Originally published on AFR.com – 4 March 2019
https://www.afr.com/brand/life-and-leisure/ceo-lisa-stephenson-on-her-spiritual-home-its-not-the-centre-of-the-universe-20190228-h1btej

Lisa Stephenson, CEO of events and coaching company Who Am I Projects, packs super light. But there’s one thing she never leaves at home. She answers our Traveller Q&A.

First, business or economy?
I’ve spent most of my time in the back of the plane because it’s really about getting to where I need to be. But my general rule now that I’m almost a grown-up is that if the flight is more than three hours long, I go business class so I can work, rest and access good champagne to help with both those tasks.

Favourite destination?
Italy. It’s my spiritual home.

Favourite airport?
Heathrow. It’s feels like the centre of the universe. You can literally see hundreds of planes following each other coming in to land, one after the other.

If I ran my own airline I would…
See how we could humanise the experience when people most need it. Things go wrong and sometimes following a process is not the solution.

Where would you go with an unlimited travel budget?
Everywhere – and I would go now. (Hopefully my clients are not reading this.) I’m currently obsessed with planning a safari in Africa.

Worst place you’ve been lost?
Istanbul, Turkey. More than 15 million people live in that city and the markets are insane. I was trying to get away from a man who tried to steal my bag.

Best trip ever?
After much planning, I took my children out of school for a term and we went to live in Lucca, Italy. I get the coolest mum award for that. We experienced everything from the colours of Burano to riding the chairlift to the top of Capri; midnight ice skating on Lake Como and gondola rides in Venice.

Most memorable overseas dining?
I went on an amazing trip to Spain and spent some time in Tarragona. The boats come into the docks and the seafood goes straight into boiling pots of stock. It is then scooped into bowls and served at plastic tables. I don’t like beer, but that day it was the best thing ever.

In the suitcase?
Not much. I’m a minimalist. I have this thing about only doing carry-on luggage whenever it’s possible. A power adaptor is my only essential.

First thing you do in a new city?
Shower. Is that too much information? I always feel desperate to wash away the cabin air and jet lag so I can get out there. When I travel overseas for work, I try to arrive a day early and stay a day longer than needed so I can see the city.

How do you make the most of a spare afternoon in a strange city?
I go sightseeing on foot. I always think I can do more than is realistic, and I have absolutely no sense of direction, so that makes for a random and big afternoon. It normally requires a glass of wine at the end.

Most like to travel with and why?
I love travelling with my children. They have non-stop energy, are curious about everything and are not attached to what travel is meant to be.

Cure for jet lag?
I drink more water than should be allowed and adjust my watch to my destination as soon as I step onto the plane.

Other travel tips?
Don’t over-plan. You can always get the information you need when you get there. Local residents always have better advice on what to see and do anyway.

Anywhere you’d recommend for a special occasion?
Without hesitation, sitting on the balcony with an Aperol Spritz watching the sunset at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento. You look across the ocean to the lights of Naples and Pompeii.

Best overseas purchase?
I buy one thing every time I visit a new place. I most love a vintage ring my children chose on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence for me. I never take it off. A little bit of Italy travels with me every day.

Best travel tale?
I was recently travelling with my team to deliver a client program in Napa Valley, California. We spent the weekend in San Francisco, which blew my mind. They “made me” ride a bike over the Golden Gate Bridge, and neglected to tell me how long it would take, and how steep the surrounding hills are. It was truly spectacular, followed by eating clam chowder at Salito’s in Sausalito. It was the best clam chowder I’ve ever had.

Best thing about travelling?
Travel changes you. I am more flexible, resilient and grateful because of the places I have been and people I have met.

Top travel gripe?
Grumpy travellers. There are so many things that can and do go wrong when you’re travelling. People who invest energy in complaining about them annoy me.

Originally published in Herald Sun Weekend Magazine – 11 August 2018

Originally aired on Channel 7 – The Daily Edition – 7 September 2018
https://au.news.yahoo.com/suddenly-single-050141925.html

Originally published in Discover Magazine – 1 August 2018

Originally published in SmartCompany.com.au by Lisa Stephenson
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/marketing/branding/own-it-the-10-things-you-need-to-do-to-manage-your-personal-brand/

Here’s the bottom line up front: you are your brand, and it’s a good idea to know what people are saying and feeling when your name is mentioned. There is nothing complicated about it.

Your brand is what it looks like and feels like to be around you, there’s no need to run off and research this one.  What is absolutely critical is an understanding that your brand is directly linked to your career progression, salary and reputation. We live in a complex and fast-paced world where our brains can barely process the data we receive in any given day. We know some people are feeling busy to the extent that they can’t sleep at night.

Despite the rate at which we work and evolve, one thing will never change, and that is how you behave, perform and make people feel, determines how successful you are in all elements of your life.

We have always been aware of organisations focusing on their brand. We could all list business names that we know and love. We could also likely describe their logo and products:  Nike, Google and Coca-Cola are obvious examples; you couldn’t think of Lego without the bright colours popping into your mind; you could probably have a good go at drawing that blue bubble that appears around the skype logo; but would you know the three words most people would use to describe you?

What do you want to be famous for?  

Every day you are communicating your values, beliefs and goals to the people around you. They are watching you, even when you don’t think they are.  They are talking about you even though you might not hear what they say. The decisions you make, and the way you handle challenges, creates your personal brand story.

