I first worked with a coach in 2015. My coach, Scott, supported me in building my freelance business. I had been a successful producer for close to 15 years by then. Yet, every time I relocated, I had to establish myself in a new city - no small task. One of the first steps was to list my goals. Mine were to build confidence and trust in what I bring to the table professionally, develop plans to strengthen and expand my skill set, and learn to focus on the things that matter most professionally.

Scott is a fantastic coach and helped me identify my true strengths as a producer and own them. In other words, I became confident in my abilities and learned to trust my instincts. He was instrumental in helping me learn how to promote myself effectively. I also stopped avoiding the more challenging parts of being a freelance professional. Scott didn’t just focus on the professional side of things. He also helped me find balance in my life. I tended to be all work and very little play. He helped me understand that this imbalance did not serve me and that finding a balance socially, physically, and spiritually was just as important.

There are all types of coaches in the world - some focus on your physical or emotional well-being, some focus on your professional well-being, and others may be generalists. No matter their focus, they will provide guidance and support through the practice of intentional listening, reflection, goal setting, and accountability.

Here are a few ways a coach can support you.

Clarifying Goals and Vision: A life coach helps you define what you truly want. For example, you may want a new career, to navigate your job more effectively, to live a healthier life, to find your purpose, or to improve your relationships. No matter your intention, your coach will support you by asking insightful questions, listening without judgment, and providing structured tools.

Overcoming Obstacles and Limiting Beliefs: We all have beliefs…

When the world feels unstable and filled with uncertainty, the choices we make are often rooted in love or fear. Choosing love means approaching life with compassion, understanding, and connection. It allows us to stay grounded, think clearly, and offer support to others. In contrast, fear tends to isolate us, heighten anxiety, and create barriers.

My second video message this month is about choosing love as your default response. A lot of people are choosing fear as their go-to reaction and fear begets more fear. It limits potential and breeds stress and the effect is cumulative.

Alternatively, by choosing love, we cultivate resilience, foster peace, and open ourselves to possibilities even in difficult times. It encourages collaboration and problem-solving while nurturing a sense of inner calm…

Are you the independent type? The one who rarely asks for help? The one who takes pride in being able to tackle any problem on their own? I was that person. I was fiercely independent. I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. I spent wasted energy on figuring things out on my own. I saw needing help as a weakness. Truthfully, I thought I would be judged as weak or incapable if I asked for assistance.

I'm not sure exactly when I shifted my mindset. There wasn't a single event that made me realize asking for help isn't a sign of weakness—it's simply acknowledging that I need support.

All I know is that it opened the door to all sorts of good stuff. I didn’t have to do everything alone. I didn’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time figuring things out. After all, two heads are better than one! It led me to seek new communities. It made me a better team player. It brought joy to my life. We aren’t meant to handle all of life’s challenges on our own.

Here are some tips for those of us who find it challenging to ask for help...

Self-doubt and intuition are two forces that shape the way we make decisions, move through life, and pursue our dreams. At first glance, they may seem like opposites—self-doubt being the voice that holds us back, while intuition guides us forward. Instead, think of these two internal forces as intertwined, often working together.

Understanding Self-Doubt

Self-doubt is that inner voice that questions our capabilities, skills, and decisions. It can be rooted in fear, past experiences, or someone else’s expectations. It is a natural human response designed to protect us from failure and uncertainty.

When doubt becomes our default reaction, it can become overpowering, stifling creativity and holding us back from pursuing opportunities that align with our true desires.

The Role of Intuition

Intuition, on the other hand, is a quiet but powerful sense of knowing. It’s often described as a gut feeling or an inner nudge that directs us toward what feels right. Intuition operates on a deeper level, processing subconscious information and aligning our actions with our values and goals. It’s our mind’s ability to synthesize complex information into a clear signal.

The Connection Between Self-Doubt and Intuition

The relationship between self-doubt and intuition is complex...

I think about my future all too often. Being present and in the moment is challenging for me. Ok, I’m going to cut myself some slack here. I’ve experienced a tremendous amount of change this past year - relocating and losing a parent among them. And now I am trying to figure out what’s next for me. Where will I live? What does my coaching practice look like? Do I need to find other work while my business grows? It’s a lot to think about and it tends to keep me in future mode.

That being said, constantly being in future mode, while exciting, can also be stressful and anxiety-inducing.

Does any of this sound familiar? Do you struggle to remain in the present?

So what is the solution? What can keep us in the here and now?

Here are some practical ways to stay in the moment.

Mindfulness practices - You can incorporate small moments of mindfulness throughout your day. For instance, when you’re drinking your morning coffee or tea, focus on the warmth of the cup in your hands and take in the aroma and the taste. While cooking, pay attention to the ingredients, how you are combining them, and the delicious aromas. These simple acts of awareness can anchor you to the present moment.

Mindful Breathing - If you find yourself dwelling on the future, breathe deeply for a few minutes. Add visualization to the mix - as you inhale, imagine breathing in calmness and clarity, and as you exhale, visualize releasing stress and tension. You can then add movement by extending your arms overhead when inhaling and lowering them slowly when exhaling.

Mindful Communication - Practice reflective listening when communicating with friends and family. In this instance, you are truly hearing what the other is saying and reflecting it back to them in your own words...

Childhood is all about unabashed curiosity. I used to spend an inordinate amount of time playing with my Barbie dolls (don’t judge!) - acting out scenarios, dressing them up, and creating a dialog between them. And then there was my Easy Bake oven where I mastered the birthday cake. Summers were devoted to pool time where I spent hours playing or at least until my lips turned blue. This play was all fueled by curiosity.

And then, somewhere along the line, I tamped down my curiosity. I’m not sure when it happened. It’s not uncommon. It happens as we head toward adulthood. Life gets in the way. We get busy with work, obligations, and our social lives. We might think we are being judged and our curiosity gets tamped down even more. Our fears take hold and we think we are not capable of achieving something. We may question our self-worth and believe that we don’t deserve something.

I started to miss my curiosity so I began to explore why it had diminished as much as it did. It took a lot of self-exploration and I realized I was hiding behind my fears and limiting beliefs. I was living in my own little safety bubble. I was playing it small.

I was so grateful when my curiosity slowly reappeared. I hadn’t fully realized the impact it had had on my life. And you know what reappeared with it…