Identifying my personal values, has been a life changer for me & it will be for you too.

Because when you identify your values, the pieces of the puzzle finally come together. 

Values-based living, gives you a better understanding of WHY you're feeling the way you do, what motivates you to act and what doesn't.  You know why you feel terrible doing a job others would kill for or why you can't stand being around certain people.

Everything starts to make sense. 
And then you can FOCUS on what's important to YOU.

➤ You don't have to sprint from one thing to the next anymore. 
➤ You no longer need the approval of others, to feel good about your decisions.
➤ You follow your intuition & passions & you know that you're on the right path for you.

You are focused on what's most important to YOU.

And when you're focused on what your values indicate as important, you find new ways to move toward what you want and everything gets easier. Much easier. 

 Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Other Posts You might Love:
The Importance of Setting Personal Priorities | Leading a Meaningful Life
It Doesn’t Matter How Fast You Get There, If You’re Headed In The Wrong Direction
Getting Unstuck 101 | Stop the Mind Chatter, Ask the Right Questions
7 Easy Steps To a Happy Life | Surprisingly Simple Ways To Living a Life of Happiness

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Leave a comment, underneath this Facebook Post, sharing which part of your life you think will greatly benefit from participating in the upcoming IFL course, by August 31st.

The winners will be selected randomly and announced on the Facebook page, on Tuesday, September 1st. 

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And I know that somedays it just doesn't feel like that’s truth, and trust me I have days like that too, in fact we all do, but that is the truth. 

You are enough. 
‪#‎inspiredforlife‬

Are you having one of those "not good enough" days?  
Drop me a line or join our Facebook community for inspiration and support.

Gremlin You, Gremlin Me and our First Weekly Challenge, Part I
Gremlin You, Gremlin Me Part II | Beating Your Inner Critic to Submission
Gremlin You, Gremlin Me Part III | Identifying Your Inner Critic
Getting Unstuck 101 | Stop the Mind Chatter, Ask the Right Questions. 

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By the time I finished packing my suitcase I was furious. 

"Who do you think you are?", my inner gremlin was saying, over and over again, in a way which always kind of freaks me out and that's when I knew I was just about to stretch my comfort zone and that doesn't play well with my inner critic, like never.

I stopped pretending I had no needs, years ago. But even now, I still find myself thinking that maybe my needs are, I don't know, "needier" than other people's. Maybe I'm the taking the concept of needing to the extremes. The minute I reminded myself of the fact that I do deserve to have my needs met, my inner critic, George, rolled his eyes, turned around and left.

Just like that. Boom! -You weren't ready for that, George, were you? 

So before I get on that plane on Sunday, I wanted to leave you with this.

To Need is Human. Period.
It's not bad, its not something to be ashamed of, its not a sign of weakness {in life nor business} and most of all having needs does not make you needy.
Confident people have needs, successful people have needs, every one of us has needs. 

So, if there's anything you need, instead of putting it at the end of your to-do list, or even worse dismissing it all together as unimportant, try to do something about it. 

Ask for help, buy yourself that plane ticket, ask a friend to come over and keep you company, have a glass of wine reading your favourite book. 

Do something small or big, to meet your need for clarity, love, respect, success, security or companionship. 

I'll be back in February, hopefully feeling refreshed and renewed and with a great sense of business clarity.  In the meanwhile, know that you can always connect with me through Facebook or email me at nichole@take-ten.com

P.S.: Create movement in your life

Movement in your body creates movement in your life. If you are someone who could use a little inspiration to get yourself moving, experience inspired movement + feel alive again {minus the stress & drama} please check out my good friend Nichole’s  21 Day Get Moving Challenge, a worldwide FREE challenge.

She is going to give you easy to follow, short workouts or movement goals each day PLUS daily challenges to get you feeling #WildlyAlive every day.

Check out the video she made for you, and if it looks like something you would enjoy, go ahead and sign up for the Challenge.

