TACKLING THE EXTREME: BUSINESS, LIFE AND THE PANDEMIC

tackling the extreme: work and life during the pandemic

TACKLING THE EXTREME: BUSINESS, LIFE AND THE PANDEMIC

My grand-mother didn’t live to witness this pandemic. But I know if she had, she would have tackled it the same way she tackled everything else in her life.

She only had a forth-grade education. My grand-mother didn’t question her life, or the hard labour she endured as a cook in a lumber camp where my grand father worked, or the demands she put on herself as a foster parent to children abandoned on the church steps. She never wished for things to be different or easy.

Things simply were.

And she went along with them.

She had a marvellous saying: it is what it is.

When I was 10 years old, I asked her to explain what that meant. She said: you can’t change the present moment so you might as well enjoy it for what it is. If you want to change something, change your future; the now can’t be changed.

I don’t think I fully grasped what that meant at 10 years old but it stayed with me till this day.

And now I understand what it means. Especially during this pandemic.

Trying to fight the present moment or wishing it was different will only bring grief and struggle.

This is not to say you can’t change things, because you can. You can change your future, but you need to accept the current moment as it is and not fight it. Learn from it.

This pandemic has emphasized the need for us to focus on the current moment.

Now more then ever, if we want to remain sane, we must focus on the current moment. We must keep our heads out of the sand and we must, at all cost, keep our focus on the vision we have for ourselves, our business and our life.

Sounds easy?

It isn’t.

Focusing on the current moment is brutally hard. But it is also the only way we can move forward in our business and in our life.

I was recently interviewed for an article in Thrive global about Tackling The Extreme Work Life Balance Of Being A Woman Business Leader During COVID-19.

I answered questions such as:

  • The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives today. Can you articulate to our readers what are the biggest family related challenges you are facing as a woman business leader during this pandemic?

  • Can you share your advice about how to best work from home, while balancing the needs of homeschooling or the needs of a family?

  • Can you share your strategies about how to stay sane and serene while sheltering in place, or simply staying inside, for long periods with your family?

I invite you to read the article HERE.

I think it will greatly help you tackle the extremes of this pandemic and hopefully give you the tools you need to stay in the present moment while still crushing your business goals and enjoying your life.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life. To want to run a profitable business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I understand what it’s like to read endless leadership, self-development and business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to quiet the overwhelm, build your confidence and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Don’t get me wrong. I read endless books on leadership, self-improvement and business skills. But what these books couldn’t give me, and what I realized was the missing piece is ACCOUNTABILITY. Accountability for me to build confidence, develop my leadership skills and create a clear vision of what I want in order to grow a profitable business.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE  is where I can help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and realize their limitless potential.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, getting clear on your vision and your mission is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance and the greatest business growth.

When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. You will notice things will start flowing, new opportunities show up, ideal clients, partnerships and collaborations are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want, building the skills to make it happen and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you are looking to build your confidence, develop skills to succeed and you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of
building your confidence, developing your leadership skills, getting clear on your vision and growing a profitable business.

My style of mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching.

This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for clarity, accountability and results, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly.

I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not a “cheerleader” type of coach.

Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

So if discipline, rigour and commitment are words that scare you, then we are not meant for each other. And that’s ok.

You do you.

My commitment to my clients and their success is limitless, and I expect the same from them.

Remember, this is about YOU.

THIS IS ABOUT YOU SUCCEEDING AT WHAT YOU WANT.

In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

GENIE IN ALADDIN SHARES IMPORTANT SECRET TO SUCCESS

genie in the lamp - the secret to succes is knowing what you want. having a clear vision for your life

GENIE IN ALADDIN SHARES IMPORTANT SECRET TO SUCCESS: CLARITY

It’s no secret that rainy days are challenging for any parent with young, energetic kids at home. Myself included.

But little did I know that I was about to stumble upon another little secret.

It was pouring rain outside and after playing hide and seek and building castles for the better part of the day, my 2 and 4 year-olds were tired enough to sit down and watch a movie.

We (finally) settled on the “human” version of Aladdin with none other than Will Smith as the Genie.

Growing up, I must have watched the cartoon version of Aladdin at least 100 times.

I was drawn to Jasmine’s strong will, determination and the fact that she was not like the other damsel in distress of Disney.

But as I watched this version of Aladdin, now being in my early forties, I was struck by something the Genie said.

Aladdin had just made his way out of the Cave of Wonders, contemplating making his first wish to be a Prince.

What the Genie shares next is the most important secret to your own success:

“Be very specific in your words. The deal is in the details.”

Silence.

This is the key.

This is the secret.

This is how life works.

This is how success works.

We get exactly what we specifically wish for.

It doesn’t feel so much like a secret come to think of it.

We don’t need to dig our way out of a Cave of Wonder, we don’t need to rub a magic lamp, we don’t even need a blue Genie to grant us 3 wishes.

We have limitless wishes.

But what we do need is clarity.

Clarity is our Genie.

Clarity is our secret.

Your wish is my command

Let me paint this picture for you: imagine going to a restaurant and asking for the Chef’s Inspiration of the Day.

You know you have no say in what will be served. You’re relying entirely on the chef’s mood that day.

You’re relying on the Chef’s desires, not your own.

You may get lucky and have the Chef’s Inspiration align with yours.

But if you’re in the mood for a delicious, spicy, green curry and you say nothing of the sort; you may end up with sweetbreads over pureed celery rave.

This may not be up your alley and you may find yourself deeply regretting your choice.

Here’s the beauty in this scenario, which is the same beauty found in your own life and business: the choice is yours!

You can choose to forgo the Chef’s Inspiration and ask for exactly what you want: green spicy curry or say nothing at all and be at the mercy of someone else’s wish.

The secret to getting exactly what you want is…. (drumroll please)… You have to know what that want is.

Listen to the Genie, he’s been in a lamp for 10,000 years, he’s got some wisdom in him: The deal is in the details.

Ask yourself: do you really know what you want, down to the most specific details?

If I asked you what you want out of your life and your business, could you answer me?

Would you give me a vague image of what you want, like a painting of Degas or would you give me a clear and detailed image of what is truly in your heart?

Notice I didn’t say: tell me HOW you are going to get your wish. I said, tell me WHAT you wish for.

The WHAT is the secret.

Your vision is your compass

Without a vision, you have no clear idea of where you are going, no bright and shining idea of what you want, no defined road map or compass.

And if you think drafting a clear vision is too time consuming and you simply don’t have the time to get around to it, then think about this:

Not taking the time to detail a clear vision of what you want is like not having the time to set the GPS to a new destination before you start driving.

Yes you’re in a hurry.

Yes you need to get going.

But if you don’t have a map as to how you’re going to get where you want to go, you simply won’t get there.

Period.

No matter how fast you’re driving.

So take the time to get to know your vision. Take the time to understand what it is you truly want.

How does this fit into your business/career

You may be wondering how this all fits into a business/career setting. This is my blog after all and I’m all about Business Clarity.

Let me tell you another little secret.

In all of my 20 something years of working with business leaders and savvy entrepreneurs, the one thing most common amongst all those that succeeded is this: they all have a clear vision.

The most accomplished people I’ve met and worked with, from around the world, all have a vision for their lives.

All, without fail.

They all know what they wanted next, like they have their own genie in a lamp that could grant them any wish for their future.

On the other hand, people I’ve met who felt unfulfilled, who never experienced the level of success they felt they deserved, who felt stuck, unmotivated and joyless were the people who didn’t have a vision AND didn’t believe they could afford the time to create their vision.

