Here's how to change career paths. Even if you're afraid.

Is the career path you want to take unexpected?  Unique? Unchartered? Or unconventional?

Do you feel scared to take the first step?  Worried you’ll disappoint someone?  Afraid to take a risk?  Or nervous you’ll end up broke eating ramen for dinner every night? 

I truly believe you deserve to love your work and your life.

I believe it’s possible to enjoy what you do in your career. 

And when you love your 9-5, it spills awesomeness and joy into the rest of your life.

You’ve heard it from me. Now I want to share a story about the journey Kimiko Stella has taken to get to a place of real life career love.

A few months ago, I was getting my hair styled by the lovely Kimiko.  Mid-shampoo, I casually asked her “do you like your job?”  (It’s a habit – I can’t turn the coach off.)

Her eyes lit up. She grinned, threw her head back and said “YES! I love my job”. 

From that moment, I knew I needed to know more.  So I got the chance to sit down with her for some lunch (and bottomless mimosas) to get deeper into her story.

Kimiko has inspired me and I know she will inspire you.

Kimiko is a 30-something Japanese Italian woman who is feminine, strong and beautiful inside and out.   Growing up, she was surrounded by amazing women.  She has a very strong mother, a sweet and gentle aunt, and a Nona you don’t want to mess with (let’s be honest, is there any Nona you would mess with?!).
 
 
Life wasn’t always easy for Kimiko.  She struggled with depression.   She has been married and divorced.  She’s a survivor of sexual assault.  She took the unconventional path in her career and it put a strain on her relationship with her family.   At the age of 26, she came out to her family as a lesbian.
 

But all the steps in her journey have led her to become a seriously inspiring badass, and a force to be reckoned with!
 

Today, she’s a hairstylist in one of the top salons in Vancouver, Brush Salon (check them out!).  She gets to do hair for all sorts of glamorous events like Vancouver Fashion Week, and several TV shows filmed in Vancouver.  Somewhere in there, she does regular people hair like mine.
 

Every day, she goes to work and LOVES her job.  And she’s fiercely confident. She’s uniquely herself. 
 
 

Here’s Kimiko’s journey to becoming a top stylist in the city.
 
 
Growing up, Kimiko was encouraged to take a traditional path.  Go to school, they told her.  We’ll pay for your education.  Do something that will make you money and be stable.  Needless to say, Kimiko’s family did not support her being a hair stylist. 
 
 
Their vision for her was one of an academic path.  So, she dabbled in kinesiology, counseling, nutrition, customer service and radio broadcasting – things she was interested in but not passionate about. 
 
 
Her family was supportive of her education, even going so far as to paying for her education as long as it was on their terms. 
 
 
Have you ever worried what your family might think if you quit your job?  Or if you changed your major?  Or went back to school?
 
 
Kimiko knew she wanted to be a hair stylist.  But she also knew they wouldn’t be happy with her decision. 
 
 
She needed to overcome this huge roadblock. For Kimiko, she came to the realization that she had to be ok with - and accept - that she was going to let people down.  This was not an easy journey. 
 
 
But she knew she wasn’t going to be able to follow the path others set out for her.  
 

She knew the journey she was on, easy or not, would be her own.
 
 
 
And she knew it would be worth the challenge.   


 
She took out her own student loan.
 
Made the decision to say goodbye to academics. 
 
And faced many difficult conversations. 
 
 

She shared with her family that as much as she loved them, she was going to follow her dream and passion to be a hair stylist.
 

 
Lesson #1 – Sometimes you have to walk the path alone.  Sometimes the path gets darker and more challenging, before it gets easy.  It will be worth it.  
 

 


Kimiko’s story is painful and strikingly honest.  It’s also one that I know isn’t only Kimiko’s.
 
 
Many of the men and women I know have grown up with similar messages.  Well-intentioned families, teachers and even friends tell us “you can be whatever you want to be”.   
 

But as soon as we step away from the classic “acceptable”and “stable” jobs, fearful comments and ominous warnings instantly begin. 
 
 

This is incredibly difficult.  As children, we want our parent's approval. As we grow up, we want our family and friends to support us.  To go against their cautions and wishes is counter to most of what we’ve been brought up doing. 
 
 
She persisted despite their growing fears for her.  One family member even told her “you’re going to be living in the gutter if you have that job.”  
 
 
For Kimiko, she knew her family’s worries and anxieties existed because they didn’t understand the business.  But she DID understand the business.  Kimiko knew her passion and creativity meant she would be successful!  She wasn’t worried about not making it.  Instead, she focused on following her dreams and has become a mega-successful hair stylist.  
 
 

Lesson #2 – People will project their fears onto you.  While they might mean well, know yourself enough to know if your fears are your own… or someone else’s. 
 

 
Kimiko wanted to be a hairstylist enough that she was willing to go through the challenges, the financial struggle, and family turmoil because it would be worth it.
 
 
For Kimiko, hair styling is about art. It’s about growing a business. It’s about connecting with people and genuinely making them happy.   It’s about relationships. 
 

And that is what she wanted deeply for herself – to have fun and make others happy.  
 
 

Lesson #3 – Your desire for your dreams has to be greater than your fear of taking a risk.
 

 
As you’re probably realizing, Kimiko is a deeply insightful, strong and intelligent woman (on top of being an amazing stylist).  Her wisdom is inspiring and beautiful. 
 
 
What Kimiko knows for sure:

• Our choices are ultimately what define our personality. What we choose to do and our actions, are our soul being bare to the world.   Your words and what you say is one thing, but your actions are ultimately a reflection of your true colors.  So take action to create the live you want and need!

