“Do what you love, and the money will follow.”

For many people, this expression is true, with one important modification. I think the word “eventually” needs to be added to the end of that sentence.

But what do you do if “eventually” feels like “forever”?

I want to tell you about a little-known and little-discussed way to address the issue of earning less than you’d like, especially when you feel like you’ve tried everything. The suggestion I have is not a get-rich-quick scheme, nor is it a panacea. But it’s super practical, and I have seen it work.

I’ll start with Jillian’s story  (I’ve changed her name and a few of the details to protect her privacy).

Jillian said: “I really need help. I’ve been trying and trying to make money doing what I love. I really believed that I was offering something worthwhile by helping people manage the ups and downs of managing depression. I’m a therapist by training, but I don’t like sitting with one client after another. My real love is writing and teaching. I developed a website full of ideas to help people cope with this difficult challenge. I’ve taught a few teleclasses. I even wrote a few ebooks, based on my experience counseling people through the hardship of depression. I really care about being of service.

“I’ve invested at least four years working on this business. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on professional support (like a business coach, a web designer, a graphic designer, a virtual assistant, and so on) to make this a viable business, but I just have not been financially successful. I earn just enough money to scrape by. No extra money for vacations, for buying a cute piece of clothing, for having a little fun going to the movies with friends. This deprivation is starving me.

“It’s time for me to make a living ! I’ve been divorced for 9 years.  My previous background was as a marketing exeutive and I was never cut out for it.

“I have two adult kids now, ages 19 and 24, and am committed to getting the youngest through college with no debt and also to raising my two dogs, who do help make me happy. I live pretty far from any family and I’ve found it challenging to make close friends.

“I’ve read a ton of self help books, done loads of exercises to help me figure out the work I love and how to manage my finances. I’ve even meditated for many years.  I hope you’ll understand this:  I thought I was listening to God/The Universe (or some form of higher guidance) when I designed my work, thinking it fit me from the inside out.

“I just don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything I know to make money. I am feeling angry, upset, and disillusioned.

“I want to be of service and support my family and I just don’t know how.”

Wow, what do you do in a situation like this? Jillian tried all kinds of practical steps to make her business viable.

My insight: It sounds like the key issue Jillian was facing had to do with money, not business or therapy skills. My suspicion was that she was holding herself back with some attitudes and behaviors of underearning. In other words, not living up to her financial potential, which could be limitless.

My recommendation:  I asked Jillian to check out Underearners Anonymous.

Underearners Anonymous (UA) is a Twelve Step fellowship of men and women who have come together to help themselves and one another recover from underearning. Underearning is many things, not all of which are about money. While the most visible consequence is the inability to provide for one’s needs, including future needs, underearning is also about the inability to fully acknowledge and express our capabilities and competencies. It is about underachieving, or under-being, no matter how much money we make.

The tools of UA include, and reinforce, the tried and true tools of recovery provided by the Twelve Steps (like in Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar “Anonymous” programs). Members of UA also utilize additional tools – both individually and with partners – to support taking action that will create lives that are full, prosperous, and grounded in serenity.

Once Jillian started attending UA meetings, she began to realize that one of the biggest blocks to her success was the shame she carried about underearning.

Unfortunately, shaming ourselves does not create an incentive for us to improve our circumstances. Shame may make us work harder on the outside, rather than looking inside to enhance how we treat ourselves. Shame is paralyzing.

Once she began attending Underearners Anonymous meetings (they offer both in person meetings and telephone meetings), Jillian released the shame she had been feeling about her financial situation. She had the courage to see the difficult ways she treated herself. With the help of others in her meetings, she began to feel better about herself and found UA to be a supportive fellowship with a structure and practices to help her regain a sense of her own value. Slowly but surely, she’s been feeling better about herself. In tandem, her earning has been steadily increasing.

So if you’ve been doing the work you truly love, but the money is just not following, I encourage you to check out Underearners Anonymous. The people who are part of this totally volunteer organization may just be the way for you to make a positive change.

Committed to your abundance,

PS – If you’re not doing what you love, let’s change that, soon! Join me January 13-15, 2012, for the “Crafting Careers That Truly Fit” workshop, where you can plan your career future in a hot tub on the Pacific Ocean. And if you register by January 1, 2012, you’ll get $325 in bonus goodies from me! So check out the workshop, now!

If you’re looking for a self-paced, home-study way to improve your career, I’ve got some great digital downloads to help you. These audios and ebooks are full of exercises and guidance to help you find your way through job search, interviewing, and building your confidence .

