Focus and determination on your vision will ensure you are successful.

Shifting from a season of drought to a season of abundance

[Show Notes]

Season of drought represents significant lack, status quo, a period of dryness that will cause major problems if it persists too long. At some point in time we have all experienced the loss of a loved one, feelings of loneliness or stuck in a career you are trying to escape but today you have the opportunity to step out of seasons of drought and step into a season of abundance.

[6 Principles plus Bonus:]

Principle #1: You are never alone. God is with you

Principle #2: Faith is the step between the drought and your breakthrough

Principle #3: Be bold. Step out even when the idea seems impossible

Principle #4: Your power and ability to end the drought comes from God

Principle #5: Celebrate small victories in a BIG way

Principle #6: Be focused. Keep your eyes fixed on God and don't pause to listen to the voices of judgement and deception

Bonus Principle #7: Tune into Heaven's Radio Frequency

Many of us get to the brink of success, the brink of a breakthrough and give in because fear creeps in. As we study the life of Elijah, we see a bold and courageous man who accomplished many successes, shrink back and run because of fear. Fear that destabilized and crippled him. How could this happen? How could fear hold him back? Listen to learn how Elijah changed his radio frequency and tuned into Heaven's frequency to recover.

[Tune into Heaven's Frequency]

Silence distractions

Renew your mind

Declutter your ears

Ask for wisdom

Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit

[Empowerment Quote]

"No more drought! Open your eyes to see the opportunity, seize the opportunity and work the opportunity" - Avril Riley

Drop us a email at www.avrilriley.com

How to lead with courage and wisdom during difficult times

[Show Notes]

David a young shepherd boy filled with wisdom, courage, humility, focus, resilience and a sense of dependence on God got promoted to leader of a  powerful country despite a contract on his life to destroy him by his best friend and employer. The truth is not everyone will be happy and celebrate your successes. David had a first hand experience of this from his employer Saul. The closer you are to achieving your dreams the more you become the target of negativity, jealousy, criticism and betrayal. The question is, how do you manage during these challenging times to avoid interrupting your vision?

[Key Summary Points:]

The intent and motives of a leader's heart must be pure

Your destiny is secured. Stay focused

Look for a different perspective to challenges

Leaders must be ready to innovate to stay in and ahead of the game

Give honour where honour is due

Wisdom will protect you, so remain devoted

Have the right attitude. Be responsible and manage your deliverables

Refuse to entertain the twins called Fear and Failure and become friends with the twins called Faith and Success

Leaders should be capable of providing a strategy for their teams, seize the opportunity, step out in faith and be confident of the expected outcome. People want leaders who are courageous and operate in wisdom.

[3 Key Definitions for Leaders]

"Courage in a leader is having the ability to do what is right and to be an inspiration to others to do the right thing." - Avril Riley

"Wisdom in a leader is to know what is the right thing to do, when is the right time to do it, and the right reason for doing it for the right outcomes." - Avril Riley

Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is your mental, emotional, and social strength in control." - Avril Riley

[Empowerment Quote]

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." - Charles Swindoll

Drop us a email at www.avrilriley.com

Women in leadership: Shattering the Limits!

[Show Notes]

It was my pleasure speaking with Dr. Sharon Roberts, author and international speaker on the much talked about topic "Women in Leadership: Shattering the Limits". Ladies, no more excuses! Take ownership of where you are at, who you want to be and what you want to do.

Dr. Roberts shared with us several coping strategies to manage gender bias, such as:

Use problem-focused coping strategies of empowerment such as self-efficacy, skill building, mentor relationship and building relationships

Quite the imposter syndrome and celebrate your successes

Affect change in the boardroom by advancing like-minded and skilled individuals to help advance women in leadership positions

We explored many topics differences in how women lead versus men...the influence of the 21st century on leadership and much more.

[Avril's Top 5 Quick and Easy Tips] 

Stay on top of the latest technology trends. Understand, how they impact your role as a leader and the organization you leader?

Collaboration is core and in this modern era this is one of the competencies that is needed to lead in the contemporary changing environment – Don’t underestimate the importance of collaboration. Learn it and practice it.

Shatter the limits by engaging with a mentor, champion or sponsor. Use a coach that will guide you to experience the view from the top.

Avoid isolation - get out and get moving. Network with a purpose. Join a women's group and expand your sphere of connection.

Embrace diversity - in diversity lies creativity and innovation - core skills needed for the 21st century environment.