• Societal pressures and expectations will shape us, without us even realizing it.   But your life belongs to you.  Get clear on what you want and be true to that.

• Careers are an important part of our lives.  It’s what we do for 30 - 50 hours a week.  And the right career is nourishing. It feeds you (pay check, stomach, and soul).

• Historically, femininity has too often been about being docile, submissive, gentle, quiet and small.  But now, there’s a chance (a need!) for women to be present, have a voice, and stand up.  It’s time for women to show the world who we are. 

• “Strength is having no regrets and no shame in what you believe in.”  Kimiko strongly believes that there are times that the situations we are in are uncomfortable. The setting hits a prickly nerve.  With friends or family, this is even harder - it’s icky, gross, nitty and gritty. And necessary.  Stick with what you believe in – it is the definition of strength.

 
 
Are you wondering how you could possibly create a career you love?
 
 
Here’s Kimiko’s advice for getting success on your terms:

• Have a constant pursuit of happiness.  Happiness doesn’t come to you automatically.  Make it a mindful effort to chase and explore what brings you joy and delight.  It’s why we’re here on this planet.

• Always be reflecting and growing.    There are so many people who live life on autopilot and end up drifting wherever life takes them.  Don’t do that. Be consciously living and critically making choices to take advantage of this short, beautiful life you have been given.

• Learn. All the time.  Every part of your journey is building you to get you where you need to go.  It all happens for a reason and it will pay off. 

• Take risks and make mistakes. Sometimes you get hurt. Sometimes you fall down pretty bad.  No risk, no glory. 

• It’s not too late.  Even if you have no idea what it is you want.  If you know you’re not loving what you’re doing, take the first step. Be ok without knowing and get curious about yourself and what’s next for you.

 
 




I’m so honoured to share Kimiko’s story.  I am deeply grateful to her for opening up her soul and sharing her story with all of us.
 

 
I am humbled by her authenticity.  But most of all, I KNOW her story is going to resonate for so many of you.  

 

Her courage is palpable. 

 
She's courageous for standing her ground.
 
She's courageous for taking a risk.
 
She's courageous for following her passion.
 
She's courageous for sharing her story with us.
 
She's courageous for opening up to help you.
 
 
 

My hope is that you will also be inspired by Kimiko’s courage. 
 
 
My biggest wish for you is that if you are in a place in your career that you aren't happy, you start taking the steps to find joy in what you do. Today.  
 
My longing is that you explore your deepest desires and give yourself permission to want more. 
 

My dream for you is that you find the courage within yourself to create the life that you want. 
 
 
Because your life DOES belong to you.  To you and you alone. 
 
 
And you deserve to design your beautiful life into the one that you really, truly, madly, courageously and deeply want.

Thank you Kimiko, for your huge gift - reminding all of us that courage and strength pay off with huge bonuses of joy, purpose, and passion.
 
 
 - Lisa
Success Coach
www.lisamichaud.com
 


 

PS.  My hair is also eternally grateful that you, Kimiko, a) followed your heart and b) I found you.  
 
 
PPS.   If you're not on my mailing list, you're seriously missing out.  If you are reading this on the internet (my blog, Linkedin, etc), you're not getting exclusive tips, products, contests, and gifts.  It's time to change that. Don't miss out anymore -  Sign up for my newsletter today!

Are you feeling stuck? Here's how to break free

Last year, when I moved to Vancouver, I bought a street bike for the first time ever.  I hadn’t regularly ridden a bike in over 15 years.
 
 
But… riding a bike is like, well, riding a bike right?  You don’t forget… do you?
 
 
It turns out you do. Or at least I do.  I went for a bike ride with my husband Troy and our friend and I was terrible.
 
I couldn’t figure out the gears. I was slow (and very sweaty). 
 
I couldn’t keep up.  Was scared to brake. Petrified to drive in traffic.  Couldn’t keep my balance well enough to throw up hand signals. 
 
 
In hindsight, I was even a little dangerous. 
 
 
My friends were teasing me about it.  “Wow – Lisa, you’re a terrible biker.” 
 
 
“We’ll meet you there in a few hours”.
 

We had a few laughs about it both that day and whenever the topic of me biking comes up.
 
 
I can totally laugh about it and I am genuinely not offended.
 
 
But here’s what I did do.
 
 
I took on the identity that I was “slow, terrible, biking Lisa”.
 
 
I believed that I was bad at biking.  Full stop.
 
 
I started telling myself “I’m just a bad bike rider.  I better not ride with others. And I definitely can’t ride in traffic.”


Well - isn't that a depressing thing to be stuck as a terrible biker when I love bike-riding AND I live in one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world?!  


So, I didn't accept it.  I realized I was going against one of the most scientifically proven factors for success. 


Insert:  Carol Dweck, Stanford Psychologist and author of one of my favourite books, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success . 
 

Carol has proven that there are two mindsets:

 
Growth mindset: You believe you can change, learn, grow and improve.  You believe your abilities can be developed through practice, dedication and work.  Brains and talent are great but just a starting point. You love learning and are resilient - and you know both are essential for success. Spoiler alert:  pretty much all accomplished people have had these qualities and a growth mindset.


Fixed mindset:  You believe that basic qualities like talents, strengths and intelligence are fixed traits. And you can’t change them. You’re either smart or stupid. People here spend time documenting and proving their intelligence instead of developing them.  A fixed mindset tells you that innate talent creates success,without effort.


Simply put, those with a fixed mindset are wrong.
 

