Ladies Who Launch

Julia Cameron at the Ladies Who Launch Speaker Series

by Fashionmista aka That IT Girl, Spammy Scammers, and Katie James Pixelated

 

Thanks to the Ladies Who Launch Speaker Series, I was introduced to Julia Cameron. Most of you reading this might have just raised an eyebrow, but it's true. I think I've been leading my own Artist's Way, and had no idea of these natural teachings by such a clear-minded woman.

The event and book signing was held at Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center, the location of which was thanks to the relationship with Ladies Who Launch member and event planner, Christine Paul. And what a great spot to host the event - surrounded by inspirational letters, book covers, stickers, scrapbooks, pens, wrapping paper - a paper lover's delight. Listening to Julia Cameron was so peaceful. Her life has contained so much, and yet she has led it simply - by listening to her voice, her gut.

She was there to promote her new book, The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size, which we all got copies of, each of which she signed on the spot. While walking (one of her most recommended activities to create sparks of forward motion), she had the most startling revelation: that people in her Artist's Way classes typically lost weight if they were overweight. They looked fresher and more healthy at the end of the class. She attributed this to writing, and to how Morning Pages purges people of clogging thoughts. In fact, after the event, my friend told me that in fact her Morning Pages led her to divorce her husband. When I leave a job I don't like, I have been known to go through a transformation. Twice this has happened, where I leave a terrible job, see my old co-workers, and I look like I've been on vacation. Now that I work for myself, I wonder what I look like...  ;)

Read more of the original version of this article on FashionMista >

The First 30 to 50 Years Were Just a Dress Rehearsal...Top Ten Tips to Help Move You Forward

Below is my Top Ten List to help us LWL women become fabulous and fearless. I have tried them all and not a single tip was recalled. Try one, or a couple or all of them. Just embrace taking a chance on yourself and leave the fear behind!

1) CELEBRATE. First of all, celebrate all you have accomplished in your life. Plan a party for 100 of your closest friends or just for yourself. Set a nice table, light some scented candles, put on some rock n’ roll music…

2) DARE. Try something you have never done before. Here are a few examples: go kayaking with some friends; become fluent in Italian; visit a spa for a day and leave with red hair; help build homes or buy some Jimmy Choos shoes. Just don’t do them all at once. Your family and friends just might freak out a bit. If they do, invite them to come along!

3) INTUIT. Have you met your friend who goes by the name of Intuition? Intuition, inner voices, gut feelings can reveal clues about what you should do next. Try this: A) Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. B) Close your eyes (oh yes, sit down first) and take in a couple of breaths and feel yourself start to slow down. C) Ask your intuition a question – it can be about where to move, what direction to take in your new life or do I really want this new relationship? D) Sit quietly and wait for your intuition to speak to you. E) Did you get a calm, happy feeling? Did dread or feelings of foreboding fill every cell in your body? Did you hear a word over and over? Did you just get that “knowing “ feeling that you have found your answer? Did it act like no one’s at home? Developing one’s intuition is the answer to that corny but telling question: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice and practice! But what a great friend to have around and it will always tell you the truth!

 4) EXPLORE. So you have decided that the time has come to take your life by the lapels and do….? You always thought you would like to give tours thru the ancient ruins in Egypt, or take to the stage in Edwardian finery or maybe own a cozy book store with the aroma of just brewed coffee filling the soul along with the words of Toni Morrison? Before you pack your bags, do take a trip to Vocation Vacations’ website. This organization will let you test drive your dreams and you may find yourself doing a little tire kicking as you discover a new and exciting way to live your life outrageously! www.vocationvacations.com.

 5) MOVE. We got to love “Dancing with the Stars” don’t we? I personally don’t care for the outfits (I’m more the crisp white tee shirt, blue jeans, black jacket with scarf draped around the neck for days kinda of woman) but they make me want to dance and shake everything that won’t snap in two! Another way to tend to your body and its needs is to move everyday. It won’t work to just exercise your brain because you need to drag your body along on your great adventures. So make it your best body. How would it feel to exercise first thing in the morning? Guaranteed to get your metabolism up and running and whether you’re running, walking or watching the Today Show while conquering some hills and miles on your treadmill, you are taking excellent care of your body and soul. But it doesn’t really matter what time you exercise. Just remember that all of you counts, so dust off those weights and your toned muscles will thank me later. I guarantee the journey will be less taxing and you just might end up taking Zumba lessons. Just leave the sequins at home!

