Podcast appearances and mentions of blake schofield

In this episode, we have Blake Schofield, a former corporate executive and founder of Connections Illuminated LLC. Blake shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to creating a fulfilling business that helps driven women leave unsatisfying careers. She explains her unique coaching framework: Value, Validate, and Velocity, which aids her clients in discovering their true potential and building impactful businesses. Throughout the discussion, Blake emphasizes the importance of trusting one's gut, leveraging unique talents, and the value of hiring contractors to fulfill business needs. She also highlights the trend of women leaving corporate America to start their own companies, advocating for greater support and mentorship in this space. Website:www.connectionsilluminated.com LinkedIn: blake-schofield Facebook group w/free training: creatinglifeonyourterms Facebook business page: connectionsilluminated Previous Episode: iam130-founder-helps-clients-leave-careers-they-no-longer-enjoy-to-achieve-clarity-in-life-and-business Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

Do you wish that your perspective, opinion, and your voice carried more power?  The feeling that your words lack influence is common among women, and the long-term effects of this feeling of powerlessness can greatly influence your path in life.  Digging deeper into where this feeling comes from is an important step toward harnessing your ability to speak up and gain greater control over your life.  You can reclaim your voice and turn it into your superpower!  Today on The Bridge to FulfillmentⓇ, Blake Schofield welcomes Zoe Chance. She's a writer, teacher, researcher, and climate philanthropist. She has an MBA from USC, a doctorate from Harvard, and teaches the most popular course at Yale School of Management. Her bestselling book is called Influence Is Your Superpower.  In this episode, you'll understand the deeper roots of confidence and hear the real reason why you might be lacking the influence you wish you had. You'll learn a mindset trick to help you get more comfortable with rejection, paving the way toward rebuilding confidence and learning resilience. You'll also learn how to start building your influence superpower.   What You'll Learn: Recognizing the real reasons why you might lack influence (4:43) Why shyness is really a reaction to trauma (9:31) Proof that you're better liked than you think you are (18:38) The keys to building your capacity for influence (24:54) Why women bear the cultural burden of saying “yes” (28:58)   Favorite Quotes: I literally believed when I was a child that my voice was the same frequency as the ambient sounds of the universe, and that's why people talked over me when I spoke. –Zoe Chance Perfectionism and shyness are actually responses to trauma. They're responses to things that happen in our childhood that lead us to believe it's unsafe to speak or it's unsafe to make mistakes. –Blake To truly come into your greatest potential value and purpose, you have to strip away the things that you're conditioned into and the belief systems that formed the trauma. And when you do that, you can come back to the wholeness of who you always were. –Blake Being able to speak and be listened to is something that sounds so small, and it's simple, but it's much more profoundly impactful than a lot of people recognize. –Zoe Chance The first person who comes to our mind when we need something is much more likely to be a woman than a man… so there's all this male generosity that is potentially being wasted. And there's all this female burnout that is unnecessary. –Zoe Chance   Additional Resources:  Connect with Zoe Chance: www.zoechance.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoebchance https://twitter.com/zoebchance   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you're headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take. Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes For other programs and opportunities to work with Blake, go to www.BlakeSchofield.com

Welcome Back to Million Dollar Relationship! Our guest today is Blake Schofield   Blake spent years telling herself she should “just be happy” or “Suck it up” because she was successful & had a comfortable lifestyle. She worried that making a change would be risky or selfish. Compromising out of fear or not knowing if the change she was seeking would actually make her happy or what the future would be. She came home drained at the end of the day, too tired to really be present with her family because she was thinking about everything she hadn't gotten to yet or the emails & projects waiting for her. She spent years telling herself she should be happy, trying to convince herself that she made a great income, was successful, & THAT WAS ENOUGH. But deep down, she knew it wasn't.     Blake's journey has led her to discover that coaching is the solution for helping professionals find fulfillment in their careers. So Blake has always had a love for business and leadership. When she was 10 years old, she read about successful entrepreneurs and how they built their businesses. This planted the seed for what would become her passion in life - helping other people achieve their dreams.    Key Highlights:    [00:00 - 09:02] Opening Segment   Blake Schofield is a mom of three kids, a former retail executive, and CEO of the bridge to fulfillment. Blake transitioned careers three times before finding success as an entrepreneur. Blake started her own business five years ago after leaving corporate America.   [09:02 - 20:47] How This Person Changed the Course of Your Life   Blake had a significant impact on other people's lives, including changing the course of their businesses She credits this to a relationship he stepped into with Nick Peterson, which was full of ambiguity and risk Despite her trepidation, Blake decided to go for it and is now grateful for the opportunity."   [20:48 - 24:17] Closing Segment   Follow Blake Schofield on Facebook and Linkedin You may also visit their website at thebridgetofulfillment.com    Thanks for tuning in!     If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!     Find me on the following streaming platforms: Apple Spotify Google Podcasts IHeart Radio Stitcher    Tweetable Quotes   “It's a great mission to help people understand. The power of relationships in somebody's life.”  - Blake Schofield  

Do you feel undervalued and unfulfilled in your role as a woman in corporate America? For decades, women have been given mixed messages and told to keep their emotions out of the workplace. But our real value as women in the workplace or in our role as entrepreneurs can be found when we embrace our softer side. So how can we step out of masculinization and lean into our biggest strengths as women in our leadership roles? Blake Schofield spent 18 years in corporate America growing 8 and 9-figure businesses. Today, as the Founder of The Bridge to Fulfillment®, Blake is living out her passion by helping other heart-centered professional women use their skills to transition to more fulfilling careers without having to start over. On this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, Blake joins Anjel to discuss the tangible results she produced while working in corporate America and for her coaching clients by embracing the unique feminine gifts that women bring to the table. Blake shares how watching her mother's career struggles informed her view of what she wanted to do to help others and her inward journey to valuing her own gifts and vision. Plus, how she's using her unique experience to help bring more humanity back into corporate America. Listen in as Blake shares her mission to help women leave what isn't working for them and realign their lives and careers to create the life they want! What You Will Learn The biggest mistake Blake made in her early leadership days Blake's story of learning to speak up and step into her role as a leader How acting in a masculine way creates more stress and anxiety for women Why stepping out of masculinization is the key to unlocking our biggest strength as leaders How self-awareness leads to better leadership The vital role of women in corporate America The high value of warmth vs. confidence The one thing no one tells you about shutting down your emotions at work How to finally gain clarity around what you want in your career The 3 things The Bridge to Fulfillment® helps women discover to catapult their careers Connect with Blake Schofield The Bridge to Fulfillment® Blake Schofield on LinkedIn Resources Harnessing the Power of Feminine Energy—with JB Owen Wickedly Smart Women EP178 Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women on Clubhouse The Wealthy Life Mentor The Wealthy Life Mentor on Facebook Anjel on Twitter Anjel on Instagram Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com  Leave Us A Message On Our listener line:   540-402-0043 x4343

Today, Blake Schofield welcomes me to her show "The Bridge to Fulfillment" where I share powerful insights and real-life examples of challenges that every parent is struggling with.

Today, Blake Schofield welcomes me to her show "The Bridge to Fulfillment" where I share powerful insights and real-life examples of challenges that every parent is struggling with.

If you've ever felt burnt out or unfulfilled in your work, you aren't alone. It's easy as a driven and ambitious woman to feel like something is missing. From work, school, chores, and even if they run their own business, it feels like everything is overwhelming yet something is missing. Aside from overwork, there are a lot of things that are keeping us from feeling fulfilled. Or at least going after the things that would fulfill us. Let's address them in this conversation. Join me and Blake on this amazing episode to learn how we can take the steps towards fulfillment! renaefieck.com/podcast/fulfillment

As women leaders, we have a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. We're raised to believe it's our job to take care of everyone. We're balancing raising children, taking care of our homes, and finding time for ourselves. And when we get to work, we're expected to check our home lives and emotions at the door. Blake Schofield wants to see more humanity brought into the workplace and into Corporate America. We are not robots and our employees aren't either. We each have our fears, doubts, and anxieties. When we can't express our emotions, we create environments where people are constantly redoing things and afraid to make a move. In this Powerful at Work Radio episode, tune in to hear how embracing emotions in your company opens the door to greater success… Episode Outline: [02:02] We've been raised to believe we have to take care of everybody else and it's selfish to take care of ourselves. [05:18] You don't need to be in the C-suite to change the corporate culture. [07:01] Leadership 101, creating more leaders… [08:09] Was the corporate environment created for men? [11:10] Why so many women are seen as successful, yet so unhappy in their careers… About Blake Schofield: Blake Schofield is the Founder of Connections Illuminated, a mom of three and former corporate executive who spent 18 years in Corporate America building, growing and turning around 8 and 9-figure businesses. Despite her success, Blake constantly found herself feeling unsettled, chasing the next job or promotion to "make it better" so she could finally do fulfilling work and be able to have the time she wanted to have a less stressful and more present family life. Blake's personal journey through three career changes, years of seeking the right path for her life, overcoming the fear and doubt of forging a new path, and successfully building and running her own multi six figure business is the basis of the work she does everyday. Connect with Blake: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-schofield/ Website: https://www.connectionsilluminated.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bridge-to-fulfillment/id1452077189 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectionsilluminated Follow Rosa Ponce de Leon and Powerful at Work Radio: Website: https://rosaponcedeleon.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-ponce-de-leon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rosa_PdL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosaponcedeleoncoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosaPoncedeLeonCoach

During the past 18 months, many of us have taken a hard look at how fulfilled we feel. As women leaders, we often feel like we have to sacrifice: Want to be fulfilled in your leadership at work or in the community?  Then be ready to make sacrifices at home.   Want to be more present with your kids?  Then your work outside of the home will suffer.Our guest today, Blake Schofield, has a different viewpoint.  As evidenced through her personal story and the stories of the many women she's worked with, you'll see that it is not only possible, but critical to our future that women know that they can be fulfilled in their leadership without making the sacrifices that we traditionally feel that we need to make.   Listen, and then join us in doing the work to begin the journey toward alignment and fulfillment.About Blake: Blake Schofield is the Founder of The Bridge to Fulfillment, a mom of three & former corporate executive who spent 18 years in Corporate America building, growing & turning around 8 & 9 figure businesses.Despite her success, Blake constantly found herself feeling unsettled, chasing the next job or promotion to "make it better" so she could finally do fulfilling work and be able to have the time she wanted to have a less stressful & more present family life. After two cross country moves and increasing frustration that every job seemed to be more of the same, she finally realized that the career she was in no longer fit.  Blake's personal journey through three career changes, years of seeking the right path for her life, overcoming the fear & doubt of forging a new path, & successfully building and running her own multi six figure business is the basis of the work she does everyday. Today, Blake & her team help driven, heart-centered professional women, who are at a career crossroads, transition into more fulfilling work & have more time with their families without taking a big pay cut or starting over.Links Shared:The Bridge to FulfillmentBlake's LinkedInIf you want to join this movement of healthy, purpose-driven moms, be sure to subscribe and connect with us!IG: @wearemomsthatleadFB: @momsthatlead

Blake Schofield is a mom of three kids who spent 18 years in Corporate America building, growing and turning around 8 and 9 figure businesses, including a $600 million dollar business at Target corporation & building a business from scratch at Stitch Fix that launched with over 75,000 women on a wait list. Despite enjoying parts of her career & having a lot of success, she would find herself going through cycles of feeling energized followed by feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. She seemed to be constantly searching for how she could do fulfilling work while having time for a more fulfilling, less stressful life. Imagine a career you feel excited to wake up to every day. A career that fulfills ALL of your goals - financial, personal, and professional - and allows you to spend time with the people that matter most without having to start over or take a pay cut. That's where The Bridge to Fulfillment comes in. Blake is the founder of Connections Illuminated, which is home to The Bridge to Fulfillment. The mission of Connections Illuminated is to change women's perspectives about what is possible, empowering them to create greater impact at home & at work without sacrificing their health, time, family, or income. Blake also has a podcast called The Bridge to Fulfillment. This podcast is designed to change perspectives on what is really possible for women and help them to build a fulfilling career & life on their terms without taking a pay cut or starting over. Take a listen to this week's episode between Blake and Jill Devine for tips and advice on burnout, time management, fulfillment, and so much more. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-schofield/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebridgetofulfillment Two Kids and A Career Website: https://www.jilldevine.com/ Two Kids and A Career Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilldevine/?hl=en Two Kids and A Career Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillDevineMedia/ Thank you to our sponsor: Elemental Esthetics

Blake Schofield is the Founder of Connections Illuminated, a mom of three & former corporate executive who spent 18 years in Corporate America building, growing & turning around 8 & 9 figure businesses. Despite her success, Blake constantly found herself feeling unsettled, chasing the next job or promotion to "make it better" so she could finally do fulfilling work and be able to have the time she wanted to have a less stressful & more present family life.  After two cross country moves and increasing frustration that every job seemed to be more of the same, she finally realized that the career she was in no longer fit. Blake's personal journey through three career changes, years of seeking the right path for her life, overcoming the fear & doubt of forging a new path, & successfully building and running her own multi six figure business is the basis of the work she does everyday.  Today, Blake & her team help other heart centered, driven professional women, who are at a career crossroads, figure out how to use their skills & passions to transition into more fulfilling careers without having to worry about taking a pay cut or starting over.Get help starting and growing your soul-inspired online business - www.RiseUpBusinessAcademy.comConnect with Blake:ConnectionsIlluminated.comFacebookFacebook Page - Connections IlluminatedInstagramLinkedInYouTubeDon't Miss A Single Episode:Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.Leave a quick review on any of the podcast apps to tell people what you think about the show.Take a screenshot of the podcast and post it on Instagram or Instagram Stories. Tag us @insporising. We'll repost and give you a shoutout!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/inspiration-rising/donations

Are you.... ...frustrated in your job search... ...feeling like you're on the brink of a break down... ...being ghosted by recruiters and hiring leaders... ...struggling to communicate your value... Blake Schofield, Founder of Connections Illuminated joins us on Careers & Cocktails to share her journey of navigating Corporate America , feelings of unfulfillment, and how she cultivated her skills and experience to help women across the country. Blake's passion and vulnerability is undeniable... Despite enjoying parts of her 18 year career in Corporate America and having a loads of success, Blake found herself searching for 'more'.....a feeling that MILLIONS across the country can relate to. Listen to learn more about Blake's journey, tips & tricks to help propel your career and how she is helping women across the country find clarity in their job search. Thank you Blake, you are an inspiration! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/renee-frey/support

Blake Schofield is the Founder of Connections Illuminated, a mom of three and former corporate executive who spent 18 years in Corporate America building, growing and turning around eight- and nine-figure businesses. Despite her success, Blake constantly found herself feeling unsettled, chasing the next job or promotion to "make it better" so she could finally do fulfilling work and be able to have the time she wanted to have a less stressful and more present family life. Blake's personal journey through three career changes, years of seeking the right path for her life, overcoming the fear and doubt of forging a new path, and successfully building and running her own multi-six-figure business is the basis of the work she does everyday. Today, Blake and her team help other heart-centered, driven professional women, who are at a career crossroads, figure out how to use their skills and passions to transition into a more fulfilling careers without having to worry about taking a big leap or going in the wrong direction. You can connect with Blake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-schofield/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectionsilluminated --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/fit-to-lead/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/fit-to-lead/support

