over the course of my life, but especially in the last 5 years. Anything and everything that was not tied into a clear heartfelt purpose that could answer a "why" for me, didn't pan out. I was left feeling empty and not so fulfilled. The "jokes on me" kind of feeling. Not that it wasn't an important lesson, it was and continues to be. Chasing a "thing", the "idea of something", or the allure of something to make me more than what I already possess, is an illusion. Getting clearer on my overall "why" and I encourage others to do that questioning for themselves. Funny, because it seems like a good time to do so as structures and concepts fall apart all around us. Cutting through the BS. Not looking for something outside of you to make or break you. It's all about you. You are enough.  Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Sharon Martin, LCSW, is dedicated to helping busy adults and teens in Silicon Valley manage stress in order to promote peace, balance, and happiness in their lives. In today’s episode, we discuss how self-esteem and negative self-talk affect this balance and happiness, and how people who work with children can foster a positive sense of self-worth in the next generation. We all tell ourselves a story about ourselves, which is impacted by the messages we hear every day, and this self-talk influences our sense of self.   Because the messages other people tell us influence our story, we often end up defining ourselves based on other people and a sense of relative achievement… but that is a quick path to negativity. Our sense of self has to be driven by what feels right, not what the outside world says is the right thing. Of course, this isn’t always easy – life is distracting, and the people in your life might contribute to this negative self-talk. On top of that, negative self-talk often tells us that we’re alone and isolated, so help seems that much farther away. There are some small mindset and lifestyle shifts that can help you build a positive belief system that makes life work for you. Recognize that everything you believe isn’t true… and some of your beliefs, messages, and values originally came from other people. Explore who you are, outside of what other people say. You don’t have to do specific things to prove your worth, and you shouldn’t have to prove your worth to receive love. Understand that failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to take a risk in the future because of what happened in the past. If your environment has a negative effect, surround yourself with different people. Practice self-compassion in the face of negativity. There’s nothing inherently wrong with you because someone doesn’t like you or disapproves (and there’s nothing inherently wrong with them, either). Accept that you can’t control everything and, therefore, can’t be the cause of every problem. “There’s something very human about wanting to fit in, wanting to connect, and wanting approval from certain people… but that can’t be the driving force. There has to be something internal that feels right.” -- Resources: Connect with Sharon: Website | Facebook | Twitter Read Sharon’s Happily Imperfect blog   Pick up Sharon’s new eBook: How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

As a introvert myself, I'm going to call out all the other introverts that use introversion as an excuse to hide. While there is nothing wrong with being an introvert, it can provide a slippery excuse to maintain a quiet voice, a muted personality, or even a depressed and miserable state of being. Introverts gather their energies from being reflective and having times of solitude or being around similar people. Here are some reasons that introverts use the "introvert excuse" when minimizing their message or presence. 1. Being afraid of being seen as cocky or arrogant. 2. Feeling as though they don't have "sufficient knowledge" about what they wish to express. 3. Introverts tend to be analytical in nature and therefore can be acutely critical of themselves and their beliefs. However, many introverts are not actually introverted in nature when talking about, expressing, or creating the things they most believe in and affiliate with. It's ok to be an introvert but don't let the excuse of being an introvert allow you to continue to suppress your message, gift, or creative nature. The world needs it. And honestly, that's bigger than your fear. Someone needs to hear what you have to say. Even if you don't believe it. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/  

Of all of the insights and practical advice that I have heard in the past few years, the one that has made all of the difference is that "if we want to make lasting and significant change in our lives, we have to sometimes do things we don't want to do."  If we only listen to our feelings, our whims, our mood, our problems...we'll never be able to maintain consistency.  We have to rise above our cravings and impulses and force ourselves to show up on the days, and in the places, we don't want to.  When we do this, and transcend our old habits, we can open up space for new things to come in and the rest will take care of itself.  Just show up! Don't wait until you feel like doing it. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Why are we in such a rush to get somewhere we currently aren't?  When we are constantly bombarded with messages that glamorize the final product we tend to skip over our own process and the necessary steps in our process.  We are all addicted.  Addictions are not just about substances in our mind but also are concepts, false ideas, and unrealistic expectations that take us away from the important place that we currently are.  Embracing the process, honoring it, and listening and learning to what it is teaching us in the moment.   Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Do you ever feel lost or burnt out due to the stress of running a business, or life in general? Jo Muirhead has been there – and now she helps others search for awareness so that they can more easily build a life around their true calling. Jo is an author, speaker, private practice mentor, and rehabilitation consultant. As the director and principal consultant of Purple Co, the Purpose for People Company, she helps people return to work and reconnect to a sense of purpose following injury, illness, or trauma. Jo has a lot of success, and she’s finally built a business that doesn’t cause her to burn out… but only after years of trial and error. During that time, her business suffered as her health declined. Eventually Jo learned that she doesn’t need to run her business based off of anyone else’s template. If we learn more about our values and how we operate, then we can build structures, systems, and schedules that contribute to our own self-care (instead of necessitating care), while still allowing us to grow successful businesses. “You are enough. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone or anything. You’re actually enough – and you’re more than enough – and you’re okay just the way you are. You don’t know it all, but you have the capacity to learn… so go learn.” -- Resources: Connect with Jo: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason Listen to The Art of Manliness podcast Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

