Whether you’ve been with me for over 20 years or recently found me, I’m delighted beyond words you’re here today. Thank you for being a cherished part of my community.
A heart-breaking mishap with my list server accidentally deleted thousands of subscribers a while back. We’re still taking steps to correct this. If you want to be sure you don’t miss a thing, visit — www.lifecoachmary.com and enter your name and email,.
Over the weeks and months ahead, I hope you get as excited as I am about new things “in the works” to support your success and inner peace. All will be revealed soon, so please keep circling back.
Comparisons are a drag…
Ever cringed when comparing your current self to a younger version of you? Oh my. I have. That girl!??!!! Endless energy and creativity! She connected with you on the regular, interviewed countless best-selling authors, led soul-shifting group coaching programs and retreats, created countless audio programs, and wrote a kick-a** book! Not to mention a gazillion blog posts. After 24 years, she’s still coaching, though not nearly as much as “back in the day.”
I often wonder how I did all that. Is my best work in the past? Gulp!
Have you ever felt that way?
As flawed as I am, I know my current self is pretty spectacular. I’m wiser, more experienced, and overall, plenty accomplished. I prioritize self-care, family and am clearer than ever about what’s important. And business-wise, I’m not done yet. Lots more to share about the many projects on the horizon.
Let’s acknowledge YOU.
Hope you are equally excited about what lies ahead for you in the days and years ahead. I’m certain there are still dreams and goals tickling your soul, even with your own remarkable resume.
Whether you’re embarking on a new path, recently retired, or somewhere in between, I know you’ve done LOTS! You’re an achiever. And, perhaps more importantly, you’re committed to fine-tuning your inner world (not something everyone focuses on). You bask in those delicious moments of stillness and roll your eyes in moments when life throws tricky curveballs. Humanity is inescapable, isn’t it? But, your sense of humor is still intact most days.
Despite the ups and downs, you’ve built livelihoods and nurtured relationships. You’ve prioritized self-care, self-reflection, self-growth, and self-expression — even if you know you could always do more. You’ve made an impact in the lives you’ve touched. All that is a big deal.
Take that in.
You’ve got so much to feel good about. And maybe you’re gearing for your “what’s next?” too. Isn’t there always a “what’s next?”
What are you itching for? Travel & adventure? More love? A creative calling? Starting or growing your business? Changing careers? Service work? Losing a few pounds? Greater inner peace?
Whatever the aspiration, distractions, time challenges, and self-doubt can make it tempting to keep putting “your thing” on hold. I hope today’s words inspire you to go for “it,” to claim pockets of time, and believe in the value of your endeavor.
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Don’t give up on your dream.
For years, I’ve said, “It’s time to write my next book.”
It’s not that I haven’t started. Oh, I have! So. Many. Times. But, as often happens with our most precious dreams, we get derailed. Kids, moves, pandemics, and stinging conversations can distract the best of us.
How one conversation burst my bubble.
Several years ago, after igniting fresh momentum in book-writing endeavors, one conversation killed my mojo.
It wasn’t a friend or family member; it was a respected “authority” who’d worked for a big publisher, been an agent, and written best-selling books. Great street cred, right?
I learned a lot on that call (which I’d paid for), but he essentially said, “There isn’t a market for inner peace books.”
Say what???!!! How could that be?
Sadly, a part of me believed him.
Aspirations to prove him wrong lingered, but my juju tanked. I shifted my focus while my deflated ego healed.
More distractions…
Then the 2020 pandemic rocked our worlds with stay-at-home orders, fear, masks, and isolation. Everyone’s stress and anxiety skyrocketed!
This re-ignited my passion to write the “inner peace in any moment” book. But, my focus then was on creating a course called “Radical Reset: Making Inner Peace Your New Normal in Pandemic Times and Long Beyond.” Seemingly, there wasn’t a stitch of time for book writing. (((sigh)))
A year later, my husband decided it was time to move. We left the beaches of California for the mountains of North Carolina, which we adore! Handling purchases, projects, and re-establishing ourselves consumed “free time,” giving me another perfectly valid excuse to put the second book on hold yet again.
Distractions come in all shapes and sizes — pandemics, big moves, bill paying, kiddos, caring for elderly parents, self-doubt, worthy business endeavors, fun, and so much more.
Where there is a will, there IS a way.
Last Fall, once again, I geared up. Hoping and praying I wouldn’t get derailed, discouraged, or distracted — for the umpteenth time. (((Sigh)))
I revisited piles and piles of notes. I printed pages and pages of book outlines, chapter drafts, and must-include stories. I painstakingly merged three different outlines into one! Glory be!!! I organized notebooks and folders in Evernote! (That’s a handy thing!)
I reviewed “book proposal” course notes and invested in a power-packed new one. And I’ve kept myself fueled by inspiring podcasts about writing and publishing best-selling books to keep the dream alive.
The writing process is so different than it was for my first book.
Instead of clearing a dozen weekends to knock out each chapter, I’ve had to claim “inactive-Mommy” time. The basketball stands during practice, waiting in the pick-up line at school, in my trusty minivan during a 3-hour gymnastics practice (where I am now), and the football field has all served as productive and cherished writing times. Occasionally, I even get an hour or two in my home office. LOL!
It’s amazing how little time windows add up when you’re inspired and focused. Remember, the compounding effect of choice, from my book “The Power of Inner Choice?” It’s those simple disciplines, that don’t seem to make any difference in the moment, but the compounding effect over time makes ALL the difference.
Indeed, progress happens in an hour here, 15 minutes there, and those luxurious 2 1/2-hour spans sprinkled in on occasion.
Am I 100% consistent? I wish.
Sometimes I’m more or less inspired, there are competing demands, and sometimes I just sit and watch my kids practice their sport — or chat with other moms.
Yet, slowly but surely, I’m staying the course. And so far… so good!
Am still worried something or someone will stop me — like before? Yes. But momentum is on my side. And now, I’ve made this commitment public by sharing it with you.
What’s calling you?
Whatever the inner nudge is for you, honor it.
Give it your time and attention, even if you have to steal snippets of time here, there, and everywhere possible.
Get support. Whether it’s a book, digital course, one-on-one coaching, or buddying up with someone with a shared goal… support is a magical catalyst.
Remember the “compounded effect of choice.” It’s the simple disciplines that don’t seem to make any difference in the moment, but the compounding effect over time makes ALL the difference.”
If you don’t already have a copy of my first book, “The Power of Inner Choice,” you can get a copy here — and I’ll autograph it personally for you.
And in the words of Rod Stewart’s song “Never, Never, Never Give Up on a Dream.” Keep at it. Eventually, it all comes together.
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