Isn’t it funny how that works out?

Because your business, your career, is a reflection of who you are and what you wish for.

In my book, there is no point in rushing through life if you’re not going where want to get go. What’s the point of rushing towards of life and business that holds no fulfillment, joy and success.

In the absence of a clear vision, one simply wanders about and is subject to life’s whims and desires. Like our Chef’s Inspiration.

The deal is in the details

Granted, mapping out your vision may not be the easiest thing. Especially when you’re starting out with a blank canvas. (If this proves a challenge for you, get in touch with me, we’ll work on it together).

This is about creating a clear image of your best life. You can be as creative as you want.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE. THERE ARE NO LIMIT TO WHAT YOU CAN WANT AND ACHIEVE.

The kicker is that you have to believe it is possible. You have to be willing to go into details about what you want.

Here are some questions to get you started.

I suggest you write these questions down on a pad of paper or in a journal.

Don’t allow yourself to get distracted. Keep writing until you feel you are allowing yourself to be honest with what you want.

  • Know what matters to you?
    • Start with your values: Family, Success, Money, Fame, Serving Others, Community…There is no wrong or right answer here so don’t think your vision will be “good” if you value family and “bad” if you value “money”.
      All there is, is your vision. What you, yourself want.
  • If you could accomplish anything, what would it be?
    • How will you feel about yourself once you’ve accomplished this task?

  • What are you passionate about?
    • Something you do that you get lost in, where you loose track of time and you are fully present in your task.

  • What does an ideal day in this life of yours looks like?
    • At what time do you wake up?
    • What do you do when you wale up?
    • What are you feeding your body?
    • What are you working on?
    • Who do you spend time with?

  • How are you presenting yourself?
    • How are you dressed?
    • How is your hair/makeup/style?

  • What are you learning?
    • What skills are you working on?
    • Who is mentoring/coaching you?
    • What are you doing to grow and expand your potential?

It’s about you

You may feel like you’re not getting it “perfect” the first time around.

This is not about perfection. This is about getting you started and exited about your vision.

Starting is the most important part. Then come the details.

 Don’t think your vision is final by answering these questions once.

Allow yourself to revisit this vision from time to time and to modify it as you continue to grow and expand.

The best version of the life you envision will change as you change.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I understand what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and affirm their purpose.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your vision, your mission and your purpose.

My style of mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching.

This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly.

I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach.

Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS: MY 3 VULNERABLE STRUGGLES

as a woman in business these are the 3 struggles I find myself juggling. It has everything to do with vulnerability and being vulnerable as a woman in business

BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS: MY 3 VULNERABLE STRUGGLES

Personal struggles are not often spoken about. Especially not when it comes to the business world. And even less so if you’re a woman.

Struggles are meant to be dealt with privately. But today, I want to share my own struggles with you.

If you met me for the first time, either standing on stage delivering a talk or sitting across a coffee table talking about business, vision, spirituality or leadership, you’d never think I struggle.

But truth is, I do. And as I’ve come to realize over the past twenty years, I struggle just like most women in business do.

You’d think I’d be over it by now; that I’d learn to tame some of the voices in my head, and truthfully, I’ve done a lot of work to get to where I am. But nonetheless, as my business continues to grow, it seems as though my struggles grow along with it.

And as I sit here writing, I want to share with you my most secret and vulnerable struggles.

MY 3 VULNERABLE STRUGGLES

In sharing these struggles, I’m hoping to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes of being a woman in business.

I do not pretend to know how every woman feels nor do I pretend to represent the voice of every woman.

But I do want other women that feel similar struggles, to know that they are not alone. I also want the amazing men that support us women in business to know about these struggles and to know that their positive input and inspiring motivation are important to our success.

1. How will people react to my aspirations?

This has always been a big one for me.

Growing up, I always had huge inspirations. I wanted to be a surgeon, a politician, a world renowned fashion designer, a bad-ass lawyer… If I felt I could help people and have an impact on the world, I wanted to be it.

As encouraging as my parents were, I was often told by others in my surroundings not to dream so big, not to want so much, not to aim so high.

That I’d be better off wishing for a “normal, regular” life. Happiness wasn’t found in the struggles required to achieve big things.

That never phased me. I always kept pushing and striving for more.

But it did make me very cautious as to who I expressed my dreams and aspirations to. I became very guarded about my ambitions and felt insecure about letting others in.

Most times, it made me feel like an outsider.

It took years for me to feel like I belonged somewhere. That I wasn’t being judged for wanting “so much”.

The key was finding my tribe. Finding people I could connect with that have similar if not “crazier” dreams and ambitions then I have.

Growing up my dad used to always say: show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.

Basically meaning: you level up or down to the people that you surround yourself with.

Even though I have found my tribe, I am still cautious when sharing new thoughts and ideas with people that aren’t as ambitious as I am.

I don’t want to be put down for my aspirations. I don’t want to have to explain myself or my dreams. I struggle with wanting to be accepted for who I am, big dreams and all.

2. How will I manage being a mom and running a business?

Being a mom is by far the hardest job in the world. Granted, it is also the most rewarding. But man is it difficult…

Now add wanting to grow a business, to impact the world and to help as many women in business find their purpose and clarify their vision.

Now we have what seems like an impossible feat on our hands. And did I add the guilt that comes from wanting all those things?

That’s where I stand and that is the heart of one of my biggest struggles.

Wanting to be home to make a healthy and delicious home-cooked dinner for my two kids and husband while also wanting to work with a new client in figuring out how we can shift her business to align with her values and vision.

Wanting to be present on social media, sharing my message and impacting my followers, while being home, reading bedtime stories, walking the dog, folding laundry and laying my kid’s clothes for the next day.

And as if the guilt that I personally feel and put on myself wasn’t enough to drown in, there is also the guilt coming from “outside”.

The snarky comments, the looks, the obvious message hidden in a question form.

The only way I have found to rise above this guilt is to:

a) take ownership
b) use it as fuel

When ever I feel a rush of guilt or I’m being made to feel guilty about my roles as both a mom and a business woman, I remember that both these choices are my own and I need to own up to them. I made those choices. I made the choice to have children and I made the choice to run and grow my own business.

And in order to be succesful at both, I need to make sacrifices for both. The vision that I have for my life and the vision I have for my business are my anchor and my compass. They guide me as that what sacrifices I am willing and not willing to make. Without a clear vision, I would be lost.

I also use the guilt as fuel, knowing that it can be a powerful ally to push me to be the best mom I can be and the best coach and business woman.

3. Am I enough?

This is a painful secret struggle.

You would think that being highly educated, having a law degree and a master’s degree in corporate law, having traveled the world and worked alongside accomplished business leaders I would feel like I am enough.

Truth is, sometimes I wonder if I am.

Am I enough to make my ambitions come to life?

Am I enough for the people around me to love and accept me?

Am I knowledgeable, skilled, competent, (etc.) enough?

These questions come to mind every now and then and when they do, I’m in for a ride of self-doubt.

The beauty in aging is that I know that nothing lasts forever. Including a wave of self-doubt.

When one hits, I recognize that this is simply my brain trying to keep me safe and I know how to counter the attack.

First, I take a deep breath and express my gratitude for all the knowledge and experience that I have ( I did this even when I had very little experience and no higher education degree. What ever I did have, I was thankful for.)

