The Inner Work of Leadership

"The higher you want to climb, the more leadership you need."

In this episode, Master Certified Coaches Jamie and Ruthie—based in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee—explore what leadership really requires at higher levels. Drawing from decades of coaching leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs, they discuss leadership development, self-awareness, and the inner work needed to lead with clarity, presence, and purpose in life and work.

About the Hosts Jamie and Ruthie are Master Certified Coaches (MCC) based in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, working with leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and coaches around the world.

Website: https://freedomlifejourney.com

Topics in this episode: Leadership development · Coaching · Self-awareness · Executive leadership · Personal growth

Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts

Episode Description

What is the Upper Limit Challenge—and why do we sabotage the success we say we want?

In this episode, Master Certified Coaches Jamie and Ruthie explore the Upper Limit Challenge, a concept that explains why we often pull back just as life or business starts to go well. They unpack how limiting beliefs, fear of success, and unconscious patterns can keep leaders, entrepreneurs, and coaches stuck below their true potential.

Based in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, Jamie and Ruthie share real-world coaching insights to help you identify your personal upper limits, recognize self-sabotage, and build the awareness needed to make your next big leap with clarity and confidence.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• What the Upper Limit Challenge is and how it shows up

• Why success can feel unsafe at a subconscious level

• Common limiting beliefs that hold leaders back

• How to notice self-sabotage patterns before they derail progress

• Practical ways to expand your capacity for growth and success

Resource of the Week

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

About the Hosts

Jamie and Ruthie are Master Certified Coaches (MCC) based in Nashville and Franklin, TN, coaching leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and coaches worldwide.

Website: https://freedomlifejourney.com

What You Can Do About Your Fear of Failure "Our greatest glory is not in never falling; but in rising every time we fall." ~Confucius What if falling was a nature part of the success in life? How do you define failure? We need to know what failure is to us. "You miss 100% of the shots you never take." Wayne Gretzky Brian Tracy says instead of failure let's call it feedback. Coach Ruthie Facebook Page Video https://www.facebook.com/270572966626914/videos/468134273537448 We have a Fear of a Negative Evaluation of Others. If you're surrounded by people that support you, this is just an experiment. It's not a judgement on you as a person. Risk is a part of life. What risks are you taking that seem scary? What's it gonna be like if you reframed it? Tell us at [email protected] Let's let our results inform us and not paralyze us. What if your results were feedback and not failure? Quote: "Take risks: If you win, you will be happy. If you lose, you will be wise." ~Anonymous Go forth. Risk and Learn!

If you don't believe in yourself, how are you going to be a qualified candidate? Having confidence in yourself is what grows into the character you need to move up. Jamie at Benders before doing MBA studies & switching careers. The American Abolitionist Frederick Douglas was "Committed to freedom, Douglass dedicated his life to achieving justice for all Americans, in particular African-Americans, women, and minority groups. He envisioned America as an inclusive nation strengthened by diversity and free of discrimination." This is so appropriate for the season we're currently in. Quote: "I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs."

What keeps us on the sidelines?

What paralyzes us? Examples of what picking yourself looks like: Choosing to set aside time to work out Researching a new career Scheduling an interview Taking a risk There's a time to wait and there is a time to ACT. A--Allow yourself to practice C--Confidence is believing you are capable to learn what's needed to grow T--Transition out of the passive approach to life Resource of the Week: Book by Seth Godin What to do when it's your turn (And it's always your turn. [Freedom Life Journey, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com at no additional cost to you].

We've all heard it said there is no better investment than in yourself. In today's episode, Jamie and Ruthie talk about how only 25% of people actually do this. Are you in the percentage of people who invest in themselves or in the majority of the 75% that don't? If you not investing in yourself don't worry it's never too late to start. Jamie and Ruthie share ways to start investing in your personal development today.

Resource of the episode. Jeff Olsen The slight edge

In this episode, Jamie and Ruthie share a process of 5 simple steps to achieving a goal. Instead of calling this goal-setting, they call it "going after what you want"

Step 1: identify what you want. This first step is crucial. Be specific and define it. Example. I want to lose 10 lbs by September 1st, or I want to sell my car by next week.

Step 2: Research/resources

A. Learn about the topic

B. learn about the Obstacles

C. Time & Investment. (What is the cost of pursuing your goal)

D. Who's done this well? Find the others and mentors that will help you on the journey.

Step 3 Commit to the plan.

At this point, you can choose to step back or commit. If you are committed then you're all in! Use the words "I commit" Those words are powerful. Congratulations!

