We had a blast at my vision board workshop. So much so that I’m doing it again. This is an exercise that I do with many of my clients, but I have been wanting to provide this as a group service for several months. I’m so glad that we made it happen. Along the way I was discouraged. I must admit that. I couldn’t understand why people didn’t respond. Vision boards are so powerful and the production of them creates a feeling that is hard to explain. I wanted to share that with others. When the numbers were low, I almost cancelled, but then my friend reminded me that I have a job to do and it doesn’t matter if one, ten or 100 are in attendance…I have to answer to my calling.

Love you girl!

!!Attention all Atlanta area readers!!

There is still time to register for this Saturday’s Vision Board Workshop held Saturday, July 31st at my Buford Hwy location. From 2 – 4 p.m. I will not only explain the history of Vision Boarding, but also the theory and principles behind it. You will learn how a vision board can be a powerful tool in supporting your growth and guiding your steps to your next level.

I have been creating vision boards with friends, family and clients for many years now and when used properly the results are amazing. Remember insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It’s time to do something different.
To register click on the events tab. See you Saturday! Andrea!

How many times have you heard a friend or family member utter these words, “Now and days when it comes to finding a job it’s not about what you know, but who you know.” What I find almost humorous is the absolute disgust that peppers that statement. I like to say that the only people that are mad about that statement are the ones that don’t know anyone. There is truth to the advantage of knowing the right somebody. A recent study revealed that approximately 60% of management positions and up to 70% of professionals opportunities were filled by word of mouth. In fact, only 10% of jobs were landing by applying online.

If you are looking to take your career to the next level or if you are out of work and looking for opportunity to knock, you must be an active networker. Networking requires skill and practice and many people shy away from it, but it is unavoidable if you want to be a mover and shaker. At the very minimum you should have a 30 second elevator pitch and a business card. If these are foreign concepts to you we need to talk. I offer both in person and telephone consultations.

http://vistaprint.tellapal.com/a/clk/l90H3

I do what I do in an effort to save you from that hamster wheel. We can work together throughout the year to develop a plan to help you meet your needs. Hate your job? We can develop an exit strategy. Changing careers? Let’s work on your career plan. Want to gain control of your life? Let’s look at creating a life plan.

On July 31st at 2 pm I am conducting my annual mid-year Vision Board Workshop. I will introduce the concept of the law of attraction and how you can use this powerful tool to create the life you want. You will leave with an actual vision board and instructions on how to use it. You need to be there! Why wouldn’t you be? Seating is limited so don’t wait. See you there!

I haven’t blogged for some time. I’ve been dealing with some things. Financial issues, relationship stress, occupational obligations…my plate has been very full. I’ve felt like if I have to do one more thing I will absolutely burst. I’ve been wallowing in this funk for awhile and then over the weekend I dried my eyes, fixed my face and opened my consciousness to the realization that as resistant as I’ve been to carrying any new obligations, I haven’t really done much of anything lately. I’ve been so busy complaining about my negative circumstances that I haven’t taken any action to change them. Me…the life coach, the empowerment coach, the therapist, I have been my own anchor. I get stuck sometimes. I get depressed. I get distracted. Life is good, but it’s not perfect.

I feel obligated to disclose my location in life. I want my position to be totally clear. I am human. I am able to coach entrepreneurs because I am one. I am able to assist women in identifying career options because I’ve navigated my own career choices. I enjoy facilitating the passion finding process because I have stressed and felt lost and been confused and eventually found my passion. I find pleasure in assisting women in finding balance in their work and career because I am a mother, wife, friend and employee. I do what I do in a constant, consistent effort to do me.

It is when I remember my purpose in life that I can get through the rough spots. It is when I answer my calling that I’m focused, productive and progressive. It is when I look for the lesson that my path becomes clearer. It is not an act of complete selflessness that encourages me to help others, it is the realization that I am at my best when I occupy the lane of therapist, coach and sister.

I believe that it is important to my community that I am at my best. When I am well I can help heal others. I believe that it is vital to my community that you are at your best. When you are at the top of your game your greatness becomes viral. When you are living your passion you are doing work that both improves and enhances our shared society. If you have a desire for more, you achieving that goal is beneficial to both of us. When you sit on an idea, a vision or a goal and don’t give birth to the thought growing inside of you we all miss out.

If you are stuck, depressed or you lack direction…I’d like to help. I’ve been there and have some ideas of how best to walk that journey. If you are holding on to an idea for a business, organization or company let’s talk. We need more good in the world. I’d like to help you. If you are unhappy in your current job or occupation and want to find happiness and meaning in your work, listen to that desire. That calling is the universe telling you to do you!