Second, I question my brain and my inner-critic as to why it is showering me with doubt. What is it that I’m missing that I should be paying attention to? How can I use this to improve myself? How can I turn this discomfort into a learning experience and most importantly, what can I learn here?

Third, I remind myself of my vision and how long I’ve come along my journey to achieving this vision. I remind myself that this journey I am on is a journey of growth, expansion and limitless potential. A journey to help, heal and impact others. I also remind myself of the parable of the talents and that, my duty is to always give the best of who I am and the best of what I have and that in this calling, there is no doubt.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I understand what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity in their purpose and vision.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your vision, your mission and your purpose.

My style of mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching.

This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly.

I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach.

Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

5 WAYS TO CREATE A POWERFUL AND IMPACTFUL BRAND

5 wys to create a powerful and impactful brand with your vision purpose and mission

5 WAYS TO CREATE A POWERFUL AND IMPACTFUL BRAND

Branding is no longer a buzzword. It’s simply part of our everyday vocabulary. From company branding to personal branding, everyone is looking for that differentiating factor that will attract customers, build communities and turn clients into raving fans.

But what is branding?

According to the Business Dictionary, Branding is the process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product in the consumers’ mind, mainly through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme. Branding aims to establish a significant and differentiated presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers.

If you go back in time, the term derives from the Old Norse word brandr or “to burn”. Branding was used to differentiate one person’s cattle from another’s by means of a distinctive symbol burned into the animal’s skin with a hot branding iron.

Truth is, in today’s world, you either take control of your brand or someone else does. If you don’t dictate the narrative, someone else will dictate it for you. It may not seem fair, but that’s how it is.

So you want to be in the driver seat on this one. This is not something you leave up to chance or to others to decide for you.

You need to come up with a crystal clear message and image.

But how do you create that powerful message, that symbol, in the minds of others – without having to burn anyone’s skin? That’s where the secret lies.

It’s not easy, I’ve failed many times myself, but with persistence, you can create a brand that is centered around you and will attract the right people to you.

It starts with you…

It may seem obvious but in my experience in working with business owners for the past twenty something years, it is worth repeating: your brand, and your business, starts with you.

There is no faking who you are, at least not for long.

So if you want to create a powerful and impactful brand, it needs to start with you:

your values,

what you believe in,

the vision you have for yourself and your company,

the impact you want to create,

the people who’s lives you want to improve,

the value you want to add…

To make it unique, it needs to start with you because there is no other you out there and there never will be. So use it to your advantage. Never try to be someone else or copy someone else’s message. It will come across as inauthentic and in today’s world, authenticity rules all.

5 ways to create a powerful and impactful brand

To help you get started on your brand, or to help you analyze your current brand, whether it’s your own personal brand or your company’s, here are 5 questions to ask yourself for you to create a powerful and impactful brand:

1. What values define you?

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: there is no substituting you! You are the foundation of your brand so you better get to know yourself if you want others to buy into you, your services and your products. Start by asking yourself these questions:

  • what do I believe in?
  • what are my values?
  • what matters most to me?

Your values are what’s most important in the way you live and work.

They are the foundation of your priorities, and the measuring stick to all your decisions.

When the decisions you make and the services and products you offer match your values there is a sense of ease and flow. An alignment. But when you act out of alignment things will feel chaotic, unbalanced and flat out wrong. There is not substituting alignment, because there is no substituting your values.

If you’re having a hard time identifying your values, try these additional exercises:

  • Think of 3 to 6 people you admire most and write down what it is you admire about them
  • Think back of a time you did something you were very proud of and ask yourself what was it about that moment that made you proud
  • Download a list of core values HERE and circle the top 10 that jump at you.
2. What vision do you have for yourself and/or your business?

A vision inspires you and gives your actions purpose.

It guides you and gives all of your efforts a deeper meaning. Coming to understand the why you do what you do connects you with your core values and aligns you with the deepest layer of who you are.

Your vision sets free your most profound desires, dreams and ambitions. Aligning your most sincere core values with the vision you have of your life and your business makes you unstoppable and allows you to overcome hurdles when the going gets tough.

Your vision is your compass. What guides you when you are tempted by too many options. It enables you to focus on what you should be doing to reach your short and long term goals be it in a year, five years or ten years from now.

To get a clear idea of what vision you have for yourself and your business, start by asking yourself these questions:

  • what do I want to achieve?
  • if I don’t achieve this, how will I feel?
  • am I willing to take the necessary steps/actions to achieve this?
  • what does success look like to you?
  • what am I most passionate about/what brings me the most joy?
  • am I willing to share my passion/joy with the world?

Clarifying your vision takes time and commitment. If you need help, reach out to me HERE.

3. What problem are you solving and why?

Understanding your mission is crucial to a powerful and impactful brand.

Your vision is about where you want to go, your mission is how you are taking the people you want to impact there. It’s what you do and how you do it.

In order to create a memorable brand, you have to stand for something that people want or crave and that something, most often then not, solves a problem your target audience has.

Solving an urgent problem by making something better or different gives people a reason to follow you, need you and buy from you.

Richard Branson didn’t create the first airline. But he created the first cool airline that gave people more leg room, offered better snacks, had friendlier staff. He created a brand that was based on a need in the market: people were craving a better airline experience and he delivered.

And people love him for it.

Your mission is about the problem you solve for the people you want to serve. Here are some questions to ask yourself to get your started on figuring out your mission:

  • what are you really offering?
  • why are you offering it?
  • how do people feel when they buy from you or follow you?
  • what worldview are you sharing with others?
4. Who are you talking to?

Wanting to talk to everyone is like talking to no-one. Because no one recognizes themselves in the masses. Everybody wants to feel unique and wants to be treated as such.

As marketing guru Seth Godin says in his book This is Marketing: As soon as you ask yourself about the change you seek to make, it becomes quite clear that you have no chance of changing everyone.[…] So you need to change someone.

Who you are, what you stand for, what you value and what you have to offer is not for everyone. You will never please everyone.

So start by pleasing the people you are called to please. The people whose lives and businesses you want to impact and make better.

Who are those people? Ask yourself:

  • who do I want to serve and why?
  • what worldviews does this group have?
  • what are the likes and dislikes of this group?
  • what are my competitors doing that I can do differently/better?
5. What’s your story?

It’s no secret that powerful brands are built on emotions. The emotions they make us feel when we interact or buy from a specific personal or company brand.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of Under Armour. Not because they make the best running shoes or the most fitting garment.

I’m a huge fan because I identify with their story. The emotions I feel when I wear UA.

Every morning I wake up at 4:30am to workout, a little part of me feels a connection to The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) and Misty Copeland: the discipline, drive and ambition they have and breathe into that brand.

It’s not about the apparel. It’s about how I feel when I wear the apparel.

THAT’S why I’m a loyal fan. It’s selfish. It’s all about how I feel.

And your brand needs to be about how you make others feel.

How do you get that emotional connection? With your values, your vision and… your story.

To get started on your story, ask yourself these questions:

  • why do I feel a connection with the service/product I’m offering?
  • what experiences, trials and turning points have shaped you?
  • what transformation have I undergone that the people that follow me/buy from me will undergo as well?

When it’s all said and done…

Branding is an art and there are many branding experts out there but it all starts with you.

You need to have a good understanding of who you are, what you stand for, what vision you have for yourself and your business and what problem you solve.

That’s the foundation of a powerful and impactful brand.

