Your success comes at this price. Are you willing to pay it?

I need to be open and honest with you. 

This post was difficult to write.  I was stuck on what to say.  And what to share.  I was worried about what to talk about.

I realized that I was terrified. I recognized that I was scared. I didn’t know what to write. 

It turns out, I’m fearful that the next thing I write is going to suck.

See, I work REALLY hard to make sure I share interesting, inspiring and life changing content with you.  I care a lot about making my newsletter and my blog valuable to you. 

I want you to read what I share and feel inspired. I want you to try something new because of something I said.  I want you to learn and have your life enriched from my insights.  I want you to get excited about your life and create change because of a challenge I’ve given you.

Sometimes it’s hard. Writing doesn’t always come easy for me. 

Even though it’s a great challenge, I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback lately. People are sharing my content and commenting on it (thank you, thank you, thank you!). And I couldn’t be more grateful for it.

I love hearing from you and knowing my words are making a difference in your life. It’s exactly what I want to do.  It’s my goal.  That is what “success” is to me.

I am honoured to say my newsletter and blog have had some success.

But “success” has upped the ante for me. Now there are expectations that I need to meet.  Standards to uphold.  Results I should be exceeding. 

And now I’m afraid.

I’m scared that sometimes you won’t like what you’re reading.

I’m worried that suddenly everyone is going to stop listening to me.

I’m nervous that I’m going to run out of things to say. 

I had an epiphany.   

My fear is killing my creativity.

My fear is stifling my ability to help others. 

My fear is getting in the way of the important messages I want to share with you.

Do you ever feel this way?

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re smart.  You’re committed to living a great life.  You’re driven.  You’ve got goals and high standards for yourself.  

You’ve probably achieved a ton of awesome things in your life.  You’re probably “successful” already.

But success doesn’t always breed self-confidence like you might think it does.

Sometimes success makes you scared of failing. 

Can you relate? 

This is the wall I hit today.  If you’ve hit this wall today, or in the past, or if you hit this in the future, this is for you.

Recently, a client shared a beautiful video with me.  You may have seen it yourself.  The video is of Sara Blakely, the CEO of Spanx, sharing her perspective on failure. (If you haven’t seen the video or need a little re-inspiration, check it out here).

When Sara was growing up, her father would ask her:

 “What have you failed at lately?”

She would be encouraged to share things she had tried that did not work.

Their failures were celebrated. 

Failure was redefined.  In her life, failure became not trying.

Failure is not starting the business you want to.

Failure is not trying out for the play you want to be in.

Failure is not applying for the job you want, even if you think it’s out of your reach.

Failure is not asking for the promotion or raise you believe you deserve.

Failure is not writing and sharing what you believe will help others.

So here’s my message today, as I’m feeling afraid to fail.

Here’s my message for you, anytime you’re feeling afraid to fail.

It’s impossible to grow and change without the doubt, fear and uncertainty trying to hold you back.

Therefore, you need to push through that anxiety, nervousness, and fear.

Fear is a part of the process.  When you play a bigger game, your doubt gets louder.  Your fear growls deeper.  Your uncertainty grows legs and attempts to make you run away.

Instead of running and hiding, I need to embrace it.  Embrace the fear as a sign I’m being courageous.  Welcome the doubt as the mark that I’m creating change in my life.

And celebrate it.

Here’s the thing: I’m going to have some failures. 

Failure is the price of success.  There is no success without the failures that come before the achievement.  Failures always come with success.  And that's ok. 

One day, someone’s not going to like what I write.  (Maybe that day is today, and that person is you).

One day, I’ll write something that sucks.  (This also could be today).

One day, people will unsubscribe.  (I hope this isn’t today).

But if I keep working for it, continue gritting through, it’s inevitable that:

My message will make someone’s day.

My writing will be shared with someone who needs it.

People who believe in my insights will sign up for my newsletter.

I will change someone’s life.

When I think about “success” on these terms, I’m not (as) afraid of the failures I will have.

You will fail.  I will fail.  

If I need to try - and fail - in order to succeed, that's what I need to do. 

If you want to succeed (who doesn't?!), then you will need to try and fail too.

This is my challenge to you. And my challenge to myself.

Every week:

• Try something new.  For better or worse, try.  I will put myself out there.  I will learn.  I will get comfortable with failing again. 
• Find a friend (or email me!) to share what you failed at.
• Celebrate failure.  High-five someone who’s failed.  High-five yourself.

Do this for one month. Until September 10th.  I know you can do it – and I’ll be checking in on you then.

Look forward to your failure.  Redefine your failures.  Take yourself lightly.  

Put yourself out there.  Start.  Try.  Ask.  Write.  Apply. 

Watch what happens when you get comfortable with failing.  I can’t wait to see your courage shine through… and the inevitable success that will follow.

Humbly failing forward (and often!)

 - Lisa

Success Coach 

www.lisamichaud.com

PS.  At least with this new mindset, I know if this newsletter bombs, at least I’m ready for this week’s “failure chat” with my husband.  #win-win  #failtosucceed

Is this destroying your dream?

This week marks the one-year anniversary of my husband Troy and I moving to Vancouver.   This weekend is always a special time in Vancouver. It’s Pride Weekend, and the Celebration of Lights, a huge 3-night Fireworks Competition.  Needless to say, it’s a fantastic time to celebrate our anniversary – and we will get to do it each and every year!!! 

Our one-year anniversary is a big deal to me.   It’s a big deal because I like celebrations and don’t think that there are enough of them in life.  So we’re celebrating. 

This milestone is also significant because I never EVER thought it would happen. 

My love for Vancouver has run deep in me for a long time.  As a child, we’d always travel to Vancouver for concerts, dance competitions and band camp (yup, I was that cool in high-school).  Each time, I LOVED being in the city.  I would stay up late at night, listening to music while staring out the window at the city lights.  I would dream about the sound the Sky-Train makes (the subway system in Vancouver).  I was endlessly fascinated by the culture, the history, and hopes for the future – my future - in Vancouver.

