You Can’t Have It All Without Faith

Faith is part of a balanced life.

If you’ve been focused on excelling in your career, growing your finances, creating a beautiful home, or building a network of business relationships, you’ve probably created an amazing life for you and your family. If your kids have been focused on sports, academic achievement, or extracurricular activities, they’ve probably got a great start on their future.

But while many people think this kind of success equates to “having it all,” the reality is that you really don’t have it all without faith.

Many successful people have a close relationship with God.

Story after story abounds of high achievers—people at optimum levels in every other area of their lives—who say either they couldn’t have gotten there without a close relationship with God, or that the level of success they now enjoy has inspired them to become more faithful.

If the world has thrown your life off track lately and you could really use someone on your side, God is ready for a wholehearted relationship with you.

And it’s this connection where you’ll discover your unique life purpose.

It’s where you can say, “Hey, if this is what I’m supposed to be doing, then smooth my path and show me the next steps.” It’s also where you can find answers for the tough stuff that comes up in life.

Of course, I’m not here to prescribe any particular religion. But I do know that faith asks us to believe in something bigger than ourselves.

Faith is part of a balanced lifestyle.

And coaching people through finding balance and achieving life changes in every major area is something I do through a unique 10-week coaching program designed around the bestselling book and coaching formula: Oola.

Check it out or message me for details.

Is Your Family Life Blissful, Happy, and Balanced?

Bring Balance to Family Your family is your inner circle—

the people you should turn to in tough times, but also the people who turn to YOU for the same reason.

Imagine a family life that’s blissful . . . happy . . . balanced.

Now, check in with yourself about your current family situation. Do you need to improve your marriage, calm a tense family situation, set better boundaries with the kids, or otherwise improve your closest family relationships?

One of the toughest things

my coaching clients have to work through is a family situation that’s stressful, heartbreaking or at the tipping point of crisis. Even worse are those parents who are so stressed in other areas that they’ve “checked out” of their kids’ lives and future.

The good news is

that it’s absolutely possible to create the kind of balanced, happy and supportive family life you want and deserve. While long-term goals take time and commitment, some immediate ways to improve your household atmosphere are to:

• Schedule a date night this Saturday with your spouse
• Have that “difficult conversation” with your aging parent
• Cook dinner as a family at least three nights this week
• Establish a calm morning routine for younger children
• Set boundaries with your argumentative brother

If you need to show up differently and make some serious changes

(in your family situation or any other category), I have good news: I’ve teamed up with Oola authors Dr. Dave Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl to bring you a 10-week focused approach to creating a life that’s balanced, happy, and growing.

 Don’t just dream about the ideal life you want.

Start living it with Oola Coaching. Click now (or message me)!

What We Can Learn From Children Part II

I have a sad thought for you.

By the time children enter kindergarten, they have already determined what they believe their strengths and weaknesses are.  At only 5-6 years old, they have already programmed blockers in their subconscious minds.  Isn’t that sad!

No wonder as adults we have such a long journey retraining our brains!  We were designed by God for greatness.  We have the power to accomplish ANYTHING we set our minds to.

Mount Everest

I think of when my children first learned to crawl, then almost immediately went to the steps in our house.  As parents it was scary for us, but they just KNEW they could do it.  Wow, I’m sure that set of stairs looked like Mt. Everest.  But did that stop them? No.  They kept at it until they were at the top!

What if we put ourselves back to that toddler stage and conquered the world in the same way?  What would you try?  What would change in your life?

Positively Powerful Strategy:

In your journal, write down ALL the things you want to have or do in your life.  There is nothing holding you back from achieving these. Leave all the “buts” out and just have fun exploring what you would love in your life.  Even if it feels like, “not in a million years,” write it down.

Making It Happen:

Want help making what you wrote down a reality?  Contact me below to set up a complimentary 30 minute chat.  This is private.  Start living the life YOU want!

Together, we are Positively Powerful!

What We Can Learn From Our Children Part I click here

What We Can Learn From Children Part I

Smelling the Roses

Children have the ability to make us stop and smell the roses and to look at things more simply, rather than overanalyzing everything.

Learn by Unstructured Play

Play does not get the attention it deserves.  Often, it is looked at in a negative way, a waste of time, when actually play is one of the best ways to learn and retain knowledge.    As stated in Kites in the Classroom July 2018:

Because our brains are wired to find learning fun! Every time we’re interested and engaged in a subject, our brains get a shot of dopamine. The feelings of pleasure that follow make us want to keep learning, exploring and pushing ourselves to find out more.

What if adults approached life this way?  Would we have less stress?  Would we open ourselves up to more learning?

Time Flies By!

Next time you have an arduous task, why not incorporate fun and play into it?  The time will fly by!

I can’t help but think of two examples: my son, who is managing quite a few Dominos in South Dakota, and the Seattle Fish Market.  Both are probably not places you would be clamoring over for a career.  So, what makes them so desirable?

It is all in how they approach work and learning.  They know it is a monotonous task.  However, by listening to the needs of the employees, incorporating fun, and building relationships with the co-workers, from managers to pizza drivers, they have built a community that can’t wait to be together again.  Work now feels like play.  Believe it or not, productivity goes up not down in these work environments.