I hope you enjoyed this blog and if it helped you in any way, consider signing up to our NEWSLETTER where we share business strategies, clarity insights, mindset hacks and personal development tools.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I know what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and define their vision and purpose.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your mission and claiming your purpose.

This mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching. This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly. I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach. Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

HOW TO FUEL AND FOCUS YOUR BUSINESS VISION

vision compass to align your business goals. focus and refuel your business vision.

HOW TO FUEL AND FOCUS YOUR BUSINESS VISION

Growing up, school wasn’t my strong suit. I wanted it to be, as I was brought up thinking being good in school meant I was going to be good in business and all I wanted was to be like my dad, a business (wo)man!

I worked really hard to be good in school, but until mid-way through high school, it wasn’t happening for me.

It didn’t help that I was the younger sibling of a straight A student. My older sister was simply brilliant in school and by the time she was 26, she already had a PhD.

Can you relate? Being the second or third or forth child and not being quite as skilled at something as the others?

Math is where I struggled the most.

The irony was that I loved math. I loved to solve problems, I loved the logic behind the equations, I loved detailing the solution.

But I hardly ever got it right.

My mom, the ever proactive parent, and a former math teacher, took it upon herself to teach me.

And so everyday after school, she would give me extra math homework. She would read to problem, explain it and on I would go to solve it.

To her greatest surprise, and somewhat mine also, I would get the answer right. Almost every time.

I continued getting everything straight As at home but failing the math tests at school.

Where was the problem?

The issue wasn’t math. The issue was that I didn’t understand the problem.

Turns out, I was actually really good in math.

What I wasn’t good at was text comprehension. I didn’t understand what was asked of me so no matter how sharp my math skills were, they were irrelevant because I didn’t understand what answer the teacher was looking for.

Does that sound familiar to you? Having all these skills and talent but not getting the results you are hoping for?

That was me with math. Eventually my mom ditched the math problems and had me work hard in text comprehension.

That changed everything. I went from a below average student to a top student all the way through law school and a second graduate degree.

All because I got clear on what was asked of me AND what I needed to do to get the results I wanted.

What does that have to do with vision?

Everything.

The funny thing about a business vision is that in order to have one, you need to be clear on what you what.

And I don’t mean generally clear, I mean crystal clear. So clear that if you were to describe your vision in a few words to a painter, he could paint an exact replica of what is in your head.

That type of clarity.

Why is it important for your vision to be clear?

Because just like my math problems that I never answered correctly because I wasn’t clear on the problem, clarity is what guides your actions, align your decisions, speaks to your customers, defines your brand, increases customer loyalty, resonates with your fans, generates profits

Basically all the things you want your business to do.

Clarity is the foundation on which all good decisions are based.

If you are unclear on what you want, how can the outcome be clear and focused?

The greater majority of my clients are business owners. My clients have all reached a certain level of success but they come to me because they’re stuck: up until then, things were moving in their business.

But all of a sudden they stopped growing, attracting new clients, generating more profits, selling out their products and services…

What happened?

It could be many things, but in my experience over the last 20 years in working with business leaders, this can often be linked back to a lack of vision.

At the start, the founder has a clear vision of where she wants to take her company and why it matters to her.

Everything is clear in her head as she shares her ideas, her goals and her dreams with everyone around her. She is 100% focused on realizing her vision.

But as she gets caught up in the everyday chores of reaching her goals, she no longer grows or fuels her vision. And by the time she’s reached her initial goals, her vision is often no longer a reflection of what she wants, who she is or why she started in the first place.

And now she’s stuck and wants to get unstuck.

How to fuel your vision?

As part of my Business Clarity coaching program, I go through a series of coaching questions to bring out what is missing and why the vision is unclear, so they can refuel and focus their vision and get back to running a profitable and lucrative business.

It’s not easy work and I am often met with strong pushback.

Remember, my clients are already successful on some level. Clearly they’ve done something right at one point but whatever that is, they need to get it back.

And that’s where I step in.

To realign their business and most often then not, to realign themselves to what truly matters and to why they started this business in the first place.

Here are the top 5 questions to fuel and focus your vision:

1 – What did you originally set out to accomplish and why?

2 – What is at the core of your business that, if everything was stripped away, would still remain?

3 – If you only look to the futur, where are you in 5 years and why is that important to you?

4 – What business are you really in and is it align with what you truly want?

5 – Is your business vision a reflection of who you are?

I encourage you to ask yourself the same questions.

You may wonder how these questions will help you with your vision.

The key to an impactful vision is one that is close to who you are. One that resonates with you. One that is an extension of you. One that clearly states who you are and what you stand for.

Your vision starts with you.

And more often then not, CEOs, Founders and business owners loose sight of the “me’ part of their business.

Everything becomes mechanical and goal driven. Instead of being vision driven.

There lies the difference.

These questions aim to bring you back to the essence of your business and who you are in this business.

That is where authenticity lies. That is where character lies. That is where your truth lies.

And THAT is what drives customer loyalty, brand recognition, raving fans…. and increased profits.

Because people trust other people more then they trust a business. So the “person” side of your business is what has to shine through.

The “person” who is you has to shine through your vision.

So now that you know what you can do to fuel and focus your vision, take out a piece of paper and write down those 5 questions.

Share some of your answers or comments with our community in the comments below.

If you don’t get clear answers right away, don’t despair.

Fuelling and recreating your vision can take some time. Remember that what matters most, is to put the essence of who you are back at the center of your vision and get really clear on what you want.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I understand what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and affirm their purpose.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your vision, your mission and your purpose.

My style of mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching.

This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly.

I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach.

Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

WHEN VALUE AND PURPOSE GROW YOUR BUSINESS

when value and purpose meet business growth. How to connect with your clients and customers

WHEN VALUE AND PURPOSE GROW YOUR BUSINESS

The world of business has greatly evolved. Value and purpose are now at the core of what customers and clients want from a business.

But in order to deliver the goods to your clients and customers, you first have to find those values and that purpose.

For the purpose (pun intended) of this blog post, let’s start with purpose and some simple exercises to get you where you need to be.

Essentially, finding your purpose means finding the unique gift the Universe (God, Inner Wisdom, Higher Power – use whatever terminology feels comfortable for you) gave you and the reason you are here in the first place.

It is the reason you are here, on earth, at this exact time in history.

Your purpose is the gift only you have and can share with the world.

Living a life of purpose means living a life that is aligned with your divine gift. A life where you get to share your unique gift with others on a regular basis. In other words, sharing your gift is how you accomplish your life’s purpose.

For entrepreneurs, success unfolds when their business is aligned with their gift.

As for executives, this happens when their strengths are capitalized by understanding their gifts.

In this blog, we review why it is very important that you find your purpose to help propel your business or career forward.

Below you’ll find two exercises to help your gift submerge from your subconscious because your gift is already within you. We just need to make it apparent.

I’ve often used these exercises when I worked as a lawyer. It wasn’t always an easy job and it came with a boatload of stress. But practicing these exercises allowed me to find my purpose and my gift, within the strict confines of my work.

It made my life so much livelier, my career more prosper and my clients happier. Because I came from a place of authenticity. I was no longer looking to fit into the description of my job. I was serving my clients from a place of value and purpose.

Reasons why you want to identify your life’s purpose:

Important Reminder:

Your purpose is not fulfilled by your actual job description as an entrepreneur or an executive.

Your true purpose is fulfilled by what your job gives you and allows you to do everyday. Examples include helping people solve problems, creating beautiful graphic designs, leading teams where people thrive.