 6) READ. So, on the days when it’s raining or the humidity is so high that your hair is picking up CNN….go and pick up something and read. I don’t know if I have an all time favorite female author but these authors have inspired me throughout the years: Jane Austen, Alice Munro, Anna Quindlen, Maya Angelou,  Anne Lamott (I want to come back as her sense of humor), Fannie Flagg, Dorothy Parker, Julia Cameron and Lynn Robinson. (I just knew I was going to like her writing - she’s one of the nation’s leading experts on Intuition). Go and get lost in a book. You may have noticed that I left out some popular romance writers. I want you to be inspired and not out of breath when you have finished your books. Skip “Eat, Pray, Love” on an empty stomach. I gained 8 pounds during the “Eat” section. And it doesn’t have to be a book. When I read “More Magazine,” I feel far from even approaching being over some hill, more sexy and secure in my choices and joyful to be in the middle of my middlesence madness.  It makes me want to vacuum in high heels. Well, maybe not, why not a magazine that salutes us fabulous women in our forties and fifties?

 7) BE BOLD. Fall in love with you and your new life and don’t let anyone tell you that you and your dreams are frivolous. When someone asks why at this time of your life you are reinventing your life, just smile and say, “If I don’t become the person I am meant to be, then the world misses out on my greatness and my potential to make the world a better place will be lost forever. Thanks for asking and have a nice day.”

 8) VOLUNTEER. Nothing makes you feel empowered like helping someone else feel that way, too.

9) RELAX. Escapism is marvelous, but escapism that motivates us is unbeatable. One of the best escape routes to take can be driving to your local video store or walking over to the TV remote. We don’t always see positive role models of women in the news. They may be infamous (like the call girl and the NY governor, for example) but they are not inspiring and it is a tad insulting. When going through transitions, we need some downtime and a bag of kettle corn popcorn. And some funny, fearless and fabulous women to make us smile and say to ourselves, “I am ready.” Here are just a few that might make you feel that anything is possible in your life: “All About Eve,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” (try to ignore the fake-Asian Mickey Rooney parts) “Chocolat (zero calories),” “Dirty Dancing,” “Hannah and Her Sisters,” “Moonstruck,” “The Way We Were” (because of Robert Redford, but Barbra was pretty terrific in that movie), and “Field of Dreams.” And not a car chase in any of them!

 10) MEDITATE. You have stayed focused and you are transitioning to your new life. Now is the perfect time to focus on your breath. How about adding meditation to your daily routine? Here are just a few of the benefits that come from a few minutes of meditation a day: Clarity in problem solving; reduction of stress and anxiety; a renewed sense of well being; more restful sleep; slowing down of aging(YES!) and can even help with the resolution of mental and emotional blocks in our lives. Not too bad, eh? I travel to http://www.learningmeditation.com/room.htm when I need some breathing space to collect my thoughts and slow myself and my pace down. You can take a guided meditation with soothing music in the background or you can print the words out and meditate on them at your leisure. This is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and you just start by taking a deep breath.

 So, I see you have read them all. Good for you. Now get out there and put your midlife passions to the test. No more dress rehearsals. You have earned the right to take center stage!

 
Elizabeth Cassidy,CTACC started Branching Out Life Coaching with the belief that midlife is just the beginning of some of the best years in our lives. She offers complimentary coaching consultations for motivated women who are on the verge of discovering their own greatness. Shift your perspective and change your life. Call 516.629.6838 or email her at BranchOutLife@optonline.net. Embracing your new life just got a little easier. Please visit: www.BranchingOutLifeCoaching.com

 

A Different Kind Of Ladies Who Launch

This week marks a first for women in space travel as Peggy Whitson and Pam Melroy became the first women commanders to command both shuttle and space station on the same mission.  If women can lead  in space, then the possibilities here on earth are endless. Go Peggy and Pam!

Read the full article on ABC News.

