As difficult as this may sound, sometimes we’re the #1 saboteurs of our own success. Too often, we overlook our own natural talents and abilities in favor of criticizing what we believe we’re lacking in. We focus more on all the ways we think we’ve fallen short instead of the accomplishments we’ve already made.

If you’re always selling yourself short, here are three ways to get on the right track again so that you can make those BOLD moves and unlock your full potential…

Discover your creativity.

“We all have gifts and talents that get unleashed when we are engaged with goals and dreams that we love,” shares Maria Nemeth, an international leader in the field of coach training, and personal and executive development.

Need a nudge to figure out what makes you creative? Maria suggests looking at “what brings you joy – what warms your heart and nourishes your spirit.” What do you have a natural aptitude for? Where does your enthusiasm trump your doubts? Look in that direction and you’ll be well on your way to unleashing your genius.

If you’re still not sure, ask someone who knows you well to give you their insight into the things you do well or a trait about you that they admire.

Invest in Yourself.

Do you value yourself enough to really believe in your vision? “What are you doing to invest in your dream? What steps are you taking to meet it half-way?” That’s what best-selling author Kim Eldredge is asking. So often, we associate an “investment” with a dollar sign. But it’s much more than that.

Kim explains how she published her first five (yes, FIVE) books while she was still working a full-time job. In addition to her degree in Creative Writing, she also invested in classes, workshops, and trainings.

“I look at all of this as an investment. It’s not price, cost, or sacrifice – it’s an investment that pays me dividends; financially, lifestyle, and dream-fulfillment,” shares Kim.

What are you investing in? Are you investing in your dreams – or are you sabotaging your efforts by investing in negative thinking and a limited, have-not mindset?

Stop hiding out!

Women’s leadership coach Eleanor Beaton asserts, “Fierce warrior queens intent on making a ding in the universe claim the stage. They don’t cower in the back corner.”

So, ask yourself: Am I claiming the stage in my life? And I’m not just talking about the stage at the networking event you attended recently. The “stage” can be anywhere – and if you want to claim what you want in business and in life – you need to quit hiding out.

Building confidence is one of the key strategies you have to finally bust through the self-doubt and take center stage in every area of your life. Embrace the fact that you are worthy, you are free, and you are continually evolving into higher levels of success.

Or, as Eleanor says, “Own it, girl.”

If you want more of what you’ve just read – more strategies, more inspiration, more awesome business and life advice – you don’t want to miss out on my all-new virtual training event! It’s called Success Secrets of Women Entrepreneurs, and it’s happening LIVE September 15^th-17^th, 2015. Claim your FREE spot here.

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

“It is best to learn wisdom by the experience of others,” says a Latin proverb. And that’s exactly what this post is all about – to give you meaningful insight you can apply to virtually any area of your life. If you like what you’re reading, you’re going to love my newest virtual training event that kicks off LIVE September 15^th, Success Secrets of Women Entrepreneurs. Get all the details below…

On one of the most creative ways to manifest your big goals,

“…Write them down in the form of a love letter. No, not to your romantic partner – to yourself.” That’s Rosetta Thurman, founder and CEO of Happy Black Woman LLC, sharing a very unique idea that is guaranteed to keep you motivated. She suggests writing a love letter to the “future, more successful you”, then sending it to yourself at a later date.

This exercise will allow you to map out your goals so you can visualize how your life will be enriched in the next 1-12 months. Rosetta offers a helpful outline here (with a sample of the letter she wrote to herself!) that will allow you to address 7 main areas of your life: lifestyle & fun, career & work, money & finances, health & wellness, family & friends, love & romance, and personal growth & spirituality.

On why “compare” always equals “despair”,

We all get discouraged sometimes – I’m no different. In fact, during a recent mastermind, I found myself looking around at the achievements of some of my dear friends, feeling dispirited as I saw my own lack in that department. The result? I felt terrible about myself, about them, and even, for a moment, considered ditching my dreams. And it was all because I didn’t hit some target (yet!), which at that particular moment was not realistic for me. Seriously!

When we set very high standards, it’s easy to beat ourselves up when we perceive that we’ve fallen short. So when I see myself falling into this trap, I focus on gentleness instead. This may take the form of kind words toward myself, taking breaks, participating in activities that fill me with joy, and surrounding myself with positive people. If you’re serious about staying on course, this is the best – the only – option.