My gift to you is the biggest savings of the year!

Take 30% off any digital download product in the Work from Within store. That includes:

• The Job Seeker’s Confidence Kit audio and workbook
• The Interviewing Authentically workbook
• How to Make a Meaningful Career Change audio and handout
• How to Create Work That Fits You audio and workbook
• The new Conversations That Create Kick-Ass Confidence package

These are just a few of the career-boosting resources in the Work from Within store.

To get your savings on career-boosting products, simply enter NEWYEAR2012 in the coupon code field at checkout from the Work from Within store, then click “Apply” to get your discount. You’ve only got until December 31 to use the discount, so hurry!

Happy New Year!

If you’ve ever been thrust into a leadership role and wished you had a guidebook to help you learn what it means to be a leader and how to do it effectively, my friend Pam Fox Rollin of IdeaShape (who I met back when we worked at Accenture) has written just the book you want! It’s 42 Rules for Your New Leadership Role: The Manual They Didn’t Hand You When You Made VP, Director, or Manager. You can find Pam’s book on Amazon.

What motivated you to write 42 Rules for Your New Leadership Role?

Across twenty years of corporate strategy consulting and executive coaching, I’ve seen so many leaders struggle after a rocky start. Leadership is always tough, but especially at the beginning. People promoted from inside the organization struggle to redefine their relationships with co-workers and have greater influence at executive levels. External hires find their brains so buffeted by new information that they fall back on old habits. Most new leaders get little useful guidance, thoughtful feedback, or tangible help. We can do better than this for our new leaders, and the organizations that do will thrive.

Who did you write the book for, really? Of course new leaders. But any specific type of new leader?

Very busy ones! Everything about the format of this book is designed to help a busy person put his/her head in the right place for starting a new job – within one short plane flight. Then, I recommend grabbing the book each Friday afternoon or Sunday evening to see which Rules are most relevant for the week ahead.

Also, while I wrote this book to meet the needs of experienced leaders, a first-time manager can gain a lot from this book.

I know you’ve got 42 rules in the book. But if you had to share just one with a new leader, what would it be?

Rule 5 lays offers the fundamental argument of this book: Take Charge of Your Start.

What do you see as the biggest leadership challenge facing new managers from 35-55 in the US?

Productivity is absolutely their #1 concern: dealing with expectations of always-on, teams around the globe, info explosion, etc. Additionally, people who are actually new at managing at those ages find that the younger people on their team will have had leadership experience already. They find themselves pushed to learn what all of us need to master: to become a leader of leaders.

What positive trends are you seeing in leadership lately?

• On-demand training is bringing high-quality leadership learning deeper into organizations. Companies that pair net-based learning with well-facilitated field-based learning will see leadership capability soar.
• The people side of leadership is no longer news. The talks I gave 5-7 years ago on my co-authored research into emotional intelligence and leadership are old news now. At least, leaders know it’s important… now they’re ready to learn how to do it well.
• Leadership is being taken more seriously as an academic field, so we’re likely to see more research, better research, and more MBAs (like those at Stanford GSB) graduating with a deeper awareness of themselves as leaders.

You’re a mom. What’s your hope for your kids’ leadership?

Hmm. Our 8-year-old (ISTP, if you know Myers-Briggs) has big plans for inventions he intends to make and sell. I hope he goes for it! Along the way, I trust he will grow in respect and skill for the people side of leadership.

Our 5-year-old (ENFJ, we think) loves to rally groups of people to participate in his and his friends’ cheery projects. I hope he continues to enjoy leading, even when the path is hard and followers are skeptical.

For both my sons, and for all of us, may we be guided by a moral compass that looks to the good of our planet and communities as well as ourselves.

Pam Fox Rollin helps Silicon Valley executives make their strongest start. She also helps leadership teams function well together and make the most of new talent. Clients hire Pam for individual coaching, leadership offsites, teambuilding with Myers-Briggs, and keynotes. Visit, “like”, and learn at Pam’s Facebook page for this book. Or connect on Twitter.

Last weekend, I drove down from the San Francisco Bay area to the Esalen Institute, a glorious drive that takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. To get there, you wind through forests, along the ocean, and into the heart of transformation, the Big Sur coast, between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along coastal Highway 1. It’s so scenic that you have to drive patiently, because either you, or the drivers ahead of you, will be ooohing and aaaahing at the views and pulling off the road to snap lots of photos of rocks and waves along the rugged coastline.

