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A Rock-Star Book Birth. How did Heather do it in just 12 months?

Have you ever had a long-cherished dream whose time had finally come, and the quickening it created inside of you told you that you were on the verge of something big? Do you know how to get it outside? (And safely?) These were the questions my rock-star singer friend had exactly twelve months ago.

Heather called me when I was in the bathtub one morning with a unique request. “I need your services as a midwife,” she said. “Are you pregnant?!” I squealed, nearly dropping the phone in the water.  “Yes – with a book,” Heather moaned. “It’s been begging me to write it for the last four years.” “I know!” I hollered. “Is it birth time, Mama?!”

“I can feel that I’m in the final stretch, but…” She cut herself short. I focused all of my energy and attention on her, and pressed gently, “What’s the ‘but,’ honey?” Heather exhaled, and began to confide. ‘I’m nervous about making big changes. Will my family and friends support my new career path? What if I fail, and everyone says, ‘Told you so!’? And if I do succeed, will it all be taken away someday because I’m leaping too high for a mere mortal?”

“Heather,” I asked calmly, “what is at stake if you don’t leap now?” I had recognized the vulnerability in Heather’s voice immediately; it reminded me of the time just before I took my own huge leap years ago to become who I am today. And although my journey along the road to success recently found me featured in a fantastic bestseller sequel that chronicled the habits of highly successful women, I once knew well the pain of unrealized dreams.

Heather is one of the most courageous women I’ve ever known: she is fully capable of admitting the truth to herself, and then moving beyond it. “If I don’t leap, I’m going to start eating crazy again, get fat, depressed and worry my parents about my health, and totally ruin my new relationship,” she confessed. “And most importantly, I’ll give up on my soul and the song she was born to sing. And that would be suicide.” Fear was singing its song. Time to change the station.

“So what do you want instead?” I asked her. “Where would you like your life to be 12 months from now?” I carried Heather’s thoughts forward, toward a new horizon. “In a year?” she responded. “In a year, I’ve published the book, and it’s gotten great reviews; I look and feel the best I ever have; my relationship is fun and nurturing; and I am singing at well-paid gigs.”

“YES! That’s it! Go for it!” I beamed. Heather began to speak quickly. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life – I can do this!” she exclaimed. “But I can’t do it alone. You’re like a spirit whisperer. Help me carry this spiritual vision over into physical reality. I need you, to ensure that the book-babe, the Mama, and the new relationship are all healthy and safe throughout the delivery.”

True to her light-hearted humor, she added, “Anyway, my insurance policy doesn’t cover this kind of thing.”  “You’re so funny!” I laughed. “So when do you want to start?” “Today!” she answered with conviction.

That was January 2011. Last month, Heather self-published her book Conscious Girl’s Pocket Guide to Backpacking. And proud, beaming godmother that I am, I endorse it far and wide. It’s a passport-sized, fiercely sexy map to living the spiritual adventure that is your life. I also just got word that Heather is singing at amazing weddings this year. Her angelic voice and transformational power up-level any event. (Know a couple-to-be? Book Heather.)

Book + Wonderful Man + Big Singing Gigs: What helped Heather make the Leap?

Here is the KEY: Everything that exists in the physical world has a spiritual counterpart – an energetic blueprint. Many women report that the energy of their newborn baby made itself known long before they got pregnant, right down to the name and eye color. The same can absolutely be true for your life’s work.

“The future must enter you long before it happens,” wrote poet Rainer Maria Rilke.

Do you want to know the exact questions I asked Heather?
The very ones that helped her recognize what her soul was calling her to do, what was standing in her way – and how to leap over it.

Click here for the Clarity Questionnaire.

You don’t have to do this alone. Like Heather, once you get clear and commit to your dream 100%, you will become unstoppable. Others will notice your unmistakable glow, and those opportunities that were once so hard to find will simply come knocking on your door.

Here is Knock #1: I am taking new clients. You. And for the month of January I am gifting Strategic Clarity sessions ($300 Value). Discover how to make a quantum leap over old blocks + get a feel for what it’s like to work together. There are a few time slots still remaining throughout the end of the month. Is one of them yours? Grab it here.

Darling, your ‘Now’ moment has arrived. (And so has your guide. ;) )
Reveal your Ancient Face with confidence!

PS. If Heather’s story inspired you, spread the enchantment! Let 2 or more people know by hitting the ‘Share’ button above and below.

PPS. If you enjoyed this post, you might want to check out this one, too!

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What’s the Foundation of a H O T Relationship? My Interview With Bestselling Author Gail McMeekin

Last week I shared my big news about being featured in the bestseller sequel The Twelve Secrets of Highly Successful Women. Am I still glowing with excitement? Of course I am! Unexpected fame is such a juicy opportunity to share my passion, creativity and joy!

Besides getting to share the spotlight with the very women I myself admire (Lisa Sasevich, Ali Brown, Victoria Moran and and JJ Virgin, just to name a few), this week I had the opportunity to interview author Gail McMeekin herself!

It was a tremendous honor to be interviewed by her about my own personal road to success for the book. I naturally was so excited to turn the tables and get her insight on core issues that affect all relationships.

 

My Interview With Bestselling Author Gail McMeekin

 1. Gail, what have you noticed is the biggest challenge for women in being a type-A go-getter on the one hand, but then flipping the switch to being receptive, trusting and feminine in the bedroom?

While you can’t beat spontaneity in the bedroom, changing gears is often too hard unless you make a plan, strange as that sounds. Women need time to unplug, get in the mood, and spend quality time with their partner. We also know that having our partner do something special for us can be an aphrodisiac. It can even be something as simple as unloading the dishwasher, picking up your dry-cleaning, taking the kids so you can have some quiet time, or massaging your feet.