Even as I grew up, when I visited, friends would tell me I came alive and relaxed when I was in Vancouver.

I’ve always loved the city.  And I’ve always wanted to live there. 

BUT, despite my love, for years, I told myself that I would never move to Vancouver. 

I couldn’t live in Vancouver.  

It was too expensive. 

My husband couldn’t find work there.  

I wouldn’t be able to make money in Vancouver.  

So as pretty as Vancouver is, as much as I loved Vancouver, I accepted that it was nothing but a fantasy for me. 

Recently, I reflected on my journey to moving here.  I realized that I not only told myself these stories, I would gladly tell anyone who would listen.

I would always tell others “oh, Vancouver is so expensive.  No-one can afford to live there.”   

When they’d ask why I didn’t move back to BC, my response was almost automatic.

“I can’t move there.  I don’t know how people can afford to live in Vancouver. It’s impossible to get ahead there.”   

While yes, Vancouver IS expensive, I realized that the reason I would always say this (and believe it!) is because I was jealous of people who DID live in Vancouver.

I was jealous.  I needed a “logical” reason to explain why I didn’t live there.

It was easy to say “it’s too expensive”. 

It’s much harder to state the reality which was:

 “I haven’t figured out how to live there yet. 

And right now, I’m not brave enough to give it a try.”

It was easier to say “people in Vancouver are barely getting by so I will never move back” than to get brave and declare “I’m going to figure out how to thrive in Vancouver.”

In the end, thinking it was too expensive was about my own jealousy and ego.  I wasn’t trying to be cruel. I wasn’t trying to be malicious. I thought I was protecting myself and others from moving there and going broke. 

My intent was not to be hateful or spiteful.  But I realize now that I was crushing not only my dream, but the dreams of others.  

So here’s what I want for you.  If you have a dream and you’re holding back, here’s what I wish I had heard years ago.

If you are farther from your dream than you want to be, ask yourself:

• Why am I not living my dream?

• What is holding me back?

• Why am I waiting?

• Who is telling me I shouldn’t be living my dream?

If someone else is destroying your dream, realize that their message has more to do with themselves than it does with you.

If you believe in your dreams but others around you continue to tell you it’s not possible, recognize it’s not you.  It’s them.  And it’s their problem.

It may be their jealousy coming through (as I’m sure mine did). 

It could be them trying to protect you.

Just know that it has more to do with them than it has with you.

What if, like me, you are HOLDING YOURSELF back? 

If YOU are destroying your own dreams, acknowledge it.  If there’s something in your life you do want to do, but YOU are telling yourself you can’t, recognize it.

Then get out of your own way.  

And go get your dreams.

Now ask yourself:

• What would my life be like if I was living my dream?

• How important is it to me?

• How is my dream possible?

• What will I do to make my dream come true?

• When will I do it by?

Perhaps the most profound thing Vancouver has taught me is that DREAMS are POSSIBLE.  

Anything is possible when you ask “how is it possible?”

Just over one year ago, my husband and I asked ourselves this question.  How is Vancouver possible?

Vancouver has been possible by selling and downsizing our house.

It’s possible by choosing to leave our jobs.

It’s possible if I start a new business.

It’s possible if Troy gets a new job.

It’s possible if we live in a smaller space.

It’s possible if we stop telling ourselves it’s impossible.

It’s possible when we get out of our own way.

It’s possible when we tell ourselves IT IS POSSIBLE!  

I have lived in Vancouver for a year now.  It was not an easy move to make.  We left incredible friends behind.  We left “great jobs”.  In Vancouver, the housing market is aggressive and it is expensive. 

But it has been so worth it. 

Vancouver was my dream and I still wake up every day grateful to be here.   Every morning, there are yoga mats, craft beer, beaches and hikes with my name on them.  There are new experiences, adventures, challenges, and opportunities for me to learn from and dive into. 

And there’s a bounce in my step.  The kind that comes when real life is even better than the dreams we have for ourselves.

I know it’s possible for you too.

 - Lisa

Success Coach 

www.lisamichaud.com

PS. The first step is always the hardest.  I know how hard it was for me to make such a huge change.  Having people support you can make or break it.  Ask for the support if you need it.  And if you have a friend who needs to hear this message (and needs your support), share this with them.  It could change their life and have them doing a happy dance. Every. Single. Day. 

Girl's night wasn't supposed to end like this

As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I instantly regretted them. I shouldn’t have suggested it.  What a stupid idea that was, Lisa.

It was supposed to be a fun girl's night and I just screwed it up.

Girl’s nights have a special place in my heart.  Truth be told, my affinity for girl’s nights probably comes from the fact that I am incredibly blessed with intelligent, brilliant, kind, wonderful friends. If you’re one of them, you know I’m talking about you!

My circle of friends is a very driven bunch.  We love setting goals, we love achieving goals, and supporting each other to be our best selves.  As a result, our goal nerdiness sometimes comes out.  (We’ve been known to call ourselves GoalDen Girls, and Goal-Diggers… we’re pretty hilarious!).  

One particular Friday night, we decided to get together over some wine and do some goal setting. 

Unlike other girl’s nights, the goal was not to see how many bottles of wine we could drink (as my husband Troy often jokes).

This one was intended to enjoy each other’s company and establish goals… with a glass of wine in our hands.

Earlier that week I’d read an interesting article.  It suggested asking those closest to you what they would do if they were in control of your life.  It also highly recommended being open to the responses.

So, because I love peculiar questions, I proposed it to the group.

“Ladies, I know this is kind of off-the-goals-topic, but what would you do if you were in control of my life?   And while we’re at it, can I tell you what I would do with your life?”

Awkward silence.

Nervous looks at each other across the table.

My ego kicked in here.  “Jeez Lisa, why did you have to go and ruin such a fun night?  Why are you so weird?!”

There was four of us around the table.

Two of us loved the idea (myself included).

The other two continued to look at me like I was crazy.  

In hindsight, I don’t blame them.

