“With the right coaching, women can create more fulfilling and impactful lives.” Blake Schofield (3:12-3:19) I probably don’t have to tell you this, but the journey to fulfillment can be difficult, full of obstacles and bumps in the road. Have you ever considered working with a coach? Personal experience, and extensive research has shown me that working with a coach helps you get better and faster results in everything you do. Even though coaching has been around for quite some time, many women still don't utilize these valuable services. Are you making the investment to leverage the knowledge, insights, and experiences of others who've paved similar paths? Let me tell you why it’s so worth it! “Coaches are there to help you get the right tools, support, and strategies to level up and create the change and the growth you want in life and career.” - Blake Schofield (10:48-11:03) Why You Should Hire a Coach A report by the Manchester Consulting Group highlights how coaching can enhance performance in Fortune 100 executives. The report showed the following reasons why a coach is the right choice for anyone looking to achieve better results. 77% improvement in relationships 67% improvement in teamwork 61% improvement in job satisfaction Coaches give you tools, strategies, and support. They've developed the skills and expertise you need to achieve a new level of growth and fulfillment. How Do You Know When Coaching is Right for You? If you’re motivated to create a better life and make a big change, a coach may be the investment you need. You may be feeling stuck, but know deep down that you really want to improve yourself and grow. I am a firm believer that nearly everyone will benefit from the investment in the right coach. The right coach for you is one who has journeyed a similar path, has figured out how to achieve success, and can help you get the same results. You can't see the label from the inside of the bottle. There are times when it’s necessary to get an outside perspective to eliminate the roadblocks that are in the way of success, growth, and fulfillment. Have you taken the time to identify your unique strengths and gifts? Coaching can show you the possibilities that are there for you and help you overcome feelings of doubt and fear. “The strongest coaches have a clear niche. They know who gets the best results, and they help clients address a specialized set of problems and goals.” - Blake Schofield (13:10-13:23) If you're struggling in any area of life, you can find a coach to help you identify and overcome the challenges you're facing. There are coaches who specialize in each area. Life coaches help with personal development. Career coaches help you with your career strategy and tactical skills such as interviewing and preparing your resumé. Business coaches focus on a specific area in your career. How to Choose a Coach to Create Your Own Version of Success Different coaches have unique approaches. In order for coaching to be a wise investment, it’s so important to find one who fits your specific wants, needs, and goals. The following are questions you should ask yourself when looking for the right coach. Do they have expertise in the areas you need help with? Are they clear on the specific problems they address? Do your personalities fit together? Are they honest and upfront about what you should expect and what you need to do to succeed? Figure out what you need. Some coaches only offer group coaching programs. You might need a more individualized approach. Other coaches might have a "do it on your own" approach to coaching. But you might need more accountability and guidance. You get the most benefit out of coaching when you work with the right person. If there's something you want to create in your life, coaching can help you identify the steps you need to get you there. You'll see the bigger picture and create your own version of success and personal fulfillment.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“That little voice inside telling you there’s something different is leading you to a path that’s so much greater than you could ever imagine.” Blake Schofield (8:13-8:23) Have you ever felt  guilty for being unhappy despite having a great income, a healthy family, and a good life? This feeling can be quickly followed by feelings of shame and embarrassment, when you think about how others have so much less. How could I want more? This rollercoaster of thoughts and feelings could be pushing you away from what you really want in life. “Feeling guilty because you’re unhappy causes you to go in the opposite direction of what you really need.” - Blake Schofield (0:56-1:10) Women often learn to take care of others first while making sacrifices that affect their careers, wellbeing, and happiness. But we can soon feel disempowered, giving so much of ourselves that we no longer have anything left to give. The traditional narrative says that success comes from climbing the corporate ladder, earning more money, or owning the house with the white picket fence. But for many women, there’s a sense that there may be something more to gain out of their work and life. This isn’t something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. In fact, it’s a gift and an opportunity to realize what success is for you and what it isn’t. Listen to Your Inner Voice Your inner voice tells you when something is right or wrong. But not everyone listens to that inner voice. And if you ignore that inner voice long enough, it can be possible to stop hearing it at all. Our vision gets cloudy, and it can be difficult to remember, or know what it is that we actually want. When that excitement that accompanies achievement begins to fade you’re left feeling like something’s missing. I’ve felt that way. On paper, everything about my corporate career was amazing, a dream. And yet, I felt unsettled and empty inside. These feelings are clues, telling you your life isn’t aligned with what you’re capable of giving or doing. They’re like a nudge from your inner voice letting you know you’re moving in the wrong direction. You can step into the life you’re meant to live and leverage your skills to do something that’s meaningful to you. A growing number of heart-centered women are making things happen in their communities and industries by stepping out and doing something new. “It begins and ends with the stories you tell yourself. It begins and ends with how you think about and frame your circumstances.” - Blake Schofield (10:49-10:58) Leverage the Power of Mindset How do you talk to yourself? Do you lift yourself up or do you live in self-doubt? Most of us learn to ignore our inner voices. We convince ourselves that the things we want aren’t possible for us. We think we don’t deserve them and that change is too scary or risky. But there’s power in believing that you deserve and can create so much more. Reframing your beliefs helps you achieve everything you want while continuing to grow personally and professionally. Your success is rooted in the stories you tell yourself and the ways you perceive your circumstances. Your inner voice tells you when you want and deserve more than what you have. Listen to that voice and start taking action. Foster trust in yourself so you take steps towards creating a new path. Don’t get overwhelmed thinking change has to be big. It doesn’t have to be an irresponsible risk or leap. When you believe in yourself as much as you believe in others, you can make new choices and create the life you deserve.