Through Carol’s research, she’s proven that people with a growth mindset are leaps and bounds more successful than those with a fixed mindset.   


Those with a growth mindset come out on top.  


I can’t recommend the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success enough.
 

If you have a growth mindset, you’re far more likely to be happy, successful, have great relationships and earn more money.
 
 
For me, that’s sounds pretty damn good.  So I make a conscious effort to focus on my growth mindset. 
 
 
I do genuinely believe if there’s something I’m not good at, it’s ok.  The only way to get better is to try, practice, and learn. 
 
 
I know that practice is important. But even I forget sometimes.  Knowing is different than implementing.  Information doesn’t always translate to action.
 

About a month ago, I realized I was letting that mindset overtake my joy for biking.  I was stuck.  I wasn’t riding with others because I figured I was too slow.  I was super inefficient, having to use the seawall everywhere I went to avoid traffic. 
 
 
I realized I was never, ever going to get better or gain confidence with a fixed mindset.
 
 
Yes. It was true that I wasn’t a great biker. But I also hadn’t biked in 15 years.  The problem was lack of practice, and not something inherently wrong with me.
 
 
So I made a change.
 
 
To my mindset.  And to my habits.
 
 
I decided to practice.  I started biking on my own.
 
 
And guess what?  It worked!

 

I remembered that it’s a skill like anything else. I improved my speed. My shifting. I got comfortable and confident biking again. And I’m even totally cool to ride my bike in downtown Vancouver traffic.
 
 
In the last year since I got my bike, I barely improved.
 
 
BUT, in the last month, since changing my mindset and practicing, I’ve gottenWAY better!
 
 
In fact, last week on the seawall, I kept up with a (male) friend on a road bike while I was on a mountain bike.  A year ago, he would have been going twice my speed.
 
 
It’s amazing what a difference shifting my mindset made.
 
 
My challenge for you is to look within yourself and reflect:

• Where in your life are you stuck?
• What in your life are you telling yourself you aren’t any good at?
• Where is your “fixed mindset” holding you back?  
• If you believed you could be the best at something in your life, what would you choose to be the best at?  
• What’s possible for you if you believe you can be the best?
• What will you do to become better?

 
 
You can get unstuck.  You can be better. All it takes is holding the mindset that practice and improvement is possible.  And doing it.
 
 
Maybe this is something that is impacting your career.  Your parenting.  Your ability to speak in public.  Maybe it’s your cooking that you assume you’re bad at so never do (although for me, this is one I’m happy to not practice – hehe). 
 
 
Start telling yourself “I can be good at this.”  I’m learning. I’m getting better.
 
 
Don’t let frustration get you down.  Refuse to stay stuck.  Don’t tell yourself you suck (yes, I’m talking to you).  And I’m talking to myself.
 
 
Instead, say “look how far I’ve come”.  “Look what I’m learning”. 
 
 
Watch yourself grow. And see what you can do that you weren’t able to do before.
 
 
Let’s be honest, none of us are born being amazing at anything without practice. Except child prodigies.  But even child prodigies have to learn and improve the skills beyond their natural talents. 
 
 
Give yourself permission to get better. 
 
 
Permission to suck at first. 
 
 
Permission to take two steps forward and one step back, knowing that it’s the only way to ever improve!
 
 
Because you WILL improve.  
 
 
Now, here’s the thing.  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success is one of my favourite books.  I know in my whole body and mind that a growth mindset is not only true, but it’s a huge key to success. 
 
 
And yet I still got caught in the fixed mindset mentality.
 
 

See, no matter how much you know, implementing knowledge is always a challenge.
 


You know smoking is bad for you. You understand that you should eat more greens.

You figure you should say no to the third glass of wine. 

But the fact is that there are still millions of smokers in North America.  Very few of us eat enough greens.  And I have a very hard time saying “no” to the wine.
 
 
There’s a hole between knowledge and implementation. 
 
 
A gap between understanding and doing. 
 
 
A space between insight and action.
 

And this is where we get stuck. And stay stuck.


Unless we make a decision to create change.  

 
That’s where we need support.  It’s where great bosses come in.  This is where wonderful friends can help. This is where mentors and even spouses can support.  
 
 

And this is the space where coaching thrives and shines.
 
 
 
Sometimes, the desire to move forward is too important to leave to chance. 
 

The result you want - work-life balance, getting back in shape, traveling more,starting your business – is something you want SO badly that you aren’t messing around.  
 
 
Or the place you're stuck in is so uninspiring, so de-motivating, so dull, you can't possibly sit in it another day.


Here’s where I come in.
 
 
I’m here to take you from idea to implementation.

 
I’m here to make you take what you know and create the life you want with it.
 

I’m here to mirror back to you what I see in you that you may not yet see in yourself.  Like limiting beliefs.  Sub-conscious mindsets.
 
 
And of course, show you the brilliance and awesomeness in yourself that you don’t fully appreciate – yet.
 

I'm here to unstick you and break you free.

 
To create real change, you need more accountability, more encouragement, and more awareness of where you’re going.   And you need to squash what’s holding you back, stat.   If I’m talking to you, get in touch.
 
 
I’d love to connect to find out how we can get you from the place you are today –mediocre, frustrated, discouraged, or underwhelmed – to a place where you’re achieving what you know is possible for you (and more!).
 
 
This time, my invitation to connect is different. In October, I’m entering an intensive 6-month coaching certification program, a program reserved for the top coaches in the world.  This program is going to stretch me and make me the best coach for my clients (something that is super important to me, and you – duh).
 
