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When Life Gets in the Way, What’s Your Plan?

By Laura Berman Fortgang on October 27, 2024

I don’t have to tell you that sometimes life gets in the way; we’ve all experienced it.

We get sick, have an accident, face disappointment, deal with a busted hot water heater — you name it! Life can be unpleasant or inconvenient.

Every time, life gets in the way — if you let it!

Last week, I held a big launch event for my business, which you may have noticed. But what you couldn’t have known was that life got in the way, right in the middle of the launch.

There I was, all set to present a 3-day Masterclass I’d been planning for weeks, ready to share my proven Headliner Method for catapulting a coaching business. People were fired up and ready to learn.

And then I had to take my kid to the ER!

Thankfully, he’s A-OK, and that’s what’s most important! But I’m also grateful I had the support system and fortitude to pull off the event without a hitch.

As a coach, I would be remiss not to turn this ordeal into a learning experience for you, so consider this a reminder.

1. Life gets in the way.

2. You should always have a backup plan in place.

I realize this is easier for some people than others (psst: if you tend to do everything yourself and hate asking for help, I’m talking to you.) But the reality is, you have to figure it out.

Anything can happen at any time. Why let a bout of food poisoning, a crashing laptop, or a traffic jam on your way home from the airport derail your business?

When life gets in the way, the show must go on.

If you’ve neglected to build a support system, who will help to keep things on track?

If you’re not mentally prepared to handle a crisis, how will you keep rolling?

You need the will and a way.

I know you’re up to big things — building a business, changing careers, growing your family, pursuing dreams — and I want you to be able to carry on.

I encourage you to give this some thought and urge you to make it a priority.

Listening to the Nudge

By Laura Berman Fortgang on October 20, 2024

Do you ever get a nudge, but you’re unsure if it’s meant for you?

Your gut, your intuition, or maybe even a higher power seems to be poking at you, trying to get a message through … or maybe not…

A bright shiny idea is calling your name. An alluring new prospect practically falls in your lap.

You’re drawn to a radically different path with no obstacles in sight.

Something’s trying to tell you something … or is it?
Things are going well. Should you risk rocking the boat to change course?

Is now the time to look for your next job? Launch a brand-spanking new offering? Bring that inkling of a book to life?

How do you know if it’s really opportunity knocking or just a distraction?

Here’s how I help people figure out if the thing is worth pursuing.

Start by writing down everything that’s irking you and follow it up with the opposite that you’d rather have.

For example:

A. I’m bored with my current roster of clients.
B. I want new clients with their sights set on bigger goals.

A. I feel uninspired at work every day.
B. I want a job with an organization committed to making an impact.

This is one of the tried-and-true exercises in my Now What? book and program.

The idea is to gain crystal clarity about what you don’t want anymore, so you can recognize what you want next.

Does the thing nudging at you align with what you want?
If yes, then go for it!
If not, then reconsider.

You don’t have to scrap everything you’re currently doing to chase after anything new. It’s less scary this way!

Weigh your options. Feel it out. See if it’s really a fit.

Then, as you give it a go — under the radar or on the side — check your momentum periodically.

Are you still fired up about it? Are you making progress? Is the thing still pulling you? Is it opening up doors?
If yes, walk through them.

Are you hitting roadblocks every step of the way? Is it draining you more than it’s filling you up?
Then consider moving on to whatever else is next.

When something is nudging you, I don’t want you to ignore it. Honor it with the attention it deserves. But I also want to caution you against jumping all in every time.

Sometimes you can get nudged in the wrong direction.

Always ask yourself: What do I want to move away from? What do I want to move toward?

Find your bearings and keep moving forward.

Why Joy Matters to Your Success (and How to Enjoy More)

By Laura Berman Fortgang on September 1, 2024

If you’ve been paying attention, there’s been a lot of buzz around the word “joy” over the past couple of weeks. It has even come up in my work with clients.

Why is this, and what does it even mean?

Let’s face it – many people feel devoid of joy these days, like we’ve been robbed of something.

Joy is missing. We sense it, even if we can’t quite point to exactly why.

There’s a difference between what we think of as happiness, and what we view as joy. It’s all along the same spectrum, but one clearly outshines the other.

When you’re happy, you’re content. All things considered – life is good. You’re feeling pretty positive about what’s going on in your world.

Joy, on the other hand, is exuberant. A delight! You’re so full of pleasure in that moment that it’s overflowing.

Think about how you enJOY an experience or enJOY a meal. It’s a real treat! In fact you’re “IN” joy in that moment.

However, many of us find joyful moments hard to come by lately.

We can point to a laundry list of reasons and scapegoats: the uncertainty, the economy, the lack of unity, the politics, the loneliness, the comparison (the thief of joy) . . .

The reality is that joy is an inside job. Certain conditions make enjoyment easier, of course — not denying that! But don’t forget that some people, even in the most miserable of conditions, exude joy.

I challenge you to consider the following:

You are very likely robbing yourself of joy.
You may worry about things you can’t ultimately control.
You may be allowing someone else to overlook you or put you down.
You may let yourself get roped into drama that’s little more than a distraction.
You may be so intent on creating joy for others that you neglect your own needs.