Positively Powerful Strategy:

Think about a task you keep putting off.  What can you add to bring joy to it?  Here are some suggestions:

1. Have a party: house painting party, cleaning party, etc.  It’s all about getting a task done while enjoying the time.
2. Bring in music that gets you moving and grooving.
3. Break the task down into smaller 15 – 30 minute increments. Do something you love in between.
4. Ask yourself: How would a child accomplish this task?

Child-like Joy

If you are struggling to find joy in your life, contact me below to set up a complimentary 30 minute chat.  This is private.  Together, we will find what delights YOU.

Together, we are Positively Powerful!

Find Work – Life Balance

If last year taught us anything, it’s that we need stability, calm and balance in our careers.

Whether it’s working at a local company . . . raising amazing kids as a full-time parent . . . or running your own show with a business of your own, are you in a field you love, doing what you want to do?

Or do you need to make a change (including a change that the recent economic crisis has forced on you)?

Part of living a balanced, happy life

is doing work that inspires and delights you: you’re good at it, you’re needed, and you love everything about the 6-10 hours a day you spend doing it.

If you’re not there yet in your worklife, I’d like to talk to you about ways to grow in your career, have more fun, show up in a bigger way, and finally make the kind of income you dream of.

As a Certified Oola Life Coach, I’ve teamed up with human-potential experts and bestselling authors Dr. Dave Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl to bring you the 10- week Oola Coaching Program designed to help you achieve balance in all 7 major life areas: Fitness, Finance, Family, Field, Faith, Friends and Fun.

Career upgrades and business-building are two of the best reasons to work with a life coach.

Without family pressure, opinions, or judgment, we can look at what YOU really want and how you might transition—safely and sensibly—into a situation that’s far better than the one you’re in now.

And, by the way? If this latest crisis has eliminated your job altogether, it may be the excuse you need to pursue the worklife of your dreams.

So why not message me to talk more about how coaching works to improve careers, businesses, fulltime parenting—even pursuing volunteer work or philanthropy.

Drama-Free Finances?  Yes!

Significant Pain Point for Most People

In my continuing series about calming the overwhelm and creating balance in all 7 major areas of life, can we talk about a significant pain point for most people?

Yeah, it’s . . . money.

If lately you’ve been stressed over credit card debt, fighting about household spending, or worried about how you’re going to pay your bills, you could probably use a lot more balance in the area of finances.

Of course, the recent economic upheaval hasn’t helped.

But the reality is that some people sail through tough economic times with a healthy emergency fund, little to no debt, a side hustle that pays household expenses, and a lifestyle they can dial down at a moment’s notice.

For others, an economic crisis like this one is a wake-up call that their finances may not have been great to begin with.

If the past year has been an eye-opener for you,

why not consider what you can do today to bring balance to your finances. Could you:

• Slash your expenses to absolutely necessary costs only?
• Sell unused items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace?
• Look for work-at-home gigs for extra money?
• Build a rainy-day savings account with just $100 to start?

Be Accountable for Your Financial Future

While a dire financial situation may seem impossible now, solid finances are possible if you create a plan and focus on making small steps regularly. Write down all your debts and start paying them off, starting with the smallest one. Start a second income stream to fund savings or retirement. Get investment help from a professional financial planner you trust. Talk with your spouse and kids about cutting back and saving up until you’re feeling better about your finances.

Then, seriously consider working with me privately to set financial goals and be accountable for reaching them. Helping people find balance and achieve life changes in every major area is something I do through a unique 10- week coaching program designed around the bestselling book and coaching formula: Oola.

Message me for details. Then let’s jump on a discovery call about what coaching can do for you.

Who Is In Your Inner Circle Matters!

Who is in your inner circle?

First, let me explain what inner circle means.  Picture yourself in the center of a lake.  Around you are concentric circles.  The smallest circle is closest to you.  The circles get larger as they radiate from you.

The smallest circle represents your closest 1-3 friends or family members.  No matter if it is friends or family, the members of your inner circle are those who you think of immediately to call when something troubling or amazing has just happened to you.

Your inner circle is a precious place to be.

The people in your inner circle are in a prominent place of honor in your life.  Because of this, it is important to have these special people in your life treat it like the honor it truly is.  It also means you treat those in your inner circle with the utmost respect and integrity.

Tough Decisions

When you think of each individual in your inner circle, what is your immediate reaction?  Is it positive or does it cause stress?  Below are quizzes for you to analyze your inner circles: one for family members and one for friendships.

Positively Powerful Strategy:

1. Toxic Relationship Quiz for Family: click here to access the quiz.
2. Toxic Relationship Quiz for Friends: click here to access the quiz.

Pump Up Your Inner Circle

If you are needing guidance on how to work through a toxic relationship, contact me below to set up a complimentary 30 minute chat.  This is private.  I can help you through this difficult situation and curate an inner circle you can always count on to have your back!

Together, we are Positively Powerful!