Jim Rohn says " If you really want to do something you'll find a way or you'll find an excuse."

Step 4

Work the plan- Trust the process you built intentionally.

This is the step where the work is done. Don't overthink the outcome. Yes, it's ok to desire the goal but focus more on what you can control. Work on the daily and weekly tasks in the plan. You can't guarantee the results but you can control what you do now! Walk in integrity and do the simple small tasks you put in your plan.

Step 5

Evaluate & Celebrate

Course correct the plan as you learn what works. Iterate your daily and weekly tasks. Also celebrate! Reward yourself as you move through the process.

Are You a Victim or are you a Person of Action? Exploring Our Post-Pandemic Mindset and Changing it for Good "Something bad happened to me!" We can process the emotion in the best possible way. We all have a person of action and a victim inside of us. When a problem comes, we can blame others. But if we choose to become a person of action we decide this is OUR problem. Making the shift out of the default victim to the transforming Person of Action.

1. Notice when you're taking the victim role. The clues can show up in your body: tensed jaw, tight shoulders, upset stomach, etc. Coping with stress can also show up in eating junk food and treats. Maybe you're looking outside of yourself for a solution or begin blaming others. Instead ask yourself "How can I move forward?"
2. Be vulnerable. Share how you're feeling with a significant other. "What am I going through right now?"
3. Ask better questions. "What does this make possible?" "What would someone I admire do in this situation?'

What are we responsible for? There are things outside of our control but we have control over a lot if we change our perspective. We can take some action and take a different approach. Our Amazon products were deemed non-essential and our income was on hold as a result of Covid-19. Example of unhelpful, victim questions: "Why? Why me? Why is this happening? Why is this happening to us?" We had to accept our situation because there was nothing we could do about it. Our Airbnb was also shut down as U.S. travel came to a halt. We were victims of the pandemic, losing our livelihood. Maybe you too are in the middle of a trying, difficult circumstance. It's still possible to make progress while frustrated. Grieve with personal responsibility. Acknowledge the emotion and also ask "What's my next step?" Bad things happen in life and we respond to it in the most honoring way to yourself and the people around you. Resources: Change your Questions, Change Your life by Marilee Adams https://amzn.to/31csOLi Mastering the 7 Decisions by Andy Andrews https://amzn.to/30tS7cR We'd love to hear from you! How have YOU overcome a victim mentality? How have you been a person of action? Email us at [email protected] Overcome difficult circumstances. Choose to be grateful. Take positive action.

On today's show, Jamie & Ruthie Slingerland talk about the opportunities found in the short term rental market.

In this episode, you're invited to:

• Get over the hesitation to test out short term rentals for yourself
• Explore the options available as a host/guest
• Tap into a new stream of income using what you already have
• Be curious about what's possible
• Connect with your deeper desires through hospitality/generosity
• Release your space to benefit & bless others

Connect with us about coaching or consulting:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• www.freedomlifejourney.com

Thank you to our 'AirBnb' friends and family mentioned in today's episode: Jim Lyons (Buffalo, NY), Jordan Slingerland (Buffalo, NY), Jonathan & Linda Slingerland (Buffalo, NY), Sheryl & Ray Slingerland (Williamsville, NY), Michael & Lydia McGreevy (Buffalo, NY), Tom & Sharon England (Bald Head Island, North Carolina), Drew McCluskey (Rolla, MO), Chad Jeffers (Nashville Area), Leigh & Olin Funderburk (Franklin, TN).

A year from now you will either be celebrating newfound freedom or feeling stuck.

Where phase are you in?

1-Dream & Design Phase: What's possible? Creative process as you imagine what your life could look like? Allow yourself to be playful. Open yourself up to new resources.

2-Demo Phase: Executing phase. Saying yes to move toward a new life means tearing down walls and removing the unnecessary junk. Purging & pruning.

3-Difficulty Phase: Hitting a wall. This is where a couple might call it quicks. Dealing with conflict. Running out of steam. Needing the support of others and God's help. Dan Miller calls it "the sick chicken phase." Kirk Franklin song "My Life is In Your Hands"

4-The Determined Phase: Homestretch. Almost done. Mini-celebration. We see the light.

5-Done Phase. Celebrate completion. Accomplished project.

Galatians 5: 13-15 The Message

On this episode, Jamie and Ruthie share their interview with Teresa McCloy on her podcast The Enneagram in your Realife Podcast.

Interested in taking the Enneagram Assessment? Contact Ruthie at [email protected].

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Jamie on LinkedIn
• Ruthie on LinkedIn