I spend a lot of time at the Esalen Institute, a retreat center that’s been an icon of transformation since the 1960s. Last weekend was one of those times. I stopped in the gardens, where most of the organic produce is grown, and recorded this video for you, to tell you about the career transformation workshop I’m teaching June 24-26, 2011, called Crafting Careers That Truly Fit: How to Work from Within. If you’re at a career crossroads, and you’re tired of agonizing over the question, “What am I going to do next?” stop the stress! This workshop gets you out of your head and into the wisdom of your body. You can slow down, relax, and allow me to guide you to your own inner knowing. This workshop helps you gain much more clarity about your future in just one weekend. You get to discover answers you have hidden within yourself, and that’s a lot of fun.

So, what happens as a result of the workshop? Here’s a heartfelt comment from a past participant of this workshop, “Susan, you made my life so much easier. I had been making this career change so complex. You gave me a way to simplify my inquiries, and to shift my energy from feeling tense and negative to feeling relaxed and positive. I now have a much clearer idea of the work I’m going to do next, and I’m excited instead of fearful. That’s a big change, and I’m so grateful for the workshop you so thoughtfully facilitated. Thank you!”

Well, you, too, can find your own calm, clarity, and confidence in the Crafting Careers That Truly Fit workshop.

And, to sweeten the experience, if you register for the workshop by June 1, 2011, I’m offering you a free 50-minute coaching session (you can use it any time between June 30, 2011 and July 31, 2011), PLUS downloads of my two popular CDs — How to Make a Meaningful Career Change and How to Create Work That Fits You — to help you get unstuck and overcome your fears about change. That’s over $375 worth of bonuses!

How do you get your bonuses?

All you need to do to get these wonderful bonuses is to drop me a note at info @ workfromwithin.com by June 1, 2011, telling me that you’ve paid for the workshop through the Esalen Institute. To register for the workshop, simply go to this link for workshop details, and you can either register online, or you can can call the Esalen Institute at 831-667-3000 from 9 am – 7 pm Pacific Time Monday through Friday, or 9 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday. Or click here for more contact information at Esalen.

I’d LOVE to welcome you to the workshop and help you get clear about your future career. And it would be great to sit in the hot tubs and chat with you during the breaks. What better, more relaxing, inspiring way to gain clarity about your life and your livelihood? If you have questions about the workshop, please feel free to contact me.

So, sign up for the workshop NOW, and get your FREE 50-minute coaching session with me AND your two bonus CDs. Remember, you only have until June 1, 2011 to get this benefit, so call Esalen now at 831-667-3000 and register and then drop me a line at info @ workfromwithin.com to let me know you registered, and be sure I send you an acknowledgment back!

See you in the hot tubs!

I have a special free holiday gift for you!

You can create the work you love. I tell you how to do it in this interview.

Every month, my friend Andrea Ramirez offers insightful interviews with the foremost experts on leading a healthier, more successful and more passionate life, as part of her amazing series, Renew You 2010. Several New York Times best-selling authors on health and beauty and even Martha Stewart’s personal trainer have already shared their wisdom pearls with the Renew You 2010 audience. Now, I’m thrilled to be part of this inspiring personal growth project!

Andrea and I had an insightful discussion! We discussed How to Maximize Your ROLE – Your Return On Life Energy. Did you know that over 80% of workers are not truly engaged in what they do? Maybe you are one of those people…or know someone like that.

What can you do when you (or someone you care about) hate your job? In this interview, Andrea and I discuss my simple technique for identifying the good, the bad and the ugly in your work situation. And, of course, I help you turn it into a life-transforming experience so you can create the work you dream of — and deserve!

The interview will be available completely f’ree of charge starting on Friday December 17 until Tuesday December 21, 2010. So go over there now and register to make sure you get access!

==> http://RenewYou2010.com

You really want to listen to this, especially if you know you are unhappy with your work situation. Go over there now and register. And make sure to tell everyone you love and want to see flourishing professionally!

==> http://RenewYou2010.com

I want you to thrive in your life and livelihood. Be sure to listen to the recording between Friday, December 17 and Tuesday, December 21. I’m sure you’ll find important wisdom for your career transformation journey!

PS – To get access to the recordings, simply fill in your name and email address in the green text box you’ll see. You’ll get instant access to my recording, and also other great teachers, like Marlise Karlin on finding stillness. Sweet!