 
To give the program, and my clients the best of me, I’m limiting the number of spaces for one-on-one clients between October 2016 and April 2017.
 
 
And when I do open more spaces, I will be increasing my prices to reflect the incredible results my clients are achieving.
 
So if you’ve been debating, wondering, talking yourself out of chatting with me, now is the time.
 
 
Get over your excuses of not having time, money, or whatever other excuse that fixed mindset is having you believe. It’s time to say goodbye to the excuses, and hello to your new mindset and self.
 
 
As a special incentive for the clients that do come with me on my coaching journey, I’m creating only three (3!) spaces for a six-month program. 
 
 
It’s something I won’t be advertising on my website – it’s only for those reading this post.
 
 
My prices will never be this low again… and I will probably never offer a program like this ever again. 
 
 
 
If you are ready for change, ready for more, and ready to have it all in your life, I can’t wait to hear from you. 
 
 
Connect with me for a free Discovery Call to find out more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!  There’s no obligation and no pressure.  Because I only work with the most dedicated and passionate clients – and I have a feeling that might beyou!
 
 
Whether you will be one of the three (3!!) joining me in this six-month program or not, I’ll be here, challenging you along the way, supporting you on your quest for a life and a career you LOVE!  

 
I’m unbelievably excited and humbled about the next phase of my personal growth and my business.  And I can’t wait to find out who will be a part of the growth journey with me.
 
 

 - Lisa
Success Coach
www.lisamichaud.com
 
 
 
PS.  The 3 spots in my six-month program are first-come, first served.  I already have a few calls set up for next week and I don’t want you to miss out. Contact me today for your free Discovery Call – and let’s make the next six months rock your world!
 

I never thought I'd admit this

Just over a month ago, I challenged you to fail.   (For those of you who are new to me, you can find the post  here.)

I’m going to be honest with you.  The thought of failure makes me uncomfortable.

I want to be successful.  I want you to be successful too. I'm guessing you do too.

For me, failing isn’t easy.

This sounds entitled, but I’ve been successful a lot in my life.

I’m grateful.  I’ve been fortunate.  And I’ve worked damn hard.

But success has made me scared of failing.  

(And duh, I’m a Success Coach.  So what’s that got to do with failure?)

I realized a month ago that my fear of failure was killing my creativity.  It was so strong that it was holding me back from the work that I love, and the mission I’m on.

I decided enough was enough.

My belief that we can have it all – success on our terms – is WAYYY more important than my fear.

So, I decided to shift my perspective about fear.  In August, I committed – and I asked you to join me – to redefine failure.

Together (and with some inspiration from our friend Sara Blakely in her video here), we agreed to celebrate our failures for the next month.

We redefined failure together. 

Here’s what I know to be true – and set out to prove:

Failure is not trying.

Failure is not putting yourself out there.

Failure is being too afraid to do something.

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 last month, I played to fail.

Because if I was failing, at least I was trying. 

Truth be told, this is a bit awkward for me.  But, in true celebration spirit, I can’t wait to tell you how I failed.  Here’s just a few examples:

• I applied to sit on two separate committees for the development of a new Vancouver neighborhood.  I was rejected from both. 

• I tried to set up blogs to automate before I left for vacation and I didn’t.  #vacationfail

• I sent out videos to you and one had a privacy setting so you couldn’t even watch it!  Whoops.

• My very first Facebook ad was disapproved. Bah.

• When my Facebook ads were finally approved, they bombed.  Guess there’s more than I thought to this whole marketing thing…

• My coach challenged me to get three new clients in a week.  I only got one.  #lovetheoneIgot

• My landing page was ineffective.  For those of you that have no idea what I’m talking about, my success rate was about half of the average. 

• I was supposed to record three videos and I fully chicken-sh*tted out. 

• I bought a lottery dream home ticket and really, truly, thought I could use “the Secret” to win.  Spoiler Alert:  We do not have a new dream home.

• I missed 3 “planned” workouts.  Uhh… let’s just say my workout clothes got lost… uhh… in my bed… where I was searching for them, not sleeping… I swear… zzzz…zzzz.

Yup.  That’s a whole lot of failure in just one month.

I’ve been reflecting on these failures.  Working on extracting the lessons.  Luckily, I have a coach (two actually!) so I got coaching on my failure. 

I shared with my coach that focusing on failing was a bit drab to me and I was feeling more like a failure, than I felt like celebrating. 

It was a bit depressing.  I prefer to be positive, rah-rah-rah-ey and the like.  I wanted a champagne-and-cake-kind-of-celebration, which is much more my style.

And my coach explained something extremely profound to me.

He said “Failing has made you.”

Suddenly it clicked.

I f-ing love that.

Failing has made me.

In just one month, I have changed. With every failure, I’ve evolved.

Failing has made me the tenacious woman I am today.

Failing has made me realize that being rejected hurts for about 20 minutes.  Then I get over it.

Failing has made me excited to try because I never know what I just might get (like a dream home, or featured on the Huffington Post – which actually did happen!)

Failing has moved me forward in my business.

Failing has brought me new, inspiring clients to work with.

Failing has gotten me invited to speak at dream-team events.

And failing has taught me.

Failing has taught me about best practices with Facebook ads. With Youtube settings.  With visualizations.

Failing has taught me about myself. 

This Lisa is more resilient for trying.

This Lisa does make a difference in people’s lives, regardless of failure.

In fact, this Lisa makes a difference because of her failure.

My writing is being shared with people who need it.

People who believe in my mission are hiring me to speak to their groups to inspire them.

I am changing lives.