Other Posts You Might Love

The Importance of Setting Personal Priorities | Leading a Meaningful Life
Reduce Daily Stress and Pamper yourself Silly with Small Acts of Self Care
5 Tips for moving from Self-Judgment, to Self-Compassion
5 Tips to Help you Fall in Love With… Yourself | A Mini Guide to Self Love

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You see even though new year’s definitely has its own unique appeal, I’m one of those {weird} people, who reinvent themselves, lives, and goals every chance they get. {it can be at my birthday, or in September, maybe a good plain ordinary Monday will do just fine, as well} only this time, I get to share my enthusiasm without getting that “are you serious?” look from my friends and family, cause, well they just don’t get it.

But this is the time of year, even people who feel that their lives have taken on a direction of the ordinary and uninspiring, people who in the name of feeling safe, have been sidetracked into a very strict routine that makes their days seem colourless and plagued by a sense of repetitiveness, even those people are willing to take a stand and get out of the rut they’re in. And I just love that!

And really, it’s so easy to get stuck in a rut, sometimes without even realising it. It all starts when we begin to do things as part of a routine without even thinking about it, only to find ourselves, months or even years later stuck in a routine, that’s hard to get out of, as it has now become second nature. 

Bringing a sense of excitement back to our own lives and breaking out of the cycle becomes so much easier this time of year, so I invite you to begin by recognizing the symptoms of being in a rut and then continue with finding creative ways to bring a sense of enthusiasm back into your life. 

Are you stuck in a rut?

One of the classic telltale signs of being in a rut is a drastic fall in energy levels. 

Things just don’t seem to motivate and inspire you like they used to. It may be time to start taking on new challenges. 

You may also find that life has become a continuous battle, where everything is an uphill struggle. 

Nothing looks simple anymore and you've become very resistant to any change, or even frightened by the idea. 

If that’s the case, here is your chance to break the cycle and prevent yourself from getting into a rut in 2015 plus get inspired enough to bring a sense of pizzazz back into your life.

Start 2015, with a clean slate!

1. The first step of getting out of the rut is to embrace your “stuck-ness.” Realize that it’s entirely OK to get stuck and that sometimes the very notion of being stuck can actually be a blessing in disguise. Ask yourself, what you can do to move on? 

2.  Take an afternoon off to reflect on your wins for the past year. What did you achieve? What are you proud of? Read through your business calendar or personal journal to find those wonderful moments, or achievements. This simple exercise will help you focus on the positive and move forward without losing momentum.

3. Start from within. Give yourself the time to take a walk in the park and ask yourself vital questions about where you are in life and what you would like to accomplish. Be sure to ask the right questions that get to the heart of the matter. Ask yourself, what do I need to stop doing in 2015, in order to have a better chance of being happier or more successful?

4. Practice gratitude. Take a few deep breaths and make a note of what you can be grateful for, anything from good health to having a roof over your head will do. Fill your heart with love by being thankful for your blessings. You can also ask yourself what would you be most grateful if it were to happen during 2015. This exercise perfectly combines the power of visualisation with the magic of gratitude.

5. Find your inner polestar, your personal point of reference, your intention for 2015. Mine was “Passionate Focus” for 2014 and it helped me beat my Shiny Object Syndrome and stay focused on my passion for coaching people out of inbetweenity and into clarity & empowerment. 

So, if you have somehow found yourself stuck this year, give your routine a real shake, this December. Cut its roots now and add a new dimension of value into your life. Oh, and for the love of God, please surround yourself with the right people who can inspire you to be your best. 

How are you laying the foundations for the life you want, in 2015? 

Other Posts You might Love:
'Tis the Season to Be Grateful…
 5 Tips to help you work your way from grumpy to happy
Surprisingly Simple Ways To Living a Life of Happiness
Warning: Genuinely Expressing Love and Appreciation May Cause Happiness

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If you ask me, we are all destined for greatness. No matter how hard it might be at times to see it, there is a reason behind our existence and our purpose is to find that reason and dedicate our lives to living and breathing its truth. 