Writers' Workshop - Why write a film designed to be made in the 'one-shot style? What can '1917' teach us about the storytelling benefits that can result from this approach? This week's intro contains some thoughts on joining a writers' group. The main topic is a screenplay breakdown of Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns' '1917', exploring how the narrative rules work in a real-time sequential story, the themes of remembrance and the metaphor of the unknown soldier, and plenty of observations and writing tips along the way. Bonus: Hear the epigraphs included on the first page of the screenplay! *** Want to comment, get news and join episode discussions? Join the community on Syncify: https://syncify.fm/podcast/the-21st-rewrite. Instagram: @the21strewrite. Website contact page: https://www.the21strewrite.com/contact *** Episode navigation: Writers' groups (2:21) Introduction to 1917 (9:56) This week's big question (14:11) Why is one-shot filmmaking considered a gimmick? (18:09) One-shot is how we experience life (20:14) Blake/Schofield as the Unknown Soldier and universal protagonist (22:59) Hook the audience from the first page (25:29) The narrative rules of sequential screenwriting (27:26) How we interpret time in film (30:23) 1917's opening structure (32:53) Entry into the unfamiliar world: No Man's Land (37:01) Approaching the midpoint (41:23) Telling two stories on-screen simultaneously (42:32) Key points of learning from the midpoint (44:55) How to continue after *that* midpoint (48:42) Breaking the film's own 'one-shot' rule, and why (51:13) The final sequences: resurrection (53:49) Key points from the ending (57:37) Conclusion (59:39)

Coronavirus has thrown us all for a loop - many of us now find ourselves working with a completely new schedule or environment as we self-isolate, and that comes with a ton of new challenges. How do you navigate this new normal?  On this episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment, Blake gives listeners some useful tips and tools for staying on track and staying sane while working from home through the coronavirus crisis, including structuring your time, managing your kids' schedules and adjusting your perspective to make the most of an uncertain time. Tune in for a breath of fresh air just when you need it most. You'll Learn   How working from home can make you even more effective than working from an office Why self-care is currently more important than ever How to treat this period of self-isolation and potential anxiety as a gift, not a curse And much more! Favorite Quote “This too will pass. And the question is, are you using this time to get you where you want to go long-term, or are you using this time absorbing in activities, spending your time doing things that really aren't creating what you really want in your life?”   - Blake Schofield How to connect with Blake Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

So - you're thinking of going your own way and creating a business to get you the fulfilling life you want. The process of starting a business from the ground up is intimidating, and it can be tough to know what advice to take and even how to proceed without taking a serious false step. As with a lot of situations in life, it helps to hear from someone who's been where you are. On this episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment, Blake outlines some of the most common mistakes up-and-coming business owners make, why starting out starving your new business won't work, and - most importantly - the value of building a bridge rather than taking a leap. Join in to start out ahead of the pack. You'll Learn   How to analyze factors like demand, cashflow and statistics to set yourself up for a bright future Why sequence matters when you're building a new business What good, solid, knowledgeable mentorship can add to your success And much more! Favorite Quote “Here's what I know to be true: without passion and a direct tie to a deep 'why' for the business that you're building, you will face a lot of resistance.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Most of us have searched for a job before - it's not difficult, and if you've done it once, you can do it again. The problem you face, as a woman transitioning out of the wrong career, is that no job board, headhunter or resume writer can give you the opportunity you're seeking if you have no clue where you want to go. On this episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment, Blake expands on the mistakes that get made when you confuse a transition out of an unfulfilling career with a routine job search, the tools you should be armed with as you search for a new path forward, and why you need professional mentorship with an outside perspective in order to reach the fulfilling career you're looking for. Listen in for sound advice to still the stress. You'll Learn   How searching without clarity lands you back where you started (or worse) Why you won't find a fulfilling path forward if you rely on impersonal methods How your doubts come true when you get stuck in your head And much more! Favorite Quote “The way to successfully transition is to get clarity, understand the highest and best use of your skills, and to get in front of the right people to communicate it effectively. That's the way to move forward.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

The moment you realize that it's time for a major career transition comes with a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, both of which can cause you to act before you think and make a wrong turn that keeps you stuck or moves you into a new path that is far beneath your skills, impact and income potential.  On this episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment podcast, Blake describes the 5 biggest mistakes she sees women make when they start their career transition, the all-consuming importance of understanding and communicating your own value, and the reasons you're searching for clarity in the wrong places. Listen in to find a better path forward – and to get a sneak peek of what's to come in future episodes. You'll Learn   What constitutes a career transition vs. a job change (and why they are not the same thing) How we get stuck in vicious cycles in our careers Why you need to stop reading entrepreneurship books to find your answers And much more! Favorite Quote “If you have no clear destination, and no clear step-by-step roadmap, I promise you're going to end up back in the same spot or worse...You must define what it is that you want in order to create it.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

What is it that lights you on fire and makes you excited to wake up in the morning and get to work? If you're at the point where you no longer find that kind of passion in the work you're doing, you face a big choice: where do you go from here? When you are at a career crossroads, one of the most common concerns that crops up is the fear that your skillset will not carry over to a different job or career path. In reality, you possess a superpower and years of experiences that no one else can bring to the table. You just need to understand what that power is and how it can help get you to the right place.  On this episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment podcast, Blake shares stories and wisdom on leveraging your knowledge and experience, understanding your “secret sauce” transferrable skills, and gaining enough perspective to know that you are not trapped where you are at this moment. Lend an ear and unlock your potential. You'll Learn   Why the idea that you can't have it all is a lie How to recognize and break the cycle of settling for unfulfilling jobs Why your success story won't sound the same as someone else's – and why that's okay And much more! Favorite Quote “You are unique. You are gifted in your own way. You have your own unique perspective, skill set and experience. And when we try to put ourselves from one box that we're no longer happy in to another box that's somebody else's happiness, we end up being unhappy as well.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Fear of the unknown & fear of failure can be crippling, so how do you get unstuck when you don't know what is right for you (or even what is possible)? On this episode, we discuss what the journey looks & feels like, what common mistakes people make that keep them stuck & what you can do to get forward momentum, peace of mind & confidence in the direction you are headed. You'll Learn   How to get unstuck to the fear of the unknown Know and understand where you are in the journey Grasping for information/clarity and roadmap And much more! Favorite Quote “Understanding where you are in the journey, what it feels like & how to move through it is critical for actually being able to create the life you want.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Trying to figure out the right path and what your purpose is can feel really illusive, particularly when all you know is that what you are doing just “isn't it”. On this episode, Blake shares the tail signs that you are on the wrong path, what is actually holding you back from getting the clarity and forward momentum you need, as well as what the journey should really feel like when you are walking towards the right path for you. You'll Learn   How to align yourself to the life that you wanted Sign and symptoms that you aren't living the life that you were meant to live Learn to overcome fears that holding you back And much more! Favorite Quote “Combining your passion, your skills along with your values is the key to finding and living in your purpose.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

If you've been searching job boards, LinkedIn, reaching out to your network, recruiters, friends and family to try and figure out how you can transition out of your unfulfilling job into your next path, likely the approach and actions you are taking are actually causing you to get MORE stuck and making it harder to find the path that you want. After personally spending a decade on this journey myself and helping hundreds of women understand what it takes to navigate this journey, here is what you need to know. You'll Learn   Listen in to know how to create more positive change in your life  Find out the best way of choosing your path Learn to change our perspective and accept that we need help to succeed And much more! Favorite Quote “It would be best if you changed your perspective. No one succeeds alone.”   - Blake Schofield Click here to schedule a 15-minute discovery call with Blake How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Far too often, we worry about what would happen if we asked for what we wanted or said no..but what we don't realize is the HUGE toll not doing so is having on our health, our peace of mind, and our relationships.  We worry that standing up for ourselves will hurt our relationships or how people view us, but, when done right, it BUILDS stronger relationships and results. You'll Learn   How to gain confidence for standing up for what you want  Learn how to take care of oneself and achieve personal growth How to overcome our limiting beliefs And much more! Favorite Quote “Taking care of myself means taking care of others better because I can be more impactful of the things that I wanted to do.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

I've been studying what successful people do (and what makes them different) for decades. Still, it wasn't until I understood the lessons I'm sharing today, that I genuinely got why and how some people can both be incredibly successful AND also progress forward into new challenges without crippling fear or anxiety.  You see, how you think about your mistakes or potential “failures” WILL dictate whether you find success (and indeed whether you will enjoy the process along the way). In this episode, I break down the shift that impacts it all. You'll Learn   Understanding the importance of perspective and approach in life.   Know the challenges of being on top of your game. Learn how to equipped ourselves when facing our fears of failures. And much more! Favorite Quote “The only way to fail is to give up.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

We have to shift the way we think about gratitude - we can be incredibly grateful for our blessings, but that doesn't mean we need to be complacent. If we believed we should “just be happy with what we have,” we'd never have any of the major innovations or growth as a society.  So when you find yourself starting to internalize and take on guilt for not being happy despite everything you have, I'd challenge you instead to appreciate your blessings THEN get clear on what it is that you genuinely want AND GO GET IT. You'll Learn   Why is it essential to have a clear understanding of being grateful? What can we do to take away the guilt feeling of wanting to have more? How can you live an extraordinary life of gratefulness and abundance?  And much more! Favorite Quote “Gratitude is one of the most important things for a happy life.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Considering quitting your job because your stress level is sky high & you just don't know how much longer you can take it?  Before you do, listen in. In this episode we talk about why changing your circumstances alone won't fix your issue & how you can drastically improve your work situation within weeks so you can make the best long term decision and avoid getting caught in the unfulfilled cycle again.  You'll Learn   Why quitting your job without clarity and a plan can do more harm to you. What things to consider before giving up and quitting your job? How to improve drastically your current situation. And much more! Favorite Quote “Time will not give you clarity nor a plan. You MUST fix the root cause issue.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.   You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

When did we get to a point where people just resigned themselves to believing that everyone is unhappy and overworked in their jobs so you have no other choice? The old saying is that people don't leave companies, they leave bosses, but I'd also say they leave cultures...which provide a breeding ground for toxic bosses, interactions, etc. Here's what you need to know about how to manage difficult work environments & what to do in order to avoid moving to another one next time.   You'll Learn   Why it's important to understand our personal and work environment. What are the effects of this difficult environment on our lives?   How to deal with and avoid a toxic work environment. And much more! Favorite Quote “The way to avoid the toxic environment is to get crystal clear on your criteria & understanding your personal needs first.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.   You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Most people stay stuck in situations that are making them unhappy for far too long...until something negative happens that forces them into action. WHY? Because they fear that making a change will be too hard, cost too much or be too risky. But that doesn't have to be true. You have other choices & today we're going to be talking about how to build a bridge instead. You can be responsible & live the life you want - without incurring unnecessary risk or worrying about whether you are doing the right thing for yourself and your family long term.  You'll Learn   Why we need to understand the importance of building a bridge when choosing a path to take. What is building a bridge means? How to build the right foundation when searching and fulfilling the right path. And much more! Favorite Quote “Building a bridge is all about how you can transition into a more fulfilling career & life without having to take a leap or risk going in the wrong direction.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Clarity at times can feel like the most illusive thing to find.  We spend years of our lives trying to figure out where to go. We ask friends and family in the hopes they see things we don't.  We read books, do exercises, research online hoping to finally get clarity. But what we don't know is that clarity comes from inside, not outside.  The key is to clear away the things that are blocking us from uncovering it.  You'll Learn   Why we need to understand who we are and what we need. What are the benefits of having clarity on our well-being? How to get clarity on what you really want. And much more! Favorite Quote “Clarity isn't a linear thing.  We don't just snap our feelings and get clarity.  It comes in layers.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!t matters most.

We spend our lives searching and achieving hoping the next thing will finally make us happy, but that cycle is actually what makes happiness illusive. In order to truly achieve fulfillment, we must come to the realization that our happiness doesn't come from external things or circumstances. We must change how we think and align our lives with what we value.  You'll Learn   Why it's important to understand real happiness in our lives. What is happiness means to you? How to change our mindset and release ourselves to the trap of this illusionary happiness.  And much more! Favorite Quote “Your happiness does not come from your circumstances it comes from your thoughts and it comes from aligning your life with what you truly value.”   - Blake Schofield How to get involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! Liked this episode, be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