Even better than this just being about me and my journey?  Having failure on my mind has opened me up to some beautiful conversations with others about failure.  

Let’s be honest:  no-one talks about failure voluntarily. 

Most of us don’t share our missed targets, or rejected statuses on social media.  Often, we only see the best, most beautifully curated version of someone.

But I’ve discovered, that all of us go through hard times (yes, duh).  And even more shocking – sharing our own challenges opens the door for the person next to us to embrace challenges too. 

It has been humbling and reassuring to be able to share my challenges with friends, clients and collaborators.  In return, they have opened up to me and shared that the amazing business I see them running today had its share of struggles. 

That the first few executive jobs they applied for, they didn’t get.  

That sometimes they kissed a few frogs before they found their prince (who hasn’t?!).

There are always ups and downs.

Even the most successful people you see have had to overcome challenges.

You are not successful despite failure – you become successful through failure.  

I agreed to try on this new definition and perspective of failure for a month.  And I’m so glad I did. 

I’m so ecstatic about the fact that I failed forward, that it’s not over for me!  It’s a reminder I’m setting for myself each month to celebrate what I failed.  (Literally, I’m setting a reminder in my calendar. You should too!).

Heck - maybe I'll start calling myself a "Failure Coach" instead of a "Success Coach"!  

Then again.  Maybe not. 

If you also failed this month, I’d love to hear from you!  Tell me what you failed at. Tell me what you learned.

Share with me (and the world) who failing has made you.

Because failing is not the same as failed or failure.  It’s not permanent.  It’s not tattooed to your forehead for all the world to see.

What is permanent is your growth.

And what the world sees is your courage.

Your vulnerability.

Your authenticity.

Your brave, daring, audacious self that’s jumping back from challenges, and continuing to show the world who you really are.

Keep failing. Keep learning. Keep getting up.  

Keep allowing failure to create the wonderful, driven, empowered human you are becoming each day.

The new and improved, failing,

 - Lisa

Success/Failure Coach

www.lisamichaud.com

 PS. Ironically, as I made breakfast and finished writing this, I started listening to Brene Brown’s book Rising Strong  (and I love it already!).  I immediately realized it is ALL about failing!  What?! Where was this book in August?! 

I did a quick search and here’s what Google says about the book: “The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall.

This is a book about what it takes to get back up and how owning our stories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak gives us the power to write a daring new ending.

Struggle can be our greatest call to courage and Rising Strong, our clearest path to deeper meaning, wisdom and hope.”

I’m on it. I’m reading Rising Strong this next month as I find ways to own my story and create a new beginning for myself.  If you want to join me, check out her book Rising Strong  or click on the book below.

The Truth About Coaching

You don’t need a coach.

You are naturally creative. Brilliant. Whole. Intelligent.  Resourceful.  Wonderful.

You don’t need me or anyone else to rescue you.

You don't need a hero.

Because you are not a victim.

You don't need a coach.

In fact, nobody needs a coach.

As a business owner, it’s a scary thing telling you that you don’t need me.

Perhaps it’s business suicide.

Maybe you’re wondering why I don’t just close up my business and go back to my 9-5 since nobody needs a coach.

I’ll always be honest with you. I truly believe nobody needs a coach.  And I’m not in the business of pressuring someone to work with me. Ever.

Ok. So if nobody needs a coach, why is coaching one of the fastest growing industries in the world?

(And why, Lisa, are you so confident your business has a purpose and will survive?)

The answer lies here below.

It’s the same reason why top athletes have coaches.

It’s why 6 out of 10 companies offer coaching to their management and executives.

It’s why another 20% of companies plan to offer coaching in the next year.

It’s why kick-ass people doing incredible things in our world seem to have one thing in common – they all have coaches.  You can count Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams and Bill Clinton in this category.

It’s because coaching is a shortcut to success. 

Don’t believe me?  Even the Harvard Business Review says “coaching is about developing the capabilities of high-potential performers”. 

Coaching isn’t for the mediocre.  The normal.  The average.

Coaching is for high performers who want more in their lives.

High-potential people like you who aren’t satisfied with the status quo.

They, like you, are after more.

More growth. More positivity.  More change.  More results.  More momentum. More confidence.  More time. Deeper happiness.

And coaching brings you more.

My clients are no exception.

My clients don't need me. 

They want to grow and become better humans.  They want to work with me.   They know a working with a coach shortens their timeline to success. 

Working with me, they increase confidence.  They gain clarity over their next steps.  They achieve goals and dreams they have had for years but never made time for.

Until we worked together.

Clients have lost weight during our time together.  Started blogs and businesses.  Expanded their businesses.  Made thousands of more dollars in their careers.   Taken a vacation for the first time in four years. 

None of this is because they needed it.

It’s because they wanted it.

And they were willing to take action to get what they wanted.

They want nothing but the best for their lives and they are getting it.

My clients aren't willing to sit back and wait for another year to go by before they realize they want to be happier. 

They don't have time to not make time for the important things in life. Like themselves.  Their family.   Their dreams of a business. Their dreams of travel.   Their goals of loving their career.

I only work with inspiring and committed clients. I work with those who are willing to invest in themselves to create the very best lives.  And invest to become their very best selves. 

If this is you and you think coaching might be what you need in your development and your life, request a complimentary discovery call. I only have a few spaces left this week for those who are committed to living a better life.

If you are ready for success on your terms, coaching might be right for you.

If you know there's more out there for you, let's connect and see if coaching is that next step in your wild, amazing life.

If you aren't interested in change, don't get in touch.