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“The unknown is an opportunity for more possibilities in your life instead of staying stuck in imagining what might be.” Blake Schofield (22:10-22:23)  Imagine spending one third of your life doing something that doesn’t make you happy. This seems crazy, and yet, more professionals are falling into a cycle of believing that having a job they hate is normal. When you consider that 85% of people hate their jobs, you wonder what keeps them from doing the same thing every single day? Maybe it’s not so crazy for you, because it is the place you find yourself right now. At the root of this tendency to settle is a resistance to change. It’s hard to change a significant part of our lives even when we know it’s making us unhappy. We can be so afraid of making mistakes and failing in front of others that we don’t take action, and we just accept things as they are. “We can get into a cycle of believing that hating our work is normal. So we have a workforce of people who are unengaged, uninspired, and unfulfilled in their jobs.” - Blake Schofield (1:08-1:33) Climbing the Ladder, and Getting Stuck Most professionals start on the same path. They don’t know what to expect when they’re fresh out of school, and face pressure from others to prove themselves and climb the professional ladder. Often we feel like we need to make more money and do the things that cause others to respect us. And then, when the career path isn’t as exciting or energizing as we hoped, we can find ourselves job-hopping in search of fulfillment. It can be so discouraging when each job begins to resemble the previous, and we still feel that nagging sense that something is missing. Over time, we can become resigned and think, “This is just how it’s going to be.” We normalize our circumstances and convince ourselves to accept that there’s nothing better out there for us. It becomes harder to try new things, and easy to become entrenched in job and career. Fears around failure and change stop many people in their tracks. It’s so important to understand the reasons why we’re afraid and the ways we handle fear. Fear is an emotion like any other. It is powerful, and can feel paralyzing. But it’s also an opportunity to explore what you’re really afraid of and question if it’s actually true. Where Did You Learn to Resist Change? Our beliefs about change can also lead to resistance. These beliefs can appear early in our lives. As children, change is hard because we have a limited perspective. Children rarely have control over the change that occurs in their lives. However, life events, through the lens of a child, can shape the way we view change as we grow into adults. When I was young, my parents divorced, causing us to move twice. I was uprooted from a safe environment with friends, comfort, familiarity, and moved to a place where I didn’t feel like I fit in. In this season of my life, change was so painful, difficult, and confusing. This became my lens for change - how I processed it from that point on. Looking at the Positive Results of Change When we experience change as negative, we overlook the positive aspects of change. In fact, change isn’t actually what’s difficult. In the circumstances of my childhood, the relationships I’d developed was the painful part of my parents’ divorce, and the subsequent move. As I have allowed myself to understand that, and embrace the of importance relationships and belonging, I can recognize that change can be empowering, exciting, and was the path that led to fulfillment in my own life. Think about what you want to change in your life. Is it your career? Is it your work-life balance? What can you put in place to make sure you stay on the right path? What are the beliefs that stand in the way of you making these changes? Examining and reframing them will help you make a successful transition into your new self. “Making a career shift or transition into entrepreneurship can be done step by step to mitigate risk and fear.” - Blake Schofield (18:37-18:52) Working with a mentor or coach can help you build a bridge to your new career. You can create a step-by-step process that lets you transition as slowly or as quickly as you’d like. Taking a measured approach mitigates risk and fear. Change really is a gift when you see the positive things that can happen as a result of taking new actions. Maybe the things holding you back aren’t real factors. Don’t let fear be the driving force in your life. Find out where it’s causing you to make choices that don’t serve you. Focus on times when change had positive results. Change is a doorway to peace, happiness, and fulfillment in life. But it’s up to you to open that door and take the first step.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take. Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“Most people, in building a business, don’t understand the value and importance of investing to gain the right skills and momentum.” Blake Schofield (5:11 - 5:22) The value and importance of investing in your business sooner rather than later. You’re ready to leave your corporate job and create a life on your own terms. But now is not the best time. After all, you have plenty of debt and barely any savings. It’s best to wait until everything is in order before you even think about investing in your own business. Right? Wrong! Waiting might actually be sabotaging your success! To prove my point, let’s use an example of two women in corporate America. Abbey and Betty were just like you. They were unhappy and unfulfilled, eager to make the move into entrepreneurship. While they both had good credit with the ability to leverage their assets and acquire loans, each woman took a different approach than the other to build their business over a time period of one year. Abbey decided to wait before investing. Betty went all in. As a result, one suffered and one thrived. “Understand the value of investing. Not only can you cut back in order to build up savings, but you can actually make more money to build up savings!” - Blake Schofield (2:48 - 2:55) Abbey decided it was best to get everything in order before heavily investing in her business. She cut down expenses and slowly began to build her business on her own. Many hours were spent researching what services she could best offer and designing a website for her business. Unfortunately, the website gained little traction and generated no momentum. At the end of one year, all of her hard work, sweat, and hustle amounted to only a grand total of $15 earned. Abbey had saved $5 from cutting down her expenses and profited only in $10 from her business. Now obviously, in reality, we would deal with much greater numbers. But for the sake of this example let’s keep it real simple and continue. Things continued to get worse at her corporate job and with every passing day, it was solidified that Abbey was not where she was meant to be. But over the last year, Abbey was unable to gain the right skills and momentum necessary to leave her corporate job in confidence because she didn’t invest. Sadly, she would have to stay put. In comparison, Betty, who understood the value of investing and how to leverage money appropriately, made four years of progress in one year. Betty took $30 out of the bank and invested in getting the right skills and support to begin building her business. With support and guidance, she learned to focus her time and energy on reaching the right clients, developing messaging, and designing a rock hard business model. It required hard work and money up front but at the end of one year, Betty successfully made a $90 profit from her business. That’s a net worth of $60 going right into her savings for later use! That same week Betty handed in her two-week notice. Her investment had laid a foundation for growth, generating enough momentum over the last year to bridge the distance and cross comfortably into entrepreneurship. “Remove the risk of having to leap into entrepreneurship and really build a bridge that will enable you to create life on your own terms.” - Blake Schofield (6:49 - 6:56) The truth is you don’t have to wait until all your debt is paid off or your savings account is full to invest in your own business! You can and should invest as soon as possible to reach success. There’s really no excuse not to. You could even use a 0% APR credit card or take out a loan. Contradictory to popular belief, not all credit card debt is bad! In fact, one of the smartest things you can do is leverage credit to make more money to then pay back at a later time. I know it can be scary to spend money to make money. But like Betty, you want to invest sooner rather than later to gain the right skills and momentum to set your business on a forward trajectory. Your investment, big or small, will provide the bricks necessary for you to build a bridge of fulfillment strong enough to cross comfortably from your corporate job into entrepreneurship. Don’t sabotage your success! Invest in your business today and enable yourself to create life on your own terms!   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“Success is not elusive. Success absolutely leaves clues.” Blake Schofield (4:45 - 5:05) The concept of success in entrepreneurship is really misunderstood. So many women, when they start building their own business, are faced with fear and doubt they’ve never actually faced before, or haven’t faced in a really long time. It’s amazing the doubts that can creep into a wildly successful woman’s mind the moment she decides to leave Corporate America to build something of her own. Once a powerhouse full of confidence, all of the sudden there’s a small voice in her head that makes her wonder if she actually has what it takes. Maybe I was only successful because of my team? What if I can’t do this alone? What if the way I’ve seen myself my entire career, is a facade? What if I am a fraud? The fears and doubts are normal, and even understandable and to be expected. Building a business of your own is entirely different than working at corporate, or being employed. Suddenly, when you are your own boss, the structure becomes elusive, and the path can feel really unclear. The key to overcoming these fears is to acknowledge them, so you have the power to walk through them to the other side. As long as we avoid them, or ignore them, they WILL continue to hold power over us.   “Entrepreneurship isn’t just a journey to building a business, it’s a journey to discovering you. It’s a personal growth journey.” - Blake Schofield (1:59 - 2:22) The secret to success. Let me let you in on a secret. The only thing that sets the incredibly successful entrepreneur - the entrepreneur bringing home six and seven figures - apart is her commitment to keep going, regardless of the obstacles and struggles that rise up, and her willingness to find the RIGHT people to walk alongside her. These are the keys to overcoming the fears and doubts that try to define you, and hold you back from the impact you were meant to make, and the life you desire to live. Commitment. Finding success in entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding failure. Each setback is an opportunity to grow, each obstacle a chance to learn more about yourself. Facing fear and doubt head-on gives us the strength to become more confident in our abilities. I am so passionate about making sure are maximizing their impact and talents. You weren’t meant to live a life of compromises. The strength that you carried within your Corporate career is the strength you can take with you as an entrepreneur. Even in the midst of the unknown and the challenges, all it takes is the decision to keep pressing forward. “We have 39% of businesses today being women-led, and yet only 4% of the revenue is being driven by those business… Part of the reason for the disparity is women feel they have to do it alone... They are choosing fear and doubt over commitment and belief.” - Blake Schofield (3:26 - 4:00) Find the right people to walk beside you. I have yet to meet a woman emerging from the corporate world to pursue entrepreneurship who has a clear grasp of all it takes to build their own business. However, too many women are trying to do it alone. The fear of failure, and other self-doubts, can stand in the way of making the decision to ask for help. Fear has a way of isolating us, making us feel like we have to prove ourselves, or that we should be able to figure it out on our own. The journey of an entrepreneur is not meant to be done alone. Find the people who have already gone before you, who can help you avoid mistakes, and make wise choices. Seeking counsel from mentors and coaches who can guide your path into entrepreneurship is invaluable. They will save you a significant amount of time, emotional energy, and money. Not only that, but when you have the right people walking next to you, the journey is SO much more enjoyable. “The difference between the successful entrepreneurs is that they have made their mind up that failure is not an option. All failure is, is giving up. They’ve made the commitment that they’ll do whatever it takes to be successful.” - Blake Schofield (4:19 - 4:41) Are you happy and fulfilled in your current career? If your answer is no, are you willing to commit to making a change? There are multiple ways to make a sustainable income, with so many different industry choices. Entrepreneurship is just one, but it might be the best way for you to gain the freedom and fulfillment you desire. In the midst of your fears and doubts, I want you to know that you can ABSOLUTELY be successful. Success isn’t elusive! It leaves you clues to follow. Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, but if you decide to keep going no matter what, and you don’t try to do it alone, you have the potential to achieve everything you desire and more!   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take. Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“Understanding where your value comes from and communicating it effectively to others is truly how you build wealth, opportunity, and freedom in your life.” Blake Schofield (0:39 - 0:52) Your self-worth is not determined by a list of checkboxes. From a very young age, women are taught incorrectly how to measure their inherent value. As students, we’re encouraged to achieve the highest grades possible. Achievements, check! As mothers, we’re expected to sacrifice all our time in devotion to helping others. Helpfulness, check! As businesswomen, we’re seen useful based on our career-focused choices, years of experience, and past successes. Only as good as my title, got it! Do you recognize the detrimental pattern? Over and over society hammers in the false understanding that value is determined by the number of boxes checked off a result-driven list. But this is simply not true. You have an inherent value that transcends society’s requirements. “Even without results, or the work you do for other people, or whatever those things may be, you still have your own unique value to offer the world just because of who you are as a person.” - Blake Schofield (13:11 - 13:22) You are unique and individual. Your experiences, perspective, and insight are different from anyone else and therefore necessary to this world. In order to stand firm in your self-worth, you must first embrace who you are as a person and then effectively communicate that value to others. Embrace who you are. Prepare to have a serious heart to heart with yourself. Consider the statement, “I am valuable because…” What comes to mind? What do you believe makes you valuable? The complete statement should be “I am valuable because of who I am.” If this isn’t the case, you most likely have some limiting beliefs holding you back! For example, if you believe your value stems solely from how well you get along with others, then a situation with interpersonal conflict will cause great grief. The fear of being seen as invaluable causes your subconscious to do whatever necessary to maintain a well-liked persona. When you base your value on anything outside of who you are, you head towards a disappointing end of frustration and burnout. It’s just not worth it! Come back to the truth. You have value stemming from all aspects of your unique individualism. Appreciate your talents, gifts, and passions. Remember that self-worth encapsulates more than just what you do, it’s about who you are. Communicate your value effectively. Women are often shamed and dismissed for standing firm in their value and demanding equal pay, recognition, and fair opportunities. But you have the power to claim what is rightfully yours! All you have to do is showcase your unique individualism. How do you do this? Brag! Share in a positive light the value you have to offer. For example, a buyer is on the hunt for a new camera but is unsure of which model to purchase. What do they do? They research specifications and read reviews to gain an understanding of the best camera for them on the market. It’s no different in business! Your goal is to boost the confidence others have in your ability to provide them with the results they’re seeking. Shift your perspective to effectively communicate that your value as a person and professional is worth a great investment of time and money. “In sharing our value, and helping other people understand our value, we actually provide a service to them and ourselves.” - Blake Schofield (4:12 - 4:19) Positive self-worth is the most important quality any female can possess. It is the dictator of success in business. Unfortunately, for so long society has been twisting self-worth into a list of checkboxes. The more checks in achievements, helpfulness, and title-filled responsibilities the higher the value. No more! Say goodbye to this detrimental pattern and remove the lid confining your creativity and potential as a businesswoman. Stand firm in your unique individualism and communicate to others what you have to offer to claim a life of wealth, opportunity, and freedom. Refuse to check off any more boxes. Wipe out that list! You know your true value.