“The worst-case scenario usually isn't that bad. But that's what keeps most people from going for it.” Katya Sarmiento (47:23-47:28) Self-awareness is the critical piece to finding fulfillment in your career and living the life you want.  Katia Sarmiento is a sought-after systems experts in the online business space. She helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses without sacrificing their freedom. She's the founder of reachandmakemillions.com, where she teaches how to systematize and scale your business for more freedom, profit, and peace of mind.  We all have ideas and beliefs about why things aren't possible for us. But when you develop self-awareness, you know that you're doing what it is you should be doing so you can build a fulfilling career and life.  We're always evolving and learning how to become who we are so we can live a life we're proud of and we feel is meaningful.” - Blake Schofield (1:03:09-1:03:26) Figuring Out What You Need to Be Fulfilled When we don't listen to our inner voices, we can feel unsettled, constantly wondering why we can't be happy. Your inner voice is never wrong. It all comes down to what you're doing and how you're listening (or ignoring) that voice.  When you follow your interests, you can develop the expertise you didn't know you had, and it can be the foundation for new opportunities.  With the right skills, you know you can be successful, and you know you can always start over. The clients I work with are incredibly talented. But that talent isn't being realized because of their fears.  “Every single person knows what they're meant to do and what they want to do. It all depends on how many things are keeping you from seeing what's inside of you.” - Katya Sarmiento (1:10:17-1:10:31) But we can't see the label from inside the bottle. So we often need someone who's been through the journey and who's helped other people through that same journey.  Realigning Your Life With What Matters Everyone knows, in their heart, what they're meant to be doing. It just takes time to figure out. It takes mentorship, grace, flexibility, and resilience.  Life is never going to be perfect. We often think that if we make a certain amount of money or have a certain level of success that we'll be truly happy. We think that means never having problems or never being afraid. But that's never the case.  We don't have to feed the stories or our fears. No matter how big the wave is, we just have to ride it and give ourselves some grace along the way.  Work with someone who can ask you the right questions and uncover the things that are keeping you from seeing the truth. Get clear on what it is that you really want. When you do that, you can start creating a fulfilling career and life for the future.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“We struggle to have clarity on what the right path is when we don't understand who we are and how we create value in the world.” Blake Schofield (01:44-2:00) What's the key to making sure your new path is right for you? Finding the right path comes from increasing your self-awareness, uncovering your values in life, and recognizing the things that give you energy and momentum.  Walking away from a career you spent years establishing can be scary. But most people find that their career is just a box they've been trapped in for too long. This can cause them to believe that there's only a certain value they can contribute or there's only a certain way they can be successful. But this isn't the truth.  “Force creates counterforce. When you try to force things, you get even more stuck.” - Blake Schofield (05:22-5:33) 4 Ways to Be More Self-Aware Relax Your Mind If you're like most people, then your mind probably runs a mile a minute. You might even struggle to get to sleep because you're always thinking—worrying that you've got everything taken care of and nothing is falling through the cracks.  Or, you might be the type of person who's always researching new ideas and different ways to do things. So, relaxing your mind can seem impossible. But our brains are actually quite malleable. We can take steps to retrain how we think and operate.  Relaxing your mind comes from having the techniques to reframe and think differently. Just because thoughts come up for you, it doesn't actually mean they're true. The stress our thoughts cause can reduce the function of the creative and problem-solving parts of our brains.  Discover Your Values When I talk to women struggling in their jobs, it becomes obvious that their jobs are misaligned with their values, skill set, and ways of working.  They might be looking around and wondering why things seem to be easier for other people. They feel  deep down that they should be doing something more meaningful with their life.  If you've experienced any of these signs, it's likely that something in your career or in your job as misaligned for you.  Recognize the Patterns You Avoid Most people go through life avoiding things or believing that the only way to eliminate patterns is through years of therapy. But, you can get to the root cause of your beliefs, develop a new understanding, and replace them with healthier beliefs quickly.  Our perspective and the way we think are what create or close down the opportunities in our lives. When you recognize limiting beliefs and behavior patterns, you can start changing them to create the life you want.  Know Your Personality Type Although personality tests only give you a piece of the larger puzzle, they can help you in gaining greater insight into who you are, and how you function and think.   But you still have to know how to apply them if you want to create change and greater self-awareness. Personality tests are just a tool for enabling change to occur.  Self-awareness is the key to success and fulfillment. When you know your unique value and focus your time and energy towards creating the life you want, the peace of mind that you gain will change your life.  You'll no longer doubt whether you're on the right path, whether you're making the right decisions, or whether there's something more for you.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“We often aren't maximizing our time because we aren't putting in the time to be strategic in thinking through our work.” Blake Schofield (11:02-11:08) Knowing how to maximize your time lets you enjoy life and, hopefully, have a little more time for yourself.  With so many demands coming your way, it can be hard to balance your time, energy, and focus. This causes you to lose sight of the more important things in life.  “Tactics matter. But so does your mindset. The key to maximizing your time comes from understanding how to leverage both.” - Blake Schofield (1:01-1:17) The following  are signs that you're not managing your time as well as you could be:  You're always putting out fires. You get sucked into unnecessary activities only to wonder where the day went.  You're constantly working late into your evenings, nights, and weekends. You worry your work isn't good enough to meet other people's expectations.  You're never clear on the expectations of the work you're doing or what success looks like.  You're always having to rework projects due to unexpected changes. The 5 Pillars for Maximizing Your Time Pillar #1: Clarity Around Your Priorities Set clear expectations by having the right conversations upfront. Get crystal clear on what you're working on and its purpose.  You to have a structure around your work and get over the idea that you have to know what everyone wants. It's okay to ask questions. You don't have to prove you have all the answers.  Pillar #2: The Art of Time Blocking Time blocking is one of the most important ways to be more effective in your work. It takes 30 minutes for our brains to return to a state of efficiency when we change tasks or become interrupted.  Time blocking is setting aside specific times on a daily basis to get your work done. High-leverage time is the best way to do that. It's the  time you set aside to work on your most important priorities.  “Anytime you reduce unnecessary decisions, you end up with more brainpower for the stuff that matters.” - Blake Schofield (19:14-19:23) Pillar #3: The 80/20 Rule The 80/20 rule states that 20 percent of your actions drive 80 percent of your results. You can see this rule in effect in every segment of life and business.  Are you clear on what that 20 percent is for you? If you're like most people, you may be spending a lot of time on things that result in little or no improvement. What actions are driving the majority of your results? Pillar #4: Minimizing Distractions Today's technology keeps us connected and helps us accomplish things quickly. But it can also be one of the biggest distractions.  Turn off notifications on your phone, laptop, and other devices. Too many notifications keep you from staying  focused and maximizing your productivity.  Pillar #5: Mindset  Our beliefs drive our thoughts, which then drive the actions that create our reality. When we're going through the same patterns over and over, tactics aren't the solution. You have to identify limiting beliefs that are holding you back.  Your Action Steps for Maximizing Your Time Here are two steps you can take to begin putting these pillars in place: Start tracking your time. Rate yourself on the five pillars Where is your time going? Do this for a week, and you'll be surprised by what you discover. Rate yourself from 0 to 10 on your competence of the five pillars for maximizing your time.  Take the two biggest opportunities for improvement and implement one shift—the one thing that's going to make the biggest improvement.  When you no longer feel like you can never get through your to-do list, you get out of the cycle of negativity, shame, and guilt. You can feel good about the impact and the momentum you create for your career and your life.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Most people see the transition to a fulfilling career as something tactical. But tactics come from personal transformation.” Blake Schofield (00:59 - 1:12) If you're feeling unfulfilled, it's time to dig deeper. Over the past month, we've discussed what the roadmap looks like with the guests featured on our podcast. They have different backgrounds and journeys, but they've all built the bridge to a fulfilling career. Most people think transitioning into a new career is tactical. But the tactics can only come from personal transformation. “Our lack of fulfillment is a clear sign that it's time to dig deep, get to who we are and what we value, and then align it with our lives.” - Blake Schofield (1:26 - 1:38) We often try to solve unhappiness by addressing surface-level things. Maybe you think a shorter commute, a pleasant boss, or more creative work is the key to your fulfillment. But our lack of satisfaction is a clear sign that it's time to dig deep, get to who we are and what we value, and then align it with our lives. How to Discover Your Ideal Path The guests on the podcast over the last month have given you a peek into what it really looks like to be at a crossroads when you're searching for more meaning in your life. While they all have different backgrounds and different paths, they all have something in common. Each guest knew more about what they didn't want, instead of what their ideal life looked like. They learned that the stress and anxiety they felt were the biggest factors that kept them from identifying their goals.  Once they let go of the fear and doubt, they all experienced new levels of freedom they never had before. They learned to be confident in their values, skills, and unique experiences. They went from feeling like life was happening to them to being in control of their future. We got crystal clear on the right strategies for them. We spent discovered their highest value in the market. Then we uncovered their “secret-sauce” transferable skills.  We focused on building a custom business model built around their unique set of skills and experiences. For the career change journey, we had to get clear on the right criteria for finding a fulfilling job. We also covered negotiation skills to make sure they get paid what they deserve in their new positions.  “When you let go of beliefs and thought patterns that hold you back, you discover new levels of personal freedom you never expected.” - Blake Schofield (2:51 - 3:00) What about you? Do you feel like you're at a crossroads in your career, and you know that there is a more fulfilling path out there for you? If you want to discover your unique bridge to that path, just like our podcast guests over the last month, you can take the first step by signing up for a free 15-minute consultation.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“When your identity is so strongly intertwined with who you've become within a company, the thought of leaving can almost be like losing a limb.”  Kristin  (23:31-23:45) Kristin found herself in a challenging place in her career. She was working for a large company, and she was the primary breadwinner in her family. At the same time, she was miserable in her job and felt unfulfilled. Kristin realized the path she was on wasn't leading to what she envisioned for her life. Kristin had to sacrifice precious time with her family. When she was home, she would be preoccupied with thoughts about work, and she wasn't able to be present for her family. Growing up, Kristin's family had played a significant role in her growth, and not being able to do the same for her own family was becoming painful for her. Her busy life was hurting her health and wellbeing. But there were things about her job that made it very difficult to consider leaving and taking the next step towards a new life. She was making an impact within the organization, and she'd developed strong relationships with colleagues over the years. “Women often struggle with an internal battle between who we thought we were going to be,  and what our current path actually looks like.” - Blake Schofield (4:01-4:07) Like many women, Kristin fell into a pattern of thinking that once she attains a particular position within the company, or has a certain amount of money, then she'll be able to take time for herself and evaluate her priorities.  Leaving a stable job with a good income wasn't easy. Kristin and her family had built up a certain lifestyle around her current salary. She specialized in her current role within her company, and it was unlikely that she'd be able to transfer her skills to another position in a different firm right away. Kristin's friends saw the material success she enjoyed, and they couldn't understand what was wrong. She felt alone and hopeless, and she didn't know what to do next.  How a Late-Night LinkedIn Session Changed Everything for Kristin One night while browsing LinkedIn at three in the morning, Kristin came across an article I'd published, and the connection was instant. For the first time, it felt like someone understood what she was going through.  Kristin called me and explained how she'd reached her limits. She told me she'd considered quitting and enrolling in beauty school, but she felt like she didn't have enough money to buy herself time.  “You want to shift from feeling hopeless to feeling in control. That alone is absolutely priceless.” -  Kristin (36:21-36:47) I quickly realized that money wasn't the issue. Instead, it was a lack of imagination. So we worked together to shift her mindset and open a new world of possibilities. Within three weeks, Kristin felt like she'd regained control of her life. She was sleeping better and was now on the path to using her expertise to create a career that was financially sustainable and allowed her to spend time with her family. Kristin built her bridge between where she was standing and where she wanted to be in life. Kristin had taken back control, and for many, that feeling alone is worth so much more.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Mistakes are going to happen along the way. That's where you learn the most and where you have the most growth in your business. Mistakes are learning opportunities.” Melanie (35:11-35:25) Time and focus are two of the main areas I help women with as a coach. Many women want to learn how to take control of their time and have the focus to create a life that aligns with their core values.  When Melanie came to me looking for guidance on making her own life transition, she was juggling seven jobs and struggling to have the time with her family that she wanted. Melanie's story shows how it's possible to build a bridge to entrepreneurship without the hustle or the grind and create real growth in all areas of her life, including her relationships and career.  “Building a bridge comes down to having the right resources and understanding the path so that you put down the planks and not have to take a leap.” - Blake Schofield (32:05-32:24) The journey towards a new career or business is different for every person.  Melanie had quit her 19-year nursing career. But she still had to support her family, forcing her to take on multiple jobs only to end up stressed and burned out. So she got to a point where starting a business seemed like the right solution for her. That's when she came to me for help. But like so many other women, Melanie wasn't sure how to create a business or what it would even look like. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can figure it out on their own. But they end up getting stuck and never actually get started.  The work we did together started with discovering her passions and figuring out how she could maximize her talents. We had to prioritize so that she wouldn't get overwhelmed with too much to do. We worked on allocating her time appropriately so she could get more done in less time. Melanie wanted flexibility and control. She wanted her schedule to be on her terms so she could take time off to care for her kids when they needed her. She knew she was missing out on a lot, and she just wasn't willing to compromise anymore.  What differentiates the work I do is that I help clients take a holistic view. Before we can make any real change in our careers, we have to change parts of ourselves. We have to look at the mental and emotional impacts that our current situation is having on us. Only then can we start to transform who we are and how we experience life. Too many women convince themselves that they don't have time to make a career change or build a business. They don't understand that it really is possible for them.  “You don't have to settle on jobs that you don't like. There are so many opportunities available if you want them. You just have to look for them and know they're out there.” - Melanie  (22:15-22:27) Melanie's coaching journey helped her learn the value of her time. She learned the importance of establishing boundaries and priorities. Melanie can now manage her work so that she has the capacity and energy for all the things in her life. She identified who the right people are that she can help, knowing that she's heading in the right direction. More importantly, she learned that it's okay to not have all the answers because she knows where she can always find them.  Coaching helped Melanie recognize the importance of developing a strong psychological and emotional foundation when building a business. This lets her adapt to different situations and be more confident when facing uncertainty.  The only way to fail is to quit. When you have passion behind your work and you have the resources you need, you know you don't have to have all the answers. That's when you know that nothing's going to stop you. Success is only a matter of time. That's part of the journey and the process.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Why apologize for wanting a flexible schedule? Why should you have to apologize for wanting a certain salary? It's all attainable with the right tools and the right mindset.” Pam (53:52-54:06) Pam was at a crossroads. She was struggling to answer the question that many people ask themselves: What's next? She knew she needed to recognize her value and get others to see that value. She'd been building her career her entire life but soon found herself in a toxic work environment with a level of stress that was eating away at her energy, drive, and motivation. She began to lose confidence in her ability to make the transition she knew she needed to make.  “When you're in a job that's mentally and emotionally challenging, taking back your time frees up the headspace to focus on ‘you.'” - Pam (13:19-13:44) Plenty of people working in the corporate world come to realize that the ideas and beliefs they'd always had about success aren't really true. Pam no longer wanted to be that person anymore, but she felt like she was letting herself and her family down. Friends and family offered advice, but they were emotionally attached to her situation, making it hard for her to get an objective perspective. That's why she chose to work with me and get the coaching she needed to get out of the situation she was in and create a life that she and her family could love.  Take Back Your Time Creating boundaries around your time stops you from drowning in the demands of others.  For Pam, this was a combination of establishing boundaries and establishing standing appointment times for meetings. This kept others from chipping away at her schedule with random calls and emails. Instead, they could gather their talking points and wait until the time Pam had established.  Taking back your time makes your days more manageable, letting you carve out the time you need to work on yourself. As part of her coaching program, Pam had homework she needed to complete. By setting boundaries around her time, she was able to work full days and still come home with enough energy to do the work.  Recognize Your Unique Gifts When you recognize your unique gifts, you have the energy you need and focus to work towards your goals each day. You love the work you do, and you become capable of communicating in a way that shows others the value of your gifts.  You become the person with the skillset others need, and you know how to apply it in a way that creates amazing results. When you recognize your unique gifts, you position yourself as someone who is expanding and evolving. More importantly you show others that you can help them grow, too.  “When you're given the right skills, support, and tools, it creates a substantial transformation in terms of your peace of mind, stress reduction, and joy.” - Blake Schofield (1:01:18-1:01:29) Pam's journey through her coaching work has taught her a lot about herself. She knows what kind of company will be a good fit and what companies won't. She's developed a clear picture of the types of roles she wants to play in business. She's gained the confidence she needs to build her career and help her find the work that fulfills her. But most importantly, she doesn't apologize for wanting to make changes in life. She's owning it.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“It's not about perfectionism. It's about progress, trying new things, and finding those things that really speak to you.” Tina (39:40-39:48) Tina came to me when she was at a crossroads in her career. Her corporate job wasn't giving her the fulfillment or joy she wanted, and she knew she was ready to start her own business. But she didn't know what that would look like and where she could even begin. She also knows that she didn't just want to take a leap into entrepreneurship. She wanted to do things in a way that felt responsible without being forced into taking a big risk. So she invested in herself by working with a coach to help her transition to something that was truly fulfilling to her.   “There are many ways to be successful that you can do on your own terms. It doesn't have to look like somebody else's journey.” - Blake Schofield (21:33-21:44) Tina's worked for different companies and industries, and for a while, her work was something that inspired her. But then she was faced with the loss of her father, which led her to reevaluate what she wanted out of life. Rather than returning to work re-energized and more engaged, she felt that things were out of balance. Her work wasn't aligned with what she wanted out of life.  Tina set her sights on making a shift that put her back in charge of her own time so she could be more effective and productive. But Tina had to overcome the feeling that she needed to have it all figured out and do things perfectly the first time around. The coaching work we did help Tina establish the four pillars that are essential to success:  Clarity Focus Mindset Building a Bridge If you aren't clear about what you want, you can never get there. Clarity takes time, and sometimes it requires an outside perspective to help you sift through limiting beliefs and reach a point of clarity. If you pursue a path that isn't aligned with what you want, it becomes too easy to convince yourself to abandon it.  Coaching transforms your mindset and develops the confidence you need to see true skills and the value they can provide to others. Once you've created the mindset for success, you can begin building a business or making the career transition you want. This is the bridge to freedom and fulfillment that so many people are searching for in their lives.  “Tell the voice in your head that's saying ‘That's too scary' to shut up and sit down. Find a voice that's going to be positive, confident, and instill the belief that you can do anything.” - Tina  (1:04:24-1:04:44) Tina's work with me was the first step on her journey towards entrepreneurship and the transition that made her life more meaningful. The biggest lesson she learned and now shares with others is to start now. Start challenging assumptions that you (or others) have. Find a thought partner who can help you explore your purpose and vision as well as the obstacles that are keeping you stuck. When you get clear on what you want, focus on the things that matter, and develop a mindset for success, you can build your bridge to the life and work you've always dreamed of.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“When you're dealing with something as important as transitioning your life or career, you need to make sure you have the right foundation for success.”  Blake Schofield (8:46-8:56) Making a transition requires consistent focus, action, and a long-term perspective. This can cause us to make a wide range of mistakes that keep us from reaching our goal, whether it's transitioning into a new career, industry, or business. The mistakes people make cause them to create problems that don't exist while spending time, money, energy, and other resources on the wrong things.  “Transitioning successfully requires a transformation of your mindset, an investment in you, and the discipline and accountability to step forward every day towards your dream.”  - Blake Schofield (21:53-22:09) Knowing how to reduce the risk and spend your time on the things that matter can result in a successful transition without you having to take a leap or worry about moving in the wrong direction.  By recognizing the common mistakes people make, you'll be more likely to avoid them and develop the clarity of focus, discipline, and the consistency you need.  The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Transition Spending more time and energy doesn't always give you better results. The well-known Pareto principle states that 80% of our results come from 20% of the things we do. Doing more may only add to the pile without making you more effective.  The following are some of the most common mistakes people make when making a transition: Becoming stuck and overwhelmed Lack of clarity with your goals Seeking advice from people who aren't qualified to give you advice Hoping your current situation is going to get better Wanting immediate results Focusing too much on current circumstances Failing to understand your value and the impact that you want to make Not putting yourself out there Fearing the unknown Assuming you have to have all the answers instead of learning as you go Believing that money will make you happy Are any of these mistakes holding you back from the life you want? The fact is, you can make the transition you want by building the right foundation. It requires a shift in your mindset and your approach. You need to maximize your time so that you focus on what really makes a difference.  “You can reduce risks, be responsible, and spend time on the right things to successfully transition without having to take a leap or worry about going in the wrong direction.”  - Blake Schofield (0:57-1:08) There is no path as fulfilling as recognizing your own value and creating life on your terms. With the right foundation, you can transition successfully and responsibly. You can have the freedom you want and know that your work is making a real difference. Align your life with your skills and core values. You have the time to take care of yourself so that you can better take care of others. Making a transition in life can be one of the biggest obstacles you overcome. When you get crystal clear on your goals and the actions you need to take, you begin laying the foundation for lasting success.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Believing you have to make everything perfect and avoid mistakes can stop you from making a bigger impact in your life.” Blake Schofield (3:23-3:40) Some people wear perfectionism like a badge of honor and credit this trait as the reason they're successful. Others see perfectionism as a kind of scarlet letter, thinking it's just who they are and something they can't change.  However, thinking you can be perfect and avoid poor choices often stops us from creating the impact we want in our lives.  When you realize that perfectionism is a choice you can shift your perspective and behaviors to work for you instead of against you.  “Perfectionism works against you. It's not the reason that you're successful. It's actually stopping you from achieving more success and joy in your life.” - Blake Schofield (5:40-5:50) How Perfectionism Can Show Up for You  There are different ways that perfectionism shows up for people. Socially prescribed perfectionism is a result of feeling that others are judging you. This can cause us to strive for perfection as a way to get approval from other people. Self-oriented perfectionism occurs when you set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Some people may punish themselves for things they did or didn't do. You can identify perfectionism by looking for telltale signs including being overly critical of yourself and others. The fear of failure can also be an indication that perfectionism might be holding you back. You may have strong negative reactions when things don't go as planned or not feel that you're good enough despite your obvious success.  Changing the Pattern of Perfectionism Shifting Your Perspective Shifting your perspective of success is the first step to overcoming perfectionism. We're taught that success is a result of doing the right things to get the solutions we want. But real success comes through learning, which comes from making mistakes.  You either win or you learn. Failure is a myth.  Question Your Beliefs and Stories The beliefs and stories we tell ourselves determine our experience of life. Are the stories you're telling yourself true? Daily journaling and other exercises can help sort through stories and create more awareness around them.  Identify the Root Cause of Your Beliefs Limiting beliefs are almost always rooted in childhood experiences. We become free from perfectionism when we identify the root cause of the stories we tell ourselves and reframe them to create a new, more positive belief system.  “You can't just fix the surface level stuff. You have to get at the root of why things are challenging and what you need to do to create the freedom and fulfillment you want.” - Blake Schofield (22:30-22:46) Working with a coach is one of the best ways to overcome the perfectionism trap. It can be difficult to explore your stories and their root causes on your own. Having an outside perspective helps you achieve the results you want more efficiently and with greater clarity and insight. We all have a limited perspective of ourselves. Having a coach who can guide us helps us identify where those limitations are so we can overcome them. You learn to trust your inner voice and reconnect with yourself.  Perfectionism isn't something to be celebrated or glorified. It can stop you from making the impact you want in your work or family. Perfectionism is a choice, and you have the choice each day to change your beliefs and your habits. When you do, you'll find the freedom, peace of mind, and joy that you never realized were missing.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Lack of time is never the issue. You have to have an end goal and determine that you're willing to do what it takes to get there.”  Blake Schofield (1:04-1:21) How can we make the changes we need when it feels like we don't have any time? Seeing the real truth about ourselves and the lives we're living isn't always easy. The truth is that lack of time is never the real issue. If we want to create change, we have to first have an end goal, and determine what we're willing to do to do get there.  Why People Think Time is the Problem Lack of a Clear Goal, Passion, and Drive You can't commit to something if you don't know what you're committing to. Without a clear goal, it's impossible to have the passion and drive needed to make the transition you want in life.  The Inability to Prioritize  The process of prioritizing can be very different when you're working in a corporate setting. So developing the ability to prioritize on your own gives you a level of freedom and control that drives you towards your goals.  “The worst thing you can do is tell yourself it's riskier to change than it is to stay where you are. You have to get real with what is going on in your life and what the risks really are.”  - Blake Schofield (13:49-14:00) Perfectionism and Workaholism Perfectionism and workaholism are behaviors that cause work to bleed into our personal lives. This results in the misconception that we don't have enough time when we're really just spending time on unnecessary things.  Lack of Boundaries Some people take care of others at the expense of their own needs. They don't create or uphold their own boundaries, causing them to be at the mercy of others. This results in a feeling of being out of control and constantly having to manage things for everyone else.  Fear  The easiest thing to do when we face fear is to go back to thinking we don't have time to make the changes we need. But fear of uncertainty contributes to the belief that you just don't have time to change.  Lack of Structure and Self-Discipline Not having the structure and self-discipline we need keeps us from having the freedom we want. The most freeing thing we can do is to create a structure that aligns with our core values and goals.  Wishing Without Doing the Work If you're not willing to do the work, do you really want it for yourself? You need to decide if you want the end result and commit to doing the work.  Doing More of the Same Without Seeing the Impacts and Risks Is what you're doing sustainable? Is it moving you towards a life you want or is it negatively affecting your happiness and wellbeing? The choices we make today impact our relationships with our partners, children, and others long term.  “In order to create change, you must be willing to do something different.” - Blake Schofield (17:27-17:30) Investing in yourself can be scary when you feel like your resources are limited. But are you seeing the big picture? Do you have the clarity needed to create a foundation for change? Look at the excuses you've been telling yourself. Do you want to continue on the path you're on? We have to decide what we're willing to do to create the change we want because nothing else will matter until we do.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“If you are overworking...you're actually not producing your best work. The more you work, the less effective your work gets.”  - Blake Schofield (29:10-29:19) Where Did the Time Go?  Long work hours that overflow into nights and weekends can leave you feeling depleted, burned out, and unfulfilled. We live in a world that values the ability to show up and be available for work at all times, and it can start to feel like the work never ends. It's vital for us to understand why it's so easy to fall into these patterns, and learn what we can do to take our time and lives back.  It's normal to work nights and weekends, right? That's what I learned and believed for far too long. I also know how exhausting it can become when we don't have the work-life balance we need.  When you take the time to explore what you really want out of life and your work, you can learn what you're willing to tolerate. You can learn who you are as a person, the unique gifts you have to offer, and how to stand in your value.  “If you don't maintain the promises you make to yourself, you'll never create the boundaries you need to protect yourself.”  - Blake Schofield (24:07-24:18) The Tools You Need to Take Your Life Back Time Management Many people believe they don't have any control over their time when working in a corporate setting. Regaining control of your time allows you to focus on the right activities. Time management is critical to the long-term success of any corporate worker or business owner. Learn how to leverage your time and look at where you're spending too much of it.  Boundaries Set boundaries around your work. But more importantly, keep them in place. Boundaries help you get clear on what you can and cannot do right now. This is especially important when you need to make time for other priorities like family and self-care. You can't take your life back if you haven't defined boundaries in your work.  Prioritization Plan ahead and see what's in store for the coming weeks. Ask yourself what needs to be prioritized and what needs to be done in order to feel complete. Do you need to schedule tasks for a later time? Should you delegate tasks to key members of your team? When you know what's a priority and what isn't, you gain more control over your time and reinforce the boundaries you've put in place.  We all struggle with beliefs and behaviors that keep us from doing the essential and tactical things we know we need to do.  There are huge emotional factors that drive our behaviors. But these factors are hard to see when we're stuck in a work or home life that's leaving us unfulfilled. Working with a coach can be an effective way to address the limiting beliefs, ideas, and patterns that keep us from making the change we want. “It isn't that we don't have enough time in our lives. It's how we leverage that time, prioritize, and focus on the right things that make all of the difference in the world.” - Blake Schofield (26:53-27:07) Coaching can create the accountability we need and the outside perspective that helps us see hidden parts of ourselves that are getting in the way of our success. Challenging those beliefs and fears helps us break through success roadblocks.  Before we can experience a more fulfilling work-life balance, we must first make an internal decision that we are no longer going to live in the hustle. If you're feeling stretched too thin, exhausted from the countless early mornings, late nights, and Saturday work sessions, it may be time for a change. The fulfilling career and the life you want are waiting on the other side of your decision to step out and try something new.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Summer feels like it slipped away, and we're right at the edge of everything coming our way.” Blake Schofield (0:41-0:48) The end of summer can be an overwhelming time for parents. So how can you avoid the whirlwind of a new schedule, back-to-school orientations, after-school activities, and everything else that goes along with the start of a new school year?    Why We Struggle When Summer Ends   The flexibility of summer can make it easy to create the kind of structure we want. But when the school season starts, you can't live by the structure you've established during the summer, and it can be hard to make that shift and roll with a changing schedule and increased demands on your time. So the structure of life changes.    “We can never go back, but we can take today to say, ‘What's one thing I can do to help me feel like I was able to do the things I wanted to accomplish this summer?'” - Blake Schofield (2:12-2:23)   How to Make the Transition Easier    Reinstate a new structure back into life. Set consistent sleep schedules and meal times for the entire family. Start this process early so you can be back on a more familiar schedule. During the summer, it's easy to put off those things that don't seem immediate. But when fall comes around, waiting for things to have that sense of urgency can create a sense of overwhelm. Scheduling lets you manage your time and activities. Block out specific times to do the things you need to do early. You won't have to scramble at the last minute, making it even easier to transition back into the fall season.    Breaking Down the Big Buckets   There are three life “buckets” you can consider when transitioning into the fall schedule.   Your Work Back to School Time Management   Your Work   Look at your work schedule and think about when you can plan activities and events you want to attend at school. Once you have the school's calendar, look for the events that are held throughout the year in advance. This lets you block time off on your work schedule so you can make yourself available.    Back to School   When it comes to your back to school “bucket”, shopping for school supplies can be one of the biggest disruptions to your daily schedule. The best thing to do is to start early. This keeps you from running around from store to store. Give your kids a chance to help with back-to-school shopping. If they've outgrown their old clothes, let them suggest some clothing ideas first, so you don't have to spend time thinking about what to buy.    “It's so easy to get overwhelmed with those tasks that need to happen at some point, but don't need to be prioritized today… schedule time now, knock out the things you need to do in the near future and get them done early so you don't have to scramble.”  - Blake Schofield (8:08-8:23)   Time Management   When it comes to time management, think about some of the activities that are often overlooked. What after-school activities should you plan for? Do you need to plan carpooling or other activities? Planning ahead gives peace of mind and maintains the sense of awareness you need to feel in control and respond to whatever comes your way. Start putting these steps into place. Don't try to do them all at once. You'll get the best results from taking one or two and starting from there.    Jumping back into the school year doesn't need to be a time of stress and overwhelm. Plan ahead to extend the joy and fun of summer into the fall season.    How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“Believe in your vision more than you believe in anyone else's doubt.” Tiffany Smiley (7:36-7:40) Many women don't realize they have the power to create the life they want. It's easy to look at others and think, “It's possible for them, but not for me.” These limited beliefs create barriers that make it harder for us to achieve our goals and live the lives we want. But the inputs that you put in greatly impact your output. So we need to recognize when things need to change. We need to be able to take control of our mindset and invest in ourselves if we want things to change. We can use the help of a coach to become better at observing our own lives and the decisions we make each day.  “Investing in yourself is what will lead you forward into the future. That makes you unstoppable.” - Tiffany Smiley (18:22-18:30) Tiffany Smiley is the co-founder of Hope Unseen and the founder of More Than Me. She believes in the power of sharing your story to change the lives of others. Tiffany is a public speaker, writer, and news contributor. She's been featured on CBS, Fox News, and you may have seen her on the Dr. Phil Show. Tiffany's work is built on her passion to give other women the space they need to grow and step into their purpose while making a positive impact on the world.  Become the Observer to Gain New Perspectives The lives of today's working women can be filled with obstacles. There may be times when you feel limited or stuck in a box. But in order to create change, we have to be willing to take a step back and observe what's happening. This isn't always easy. But it's all part of the journey, and there will be signs along the way that encourage you if you're willing to see them for what they are. Tiffany's work with a coach helped her work on her internal game. She knew the importance of reaching out to others for help. This led her to create better habits and set new parameters in her life. Taking this approach doesn't just benefit you, it can benefit your entire family, and your work or business.  Learn to Embrace Fear When we set out to change something about our lives, we often become attached to the way it might turn out. But most successful people have learned that things usually turn out much different than how we first imagine they will. This often serves as a catalyst for real and lasting changes in what we're doing. We fear failure. But failure is what makes us better the next time we try. Working with a coach can help you see things from new perspectives. When we can't find ourselves, we often need someone else to guide us back to ourselves.  “You either win or you learn. Failure doesn't really exist.”  - Blake Schofield (24:50-24:55) Fear never goes away. When you learn to welcome fear, you can step into your purpose. Instead of looking at fear as an obstacle, look at it as something that propels you forward. Embrace the mistakes and learn from them. There are many opportunities in life to love and appreciate yourself just as much as you do everyone else. If you're willing to fully support your family and friends, why wouldn't you do that for yourself? Recognize the beliefs you have that aren't really true. When you do this, you can finally begin to live a more joyful and fulfilled life.  How to Get Involved Learn more about Tiffany by visiting www.morethanme.com and www.tiffanysmiley.com.  If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“It's not a luxury to rest, relax, and unplug. It's a necessity.” Blake Schofield (10:41-10:48) The way we live is having a negative effect on our health and happiness. There's a tendency to work long hours at the expense of rest and recovery. Even worse, when we do have the chance to take time off, we don't. Or, we worry about work when we're on vacation, keeping us from enjoying our lives and being present with the ones we love.  The fact is that we perform better when we take time off. We need to take responsibility for our time and our wellbeing so we can show up better at work, home, and in everything we do.  “In a world that screams that we need to be doing and be ‘on' all the time… the real truth for success, happiness, and health says the exact opposite.” - Blake Schofield (10:49-11:03) Here are some eye-opening statistics related to work and our wellbeing. Only 52% of employees actually use all their vacation time.  Working more than 50 hours a week can raise the risk of a heart attack or stroke.  Not taking time off can also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  People who work longer hours tend to be more anxious, depressed, and suffer from sleep issues.  Women who take less than one vacation every two years are more likely to suffer from depression and stress.  Taking Time Off for Yourself and Others When we take time off, we teach others that they can do it for themselves, too. That's what leadership is. But before you set aside time for a vacation, create a plan that will help you get the most benefit out of your time off. Preparation is the key to a vacation that gives you the rest you need without worrying about what's going on at the office while you're away.  Assign someone on your team to cover the tasks that need to be completed while you're gone. Start this process early so they can ask questions instead of interrupting your time off. The more prepared you are, the better you'll be at taking time off for yourself. Schedule time at the end of your vacation to catch up on any work-related tasks. Review your calendar to see what's in store as you make your way back to work. Communicate with team members to review how things went and address issues that may have come up while you were away.  Checking Out So You Come Back Better Than Before When you truly unplug, you come back to work with more creativity, energy, and drive. You show up better, and you set a positive example for the people you work with. Leaders lead by example. The actions you take teach others how they can live. Working moms who don't take time for themselves teach their children to do the same. That's not a lesson that you want to instill in your family. “When you take the time out to truly unplug, you'll come back with more creativity, energy, and drive. You're going to show up and be better.” - Blake Schofield (15:45-15:53)  It's your responsibility to live your life according to your values, and it's up to you to take control and take care of you. Your job isn't going to do that for you. Sit down and look at your calendar and start scheduling time out for yourself. Whether it's a few hours, days, or weeks, prioritize rest and recovery. When you learn to check out from your job and enjoy life, you'll reap many wonderful benefits that enhance the lives of you, your co-workers, and your family.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“You gain freedom by making the choices that align your life with what you truly want in the long term.” Blake Schofield (24:15-24:22) What does freedom look like? Do we become free when we're no longer being pulled in all directions at once? Do we have the control we want when we're no longer on the hamster wheel of an unfulfilling job? There are many ways to have freedom in life. Freedom can come from getting out of the cycle of perfectionism. It can come from overcoming stress, anxiety, and guilt. You can be free when you're no longer constrained by worries about what other people might think of you.  “When you get the right mix of the different types of freedom, based on what you want and need, you achieve the freedom to live life on your terms. It's the ultimate freedom.” - Blake Schofield (11:08- 11:20) There are so many different types of freedom. Recognizing which are the most important for you, can help give you clarity on the next steps to take.  Freedom to control your time. Managing time can be one of the biggest challenges for working women. The freedom to control your time is even more difficult when you're working for someone else. So it's no surprise that many people aren't able to maximize their time and align it with what they really want.  Freedom to live an authentic life. The freedom to live an authentic life keeps you from worrying about what other people think and the impact it has on your ability to feel valued and appreciated.  Freedom of peace of mind. Many working women begin to feel unsettled in their lives. When your life is aligned with your values and goals, you can feel your entire life shift into a place of peace of mind.  Freedom from stress and anxiety. Constant stress and worry can be problematic. A demanding work environment can create an ongoing feeling of being overwhelmed. But through the choices we make, we can control our response to stress and reduce anxiety.  Freedom from negative self-talk. Overcoming negative self-talk gives us the freedom we need to move forward in life. Taking the time to write down the things we tell ourselves can be a powerful way to identify and eliminate negative beliefs.  Freedom from fear. Fear (False Evidence Appearing Real) can be one of the biggest success traps. Fear can drive the decisions you make. It can cause you to spend time over-analyzing decisions while ultimately never taking action. Conquering fear takes away its power.  “When you conquer fear, fear goes away. You create the life you want and realize that those fears aren't actually that scary.”  - Blake Schofield (10:39-10:54) What's Your Definition of Freedom?  Once we define what our picture of freedom looks like, we need to recognize that we may be standing in our own way when we compromise our values and settle for less than we deserve. We need to consider the long-term impact of the limitations we place on ourselves.  Focusing only on the short term keeps you from getting out of your comfort zone and creating what you want in life. When you invest your time, money, and energy into the future you want, and you do it consistently, you reap all the rewards that are right there waiting for you.  How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today.  You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build! 