How to Find Your Purpose

I will breakdown a two-part exercise for you to implement in your daily routine.

This will gradually bring your unique gift and your purpose out from your subconscious. Remember that your gift is already there, in your life. These exercises are merely bringing them to the forefront of your thoughts.

Similar to my all my spiritual and mindfulness practicesthese exercises won’t take too much of your time.

You can do them whenever your schedule allows it, as long as you keep the two exercises together, one after the other.

Also keep in mind that these exercises may produce results very quickly. However, if things don’t happen immediately, do not despair, it’s okay to take longer. Be patient with yourself.

Finding your purpose is well worth the efforts.

Exercise #1: Open Eyes Mediation

The first exercise I want you to implement is open eyes meditation.

That’s right, you read correctly, I want you to meditate with your eyes open.

The typical image we have of meditation is of someone sitting, cross legged, on a cushion or on the floor, eyes closed, palms facing upwards.

And that’s an accurate image, but it’s not the only way to meditate.

There are many ways to meditate and each have their own benefit.

Normally, meditating with your eyes closed allows you to bring in your focus, to enhance your inner awareness, and to retract your senses inwards. Ironically, it can also bring you out of focus. With your eyes shut, your mind can wander.

You may start thinking about your day, your to-do list, the things you forgot to put on your to-do list, wondering if you locked your car door, and the list goes on. In this case, you’ll need to bring it back into focus multiple times.

For some, meditating with their eyes closed instantly makes them feel tired and drowsy.

The body is under so much pressure and gets so little sleep and recuperation time that the minute the eyes are shut, it’s a signal for the body to completely let go and rest.

As a result, try meditation with your eyes open.

How to practice Open Eyes Meditation

Meditating with your eyes open is when you rest your eyes on a focus point while remaining aware of your surroundings. Your mind is less likely to wander because it is comfortable with the environment.

Think of it as focused daydreaming. Before mediation, make sure you have your journal and a pen nearby. This will make more sense when we get to the second exercise to finding your purpose.

Steps to practice open eyes meditation:
  1. Settle yourself in a comfortable spot with your back straight and your head looking forward. You can be sitting in a chair or cross legged on the floor. Don’t slouch. Remain upright.
  2. Rest your eyes on a focus point. Find something that your eyes can easily rest on without being distracted, like a lit candle, clouds through the window, a plant or a painting (just stare at the painting, don’t try to “understand” the painting). Make sure it is at least a few feet in front of you.
  3. Bring your awareness into your body with your breathing. Breath in through your nose slowly (about 4 to 6 seconds) and breath out through your mouth slowly (about 6 to 8 counts). Once you are comfortable with the rhythm of your breath, you no longer need to count. Simply continue breathing at that pace and keep your eyes peacefully staring at your focus point.
  4. Mediate for 8 minutes.
  5. As soon as your timer goes off close your eyes, put your hands into the form of a prayer and bring it to your forehead. This represents your third eye and your heart.
  6. Then, open your eyes and smile.

Tip 1: If possible, take your open eyes meditation outdoors. Natural focus points like trees, flowers, even grass, are very calming. My favourite focus points are tree leaves.

Tip2 : I set a gentle gong sound alarm on my phone that rings even though my phone is on airplane mode – in order to avoid distraction.)

After your meditation, your emotions for the day will have settled. Your mind will feel rested and you are ready for the next exercise.

Exercise #2: Journaling

As you come out of meditation, hold onto that sense of overall peace and reach for your journal and pen.

Make sure you put your journal and pen close to your mediation area before you begin meditating. You do not want to lose that sense of tranquility.

This journaling is different from most journaling that is free flowing. Instead, I want you to start writing, in bullet form, every task you enjoy doing during your day at work and why you think it brings you joy. The bullets on your sheet should list each enjoyable task and why it brings your joy.

Here is an example.

When I was working as a lawyer, I often worked over 80 hours a week. It was gruelling. But when I sat down to journal after my meditation, this is what I found myself writing:

  • I enjoy speaking to clients on the phone because I help them solve issues they are struggling with.
  • I’m happy spending this additional time with my colleagues because I feel like I get to know them better and create deeper connections.
  • I look forward to solving complicated strategic problems because it makes me feel helpful.

Not sure if you like what you do on a daily basis? Keep track of the activities you are drawn to and that you are excited about.

After one week of Meditation and Journaling

After a week of meditation and journaling, I want you to go back to your journal and read everything. Patterns will emerge from your notes that will ultimately reveal your unique gift. 

There are endless ways to share your gift with the world on a daily basis and make it an integral part of your life. What’s amazing is that the more you show a desire to share your gift, the more the Universe will present you with opportunities to do so.

On a final note, no matter how long it takes you to find your gift, be patient. You have a gift that is unique to you and the Universe wants you to share it.

Download the steps to meditation and journaling and the journaling template HERE.

If you enjoyed this blog and it helped you in any way, consider signing up to our newsletter where we share business strategies, mindset hacks and personal development tools.

Also, share this blog on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to help your network!

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I know what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and affirm their purpose.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your mission and claiming your purpose.

This mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching. This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly. I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach. Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

EXTERIOR VALIDATION: IS IT CRIPPLING YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE?

external validation can sway us in different directions but knowing your mission statement can set you on the right path

EXTERIOR VALIDATION: IS IT CRIPPLING YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE?

The need for exterior validation is something I’ve struggled with for as long as I can remember.

From the type of sports I played, to the various passions I pursued, to the top grades I was for ever chasing – and falling short of. Exterior validation seemed to be the number one reason for whatever I was choosing to do.

And you would think that with age, being in my early forties, I wouldn’t need it so much or at least I wouldn’t go in search of it or worst, let it dictate what I was doing in my life or in my business.

But as I’ve taken inventory of how things are going for me right now, I’ve come to the debilitating conclusion that exterior validation still plays a big enough role on my life.

More than I’d care to admit.

And by talking to some of my highly successful clients, it seems that I am not the only high achiever that is in the grips of this unsavoury mental model.

Why you shouldn’t rely on external validation for your decisions

First, it’s important to understand what external validation is.

External validation is the need to have other people’s opinion validate how we feel, what we do and how we act. It is the need for praises, or in our social media heavy world, the need for likes, comments and thumbs up.

External validation in and of itself is not bad. It takes an ugly turn when you depend on it to base your decision instead of turning inward and validating with yourself if this next move is the right one for you.

As social psychologists C. H. Cooley and Han-Joachim Schubert wrote in their book On Self and Social Organization, external validation can be summed it up as follows: “I am not what I think I am and I am not what you think I am; I am what I think that you think I am.”

Basing your life decisions on what I think that you think I am is a slippery slope. Because it is no longer about what you think or what you believe in your gut to be true and right for you.

It is about you think others think is true and right for you.

Big difference with big consequences.

So how to loosen the grip of external validation in 3 steps?

1.The first step to loosen the grip of external validation is to realize that it is a part of your decision making process. If you won’t acknowledge that it is a part of you, then it will be very difficult for you to realign your thought process or as mental model.

2. Now that you’ve acknowledge its presence and its impact, turn to internal validation and ask yourself:

What is it about what your decision, your message, your business, your next big move… that resonates with you?

Why is it about those elements (decision, message, business, big move…) that make them important to you?

What value do they carry with them that resonate with your values?