As we broke out of the awkward interruption, we started chatting.  My friends shared that they were nervous about this question– and rightfully so. They were unsure about what could possibly come from this, and what kind of wild ideas we’d have for them.  They were willing to share their insights but didn’t really want to know what we would do with their lives.

Fair enough.

We agreed that the two of us who were excited to try it would start.

By the end of the exercise, we were all in tears, laughter, smiles, and most of all, in even deeper love with each other.

This was one of the most beautiful conversations of my life. Coming from a woman who converses with people for a living (and is a chatterbox the rest of the time), this is saying something.

What transpired was genuine, heartfelt compliments.  Sincere wishes for happiness, joy, and passion in each other’s lives.  Poignant insights on what is possible for each of us, possibilities beyond what we could have conceived for ourselves.

To this day, we still bring up “aha moments” that were sparked from that question and its responses.  Often, one of us will comment that someone’s words continue to touch them.  And changed their perspectives forever.

I understand asking this question puts you in a very vulnerable place.  But, if Brene Brown has taught us anything, it’s that vulnerability is fabulous and we all need to have more of it.  (Side note – if you haven’t heard of Brene Brown, schedule her TedTalk for your lunch break… no seriously). 

Asking others to weigh in and provide feedback on anything is tough. It’s nerve-wracking. It’s anxiety inducing.

But what do you learn without feedback? 

The answer is: Not much.

I challenge you this week, to ask two or three people in your life that are close to you,

“What would you do if you were in control of my life?”

You can ask it as a general question.  You can ask it as a specific question, as in what “would you do with my career if you were in control”.    Or “what would you have me experience next in my life if you were in control?”  Nothing is off-limits. 

There is only one rule.

You have to listen. 

Listen to learn.  Listen to become wiser. Listen to expand your perspective of what’s possible for you.

Because we all have voices that tell us we aren’t good enough… or that a certain dream isn’t possible for us.

Because the day-to-day can get mundane and we forget that we are valuable, incredible, resourceful human beings.

Because sometimes we need to hear the truth from someone else.

Because sometimes hearing a new idea will spark us to a completely new direction.

Because sometimes being told you should do things differently reminds you of why you truly want what you want – and reminds you that you ARE on the right path today.

I said you have to listen.  But you don’t have to obey.  It’s still your life. You’re still in the driver’s seat (yes, you are!).   It’s just that now your blindspots are disappearing.  Suddenly, the roads you can take in your life got wider, and go in new, exciting directions.

Which way you choose to drive the car, and steer your life, is still your choice.

If someone asks you this question, be honest.   Be kind.  Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear.  Tell them what in your heart you believe, and what you believe will help them grow.

Say thank you.  Thank you to the person who asked you the question, for trusting you with such a precious and vulnerable opportunity.  Say thank you to the person who gave you their thoughts and ideas, because they trusted you enough to share their honest truth.

I challenge you to go forth.  To elevate and be elevated.  To expand possibilities and be expanded upon.  To imagine what’s possible, for you and those around you.

Signing off as the woman whose friends said she should get creative and start a business…

- Lisa

Success Coach 

PS.  Sometimes we need to hear it from someone else. Sometimes we need others to show us our own brilliance.  Sometimes it works best when others challenge us and encourage us.  To be opened up and expanded, sometimes we need support.  Sometimes that nagging voice in the back of our head that tells you "you're not good enough" gets too loud.  The time is now.  If you're ready to tell that voice to go away once and for all, coaching is for you.  If you know there's more out there for you but you're not sure what, coaching is for you.  I LOVE helping men and women like you see what's possible in life (hint: if it's possible in the world, it's possible for you.)

If you don't want to spend another year, month, week or day waiting for the rest of your life, I'm here to support you to get what you want.  I want you to feel fullfillment, joy, and happiness.  The best way to discover if this is for you is to get in touch today (don't wait!) and book a FREE Discovery Call together.  No obligation, no sales. Just a casual chat over the phone, call it coffee (or wine) with a friend.  

I can't wait for you to awaken and create what's possible for you, beyond your wildest dreams!

Ever felt like quitting? You should read this first

It was a downward dog challenge.

Five minutes.  See how long you can last.

This was after 45 minutes of intense, hot, sweaty yoga.  My arms were shaking. My legs were aching. 

I was ready to go home, have a shower, and get started on the rest of my night.

And here I was, stuck in a downward dog challenge.

One minute down.  The instructor was encouraging me (which is why I love yoga).

“You’re doing great.”

Two minutes in. 

“Do your best.”

Halfway there. Two and a half minutes to go.

“Take a break when you need it. Feel free to take child’s pose and come back when you are ready.”

At three minutes, the message changed.

“I know you’re tired.  You’re done. You think you can’t do it.  This is the moment you want to get out of the pose.  But this is when the yoga begins.  Pushing through this moment and showing your strength IS yoga.”

I almost fell over from this powerful statement.

WOAH.

Suddenly, I understood.  That moment when you want to get out of the pose is when yoga begins.  Yoga is:

·      Staying when what you really want to do is run

·      Pushing through the last ounce of strength you have, only to discover there’s even more within you than you thought you had

·      Being present when all you want to do is distract yourself with excuses of why you need to leave

·      Continuing to breathe when you would love to scream and tell the instructor what you REALLY think of her class

The same week I (barely) survived the 5 minute downward dog challenge, my leadership program team fell apart.   I was frustrated, irritated, and considered quitting the program. 

But then, I found myself reflecting on my yoga insight – that the moment when you want to escape is when yoga begins.  And I realized it applies to many facets of life.

I realized that, like yoga, the moment I want to give up, is the moment true leadership begins.  So I wiped the tears, calmed the anger, and gave my leadership team another chance. 

I know that staying, pushing through, being present, and breathing (like I did in yoga), helped shape me as a leader. It strengthened the relationships I had with those on my team. It taught me that I’m stronger than I could imagine.  