“If you believe you deserve money and find gratitude in what you already have, you're on the fast track to manifesting more money into your life.” Elizabeth Pearson (53:58-54:08) Whether you're changing careers or going off on your own, taking a pay cut can be one of the biggest fear-inducing obstacles you face. In order to live the life you want, you can't let your fears around money dictate the decisions you make. Instead, cultivate the belief that you are worthy of money instead of seeing abundance as something only others deserve. “Mediocrity is relative to each person. There's no level of success that can be labeled as ‘good enough' or not. It's about what feels true to you.” - Elizabeth Pearson (7:08-7:20) Elizabeth Pearson is a public speaker and executive career coach. She helps women, entrepreneurs, and executives increase their income by an additional six figures within a year's time. Her work is rooted in helping others understand how they think about money and the fears that impact their everyday lives. Elizabeth climbed the career ladder working with multimillion dollar brands like Coca-Cola and Vitamin Water. But she soon found that something was missing in her life. The career she set out to achieve wasn't giving her the fulfillment she once had. She eventually left her corporate career and launched her coaching business. The lessons she learned along the way have helped her clients transition into the careers and lives that truly make them happy. The Money Mindset Obstacles of Today's Working Women The feeling that there's something more for you is your inner voice telling you that you might be moving in the wrong direction. It's up to you to listen to that voice and take action. As women, we aren't taught to think about what we want and bring it into reality. Most of us learn that we have to just be kind to others and take care of everyone else before we take care of ourselves. “Having an abundant mindset and understanding your beliefs about money, and what they're costing you in life, allows you to move forward in a much more impactful and much more aligned way.” - Blake Schofield (1:00:03-1:00:20) Overcoming Money Fears and Creating the Life You Want It can be difficult to spend the time, energy, money, and other resources to invest in ourselves. Many of us stopped investing in personal development once we received our college degree. When we're stuck in a place of unfulfillment, personal development can be exactly what we need to get back on track. Investing in a coach or mentor is one of the best ways to identify limiting beliefs and develop new believe that will propel you towards whatever you want out of life. Learn to spend money with an open heart instead of a scarcity mindset. Only then can it be a positive transfer of energy. When moving into a new season of life, it can be easy to hate on others who seem to have unlimited financial resources. However, when you stay in this mindset you hold yourself back from attaining the same financial abundance that others have created for themselves. A scarcity mindset forces you to cut back on the things that bring you joy. The fear that there is never enough limits the ability you have to live in abundance. Sometimes our fears about money are tied to our self-worth. When you believe you deserve the good things in life while having gratitude for the things you already have, you manifest more abundance in your work and move forward in a more impactful and meaningful way. It's time to stop letting the fear of money hold you back from all that you are meant to achieve. Don't let fear cost you the fulfillment you deserve. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“You add value every day by being authentically you and sharing your gifts with the world. At the end of the day, that's the reality.” Blake Schofield (19:20-19:31) Do you ever fight back the gnawing sense that all of your accomplishments, all of your success, isn't enough. Or worse, do you ever feel like a fraud, just waiting for the people who surround you in the workplace to realize that you are an imposter? It seems counterintuitive, but I've found that so often even when we achieve the results we set out to achieve, we can still feel like we don't deserve success. The truth is, when you can't see the full potential you already have, it will negatively affect your ability to make the impact you want because you don't step into that value. This can rob you of the joy you could otherwise experience. You live with the fear that what others see isn't what's actually real, just waiting to be “found out.”   “Almost every high performer I've ever met says that Imposter Syndrome is the most common thing. Almost everyone has it.” - Blake Schofield (4:27-4:42) Knowing the Signs of Imposter Syndrome This fear has a name - Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is the idea that despite all of your achievements, you still feel like a fake. Below are some signs that you might be struggling with this common roadblock to success. The fear that you aren't good enough manifests in many ways. Some people downplay their achievements, while others can't accept compliments or recognition. If you worry that you're not as smart as people think you are and that they'll eventually figure it out, you may be struggling with Imposter Syndrome. Many successful women attribute their success to their circumstances instead of their own talents and skills. The fear of not being good enough is common among women who want to transition into a new career. They ignore past successes and think they won't be able to achieve the same results. The biggest risk of Imposter Syndrome is accepting less than what you truly deserve in work, at home, and in life. It creates an uphill battle for working women who end up struggling to prove their value. Getting Over the Fear Imposter Syndrome is rampant, and can be debilitating, but thankfully it can be overcome. The first step is to get to the root of your fear. Spend some time this week thinking back to experiences where you received the message, “I'm not good enough.” Then ask yourself if that was REALLY true. Allow yourself to reframe those experiences to pull out the truth about yourself. You carry a unique set of skills, insights, and experience. This makes you so qualified to give value in ways that others can't. Beyond recognition of talents and skills, it's crucial to allow yourself to believe the truth that you are enough simply because of who you are. Without this truth, you'll always be chasing down fulfillment, always chasing down the desire to just be enough. You don't always have to have all the answers or be perfect to show up and add value to whatever you do. Overcoming limiting beliefs makes you truly successful in a way that will allow you to enjoy the life you have. When I allowed my focus to focus to my passions, those things that really light me up, I found fulfillment AND success. “We have to wipe away the perspective that you have to be good at everything. That's not true. You just need to be exceptionally good at what you're uniquely gifted to do. That alone will make you successful.” - Blake Schofield (18:56-19:09) Learn to enjoy the journey and feel excited about getting up each day to be challenged and engage in your passions. Are you standing in your value and your accomplishments? Overcoming the fear of not being good enough lets you accept how others see your achievements while recognizing them yourself. You are not an imposter. Allow yourself to step into the unique gifts, talents, and experiences that make you so qualified to give value to others. This is a huge step in the bridge to fulfillment. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“The turning point comes from the pain. Our biggest moments of adversity teach us the most and mold us into better people.” Blake Schofield (22:53-23:01) Every working woman faces obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. We often struggle to define what success means and balance the things we want with the people we want to take care of. But it's the adversity that inspires resilience in every single one of us. Kim Izaguirre-Merlos has gained plenty of insight into overcoming physical, mental, and emotional pain. Her journey has taken her from her life as a journalist to working with and coaching high-level performers in Major League Baseball. She's a gifted expert who helps others get more success out of their own lives. The work she does teaches them to consistently create success using the power of the mind. “We get so much strength when we work and appreciate each one of our unique gifts and talents.” - Blake Schofield (59:41-59:47) It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stress. Sometimes it feels like we're trying to just hang on and survive. But when you apply your passions with persistence and the right mindset, you can accomplish anything. Many of us aren't able to see ourselves as inspirational. We overlook our unique and special gifts.   The adversity we face helps us develop the grit we need to face life while considering what's possible. You can choose to receive the tough things in life as a negative or as something that is helping you become a better person. The pain we experience leads us to a turning point where we learn the most about ourselves and have the opportunity to become better through it. Coaching Unlocks New Ways of Thinking and Being Coaching can be the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. It's the process of asking questions to unlock new ways of thinking and being. You open yourself to seeing what's in front of you rather than focusing on having all the answers. Every professional lacks the tools or skills they need at some point along their journey. But when you put yourself in a high-performing space and ask the right questions, you get clear on the direction you want while still allowing the organic things to occur each day. It's possible that you already have a successful career in place, but want something more. If what you're doing is leaving you unfulfilled, it's probably time to redefine and discover yourself. And that is what coaching all about. “Coaching is asking questions to help you unlock something new in your thinking. And from that thinking comes the action or behavior you want.” - Kim Izaguirre-Merlos (31:59-32:11) If you want to regain your confidence and the clarity you need, start focusing on your strengths. Identify the positive wins you have each day. Where do you do your best work? By paying attention to the present moment, you live each day with a more mindful and intentional attitude. You become a more heart-centered achiever who gets joy out of making a difference in other people's lives.  But in order to take care of others, we have to take care of ourselves first. If we don't, we can be left without anything to give. Coaching, mindfulness, and other success strategies aren't about changing yourself. They're about setting yourself up for success so you can take care of others the way you want to while achieving your goals now and in the future.   How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You can connect with Kim by visiting her website at www.howwewon.org or by connecting with her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also access the article Kim referenced in the article titled From Gloom To Gratitude: 8 Skills To Cultivate Joy  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Guilt puts us in a victim  mode, which means we stop looking for solutions because we start assuming that things are out of our control.” Blake Schofield (1:42-1:51) Working moms are crunched for time more than ever during the summer season. We struggle to keep up with work and other responsibilities while trying to give our kids a memorable summer experience. But with the right perspective, we can do all the things that matter while taking care of ourselves and creating a summer full of lasting memories instead of feelings of guilt. “When we live in a place of guilt, it creates patterns of behavior where we're not present and enjoying our lives.” - Blake Schofield (7:04-7:13) Avoiding the Guilt Trap Have you ever found yourself falling into victim mode when you can't give your kids the summer experience they wish they had? We have a habit of prioritizing everyone around us without taking care of our own needs. This makes it hard to accomplish the things we need to get done. As a working mother who helps other working moms, I know how easy it is to convince myself that summer should be a certain way for my kids. But we often base this on our own experience instead of what our kids actually say they want. That's why we need to understand what matters to our kids instead of focusing on what we think summer "should" look like. Changing Your Summer Perspective Sit down with your family and find out what's important to them. Each person should pick one or two activities they want to do during the summer so you can prioritize the things that are meaningful to everyone. See if you can have "summer Fridays" at work where you leave early or work from home. This flexibility lets you create more balance with your kids. Prioritize your work schedule so you tackle the big things first. Set high-leverage times during the day where you focus on your goals. This could be the first hour of each day when you concentrate on the things that give you the best results. Outsource time-consuming activities you don't need to do. Grocery delivery and prepared meal services free up time you can spend with your kids doing summer activities. “It isn't about the time you spend with your kids. It's about ensuring they feel heard, valued, safe, and important.” - Blake Schofield (6:29-6:39) If you work close to home, schedule lunchtime breaks where you spend quality time with them on the days you work. This lets them know you're thinking about them and making an effort to create those special moments. We have to overcome the fear of not doing a "good enough" job with our families. I often try to be the perfect mom to my kids. But this can be exhausting, and it sets me up for failure. Instead, we can achieve success by finding out what works and what doesn't work. Don't try to create the perfect summer experience for your kids. Don't try to show up as someone different than who you really are. When you let go of perfection and feelings of guilt, you show up as your best self for your kids. More importantly, you enhance your role as a businesswoman, mom, wife, and a friend to those you love. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“With the right coaching, women can create more fulfilling and impactful lives.” Blake Schofield (3:12-3:19) I probably don't have to tell you this, but the journey to fulfillment can be difficult, full of obstacles and bumps in the road. Have you ever considered working with a coach? Personal experience, and extensive research has shown me that working with a coach helps you get better and faster results in everything you do. Even though coaching has been around for quite some time, many women still don't utilize these valuable services. Are you making the investment to leverage the knowledge, insights, and experiences of others who've paved similar paths? Let me tell you why it's so worth it! “Coaches are there to help you get the right tools, support, and strategies to level up and create the change and the growth you want in life and career.” - Blake Schofield (10:48-11:03) Why You Should Hire a Coach A report by the Manchester Consulting Group highlights how coaching can enhance performance in Fortune 100 executives. The report showed the following reasons why a coach is the right choice for anyone looking to achieve better results. 77% improvement in relationships 67% improvement in teamwork 61% improvement in job satisfaction Coaches give you tools, strategies, and support. They've developed the skills and expertise you need to achieve a new level of growth and fulfillment. How Do You Know When Coaching is Right for You? If you're motivated to create a better life and make a big change, a coach may be the investment you need. You may be feeling stuck, but know deep down that you really want to improve yourself and grow. I am a firm believer that nearly everyone will benefit from the investment in the right coach. The right coach for you is one who has journeyed a similar path, has figured out how to achieve success, and can help you get the same results. You can't see the label from the inside of the bottle. There are times when it's necessary to get an outside perspective to eliminate the roadblocks that are in the way of success, growth, and fulfillment. Have you taken the time to identify your unique strengths and gifts? Coaching can show you the possibilities that are there for you and help you overcome feelings of doubt and fear. “The strongest coaches have a clear niche. They know who gets the best results, and they help clients address a specialized set of problems and goals.” - Blake Schofield (13:10-13:23) If you're struggling in any area of life, you can find a coach to help you identify and overcome the challenges you're facing. There are coaches who specialize in each area. Life coaches help with personal development. Career coaches help you with your career strategy and tactical skills such as interviewing and preparing your resumé. Business coaches focus on a specific area in your career. How to Choose a Coach to Create Your Own Version of Success Different coaches have unique approaches. In order for coaching to be a wise investment, it's so important to find one who fits your specific wants, needs, and goals. The following are questions you should ask yourself when looking for the right coach. Do they have expertise in the areas you need help with? Are they clear on the specific problems they address? Do your personalities fit together? Are they honest and upfront about what you should expect and what you need to do to succeed? Figure out what you need. Some coaches only offer group coaching programs. You might need a more individualized approach. Other coaches might have a "do it on your own" approach to coaching. But you might need more accountability and guidance. You get the most benefit out of coaching when you work with the right person. If there's something you want to create in your life, coaching can help you identify the steps you need to get you there. You'll see the bigger picture and create your own version of success and personal fulfillment. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“That little voice inside telling you there's something different is leading you to a path that's so much greater than you could ever imagine.” Blake Schofield (8:13-8:23) Have you ever felt  guilty for being unhappy despite having a great income, a healthy family, and a good life? This feeling can be quickly followed by feelings of shame and embarrassment, when you think about how others have so much less. How could I want more? This rollercoaster of thoughts and feelings could be pushing you away from what you really want in life. “Feeling guilty because you're unhappy causes you to go in the opposite direction of what you really need.” - Blake Schofield (0:56-1:10) Women often learn to take care of others first while making sacrifices that affect their careers, wellbeing, and happiness. But we can soon feel disempowered, giving so much of ourselves that we no longer have anything left to give. The traditional narrative says that success comes from climbing the corporate ladder, earning more money, or owning the house with the white picket fence. But for many women, there's a sense that there may be something more to gain out of their work and life. This isn't something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. In fact, it's a gift and an opportunity to realize what success is for you and what it isn't. Listen to Your Inner Voice Your inner voice tells you when something is right or wrong. But not everyone listens to that inner voice. And if you ignore that inner voice long enough, it can be possible to stop hearing it at all. Our vision gets cloudy, and it can be difficult to remember, or know what it is that we actually want. When that excitement that accompanies achievement begins to fade you're left feeling like something's missing. I've felt that way. On paper, everything about my corporate career was amazing, a dream. And yet, I felt unsettled and empty inside. These feelings are clues, telling you your life isn't aligned with what you're capable of giving or doing. They're like a nudge from your inner voice letting you know you're moving in the wrong direction. You can step into the life you're meant to live and leverage your skills to do something that's meaningful to you. A growing number of heart-centered women are making things happen in their communities and industries by stepping out and doing something new. “It begins and ends with the stories you tell yourself. It begins and ends with how you think about and frame your circumstances.” - Blake Schofield (10:49-10:58) Leverage the Power of Mindset How do you talk to yourself? Do you lift yourself up or do you live in self-doubt? Most of us learn to ignore our inner voices. We convince ourselves that the things we want aren't possible for us. We think we don't deserve them and that change is too scary or risky. But there's power in believing that you deserve and can create so much more. Reframing your beliefs helps you achieve everything you want while continuing to grow personally and professionally. Your success is rooted in the stories you tell yourself and the ways you perceive your circumstances. Your inner voice tells you when you want and deserve more than what you have. Listen to that voice and start taking action. Foster trust in yourself so you take steps towards creating a new path. Don't get overwhelmed thinking change has to be big. It doesn't have to be an irresponsible risk or leap. When you believe in yourself as much as you believe in others, you can make new choices and create the life you deserve. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“The unknown is an opportunity for more possibilities in your life instead of staying stuck in imagining what might be.” Blake Schofield (22:10-22:23)  Imagine spending one third of your life doing something that doesn't make you happy. This seems crazy, and yet, more professionals are falling into a cycle of believing that having a job they hate is normal. When you consider that 85% of people hate their jobs, you wonder what keeps them from doing the same thing every single day? Maybe it's not so crazy for you, because it is the place you find yourself right now. At the root of this tendency to settle is a resistance to change. It's hard to change a significant part of our lives even when we know it's making us unhappy. We can be so afraid of making mistakes and failing in front of others that we don't take action, and we just accept things as they are. “We can get into a cycle of believing that hating our work is normal. So we have a workforce of people who are unengaged, uninspired, and unfulfilled in their jobs.” - Blake Schofield (1:08-1:33) Climbing the Ladder, and Getting Stuck Most professionals start on the same path. They don't know what to expect when they're fresh out of school, and face pressure from others to prove themselves and climb the professional ladder. Often we feel like we need to make more money and do the things that cause others to respect us. And then, when the career path isn't as exciting or energizing as we hoped, we can find ourselves job-hopping in search of fulfillment. It can be so discouraging when each job begins to resemble the previous, and we still feel that nagging sense that something is missing. Over time, we can become resigned and think, “This is just how it's going to be.” We normalize our circumstances and convince ourselves to accept that there's nothing better out there for us. It becomes harder to try new things, and easy to become entrenched in job and career. Fears around failure and change stop many people in their tracks. It's so important to understand the reasons why we're afraid and the ways we handle fear. Fear is an emotion like any other. It is powerful, and can feel paralyzing. But it's also an opportunity to explore what you're really afraid of and question if it's actually true. Where Did You Learn to Resist Change? Our beliefs about change can also lead to resistance. These beliefs can appear early in our lives. As children, change is hard because we have a limited perspective. Children rarely have control over the change that occurs in their lives. However, life events, through the lens of a child, can shape the way we view change as we grow into adults. When I was young, my parents divorced, causing us to move twice. I was uprooted from a safe environment with friends, comfort, familiarity, and moved to a place where I didn't feel like I fit in. In this season of my life, change was so painful, difficult, and confusing. This became my lens for change - how I processed it from that point on. Looking at the Positive Results of Change When we experience change as negative, we overlook the positive aspects of change. In fact, change isn't actually what's difficult. In the circumstances of my childhood, the relationships I'd developed was the painful part of my parents' divorce, and the subsequent move. As I have allowed myself to understand that, and embrace the of importance relationships and belonging, I can recognize that change can be empowering, exciting, and was the path that led to fulfillment in my own life. Think about what you want to change in your life. Is it your career? Is it your work-life balance? What can you put in place to make sure you stay on the right path? What are the beliefs that stand in the way of you making these changes? Examining and reframing them will help you make a successful transition into your new self. “Making a career shift or transition into entrepreneurship can be done step by step to mitigate risk and fear.” - Blake Schofield (18:37-18:52) Working with a mentor or coach can help you build a bridge to your new career. You can create a step-by-step process that lets you transition as slowly or as quickly as you'd like. Taking a measured approach mitigates risk and fear. Change really is a gift when you see the positive things that can happen as a result of taking new actions. Maybe the things holding you back aren't real factors. Don't let fear be the driving force in your life. Find out where it's causing you to make choices that don't serve you. Focus on times when change had positive results. Change is a doorway to peace, happiness, and fulfillment in life. But it's up to you to open that door and take the first step. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Most people, in building a business, don't understand the value and importance of investing to gain the right skills and momentum.” Blake Schofield (5:11 - 5:22) The value and importance of investing in your business sooner rather than later. You're ready to leave your corporate job and create a life on your own terms. But now is not the best time. After all, you have plenty of debt and barely any savings. It's best to wait until everything is in order before you even think about investing in your own business. Right? Wrong! Waiting might actually be sabotaging your success! To prove my point, let's use an example of two women in corporate America. Abbey and Betty were just like you. They were unhappy and unfulfilled, eager to make the move into entrepreneurship. While they both had good credit with the ability to leverage their assets and acquire loans, each woman took a different approach than the other to build their business over a time period of one year. Abbey decided to wait before investing. Betty went all in. As a result, one suffered and one thrived. “Understand the value of investing. Not only can you cut back in order to build up savings, but you can actually make more money to build up savings!” - Blake Schofield (2:48 - 2:55) Abbey decided it was best to get everything in order before heavily investing in her business. She cut down expenses and slowly began to build her business on her own. Many hours were spent researching what services she could best offer and designing a website for her business. Unfortunately, the website gained little traction and generated no momentum. At the end of one year, all of her hard work, sweat, and hustle amounted to only a grand total of $15 earned. Abbey had saved $5 from cutting down her expenses and profited only in $10 from her business. Now obviously, in reality, we would deal with much greater numbers. But for the sake of this example let's keep it real simple and continue. Things continued to get worse at her corporate job and with every passing day, it was solidified that Abbey was not where she was meant to be. But over the last year, Abbey was unable to gain the right skills and momentum necessary to leave her corporate job in confidence because she didn't invest. Sadly, she would have to stay put. In comparison, Betty, who understood the value of investing and how to leverage money appropriately, made four years of progress in one year. Betty took $30 out of the bank and invested in getting the right skills and support to begin building her business. With support and guidance, she learned to focus her time and energy on reaching the right clients, developing messaging, and designing a rock hard business model. It required hard work and money up front but at the end of one year, Betty successfully made a $90 profit from her business. That's a net worth of $60 going right into her savings for later use! That same week Betty handed in her two-week notice. Her investment had laid a foundation for growth, generating enough momentum over the last year to bridge the distance and cross comfortably into entrepreneurship. “Remove the risk of having to leap into entrepreneurship and really build a bridge that will enable you to create life on your own terms.” - Blake Schofield (6:49 - 6:56) The truth is you don't have to wait until all your debt is paid off or your savings account is full to invest in your own business! You can and should invest as soon as possible to reach success. There's really no excuse not to. You could even use a 0% APR credit card or take out a loan. Contradictory to popular belief, not all credit card debt is bad! In fact, one of the smartest things you can do is leverage credit to make more money to then pay back at a later time. I know it can be scary to spend money to make money. But like Betty, you want to invest sooner rather than later to gain the right skills and momentum to set your business on a forward trajectory. Your investment, big or small, will provide the bricks necessary for you to build a bridge of fulfillment strong enough to cross comfortably from your corporate job into entrepreneurship. Don't sabotage your success! Invest in your business today and enable yourself to create life on your own terms! How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Success is not elusive. Success absolutely leaves clues.” Blake Schofield (4:45 - 5:05) The concept of success in entrepreneurship is really misunderstood. So many women, when they start building their own business, are faced with fear and doubt they've never actually faced before, or haven't faced in a really long time. It's amazing the doubts that can creep into a wildly successful woman's mind the moment she decides to leave Corporate America to build something of her own. Once a powerhouse full of confidence, all of the sudden there's a small voice in her head that makes her wonder if she actually has what it takes. Maybe I was only successful because of my team? What if I can't do this alone? What if the way I've seen myself my entire career, is a facade? What if I am a fraud? The fears and doubts are normal, and even understandable and to be expected. Building a business of your own is entirely different than working at corporate, or being employed. Suddenly, when you are your own boss, the structure becomes elusive, and the path can feel really unclear. The key to overcoming these fears is to acknowledge them, so you have the power to walk through them to the other side. As long as we avoid them, or ignore them, they WILL continue to hold power over us.   “Entrepreneurship isn't just a journey to building a business, it's a journey to discovering you. It's a personal growth journey.” - Blake Schofield (1:59 - 2:22) The secret to success. Let me let you in on a secret. The only thing that sets the incredibly successful entrepreneur - the entrepreneur bringing home six and seven figures - apart is her commitment to keep going, regardless of the obstacles and struggles that rise up, and her willingness to find the RIGHT people to walk alongside her. These are the keys to overcoming the fears and doubts that try to define you, and hold you back from the impact you were meant to make, and the life you desire to live. Commitment. Finding success in entrepreneurship isn't about avoiding failure. Each setback is an opportunity to grow, each obstacle a chance to learn more about yourself. Facing fear and doubt head-on gives us the strength to become more confident in our abilities. I am so passionate about making sure are maximizing their impact and talents. You weren't meant to live a life of compromises. The strength that you carried within your Corporate career is the strength you can take with you as an entrepreneur. Even in the midst of the unknown and the challenges, all it takes is the decision to keep pressing forward. “We have 39% of businesses today being women-led, and yet only 4% of the revenue is being driven by those business… Part of the reason for the disparity is women feel they have to do it alone... They are choosing fear and doubt over commitment and belief.” - Blake Schofield (3:26 - 4:00) Find the right people to walk beside you. I have yet to meet a woman emerging from the corporate world to pursue entrepreneurship who has a clear grasp of all it takes to build their own business. However, too many women are trying to do it alone. The fear of failure, and other self-doubts, can stand in the way of making the decision to ask for help. Fear has a way of isolating us, making us feel like we have to prove ourselves, or that we should be able to figure it out on our own. The journey of an entrepreneur is not meant to be done alone. Find the people who have already gone before you, who can help you avoid mistakes, and make wise choices. Seeking counsel from mentors and coaches who can guide your path into entrepreneurship is invaluable. They will save you a significant amount of time, emotional energy, and money. Not only that, but when you have the right people walking next to you, the journey is SO much more enjoyable. “The difference between the successful entrepreneurs is that they have made their mind up that failure is not an option. All failure is, is giving up. They've made the commitment that they'll do whatever it takes to be successful.” - Blake Schofield (4:19 - 4:41) Are you happy and fulfilled in your current career? If your answer is no, are you willing to commit to making a change? There are multiple ways to make a sustainable income, with so many different industry choices. Entrepreneurship is just one, but it might be the best way for you to gain the freedom and fulfillment you desire. In the midst of your fears and doubts, I want you to know that you can ABSOLUTELY be successful. Success isn't elusive! It leaves you clues to follow. Entrepreneurship isn't always easy, but if you decide to keep going no matter what, and you don't try to do it alone, you have the potential to achieve everything you desire and more! How to Get Involved If you would like some help to get clarity & a roadmap for your path ahead, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Understanding where your value comes from and communicating it effectively to others is truly how you build wealth, opportunity, and freedom in your life.” Blake Schofield (0:39 - 0:52) Your self-worth is not determined by a list of checkboxes. From a very young age, women are taught incorrectly how to measure their inherent value. As students, we're encouraged to achieve the highest grades possible. Achievements, check! As mothers, we're expected to sacrifice all our time in devotion to helping others. Helpfulness, check! As businesswomen, we're seen useful based on our career-focused choices, years of experience, and past successes. Only as good as my title, got it! Do you recognize the detrimental pattern? Over and over society hammers in the false understanding that value is determined by the number of boxes checked off a result-driven list. But this is simply not true. You have an inherent value that transcends society's requirements. “Even without results, or the work you do for other people, or whatever those things may be, you still have your own unique value to offer the world just because of who you are as a person.” - Blake Schofield (13:11 - 13:22) You are unique and individual. Your experiences, perspective, and insight are different from anyone else and therefore necessary to this world. In order to stand firm in your self-worth, you must first embrace who you are as a person and then effectively communicate that value to others. Embrace who you are. Prepare to have a serious heart to heart with yourself. Consider the statement, “I am valuable because…” What comes to mind? What do you believe makes you valuable? The complete statement should be “I am valuable because of who I am.” If this isn't the case, you most likely have some limiting beliefs holding you back! For example, if you believe your value stems solely from how well you get along with others, then a situation with interpersonal conflict will cause great grief. The fear of being seen as invaluable causes your subconscious to do whatever necessary to maintain a well-liked persona. When you base your value on anything outside of who you are, you head towards a disappointing end of frustration and burnout. It's just not worth it! Come back to the truth. You have value stemming from all aspects of your unique individualism. Appreciate your talents, gifts, and passions. Remember that self-worth encapsulates more than just what you do, it's about who you are. Communicate your value effectively. Women are often shamed and dismissed for standing firm in their value and demanding equal pay, recognition, and fair opportunities. But you have the power to claim what is rightfully yours! All you have to do is showcase your unique individualism. How do you do this? Brag! Share in a positive light the value you have to offer. For example, a buyer is on the hunt for a new camera but is unsure of which model to purchase. What do they do? They research specifications and read reviews to gain an understanding of the best camera for them on the market. It's no different in business! Your goal is to boost the confidence others have in your ability to provide them with the results they're seeking. Shift your perspective to effectively communicate that your value as a person and professional is worth a great investment of time and money. “In sharing our value, and helping other people understand our value, we actually provide a service to them and ourselves.” - Blake Schofield (4:12 - 4:19) Positive self-worth is the most important quality any female can possess. It is the dictator of success in business. Unfortunately, for so long society has been twisting self-worth into a list of checkboxes. The more checks in achievements, helpfulness, and title-filled responsibilities the higher the value. No more! Say goodbye to this detrimental pattern and remove the lid confining your creativity and potential as a businesswoman. Stand firm in your unique individualism and communicate to others what you have to offer to claim a life of wealth, opportunity, and freedom. Refuse to check off any more boxes. Wipe out that list! You know your true value. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“I was looking for the next promotion, the next company to make me happy. What I realized was, if I really didn't understand what I wanted, how could I possibly ever find it?” - Blake Schofield (2:20)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated When you realize it's time for a change in your career but can't see the path forward, the only person who can give you the answers is you. Your instincts are telling you that the career you're in just isn't a good fit anymore. The work doesn't excite you and there seems to be no trajectory for growth. Put simply, something has to change. So what do you do? Coming to a crossroads in your career is a very scary thing. I've been there. Only, instead of looking to myself for the solution, I searched around for an external answer to my problem. I thought another company, another promotion could make me happy and bring me peace. Needless to say, it didn't work out, and eventually, I realized the fulfillment I was seeking couldn't be found in the corporate world. If you're feeling unfulfilled and lacking clarity in the future of your career, you're facing one of two choices: should you stay in the corporate arena or break away and start your own business? “If you could have anything, what would it be that you don't have today?” - Blake Schofield. (6:03) This is not uncommon. Many people transition from career path to career path throughout their lives. If you're looking for the best way to make your big decision, I'd love to share some questions you can ask yourself to get clear on your path forward.   What makes me unhappy? It's often much easier to figure out what we want when we begin by figuring out what we DON'T want. Usually, the things that are the most obvious are the ones that frustrate us. Maybe you're feeling a lack of control with your schedule, or you're feeling guilty about missing time with your family. Whatever it is, write it down. You want to aim for 10-15 items on this list. Don't just go for the surface-level stuff. Dig deep. What do I wish was different? What is it that you don't have right now that you want? Maybe you'd only be doing parts of the job you do now, or your schedule would be more flexible. Write down 10-15 on this list as well. Where can I find these things? What career would allow you to have the things you want while avoiding the things you don't? Is there another company or job that fits your criteria? Beware, when you're job searching, of seeking out more of the same stuff that made you unhappy to begin with. Of course, we look for similar jobs because that's comfortable and familiar. If you realize at this point that there's no corporate position that matches up, fear can start creeping in. If I wasn't compromising, what would I really want? Do your research. Once you know what you want and what you don't, really take a good look at options that might work for you. Create a “Top 5” list of great opportunities and then assess whether each one would require you to give up something you don't want to give up. Look into the company expectations, the lifestyle requirements, whether you and your family would have the time and freedom you need. Do these opportunities excite me and do I believe they would fix my issue? Think long-term on this one. Consider whether you'd want to do the job for five or ten years. If you go through your list and find opportunities that don't require you to compromise and give you excitement for the possibility, there's your answer! If not, it's time to consider option B: building your own opportunity.   Building a career from scratch is a scary prospect - but it's also an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. If none of the possibilities on your list are what you need, revisit the list of what you actually want. Think about more than the tangible aspects - the paycheck, the time off. Think about the deeper parts of your life that your current job situation is affecting. Are you less present around your family? Have you lost your sense of community with your friends due to lack of time, or are you missing out on dream trips/volunteer opportunities that have been on your bucket list forever? Ask yourself, “If I didn't have to worry about finances or it not working, is there anything that would hold me back from going after what I want?” If you realize that money and risk are the only obstacles to pursuing what you want to do, this route is worth considering. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It requires dedication from you, a willingness to work hard, and a high level of accountability and responsibility in your business. But there is very unique freedom found in building your own business that you can get nowhere else. “There has never been someone that entered into entrepreneurship confident that they had all the answers, with no fears, and doubts, or worries.” - Blake Schofield. (13:12) Above all, the decision you make should not be decided by your fears or doubts. When you make decisions based on your uncertainties, you end up compromising, and down the road end up right back where you started - feeling unfulfilled and looking for a way out. Whatever step you take should be taken from the pursuit of what success looks like for your life. If success for you can't be found in the corporate world, be empowered by the opportunity to create it for yourself. Getting out of your situation, if you don't have a clear path to where you want to be, will likely end up creating a situation that is worse, not better, than where you are today. If you are currently trying to decide if you should start your own business, or if a change in career would be a better fit, use this free tool to gain some clarity in your own unique situation! You don't have to settle, and you don't have to jump from one unfulfilling situation right into another. How to Get Involved If you would like to see how I can help you get the clarity & plan in place to create a more fulfilling career & life on your terms, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.  You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Women don't keep their promises to themselves. When things get busy, they allow work or obligations to shut out the things that fill their cup.” - Blake Schofield (2:39)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Women tend to sacrifice themselves for the good of those around them. But how much good does it really do? There is a long history that has existed in our society of women taking on the burdens of those around them in order to be the ideal - ideal wife, ideal mother, and - more recently - the ideal businesswoman. We, as women, tend to hold ourselves to unattainable standards that have us taking care of everyone's needs above our own and which leave us burned out, overwhelmed, and guilt-ridden because our daily reality doesn't look like our Pinterest page. The truth or the matter that we frequently forget is, what we see on social media is only part of the story. It is a collage of everyone else's best moments, and we cannot judge ourselves based on the values and perspectives of others. The trend of selflessness as the ideal lifestyle comes from a few lies we tell ourselves. Other people's needs are greater than mine. It is my job to make sure everyone else is okay Others can't take care of things as well as I can, so I have to do them. If I were really a great mom/wife/businessperson/woman, I could handle all of this. I need to maintain the “perfect” life in order for my loved ones to feel happy, taken care of, and loved. “When we're so burned out and driven to take care of others without taking care of ourselves, we struggle to be present.” - Blake Schofield. (7:45) In fact, America's life expectancy has now fallen behind that of several major, developed countries, and the decline is due to despair - discouragement about the world and our ability to create the life we want to live. When you live your life deprioritizing yourself in favor of others, you begin to develop a pattern of feeling out-of-control, and subsequently, falling into despair. This downward spiral doesn't only affect us. The patterns we live by will show up in our children. As our kids grow up in a disconnected, out-of-touch society, they become prone to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal mindsets. Contrary to popular belief, spending more time with your kids does not automatically make you a good parent or strengthen your relationship with them. The most effective way to foster healthy relationships with your children, and help them grow into strong, independent humans is to prioritize the things that matter and be fully present with your children while you are doing those things. You might be physically spending time with your kids, but are you mentally engaged with them? Are you processing what they're telling you? When we are stressed, burnt out, and struggling without a way to replenish ourselves, it can be nearly impossible to be fully present. It's time to shift the ideals we reach for. We're stressed. We're burnt out. We're trying to grow a family and a career from a place of despair. Enough is enough. It's time for a wakeup call. You've all heard the safety announcements made on airplanes. You know, the one where you're told to put your own mask on first and help those around you after. The same concept applies to our lives, our families, and even our careers. If we're not taking time to care for ourselves, we're not going to have enough oxygen to care for anyone else. “Where are some places in my life that I can allow my loved ones to show up and take responsibility, so I can show up and engage with my family and my work?” - Blake Schofield. (14:57) We've seen the problem, how do we fix it? If you find yourself in a place of despair, the first step is to examine your schedule and make some necessary shifts. Think strategically to create a schedule that gives you some ability to prioritize your time appropriately. For help creating a schedule that maximizes your time, reference my episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment podcast that discusses this topic. Build in some time just for you one to two times a week, and go do something you love. Read a book, get a manicure, or go out to lunch with some girlfriends. Look at the patterns in your life and the list of harmful beliefs we covered. Are those beliefs dictating your day-to-day? If they are, challenge yourself. Examine whether or not those beliefs are true, and why or why not. Finally, find ways for your loved ones to help you in finding time to care for yourself. It is okay to ask for help and support, and they will reap the rewards of even simple things done to help you. No one is meant to live their life from a place of despair. Especially not you! Take some time this week to assess your life. Are you making time for you? Are you letting yourself be held back by limiting beliefs, and resignation to living life from a place of empty? Most importantly, do you feel fulfilled? If not, it's time to take back your life! How to Get Involved If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Stand firm in your value… you are so much more valuable than what you are charging.” - Samantha Hartley (23:50 - 24:03)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated   Why wait? You can be happy now. Are you continually finishing the statement, “I'll be happy when…?" Do you find yourself daydreaming, endlessly wishing, and coveting your fellow neighbor's career? Then listen up. You may be headed for a catastrophic burnout and possible breakdown. That is where Samantha Hartley found herself after many grueling years in the marketing field working for the multi-billion dollar company Coca-Cola. Concerned about her health and burnt out from the intensity, enough was enough. Samantha decided to walk away from her corporate career and start fresh. The leap of faith was not a clean decision but an obvious one. It was time for a change, for something better, for something she always wanted - her own business. The concept was clear but the details surrounding which industry to choose were murky. Samantha took a year off to nurture her body and mind back to health while searching for the next step. All the while, the phone kept ringing as former colleagues requested guidance in various projects. Then it hit her. All of her strengths and knowledge gained through her studies gave her excellent experience and qualification to consult. Perhaps you feel in a similar boat? Do you feel like what you are doing is not the right fit or best option for your unique gifts? Are you ready for your own business? There is no better time than the present. “Never burn your bridges, because those people will reappear in your life and be able to help you.” -Samantha Hartley (7:14 - 7:21) First, be willing to ask for and receive help. Most entrepreneurs pull from the support of former colleagues, close friends, and family to get their business running. Try to create positive interactions to encourage connections for growth. Never burn your bridges. The connections you make along the way are so important and may prove useful down the road. Disregard the lies corporate taught you. The path to success is not straight, and your unique approach to building your business will work much better than trying to fit into the box of your corporate experience. Building a business is full of challenges and bumps in the road. Unfortunately, only 4% of women-driven business are making consistent revenue. Investing in a coach can give you the drive, and tools you need to rise above the statistics. Investing in a coach is definitely more costly than figuring it out on your own. It will save you time and research. However, it comes with the risk of dishing out large quantities of money for “good advice.” Anyone can give advice, but only experienced individuals can provide wise counsel. Therefore, be wary of individuals who name drop instead of providing years of experience. Seek individuals who have been where you are and are now where you want to be. Wise counsel should give insight into how to gain more clients and help remove limitations to reveal what is indeed possible. Stop selling yourself short. Stand in your value and charge what you deserve. As you are shaping your business, it is really important to look at your offer and make sure you are assigning appropriate value to your services. The world is your oyster, you are surrounded by opportunity and abundance. Too often, we limit our reach, and our income, by what we think is possible. When you allow yourself to dream bigger, you will begin to see that there is no limit to your potential. There is no reason why any female entrepreneur should be making less than $50,000. If you make less than that figure, or perhaps you make more but are still making less than your goal income - It's time to shift your mentality. Take some time to honestly answer the questions below: Am I working with the right sized clients? Am I relying too heavily on subcontractors and risking personal gain? Am I appropriately charging based on my value as a businesswoman? Your time and work are worth something. Be open to negotiating, but understand the factors in value. Remember that what you accomplish in top-line sales is never what you bring home in profit. To avoid operating too close to the red, run your business at a minimum of 40% in profit. Teach yourself and your clients that costs deduct, but investments enhance. There is no victim mentality in the full understanding of return on investments. You are in the business of generating more for yourself and others. Disregard your background influencing negative self-talk and possible limitations. It does not matter whether you have a high school diploma or a college degree. You can make an impact as long as you can deliver the results you offer. “If you start a business with a journey to a $100,000, you're only going to make a $100,000. Lift the lid off what is possible for you.” -Blake Schofield (40:24 - 40:34) The danger all of us face in goal-setting is the risk of limiting potential. If you plan to make $100,000 in revenue, you will make $100,000. If you fail to set new, higher goals, you will face a plateau. Why not dream bigger? Think big and shoot high, but pitch right-sized clients who inspire and excite you. You are not deficient, or less-than as an entrepreneur. When you find yourself comparing your success to those around you, or feeling intimidated by a potential client, keep in mind everyone has insecurities. Some are better than others in hiding it, but we all struggle with self-confidence issues at some level. Let this be of comfort to you when interacting with your next client. They are just like you. Focus on what you can offer to take the focus off what you fear. Embrace your value to offer the highest value to your clients. You have the power to create what you want if you want it. It is best to block creative time to maintain momentum. Activities such as walking your dog and soaking in the hot tub are highly encouraged for problem-solving and planning the infrastructure of your business. Wherever your best creative work happens, be sure to weave it into your everyday life. Before you know it, the life you always imagined will manifest. How to Get Involved If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today. You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“You owe it to yourself and the world to be living in your passion and purpose.” - Nicola Watson (53:25-53:30)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Conditioned beliefs about what we can accomplish or feel we deserve keep us from pursuing the things we really love in business and in life. However, it is entirely possible for you to build a successful six-figure business if you change your belief systems, and build a network that supports your dream.   Nicola Watson moved to the U.S. from Jamaica in 2001 for her undergraduate studies. Although she had a successful academic career, Nicola always dreamed of being a fashion designer. But a career in fashion was something that wasn't valued in her home country. Because of this, she was never comfortable following her passion and instead stuck to her academic studies, only to pursue a field she didn't really love.   Nicola realized that she would only be happy if she did what she loved. She decided to attend fashion school, despite feeling like she was making the wrong decision. This led her to a career as a corporate fashion designer for Target and Abercrombie & Fitch. She eventually went out on her own and started Le Fashion Lab, teaching others how to take the leap into the fashion industry and follow their own business dreams.   “Results are based on strategy, execution, focus, clarity, and consistency in the work you're doing.” - Blake Schofield (46:55-47:05)   Women often see the success that others have and think, “It's possible for her but not for me.” They don't believe their passion could actually make money for them. Having the clarity to follow your passion in business is the first step to your own success in anything you do. You will encounter self-doubt and trepidation. However, if you take action in spite of the struggles that come your way, you can achieve your own entrepreneurial success.   Nicola's Le Fashion Lab became a place where fashion enthusiasts could take courses without having to give up their day jobs and pursue their dreams of being in the fashion industry. Her success was a direct result of the clarity she had in what she wanted to do.   Paving a Path to Your Dream Business   Misconceptions that get in the way of business success include the belief that your passion won't pay you or that you need to stress yourself out just to make it all happen. As a result, people settle for less. You can avoid this common trap by getting outside validation from others. Understanding the numbers and forecasting the path you'll take makes the process easier. It's important to know when your business isn't working so you can realign your strategy for success. Consider the highest value you can provide, and reposition your business so that others see the potential it offers them.   If you reprogram your mind to believe that what you're doing will work, you eliminate limiting beliefs that stop most entrepreneurs in their tracks. Thinking too small is one of the biggest mistakes people make. Even Nicola, who had great success in her academic career, struggled to have the confidence to run her own business. As she pushed through limiting beliefs, she was able to make her dreams come true, pursue her passion, and build a business around something as “non-traditional” as fashion design. “When you have clarity, it's easier to pave a path to success.” - Nicola Watson (6:57-7:03)   Creating routines that re-energize and motivate you is a powerful way to keep moving forward. Coaching from others who have successfully pursued their own business goals is an invaluable tool that today's entrepreneurs need. Owning your own business can be a lonely pursuit. Working with a coach creates a success team that supports your goals.   Every entrepreneur owes it to herself to be living her passion and purpose. Money should not be the reason you don't do the things you love. Real and lasting success comes when you believe that your dreams are possible for you and that you can have what you want. You have everything it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, and every moment along your business journey creates the choices that lead you to success.   How to Get Involved   If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today.   You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.   You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!   Learn more at Nicola Watson and Le Fashion Lab by visiting lefashionlab.com. You can also connect with Nicola by email at info@lefashionlab.com.  