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“The real problem isn’t that you don’t have enough time. It’s that you value other people’s time more than yours.” - Blake (0:33 - 0:42)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated You have all the time you need to do exactly what you want. The clock chimes eight o’clock and you haven’t even started your project due tomorrow. Dirty dishes lay in the sink. Your work pants still need to be ironed. Lunches aren’t even packed. Sound familiar? As a mother of three, I understand the chaotic ebb and flow of everyday life. Planners, calendars, and daily schedules are packed full of activities, commitments, and lists. Something always seems to pull you away, beckoning your full attention and steering you further from the direction of your goals and dreams. You’re worn out. You’re stressed. You’re completely overwhelmed. Even if you wanted to, there’s just not enough time in the day to do what you actually want. Or is there? “Time is one of our most precious commodities. But most of us aren’t using it to our advantage. As a result, our time doesn’t align with our values.” - Blake (00:44 - 00:55) I’m here to tell you that you have all the time you need to reach your goals and achieve your dreams. You may be shaking your head in protest. But the problem isn’t that you’ve maxed out on time. The problem is that you aren’t effectively valuing and managing the time you have! Everyone has the same number of hours in a day. Yet some use their “lack” of time as an excuse and others find ways to build the life they want. Their big secret? They take control. Here are five reasons why you may feel so overwhelmed and struggling to gain control of your time:   You keep promises with others and not yourself. When something unexpected comes up, stop dropping happy hour with your girlfriend and ditching yoga. Nothing productive will come from you being grumpy and plump! Self-care will allow you to refuel, regroup, and show up as your best self. The next time work offers a new project and you’re debating whether to accept, resist. Repeat out loud, “My time is just as valuable as everyone else.” You aim for perfection. As a recovering perfectionist, I understand the need to double, triple, and quadruple check your work. But tweaking to perfection is a waste of time and energy. Ever heard of the 80/20 rule? The Pareto Principle is a rule that states 80% of the results are driven by 20% of the work that we do. That means the majority of work you do doesn’t actually move the needle forward! Spend less time tweaking and more time focusing on producing the highest quality of work in that 20% range. You believe adding structure will restrict you. If you are, or have been, in the corporate world, you might perceive structure as stifling and restrictive. Don’t worry! I’m not implying the kind of structure that involves long meetings fulfilling other’s agendas. I’m talking about the way you choose to organize your time. Experience true freedom in defining and building a framework that ties your time with what you value most, your needs, and priorities. You lack clarity in prioritizing what’s most important. Staying clear on what’s most important is challenging. To keep yourself in check, ask yourself if you are managing your time based off of your structure or someone else’s? Resist other’s expectations and time tables. As a physical reminder, place your priorities in front of you on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to ensure you’re spending your time on what really matters. You lack a consistent process to review, manage, and reflect on whether you are serving or pushing away your goals. When we dig under the surface, my clients and I find they are wasting a minimum of 3 hours a day. That equates to 20 hours a week in lost time! In order to build the life you want, you must stay consistent. Check your daily habits regularly to evaluate whether or not you are using your time to actively pursue your goals. “Once I actually put structure into my life, that was based on my best way of working and my priorities...it was incredibly freeing.” - Blake (8:47 - 8:56) My clients are successful women, just like you. They juggle work responsibilities, personal relationships, motherly duties, and themselves. Though unique in their own situations they all came to me exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed. They all believed they didn’t have enough time to do what they really wanted. But they were wrong. Perhaps you are too? Think of what you could manifest in an extra twenty hours throughout the week. You could change careers. You could start your own business. You could do whatever your heart desires! Not only is it possible, but it’s also probable. This week take control and look for the ways you can maximize your time using the five reasons above as a guide. Put together a calendar that blocks out your daily schedule hour by hour. Aim to reduce any unnecessary work by remembering time perfecting is time wasting. Lastly, keep the promises you make to yourself and fill your cup. For further guidance read The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan. Are you still twiddling your thumbs? What are you waiting for? Take control and spring into action. You have all the time you need to achieve your dreams!   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take. Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“I was looking for the next promotion, the next company to make me happy. What I realized was, if I really didn't understand what I wanted, how could I possibly ever find it?” - Blake Schofield (2:20)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated When you realize it's time for a change in your career but can't see the path forward, the only person who can give you the answers is you. Your instincts are telling you that the career you're in just isn't a good fit anymore. The work doesn't excite you and there seems to be no trajectory for growth. Put simply, something has to change. So what do you do? Coming to a crossroads in your career is a very scary thing. I've been there. Only, instead of looking to myself for the solution, I searched around for an external answer to my problem. I thought another company, another promotion could make me happy and bring me peace. Needless to say, it didn't work out, and eventually, I realized the fulfillment I was seeking couldn’t be found in the corporate world. If you're feeling unfulfilled and lacking clarity in the future of your career, you're facing one of two choices: should you stay in the corporate arena or break away and start your own business? “If you could have anything, what would it be that you don't have today?” - Blake Schofield. (6:03) This is not uncommon. Many people transition from career path to career path throughout their lives. If you're looking for the best way to make your big decision, I'd love to share some questions you can ask yourself to get clear on your path forward.   What makes me unhappy? It's often much easier to figure out what we want when we begin by figuring out what we DON’T want. Usually, the things that are the most obvious are the ones that frustrate us. Maybe you're feeling a lack of control with your schedule, or you're feeling guilty about missing time with your family. Whatever it is, write it down. You want to aim for 10-15 items on this list. Don't just go for the surface-level stuff. Dig deep. What do I wish was different? What is it that you don't have right now that you want? Maybe you'd only be doing parts of the job you do now, or your schedule would be more flexible. Write down 10-15 on this list as well. Where can I find these things? What career would allow you to have the things you want while avoiding the things you don't? Is there another company or job that fits your criteria? Beware, when you're job searching, of seeking out more of the same stuff that made you unhappy to begin with. Of course, we look for similar jobs because that's comfortable and familiar. If you realize at this point that there's no corporate position that matches up, fear can start creeping in. If I wasn't compromising, what would I really want? Do your research. Once you know what you want and what you don't, really take a good look at options that might work for you. Create a “Top 5” list of great opportunities and then assess whether each one would require you to give up something you don't want to give up. Look into the company expectations, the lifestyle requirements, whether you and your family would have the time and freedom you need. Do these opportunities excite me and do I believe they would fix my issue? Think long-term on this one. Consider whether you'd want to do the job for five or ten years. If you go through your list and find opportunities that don't require you to compromise and give you excitement for the possibility, there's your answer! If not, it's time to consider option B: building your own opportunity.   Building a career from scratch is a scary prospect - but it's also an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. If none of the possibilities on your list are what you need, revisit the list of what you actually want. Think about more than the tangible aspects - the paycheck, the time off. Think about the deeper parts of your life that your current job situation is affecting. Are you less present around your family? Have you lost your sense of community with your friends due to lack of time, or are you missing out on dream trips/volunteer opportunities that have been on your bucket list forever? Ask yourself, “If I didn't have to worry about finances or it not working, is there anything that would hold me back from going after what I want?” If you realize that money and risk are the only obstacles to pursuing what you want to do, this route is worth considering. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It requires dedication from you, a willingness to work hard, and a high level of accountability and responsibility in your business. But there is very unique freedom found in building your own business that you can get nowhere else. “There has never been someone that entered into entrepreneurship confident that they had all the answers, with no fears, and doubts, or worries.” - Blake Schofield. (13:12) Above all, the decision you make should not be decided by your fears or doubts. When you make decisions based on your uncertainties, you end up compromising, and down the road end up right back where you started - feeling unfulfilled and looking for a way out. Whatever step you take should be taken from the pursuit of what success looks like for your life. If success for you can't be found in the corporate world, be empowered by the opportunity to create it for yourself. Getting out of your situation, if you don’t have a clear path to where you want to be, will likely end up creating a situation that is worse, not better, than where you are today. If you are currently trying to decide if you should start your own business, or if a change in career would be a better fit, use this free tool to gain some clarity in your own unique situation! You don’t have to settle, and you don’t have to jump from one unfulfilling situation right into another. Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes  

“Women don’t keep their promises to themselves. When things get busy, they allow work or obligations to shut out the things that fill their cup.” - Blake Schofield (2:39)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Women tend to sacrifice themselves for the good of those around them. But how much good does it really do? There is a long history that has existed in our society of women taking on the burdens of those around them in order to be the ideal - ideal wife, ideal mother, and - more recently - the ideal businesswoman. We, as women, tend to hold ourselves to unattainable standards that have us taking care of everyone’s needs above our own and which leave us burned out, overwhelmed, and guilt-ridden because our daily reality doesn’t look like our Pinterest page. The truth or the matter that we frequently forget is, what we see on social media is only part of the story. It is a collage of everyone else’s best moments, and we cannot judge ourselves based on the values and perspectives of others. The trend of selflessness as the ideal lifestyle comes from a few lies we tell ourselves. Other people’s needs are greater than mine. It is my job to make sure everyone else is okay Others can’t take care of things as well as I can, so I have to do them. If I were really a great mom/wife/businessperson/woman, I could handle all of this. I need to maintain the “perfect” life in order for my loved ones to feel happy, taken care of, and loved. “When we’re so burned out and driven to take care of others without taking care of ourselves, we struggle to be present.” - Blake Schofield. (7:45) In fact, America’s life expectancy has now fallen behind that of several major, developed countries, and the decline is due to despair - discouragement about the world and our ability to create the life we want to live. When you live your life deprioritizing yourself in favor of others, you begin to develop a pattern of feeling out-of-control, and subsequently, falling into despair. This downward spiral doesn’t only affect us. The patterns we live by will show up in our children. As our kids grow up in a disconnected, out-of-touch society, they become prone to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal mindsets. Contrary to popular belief, spending more time with your kids does not automatically make you a good parent or strengthen your relationship with them. The most effective way to foster healthy relationships with your children, and help them grow into strong, independent humans is to prioritize the things that matter and be fully present with your children while you are doing those things. You might be physically spending time with your kids, but are you mentally engaged with them? Are you processing what they’re telling you? When we are stressed, burnt out, and struggling without a way to replenish ourselves, it can be nearly impossible to be fully present. It’s time to shift the ideals we reach for. We’re stressed. We’re burnt out. We’re trying to grow a family and a career from a place of despair. Enough is enough. It’s time for a wakeup call. You’ve all heard the safety announcements made on airplanes. You know, the one where you’re told to put your own mask on first and help those around you after. The same concept applies to our lives, our families, and even our careers. If we’re not taking time to care for ourselves, we’re not going to have enough oxygen to care for anyone else. “Where are some places in my life that I can allow my loved ones to show up and take responsibility, so I can show up and engage with my family and my work?” - Blake Schofield. (14:57) We’ve seen the problem, how do we fix it? If you find yourself in a place of despair, the first step is to examine your schedule and make some necessary shifts. Think strategically to create a schedule that gives you some ability to prioritize your time appropriately. For help creating a schedule that maximizes your time, reference my episode of The Bridge to Fulfillment podcast that discusses this topic. Build in some time just for you one to two times a week, and go do something you love. Read a book, get a manicure, or go out to lunch with some girlfriends. Look at the patterns in your life and the list of harmful beliefs we covered. Are those beliefs dictating your day-to-day? If they are, challenge yourself. Examine whether or not those beliefs are true, and why or why not. Finally, find ways for your loved ones to help you in finding time to care for yourself. It is okay to ask for help and support, and they will reap the rewards of even simple things done to help you. No one is meant to live their life from a place of despair. Especially not you! Take some time this week to assess your life. Are you making time for you? Are you letting yourself be held back by limiting beliefs, and resignation to living life from a place of empty? Most importantly, do you feel fulfilled? If not, it’s time to take back your life!   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“Stand firm in your value… you are so much more valuable than what you are charging.” - Samantha Hartley (23:50 - 24:03)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated   Why wait? You can be happy now. Are you continually finishing the statement, “I’ll be happy when…?" Do you find yourself daydreaming, endlessly wishing, and coveting your fellow neighbor’s career? Then listen up. You may be headed for a catastrophic burnout and possible breakdown. That is where Samantha Hartley found herself after many grueling years in the marketing field working for the multi-billion dollar company Coca-Cola. Concerned about her health and burnt out from the intensity, enough was enough. Samantha decided to walk away from her corporate career and start fresh. The leap of faith was not a clean decision but an obvious one. It was time for a change, for something better, for something she always wanted - her own business. The concept was clear but the details surrounding which industry to choose were murky. Samantha took a year off to nurture her body and mind back to health while searching for the next step. All the while, the phone kept ringing as former colleagues requested guidance in various projects. Then it hit her. All of her strengths and knowledge gained through her studies gave her excellent experience and qualification to consult. Perhaps you feel in a similar boat? Do you feel like what you are doing is not the right fit or best option for your unique gifts? Are you ready for your own business? There is no better time than the present. “Never burn your bridges, because those people will reappear in your life and be able to help you.” -Samantha Hartley (7:14 - 7:21) First, be willing to ask for and receive help. Most entrepreneurs pull from the support of former colleagues, close friends, and family to get their business running. Try to create positive interactions to encourage connections for growth. Never burn your bridges. The connections you make along the way are so important and may prove useful down the road. Disregard the