Now What?® Coaching

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Is it time to change your lens? Shift your focus, change everything

Last week, I found myself silently questioning every life choice that brought me to that moment.

Let me back up.

I recently joined a daily personal development program – something for me, not something I’m leading. It includes two workouts a week, and I was all in. Day one, I pushed hard. Too hard! I spent the next day walking around shaped like an S, nursing lower back pain and regret.

When it came time to show up for the next workout, I had a choice to make.

I could look through the lens of: “I’m injured. I can’t do this. Poor me.”
Or I could ask myself, “What choice do I have right now that moves me forward?”

I chose to show up. I modified the movements, I focused on form, and I listened to my body.

Here’s the part that surprised me: By the end of the warm-up, the pain started to fade. I was able to keep going for 35 minutes into the 40-minute class. Not perfect, but powerful. I wrapped up thinking “yay me!” rather than “woe is me” that day.

And that, right there, is what I want you to recognize – the power of the lens you choose.

You don’t get to pick your circumstances. But you absolutely get to pick how you see them.

You can see yourself as the victim of your situation, or you can decide to show up as the hero of your story.

I’m not talking about being performative or pushing through when it’s unsafe. I’m talking about the small, meaningful choice to say, “Even if I can’t do everything today, what can I do?”

That’s what makes the difference between spiraling and rising. As Brené Brown says:
“You either walk into your story and own your truth, or you live outside of your story, hustling for worthiness.”

The lens you choose doesn’t erase reality. But it changes your relationship to it by reflecting a different view. It changes your next step. And over time, it changes everything.

If you’re not sure how to switch your lens, here’s what I suggest…

This weekend, I challenge you to take one situation you’ve been struggling with – something that makes you want to hide, shut down, or feel defeated – and ask:

What lens am I using to view this right now?
If I were the hero in this story, what would I do next?

Even a small brave action, like showing up for a warm-up when you’re not sure you can handle the whole class, has the power to change how you see yourself. And that shifts the entire experience.

I’ll leave you with this question:
What lens are you looking through today?

Choose the one that moves you forward. Step into the hero story.

Read this quote again, and really let it sink in this time:
“You either walk into your story and own your truth, or you live outside of your story, hustling for worthiness.“

October 19, 2025
When you stop hiding, this happens

If there’s one thing I know for sure in my work, it’s that visibility changes everything.

Whether you’re building a business, exploring a new career path, or trying to grow in your current role, the people who create real momentum are the ones who are willing to be seen.

Because let’s be honest – staying behind the scenes might feel safer, but it comes at a cost.

Being invisible means being overlooked.
Overlooked for jobs or promotions. Overlooked for opportunities. Overlooked by potential clients.

In this moment – when competition is high and attention is short – you can’t afford to be overlooked.

Let’s talk about what it means to make what I call a visibility shift.

If you’re in a corporate setting, this is about taking a strategic approach to be sure you’re seen by the right people in the right way. You’d want to do things like:

– Asking to be in the meetings you’re not usually invited to.
– Volunteering to present on a topic you’re passionate about.
– Attending key networking events, team outings, and even coffee chats with leaders.
– Posting relevant, thoughtful content online to position yourself as someone with something to say in your industry.

But be careful: Don’t volunteer for the company picnic or the fire safety committee hoping it will raise your profile. That puts you in the “helpful, non-promotable” category, which is nothing but a distraction.

If you’re running your own business, visibility is your lifeline.

It’s too important to leave it to chance. No spraying and praying or random acts of marketing will get you the kind of attention and respect you desire. It may have worked in the past, but it’ll only fall short these days!

The better marketer wins, not necessarily the better coach, consultant, or service provider. However, this doesn’t mean your strategy has to be overly complex or even finely tuned to make a difference.

Pick one platform, one problem you solve, and show up consistently. Share real insights, case studies, and value, not just tips and tricks. Let people see how you think, what you do, and who you help.

Want to get out there and get known yesterday? Speaking is the fastest way to build visibility, hands down (preferably in person, in front of a crowd), but a virtual audience in real time is the next best thing.

When you raise your visibility, something powerful happens. The right clients, jobs, collaborations, and chances to grow come looking . . . and find what you have to offer.

Here’s my challenge to you: Make the visibility shift.

When you stop hiding, you start building the future you actually want.

October 12, 2025
Go from side hustle to full-time – the smart way

There’s something incredibly powerful about creating your own opportunities. Being your own boss means you get to control your destiny, and that’s a beautiful thing.