When looking at taking risk we consider the chances of failure.  Obviously, some risks are not worth taking.  But what about when we are not taking risk because we are afraid of failing at being accepted, or being praised, or being told we're doing ok? Many people do not take risks because they are afraid to find out that they may not be "good enough" at what they love to do.  But here's the thing.  We can never truly "fail" when we are expressing and creating on the level of what we love and believe is important.  Sure there are methods that are better than others, but in finding out what works better, and what doesn't work at all, we are merely gathering information to take the next step or turn in our process.  We are failing forward.  Taking the small "failures" and using that information and experience to step further into our creative and expressive selves.  In this light, there is no failure.  Just doing.  Learning, evolving.  Failing is a part of moving forward.  And it's unavoidable.  Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/  

We all have them. So why are we surprised when things keep getting in our way? What if problems never stopped?  What if we just graduated to better problems? Problems can be a teacher.  They can show us context and what we prefer.  They can show us discernment.  We spend a lot of energy and time attempting to escape from what we assume are issues.  What if the real problem is our perception of them? Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ 

Tiffany McLain is a licensed therapist and the mind behind Hey Tiffany. It’s a site that helps therapists launch their private practices, with a focus on first-time entrepreneurs and first-generation college graduates. Tiffany wants to help people who are trying to do something that their families have not done before; people who want their own income stream, a flexible job, a good lifestyle, and to give back. A lot of people struggle with money, and not just acquiring it. Many people, particular those of us who are called to help others, have a fear around money… and that’s not a healthy relationship. You can’t start any venture, or help people, if you don’t have the right resources. “Fear is the number one obstacle that comes up around money.” Therapists shouldn’t feel guilty about, or afraid of, charging fees. It’s not a zero-sum game where you do better and, as a result, everyone else does worse. In fact, making more money means that you can reach more people, do more good, and have a greater impact. The other part of developing a healthy money mindset is understanding that it’s okay to spend money. You have to invest in yourself and your practice if you want to grow and reach more people. “It’s okay to be afraid. Most of us are afraid! If you can find someone who is doing the thing you want to do and invest in them, you’re going to be just fine.” Tiffany was kind enough to create a special resource just for you in the True Calling Project audience. You can find this free resource at www.heytiffany.com/truecalling. -- Resources: Connect with Tiffany: tiffany@heytiffany.com | Facebook Pick up an exclusive, free resource at heytiffany.com/truecalling Ask Tiffany: A Video Series for Therapreneurs! Pick up your own Five Minute Journal Check out Tiffany’s favorite podcasts: Smart Passive Income Online Marketing Made Easy Selling the Couch Practice of the Practice   Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/   Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

When we ask for something are we really sure that we want what we are asking for? Why do we find disappointment when we get things we are asking for? Why do we have tendencies to self sabotage and keep us from experiencing abundance? Many times we seem to have a subconscious tendency to block ourselves from what we want because we don't actually believe that we deserve all the good things we want. Do you tend to dismiss compliments and have a hard time taking them?  Do you suffer from not being able to have the "right" partner to come into your life?  Lack of money? Good job hard to find? Honestly ask yourself if you are really ready to receive the things you are asking for and are ready to do the work and make the sacrifices needed to get them. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