“The more women are successful as entrepreneurs, creating environments that allow people to lead balanced and harmonious lives, the more corporate America is going to have to change.” - Blake Schofield (8:01-8:19)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated   Women make up 49% of the workforce, but they only occupy 15% of executive suites. Which means, there is still a huge barrier for women to make their way to the top of today's companies. More and more women are abandoning the corporate world to build their own businesses. These women are taking their opportunity for leadership into their own hands and are transforming the corporate landscape in the process.   Women struggle to reach executive positions in corporate America due to traditional, archaic ways of thinking that do little to create new opportunities for women. Beliefs around company loyalty force employees to sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of their work. Women often have to balance their careers with family responsibilities, and this is especially true as they advance within the company.   “It isn't just that only 15% of executive opportunities are for women...it's what women have to give up to even get that 15%.” - Blake Schofield (4:34-4:44)   For those women do who make their way up to a C-suite, the stress of sacrificing so much of their lives can be too much to endure. They find it difficult to show up fully in their work and express their points of view.   That's why many women choose the entrepreneurial path and take on new perspectives of what they can achieve in life. They're standing up and taking stock of the value they provide and what they can achieve when they have a balanced work and home life. As the number of successful women entrepreneurs grows, so does the number of women who realize that they, too, can leave the confines of corporate America.   Women Entrepreneurs are Leveling the Corporate Playing Field   Women often have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition as their male counterparts. Although they make up 49% of the workforce, women may actually be doing a larger percentage of the work. The best way to change the nature of corporate work is to create new businesses that prioritize each person's value and supports them in leading a balanced and harmonious life. But there's still much more that needs to be done before the playing field is leveled.   Today, 37% of entrepreneurial business are owned by women. But those businesses only make up 4.2% of business revenue. This disparity highlights another problem women are facing - the businesses they're creating aren't making much money. Women are going out on their own to build businesses, but many lack the mentorship, tools, and support that help them achieve high levels of revenue. There's a growing trend of women leaving corporate America to become entrepreneurs in their own right. However, they are not getting the support they need to succeed.   “When women truly take ownership and have the tools to be successful in all avenues of life… we will shift the dynamic of what's broken with the workforce today.” - Blake Schofield (8:33-8:51)   There is a huge opportunity for today's business women to shift the workplace dynamic. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to change this dynamic for future generations.   Mothers who are entrepreneurs want their children to grow up in a new kind of work environment—one where they have an equal chance for success in their own businesses or in the companies they work for. Teaching your child these and other invaluable lessons will be the catalyst for changing the corporate landscape and creating a brighter future for tomorrow's executive women.   How to Get Involved   If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today.   You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.   You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“Self-care is not selfish, it's actually the kindest thing you can do.” - Blake Schofield (14:06-14:12)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated For today's entrepreneurs, burnout is a major threat to their success and wellbeing. Our lives can quickly fall out of alignment with core values, leading to mental, emotional, and physical fatigue. In more severe cases, burnout contributes to health problems that have lasting effects self and family.   By adopting new perspectives and beliefs around work, and using proven tips to create balance in your life, it is completely possible to avoid burnout while staying healthy, motivated, and profitable in our businesses.   “The problem with work/life balance is that you're always trading off one thing for another.” -  Blake Schofield (2:29-2:33)   Many entrepreneurs quickly discover that their business is the primary focal point in their lives.  They lose their sense of fulfillment, feeling like they're on a never-ending hamster wheel. Business owners and employees find it hard to disconnect from work. The tactics once used to manage life may soon stop working. Avoiding burnout comes down to ideas and beliefs around work.   Create a Life of Harmony and Align Your Work With What's Meaningful   The following are the four areas to consider in order to avoid burnout:   Self-care Boundaries Clarity of purpose Consistent habits   Realigning your activities is critical to your success in the long run. Making decisions based on guilt or thinking that being a martyr makes you a great mom or wife are signs that your life may not be aligned with your core values.   “Avoiding burnout comes from accountability and taking responsibility. Build the right habits and challenge the misbelief that you're not worth time for yourself...because you are.” - Blake Schofield (32:12-32:34)   Giving yourself a break is the greatest gift you can give to those you love. But the only person who can make the necessary changes in your life is you. Below are some essential steps to creating a life that's in harmony.   Self-Care. Ask yourself what beliefs have kept you from giving yourself the care that supports your wellbeing. Identify the things that excite and challenge you, and organize your time to prioritize them. Have at least two self-care rituals you can do on a weekly basis. Assess the state of the spiritual, creative, social, and mental aspects of your life so you can build them up.   Boundaries. Where are you taking on more responsibilities than you should be? If you see that some areas of your life are being sacrificed for others, find out why. Identify the fears and worries causing you to take on unnecessary responsibilities. Create boundaries that allow you to meet your own needs while meeting the needs of those who rely on you.   Clarity of Purpose. Are your activities aligned with its values and mission? Does your business support your family and other relationships? When you get clear on your purpose, you can eliminate the things that aren't aligned with your values. You'll avoid spending time on things that don't support your personal and professional goals.   Consistent Habits. Break down your schedule. Do you start your day in a rush and struggle to get your priorities in during the day? Are evenings occupied with responsibilities at home? When you see how your spending your time, you can repurpose it and do more of the things that are meaningful to you. Track your progress over time and look back on the things you accomplished. Set short-term goals to keep you moving forward while keeping your activities in balance with your needs.   Entrepreneurs often expect things to be perfect. But they're almost never going to be. Avoiding burnout requires you to be accountable to yourself and take responsibility for what you create each day. Challenge misleading beliefs and build new habits and behaviors so you create a business, family, and life that are in harmony with you.   How to Get Involved   If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today.   You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.   You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!