But don’t let anyone fool you into thinking it’s easy. And don’t fool yourself into thinking your part-time business will be easier if you just quit your job and go all-in.

Whether you’re dreaming about breaking free from a toxic workplace or turning your side hustle into a full-time career, there’s one truth you need to hear: Freedom is harder than you think.

Lately, I’ve been working with a client who’s doing a fantastic job preparing for the leap from side hustle to full-time business. She’s not there yet, but she’s building the foundation, and I want to share some practical tips based on what she’s doing right in case you’re ready to take that path too.

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Tip #1: Don’t quit your day job without a plan.
Unless you’ve got at least six months to a year’s worth (preferably more!) of living expenses saved up, you need a crossover strategy. This client works a full-time job that has nothing to do with her side hustle, but she’s making it work. Nights and weekends. Testing her offer. Building proof. She has paying clients, testimonials, and, most importantly, market validation. That’s where it starts.

Tip #2: A cash cushion can save your tush.
You need to save up 6–12 months of expenses. Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, and your peace of mind will depend on having a financial buffer.

Tip #3: Bide your time if you can.
If it’s possible to negotiate a shift from full-time to part-time in your current job, do it. Having more time for your business, while bringing in a steady paycheck, means less stress. If that’s not an option, look for a bridge job that gives you flexibility while you grow. You can always do gig work if you need to get scrappy, but I’ve noticed that maintaining a part-time regular paycheck is often ideal.

Tip #4: Start building systems now.
Don’t wait for some day when everything’s perfect. Document what you do and create processes as early as possible. When you’re ready to bring in help, whether it’s a VA, contractor, or generous spouse, you don’t want everything living in your brain.

Tip #5: Manage your mindset.
When it’s time to take the leap, making that shift is a big deal. Don’t underestimate the transition period. This is where you learn how to motivate yourself without a boss breathing down your neck. You’ll need to prepare your mind and stay grounded. No clock to punch. No one telling you what to do. Just you, your goals, and your grit.

Tip #6: Don’t inflate your lifestyle too soon.
Keep your personal expenses to a minimum while you build. You don’t have to eat rice and beans (unless you want to) or fall into a stark scarcity mindset, but be smart about spending. Don’t get ahead of yourself, even if business revenue starts flowing in. Your best months can be followed by crickets; that’s the way it goes sometimes.
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One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is watching clients build a successful business that supports their dream of freedom because they did it the right way…

I’ve also seen talented people crash and burn because they followed some internet guru who sold them the fantasy without the plan.

That’s not what we do here.
We get real. We get strategic. We build something solid.

The best time to start? Five years ago.
The second-best time? Right now.

If you’ve got a side hustle and you’re ready to go full-time, don’t wing it – build it!

I’m cheering you on.

October 5, 2025
What’s your story? (Is it time for a new one?)

The stories we tell ourselves are powerful. They determine how we show up, what risks we assume, and what actions we take (or avoid) – whether those stories hold truth or not.

That’s why rewriting your story is such a central part of the work I do with clients. Especially now, when so many people are feeling anxious about the economy, the job market, or what’s coming next.

Understandably so. But even in uncertain times, your story is what determines your next move – not the headlines.

If you’re telling yourself,
“It’s pointless to try right now,” that’s a story.
If you’re saying, “No one’s hiring people like me,” or “I don’t have what it takes to build a business,”
those are stories, too. . . . and you’ve written yourself into a dead end.

Let me ask you something that I often ask my clients:
How’s that story working for ya? 🤨
If the answer is “not great,” it’s time for a rewrite.

Take one client of mine who’s dealing with chronic health issues. That’s real; it’s her truth. But her underlying story was, “I can’t succeed because of this.” And that story was keeping her stuck.

So we rewrote it. She started saying, “I can still succeed at a high level in ways that work with my energy and time.” That story opened up possibilities.

Instead of traveling to speak, she started hosting webinars.
Instead of offering hourly services, she packaged her expertise into group offerings.
Same person. Different story. New actions.

Where do your stories come from? Some are generational. Others are cultural, religious, or formed from early life experiences. Maybe you were told to be “realistic.” Maybe you saw someone fail and vowed never to take the same risk.

The truth is, you’re not stuck.

In my Now What?^® coaching work, we look at how your career path has been shaped by the story you’ve told, and how we can rewrite it to get you where you actually want to go.

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Here’s a quick exercise:
Imagine stepping out of your life like it’s a movie. Watch yourself as the main character. What story are you playing out?