If you aren't willing to commit yourself to the process, close this window. 

If you aren’t ready to invest in yourself, keep the status quo.

If you aren't looking to grow, coaching isn't for you.

If you don't want to be your best self, stop reading.

If in three months, one year, five years you might still struggling with the same challenges, and you are ok with that, I know coaching isn't for you.

If you don't need a coach, you’re right.  No one does. 

If you want a coach, you know where to find me.

For the high-potential go-getter, I’m here for you.

For the high-performing doer, I’d love to hear from you.

Your best life is the one you’re willing to go get.

-Lisa

Success Coach

www.lisamichaud.com

PS.  If you agree that you don’t need a coach, but you want a coach, I’d love to connect.  Get in touch here and let’s have a free Discovery Session to find out what you want in your life and how we can get you there!  Let’s chat to break down the barriers.  To inspire you to get more out of your life.  To show you what’s possible when you are willing to invest in yourself and your dreams.  I only have a few spaces left for this week and a space is yours if you want it (because I know you don’t need it). 

The "c" word you can't say at work

Have you ever said the c-word at work?
 
 
No... not that c-word.  
 
 
I’m talking about:
 
 

Creative.
 
 
 
In my last three jobs, I worked in a company where the need and desire for creativity was significantly downplayed.  I worked in an industry where the dominant personalitywithin it was someone who was logical, analytical and methodical.  (For any Meyers Briggs-nerds like myself, my company was full of ISTJ’s -  Introverted. Sensing. Thinking. Judging.). 
 
 
What was valued was:

• Dedication
• Loyalty
• Stability
• Rationalization
• Thinking 
• Calculations
• Reasonableness
• Logic
• Spreadsheets (ooo, don’t I love them too!?)

 

In meetings, thinking outside the box wasn't highly regarded.  Launching never-before-done projects wasn’t something that got people jazzed up.
 
 
No no-one will ever tell you that creativity isn’t valued.
 
No-one sat me down on the first day, or even the last and said that trying new things wasn’t allowed.  Or that inventiveness wasn’t appreciated.
 
 
But the culture was one in which thinking too differently, or voicing too many ideas and suggestions made people uncomfortable.
 
 
We all conform to the traits that are valued and rewarded in a company.  Consciously, or not, we pay attention to the type of people who get promoted.  This is what creates a culture, in an organization, and in countries around the world.  We notice the character traits that are recognized and acknowledged.  We pick up on qualities that are appreciated.  And those that aren’t.
 
 
 
I paid attention.
 
 
 
Creativity was never a word that came up when a promotion was on the table.  Uniqueness, originality, boldness wasn’t recognized.  
 
 
It wasn’t really worth trying something new because it probably wasn’t going to be approved.
 
 
So we didn’t try to be daring. Or unique. Myself included.
  
 
I distinctly recall the words “I’m not creative” coming out of my mouth at work.  More than once.
 
 
And that’s devastating to me. 
 
 
Have you ever asked a group of five-year-olds to raise their hand if they’re creative?  They almost all leap out of their chairs to stick their arms in the air.  They’re all creative!  And gosh darn it, they want you to know it!!
 
 
Now, imagine asking a group of 16-year-olds if they’re creative.  Guess how many are jumping out of their seats?  (Conservative estimates say that number drops to zero).   And a whole lot less put their hands up at all.
 
 
How about your workplace?   Would you put up your hand?  Would you cautiously wait to see if anyone else did first?  I’m going to guess that number is pretty low. 
 
 

Let me be clear:  This is not a blast about the company or industry I worked in. This was not unique to the team I worked on, or to the job I had. 
 
 

Lack of creativity is a problem in our world today.
 
 

As children, we are full of creative energy.  We’re bursting with it. We all believe we are imaginative.  And because we believe we are imaginative, we bring imagination into everything we do.  We are proud of it. That is, in part, because we have not yet experienced embarrassment from failure, or faced criticism from our peers.  
 
 
In adults, the fear of failing has set in.  We have been humiliated in the past.  And often, we protect ourselves from the fear and embarrassment.  Sadly, this comes at an incrediblyly high cost  - the cost of hundreds, thousands, even millions of fantastic great ideas that could change your life – your company – and the world.
 
 

And I’m ready to change that for myself.  And for you too.
 
 

Creativity deserves to make a comeback at work, and at home, because it's what's needed to progress.  To move forward in life. To achieve goals. To overcome obstacles. To solve problems.  To get promotions (even if it doesn't always seem like it).  To build relationships. 

And because creativity is fun, when we stop taking ourselves so seriously. 



Being creative in my last job was a liability so I let the artistic, imaginative part of me hide.  And I've been proud of my logical thinking, rational calculations and steady nature.   
 
Don't get me wrong. These are all wonderful traits.
 
 
 
I’m grateful for the chance to expand my analytical, consistent side of my brain. 
 
 
 
But I have been missing out on the gifts of creativity.   
 
 
 
I had almost forgotten that I even HAVE creativity within me.
 
 
 
Until, I was forced to get creative. 
 
 
Moving to a new city encouraged me to try new, creative activities.  Belly-dancing and painting have gotten me out of my logical brain and awakened the inspiring side of myself.
 
 
Starting my business required me to get creative. I designed my own website and branding.  I write to you lovely people!  I have created tools and resources to help others find the life they love.  I have dreamed of what my business can become.
 
 
I’ve been reminded that I am creative.  
 
 
And then inspired to make my designs, my writing, my tools, my dreams, all happen. 
 
 
Being logical doesn't mean you can't have new ideas. 
 