I Can Do It! At Sea – Caribbean
January 28 – February 4, 2011
Special Discount: 20% off cruise price per person!

It’s such a pleasure producing the Work from Within show on HayHouseRadio.com each Thursday. And, in case you didn’t know, I won that show because of the Movers & Shakers program they offer to help budding coaches, authors, and speakers learn to build a multimedia platform.

Movers & Shakers and five other events with Hay House authors will be offered at sea, including a program to help you if you want to become a best-selling author.

I want to share with you a unique opportunity to spend a week with your favorite authors (including Cheryl Richardson, who offers the Movers & Shakers program) who inspire, motivate, and challenge you to reach your greatest potential! Choose from five extraordinary workshop programs throughout seven incredible days at sea on a private Hay House Charter! Explore the beautiful Caribbean with these Ports of Call: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I know that this private Hay House Charter will be the experience of a lifetime!

I’d like to extend a 20% discount to you, because I am a Hay House affiliate. All you need to do is mention Affiliate Priority Number 126.

Click here to register online now! The box to enter the “Affiliate Priority Number” is located on the registration page above “Cabin Selection.”

Don’t forget to enter Affiliate Priority Number 126 on your registration! Or, call 888-259-9191 ext.1239 Ericka or ext.1262 Adam and mention your Priority number to get 20% off!

Cabins are Limited – Register Online Now!

*Please note: this offer is valid for new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discounted offer. The discount is applicable to those attending the seminar programs only. Offer applies to the first two passengers in the cabin and is not applicable to third or fourth passengers sharing cabin. Contact Hay House for all the details, including information on their refund policy.

Here’s to your bon voyage! : )

If you’re looking to claim expert status in your industry or topic, I want to share with you information about a program from one of my mentors, Brendon Burchard who created EXPERTS ACADEMY, which I joined earlier this year – and it was one of the BEST investments I have ever made. Really.

I don’t usually share resources like this. But Brendon has really helped me to clarify my message. And to get clearer about how to be of service. And he’s truly inspired me to a bigger vision for how Work from Within can be helpful to more people. In fact, if you saw the video I created for the Hay House Movers & Shakers program, I used two tools that he mentioned. One is the use of my personal story (Cheryl Richardson & Reid Tracy talk about this, too). The other is use of frameworks, like Maximizing Your R.O.L.E., your Return On Life Energy.

I can’t say enough great things about Brendon and his ability to make you an expert. His energy and sincerity are real. He’s incredibly wise about sharing your message for impact and income. If you’re wanting to be an expert on YOUR topic, check out this video. You’ll be asked to sign up and you’ll get full access to an amazing set of videos to make you an expert.

Brendon is opening the doors to his EXPERTS ACADEMY program for a very limited time, because he makes room so he can help just enough people. To find out about EXPERTS ACADEMY, visit this link: http://bit.ly/susanexpert

I’ll be totally transparent and tell you that this is an affiliate program, and I do get credit if you sign up through me. Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable with that arrangement, you can sign up with Brendon directly. But, if you do ultimately pay for the EXPERTS ACADEMY through me, I will give you an iPod Touch 8GB, so you can listen to great music, play games, take pictures, and use the fun FaceTime application. I’ll mail it out to you after your first 30 days in the Experts Academy program, as my special gift to thank you (if you pay in 3 increments, you’ll get this after your third payment).  So if you’d like to sign up through me when you pay for Experts Academy and get your iPod touch, go to http://bit.ly/susanexpert

I have loved the Experts Academy program, and have learned SO, SO much. If you have questions about the program, email me at info (at) workfromwithin (dot) com and I’ll happily answer them!

Way to go, Expert!

Susan

PS – This is a very giddy me after a recent event with Brendon Burchard…no, that’s not him…that’s a big banner of him…and I got the red necklace from a very generous woman I met at this Experts Academy event. Fun!

Today, I’m pleased to share a guest post from my friend and colleague, Lisa Brookes Kift. Lisa is a psychotherapist, writer and creator of The Toolbox at LisaKiftTherapy.com. She provides tools and resources for marriage, relationship and emotional health.  She is the author of the Therapy-At-Home Workbooks® series for individuals and couples, offering a cost effective, do-it-yourself, therapist-guided alternative to counseling for some issues.

Like me, Lisa left a high-stress, seemingly high-prestige job that left her drained. Both of us have chosen to pursue working with people in a more caring, supportive way. Based on her rich life experience, Lisa brings a sensibility about how work can impact the rest of our lives. In this blog post, Lisa helps us to think about our emotions, which are vital signs to let us know how much our work aligns — or misaligns — with what we truly seek to create in our lives. I trust you will benefit from her wise words.