Women Leaders Featured In Newsweek

Check out the great article in this week's Newsweek about women leaders. They profile a diverse group of women including Arianna Huffington, Julie Greenwald, Andrea Wong, Rachel Roy, Kyra Sedgwick, Lucy Jones, Shirley Franklin, Rachael Ray, Shonda Rimes, Lorena Ochoa and Elaine Pagels.

How to Unleash your Inner Sexpot

Would you like to unleash your inner Sexpot?
Pole dancing is the latest trend in workouts it is true. It is Audacious. It is bold.

And fun.

It makes me feel juicy, bodacious and empowered. It trims my waistline and causes me to think differently about who I am being in the world. All that from 2 hours in a very intense and pleasurable workout?

Yes.

So consider this.
If all matter is energy and the Law of Attraction says that like
energy attracts like energy, then imagine the kind of gorgeous
energy you can create by giving the pole a whirl?

There is much to be said for my pole dancing classes and I have
noticed a change in how I approach everything in my life.

As Sheila Kelly, the founder of SFactor has said, "Soak in the
pure, unadulterated flow of your life. Breathe it in and exhale
everything in your mind until your entire being is just bliss. Let
your body float with soft, languid moves that are simply organic to
your being. When you step outside into your day you will notice
something has shifted."

I think I am (finally!) becoming the exquisite creature I was meant to be.
When you uncover your inner sexpot you also uncover your creative
center, which helps you to think of great new ideas for your
business and gives you the lift-off to actually complete what you
start!

Imagine that?

One of my coaches, Andrea J. Lee of Vancouver, British Columbia often speaks about doing activities that open you to your most sensual and creative self. For me it comes from movement and there is nothing like gathering the courage to dance with a pole...and do it gracefully. And also not be afraid to flop on the floor and try again.

If you are looking for a way to shape up your body, mind and spirit
then the Sfactor may just be the thing for you. They have intro
classes and studios are opening all over the place.

Even Oprah loves it.
You will too.
It's Pure Audacious power.

Go on check it out. You know you want to.

http://www.sfactor.com

Nancy Mindes, Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies Coaching Company
http://www.NancyMindes.com

Indulge in Life, Not Fear

From one of our members of the New York Incubator:

So last night was a hectic evening for anyone who works or lives or just happened to be in mid-town east.  My office is located across from Grand Central on 41st and Park.  Yesterday, I happened to be standing outside of our office chatting with a couple of co-workers.  It was a lovely evening and we were deeply engaged in our conversation about men and when you should break up with a boyfriend who was still active on Match.com. 

Then there was that moment when you sense that something about your environment has changed but you aren't sure what.  In this case, it was a loud roar and plumes of smoke which stretched toward the sky and rolled toward us.  The rumble was deafening and threatening and the smoke continued to billow up the street.  We turned and ran.  Not sure from what and definitely no idea as to where.  I tripped and fell and a man I didn't know reached down to grab me up.  We all were screaming and running west - away from the explosion.  A rainfall of mud-drops pelted us as we vainly sought a place of safety away from the unknown source of danger.  There were rumors that a building had come down on 41st and Lex. 

Later, as a co-worker and I wandered, rather lost, down 6th Ave, we found a cafe where a news report informed us that a man-hole had exploded - right before cutting to a commercial break.  It was a dizzying and frightening experience of the unknown, combined with freshly primed fears of Al Queda from recent news stories and memories of 9/11.  Even though I am grateful and thankful that terrorism was not involved, I am still in awe of the power and force of the explosion that occurred.  And somewhat shakey as I recall how near my friends and I were to the event.  But mostly I am appreciative.  Out of this experience of intense fear, I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have each day to indulge in life and to live my best life.  (A little cheesy, I know, but true!).  And so even though I was covered in mud, I wanted to celebrate something wonderful instead of giving into the evening's fearfulness.  So after cleaning up in a deli and getting some fresh clothes from H&M, I headed to Nancy's jewelry event at the Chelsea Hotel.  It was so delightful to see Nancy and the fruits of her talent.  And I even found a lovely pair of pearlized earrings for myself! 

I just encourage each of you to indulge in life, take time to be good to yourself and to not give in to the fears which plague us, be they internal or external.