“By nature, all of us are limited, because we only know what we've experienced.” - Blake Schofield (6:00)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Feeling unfulfilled? Re-evaluate where you're looking for answers. If you're searching for fulfillment in your life and career, consider the following... Would you know it if you got it? Having true clarity is the first step to creating meaningful change in your life. So many of us not only lack clarity, but also the understanding required to find it. This is because we all grow up with limiting beliefs and a relatively narrow perspective based on how we've been conditioned and taught. “Achievement vs. fulfillment - If we do what we are fulfilled by, we will achieve. - Blake Schofield (13:25) There is any number of self-limiting beliefs that keep us from clarity, but there are a few that are extremely prevalent for entrepreneurs. Good things take a long time to reach. Most of us have been told throughout our lives that we have to make decisions slowly, do our research, and put in hours of thought. Although this makes us feel good, it often ends up being a massive waste of time and energy. Ask yourself if the results were really worth all the effort. We can, and should, wait for inspiration. This one speaks for itself. We often wait for clarity to hit us like a bolt of lightning, instead of taking steps to reach it for ourselves. If I can't figure it out, no one else can help. After we have exhausted ourselves with endless research and planning, we imagine that we've done all that we can do and that no one could do any better for us. This idea negates the importance of perspective in reaching clarity. You can't read the label from inside the bottle. An outside opinion can be an invaluable resource to help you achieve a wider perspective. Once you start looking inside yourself for clarity, the real work starts The best way to progress towards much-needed clarity is by asking deep questions of yourself to gain more understanding. What do you value? What unique skills and experience do you bring to the table? What are you passionate about? What do you want your legacy to be? Through the process of cultivating understanding, you may begin to understand the limiting beliefs you hold, and your perspective may begin to shift as you see possibilities for your life that have been “hidden in plain sight.” Imagine you're going on a road trip. Although you got your car detailed before you left, as you drive, a layer of gunk and grime begins to coat your windshield. Your wipers may help, but eventually, you'll run out of fluid and find yourself with a dirty window and an obscured view. This is a common experience in our lives as well. High-powered women frequently find that they have spent so much time nurturing their career and building their family that they don't take time for themselves, and are now trying to drive with a grimy windshield. “That unsettlement, that lack of fulfillment, those were the signs I was doing the wrong thing.” - Blake Schofield. (21:00) Why do we have such an issue with clarity? The foremost reason is that we believe that answers are supposed to come from outside. Our favorite books, websites, and speakers on YouTube are meant to give us the insight we seek, but if you're looking for something in the wrong place, you simply won't find it. This belief also stems from the concept that achievement equals fulfillment. They are not the same thing. We believe that when we hit a revenue goal or get that big promotion we'll be happier, but somehow all these things still leave us empty. This is because the answers we need are inside us, albeit heavily obscured by our limiting beliefs and conditioning. Jamie Smart's book on clarity likens the search to a trap. Until you realize you're snared, you won't be able to free yourself. But once you see that you're caught, you can figure out how the trap works and get free. The best way to find out you are stuck? Enlist someone who can see the trap from a different angle and help you get out. It may be even more helpful if they got out of the same trap themselves. Statistics tell us that 85% of people are unhappy in their jobs, and, even more shockingly, that adults will spend a whopping 80% of our lives at work. With that in mind, ask yourself if you're really okay with spending that 80% in something that doesn't bring fulfillment. Also, consider that if you spend 80% of your life doing something you hate, it will begin to eat away at the quality of the other 20%, guaranteed. The process of gaining clarity is simple, but it isn't easy. It's also not a one-time, soul-searching experience. Your search for fulfillment and the broadening of your horizons should be a continual practice. That may seem daunting, but the results will give you unimaginable freedom. Here is a valuable worksheet to help you with your clarity process! These are some of the questions and steps I utilize with my clients, and it's sure to help you gain some perspective. Remember, clarity is one of the first steps to fulfillment! How to Get Involved   If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today.   You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources.   You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!  