When we think of ego, or being egotistical, we tend to think about someone who is self aggrandizing or is being self promoting, or self absorbed.  But what about the other side of ego problems?  Minimizing your own value and worth.  Playing the victim, being a martyr, and drawing empowerment from devaluing yourself or being overly negative about your situation.  Allowing your identity to be someone who "can't do it" or "isn't capable" or "can't be self dependent".  We are all equal in terms of being worthy of receiving and giving love.  And when we are on the downside of ego self we are in a position to withhold from the world and others.  That's just as harmful in the long run as someone who is outspoken and rude.  Maybe even more so. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Someone asked me recently what I expected to come out of the podcast and videos I am doing.  I thought I had explored my "why" but I hadn't really thought about what exactly I expected from the production of the podcast and video themselves.  Strangely, or maybe it isn't, I actually just like making the podcast episodes.  I really have no expectations at all.  What if we did more of that?  Acting and creating without analyzing and worrying?  What if I did it more?  What if you did it more?  What if we all have something of value to share no matter what medium we use to express it?  What if by sharing our unique gifts and words we could actually change the world?  What if? Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Josh Garrett is a personal trainer and entrepreneur. He runs Cincy 360 Fitness, which won Best Personal Training Studio in City Beat's "Best Of Cincinnati" 2017 contest. Fitness programs include nutritional guidance, strength training, innovative cardio exercise, and recovery techniques, AKA The 360 Approach. Josh defines fitness as being able to take on whatever life throws at you. It’s all relative to who you are, what lifestyle you have, and what you want out of your life. The same can be said for personal development. Throughout this episode, you’ll notice there are a number of similarities between physical fitness and personal development. Josh started training because he wanted to help people lose weight – but he fell in love with the layered facets of training; he fell in love with empowering people, and the people themselves. Josh didn’t start his career as a great trainer. Like strength training itself, Josh was only able to improve as a strength coach by pushing his own boundaries. Real change starts to happen after we find our boundaries, challenge ourselves, and overcome them. Change doesn’t happen all at once – it’s progressive – and the world doesn’t change when you reach a new threshold. You change, then you look forward towards a new threshold. This is true in fitness, and this is true in personal development. Because self-improvement is a marathon, not a sprint, you need to give yourself time to recharge. You can’t push your body past a new boundary every day, and you can’t perform at your best if you aren’t living a balanced life. No one ever achieves personal or physical mastery, but you can have fun with the process! You have to have fun, or you’ll be miserable at every step… and no one’s true calling is to be truly unhappy. “Stop chasing other people’s goals and start determining what your goals actually are – and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get to them.” -- Resources: Connect with Josh: Cincy360Fitness.com | Facebook | info (at) cincy360fitness (dot) com Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Why are we in such a big hurry to get somewhere?  Why do we tend to look into the future to be somewhere we're not?  Or go somewhere we aren't?  What if in our process we are exactly where we need to be?  What if things are the way they are supposed to be until we fully learn what we need to from them?  If my process is 12 steps and I'm on step 3 but want to get to step 5 or 6, how can I learn from steps 3 and 4?  Letting go of judgment and perception of our current experience to better allow us to embrace what the present moment is showing us. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

When we see people who we view as "successful" we want what they have. Instinctively, we want to know what they did to get there.  What tactics did they use, what tools did they adopt, what strategies did they employ. We're looking in the wrong place.  While these are important aspects of success, these are not the reasons for success.  We don't see the process that person went through to get where they are. The mindset, the behaviors, the actions, the setbacks, and the process as a whole.  The mindset and the process is the glue that holds it all together.  It contains and helps the process take shape.  This cannot be bought or taught.  It must be experienced for each individual person.  Focus on the glue.  Focus on your process and allow yourself to be in it and learn from it. Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Death by overthinking.  Paralysis by analysis.  Why is it that we tend to think we can get all the answers to our questions, and find certainty, before we take a chance, make a move, or dive into a project?  When we stop trying to see our process all the way through and predict all the contingencies, we are more able to see the clear, logical, next step right in front of us.  By taking that first step we'll see something, and get information, that we didn't see previously. Then we'll make another choice based on that viewpoint and move to the 3rd step.  And so on.  Less deliberation and more action!  Get to it! Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Is it too late to start a new venture or career at this stage of my life?  When is a good time?  Is there a perfect time?  When allowing ourselves to imagine something new, our minds tend to tell us the reasons we can't.  One of the most common blocks we can run into is age and perceived timing.  However, there really is no perfect time to do anything.  There is just time.