 

 

In a Service Business? Ten thing to do NOW

Recently I received a note from a new coach wanting to know how to get off to a good start...when I looked at what I shared I realized this would be good information for any person in a service business where the emphasis in on YOU! IF you are the business YOU are in trouble....here's why

In a service business, you cannot make money unless you are available. I have been coaching since end of 1999  and I quit due to burnout...it's all about you and you cannot make money with out you. YIKES.... You MUST change this to generating other streams of passive income or you will be exhausted, frustrated and will give up eventually. I can teach you about this and I highly recommend you do this.  Read the Secrets of the millionaire Mind and attend  a Millionaire Mind Intensive.  This has literally changed my LIFE.

2. Get yourself help as soon as possible whether you think you can afford/deserve it or not. I did NOT and started to DROWN. Now I know better. Hire yourself a Virtual assistant and or live- in-person assistant so that you can work on only that which you love and focus energies on marketing not paper pushing.  As you grow get a bookkeeper, a lawyer and a business manager.

For peace of mind resign NOW as the general manager of the universe. Some places to shop for a VA check out AssistU.com for Virtual Assistants also the IVVA Get creative, hire college students, interns, your neighbors' kid or a friend who needs a job right now while she looks for a new one.

Rule: Hire slowly. Interview carefully. Make sure it's a good fit. check out: www.collegehelpers.com, elance.com or guru.com

3. Network, network, network. Make yourself well-known. Join Ladies Who Launch and other organizations where your ideal clients are. Get out and meet people. Ask questions find out what they need and want. Build relationships. See how you can contribute to others. Get a simple website if you are not online, do that NOW. As you grow update and change. A website never stays static anyway (or shouldn't) so just get one up there for starters if you haven't. If you like to write a shortcut would be to get a blog. Oh and start building your email database.

4. Rule about what to be doing: If it's a Hell YES do it, if it's not it's  a Hell NO...so pass it, delegate it or dump it.

5. Rule about cash flow: Do not give up your day job until you have your cash flow in place or get another day job that is less demanding but gives you fuel to pay for all the pieces of parts of ensuring your success as a business. A service business such as coaching or massage is not just a calling it is also a Business with a capital B.  I kept my job as special event director at the Fashion Group during my 4 years of training at Coach U and beyond.

6. Make sure you have a coach to keep you in action and accountable. My coach Margit, is TOUGH and I love her for it.

7. Never-ever undersell yourself. Do not be afraid to name your price and get it. If you put yourself "on sale" or bargain with people you will attract people who you may not want to work with and kick yourself later for agreeing to accept less. Watch for this.  People who serve others have a tendency to undervalue themselves.  Avoid it. You have much to offer the world.

And another thing: I learned this from Kendall Summerhawk...Raise your prices from time to time, especially if it makes you uncomfortable. If you have spent years training, as I did,  for what you do and you have life or business experience that is of value, monetize it. Believe it or not your clients do expect to pay you. If you want, have a scholarship for a few clients who are deserving and cannot afford to pay you at the  moment when they get successful guess what happens?, I do this and it's great.

7. Ask for referrals and refer to others. This is an important revenue stream and way of creating your business community.

8. Ask for the business when someone calls you. Service people often leave this step out and wonder why they have no clients. ASK, "so when would you like to get started?"

9. Enjoy yourself and if you are not, STOP and regroup. I left coaching for 18 months to go work on the 2004 Democratic presidential camapign which really gave me a new perspective on life along the way I used my coaching skills for enrolling people.  After a stunning defeat, I joined the Ladies Who Launch Incubator in 2005 and began my coaching business again.
LWL gave me the uplifting and the  liftoff I needed in a very big way.

10. Here's my business plan: Simplify my life. Connect with others. Have more fun.
Have an audaciously fabulous day!

The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and the Millionaire Mind Intensive changed my life. It will change yours especially if you are in a service business or a solo practitioner of any kind...

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind Book>>>get this!
http://www.secretsofthemillionairemind.com/a/joyful_deliciousness

The single most important step you take no matter WHAT service you offer is to keep learning about the business of business along with deeply understanding who you are from the inside out and who do you get to be when you are doing the work you love.
Come and see who I am at my website
http://www.NancyMindes.com/

The home for Audacious Ladies and the men they love

Please don't give me a fruitcake!