When you think of the term “emotional health,” what comes up for you?  There are numerous components to one’s “emotional health” and though many are the same for most people, the reality is there is a special cocktail that resonates with each of us individually – and is unique to us.

My own life experience and the experiences of many of my previous therapy clients has demonstrated to me that career choice is one important element to emotional health for many of us.  I know it sure is for me.

I used to work in the “glitzy” and “glamorous” world of movie and television production; with well known actors, directors and on films and TV shows you’ve likely heard of.  As much as I initially thought this was the dream career for me, it wasn’t.  In fact, it became evident that I was missing out on lot of life and my relationships suffered as a result of the long, unpredictable hours, weeks spent out of town on location and general chaos that was my life when on a show.  This ultimately started not only to emotionally and physically take a toll but it hurt my soul in such a way that I decided to leave, go back to school and train to become a therapist.

Career discontentment can be very stressful, whether it be about doing a job that has no meaning, is a toxic environment, or is simply against your grain.

Here are a few signs that you might be in a career that is leading to unhappiness:

• Work avoidance.
• Excessive worry about work.
• Increase in illness or physical pains with no medical explanation.
• Defensiveness and frustration.
• Substance abuse.
• Bad mood impacting family life / relationships.

The great thing about career discontentment, as uncomfortable as it is, is that it has the potential to help drive you forward to do something different, to search for meaning and satisfaction elsewhere.  If you can break through the fear of it – and are able to logistically pull it off – then career reflection and possible direction shift can be an important step toward your emotional health.

When I made my big career move it was a mentor who helped me to understand this was possible and helped me explore and challenge my fears around it.  The person for me happened to be a therapist but there are other mentor-type people (like Dr. Susan Bernstein) who can assist you with dissecting the various layers unique to you in contemplating “what next?” if you’re at a career crossroads.  Perhaps members of your support system can help you.  Maybe a therapist can assist you in finding clarity on the issue like mine did for me.  Whatever method you choose, it’s in the best interest of your emotional health – and in some cases, physical health and relationship health - to do so if possible.

It’s human nature to seek happiness, fulfillment, emotional and relationship health.  I am grateful for having the ability to do such a significant career change as I realize not everyone can easily manage this.  I am passionate about my job of psychotherapist and there is no question that I’m doing work that is for in line with who I am internally.  It feels great!

In response to a post by Marelisa on 35 Beliefs About Money: From Donald Trump to the Dalai Lama, I realized…”Hey, most of the people telling us about money, like Harv Eker and Jack Canfield and Warren Buffett…well, they’re not like me. They’re men.”

I know that women have a different relationship with money, perhaps because we’ve only had a few generations (at least in the United States) where women had the social freedoms to earn their own living. And we’re taught to be nice, and in many families, like mine, fathers managed the money, not mothers. Yes, Suze Orman has written extensively about money, as has Jane Bryant Quinn, so their books are notably missing.

Additionally, aside from the Dalai Lama, who’s not exactly a money expert, it’s harder to find a spiritual perspective on money. So, I decided to share my list of my favorite books on money, both by female authors and those authors with a spiritual perspective:

I want to suggest a few women authors who write from the heart, and the wallet, about money:

• Deborah Price, author of Money Magic, and founder of the Money Coaching Institute – this book looks at money archetypes and helps you understand where you may be stuck around money
• Victoria Castle, author of The Trance of Scarcity – Victoria helps us to see the ways we are brainwashed into believing in scarcity, and opens us up to abundance
• Drs. C Diane Ealy & Dr. Kay Lesh, authors of Our Money, Our Selves - masterfully examines where women get poor messages about money and suggests ways to transform these
• Annette Lieberman & Vicki Lindner, authors of The Money Mirror: How Money Reflects Women’s Dreams, Fears, and Desires wise insights into the emotional rollercoaster that women ride regarding money, and how to smooth out the ride

And here are some authors, besides the Dalai Lama, with a spiritual perspective on money:

• Eric Butterworth (now deceased), author of Spiritual Economics: The Principles and Process of True Prosperity – this book always puts me at ease when I have money anxieties; Butterworth was a Unity minister with a very healthy perspective on how money can take us off task or keep us aligned with our true callings
• Stuart Zimmerman & Jared Rosen, authors of Inner Security & Infinite Wealth: Merging Self Worth & Net Worth – I love how they talk about “appreciation” and how appreciating ourselves and what we’re doing in the world leads to an appreciation of our own value. Many other clever insights.
• Lynne Twist, author of The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources - Working with philanthropists, Lynne noticed the characteristics that allowed people to be generous, and offers ways to increase wealth in our own lives, in many forms

Enjoy!