·      I forgave when I didn’t think it was possible

·      I listened to understand, before I worried about being understood 

·      I apologized for my mistakes

·      I went beyond what I thought was possible and with my team, created an incredible presentation and research project to serve the community for years to come

Whether you are a leading a team, a company, a family, a non-profit organization, a volunteer committee or your own life (yes, this includes you!), there always comes a moment when you are ready to give up.

You’re exhausted.

You’ve tried everything. 

That person is unreasonable. Impossible.

It’s not worth it.

Except it IS worth it.  It’s not easy.  Believe me when I say I have wanted to walk away from sticky, messy, uncomfortable situations .  But this is when leadership activates.  This is your chance to magnify who you are and what you are capable of.

Pushing yourself through challenge is where the expansion of self happens.

It’s the painful, sweaty, shaky moments where your true strength, courage and grit comes out.

On and off the yoga mat.

If there’s a tough situation in your life right now, this is for you. 

You are strong. You are smart.  You are whole.  You are creative.

That moment when you want to quit is when leadership begins. 

That is the instant that you break free of your comfort zone.

This is the moment when you become who you are meant to be.

Namaste

-  Lisa Michaud

Success Coach

www.lisamichaud.com

PS.  At 3 ½ minutes I did fall over.  So of course, I still have “5 minute downward dog” on my list of life goals. 

What’s on your list of life goals?  I love hearing about what you want to do in your wild and wonderful life!  Get in touch at lisa@lisamichaud.com and share with me some of your goals and dreams.  I’ll keep it in my mind as I create content and programs to help you achieve them!

What I learned because I refused to learn

“Dad, stop speaking Spanish. Speak English.”

A few weeks ago, I was hosting some guests from Europe and took them to beautiful Grouse Mountain, in Vancouver.  For those that have never been, it’s stunning.  Imagine being surrounded by panoramic views of the city, the ocean, and mountains.  I highly recommend Grouse Mountain for anyone visiting Vancouver – accessible by gondola OR the Grouse Grind hike (2830 stairs to the top) for those that want an extra reward at the top (the reward being sweaty satisfaction).  Here's a picture for you in case you want to know what the reward of doing 2830 stairs looks like.

Up on the mountain, we ate a delicious lunch. We laughed and enjoyed our rich history of forestry at the Lumberjack show.  We experienced Canada’s wildlife by seeing two grizzly bears up close (they are in a protected area so thankfully not too close!).

As I stood and watched the bears cool off in the water during the hot day, there was a family next to me. The son was about 4 years old and his father said something to him in Spanish.  The little boy was embarrassed and said to his father “dad, stop speaking Spanish!  Speak English!”

I couldn’t help but laugh.  He was so sure of himself. So sure that he was right –that he should be speaking English. It was cute.  Adorable. Hilarious.

The father probably didn’t think it was so cute.

I leaned over and told the father to keep doing what he was doing.  That one day his son would appreciate it.

I know this from personal experience.

I was that little boy. Except, well, I was a little girl.  And it wasn’t Spanish for me. It was Croatian and Italian.  But otherwise, those exact words could have come out of my mouth at his age.

When I was growing up, my parents spoke Croatian to me. And I hated it.  It was at a time in my life when I didn’t want to be different. I wanted to be like everyone else.  

I didn’t think learning was cool.  But I didn’t have a choice. Croatian was what we spoke in our house and it wasn’t optional.

My parents also spoke Italian and tried teaching me.  I used to call Italian “the angry language” because it sounded like people were yelling.  (It turns out Italians are just really passionate when they speak and not, in fact, angry).

Regardless, I refused to learn it.  I missed out on learning Italian.  I rejected every opportunity to speak it and hear it.

And I regret that I was as persistent and stubborn in not learning Italian as a child because it sure would have been easier to learn it growing up.

When I grew older, I discovered what I called “the angry language,” most people called “the language of love and romance.”

Go figure.

Today, whenever we go to Italy, I learn as much as I can before I arrive. I practice any word I can. I hang on to every word I hear because I think the language is so beautiful.  I wish I could have learned when I was younger.  With my parents to teach me. With my family to practice with.  And a lifetime to improve. 

As disappointed as I am in myself about Italian, I’m super grateful my parents did NOT listen to me when it came to teaching me Croatian.  I argued learning Croatian but my parents made sure learning Croatian was mandatory. 

I’m proud that I can speak a second language (and another half language if you count the Mandarin I brush up on during trips to China).

I love that I can speak to my relatives in Croatia whenever we visit.  I treasure that I can connect with my family in such a personal way, even though they live across the world and we have grown up so differently. 

Croatian comes in handy when Troy and I travel – I’m always his personal translator in any country with similar languages (Montenegro, Czech Republic and Slovenia, so far).  And I never know when I will hear someone speaking Croatian as I travel around the world. In fact, in February, I met two Croatian gentlemen in Cuba after I heard them speaking it at a restaurant.  It’s incredible for connecting with strangers AND for practical things like asking where the bathroom is.

What I’ve learned through learning Croatian and NOT learning Italian is profound for me.  And it’s true for you too.

·      Being different is not only OK, it’s vital for many of the best things in life.  What you have seen, learned and been through in your life is what makes you special and interesting.  Our distinctive cultures are beautiful and meant to be shared.  Our mix of learning, experiences and culture makes each of us irreplaceable.   And today, I’m proud to be uniquely me!  I want you to be proud to be uniquely you too!

·      As humans, we need to push ourselves into the uncomfortable.  There are always times we want to give up.  Times we feel the learning is pointless, or isn’t worth the hassle.  But our own development is irreplaceable.  The reward always comes after we’ve pushed ourselves enough to deserve the incredible learning.  And sometimes the reward is just knowing we did it and proving we could! 

·      As a parent, as a leader, as a friend, sometimes we have to push others past an uncomfortable point.  I’m so glad my parents encouraged me to learn Croatian. I am impressed they could resist my stubborn nature and am forever appreciative of their tenacity.

Through languages – those I learned and those I didn’t – I’ve discovered that all learning is incredible.

Learning is a gift.  It is sometimes uncomfortable, challenging, and perhaps even embarrassing. 

But no learning is ever wasted or futile.