On giving up before hitting the finish line,

“Your burning desire to win can keep you going no matter what. Excuses fail to stop you. This is a pivotal moment when your true potential is unleashed,” asserts Loren Fogelman, an internationally recognized sports performance expert who works with some of the highest-ranked athletes in the nation.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a C-level exec, or someone who’s just dipping her toes into entrepreneurial waters: Get your game on and let your burning desire drive you to soar right over that finish line.

If you want to unleash your burning desire to win, Loren recommends listing 3 to 5 reasons why you’re ready to take your game to the next level and boost your performance. Then decide whether those reasons are positive or negative. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to reframe those negatives into positives instead – a simple step that will build your foundation of success.

If you want more of what you’ve just read – more strategies, more inspiration, more awesome business and life advice – you don’t want to miss out on my all-new virtual training event! It’s called Success Secrets of Women Entrepreneurs, and it’s happening LIVE September 15^th-17^th, 2015. Claim your FREE spot here.

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

My newest upcoming live virtual training event kicks off September 15^th, and over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some golden nuggets from 15 expert women entrepreneurs who will be giving their advice on how to boldly claim what you want in business and in life.

If you need time-tested strategies that really work and mega-inspiration to boot, read on. And don’t forget to reserve your free spot!

“If you’re not able to identify exactly what it is that prevents you from achieving your goals, you won’t be able to reach the higher levels of success you desire – and deserve.”

-Colleen Slaughter

What’s getting in the way of you meeting all those goals you’ve set for yourself? Unleash your own inner power by discovering what is stopping you from achieving your true potential. Get real here – you may want to set aside some time for quiet contemplation.

I recommend writing down your roadblocks so you can map out a gameplan for navigating them. When you do this, also consider previous obstacles you’ve overcome. What steps did you take then? How can you apply that to your present experience?

“You have everything you need inside to “have it all” in your business and life. Love yourself enough to give that gift to yourself.”

–Maribel Jimenez

Self-love is the #1 key of the “New Superwoman”, says Maribel Jimenez, Marketing Launch Mentor, speaker, and bestselling author. What does “having it all” mean to you? That’s the question you need to honestly ask yourself. And, suggests Maribel, determine how you can “show love towards yourself to tap into your own New Superwoman.”

Do you love yourself enough to…put your needs first so you can better serve others…forgive yourself for making mistakes…honor boundaries in your relationships…express yourself truly? These are just some questions to take into consideration.

“Start taking some opportunities even when you feel like you don’t want to. When you don’t do things that cause you to grow, nothing changes.”

-Raquel Vasallo

Quit saying no. “You ostensibly have a desire to make more money, but when an opportunity shows up for you to work toward your goal of making it happen, you fall into the habit of saying no,” says Raquel Vasallo, who supports ambitious women to live their highest purpose, be spiritually guided and earn what they are worth. If this sounds like you, start saying “yes” to opportunities that come your way.

If you find yourself saying no a lot, find out why. You may feel fearful or apprehensive. Maybe you don’t think you’re “good enough” or you secretly fear change or even, success. Whatever the case, practice awareness so that the next time you’re about to say no, you can give yourself the space you need to at least consider saying yes instead.

If you want more of what you’ve just read – more strategies, more inspiration, more awesome business and life advice – you don’t want to miss out on my all-new virtual training event! It’s called Success Secrets of Women Entrepreneurs, and it’s happening LIVE September 15^th-17^th, 2015. Claim your FREE spot here.

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

“Structure gives you freedom,” my mentor Lisa Sasevich often says.

When I first heard this, I thought, What? How in the world can structure lead to freedom? I mean, when I hear the word “structure,” I tend to think of rigid rules to be followed no matter what.

When I first heard “structure” and freedom” paired up together, I thought surely I must be hearing things. And then I was intrigued. Tell me more: just how can structure create the freedom I so desire?

How BOLDER™ Was Born

Lisa began talking about creating a Unique Branded System and encouraged me to develop one of my own. To do this, she said, I needed to list out all of the steps I take to bring about the transformation I do for my clients.

I got busy right away detailing the process I use to support women entrepreneurs in gaining greater courage, clarity and confidence to make their vision a reality. That’s how my blueprint for helping women entrepreneurs to stop selling themselves short, to claim what they want in business and in life and to go for it! – was born.

Making BOLDER™ Come Alive

You see, my passion is accompanying women entrepreneurs in expanding their belief in themselves (you really can do it!), getting crystal clear on their priorities (and why they are priorities), understanding what’s getting in their way, and creating practices to overcome these obstacles – all in service of becoming more of who they are and of celebrating their efforts.