lies corporate taught you. The path to success is not straight, and your unique approach to building your business will work much better than trying to fit into the box of your corporate experience. Building a business is full of challenges and bumps in the road. Unfortunately, only 4% of women-driven business are making consistent revenue. Investing in a coach can give you the drive, and tools you need to rise above the statistics. Investing in a coach is definitely more costly than figuring it out on your own. It will save you time and research. However, it comes with the risk of dishing out large quantities of money for “good advice.” Anyone can give advice, but only experienced individuals can provide wise counsel. Therefore, be wary of individuals who name drop instead of providing years of experience. Seek individuals who have been where you are and are now where you want to be. Wise counsel should give insight into how to gain more clients and help remove limitations to reveal what is indeed possible. Stop selling yourself short. Stand in your value and charge what you deserve. As you are shaping your business, it is really important to look at your offer and make sure you are assigning appropriate value to your services. The world is your oyster, you are surrounded by opportunity and abundance. Too often, we limit our reach, and our income, by what we think is possible. When you allow yourself to dream bigger, you will begin to see that there is no limit to your potential. There is no reason why any female entrepreneur should be making less than $50,000. If you make less than that figure, or perhaps you make more but are still making less than your goal income - It’s time to shift your mentality. Take some time to honestly answer the questions below: Am I working with the right sized clients? Am I relying too heavily on subcontractors and risking personal gain? Am I appropriately charging based on my value as a businesswoman? Your time and work are worth something. Be open to negotiating, but understand the factors in value. Remember that what you accomplish in top-line sales is never what you bring home in profit. To avoid operating too close to the red, run your business at a minimum of 40% in profit. Teach yourself and your clients that costs deduct, but investments enhance. There is no victim mentality in the full understanding of return on investments. You are in the business of generating more for yourself and others. Disregard your background influencing negative self-talk and possible limitations. It does not matter whether you have a high school diploma or a college degree. You can make an impact as long as you can deliver the results you offer. “If you start a business with a journey to a $100,000, you’re only going to make a $100,000. Lift the lid off what is possible for you.” -Blake Schofield (40:24 - 40:34) The danger all of us face in goal-setting is the risk of limiting potential. If you plan to make $100,000 in revenue, you will make $100,000. If you fail to set new, higher goals, you will face a plateau. Why not dream bigger? Think big and shoot high, but pitch right-sized clients who inspire and excite you. You are not deficient, or less-than as an entrepreneur. When you find yourself comparing your success to those around you, or feeling intimidated by a potential client, keep in mind everyone has insecurities. Some are better than others in hiding it, but we all struggle with self-confidence issues at some level. Let this be of comfort to you when interacting with your next client. They are just like you. Focus on what you can offer to take the focus off what you fear. Embrace your value to offer the highest value to your clients. You have the power to create what you want if you want it. It is best to block creative time to maintain momentum. Activities such as walking your dog and soaking in the hot tub are highly encouraged for problem-solving and planning the infrastructure of your business. Wherever your best creative work happens, be sure to weave it into your everyday life. Before you know it, the life you always imagined will manifest.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“You owe it to yourself and the world to be living in your passion and purpose.” - Nicola Watson (53:25-53:30)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Conditioned beliefs about what we can accomplish or feel we deserve keep us from pursuing the things we really love in business and in life. However, it is entirely possible for you to build a successful six-figure business if you change your belief systems, and build a network that supports your dream.   Nicola Watson moved to the U.S. from Jamaica in 2001 for her undergraduate studies. Although she had a successful academic career, Nicola always dreamed of being a fashion designer. But a career in fashion was something that wasn’t valued in her home country. Because of this, she was never comfortable following her passion and instead stuck to her academic studies, only to pursue a field she didn’t really love.   Nicola realized that she would only be happy if she did what she loved. She decided to attend fashion school, despite feeling like she was making the wrong decision. This led her to a career as a corporate fashion designer for Target and Abercrombie & Fitch. She eventually went out on her own and started Le Fashion Lab, teaching others how to take the leap into the fashion industry and follow their own business dreams.   “Results are based on strategy, execution, focus, clarity, and consistency in the work you’re doing.” - Blake Schofield (46:55-47:05)   Women often see the success that others have and think, “It’s possible for her but not for me.” They don’t believe their passion could actually make money for them. Having the clarity to follow your passion in business is the first step to your own success in anything you do. You will encounter self-doubt and trepidation. However, if you take action in spite of the struggles that come your way, you can achieve your own entrepreneurial success.   Nicola’s Le Fashion Lab became a place where fashion enthusiasts could take courses without having to give up their day jobs and pursue their dreams of being in the fashion industry. Her success was a direct result of the clarity she had in what she wanted to do.   Paving a Path to Your Dream Business   Misconceptions that get in the way of business success include the belief that your passion won’t pay you or that you need to stress yourself out just to make it all happen. As a result, people settle for less. You can avoid this common trap by getting outside validation from others. Understanding the numbers and forecasting the path you’ll take makes the process easier. It’s important to know when your business isn’t working so you can realign your strategy for success. Consider the highest value you can provide, and reposition your business so that others see the potential it offers them.   If you reprogram your mind to believe that what you’re doing will work, you eliminate limiting beliefs that stop most entrepreneurs in their tracks. Thinking too small is one of the biggest mistakes people make. Even Nicola, who had great success in her academic career, struggled to have the confidence to run her own business. As she pushed through limiting beliefs, she was able to make her dreams come true, pursue her passion, and build a business around something as “non-traditional” as fashion design. “When you have clarity, it’s easier to pave a path to success.” - Nicola Watson (6:57-7:03)   Creating routines that re-energize and motivate you is a powerful way to keep moving forward. Coaching from others who have successfully pursued their own business goals is an invaluable tool that today’s entrepreneurs need. Owning your own business can be a lonely pursuit. Working with a coach creates a success team that supports your goals.   Every entrepreneur owes it to herself to be living her passion and purpose. Money should not be the reason you don’t do the things you love. Real and lasting success comes when you believe that your dreams are possible for you and that you can have what you want. You have everything it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, and every moment along your business journey creates the choices that lead you to success. Learn more at Nicola Watson and Le Fashion Lab by visiting lefashionlab.com. You can also connect with Nicola by email at [email protected]. ------------- Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take. Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes  