Is Your Body Ready to Pursue Your Dreams?

It’s already February,

and if you celebrated New Year’s Day with a resolution to get healthier in 2021, I have a question: have you stayed on track with your fitness goals?

One of the best outcomes of creating a balanced life is enjoying the basics:

adequate sleep, nutritious food, time for exercise—plus bandwidth to handle longstanding conditions that cause pain, embarrassment or anxiety.

But you don’t have to arrive at the “ideal life” to enjoy vibrant well-being. Simply starting the journey toward being fit and healthy will boost your energy, immunity and brain function. And a daily walk around the neighborhood delivers noticeable results.

In the time that I’ve been a Certified Oola Life Coach working personally with bestselling authors Dr. Dave Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl, I’ve discovered that taking action and staying committed to your goals will get you further – faster – than almost any other approach. Fitness is one area where this focus and commitment really pays off.

To help my followers stay accountable to taking small steps toward their goals,

I recently joined forces with Dave and Troy to deliver a 10-week coaching experience designed to transform your life, your finances, your relationships and more. Message me and we can jump on a call about it.

While the Oola coaching formula works to bring balance in 7 major life areas, I have to say: it rocks when it comes to meeting health goals, slimming down, and gaining the confidence that comes from being date-night ready.

It can help you define the goals you want to achieve, and keep you accountable to doing those things every day that bring about the results you want. Check out Oola Coaching and work with me every week to find balance and calm the overwhelm in major life areas like finances, fitness, family, field (career) and more.

Find Balance In An Unbalanced World

Why does life seem so overwhelming?

We set goals and have good intentions, but there never seems to be enough time, money or energy for achieving life’s biggest goals.

Instead of making progress, our lives seem even more out of balance.

Well, for the next few weeks, I’d like to help you overcome the overwhelm and work on achieving balance in every major life category.

How will we do that?

Using a strategy, I learned from Dr. Dave Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl, authors of the bestselling book, Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World: identify where you’re out of balance, then jot down three tasks a day that will move you toward balance in that area of your life.

Here’s an example:

If your finances are a mess and credit card debt is causing you extra stress, your to-do list might look like this:

1. Make a list of all debts in order of total amount due
2. Make an extra payment (today) on the smallest debt while still making minimum payments on the others
3. Investigate ways to make extra money to pay off all debt

START NOW: IDENTIFY WHERE YOU’RE OUT OF BALANCE

You CAN overcome the overwhelm. To start, identify your biggest stressor in each of “The 7 F’s of Oola” (below). Write down your list in a journal or on your smartphone, so you can refer back to it. Are you out of balance in:

Fitness: Excess weight? Poor nutrition? Little exercise?

Finance: Crushing debt? No retirement plan? Too many bills?

Family: Need boundaries? Marriage on life support?

Field: Career stress? No free time? Low pay or benefits?

Faith: No real relationship with God? Need a daily practice?

Friends: Toxic friends that bring you down? Need mentors?

Fun: No time for fun? Waiting until you’re older or retired?

Whatever is stressing you, let’s work together to completely transform your life into one that’s balanced, happy and growing. I’ve joined forces with Dave and Troy to bring my followers the Oola formula via a 10-week coaching experience designed to transform your life, your finances, your relationships and more. Message me at nicole@positivelypowerfullife.com and we can jump on a call about it. Then stay tuned for the next few weeks for even more ways to bringing balance to your life . . . Oola style.

Do You Love Well?

Really think about this for a moment.  Do. You. Love. Well?

Loving well means that you forgive easily. 

The closer the person is to us, the harder this can be.  You’d think it would be easier to forgive someone that we love and hold dear to us. Yet, this is where the most pain can occur.  One way to gauge if you have forgiven someone is when you think of them, do you want the best for them or are you thinking negative thoughts?

Forgiveness isn’t for them; it is for YOU! 

When you do not forgive, you give all the power to the person you are struggling with. You experience feelings of fear, guilt, anger, self-sabotage, laziness, envy, and lack of focus, which are OolaBlockers.  Of these blockers, anger tends to be the one that takes its grip and holds on to you when it is a struggle to forgive.

Letting go means it still happened.

Letting go of the anger of what was said and done to you doesn’t make what happened to you irrelevant – it still happened.  The question is, do you want the situation that caused the hurt to control how you live your life and view the world?  Or, do you want to acknowledge it happened and forgive, so you can live a life that is brighter, lighter, more open to you?  The choice is yours.

Positively Powerful Strategy:

Here is a strategy to try:

1. Divide a paper in half.
2. At the top of the right side write “Let Go” and on the left side “Hold On.”
3. Under “Hold On,” write all the things that you feel and everything you are missing because you are holding on to not forgiving this person.  Include sickness, weight gain or loss, lack of focus, etc.
4. Under “Let Go,” write all the things that could appear and everything you could do or feel if you forgave.

This activity is meant to show you how much richer your life can be by forgiving those who wronged you.

I am here to help you find ways to overcome your OolaBlockers and love well.  Comment below so we can set up a complimentary 30 minute chat. It is private.

Together, we are Positively Powerful!