In my own life and in the lives of clients, date nights really do work. You clear the decks and go out together and have some fun, break some patterns and get out of ruts, and remember why you are a couple! And when you go out, don’t sit at a restaurant both texting other people on your phones. Romance needs our full attention.

Each of us has our own mix of masculine and feminine styles, and ideally we want to integrate them so that we don’t feel like two different people – aggressive at work, and passive in romance. We want to find our Authentic Self and try to be her in all situations – but we still have to flip a switch from work to love mode  and be conscious about it.

2. How do you personally keep your marriage H O T?

I adore my husband, so that makes it pretty easy to stay connected. We love to travel and find romantic places to stay and re-discover each other. We do have date nights, either at home or out, where we play music we love and hide out from work and other responsibilities – or go out and do something novel that we can both enjoy.

When we moved into our house our bedroom was painted red, which the Feng Shui folks say is an erotic color. We have grown to like the warm feeling in that room and have kept the color. Even though I am a writer/coach and work at home some days in my PJ’s or sweats, I make a point to put on something attractive in the evening to change the mood from work, to play! We also love to take walks and hold hands when walking and sleeping.

3. When a successful woman thinks about having an intimate relationship with a significant other, what is a healthy way to be together around money?

As you know, couples fight a lot about money, so you need to have a plan. Some couples are fine pooling all of their money together, and some are not. It often depends on whether the couple has complementary money styles. With second marriages and lots of business assets, some women are asking for pre-nups, which may make sense. Another model that works is having each partner keep their own bank accounts, and then have a joint account that they both contribute to for paying bills, taxes, home repairs, etc. That way, each person has their own money to spend as they wish. But it is important to have conversations about retirement savings, long-term care insurance, children, etc., so that you have a joint plan for the future that you both contribute to.

Another alternative is for couples to pool their money for the most part, but each keep a personal savings account that gets funded regularly for special things, like spa treatments, fancy shoes, sporting events, art classes, etc. Regardless of which model you choose, there has to be trust as a foundation. When couples have addictions and/or start hiding money info, trouble is brewing. When I did couples counseling for many years, we used to say that there are 6 people in every marital bed – the couple, and both sets of parents. All of those points of view and practices have to be sorted out so that the new couple can work together – despite their differences – and find a happy compromise.

If you have a partner who is a gambler or out of control with money or doesn’t pay bills on time, you need to protect yourself from those credit risks. There can be other issues if the woman makes more or less money than her partner, and another key element is for the stay-at-home parent’s role to be valued and compensated. For couples who get caught in a tangled web around money, getting a money consultation with a CFP and/or therapist is essential if you want to keep the marriage romantic and happy. When the negotiations around planning and money are over, you need to flip the switch again and focus on each other!

 

Gail is currently on a Blog Book Tour. You can find yesterday’s post here on Janet Conner’s website ‘Writing Down Your Soul,’ and tomorrow you’ll be able to find Gail here with empowering author Marilyn Tam.

 

Book Giveaway Contest – Enter to Win!

Want to win a copy of Gail’s newest book The Twelve Secrets of Highly Successful Women? The rules are e-a-s-y! First, ‘Like’ my Facebook fan page. Second, leave a comment below about your secret to maintaining femininity in your own relationship – especially if you’re a Type-A go-getter. Share your wisdom and be entered to win! Five winners will be announced December 21, 2011.

 

 

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How My Love Triangle with Ben and Jerry Got Busted + Big News!

Today I am feeling giddy, famous, and turned ON! You know why?

I am featured in bestselling author Gail McMeekin’s newest book,

The Twelve Secrets of Highly Successful Women.

I am often asked about my personal victories and failures along the road to success.
My training as an Olympic gymnast shaped me to be persistent, determined and resilient to the nth degree -all good things. But that same background made me extremely wound up, chronically exhausted and often lonely – as in, years of no one but Ben and Jerry in the bedroom. (Frisky, yes, but in an ironic way!) Clients and colleagues ask me:

 

“How in the world did you get from there, to here?”

Years after choosing not to get back on the bus and return to Ukraine, I boarded a dilapidated Greyhound and rode across country to Boulder, Colorado. I was on my way to attend Naropa University – a college founded by a renowned Tibetan monk. The experience stretched my mind and my heart immeasurably. I moved from a life of go, go, go to allowing, receiving and asking for help.

What a reality flip-flop!

Fast forward to 2010: I walked away from my booming Raw Food consulting biz of three years to answer my calling to write a book and speak on the stage. (My love triangle with Ben and Jerry was officially busted when my Hot Monogamy Manifesto came on the scene!) It was at a seminar for speakers that year that I met bestselling author Gail McMeekin. She was impressed by the fact that I had taken bold risks in my personal life to become who I am today by starting over from scratch – multiple times!

She asked if she could feature me in her upcoming sequel, The Twelve Secrets of Highly Successful Women. I was hugely excited and honored – and of course, said Yes.

And here we are. One pivotal decision (to not get back on the bus) has led me on an adventure filled with public speaking, business creativity, passion, pure love – and now the glamour of being featured in the sequel to an empowering bestseller!

What is the ‘bus’ that you are choosing not to get back on?

What will you do with your passion and creativity -make movies, make love in exotic places, write your own bestseller, raise babies?

When will you take your very first step? Today? Now?

Let loose the Jaguar Woman of Passion within you!

P.S. What does the bestselling author SARK (Succulent Wild Woman) have to say about the book?

The Twelve Secrets of Highly Successful Women gets right to the loving heart of how
women are redefining success and building lives that are wildly creative and creatively
successful! I’ll be recommending this book for many years to come.”

 

Win a copy of the book, autographed by yours truly! Read how here.

 

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