Are you Being Pushed or Pulled to Amplify Your Future?
Today is a special episode just for you. It is all about personal reflection on gratitude, growth, and the quiet signals that guide us to decide what comes next.
Recently, I visited our youngest daughter and had the best- 'take your mom to work day experience'. She invited me to participate in a workout class at Define Private Training, where she is a lead instructor. Watching her lead this program built around individualized goals really lit me up.
The workout session was a circuit with 8 different stations. I discovered that saving the 135-pound sled push for my last exercise may not have been my smartest strategy, but finishing it left me feeling exhilarated. Do you have something in your life that makes you feel unstoppable?
What are 3 Leadership Lessons From This Experience?
At any phase in our lives we can learn lessons. Here is what I discovered from this experience with my daughter:
- Leadership starts with planning: Thoughtful preparation creates a better experience for everyone. My daughter planned that session in advance, reviewed the routines to ensure everyone had the best experience.
- The best leaders exemplify empathy: Being aware, reading strengths, and tuning in to the needs of your customers is the one ingredient that makes every interaction a memorable experience.
- Great facilitators make it feel effortless: Being prepared, knowing the material, managing energy, and keeping participants engaged should be included in every presentation. It makes a difference and you will be sought out as a speaker.
This experience inspired me to reflect and think about how to amplify the one thing calling me forward into the new year.
How Can You Discover the one thing to Amplify?
This year I have done a lot of deep thinking. I wrote a bestselling book with 8 amazing women called the Power of What’s NEXT: Bold Moves by Design and it was a discovery of what each of us has learned and what we want to be doing in this season. Writing is one of the best ways to truly get in touch with ourselves and also to be vulnerable. In a time of technology and social media, being human is one of our last great strengths.
Doors Close, Windows Open Ready to Fly Through?
While writing the book, I was also working with a coach to uncover and release things that no longer served me. So often we hold on to memories because we feel the weight of their imprint. The good news is, the only one holding on to it is you. I learned we all have the power to shift our view and focus on what serves us and in turn everyone around us.
How Does Alignment impact Our Future?One of my favorite alignment exercises from my friend Laurie Wessels (and one of the authors in Power of What’s NEXT) is Love, Like, Capable. Take note of everything you are doing and put it into Live, Like or Capable. What do you discover? So many of us stay in the capable column because it is safest, or it is what we know. But when we are in the Love the column, time flies by, you forget to eat, and don’t realize the day is over. What can you do right now that will give you that exhilaration? When we are in alignment, everything falls into place.
Listen in to Living Boldly One Mile at a Time
Why We Need to Release and Let Go
Once we know what we love, the hardest thing to do is let go of the capable. A dear friend of mine has been practicing maniacal subtraction (which she learned from Janet Winkler, another author in Power of What’s NEXT). She closed down one business and found ways to focus on 3 things. It gave her freedom and joy. Something we all can use. Is there something in your life that is no longer serving you? How would you feel if you were able to release it?
How does this work in the Real World?
In a recent discussion in the Entrepreneur mastermind, we talked about how hard it can be to make staff adjustments. One of the wise women was giving advice and said- you may be surprised to learn that the other person feels relieved to make a shift too.
What is an action I can take today?
Each of us has the ability to be a Baller and in demand. When we have that belief, we are ready to amplify the one thing that lights us up and is calling us forward.
Closing out this year, there have been so many wonderful moments, and also ones that give us pause. I am thankful for it all. The happiest times, and even when the wind might take us off the course and we feel adrift. That feeling is part of the journey. We aren’t meant to always have a true north, the learning happens when we veer off the path and get to see an unexpected surprising moment.
What has that been like for you this year? Have you held steady, or have you had moments where you felt adrift like me?
The key has always been to surround ourselves with women who lift us up. I know that on any given day, I am so lucky to be able to send a text to a friend and hear back- and it might not always be the advice I want, but it is definitely the intel my heart needs to hear.
How Can We Live with a Grateful Heart?
Every day, I am grateful to the HerCsuite® Community, and to the other women’s networks I am in where I experience the power of our collaboration together. Beyond business, this year has been a time of clarity for HER HEALTHX, the nonprofit focused on improving women’s health outcomes. So many incredible leaders, board members advisors, a pro-bono agency award contributed to new clarity and focus and we have momentum for the future.
On a personal note, my heart is overflowing with gratitude that our oldest daughter’s health was finally diagnosed. She is now living on her own (after 4 years of being bed ridden) and my youngest daughter is leading women and beyond her years and it is a gift to see them grow.
This episode is dedicated especially to you, all around the world who are tuning in. I want you to know how much I appreciate you, that you are valued and you matter. May you finish the year with peace and carry joy with you into the new year.
Keep Shining Your Light Bright. The World Needs You!
Connect with Natalie Benamou
Founder, HerCsuite® a portfolio career and leadership network. We deliver programs that help women be in demand for Boards, Entrepreneur growth and portfolio careers by design. Our newest program NEXT2LEAD AI creates a way for women to drive the AI conversation and stay ahead of the speed of change.
President & CEO, HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit improving healthcare communication and outcomes for women.
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