So, what do really successful people do differently than others? How successful people think differently? What separates them from those who just get by, or simply do ok in life?

Here are six things that people who are wildly successful do differently than the average Joe. 

People who think and act in the following ways are not only successful monetarily but also enjoy the deep sense of fulfilment that comes from “making their mark” in the world or living their personal legend, as Paulo Coelho would say.

1. Successful people have a clearly defined purpose and a strong vision. They also understand the value that success can bring them into every area of their life.

2. Successful people don’t give one iota about what other people think. Their clearly defined goals and dreams allow them to quickly conquer all the noise propagated by naysayers and negative people.

3. Successful people are never afraid to confront their fears or allow themselves to become overwhelmed. They know deep inside that their strong will to succeed will allow them to overcome any feelings of anxiety related to what they are trying to achieve.

4. Successful people are famous for taking massive action towards their goals. They don’t waste time analysing what they should be doing, but instead do what everyone else leaves for tomorrow – today! 

5. Successful people have their eyes fixed on what they want to achieve and do not allow temporary setbacks to set them astray. With this kind of attitude, many obstacles can be readily overcome through perseverance and persistence – sometimes all one has to do is readjust the sails to continue further on towards the path of success.

6. Successful people continuously question everything they do in order to find the next best move. Questions such as “why did this work, how can I make it easier next time, who can help me improve on this?” lead to greater success for the future.

Being successful is not about the money--not JUST about the money, anyway. 

Unfortunately many people, especially women, may appear happy and successful on the exterior, but deep down inside they are crying in desperation for a more meaningful life. 
Sometimes their jobs have become too stressful or they have come to deal with overbearing, boorish boss on a daily basis. 

By defining what personal success looks like to you, you can instil a better sense of fulfilment and passion into what you do and live a happier life, starting today.

So, what does personal success mean to you?

Share your personal definition of success below. Let's connect. I can't wait to read your comments. 

Go for it anyway! | My Super Secret Motivational Tool
How I Discovered my Life's Purpose and You Can Too | Living Your Life Through Your Passion.
Stay Motivated and Transform Your Life, One Day at a Time
Self Doubt vs Facts | Overcoming Self Doubt one Fact at a Time

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There you have it. That’s what I want. That’s my secret dream. The dream that sounds so crazy that it scares the bejesus out of me. And you know what? Writing about it here, sharing it with you guys, makes it more tangible, less scary and even less crazy, than it sounded in my head. Seriously. Give it a try.

What’s that one thing you haven’t shared with anyone yet? The dream that in your mind that seems crazy. Simply getting your dreams out of your head and into words is so incredibly liberating. Once you have your secret dream out in the open, share it. Share it like you mean it.

Yeap, you’ve heard me. 

Share your secret dream with the world. Share it in the comments below, Share it with a good friend. Share it with your partner. There’s magic in sharing. Share it with the right people. Share it with dreamers, with positive people who will get excited too {just for you!}. They may also be inspired to share their secret dream with you.

But there’s just one thing I want you to be careful with. 

Do not share your dreams with people whom you KNOW deep down inside will try to discourage you from going after what you want {by the way, why the f** do we do that, anyway?!}.

I can’t wait to see what’s on your mind. What your big, juicy, secret dream is. Who knows, maybe someone you know is already living your dream and can safely guide you to it!

60 Shades of Clarity, are one-off, no-strings-attached, highly intensive, 60-minute coaching sessions, designed to help you break free from the thinking loop, get clear on what needs to get done & start taking actual steps forward, in whatever it is that you’re stuck with.  

Still on pre-launch special, at $97, it’s a steal. 

Other Posts You might Love:

Are your "Buts" in the Way of your Dreams? 
Dare to Dream Bigger Than Big
Are your excuses holding you back from reaching your full potential?
Facing your fears, Chasing your Dreams and my personal manifesto

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But was it just my professional environment that was infested with this poisonous, negative energy? Sadly enough it wasn’t. Even a night with a few of my “friends” was enough to literally drain me of energy and return home feeling exhausted and worn out.