Dont' forget to share your thoughts with us and listen to past episodes at www.avrilriley.com

Insecurity and fear, are symptoms of having low self-confidence.  What if I ask how confident are you?  I am sure I would get different answers because each person is unique.

[Show Notes]

We all desire to be courageous and operate with high self-confidence, however sometimes we find ourselves in a space where low self-esteem, fear, insecurities and negative self-talk lurks. This space has one intention, to destabilize, neutralize and prevent you from pursuing your dreams. But you can take your life and self-confidence to a whole new level.

Today on the Avril Riley podcast, my guest Prince Khan, Entrepreneur, Business Advisor and Business Associate from Brampton Entrepreneur Centre is no stranger to lacking self-confidence and struggles with anxiety.  However, he emerged from this negative space to become a top speaker and business advisor.

Listen as Prince share his story and strategies to boost your self-confidence, as we discuss the topic "Boosting Your Self Confidence"

Studies have shown a high level of self-confidence will:

Have a positive effect on your mental health

Boost your motivation and energy to take actions

Foster a sense of happiness and help you to cope with the challenges life throws at you

[Avril's Advice]

Watch Your Posture: sit and stand in a posture that conveys confidence. Shoulders back, chin up and a smile on your face, will take your confidence right up the scale

Give Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes and Embrace the Flow of Life: This is how Big Dreams Happen. Silence the inner critics that will tell you, you should not, could not, cannot and ask the inner critic why not? If you fail, failure is a stepping stone to success

Be Kind to Yourself: Too many times we are harsh on ourselves. It takes time to build up your confidence so be kind, compassionate and love yourself. The most important relationship after your relationship with God, is the relationship you have with yourself. Love yourself.

Build up your Self-Awareness: Soldiers do not go into battle without studying the enemy, know their moves and hideout. They gather intelligence to win the battle. Get to know yourself. Know the limitations you place on yourself, become aware of negative self talks and develop strategies to counter them

[Prince Khan final advice to all the listeners]

Walt Disney said "Somehow, I cannot believe that there are any heights that cannot be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret to me is summarized in 4Cs; Courage, Confidence, Curiosity and Constancy. When you believe in a thing believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable."

To listen to the other podcast or drop us on line sharing how the show has impacted you, please visit us at www.avrilriley.com

4 ways to destroy your dream instead of pursuing it. Learn about dream killers and dream makers on your dream marathon.

[Show Notes]

Your dream is made up of your purpose, calling and destiny. Purpose is a pulling force. Your calling is a pushing force and your destiny is a guiding force. To live your dream you will need to run several small marathons but how you respond to adversities during the marathons will determine if you are successful. A famous character Joseph had a dream that was bigger than his current reality. Lacking leadership he experienced several adversities; left to die by his brothers, betrayed by his employers wife, thrown into prison, abandon and rejected but his dream was so powerful that the dream killers could not prevent him from becoming one of the greatest leaders in history. Whatever circumstances are or the situations you find yourself in, live a life of honor, operate in wisdom, be humble, develop your personal leadership skills, find out what your strengths and gifts are and allow your gifts to contribute to others. Your gift will make room for you and cause you to be attractive to others. Joseph's did and he become one of the greatest and strategic leader and lived to see his teenage dream become a reality.

4 ways in which you can destroy you dream:

Become a "Cop-Out" making excuses as to why you have not, did not, could not

Get into a state called "Mellowed" which is really allowing yourself to be in a state of mediocrity, without focus, direction and allowing your dream to die.

Dancing with "Distractors and Negators". Wasting your time, focusing on the wrong priorities, being told you cannot, cannot, should, not, will fail.

"Drop-Out" decided this is too hard, procrastinate and quit in the end.

How will your story end? Will you pursue your dream or give up? Will you hate the learning process or will you find the opportunity during adversities? Will you go from the Pit to the Palace like Joseph because he choose not to Cop-Out, Mellowed, Dance with Distractors and Negators and Drop-Out?

The decision is yours. Listen and learn how Joseph grew into personal leadership and be inspired to dust off your dreams and pursue them.

 

[Recommended Books] (Available on Amazon and www.avrilriley.com)

Avril Riley - Big Dreams Don’t Just Happen

Visit www.avrilriley.com to learn more and listen to a series of podcasts and share how this podcast has impacted your life.

“I am afraid of being vulnerable?” Each of us have a story that is messy; we have flaws, experienced failures, have stories of brokenness and we are afraid of sharing this with anyone.