In short, I love to help you grow in ways you have only dreamed about but which, when left to your own devices, you either can’t or won’t pursue. And, no judgment here: everyone on this planet – including myself – needs help at least from time to time. It’s just that not all of us have the gumption to actually reach out and ask for it.

Soon after I came up with the idea of BOLDER™, I also immediately brainstormed on ways to get this movement out to as many women as possible. That’s when I came up with the idea to create an online home-study course, one which would be accessible at your leisure and one which could be affordable for all. So, I delved in and started building it.

Less “Tangible” Concepts Deliver Real-Life Results

As I was drafting the content, I realized that what I impart is not as tangible as, say, growing your email list or increasing the number of likes on your Facebook page. Rather, what I aim to instill are less tangible thoughts and behaviors: How does one organize her goals or develop practices toward them, for example?

I made sure to include examples of real-life women who, even without being consciously aware of it, are living out BOLDER™ in their professional and personal lives. These examples help make BOLDER™ come to life.

Sharing My Own BOLDER™ Story

I also integrated my own story into the course material. This is not in any way to toot my own horn or to say that my curriculum vitae is comparable to that of, say, Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund for the past five years.

Instead, I decided to share my own story because I want all of you who might question whether you have what it takes to make bolder moves to see that you do indeed. We all do. It’s merely a matter of how committed we are to ourselves and to our own vision.

Back to the whole concept of structure and freedom that I discussed in the beginning… it seems that that structure really does bring freedom. After all, if you knew you could create the life and business you really want by following six simple steps, wouldn’t you want structure– and what it brings – too?

To your success and fulfillment!

If you’re ready to take the first step toward freedom, confidence and greater fulfillment, click here to enroll in the Be BOLDER Blueprint Home Study course. Through the end of August 2015, you’ll save 30% off the regular price!

In a recent post, I talked about three strategies you can implement to help you achieve the vision you have for yourself. But what happens when you hit a roadblock…what do you do? Below, I’ll talk about what keeps us from moving forward – and how to navigate to higher levels.

Be Honest With Yourself

One of the strategies I often recommend to help you achieve your goals is decluttering. This is a great first step you can take to create the space necessary to actually organize your goals, prioritize your life, and move forward with your vision.

Now it’s time to go deeper…Are you decluttering just because you think you should? If so, you’re more likely to give up because you’re not associating the practice with a tangible goal you have. Instead of going through the motions of this or any exercise simply because you think it might be effective, figure out why you’re doing it – try to tie it in with a goal you have.

For instance, if your friend finally convinces you to try yoga, ask yourself why you really want to do it. Will it help you reduce your stress levels and ultimately contribute to greater wellbeing? Is greater flexibility or a toned body a fitness goal you have?

Don’t do anything because someone thinks you should – or because you believe someone thinks you should – do it for you. You’re far more likely to succeed at achieving your goals when you know why you’re doing it – and that “why” has real meaning for you.

When the Unexpected Happens…

You’re moving right along, making great progress towards achieving your goal, when out of nowhere, the unexpected happens. Sound familiar? Most everyone is faced with this scenario, because change is perhaps the one constant in our world.

Things change; life happens. We can plan all we want, but sometimes, life throws us a curveball. It’s how we deal with it that counts. If you’ve been caught off guard, take a time out to become “present” again. This will allow you to give your full attention to the situation so that you can consider possible solutions.

In a Forbes article, author Paolina Milana recalls the sudden death of her sister and how she dealt with grief at the office. She says that death, especially when it’s unexpected, “has a way of wiping away the filters we’ve put on our lives and giving us a fresh perspective about where we are and where we may be headed.”

…Gain a Fresh Perspective

No matter who you are or where you’re at in your journey, you will face unexpected events that put a temporary stop on your plans. Some will be minor – a conflict at work, a squabble with your kids, trouble with your car.

Others will rock your world and leave you questioning the meaning and purpose behind life – the sudden death of a loved one, as Milana experienced, a serious illness, a tragic accident.

Instead of letting resentment, anger, or hate build up and take over, see the experience as an opportunity for learning and growth. Accept whatever it is that you’re feeling in the moment, but understand that like everything, it’s only temporary and will change.

Have an honest, supportive conversation with your mentor or even a trusted friend or colleague. Talk about your feelings and be open to a fresh perspective. The new perspective you gain might be better than you could have ever imagined, and what you once saw as a roadblock might prove to be one of the most transformative experiences you have.

If you want a quick weekly burst of inspiration that will inspire you to challenge yourself, gain a new perspective, and have some fun in the process, don’t miss out on my BOLD Move of the Week.  Just click here to get instant access.

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net