I love telling happy stories. And this is one of them, about one of my former clients.

It’s delicious, too. Your mouth might start watering, so you’re forewarned…

Back in September of 2008, I hosted an event called “Follow a More Authentic Career Path“  and invited six people who’d made major career changes to talk about how they did it. (In fact, you can order the audio of the event here and listen to Ande’s wisdom, and five other career changers).

Ande Scheinker was one of the panelists. Ande had been an event planner. Hated it. She wasn’t sure what was next when she came to me as a client. Over time, she decided to call herself a “culinary explorer,” because she so loved being in the kitchen and being around food. She baked. A lot. Sometimes, she’d send me pictures of her creations. This was both fun and troublesome. Her pictures can make you drool. Worse, they can ruin a diet, unless you have iron-clad willpower. I don’t.

Ande was, like many clients, worried that she wasn’t changing careers fast enough. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone tells me, “I’m moving too slowly in this transition.” I’d have enough…to buy a car maybe? No, probably not. But still, I want to say “No, no, no. You’re making this transition on YOUR timing. YOUR rhythm. YOUR pace. Just keep listening inside, and you’ll sense what’s next.”

Last week, I received an email from Ande:

Hi Susan,

I hope this email finds you well!  I wanted to update you on a few things that are going on with me…I have some exciting news.

First – I’ve enrolled in pastry school.  I’ll begin a six-month pastry course at Tante Marie here in SF on March 29th.  I’m really thrilled about this next step – it just feels really right.

And for fun, I wanted to tell you that I’m competing in the upcoming edition of SF Food Wars.  This time around, the theme is chocolate cookies.  Fun, fun!  I just found out I was accepted to compete today.   Here’s a bit more info: http://sffoodwars.com/2010/02/the-chocolate-cookie-situation/

I’ve actually never even attended any of the SF Food Wars – but I hear they’re a blast.

Anyhoo – just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that things are going well on my end.  Hope all is well with you.

Thanks for everything,

xoxo Ande

Yes, this is a real email. I share it to make a few points:

First, almost everyone I know has fears of making change, and to be successful, you have to work through those fears. Ande’s had plenty of fears, including the fears that what she cooked would not turn out well. Amazing. Take one look at all the cooking she’s done, and you’d wonder how someone like Ande can even have that fear. Well, she’s just more accustomed to just being with the fear than ever before.

I was reminded by my friend, Tarra Christoff, that “Success is just outside your comfort zone.” To me, that means that you have to give yourself permission to feel a bit uncomfortable, awkward, goofy, confused, if you’re going to be able to navigate changes. You know, if you’re used to being all neat and tidy and organized (like I tend to want to be), then you’ll have to relax the tension you place on yourself to do things “just right.”

How can you demand of yourself that you do something well (or fast) if you’ve never done it before? Sounds silly when you’re standing outside the experience. But when you’re in it, you really can push hard on yourself.  Be gentle with yourself. Tell that part of your mind that’s criticizing you to take a break. It’s not helping. Really.

Second, change takes time. Duh. Yeah, you know this. But most of us only know this intellectually. Are you impatient with yourself? Do you tell yourselves to “hurry up?” and berate yourself when you’re going slow? Please be good and gracious with yourself as you get insights into “what’s next.”

Third, the important thing, as you navigate change, is to keep following your energy gains. It’s a huge gain for Ande to bake. So, over time, she’s taken baking classes and done tons of experiments in her own kitchen. One of my energy gains is writing, and I’m finally, finally, past the dissertation and am writing a book proposal. (Hmm, did you notice my judgment about how long it’s taken me to get over my dissertation?).

What activities or situations fill you with energy? How can you give yourself more time to experiment along those lines?

I’m really energized and excited to taste Ande’s latest creations at The Chocolate Cookie Situation on March 21st in San Francisco.  Mmm…but, too bad, tix are sold out.  Maybe you can view Ande’s Twitter stream and see if she knows about some special way to get more? In the meantime, you can drool over her cookie (and other) creations on her Flickr stream…oooh….aaah….mmm…

Congratulations, Ande!

Scrumptiously yours,

Susan