 
Being smart doesn't mean you can't make mistakes and have bad ideas sometimes. 
 
 
Being planful doesn't mean you can't challenge convention.  (And yes, planful is a word over 100 years old that has been resurrected in modern business jargon).
 
 
Being rational doesn’t mean you can’t use your imagination.
 
 
Being analytical doesn’t mean you always have to be right. 
 
 
In fact, my logical, executing, planning side is what's made my creativity come to life!!!
 
 
But without the ideas and the inspiration, there’s nothing to GAANT chart.  Nothing to spreadsheet.   Nothing to analyze.
 
 
And nothing to design.  
 
 
 
Ingenuity.  Innovation.  Invention.  Originality.  Resourcefulness.  
 
 
 
To be your best self, you need to bring all of yourself to the table. 
 
 
 
Think back to your five-year-old self.  Would you have raised your hand? 
 
 
How about at sixteen years old?  
 
 
How about today?
 
 
 
 
I believe the level of creativity we possess is directly correlated to the level of credit we give ourselves for being creative.  Our ideas match the willingness with which we are comfortable to say "I am creative."  
 
 
Creativity is a skill. It’s not a natural gift you’ve either been graced with or not.  It’s a muscle that you need to work in order to grow, improve and develop.
 
 
Saying you are creative doesn't mean you have to be the most creative person.
 
 
Saying you’re creative means you are allowing yourself to have new ideas.  To try the unconventional.  It means you’re bringing ALL your value.  And all your value means you’re going to make a difference.
 
 
This week, get in touch with your imagination.  

• Take a moment and think about what makes you feel creative.  Write it down. Reply back to my email and tell me if you like.
• Track the moments and activities that make you feel creative through the week
• Tell one person that you are creative (or even “practicing to be more creative” if that feels more true for you!)

 
Now, do at least five things that make you feel creative. This week.
 

• Challenge an assumption.  Whether it’s at home, in the workplace, or within yourself.  Ask yourself what’s possible if something you assume to be true, isn’t.   And watch the world open up.
• Find opportunities to do more of the things that light you up, inspire you, and challenge you to step outside your comfort zone.
• Foster curiosity and ask a question you normally wouldn’t.  Maybe it’s asking a stranger waiting in line with you what they’re looking forward to about the long weekend.  Perhaps you now have an excuse to ask a not-so-obvious question at work.   Try genuinely learning something new, because you dared to ask someone to teach you.

 
 
Originality doesn't have to come out only in a job.  There are many ways to spark your connection to creativity.   
 
If you can't think of anything, reflect on what made you feel happy and creative as a child.  
 
 
If you’re still stuck, here’s some more ideas to get to five things this week:
 

• Learn something new.  Take a pottery class. Dance class.  Cooking lessons. Sign up to learn a new language or play a musical instrument
• Doodle (there’s new evidence to show it actually keeps you engaged in the moment)
• Journal
• Move your body instead of brainstorming sitting down.  Go for a walk.  Stretch for 10 minutes.  Play a round of golf.  Pump up the music and dance around the office. 
• Join a paint night (there’s usually wine involved to expand that comfort zone a bit)
• Start a blog or write a new post
• Build something creative using toys like lego or play-doh.  Try leaving them at your desk for moments you need a splash of distraction
• Write a poem
• Plan a fun date with a friend or your significant other
• Sign up for Toastmasters and speak in public
• Build a custom spreadsheet (yup, there are no rules as long as it actually inspires you and makes you feel innovative)
• Try the 30 circles exercise (from researcher Bob McKim and Tim Brown’s TED talk Creativity and Play). 
  • Draw 30 circles on a piece of paper
  • In one minute, change as many circles are you can into objects.
    • Ex. One can be a sun. One can be a globe.
  • How many can you do in a minute? (Take quantity over quality)
  • More people struggle getting to 30. Adults tend to self-edit, while children simply explore possibilities. Allow yourself to go with your first thoughts and play!

 
 
Practice that creativity.  Stretch that imagination.  Grow your resourcefulness.
 
 
See, regardless of the job you have, the company you work for, or the culture you are in, creativity is not a dirty word. 
 
 
It's needed for us to live a full and unique life.  
  
 
 
Imagination is required in our world.
 
 
 
It helps us adapt. 
 
Creativity helps us survive change.
 
Innovation allows us to solve the challenges in today’s world. 
 
Vision enables us to imagine and create a better world for tomorrow.
 
 
If you fast-forwarded twelve months and your job/department/company was still struggling to solve the same problem you’re working on today, how would you feel?
 
If you looked ahead five years and our world hadn’t changed a bit, would you be disappointed?
 
If you woke up in ten years and your life was exactly the same as it is today, what would you differently today?
 
 
If neither of those scenarios excite you, it’s time to open up to inspiration and creativity. 
 
 
Let it guide you as you create the life, adventures, and experiences that have you looking at life knowing you lived it wonderfully.  Let inspiration allow you be courageous and know that you will overcome the challenges and obstacles that come your way.
 

 And allow yourself to know that the best is yet to come.  Because you’re going to create it. 
 
 
Now it’s my turn to go doodle and dance.
 
 

- Lisa
Success Coach
www.lisamichaud.com

PS - Our support system is one of the MOST important parts of our life.  If you know someone who could also use more creativity in life, pass it on to him or her.  Challenge each other - and get creative together.  They will thank you for it (and so do I)!
 

This gift is for you. Take it.

I have a gift for you! 

It starts with a gift I was given.

Two years ago, there was a chance I had terminal cancer.