The next time you have the opportunity to learn, take it.  If you haven’t learned something new in a while, it’s never too late.  (I truly believe I will be able to speak Italian one day, hopefully sooner than later).   And please don’t be afraid to teach.  Teaching takes patience, kindness, understanding, and grace.  Even when you are met with resistance, persist.  You may not know it yet, but you will change lives.

Learn or teach others to:

·      Take beautiful pictures

·      Make incredible cocktails in a bartending class

·      Sing

·      Play piano

·      Swim

·      Manage time better

·      Cook Indian food

·      Appreciate art

·      Understand your finances

Learning and teaching will give you:

·      Confidence

·      Joy

·      Experiences

·      An open mind

·      Friendship

·      New skills

·      A conversation starter when meeting others

·      Growth

·      The “cool factor” – yes learning is cool!

Now it’s your turn. 

Go learn.  Teach.  Connect.  Grow.

Thank you to my parents for teaching me Croatian and for never giving up on me.

And know that one day, I’ll speak to you in “the language of love.”

--Lisa Michaud

Success Coach

PS.   The last “The Spark” 4-week One-on-One Coaching Package is now gone!  But, because you are such loyal readers and I love you (I really do!), I’ve decided to offer one more at the last-chance price of $500 for my readers only.  After this, the price goes up to $600.  If you’re looking to be encouraged, I’m here to support and uplift you.  If you want more learning in your life, you’ll be amazed at how much we can accomplish together in 30 days.  If you’re looking to be pushed and challenged, let’s get you kick-started to next adventure in life! 

Contact me at lisa@lisamichaud.com and mention this post to get the special pricing. I’d love to connect (for free) to see if we’re a good fit and find out what’s next for you on your learning journey.

Are you wasting 70% of your time?

“Everybody’s working for the weekend...”

Ahhh…a great song. Nostaligic beats. Just hearing the song might take you back to your younger years.  Or maybe you’re younger than me and don’t know the song, in which case you should YouTube it. Now.

As great as the song is, I think “working for the weekend” is bullshit.

Utter, complete bullshit.

Why?

Your life is meant to be full.  Full of fun.  Full of life.  Full of memories and good times.

Too often I hear people telling me they “can’t do anything on week nights.” We frequently laugh and make jokes, calling those nights “school nights.”  As if our parents and school principal are still telling us what we can and can’t do.

It's time to never waste a week night again.

Let’s do some simple math.

There are seven days and nights in a week.

You work five days.

You get two nights a week that you don’t have to work the next day.

That means you only have fun 2/7 nights.

That’s only 28% of your nights. 

If you’re working for the weekend, you are wasting more than 70% of your evenings. Considering you spend 40+ hours at work in a week, wasting 70% of your evenings is just plain stupid.

So, I challenge you to make the most of your weeknights. In those evenings, you could be making time to:

• Cook your favourite meal
• Have a Skype date with a friend
• Take a photography course you’ve been dying to take
• Go to sleep early because sometimes sleep is just soooooo good
• Schedule a hot date night with that special someone…or say yes to a weeknight date with someone new! 
• Book that yoga class because even if you do fall asleep, at least you showed up

These nights are precious time. Your time is valuable. Don’t waste it in front of the TV.  Don’t waste it too exhausted to focus.  Don’t waste it on housework.

And guess what – if at the end of the day you are too tired and mentally exhausted from a job you don’t love?

Then you REALLY need to take my advice and make a change. 

• Work on resumes you keep saying you will submit
• Sign up for a new course
• Commit to one networking event a week.  Hint: networking doesn’t have to be stuffy events with suits. It can be joining a hiking group, volunteering for a local non-profit, or a happy-hour with new friends
• Start a side-business to test a career move before you leap

There’s time for wonderful indulgences every day.  Movement towards our goals.  Small, simple pleasures.  Sweet memories.  Love. Laughter. 

There's time for Growth. Learning. Working for our goals. Reaching our dreams.  Celebration.  New connection.  Expanding ourselves and our life.

But it’s only yours if you stop wasting your time.

Go get what you want tonight! 

 - Lisa

Success Coach 

www.lisamichaud.com

PS - Here's proof that I DO live life and go out (yes, even on school nights).  One afternoon after work, some friends and I drove up to Whistler, just for the evening.  In just a few hours, we did a 5km run, relaxed at the world class Scandinave Spa and sampled beer and dinner at Howe Sound Brewing.

 I can't wait to hear what YOU do with all your extra time! 

The Advice You Should Never Take

“Never take advice from someone you wouldn’t trade places with.”

This is one of my favourite quotes.

I remember a lovely first date I had with my (new at the time) friend Matt Corker. 

For anyone who hasn’t heard of or met Matt – if you live in Vancouver, you’ve been living under a rock – this guy knows EVERYONE! And it’s because he’s fantastic. 

Matt and I were out for a run the first time we met and we got into the discussion of working women – one of my favourite topics. At the time, Matt worked for lululemon. I told him that I believed it was possible to “have it all” – work and family.

I also told him that I felt like I had it all but didn’t know many other people who did. 

Do you ever feel like this too?  Do you ever feel like you’re the only one?

The narrative out there seemed to be that “having it all” was a myth. Or that telling women they could “have it all” was cruel, and makes those who don’t have it all feel worse about themselves.

Not good.

Matt said something very profound to me.

He said, “If you think you can’t have it all, you’re talking to the wrong person.”

Bam.

Of course. 

Someone who doesn’t have it all will probably tell you it’s not possible. They’ll tell you it’s a myth, and that you have to pick between work , fun, and family. 

Matt hit the nail on the head. If you ask the right women, they will show you it’s possible. At lululemon, he knew many female executives who still made time to exercise, volunteer, and raise families. 

The same goes for men.  If you ask the right men, they will share wonderful stories from their paternity leave, of backpacking trips through Europe and exciting business accomplishments.

Let’s remember that “having it all” doesn’t mean there aren’t sacrifices. Tough decisions. Constant prioritization. And support required. 