Dear Audacious Ones,

Okay...this is it. The last few days before the big one. You know, it's coming right at you and you still have a few gifts to get. Oh and then there's a few people who want to know what you want. Well, for one thing it's not a fruitcake is it? Or a bright red wooly sweater with a snowman on it?

How about giving a gift that gives and give and gives again.

How about changing the present?
Yes really.

My friend Robert Tolmach has come up with something that is pure genius. A one stop shop for doing good at holiday time and all year through.
Are you still clearing out clutter from last year?
Well here is a good way to avoid more of the same. Avoid long lines and you can really be making a difference.
ChangingThePresent.org, a new nonprofit website, is helping nonprofits capture some of the $250 billion we Americans spend each year buying presents for one another. Instead of buying more stuff, you can choose what you want to accomplish from among thousands of donation opportunities and you can make donations in a friend's name.\

WHO KNEW?

Did you know that every year, Americans spend $250 billion--$100 billion during the holiday season, alone--buying presents for one another.

Imagine, for one delirious moment, what we could accomplish if even a small percentage of that gift money were redirected to nonprofits working to make the world a better place.

Many of us, and many of our friends, don't really need another fruitcake, toaster, wallet, day of the week panties, fuzzy slippers, tin of popcorn, pen & pencil set, or Chia pet. Still, our friends expect a gift don't they?

Don't you? You know you do.

Since most people are passionate about a favorite cause or two or favorite nonprofit, it's no wonder that more and more people are giving donation gifts, that is, a charitable donation made in a friend's name, in lieu of giving store-bought presents. What better way to honor the people we care for than by making the world a better place.

ChangingThePresent.org offers thousands of specific donation gifts from hundreds of leading nonprofits, so visitors can choose exactly what they want to accomplish. You can protect an acre of the rainforest or fund an hour of a cancer researcher's time. You can provide a child with a first book, an AIDS patient with life-saving drugs, refugees with shelter, or a hungry family with a nourishing meal. The site offers something for virtually every cause.

You can browse by cause, search by name to find almost any nonprofit, or peruse friends' wish lists and registries to find exactly what they would find most meaningful. Plus, you can create personalized greeting cards, which will be mailed the next day to announce the donations made in friends' names.

ChangingThePresent.org is not just for gift donations meant as an alternative to traditional presents; a wide range of features also makes it a more attractive channel for some of the $199 billion that us generous folks already donate each year.

Give a gift that matters go here> http://www.changingthepresent.org

You can create your own profile page to show what causes and nonprofits you most care about, allowing you to sharey our passions and interests with others. Those who wish to do so can earn recognition for the donations they make. For those who want to know that your dollars are being used effectively, the site provides extensive information on causes and nonprofits.

Those who keep an eye on their own finances will appreciate that, unlike merchandise, donation gifts are tax-deductible. You can also enjoy the ability to support any number of nonprofits with a single credit card transaction and to find receipts in one place for all your giving.

Every cause needs an enemy to challenge. For ChangingThePresent, it's the preposterous gift that absorbs money that might better be used for more meaningful purposes. You can submit your favorite dumb gift examples to the Stupid Gift Hall of Shame, where voting will determine who wins a sweet prize--
50 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Just so you know how legit this is...
The Board of Advisors for ImportantGifts, the nonprofit that is launching this website, includes over 150 of the best known and most respected leaders in the nonprofit world. This group includes the heads of Amnesty International, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Ashoka, the Global AIDS Alliance, Grameen Foundation USA, the Rainforest Alliance, Refugees International, Save the Children, Sesame Workshop, Sierra Club, the United States Fund for UNICEF, and others.

And they've done some major outreach to some big time celebs names are going to be announced in the not too distant future. But don't wait for them. Be a star in your own right and get with it.
Isn't this season about the spirit of giving?
Really giving?
I mean come on do you really need another T-shirt?

A big Audacious Kiss and Hug to you,
Nancy

Nancy Mindes, coach
Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies get your Success In Style.
How audacious do you want to be?
516.705.8823
http://www.NancyMindes.com

"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." `Goethe

Want to really give?

We will miss Ann Richards!

"I did not want my tombstone to read, ’She kept a really clean house.’ I think I’d like them to remember me by saying, ’She opened government to everyone," 

"Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, only she did it backwards and in high heels."