You may not all know this, but at the age of 27, I faced the realization that I might only have a year or two left to live. Since then, my life has entirely changed.

I remember coming home and laying in bed with my husband Troy that night and talking about what we would do if I only had one year left to live.

The first thing that came to my mind was "move to Vancouver."

I was lucky. I didn’t have cancer. 

BUT I'm so glad I had this wake-up call.  This experience was a gift to me.

Because I realized this:

I was waiting for someone to tell me that I was going to die before I started doing the things I really wanted to do. 

 

And that needed to stop.  Stat.

I made a commitment to start living today.  Before my time is up and it’s too late for my dreams. 

I finally took that trip to Thailand I'd wanted to do for years. (I literally had a guidebook from 2007 collecting dust).

I quit my six-figure job.

I sold my house, cars and moved to my dream city, Vancouver.

And I decided I would start the business I always wanted - helping people like you live success on your terms NOW!

One of the things I’ve learned is that we put off our biggest dreams in life, often until it’s too late. 

I know why you aren’t achieving your goals. 

You’re too busy. 

You don’t have the money. 

You’re still too young. 

You’re too old. 

You don’t have time.

You might fail.  

You have responsibilities.  Student Loans.  Kids. Mortgages. “Real life.”

You don’t know how.

Now isn’t the right time.

It will be easier to do later.  

It’s not possible. 

It’s too much effort.

It’s not even worth it.

I understand.

I’ve set some goals and haven’t achieved them.

I’ve achieved some goals and it turned out, they didn’t actually make me that happy.

I’m human.  And I’ve made the same mistakes and excuses too. 

Before my health scare, I was happy enough.  I had a pretty good job that allowed me to learn, work with interesting people, and paid me really well!  

I had an awesome husband who wanted nothing more than for me to be happy. We had a gorgeous home, several cars, toys, and a hot tub. 

We travelled – a lot.  We had been to 24 countries together and we were always jetting off to incredible places like Iceland, Fiji, Vancouver, New York and Las Vegas. 

I was surrounded by an awesome circle of friends, the kind that became family.

Life was pretty damn good.

But it wasn’t what I truly, deeply wanted.  

I thought my excuses were real.

Why give up everything I have?  

Life’s pretty good, I would tell myself.

Is the grass actually greener?  Probably not.

It’s not even possible for me to live in Vancouver.

I would tell myself I could never make as much money as I am now or create my own business to match my income. And I definitely couldn’t live on less, even if I wanted to.

I am luckier than 95% of the world. Why am I still not happy?!  There must be something wrong with me.

And yet, after my health scare, I knew I needed to make a change.

I let go of my excuses.  I took a good, deep, hard look at myself and my life.  I spent time to understand what it was that I truly wanted in my life.

See… I DO know how to set goals.  And achieve them.

I have accomplished goals with a lot of grit.   And strategy.

I’ve studied and learned how to set incredible goals.  I’ve refined my process over the years. 

And now I want to share those secrets with you.

When I started my business, I committed to creating surprises and tools to help women and men create success on their terms.  And I will deliver on that, always.

If you’re frustrated with where you are in life...

frustrated because you can’t seem to get traction on your goals,

or you’re satisfied but not TRULY elated about your life

- This special gift is just for you!

I’ve created a brand-new, exclusive 3-part video training series, as a completely free resource for you.  In it, I reveal the top 3 powerful steps you must take before you set another goal.

These steps have helped me:

• Earn six figures (and then give that up for the best reason - to create my own high income!)
• Travel to more than 30 countries before I turned 30 (32 countries and counting…)
• Run five half marathons.
• Marry the love of my life.
• Quit my 9-5
• Start my dream business (yes, this is seriously a dream!!)
• Hit the “usual” steps – degree, job, house, husband, car, and joy!
• Become a self-made millionaire before I turned 30
• Move to and create an incredible penthouse home in my favourite city in the world, Vancouver
• Understand what my purpose is in my business
• Build an unbelievable group of friends and huge network to work with, play with and laugh with!
• Become a keynote speaker, motivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds
• Work with incredible, inspiring entrepreneurs and clients every day!

I’ve put together what I’ve learned and the tools to get you started today!

Don’t make the same mistake I made. Don’t wait for someone to tell you you’re going to die to start doing what you really want in life.

In this free video and workbook series, you will:

• Learn why you get the nagging feeling there’s something missing
• Finally prioritize so you can get the RIGHT sh*t done
• Set goals that you’re actually motivated to accomplish!

You'll uncover:

• Why you haven't gotten your goals yet
• What's most important in your life
• What goals you should be setting
• What you need to say "no" to
• What you need to say "yes" to get your dream life!

So far, I have only shared this information with my handpicked group of Goal-Den Girls right here in Vancouver, and my highly invested 1x1 private clients.

And I’m BEYOND excited to share this with you today!

As always, let me know how it goes. You know I love hearing from you, so get in touch!

Open this gift if you’re ready to start achieving the dreams you’ve been putting off and living your life.  

Set goals to achieve the life you want.  

Start living life your life today!

This is just the beginning. 

Love,

Lisa 

Success Coach

www.lisamichaud.com

PS.   Before you leave, don’t forget to grab the top 3 BEST secrets and steps to stop procrastinating and finally get your dream life in this Free Video & Workbook Series gift.  You’re going to want to click on the link today because it is only available for a limited time. 

Stop wasting time and go get your goals! Take this powerful first step towards what you really, really want in your life.

If you have a soul sister or brother-from-another-mother that you know could use this free gift, feel free to send him or her the link to this influential training series

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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!