Impact with Ease

“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:

1. Am I working with the right sized clients?
2. Am I relying too heavily on subcontractors and risking personal gain?
3. 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.

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

“You owe it to yourself and the world to be living in your passion and purpose.”

- Nicola Watson (53:25-53:30)

Blake Schofield
Connections 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 [email protected].

“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.

Learn more at Nicola Watson and Le Fashion Lab by visiting lefashionlab.com. You can also connect with Nicola by email at [email protected].

-------------

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

“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 Schofield
Connections 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!

“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.

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

“Self-care is not selfish, it’s actually the kindest thing you can do.” - Blake Schofield (14:06-14:12)

Blake Schofield
Connections 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!

“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.

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

“By nature, all of us are limited, because we only know what we've experienced.”

- Blake Schofield (6:00)

Blake Schofield
Connections 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!

“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!

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

“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 Schofield
Connections 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!