If your character is accepting underpaid work because adults in their life said they’d never amount to anything. . . What happens if that character starts developing skills and learning how to land high-paying clients or climb the corporate ladder?

If your character is working around the clock, missing time with their kids, like their divorced mother had to just to survive. . . What if they started building a business that prioritizes family and flexibility instead?

If your character is stuck in a job they hate because they once saw an uncle’s business fail and their dad called entrepreneurship irresponsible. . . What if that story becomes fuel to learn from others’ mistakes, or build something safer and more sustainable?

You can’t rewrite the past, but you can change how it drives your future.
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The stories we tell ourselves are the scripts we live by. Stop letting a dead-end story dictate your next move.

Write a story that opens doors. That sparks creativity. That leads to action.
Because the story you choose is the life you live.

What’s your next chapter?

September 28, 2025
Inspiration as an antidote to division

Last week, we marked the anniversary of September 11th. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I remember most. Not just the tragedy of that day, but also what occurred on September 12, 2001.

We were devastated; still, something powerful happened:
People helped one another. We made eye contact. We were kind. We showed up in service of our shared humanity.

Back then, we were attacked from the outside. The enemy was identifiable, unmistakable, shared, and external. We were united in our grief, and we reached out to each other with compassion and support.

Today, the enemy feels closer. It looks like the neighbor with a different yard sign. The colleague across the aisle. The family member who disagrees with you on values you hold dear.

That’s where we are – Divided.

This isn’t a political message; it’s a human one.

When I sit with clients in sessions, they’re not asking me how to win arguments. They’re asking me how to stay grounded in a world that feels unstable, and how to navigate a career or run a business alongside people who hold differing world views and may lack respect for yours or for who you are.

This is what I tell them: It’s about leadership. We’re all called to be leaders in our lives.

Whether you’re leading a team, a business, a family, or just your own day-to-day decisions, you are a leader. Leadership shows up in how we respond when things feel fractured.

There are two paths you can take:
You can divide.
OR
You can inspire.

Inspiration isn’t about ignoring reality or glossing over deep differences. I’m not asking you to be soft or to pretend the values divide isn’t real. I’m asking you to be intentional: To lead with awareness and courage, and to be someone who seeks to uplift anyway, even when you’re feeling down.

This is what I’m calling “The September 12th Test.”

When you’re tempted to judge harshly, to lash out, or to check out altogether – pause.
Ask yourself: Will this divide or inspire? Am I adding to existing negativity or contributing to creating something better?

You may not change the world overnight, but you can change the room you’re in, the conversation you’re having, and the energy you bring.

We may not be able to unify just yet, but we can choose to inspire.
Right now, that’s exactly what the world needs.

September 21, 2025
How Committed Are You?

A wise yoga teacher once said to me:
“Who you are on the mat is who you are in life.”

She wasn’t calling us a pack of downward dogs. She was holding a mirror to our souls. In the moments when your body’s screaming to quit, when your legs are shaking, when your breath is short – who are you?

Do you hold the pose and breathe through the fire?
Or
Do you bow out and tell yourself, “Close enough?”

The same thinking applies:
When you’re just short of the finish line in your first half-marathon.
When you’re just shy of your revenue goal.
When one more call could fill your coaching program.
When your next move could be the tipping point for your promotion.

Is close enough good enough? Or do you stick it out and hang in there until the end – and win?

That decision is everything. It’s the difference between almost . . . and all you’ve ever wanted.

Your goals don’t care if you’re tired. Your business doesn’t care if you’re scared. Your health doesn’t care if you’re busy. Your bottom line doesn’t care about the wacky headlines.

The things you want only respond to consistent action; consistent action requires commitment.

I love inspiration as much as the next person. Passion is wonderful; motivation is great, but they’re fleeting. They go on vacation when things get hard.

Commitment stays.

Here’s the best part: When you breathe through the fire, the reward isn’t just another goal checked off.

The reward is sitting on the beach without guilt, like I did last weekend, knowing you earned that time. It’s being fully present with your family because you’re not worrying about money. It’s letting yourself rest, because your follow-through made room for it.

Commitment builds the life you want. Not someday – NOW and for the future.

Mediocrity is a habit, but so is excellence. Every time you hold the yoga pose through the burn, you’re building a commitment muscle. Every time you show up when you don’t feel like it, you’re training your brain to follow through.

Every time you see something through to the end goal – even when no one’s watching – you’re becoming someone you can count on.

I’ll ask you this: Are you quitting too early?

Choose wisely. The mat doesn’t lie. And neither does your life.

September 14, 2025