One of the best things that ever happened to me happened in 2006 when I was fired from my job. For nearly a decade I worked for the nation’s largest allergy and asthma Supply Company. My job was to answer inbound calls, but the tasks that I performed went far beyond that. In my years of employment there I developed a company newsletter, I created the company’s first Employee Resource Center to house pertinent materials for company employees, I served on several communications committees, I worked to bring the company handbook up to date and among other things I volunteered myself as the voice of the company and recorded all the incoming and holiday greetings.

I did all of this because I was a dedicated employee and wanted to always put my best foot forward. In return for all my hard work and efficiency when my new manager was brought in he politely showed me the door at my most vulnerable point. When I was fired I was nearing the end of the first year of my grad school program. I was the mother of two young children. I had just recently gotten married. I was barely making it pay check to pay check trying to cover school expenses and day care. So needless to say when I was fired and told that I would not get any type of compensation or severance pay I was hurt. I was scared. I felt betrayed. I couldn’t understand how they could treat me the way I was treated after everything that I’d done for the company. It just wasn’t fair that I could be so easily disposed of after all of the time and effort that I’d invested into growing that business.

My story is not unique. You have heard this story before. People lose jobs all of the time. Unfortunately with the decline of our economy the severity and repetition of these stories continue to increase. What’s different is what happened AFTER I was given the boot. Moments before I was called in to receive my pink slip I received a call with a job offer. I immediately accepted and never missed a paycheck. This happened because while I was in my position I was networking, preparing and planning. I had an escape plan. What is yours?

Often times people wait too long to seek the services of a career counselor or coach. If you are not living your passion then you should be working towards it. If you are unhappy, stressed out or feel insecure about your position in your current job, you should be actively creating an escape plan. When you have lost your job and are attending to basic needs such as food, clothes and shelter, it’s hard to think about concepts such as career satisfaction and living your passion. If you’ve been wondering what a career counselor can do for you, stop asking yourself…ask me! You should be happy. Work should be pleasurable. Call me. Let’s talk about it.

Self assessment is an extremely valuable and often overlooked piece of a productive career change or job search. So often we go through life just following the direction of others and not assessing who we are. If you are thinking of owning your own business or offering a good or service you must realize that you are your own first commercial. You represent your product.

When working with future or current entrepreneurs I sometimes spend many many hours exploring this concept. But think about it ladies. This makes sense. If you don’t know who you are…if you’re not sure of what you stand for and what you want out of life then it’s reflected in your good or service. If you lack a strong sense of self, that confusion leaks over into your product or service.

Take a moment and think of a person you know that is successful. Think about how that person walks, talks, looks, etc…more than likely she has an air of confidence about herself. This confidence is not purchased, it’s developed. Knowing who you are assists all of the other steps that we’re going to discuss today.

A woman who knows who she is has her own style. She feels comfortable and confident in her own skin. Some of us spend so much time attempting to emulate the looks and style of people who we view as successful or professional that we don’t take the time to develop our own style. So we’ve become these oxymorons and conglomerations of mixed up stuff. Who are you? What do you stand for? What are your dreams? What do you value? What’s important to you?

We spend so much time being who people tell us we should be. Wearing our hair a certain way so that we can be “professional,” wearing the right clothes, speaking the way that we can be accepted. I have now fully embraced Andrea and it’s a beautiful thing. Because I am clear and confident in who I am, I attract the energy of others that are confident and my clients are comforted by that confidence. If you are looking to grow or move forward you must begin by being fully aware of who you are.

Today I AM and it feels so good. See we spend a lot of time talking about what we want to be. What we will be. What we’re planning for…Today…I AM. I figure why wait. If I’ve accepted in my spirit what I am to do and I am doing it to WHATEVER degree than I AM. This is so counter what we learn growing up. Everything we’re taught is linear. First you’re this age and then you turn another age. First you’re in one grade and then you graduate to the next grade. Our steps are so dictated that we forget that as creators we have the power to just be. We can declare it, believe it and then walk in it.

So if you’re waiting to be blessed with a child, then you are a mother. You can claim that. It can be you. If you’re completing formal education to become something. Why wait? You are…just as I AM. It’s a wonderful feeling to define these things for yourself. Man has laws. There are rules that dictate what you can claim on your taxes, but you control your mind and EVERYTHING begins in the mind.

Since I’ve declared that I AM doors are opening all over the place. I’m rejoicing in this energy and I want this for all my sisters. I want you to BE as I AM!