[Show Notes]

We see these experiences as weaknesses. If we dare open up, we will suffer rejection and humiliation. We will be judged, talked about and ridiculed. On the contrary, we see great leaders taking bold steps, sharing their failures and mistakes on global stages. We watch from a distance, admiring the brave vulnerable ones, while building up a wall to shield ourselves. You don't dare be vulnerable because you will be called "weak".

 

How could it be possible that in the weakest moments of great professionals and leaders they are the strongest?

Gain insight into the 3 Aspects of Emotional Vulnerability:

Vulnerability and Courage - they go hand in hand

Vulnerability and Authenticity - they are best-friends

Vulnerability and Connection - is a powerful force

Listen to my personal story of being vulnerable during an interview for a leadership position with a multinational corporation. Really? How could anyone share their leadership failure in an interview for a leadership position and was hired the next day?

Listen to my story of admitting I did not have the answer to a question at an event where I was the keynote speaker. An act of vulnerability that resulted in others at the conference modeling the behavior, opening up and sharing as well. Powerful connection!

Learn about 4 Ways to Practice Vulnerability

Permit yourself to be vulnerable

Practice self-awareness and be confident in who you are

Be intentional, adaptable and resilient

Know your value and know your self-worth

 

[Recommended Books] (Available on Amazon)

Brené Brown - Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Brené Brown - I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Making the Journey from "What Will People Think?" to "I Am Enough"

Avril Riley - Big Dreams Don’t Just Happen

Visit www.avrilriley.com to learn more and listen to a series of podcasts.

Are you tired of the 9 to 5 job and want more control of your day? Do you want more flexibility on the work scene or are you a traditional worker?

[01:47] What do millions of freelancers, contractors, temps and on-demand workers have in common?

[03:25] More people are choosing to earn their salary working gigs. What is this gig economy?

[04:00] What does the gig economy include?

[04:58] 3 core factors drive the gig economy, 1) flexibility, 2) Variety, and 3) Passion

[ 06:42] Top reasons why individuals chose to work in the gig economy - 48% want autonomy...

[07:35] How is the workforce changing?

[07:50] Impacted sectors: computers, communications, professional services, healthcare, education...

[08:35] Driving forces of the gig economy; digital age, mobile workforce, workplace hoteling

[09:22] Hoteling concept explained - companies are adopting this concept @ work

[10:55] My own example of leveraging the gig model

[12:31] Gig economy is lucrative

[13:33] by 2020 the US gig economy is predicted to reach 43%

[13:55] 20-30% of the Canadian workforce are already non-traditional workers

[14:52] There are no signs of the gig economy slowing down. It is growing at a phenomenal rate

[15:20] In the UK it is estimated 5M are employed in this

[15:47] What does the gig economy mean for employers?

[16:48] What does the economy means to you? Need the right-mindset...

[17:19] Planning your life becomes harder when you have no concept of how much money you will make

[17:41] Need to ask some tough questions e.g. what will a good job look like in the future?

[17:54] How do you plan for your financial future?

[18:51] … a sea of change...

[19:27] How do we respond to the rise of cross border telework?

[19:55] Do you believe the old fashion job remains king?

[19:59] Are you an innovator or a laggard?

[20:07] To the innovators I say...

[20:20] To the laggards I say...

[20:31] If you are neither an innovator or laggard and have a different perspective on the gig economy, let's continue the conversation on avrilmriley.com

[20:44] How will this impact your future of work?  This a question we have to ask.

 

Order Your Copy of my transformational book today @ www.avrilriley.com/shop

Big Dreams Don't Just Happen - Challenge the status quo, renew your mind, re-envision your future and re-define your goals.

 

References and more reading:

The Growth of the Gig Economy: A Look at American Freelancers - https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10359-gig-economy-trends.html

The gig economy: Achieving financial wellness with confidence. BMO Wealth Management, Canadian Edition, July 24, 2018. Retrieved from https://wealth.bmoharris.com/insights/professionals-executives/plan/gig-economy

Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/bmo-wealth-management-report-workers-joining-gig-economy-face-array-of-financial-challenges-opportunities-across-generations-2018-07-24

Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/what-is-the-gig-economy.htm

Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38930048

Why do you exist? Are you in the place where you feel you are contributing and making a difference? What resonates with you?