But it IS possible! And isn’t prioritizing, making decisions, and being deliberate in what you do a HELL of a lot better than the alternative? 

Being deliberate beats missing out on having kids that you would love to have. 

Prioritizing beats being lonely because you’ve spent too much time at the office. 

Making the decision to set boundaries with your boss (or your business) sure beats missing a best friend’s bachelorette party or birthday.

Do you ever feel like you know it’s possible but just aren’t sure how to “have it all”?   

Here’s how you can get there too.

1)  Having it all starts with figuring out what “having it all” means to you. 

For some, it will mean running a marathon a year. 

For others, it will mean having three kids. 

For others (like me), it means travelling to new countries every year.

For many of us, it means having great family and friend relationships.

I believe we can have all this and also have rewarding, challenging and engaging work to do!

2)  Having it all also means surrounding yourself with other women and men who feel like they have it all. 

• Reach out to a friend or mentor who is clearly happy and fulfilled in their lives, and learn from them. 
• Talk to your friends about what “having it all” means to you, and to them. Support each other and encourage them to “have it all” too.

3)  Having it all means being deliberate with your time and consciously creating the life you want. This might mean:

• Setting the alarm early to have breakfast with your partner and kids because you aren’t always home for dinner.
• Saying no to volunteering for the fundraiser.
• Pumping the song “You can have it all” by JRDN in moments of doubt. Which literally just came on my iTunes random playlist.  Yup – it’s a sign – we can have it all!
• Having a conversation with your boss about after-hours emails.
• Working late some week nights and weekends so you can take a Friday off and head out on a wine-tasting weekend early.
• Taking paid or unpaid leave of absence to spend more time travelling.

All of these things become HEAPS easier when you know you’re doing it because you want to have it all.  

And you deserve to have it all.

--Lisa

Success Coach

PS If you’re looking for awesome books to get into the structure of HOW to have it all, I highly recommend Laura Vanderkam’s books168 Hours and I Know How She Does It.  I’ll be sharing learnings from her work from time-to-time but if you are super passionate about this topic, get her books now!  Side note - If you do follow my links, they don't cost you anything extra and keep me reading and recommending only the best books and advice for you!

The only thing you can count on... and it's not taxes or death

"The only thing that is constant is change"

Heraclitus. 

See, there isn’t always a next time.

I learned this, luckily, not through heartbreaking tragedy.

I learned it over some late-night sushi, karaoke and a few too many sake bombs.

There was a group of girls – Jessica, Nicole and I - that would hang out as often as possible. We’d go for sushi, have some wine, chat and laugh until our stomachs hurt.  

That summer, I went to Europe and I was gone for almost a month.  The night I got home, my girlfriends planned a night out to catch up.  

I was exhausted.

Troy and I had been traveling for over 42 hours.  We trained from Berlin to Frankfurt.  Flew from Frankfurt to Vancouver.  We sky-trained, sea-bused, drove, and then flew again from Vancouver to Calgary.  And then Calgary to Fort McMurray. And drove home.

The last thing I wanted to do was go out.  I just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep because I had to work the next morning (needless to say, I like to maximize my vacation time).

Can you relate? 

But a little part of me just felt like I should go.  I should at least say hello to the girls.  So as Troy went to bed, I went out.

It was the best thing I did.

Being around fun people, I woke up. 

I laughed until my stomach hurt. 

I karaoke-ed  until I lost my voice.

I forgot about being tired.

I told them about my trip.  I shared stories of boating with my family in Croatia.  About how delicious the food in Italy was and what an original Bellini from Harry’s Bar in Venice actually was (spoiler alert – it’s not from a slushy machine and it IS life-changing).   I heard about Jessica and Nicole’s summer,  full of camping, working, and taking in the long Northern summer nights.

Nothing made this dinner a special occasion. 

It would have been so easy to stay in bed.

There was nothing monumental about this dinner.

There was no one unusual there or from out of town visiting.

There was no special food on the menu that night.

No happy hour deals.  No “restaurant-closing” events.

I had every reason to avoid going.  

It would have been easy to say “I’ll go next time.”  

I cringe to think about what would have happened if I had said that. 

There’s 2 things I learned that night:

• I felt so much better as soon as I got to my dinner plans.  The hardest thing is often getting off the couch and out of the house.  I always feel great once I’ve gotten out of my house and I’m on my way!

• Things change.  Always.  In hindsight, I learned that this was our last dinner together as a sushi girl-gang.  And every moment matters.

Now I promised you this wasn’t tragic and it’s not. 

BUT….

All of my friends moved away within 6 weeks of that dinner.  None of us knew it at the time.  But within 2 months, we were all in different cities.

That had been our last chance.

I learned that...

There isn’t always a “next time.”   

I’ve had the pleasure of continuing my friendship with both of these incredible women. 

If it’s something that is important,  I need to make time for it. 

We’ve danced in Hawaii for Nicole’s wedding. 

We sipped wine together in Kelowna for my wedding. 

We cooked a gourmet meal in Canmore for Jessica’s stagette.

But we have never again had sushi and sake bombs at our watering hole. 

That simple dinner taught me to embrace the moment because things always change.

So, is there something you have been waiting for the perfect moment to do?  

Are you choosing too often to stay in instead of have fun because you’re too tired?

Do you only make exceptions when you expect things to be unique?  Do you only make the effort when it’s a weekend? A special occasion?  An out-of-town guest?

What are you saying no to because “it’s a school night?”  (Even though you and I know perfectly well you’re not in school.  And it’s just an excuse).  

Take my story and learn from it too.  It’s not incredibly dramatic.  It doesn’t involve heartbreak, or tragedy.

But it is truth.

I want you to seize the moment.  

Because this moment is the only one like it.

And it’s yours for the taking.

Go get it.

 - Lisa

Success Coach 

www.lisamichaud.com

PS.  The only thing that is constant is change and one of the things that is changing is price.  I’m almost sold-out of “The Spark” package at the introductory price of $500.  I have 1 package left and after that, the price increases to $650.  If you’ve been wondering if this package is for you, get in touch with me today!  Consider this your message to seize the moment (and this great price!) before it disappears.  We’ll schedule a free discovery session and see how coaching can change your life – starting now! 