“The more women are successful as entrepreneurs, creating environments that allow people to lead balanced and harmonious lives, the more corporate America is going to have to change.” - Blake Schofield (8:01-8:19)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated   Women make up 49% of the workforce, but they only occupy 15% of executive suites. Which means, there is still a huge barrier for women to make their way to the top of today’s companies. More and more women are abandoning the corporate world to build their own businesses. These women are taking their opportunity for leadership into their own hands and are transforming the corporate landscape in the process.   Women struggle to reach executive positions in corporate America due to traditional, archaic ways of thinking that do little to create new opportunities for women. Beliefs around company loyalty force employees to sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of their work. Women often have to balance their careers with family responsibilities, and this is especially true as they advance within the company.   “It isn’t just that only 15% of executive opportunities are for women...it’s what women have to give up to even get that 15%.” - Blake Schofield (4:34-4:44)   For those women do who make their way up to a C-suite, the stress of sacrificing so much of their lives can be too much to endure. They find it difficult to show up fully in their work and express their points of view.   That’s why many women choose the entrepreneurial path and take on new perspectives of what they can achieve in life. They’re standing up and taking stock of the value they provide and what they can achieve when they have a balanced work and home life. As the number of successful women entrepreneurs grows, so does the number of women who realize that they, too, can leave the confines of corporate America.   Women Entrepreneurs are Leveling the Corporate Playing Field   Women often have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition as their male counterparts. Although they make up 49% of the workforce, women may actually be doing a larger percentage of the work. The best way to change the nature of corporate work is to create new businesses that prioritize each person’s value and supports them in leading a balanced and harmonious life. But there’s still much more that needs to be done before the playing field is leveled.   Today, 37% of entrepreneurial business are owned by women. But those businesses only make up 4.2% of business revenue. This disparity highlights another problem women are facing - the businesses they’re creating aren’t making much money. Women are going out on their own to build businesses, but many lack the mentorship, tools, and support that help them achieve high levels of revenue. There’s a growing trend of women leaving corporate America to become entrepreneurs in their own right. However, they are not getting the support they need to succeed.   “When women truly take ownership and have the tools to be successful in all avenues of life… we will shift the dynamic of what’s broken with the workforce today.” - Blake Schofield (8:33-8:51)   There is a huge opportunity for today’s business women to shift the workplace dynamic. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to change this dynamic for future generations.   Mothers who are entrepreneurs want their children to grow up in a new kind of work environment—one where they have an equal chance for success in their own businesses or in the companies they work for. Teaching your child these and other invaluable lessons will be the catalyst for changing the corporate landscape and creating a brighter future for tomorrow’s executive women.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes  

“Self-care is not selfish, it’s actually the kindest thing you can do.” - Blake Schofield (14:06-14:12)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated For today’s entrepreneurs, burnout is a major threat to their success and wellbeing. Our lives can quickly fall out of alignment with core values, leading to mental, emotional, and physical fatigue. In more severe cases, burnout contributes to health problems that have lasting effects self and family.   By adopting new perspectives and beliefs around work, and using proven tips to create balance in your life, it is completely possible to avoid burnout while staying healthy, motivated, and profitable in our businesses.   “The problem with work/life balance is that you’re always trading off one thing for another.” -  Blake Schofield (2:29-2:33)   Many entrepreneurs quickly discover that their business is the primary focal point in their lives.  They lose their sense of fulfillment, feeling like they’re on a never-ending hamster wheel. Business owners and employees find it hard to disconnect from work. The tactics once used to manage life may soon stop working. Avoiding burnout comes down to ideas and beliefs around work.   Create a Life of Harmony and Align Your Work With What’s Meaningful   The following are the four areas to consider in order to avoid burnout:   Self-care Boundaries Clarity of purpose Consistent habits   Realigning your activities is critical to your success in the long run. Making decisions based on guilt or thinking that being a martyr makes you a great mom or wife are signs that your life may not be aligned with your core values.   “Avoiding burnout comes from accountability and taking responsibility. Build the right habits and challenge the misbelief that you’re not worth time for yourself...because you are.” - Blake Schofield (32:12-32:34)   Giving yourself a break is the greatest gift you can give to those you love. But the only person who can make the necessary changes in your life is you. Below are some essential steps to creating a life that’s in harmony.   Self-Care. Ask yourself what beliefs have kept you from giving yourself the care that supports your wellbeing. Identify the things that excite and challenge you, and organize your time to prioritize them. Have at least two self-care rituals you can do on a weekly basis. Assess the state of the spiritual, creative, social, and mental aspects of your life so you can build them up.   Boundaries. Where are you taking on more responsibilities than you should be? If you see that some areas of your life are being sacrificed for others, find out why. Identify the fears and worries causing you to take on unnecessary responsibilities. Create boundaries that allow you to meet your own needs while meeting the needs of those who rely on you.   Clarity of Purpose. Are your activities aligned with its values and mission? Does your business support your family and other relationships? When you get clear on your purpose, you can eliminate the things that aren’t aligned with your values. You’ll avoid spending time on things that don’t support your personal and professional goals.   Consistent Habits. Break down your schedule. Do you start your day in a rush and struggle to get your priorities in during the day? Are evenings occupied with responsibilities at home? When you see how your spending your time, you can repurpose it and do more of the things that are meaningful to you. Track your progress over time and look back on the things you accomplished. Set short-term goals to keep you moving forward while keeping your activities in balance with your needs.   Entrepreneurs often expect things to be perfect. But they’re almost never going to be. Avoiding burnout requires you to be accountable to yourself and take responsibility for what you create each day. Challenge misleading beliefs and build new habits and behaviors so you create a business, family, and life that are in harmony with you.