“Letting go of the security I felt in money allowed me to create a path to actually have it all.” - Blake Schofield (2:00)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Letting go of fears and insecurities about money is difficult, but it grants us the freedom to pursue real fulfillment.   Sometimes the truths we need to hear are the hardest to swallow. This is the first lesson Blake Schofield learned on her journey towards a fulfilling career.   When her friend told her that her love of money was holding her back, she was outraged. He didn't understand the pressure she faced to provide for her family, the unhappiness she woke to every day, and the risk inherent in letting go of her secure corporate job.   Blake found herself at a crossroads. She was burned out and frustrated, but had shut her feelings off out of a sense of responsibility - and of fear. What would she do without her steady, 6-figure salary? What might she have to sacrifice in order to pursue her own, more fulfilling business path? It wasn't until she reached her breaking point and thought of her real priorities that she let go of her fears and corrected her money mindset.   “When we live our lives based on money, it controls us, and we will never be happy.” - Blake Schofield (15:00)   While money feels good to us, and often necessary, it can also be our biggest inhibitor. We can find ourselves tied to our salary and the lifestyle it grants us. But at the end of the day, money should enable your dreams, not hold them back.   The first thing Blake did was to take a close look at her expenses and where her money was going. Her comfortable salary meant she hadn't had to think about the little things, but when she really sat down to analyze her spending, she realized how much the little things had added up. She immediately began trimming the fat with a hazy goal in mind: start saving. She didn't set a specific goal, but soon found that having some savings gave her a feeling of ownership and something to get her through the rough days at her job.   The first mistake hopeful entrepreneurs make is believing that they have to have some arbitrary amount of money saved up before they can devote themselves to building their business, but savings will not grant you clarity or meaningful progress.   Are you on the right path? More importantly, are you willing to do the work? “Until I let go of the pier until I believed and had faith that I could reach the  boat, I would never get where I wanted to go.” - Blake Schofield (19:20)   The second mistake many entrepreneurs make is putting down a few planks of a new business and then getting overconfident and taking the leap. After saving up and doing some research, Blake left her corporate job and spent a joyful time hanging with her family and working on her business. Soon enough, she came to see that she was burning through her money and finding a lot of conflicting information, and no one was showing up to buy from her. She needed a mentor but was terrified of making the investment.   When you face the choice to invest in something to help you grow, or keep your money and struggle through, think of the times you've invested in yourself before, and what the return was. Maybe it was a college degree that led you to a career, or a job that taught you a valuable skill. We invest in our future all the time, in stocks and our 401k, not knowing if we'll ever see the profits. If you invest in your business, be sure you're ready to do the work to see results.   Blake believed in her path and invested in a business coach. Now, after working with several groups and coaches, she says she has not regretted a single one, and they gave her the momentum to move her business forward and see her goals of security, fulfillment, and balance come to fruition.   So, what does your path look like? Moving towards the business and the life you want starts when you stop letting money control you and challenge your comfort zone. Invest in yourself when you need to and put yourself around knowledgeable people who see your potential. And don't quit your day job just yet: keeping your finances steady will give you the freedom to work on and invest in your business with less fear that you'll ruin your life in the process. This will allow you to move towards the clarity and the peace that you're seeking.   How to Get Involved   If you would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today.   You can also visit my website for more information and valuable resources. You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Life doesn't have to be an  either/or. You can have it all and do it without taking a leap or risking what you've worked so hard to build!  