Why your job title doesn't matter and you can throw away your degree

Ok so don’t throw away your degree.  It was probably a lot of work, pretty expensive and you likely had some fun times which you may (or may not) remember from buck-a-beer nights.

But a job title and a degree aren’t the end-all, be-all to your career.

There’s a lot more to a brilliant career. 

A few years into my career, I worked on a project where I helped relocate people from Fort McMurray to Calgary.  Ironically, through the project, it was decided that my job would also be moving. Troy (my boyfriend at the time) and I chatted about it. It was right at the 2-year mark of my time in Fort McMurray.  However, I still loved living in the city.   We were making great friends. We'd just bought our dream house. I wasn't ready to leave. 

But I couldn't stay in my current job AND stay in our community.

I needed to find a new job.  Within my current company. 

At the time, most of my work experience had been in HR.  And I really liked HR.  My degrees were in Accounting and Finance and I had zero interest working in either of those.  I wanted to stay in HR.  Unfortunately, there were only two options for me.  Recruiting or Advising.  And neither appealed to me. 

I was stuck.

What was I going to do?

I loved the company and didn't want to leave.

I didn't want to move.

I just wanted to work in HR.  

Why did things have to change? 

Completely lost, I sat down with my mentor. I explained my predicament and while I felt like my life was spinning out of control, he didn't seem so concerned.

"Why don't you look outside of HR?"

For a minute, I was confused.  Had he not just heard everything I said?  I wanted to stay in HR.  But I couldn't stay in HR.  But I wanted to stay in it.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

The advice that followed changed the trajectory of my career and life.  And now I want to share it with you.

My mentor asked me what kind of work I liked doing.  And I wasn’t allowed to answer “HR”. 

Needless to say I was stumped at first.  But then the genius came through.

He challenged me to think about what I enjoyed doing.  Not the subject, but the WORK itself.  What kind of WORK did I enjoy?

My career, he explained (and literally drew for me), wasn't linear.  He was (and still is) a mining engineer.  You'd think something like "mine engineer" would be pretty specific and a straight line to the top. 

But he drew out a map of his career for me regardless. I saw that even as a mining engineer, he'd worked in a lot of different areas of the business.  Some that had nothing to do with mining. Some that certainly didn't focus on engineering.  

And here he was loving his work.  In a very senior role.  At a young age.  Being a great leader.  And he was having fun doing it!

I had nothing to lose, so I took his advice.

Over the following few weeks, I started paying attention. I paid attention to what I enjoyed doing.  

(Side note:  You might remember me giving you this advice a few months ago.  I told you to start writing down what you enjoy doing.  If you haven't done it yet, do it now.  I swear it's extremely valuable!)

So back to my career crisis.  Here’s what my reflection came up with:

•   Presenting at meetings - enjoyed

•   Sitting at the computer analyzing spreadsheets - wanted to gouge eyes out

•   Explaining HR metrics to senior leadership - wanted to gouge their eyes out

•   Developing content and material for emails, presentations, stewardship reports – enjoyed

•   Facilitating awkward, messy conversations to find awesome outcomes – made me forget to eat, drink, and pee (I figured that was a fantastic sign!)

I came back to our next mentorship session proud of my list. From there, he encouraged me to start looking at job postings through this new lens.  To start looking at job descriptions with the criteria I created, instead of only the jobs in the HR department, or that had HR in the title. 

Suddenly a world of job opportunities and possibilities opened up.

Soon after this critical mindset shift, I found an opening for a Learning Coordinator role.  I applied, and I got it.  And I got a sweet 20% raise and extra bonuses on top of it!

A year later, I had gained more insight into what I liked and didn't like in my work. I didn't like repetition.  I loved project work.  I didn't like fire-fighting crises every day.

I was ready for another change.  Looking at job descriptions through this new lens, I wasn't stuck on just HR or Learning jobs.  I changed completely and went to job in the "Engineering" category (can you imagine?!).   I was offered a job as a Continuous Improvement Specialist and it fit all my new criteria.  And I got another raise (YES!).

As you can see, opening my eyes to the careers I could do allowed me to:

•   Gain incredible experience in diverse fields

•   Rapidly increase my income

•   Learn a new skill set

•   Be continuously challenged

•   Never get bored

•   Network with people across the company and get sh*t done through great relationships

•   Blow people's minds with how much I knew about other parts of our company and our business

•   Successfully avoid ever being an accountant (Amen!)

Here’s what you need to know about your career:

•   Most careers are not linear anymore

•   The more experience you have in different departments, the more value you bring

•   If you have experience in multiple areas, you can qualify for leadership opportunities in all of them

•   Your career doesn't have to focus on what you went to school for

•   Your career aspirations should not be about any title or department

Here’s what your career SHOULD focus on:

•   What fires you up

•   What engages you

•   What you find interesting

•   What you love doing

•   What you are good at

•   What keeps you doing what you want. Here are some examples.

◦       Learning

◦       Focusing on efficiency

◦       Project-work

◦       Specializing

◦       Being challenged

◦       Working on the fly (fire-fighting, as I call it!)

So, if you are contemplating a change but you're stuck, like I was, consider a mindset shift. Maybe you need to re-think your career like I did. 

Track what you love.  Take notes of the work you've really enjoyed doing. All the times you forget to eat lunch, or you don't even want to get up to pee -- star those things.  And go find more opportunities to do those things!

This shift has made all the difference.  Each day, I focus on the type of work I enjoy doing.  I structure my business to do what I love doing.  Heck, maybe you even need to go rogue and become an entrepreneur like me! 

 Think about your career in terms of the TYPE of WORK you do, instead of the subject.  

And watch the options in front of your eyes expand  -- and your career to grow into what YOU want it to be!

Expand your horizon and watch the world of opportunities open up!

Time to go eat and pee (because yes, writing is on my list of loves!)