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“By nature, all of us are limited, because we only know what we've experienced.” - Blake Schofield (6:00)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Feeling unfulfilled? Re-evaluate where you're looking for answers. If you're searching for fulfillment in your life and career, consider the following... Would you know it if you got it? Having true clarity is the first step to creating meaningful change in your life. So many of us not only lack clarity, but also the understanding required to find it. This is because we all grow up with limiting beliefs and a relatively narrow perspective based on how we've been conditioned and taught. “Achievement vs. fulfillment - If we do what we are fulfilled by, we will achieve. - Blake Schofield (13:25) There is any number of self-limiting beliefs that keep us from clarity, but there are a few that are extremely prevalent for entrepreneurs. Good things take a long time to reach. Most of us have been told throughout our lives that we have to make decisions slowly, do our research, and put in hours of thought. Although this makes us feel good, it often ends up being a massive waste of time and energy. Ask yourself if the results were really worth all the effort. We can, and should, wait for inspiration. This one speaks for itself. We often wait for clarity to hit us like a bolt of lightning, instead of taking steps to reach it for ourselves. If I can't figure it out, no one else can help. After we have exhausted ourselves with endless research and planning, we imagine that we've done all that we can do and that no one could do any better for us. This idea negates the importance of perspective in reaching clarity. You can't read the label from inside the bottle. An outside opinion can be an invaluable resource to help you achieve a wider perspective. Once you start looking inside yourself for clarity, the real work starts The best way to progress towards much-needed clarity is by asking deep questions of yourself to gain more understanding. What do you value? What unique skills and experience do you bring to the table? What are you passionate about? What do you want your legacy to be? Through the process of cultivating understanding, you may begin to understand the limiting beliefs you hold, and your perspective may begin to shift as you see possibilities for your life that have been “hidden in plain sight.” Imagine you're going on a road trip. Although you got your car detailed before you left, as you drive, a layer of gunk and grime begins to coat your windshield. Your wipers may help, but eventually, you'll run out of fluid and find yourself with a dirty window and an obscured view. This is a common experience in our lives as well. High-powered women frequently find that they have spent so much time nurturing their career and building their family that they don't take time for themselves, and are now trying to drive with a grimy windshield. “That unsettlement, that lack of fulfillment, those were the signs I was doing the wrong thing.” - Blake Schofield. (21:00) Why do we have such an issue with clarity? The foremost reason is that we believe that answers are supposed to come from outside. Our favorite books, websites, and speakers on YouTube are meant to give us the insight we seek, but if you're looking for something in the wrong place, you simply won't find it. This belief also stems from the concept that achievement equals fulfillment. They are not the same thing. We believe that when we hit a revenue goal or get that big promotion we'll be happier, but somehow all these things still leave us empty. This is because the answers we need are inside us, albeit heavily obscured by our limiting beliefs and conditioning. Jamie Smart's book on clarity likens the search to a trap. Until you realize you're snared, you won't be able to free yourself. But once you see that you're caught, you can figure out how the trap works and get free. The best way to find out you are stuck? Enlist someone who can see the trap from a different angle and help you get out. It may be even more helpful if they got out of the same trap themselves. Statistics tell us that 85% of people are unhappy in their jobs, and, even more shockingly, that adults will spend a whopping 80% of our lives at work. With that in mind, ask yourself if you're really okay with spending that 80% in something that doesn't bring fulfillment. Also, consider that if you spend 80% of your life doing something you hate, it will begin to eat away at the quality of the other 20%, guaranteed. The process of gaining clarity is simple, but it isn't easy. It's also not a one-time, soul-searching experience. Your search for fulfillment and the broadening of your horizons should be a continual practice. That may seem daunting, but the results will give you unimaginable freedom. Here is a valuable worksheet to help you with your clarity process! These are some of the questions and steps I utilize with my clients, and it’s sure to help you gain some perspective. Remember, clarity is one of the first steps to fulfillment! Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take.   Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes

“Letting go of the security I felt in money allowed me to create a path to actually have it all.” - Blake Schofield (2:00)Blake SchofieldConnections Illuminated Letting go of fears and insecurities about money is difficult, but it grants us the freedom to pursue real fulfillment.   Sometimes the truths we need to hear are the hardest to swallow. This is the first lesson Blake Schofield learned on her journey towards a fulfilling career.   When her friend told her that her love of money was holding her back, she was outraged. He didn't understand the pressure she faced to provide for her family, the unhappiness she woke to every day, and the risk inherent in letting go of her secure corporate job.   Blake found herself at a crossroads. She was burned out and frustrated, but had shut her feelings off out of a sense of responsibility - and of fear. What would she do without her steady, 6-figure salary? What might she have to sacrifice in order to pursue her own, more fulfilling business path? It wasn't until she reached her breaking point and thought of her real priorities that she let go of her fears and corrected her money mindset.   “When we live our lives based on money, it controls us, and we will never be happy.” - Blake Schofield (15:00)   While money feels good to us, and often necessary, it can also be our biggest inhibitor. We can find ourselves tied to our salary and the lifestyle it grants us. But at the end of the day, money should enable your dreams, not hold them back.   The first thing Blake did was to take a close look at her expenses and where her money was going. Her comfortable salary meant she hadn't had to think about the little things, but when she really sat down to analyze her spending, she realized how much the little things had added up. She immediately began trimming the fat with a hazy goal in mind: start saving. She didn't set a specific goal, but soon found that having some savings gave her a feeling of ownership and something to get her through the rough days at her job.   The first mistake hopeful entrepreneurs make is believing that they have to have some arbitrary amount of money saved up before they can devote themselves to building their business, but savings will not grant you clarity or meaningful progress.   Are you on the right path? More importantly, are you willing to do the work? “Until I let go of the pier until I believed and had faith that I could reach the  boat, I would never get where I wanted to go.” - Blake Schofield (19:20)   The second mistake many entrepreneurs make is putting down a few planks of a new business and then getting overconfident and taking the leap. After saving up and doing some research, Blake left her corporate job and spent a joyful time hanging with her family and working on her business. Soon enough, she came to see that she was burning through her money and finding a lot of conflicting information, and no one was showing up to buy from her. She needed a mentor but was terrified of making the investment.   When you face the choice to invest in something to help you grow, or keep your money and struggle through, think of the times you've invested in yourself before, and what the return was. Maybe it was a college degree that led you to a career, or a job that taught you a valuable skill. We invest in our future all the time, in stocks and our 401k, not knowing if we'll ever see the profits. If you invest in your business, be sure you're ready to do the work to see results.   Blake believed in her path and invested in a business coach. Now, after working with several groups and coaches, she says she has not regretted a single one, and they gave her the momentum to move her business forward and see her goals of security, fulfillment, and balance come to fruition.   So, what does your path look like? Moving towards the business and the life you want starts when you stop letting money control you and challenge your comfort zone. Invest in yourself when you need to and put yourself around knowledgeable people who see your potential. And don't quit your day job just yet: keeping your finances steady will give you the freedom to work on and invest in your business with less fear that you'll ruin your life in the process. This will allow you to move towards the clarity and the peace that you're seeking.   Rather than hoping the grass will be greener, identify what the RIGHT next step is. We can help you do just that.  Get clarity on where you are on your journey to career fulfillment, where you’re headed, optional paths to get there, and the right next step to take. Start your complimentary, Personalized Career Fulfillment Plan by going to www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/plan   Want free resources to set your job search up for success? You can get them by going to: http://www.thebridgetofulfillment.com/mistakes