Show Notes:

"The two most important days in your life are the day when you were born and the day you find out why? - Mark Twain

[01:11] In between those two important days lies one word "Purpose"

[01:50] Topic: Purpose Driven Leadership - The Heart of What Matters

[02:07] Your purpose answers your why and is rooted in your faith and identity

[02:40] Purpose enables you to persevere under challenges

[03:25] Purpose defines your life and serves as an internal compass

[03:59] Purpose gives meaning to life. Without purpose life becomes insignificant

[04:46] Michael Phelps success...yet the emptiness drove him to contemplate suicide

[05:40] Was purpose missing? Was the meaning of life missing? Purpose saved his life]

[06:34] Phelps shared in an interview the book 'turned me into believing that there is a power greater than myself, and there is a purpose for me on this planet"

[07:10] The story of Solomon, a man of wisdom yet he failed to embraced the highest call of leadership, Purpose Driven Leadership

[07:56] Solomon chased after many things but his heart was empty

[08:30] He failed to embrace the highest call of leadership...Purpose Driven Leadership

[09:05] The VUCA World (volatile, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity)

[09:30] We are struggling to cope in the VUCA world

[10:32] Over the last 5 years the conversation is changing?

[10:40] How can we find meaning?

[12:11] CVS Health - made a $2 billion decision influenced by purpose

[12:44] Helena Foulkes - the President said "It was very consistent with out purpose"

[13:44] Case of a personal decision and a business decision that was embraced

[14:10] What is Purpose Driven Leadership?

[15:01] Three (3) core elements - Purpose, Character and Integrity

[15:47] Fresh perspective on Purpose Driven Leadership

[16:00] Discuss 7 Characteristics (of many) of Purpose Driven Leadership/Leaders

[16:53] #1 Purpose Driven Leaders are Grounded in Faith

[18:34] #2 Purpose Driven Leaders are Passionate

[19:41] #3 Purpose Driven Leaders Focus on the Big Picture

[21:48] #4 Purpose Driven Leaders Lead with Compelling Vision

[23:35] #5 Purpose Driven Leaders Inspire the Heart

[26:45] #6 Purpose Driven Leaders are Courageous

[28:54] #7 Purpose Driven Leaders Empower Others to Act

[29:14] Empower others with the same commitment that you have

[29:23] Understand that words will shape your destiny and others - Watch your words

[31:08] O. Holmes "Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us, unplayed"

[31:48] Let the music call purpose begin to play

 

Order Your Copy Today @ www.avrilriley.com/shop 

Big Dreams Don't Just Happen - Challenge the status quo, renew your mind, re-envision your future and re-define your goals.

Sources:

Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2015/09/11/cvs-health-helena-foulkes/

Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/08/10/michael-phelps-says-rick-warrens-purpose-driven-life-saved-him-from-suicide.html

Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/19/health/michael-phelps-depression/index.html

Are you feeling stuck? Are you willing and ready to seek out new opportunities?

In this episode of the Avril Riley podcast, I focused on four (4) principles to challenge the status quo, and share on the dangers of settling into routines and habits.

[01:00] Growth and development stops when you are in status quo

[01:44] Remember the boiling frog?

[03:00] Our world is shrinking, integrating and being disrupted

[03:35] How we live, play, work, build relationships and consume products is changing

[04:26] You are responsible for shaping your past, present and future

[04:46] Yesterday's success is today's old news

[05:50] Manage the present. Embrace the future

[06:21] Change is inevitable. Be bold. Adopt new skills and find new innovations

[06:39] Collaboration must replace fear and resistance

[07:03] Are you ready to dream big, ignite change and create your future?

[08:11] Do you want to grow? Climb the corporate ladder? Expand your business?

[08:23] Stop looking towards the past...

[08:32] Here are four (4) principles to challenge the status quo.

[08:33] Suspend your judgement

[08:34] Be open-minded and curious

[08:35] Shift from habits to sensing emerging patterns

[08:36] Be accountable for your growth

[10:00] Open up yourself to learning and seeing reality from a fresh perspective

[10:41] The presence of peace and stability is not an indication to get comfortable

[10:55] What is holding me back?

[12:46] Habits are programmed in your mind

[13:08] Reflect and observe daily routines

[13:59] Get in touch with your habits to avoid being blindsided

[14:31] Challenging the status quo is a decision only you can make. Are you ready?

[15:03] Recognize the shifts and changes

[15:37] What can you learn from the past? What can you learn from the present? Look to the future

[16:45] Live with purpose and connect to a greater cause

[17:05] You are accountable for creating and executing your growth plan

[ 18:03] You have the power within you. Live intentionally versus living by default

[18:45] You have the power to think differently

[19:15] You can do it! You can challenge your status quo

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Big Dreams Don't Just Happen - Challenge the status quo, renew your mind, re-envision your future and re-define your goals.