-Lisa

Success Coach

PS. It’s my mission to help women (and men!) like you from around the world OWN and LOVE your career.  If you know a friend who’s unhappy and feels stuck in her career, share this post!  If you have a friend who’s looking for another job because she isn’t satisfied, forward her the link.  And make sure you sign up on my homepage www.lisamichaud.com so you never misses my career tips, insights and tools.  

Crush Your Dreaded To-Do List By Doing This First

I always hated running as a kid. I was consistently the slowest runner in my class.  I just didn’t enjoy it.

All that changed a few years ago when I found an amazing running gang to join.  I had the pleasure of leading a group of incredible running men and women for 3 years in Fort McMurray.

Since then, I’ve done 5 half marathons.  Run many times in weather as cold as -30 degrees.  Celsius.  (In case you’re wondering, yup that’s as cold as it sounds and it hurts.). I’ve run hung-over.  I’ve given up mid-run to stop for frozen yogurt. 

It’s all been possible because I loved running.

Recently though, I started hating it.  Dreading it.  Scheduling it and just ignoring the reminders that came up on my phone.

I finally started asking myself “why?”  

At first, I asked self-deprecating questions.  Like “why am I bailing on running?”  That didn’t help.  I would answer it with “because I’m lazy.  Or stupid.”  That kind of talk didn’t get me anywhere. Telling myself I’m lazy and stupid?  That’s just not nice.  Or true.

So I asked myself the different “why”.  I asked “why do I want to run”?  And “why is running important to me”?  And through this, I rediscovered my LOVE for running.

WHY.

It’s such a powerful question. 

Pair it with WANT and you’ve exponentially grown the power of the question.

Here’s how it worked:

Why do I want to run?

Because I love being outside.

Because it feels so good to move my body.

Because I love getting sweaty.

Why is running important to me?

Because the thrill of a race is one of the most awe-inspiring feelings I’ve ever experienced.

Because there is nothing better than a great running conversation.

Because I want to be active and healthy during my whole, long life.

For the sake of what am I running?

Because each time I do it, I feel incredible afterwards.

Because I want prove to myself that I can do it!

Suddenly, running has become fun again.  I’m looking forward to it.  I am LOVING it again.

So, what's on your dreaded to-do list? What chore can you redefine?  Where can you ask yourself “why is this important”? 

What lame-ass thing do you “have to” do this week? 

What email are you putting off writing?

What presentation are you dreading creating? 

What awkward conversation are you avoiding? 

What errand are you procrastinating on week after week?   

What exercise commitment are you breaking to yourself?

I ask you:

Why do you want to do it?

For the sake of what are you doing it?

Why is this important to you?

Ask “why”.  Why do you “have to” do it?

Is it because you want the best work environment for your team?

Is it because you want to congratulate a colleague on their new job?  

Is it because you want to showcase the amazing work of your team in front of your superiors? 

Is it because you want nutritional food in your body to give you energy?

Is it because you want a passport to travel to a best friend’s wedding?

Suddenly, you’ll understand why you’re really doing something.  You will connect deeply to the powerful motivation, emotions and dreams you have within.

Charles Duhigg says it beautifully in his brilliant book Smarter, Faster, Better.  In life, “once we start asking why, those small tasks become pieces of a larger constellation of meaningful projects, goals, projects and values.”   You can start to recognize how small chores and tasks are a part of the bigger picture.  These tasks tie to the big emotional “what” in your life.  They prove that you have choices. 

Knowing the “why” reminds you that you are in control of your life.

Doing any of these small tasks and chores on their own often seem boring.  Remedial.  Stressful.

Yet it is the every day that matters.  It is the small things that create the joy in your life.  The happiness.  The fulfillment. The satisfaction.  The memories.

You need to connect these to something you deeply want in your life.  Tie them to a DREAM you have.  Attach what you’re doing to what you most desire.

Once you make the “why” connection, everything changes. Doing that task, that chore, becomes a gift.  Ok – maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. No amount of connection to my desire for hosting awesome guests makes me think cleaning a toilet is a gift.  But it certainly shifts my mindset.   And it makes what I’m doing a choice. 

It reminds me that I’m in control of my life. 

And you are in control of your life.

Connecting to your why sparks transformation. Suddenly your “to-do” is meaningful. It becomes an opportunity to create the life you want to live.  It’s proof that living a dream life is possible – because you’re DOING IT!

If you don’t have a good “why” answer, I challenge you to reconsider even doing it.  And in case you are wondering, “because I have to” is NOT a valid response.

If you don’t have a good reason as to “why”, I challenge you to not do that task.

It’s that simple.  It will make the difference. You’ll be living a life that is deliberate.   Living a life that is full of “want to’s”. 

Living a life that is created by YOUR choices! 

That will make you happier.  This will make your “to-do” list seem less overwhelming.  You’ll be more relaxed. You’ll be more grateful.  You’ll be more engaged as you do the things you do during the week because you are CHOOSING to do them.  You know WHY you are doing it (and it feels so good!) 

Ask WHY.  Know why it MATTERS.  Reclaim your power to choose. 

Create the life YOU want.

Lisa

PS. On this cloudy Vancouver day, I had to ask myself the “why does this matter” question while writing this too.  Happiness, success, pride – it all takes discipline and it’s a constant journey.   I’m no exception. If you, like me, need to make asking “why you want it” a habit, here’s some suggestions:

·      Create a reminder in your calendar to ask “why does this matter” when you review your to-do list every morning. 

·      Put a sticky note on your computer to remind yourself. 

·      Share this newsletter with a friend or partner and commit to each other to ask each other “why is it important” the next time you’re lacking motivation. 

·      Turn on the “Wannabe” song and crank it when the Spice Girls ask you to “tell me what you want, what you really really want.”  After you’re done dancing around the house, make sure you say (or sing!) what you want, what you really really want.

 You’ll either find the spark you need to just do it or erase it from your list altogether. 

 Either way, consider that to-do list crushed! 

Zigazig Ah to that!