3. The third and final step to loosen the grip of external validation is to come back to your mission statement: what is your reason for being – what is the reason for being for your business. Once you’ve figured out what it is that you are here to accomplish, it won’t matter as much what others think, because you are on a mission.

External validation looses it’s power when you are grounded in your mission.

Think of it this way:

If Rosa Parks had stopped and let external validation dictate her actions, she wouldn’t have became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She fearlessly pursued her actions because they were grounded in her mission to end racial injustice

If the Wright Brothers had let external validation and social mockery dictate their actions, they would have quit on their dreams to see man fly.

I could go on and on with an endless list of amazing inventors, creators and world-shakers that shaped the way we see life and do business today because they didn’t let external validation dictate what they needed to do or what their next big move should be.

You may be thinking that you have no desire to become an international icon of some sort or revolutionary inventor but your purpose remains just as important and crucial to be realized.

Realizing your purpose is the only way you will find fulfilment. It is the only way you will know why you are here, why you have this life and why you started this business.

It is then no longer about them or even about you but about what you are here to do.

The message you share through your work your business, your services and your products; that is what is important. It is the message itself that is important.

How to get clear on your mission

Understanding the mission you are on is the catalyst to letting go of what others may or may not think of what you think they think of you.

When you are on a mission, think Mission Impossible and Tom Cruise, the mission itself is what’s most important.

So as you start thinking about your own mission, think about what it is you want to accomplish in your life and why.

Ask yourself what are the ACTIONS you would take if nothing held you back and if you had no fear.

Then write them down and let them sink in for a bit.

That’s the first step I want you to cover today: simply look at your mission in terms of actions.

To help you get started, take out a dictionary – or look one up on your smart phone- and browse through verbs that ignite a fire in you.

Think of verbs like “inspire”, “ignite”, “change”, “create”, “build”, “save”, “spread”, “encourage”, “enlighten”… Whatever verb feels right to you in terms of what ACTION you would take if you had no fear and no one was holding you back.

Write them down on a piece of paper (yes with a pen and paper, not on your smart phone – there is actually a cognitive reason behind this that makes your writing a lot more powerful and meaningful) and allow those verbs to sink in.

And while you let those sit and sink in, I’d love to hear what those action words are for you. Leave a comment below or send me a quick email. I’m always eager to hear from you.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I know what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and affirm their purpose.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your mission and claiming your purpose.

This mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching. This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly. I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach. Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

7 TIPS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR

woman entrepreneur 7 tips for a successful entrepreneurial journey

7 TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS

I’m so glad I found podcasts early on in my entrepreneurial journey.

Are you listening to any? If not, you are missing out. There is so much amazing content being put out there by successful entrepreneurs, business owners, coaches, athletes, you name it.

Literally, listening to the right podcasts feels like being handed out a roadmap to success.

This year, I had the honour of being a guest on The No Formula Podcast.

I spoke with Laura L. Bernhard about my journey to entrepreneurial success as a Coach. I opened up about my early struggles and the lessons I learned along the way.


Our conversation highlights 7 tips for entrepreneurial success:

Clearly Define the Value of Your Service(s) or Product(s)


When I first started, I sent out 2,000 individualized emails – pretty much everybody that had ever met me got an email. I explained my transition from international lawyer to executive coach and presented my services.

Only two people came back to me: one wished me luck and said that maybe we’d work together in the future and the other said he was going to report me because my email was unsolicited.


I was very discouraged… but only briefly. I know there is no need to dwell on what is going wrong. I rather focus and give energy to how I can make it right.

I re-evaluated.

I asked myself:

“What didn’t resonate with people?”
“How did I present my offer that didn’t resonate with people?”
“What value can I bring?”

When you start a new venture, especially one as demanding as being an entrepreneur, you need to clearly define WHAT you are offering but most importantly, WHY you are doing it.

By clearly defining the value of your services, you’ll attract the right people that are actually looking for your help.

To steer you in the right direction, identify the following characteristics of your business:


• Target audience
• Your message
• Your pitch
• How you help people
• How to narrow your audience

Bonus Tip: No matter what you work on, don’t make it about the money. Why? After experiencing massive rejection – like my 2,000 failed emails – you’re more likely to abandon your entrepreneurial journey and look for something else that can make you money faster and easier. You won’t give your business the time and dedication it deserves to succeed.


Create a Morning Routine that Works for You

Mornings are a precious and special time of day.

Your morning routine can either make or break how your day unfolds.

People often think that I drink massive amounts of coffee or that I’m running on some sort of stimulants because my energy is always so high.

Truth is, I set up my day, first thing in the morning, to have this kind of energy resonate throughout the rest of my day.

I know my morning routine works for me because I am energized, in a great mood and ready to start my day. Feeling any other way would require me to change things up and find something that generates the kind of energy and good vibes I’m after.


I wake up during the Brahma Muhurta period – between 3:30am and 5:30am. It’s a transition period between night and sunrise. It is the most serene and peaceful time of the day.

This early, the mind is at its purest and free of thoughts.

This is when I do my Gratitude Prayer.

This practice allows me to express gratitude for the things I have, big and small, but also for all the amazing entrepreneurial opportunities to come.

I always add the following in my practice “I am grateful for the clients that need my help today.”

Once I’ve prayed, I meditate. I let everything I’ve expressed sink in and listen for guidance.

Then, it’s time to get the day going. I answer some emails and exercise.

I make sure my day never starts rushed or hectic. Or else that’s how the rest of the day would feel.


Bonus Tip : If you want to further optimize your schedule, find 30 unique ways to kickstart your morning and a guide on how to implement it.


Be Intentional about Your Actions


Staying focused is a super power.

After identifying the value of your services, you need to focus on how to execute.

There’s a myth that entrepreneurs must multi-task to get a million things done.

But multi-tasking is the best way to get nothing done right. But it may in fact, prevent you from reaching your entrepreneurial goals. It may seem like you are accomplishing a lot but truth is, since nothing has 100% of your focus, you wont get 100% of the results.

It’s important to focus on each task, one at a time.


If you are answering emails, focus on your emails.


If you are in a meeting, focus on that meeting.


If you are with family, focus on your family.


Being intentional with whatever you are doing means not thinking about other things you could be doing. This will help you concentrate on what needs you be done.


Stop Negotiating with Yourself OUT of Doing things.


Being intentional is difficult. It’s even more difficult when you don’t feel like it.


When you start procrastinating, you are negotiating with yourself.


Think about the last time you didn’t want to exercise.
“I exercised yesterday; I don’t need to do it today”
“Oh, I’m still sore, I deserve a break.”
“I don’t have gas in the car, I won’t make it to the gym.”

You literally talked yourself OUT of what you should be doing. Stop negotiating with yourself. Stop making excuses.


Like Nike says, just do it.


Next time you try negotiating with yourself, tell your mind to simply shut up.


In all honesty, you can’t stop the flow of your thoughts. However, you can change how you react to your thoughts.

Next time you catch yourself negotiating with your own self, remind yourself of why you decided to do what you had originally decided to do. Picture the person you want to be – a person who runs a business, who is a great entrepreneur, who eats well, exercises…

Act right now like your future self would act.


If that still doesn’t work, think about when you make plans with your mom, your dad your friends or your partner. Chances are, you would do what is necessary to make those plans happen. You wouldn’t cancel on them for no reason. So, don’t cancel on yourself.

You are important and in order to have the entrepreneurial success, you need to make yourself a priority. It’s not being selfish, it’s simply looking after what’s best for you.