Does that sound like you?

If it does, then I have one piece of advice for you. Free yourself from destructive relationships. Give yourself permission to value your well-being, more than all the MUSTs and SHOULDs of this world combined and protect yourself from unsupportive, judgemental, draining people.

So, what happens after you spring clean your life from toxic people? 

Naturally, you initially take some time to properly mourn for your loss and to endure the pain you order even more pizza and greasy burgers and when that doesn’t help, you simply pull the duvet over your head and sit silently waiting for a miracle to happen hoping that one day you’ll wake up surrounded by loving, positive people that make you feel good and energise you.

I have bad new and good news, for you, cinderella. 

Loving, supportive people will never find you, as long as you’re hiding under the covers but you can attract the right kind of people, into your life. 

“But how?” You ask. “Obviously I made a lousy job the first time around. Maybe I deserve to spend the rest of my life in solitude, watching bad TV and eating Doritos for dinner.”

To that I say NO. What you deserve is to be surrounded with wonderful, supportive people who help you grow and be happy. Period. 

Here are some easy steps on how to attract the right kind of people into your life.

1. Know WHO you are and WHAT you like.  Get some time to know yourself better. How do you like to spend your time? What are your likes & dislikes? What makes your heart sing? Are you into sports, art or both? What excites you? Is it politics or self-development? Rediscover yourself, your passions, your values, your dreams and that will surely attract like-minded people into your life, people with whom you can connect in many different levels.

2. LOVE yourself.  I can’t stress the importance of this step enough. How can you expect to attract the right people into your life when you feel rejected, unwanted and unloved by non other but yourself. Love yourself fearlessly. Practice self compassion, indulge in some serious self-care and fall in love with yourself. 

3. BE yourself.  Do not try to hide your true nature. If you do, the right people will have a really hard time finding you. How are you ever going to attract the people who sing your song, preach your sermon and speak your language, when you spend your days being someone else than who you truly are. Be yourself, unapologetically, besides, everyone else, is already taken.

We all need to belong. 

That doesn’t necessarily mean settling for second best, or hiding your uniqueness under carefully crafted socially acceptable personas. 

So, learn to accept and love yourself for who you are, when all the labels are off and let your personality shine so bright that like-minded people are drawn to you like a magnet.

How do you attract the right people to your life? Let me know in the comments below. 

5 Tips to Help you Fall in Love With… Yourself | A Mini Guide to Self Love
5 Tips for moving from Self-Judgment, to Self-Compassion
Reduce Daily Stress and Pamper yourself Silly with Small Acts of Self Care
Are you holding yourself back? | Break free from your own limiting beliefs, starting today. 

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During my coaching practice I have found that women, in particular, often seem to believe that asking directly for the things they want is inappropriate, rude or even unecessary and so they constantly suppress their needs {or dare I say... -desires?}, until they reach their breaking point.

Of course the fact that we live in a world in which a man who is bold and asks for what he wants is considered a go getter, whereas a woman who uses similar tactics is often called the dreaded B word, doesn't help either. 

But, there comes a time in a one's life when hoping is no longer adequate and we must begin to ask for what we want. Even if that means getting a No for an answer. After all, we miss of the shots we don't take, right? 

1. Know Exactly What You Want.  Whether it's that long deserved raise, or a hug from your significant other, it is important to know exactly what it is that you want. When you do finally get around to the asking, be specific. Make sure you are clear, concise and directly to the point. Stuttering, stammering, hemming and hawing, these are all huge no-nos.  

2. Ask The Right Person For What You Want.  All of the forceful asking in the world means nothing if it is not properly focused. When thinking about exactly what it is that you want, it is important to also figure out exactly who it is you should be asking. By pinpointing the person who is able to deliver what you need, saves you valuable time and energy.