I want to remind you that you have the power and resources to bring joy back into your life.

Maybe you don’t like your job. You can find moments of joy in what you do — by looking around, shifting your perspective, practicing gratitude, or focusing on a bigger why.

Perhaps things are tough in your business right now. You can experience moments of joy — no matter how fleeting – in creation, through connection, and deciding your next steps.

You can enjoy the moment. You can be IN joy.

Respect Your Rhythm and Move Towards the Light

By Laura Berman Fortgang on December 31, 2023

Did you notice anything different this past Thursday?

It was the shortest day of the year, also known as Winter Solstice — with the fewest daylight hours and longest night.

Unless you follow the seasons closely or honor traditions that do, it probably hasn’t been on your radar. But I think the Winter Solstice deserves acknowledgment. It marks a meaningful shift.

During the holiday season, there’s a celebration of light — the Hindu Diwali festival of lights last month, lighting the menorah for Hanukkah, stringing Christmas lights, placing luminaria along sidewalks, firing up the Yule log, lighting the seven candles of Kwanzaa, and so much more.

Amid the darkest season, we gather and honor the light.

The Winter Solstice signifies coming out of that darkness into the light. It’s a return to creation, a rebirth. We’re easing into a season where the days get longer, our spirits renew, and our essence is reborn.

To prepare, it’s only natural to slow down, rest, and reflect.

What did you accomplish this year?
What are you most proud of?
How did you grow?
What are you looking forward to?

If you’re feeling pressured to meet last-minute goals and get set for the new year, I encourage you to reconsider. You don’t have to push.

Take this time to connect to the cosmos, move with your rhythm, and respect your pace.

The Power of Pumpkin Spice

By Laura Berman Fortgang on September 17, 2023

Fall is just around the corner again, and you know what that means — it’s pumpkin spice season!

I know … you’re either rolling your eyes, giddy with excitement, or couldn’t care less. But stick with me here, because we should all be paying attention.

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the POWER of pumpkin spice.

I kid you not — studies have found that Americans are spending over half a BILLION dollars on pumpkin spice stuff every year. Buying up everything from Starbucks lattes to scented trash bags, industry insiders call it the “pumpkin spice economy.”

Sure, it may seem like things have gotten out of hand, and seeing the hype start in mid-August is a pet peeve of mine. Personally, I’m a fan of pumpkin spice, and I’m an even bigger fan of pumpkin spice as a marketing phenomenon.

Marketers have NAILED this. Here’s how —

1. Building anticipation: Those of us who are fans of the rich, fragrant flavor and scent crave our first annual sip or whiff.
2. Creating emotional connection: It’s become interwoven with the coziness of the season, like a warm sweater, crackling fires, and family holiday gatherings.
3. Making a limited-time offer: Not being able to order it year-round makes it special. Consumers hurry to buy while they can, as much as they can.
4. Establishing consistency: We know this thing is coming down the pike every year and have come to rely on it.

How can you translate these lessons into your business or career?

Anticipation: Talk about what you’re brewing up; create intrigue. Developing a new program? Offer hints along the way. Working on an exciting project? Let others know you can’t wait to share. Before long, people will be on the lookout for whatever you have going on and want in on it.

Emotional connection: Make sure people associate your work with something deeper than a commodity. You don’t just offer accounting services, but peace of mind. Not just coaching, but clarity and inspiration.

Limited access: Scarcity encourages people to take action. Offer a limited number of one-on-one coaching opportunities. Focus on projects that make the greatest impact rather than spreading yourself thin.

Consistency: Let people know what to expect from you, so they can look forward to your upcoming podcast episode, newsletter, program launch, or presentation at the next industry conference — and depend on you showing up.

I’d love to know how you’re going to spice things up this fall. Hit reply and share.

Does asking for what you want feel “pushy?”

By Laura Berman Fortgang on February 26, 2023

We all want what we want, but sometimes going after it feels a little icky.

If you’ve ever had someone skip the small talk and bark a request at you, you know what I mean.

It’s kinda like going for the goods with no foreplay or asking someone to marry you on the first date.

We all prefer for someone to ease into things, get to know us better, and prove themselves worthy.

You don’t want to be THAT person running over people and bulldozing their way through life. You might get what you want, but you’re likely leaving unpleasantness in your wake, burning bridges faster than ghost pepper igniting your mouth to five-alarm status!

You’ll get much further (and be able to look at yourself in the mirror) if you take the time to build relationships and establish trust.

If you struggle with doing what it takes to get what you want, try this —

To simplify things, I use the acronym GILLS.

G: Get clear on your intent. What do you really want?
I: Be interested in other people rather than trying to be interesting.
L: Listen and be present. Don’t think about what you’re going to get out of someone.
L: Learn and ask questions. Remember, people love to talk about themselves.
S: Be specific. When it’s your time to ask for something, be able to say exactly what you want.

This is how you create opportunities and long-term success. It’s not the easiest route, but it is the most effective and sustainable over time.

And it takes away the “ick.”