Bonus tip: Stop negotiating with yourself by telling yourself to shut up. Envision the person you want to become and what that person does. Finally, respect yourself like you respect others. If you plan on doing something, do it.

Self-Leadership

Simply put, if you don’t know how to lead yourself and your life, you can’t lead others.

Reflect on your habits. Based on the person you are today: would you look up to yourself?

Alternatively, would you look up to someone who procrastinated? didn’t follow through on commitments? couldn’t get to the gym? was never disciplined?

Probably not.


In general, we look up to people who are authentic and disciplined.

Self-leadership is the concept of owning your decisions by being disciplined in your follow-through.

If you are unable to set goals for yourself and have the discipline to go after them, people will see through that.


Let’s say, for example, you have a new client and get them excited about all the projects you are going to help them with. If you don’t follow through, if you don’t show up and do the work, if you don’t deliver amazing value, beyond what is expected, you will most likely lose that client very quickly to someone else that is willing to do all those things in order to succeed and build a reputable business.


Now, you must be wondering, “Eloïse, why is self-leadership important for entrepreneurial success?”


Most likely – and I strongly suggest so – the foundation of your business is a reflection of you: your values, your purpose, your habits.

If you’re habits include procrastination, you will most likely attract people -employees, service providers – that procrastinate. You will continuously suffer setbacks and it will take you a lot longer to get your business off the ground.

As a result, work on your discipline and develop the habits that lead to self-leadership.


Bonus tip: Discipline is the art of doing things you don’t feel like doing it.

Consistence and Persistence


Part of being disciplined is not only about executing tasks, but doing them repeatedly.

Consider the law of the 1%.

One of my friends explained to me that, in aviation, if, after leaving your point of origin, your plane shifts by one percent off your planned trajectory, that could mean the difference between landing in Montreal and landing in Brazil.


This drives home the point that improving your life by just 1%, every day, can make a very big impact in your life.


One percent every day is the equivalent of making one decision every day.


Perhaps, you decide to wake up earlier that day or you decide to exercise or you decide to skip the cookies.


Making one good decision every day has a compounding effect on your life.


In a business setting, a 1% decision would be to promote your content every day. That consistency will eventually pay off in dividends. It will have such a great ripple effect.

Bonus tip: Ask yourself: what good decision did you make today?

Embrace Failure

If you don’t fail, you’re not trying hard enough.

Your failures are the stepping stones to bigger and better things.

People are usually scared of failing because of what other people think.

However, think about toddlers when they are learning how to walk. Do they quit? Do they say, “oh, walking isn’t for me?”

Absolutely not.

They fall, again and again, but they get right back up.

The way they learn how to coordinate their bodies is how entrepreneurs learn how to implement strategies and grow their business. It takes time, but eventually, they figure it out.


There will be times where you will fail miserably. In those instances, be brutally honest with yourself and evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Then, take a step back and find a way to make it work.

You can only learn from your failures if you acknowledge them.

When I was rejected countless times, I acknowledged that something was not right. Okay, I actually told myself that it was a disaster. That’s what helped me take a step back – I was able to look honestly, without judgment, at what didn’t work.

I didn’t quit. I looked for new ways to approach prospects. I made note of the resources I had available to myself.

As a result, I clearly defined how I could help entrepreneurs and executives. I learned how to speak to prospect and explain how I could support them in their business growth. That wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t fail first.

We celebrate the people who fail, make a comeback and succeed. But we rarely want to be that person ourselves. Help your business and embrace the failures.

Successful Takeaways:


Clearly define what you are offering.

Start your day on the right foot – energized – by figuring out your ideal morning routine.

Stop negotiating with yourself – you are worth the plans you make for yourself.

Be intentional about your actions.

Develop self-leadership: focus and discipline.

Consistent and persistence – one good decision every day and great compounding effects.

Embrace failure – they will be your stepping stones to bigger and better things.

Remember that your entrepreneurial journey is a marathon, not a sprint


I hope you enjoyed this blog and if it helped you in any way, consider signing up to our NEWSLETTER where we share business strategies, clarity insights, mindset hacks and personal development tools.


I always strive to be a resource to my network, if you feel the same, share this blog your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

To your success,

Eloïse

P.S. I know what it feels like to want so much out of life and to run a business that has a positive and powerful impact on the world. I know what it’s like to read endless self-help sand business mastery books, looking for that edge that is going to calm the overwhelm and give direction to your life and your business.

I know how all of it feels like because I was stuck there for years. And so have all my clients.

Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE self-help and business mastery books and still read them to this day. But now I know what I was missing that none of these books could give me and that is A CLEAR MISSION OF WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY LIFE.

It took me years and thousands of dollars spent on coaches, mentors, workshops and online courses to get to this point. And let’s not forget the two decades I spent travelling the world and working as an international corporate lawyer alongside top business leaders.

All of that got me to here. And HERE is to help you. Because my own mission is:

To inspire and lead others to find clarity and affirm their purpose.

No matter what stage you are at in your life, finding your purpose and getting clear on your mission is the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It is what will bring you the greatest fulfilment. Not to mention, the greatest abundance.

Abundance, yes. When you are clear on what you want, you can focus all of your energy and your willpower on making it happen. Things start flowing, new opportunities are presented to you, ideal clients and partners and adventures are directed your way.

You may not understand how this is all happening and this is far from being “magic” or some woo woo concept. This is simply you getting clear on what you want and channeling your energy accordingly.

If you are looking for that transformation, if you have reached that point where you know there is more to get from your life and your business but you just don’t know how to get there, then I can help you.

I can guide you through the step by step process of getting clear on your mission and claiming your purpose.

This mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your experiences and your desired outcomes. This is not some cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all kind of coaching. This is for those that are willing to put in the work to get more out life and their business: more money, more abundance, more joy, more freedom, more fulfilment.

If this sounds like you, if you are like all of my other succesful clients that came to me searching for something more and getting even more out of their life and business, then I urge you to CLICK HERE and get in touch with me directly. I will directly respond to your email. Not my assistant or another coach. I will personally assist you.

But let me make this clear for you, before you click that link. You are going to have to work for what you want. I am not the “cheerleader” type of coach. Yes I will support you 1000% but I will also call you out when you need it most.

Remember, this is about YOU. THIS IS ABOUT YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE. In order to get you there, you will need to work through the process.

If you are ready then I can’t wait to work with you. CLICK HERE.

30 UNIQUE IDEAS FOR YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

morning routine with coffee and journaling


A Morning routine is as unique as our coffees and teas.

This routine is designed to work for you and as such, need to be tailored to your needs. Oprah Winfrey starts her day with spiritual exercises while Jeff Bezos, the Founder of Amazon, likes to include what he calls “high-IQ meetings,” before lunch time.

As entrepreneurs we need to structure our days to be as efficient and productive as possible. So how do you kickstart your day?
If you fee; your day can’t be further optimized or you’re looking for fresh new ideas to help you tailor your own morning routine, you’ve come to the right place.


Here you’ll find 30 unique ways to kickstart your day. Plus, a guide on how to implement these changes into your current morning routine for optimal results.


The goal here is to get you energized and productive, not burn out. So don’t aim to implement everything or things that don’t resonate with you. Make your morning routine as unique as you are.

A Routine of Self-Care


As entrepreneurs, we are the core of our business. Our business needs us. Self-care then becomes a priority for us and for our business.