3. Choose The Time And Place.  This is one of the most underrated elements to making a successful request. Asking a person for something while they are busy, stressed out or not in a position to take you seriously will severely diminish your success rate. Once you've been able to decide on who needs to be asked, it is just as important to figure out when and where they should be asked.

4. Make Your Request Simple.  There is no need to get bogged down in too many details or try to over explain yourself. Get right down to brass tacks and be direct. This request is all about you, not what the person has or hasn't done for you in the past. This is all about you owning your feelings, acknowledging your needs and being willing to deal with the consequences of your request. 

5. Prepare Yourself For A Negative Response.  In a perfect world, a well thought out, reasonable request would lead to you getting what you requested. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world, so be sure that you are ready to hear the word "no". This is not a negative commentary on you as a person, and should not diminish your desire to continue asking for what you want. Besides...

So, what do YOU really want? What do you need to claim, today?
Is it raising your rates?  Asking that special someone on a date? Requesting a favour from a friend? Asking your boss for a raise? Whatever it is, you should go for it — never be afraid to ask for what you want!

But what if I don't know what I want? 
I'm glad you asked! 

If you are stuck in the thinking loop, not knowing exactly what it is that you want and need someone to hold your hand & unravel the knots in your brain and help you become clear, focused and on your way, I have just the thing for you.

I've opened up my calendar to offer a limited number of 60 Shades of Clarity Sessions through October. So if the time is perfect for you to learn what specific, actionable steps you can take, to untangle the tightest knot in your life or business, in just one call, click here to book your session, with me and get from stressed to action, in 60 minutes or less! 

GET CLARITY NOW!

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I used to be one of those people. Apart from the more traditional new year resolutions, I also did a new list, at the beginning of Spring, on my birthday and after my summer vay-cay {talk about an organisation freak!}. Every chance I got, I used it  to  set new goals of what needed to get done, of things to achieve, of milestones to reach. My God, I feel exhausted even writing about it. 

Being a life coach myself, I know full well that goals are meant to fire you up, get you excited and motivated to accomplish them. I teach people how to set goals, I get paid to do so, yet a day after my birthday this year,  that's what I jotted down:

☞Grow my subscriber list by 25% (by the way, you can subscribe by following the link here)
☞Complete the 21 day Challenge Project and run a version of it.
☞Create an auto-responder series for new subscribers.

And then it hit me. These were not MY goals. This was a list of business shoulds, I didn't need to grow my list, if anything I needed to better connect with the people already on it. 

So I crossed those off and started writing again. This time from the heart. I changed my questions from “what needs to get done” to “how do I want to feel”, “who do I want to become”, “why is that important” and that's what I came up with:

That's it. I only have one goal on my list, for the next 6 months and everything I do during my day, springs from that one goal. How?

Well, I just took some time to brainstorm on how I could invite more happiness into my life. So, it simply made sense to infuse my days with more of everything that makes me happy and that's how the idea of creating my very own "Hell Yeah!" list was born.

I created a list that includes 30 different things that make me feel, blissful, at ease, balanced, joyful and yes, HAPPY and now, not a day goes by without me bringing at least one of the things on my list, into my daily routine. Some days I even go for 6 or 9 of them. 

Would I’ve ever found the time and determination to implement 6 to 9 different strategies to grow my subscribers list, in a day? NO, no I wouldn’t. See the difference?

Since being happy, is MY goal, because it means something to ME, that’s why I'm so fired up and inspired to take action, to make time to fit happiness into my schedule, to make it a priority and a part of my daily routine.

And that's why I know that come February I will be a happier person. 

So, if you are like me and are ready to set your goals for the season, make sure those goals are actually goals you care about. Make them goals that make your heart beat a little faster, goals that put a smile on your face. This September, make a ‘Hell Yeah!’ list instead. 

Are you ready to set exciting and meaningful goals? 
I’m dying to know what's on your list, let me know in the comments below. 
You never know who you might inspire with your list...

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