“My mission is to show women what's possible for their lives. I see more women than not sacrificing something really big in their life because they believe it's an either/or proposition.”   Welcome to The Bridge to Fulfillment. If you're like me, you have spent too many years believing that you have to sacrifice your income, or your family, or your fulfillment in this life. This lie kept me unhappy for way too long, and it's my mission to show women, to show you, that this doesn't have to be your story. It is possible to pursue a career that breathes life into your soul, and pays you what you're worth, and still make it to the soccer game or family dinner. We have countless options to us in this age, but too many insist on living in an old archetype of women in the workplace, settling for ‘less than'  in one, or all, areas of life.   “I moved into a job where the culture wasn't aligned with who I was intrinsically, but I learned how to adapt because I didn't believe there was anything better. I thought ‘is this what a job is supposed to be?' I didn't know what I was missing.”   If you've ever felt trapped in your career...   If you've ever been resigned to think that you must settle for less...   If you've ever bought into the lie that as long as you love some aspects of your job, you should settle into an “it is what it is” mentality and let that be good enough...   If you keep telling yourself that you'll feel fulfilled if you just get make it to “director,” “manager,” or a certain salary...   It may be time for a change.   It doesn't matter if you're winning the race if it's not a race you wanted to run in the first place. I'm here to show you that it's possible to do the work you love and have the life you want.   “In that moment I was done. I was done with allowing someone else to control my future. I was done with the amount I was giving up for a career that paid me really well but wasn't making me happy.” (33:06)   The Bridge to Fulfillment will be full of content to challenge you to get out of the box and help you finally be able to identify the multitude of possibilities all around you. It is so important, as you are finding your way, to surround yourself with people who can help you remember what is possible. Don't wait until you are at a breaking point to decide to think about making a change. Start now. You have access to the tools to build a bridge and make a safe transition into a life that is so full of possibility.     If any of this has resonated with you, I want you to know that I understand because I am you. I know where you're' going, and I know the way. I know the obstacles you're facing, and I know a few shortcuts along the way. I know something else, you're already there, you just don't know it yet. Let me show you the way. Some Topics we talk about in this episode:   Introduction - 0:00 Blake's Journey from Corporate to Freedom - 3:13 Experience with Merchandising - 9:45 Blake's Work with High-End and Department Stores - 11:12 Being Unfulfilled in the Midst of a Great Company - 24:32 Stepping Out of the Corporate World- 35:56 What to Expect in Coming Episodes - 41:12 Wrap-up and Takeaways - 44:34 How to get involved Visit my website http://www.connectionsilluminated.com   If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

“Are you ready to build a successful career on your terms without sacrificing what matters most?   Welcome to The Bridge to Fulfillment. My name is Blake Schofield, founder of Connections Unlimited. I am on a mission, a mission to help women everywhere recognize the fulfillment that is possible, without sacrificing the things that matter most. Too many women are living out lives in corporate America believing they have to give up something, income, health, time, family, because they believe the couldn't possibly have it all.   I believed that lie for 18 years, as I chased down fulfillment in the next promotion, opportunity, and job. In one eye-opening moment, I realized that what I was seeking didn't reside in corporate America. I finally took charge of my life and built my own bridge to fulfillment. Maybe your story is like mine. Perhaps you find yourself stuck in a corporate job that leaves you with a nagging sense that something is lacking. The Bridge to Fulfillment will provide you with the tool necessary to begin building your own bridge to the fulfilling life you have dreamt of.   You CAN have it all! So, what are you waiting for?   If you are ready to...   Feel valued & fulfilled every day, doing work that maximizes your talents, Have schedule flexibility so you can be more present in your kids' lives Get rid of the anxiety, stress and long hours from your job Transition successfully to a business owner   ...and would like some help to figure out what could be next for you, schedule a free strategy call today.   You can also visit Blake's website for more information and valuable resources.