1.Pamper routine. Start off your day by pampering yourself. Other than washing your face, showering and brushing your teeth, consider taking an extra step. Try a face mask, ,a body lotion or even a 5 min bath. Taking care of yourself helps your overall well-being and puts you in a relaxing mood.

2.Exercise. This has been part of my morning routine for the past 20 years. And it’s never failed me. The benefits of morning exercise are endless. According to A Forbes article, one benefit of morning exercises is an increase in productivity. But it doesn’t need to be a full-blown workout. Include stretching exercises, yoga, 30 mins HIIT workouts or anything that moves your body and gets those endorphins going.

3.Go for a walk. For those who cannot imagine doing any form of rigorous exercise in the morning, consider going for a walk. It may be a short walk but moving your body and getting fresh can be a great way to start your day. Both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were known to conduct meetings while walking.

4.Meditate. Many of us entrepreneurs need to navigate stress and overwhelm. Mediation is key for putting your mind at ease and the effects carry on throughout the day. If you’re just trying meditation for the first time, consider these simple steps for meditation and mindfulness.

5.Sleep-in. Not all entrepreneurs are early birds. We totally get that! Don’t feel guilty or shameful if you want to sleep in. Sleep is not a luxury, it’s a necessity If you work best at night, when everyone is asleep, then do you. Your morning routine needs to revolve around your own needs.

6.Journal. In the morning, your thoughts are fresh, unfiltered and often times, un-negotiated. In other words, they are prime to be put down on paper. Journaling can be used to track your progress or as part of your creative process. It is also used to document emotions and organize what goes on in our minds. Journaling is a form of expressing thoughts and emotions. Writing can also help you gain perspective and relieve stress.

7.Gratitude prayer. Gratitude Prayer is another essential part of my morning routine. This practice allows you to express gratitude for the things you have, big and small but also for all the amazing opportunities to come. For example, “I am grateful for the clients that need my help today.” It leaves me energized, open to new opportunities and ready to take on the day.

8.Pray. No matter who you pray to, the Universe, God, Source, Divine Light… make time for prayer. It will ground you and give you a sense of unity. As entrepreneurs, we often feel alone with our struggles and hardship. Not everyone understands the choices we make. Prayer allows you to feel connected. Like someone is watching over you, guiding you and cheering you on.

9.Take cold shower. This friends, is life changing! And yes, I do it every morning… even in the bitter cold winter months. Forget a splash of cold water on your face. Before you step out, turn the water as cold as you can tolerate for the last 30 seconds of your shower. There are multiple scientific reasons to take cold showers including increasing endorphins and improving metabolism.

10.Listen to music. For some, music is a great way to get energized. Create a playlist of motivational songs. I recommend playing it while you are getting ready, exercising or eating.

Set Your Goals for the Day

Setting your intention for the day is powerful. You will feel prepared and ready to take on whatever comes your way.


11. Review daily schedule. Kick off your morning by reviewing what you have planned. A simple review keeps you aware of what’s to come and helps you stay on track.

12. Review previous day of work. Make note of anything you didn’t finish on the previous day so nothing gets left behind.

13. Read your mission statement. Your mission statement is the foundation of your business. It is the basis of your brand and the story you share with your customers. It is what grounds your business in difficult times and what aligns your actions and future decisions. Reading it in the morning helps you navigate any hurdles you come across during the day.

14. Run errands/clean. Get rid of any small errands you can cross off your list. And make sure your work space is tidy. A clean workspace helps you focus

Socialize


After being quarantined, we all know how socializing is essential for our well-being. Consider adding a social element to your morning routine a few times per week.


15. Catch up with friends. A quick check in with friends is a fun way to start your day. Suggest going for a walk together or having a quick phone call to catch up.

16. Reach out to people in your network. Follow the saying, “its who you know, not what you know,”. Spend a few minutes every morning to reach out or catch up with people in your network. This could be by email, text, or through your favourite social media platform like LinkedIn.

17. Call family. It’s always nice to catch up with home base, in whatever was home base is for you. Maybe you call your parents, your grand-parents or your siblings, maybe you call a mentor or a childhood friend.

18. Watch the news. Stay away from all the negative gossip but do get your information in. Try a newspaper, online NEWS magazine or Twitter.

Let’s get to work


There are no shortages of tasks on our to-do lists. Consider putting important tasks at the beginning of the day, when you are fresh, creative and open. Make sure to block time to complete tasks “you normally don’t have time for.”


19. Make important phone calls. If you don’t do them early on in the day, they will be on your mind until you do them. So, get that done as early as possible.

20. Work on a side project. This is for the entrepreneurs who love working on multiple projects at once. Reserve morning time for one of those projects so you can cross it off your list.

21. Review proposal, slides for presentation. No matter what you have planned for the day, a proposal can haunt you until it’s over. Don’t fight it. Review those slides and kill it.

22. Write a blog post. Consider using one morning to focus on those pesky tasks we always push down the priority list, like writing that blog post.

23. Review one page of your website. Hone in on website user experience. As one of those tasks that we tend to push aside, try optimizing one part of your website at a time. Break it down by page, content, call-to-actions and funnels.

24. Optimize your LinkedIn account. As LinkedIn becomes a primary lead source for many entrepreneurs, there are many resources to help you optimize your LinkedIn account.

25. Check your email. We get caught in this trap where we check our email five times a day. Instead, dedicate specific times to check your inbox.

Build Your Community


A large part of managing online businesses is building a community. Dedicate time, in the morning, so it isn’t left on the back burner.

26. Check social media. On average, people spend 144 minutes on social media per day. As entrepreneurs, we don’t have time to scroll through gossip. However, many of us need to spend time on social platforms to grow our business. Therefore, once you’ve found a platform that appeals to your ideal clients, dedicate specific times of the day to look at your socials.

27. Do an Instagram live. If Instagram is a good lead source for your business consider doing a Instagram live to build your community. Richard Moore, a sales guru from the United Kingdom, has gone live on Instagram every single Monday for the last four years. You can just imagine how loyal his following is.

28. Consider a Facebook live. There are over a billion people on Facebook. Regardless of what you think of the platform, your target audience is likely to be there. Consider going on Facebook live to build your community as well.

29. If you have it, LinkedIn live. Although you need to sign up for LinkedIn Live, it can be worth the trouble to get it because it sets you apart. And of course, like for the other platforms, it helps you build a loyal community of ideal clients.

30. Enjoy your morning routine!

Morning Routine Guide for Optimal Results


After choosing some of the recommendations you want to try, here is a best practice guide:

– First and foremost, do not attempt to start your day with every single recommendation above. Limit your morning routine to a maximum of 3 to 5 different tasks. Your morning routine should take all morning…

– Change one thing at a time. Just like changing a habit, I don’t recommend changing more than one at a time. Implement one change and see how you like it. Try it for 30 days. Then, adjust and repeat the process.

– Try to stick to the same routine every day. It builds positive habits and your body expects all the good that is coming. A morning routine repeated daily gives a sense of control, which, in the world of entrepreneurship, is a welcome change. However, do tweak when needed. For example, a full workout might not be ideal on a given day when you have a very early meeting. But do schedule in time to move your body, even if it’s only for a 15 min stretching routine.

– In this blog post, I separated the recommendations into five categories. Feel free to juggle them around.

– Don’t be scared to drop what doesn’t work for you. However, if you say you’re going to try it, actually do it. Give your new routine a fair chance.


If you enjoyed this blog and it helped you get your day started on the right foot, consider signing up to our Newsletter where we share with you business strategies, mindset hacks and personal development tools.


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