So, to help you manage your personal brand, here are 10 things to think about:

1. Seek external feedback – Asking others, ‘what’s it like being around me?’ is one of the most important questions you can ask when it comes to determining your brand.
2. Identify your strengths – Your uniqueness and strengths are your greatest currency. Make sure you are clear about where you add value and what you are awesome at.
3. Collaborate – Identify opportunities to work with others so you can learn, but also give them an experience of you.
4. Contribute – Look for ways to support others with their career, projects and brand.  Investing in other people’s success is always a good idea.
5. Communicate – tell others about yourself. Celebrate and communicate your activities.  You can be humble while sharing what you are working on.
6. Design a strategy – Be deliberate and specific when it comes to what you want to achieve with your brand.  Write down what you want to be known for, and your plan for making that happen.
7. Be consistent – Adults like to know where they stand and what to expect. When you do what you say you will do, people will trust you and what you stand for.
8. Self-awareness is king – Always be looking for ways to learn about yourself.  Don’t just look for evidence to make yourself right. Have real and ongoing conversations with people from all aspects of your life.
9. Own all of it – This means saying sorry when you get it wrong. Take responsibility for your role in the team and be authentic when you do it. People do actually appreciate those who know when they’ve got it wrong.
10. Engage a mentor – Find someone who has a personal brand that you respect.  Ask them to spend some time with you exploring their greatest learnings.

In every meeting, sales pitch and email, you are saying something about who you are. Consciously choose your personal brand and watch the benefits flow. If you don’t like your current brand, you can absolutely start to change it today.  If you’re proud of your brand, consider how you can leverage it to create your most successful life.

Originally published in SmartCompany.com.au by Lisa Stephenson
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/investing-in-yourself/

Imagine if your 2019 really could be different to the years that have gone before.

New Year’s resolutions rarely yield ongoing results because our motivation fades and, often, it fades fast.

How many of us start something on January 1, such as a new diet and exercise regime, and by Wednesday we are eating four slices of peanut butter toast and skipping the workout?

Or have vowed to put ourselves forward for a promotion, yet back away when the manager looks too busy?

The behaviour and mindset that gives us the greatest chance of success in 2019 is commitment. So that even if we eat the toast, breaking our no-carb rule, and delay seeing the manager one day because we are trying to find the confidence, we gather ourselves and get back on the case the next day. We are committed to the end goal and to persevering.

On the other side of commitment is where your success is waiting. Depending on motivation to get you there will lead to disappointment.

Motivation is a feeling, commitment is a mindset.

If you really want to create change this year, reflect on these questions.

• When have I been successful before and what behaviours did I demonstrate?
• What am I already committed to in my life that’s working?
• When has motivation let me down?
• How can I integrate higher-level commitment with my planning and thinking?
• What would be different for me if I were committed?
• What are my non-negotiables when it comes to my daily or weekly habits?

There are no short-cuts

If you are someone who has been having the same conversation with yourself about what you need to do next, it might just be time to pay attention. There really are no short-cuts to having a happy, healthy and successful life.

The good news is, you can start today and there’s still plenty of time for this to be your best year yet. Do the work now and trust the results will come later.

No one else can make this happen for you. When it feels hard, your job is to keep going. We all have untapped potential and resilience that is there to draw on. The most successful people in the world did the work on themselves so they could get there.

Start investing in yourself right now

Investing in you right now is possibly the most important investment you will ever make.

Because you know what? You matter.

Here are 10 strategies to implement now.

1. Write down specific and meaningful goals that will keep you focused and on track.
2. Create realistic but ambitious timelines (both short- and long-term) that can guide you on where to invest your time and when.
3. Write a list of everyone you know who can support you in bringing your goals to life.
4. Identify the blockers and challenges you will face and spend time working through how you will overcome them.
5. Think big and capture all your possible opportunities and ideas. Then, check with the people around you to see what you might have missed in your brainstorming.
6. On a scale of one to 10, consider how committed you really are to succeeding. Are you prepared to compromise and do what’s required to make this happen?
7. Carefully work through the financial, emotional, physical and spiritual needs that you will have while you’re working on you. Also, identify what your significant others might need from you during this time.
8. Write down what success will look and feel like for you. Be as specific as you can. This is one of the most important steps in creating a successful life.
9. Build in accountability systems that will keep your momentum going as you progress.
10. Review your plan constantly, ensuring you adapt and evolve your plan as you achieve your goals.

Originally published in OH! Magazine – 1 September 2018

Originally published on Whimm – 5 September 2018
https://www.whimn.com.au/live/work/how-pink-could-get-you-a-promotion/news-story/4249dbd7a652c4f7e2e3fa128835d54c

As a rockstar I have two instincts: to have fun and change the world. I have a chance to do both – Bono.

If life were easy and all our dreams came true, we would all be amazingly successful over-achievers: famous, rich, smart, talented, successful, attractive, super-athletes, perfect parents.

But life’s not like that and that would be boring anyway, wouldn’t it?

I want you to take a moment to remember back to when you were a child and all things were possible: being a rockstar, garbage collector, ballerina, astronaut, model or explorer were all totally realistic career options.

But to make my point here, I’m going for rockstar. Think Pink, Beyonce, Prince (bless him), or whoever rocks your boat. I’m going to put before you what it takes to be a rockstar, with the emphasis on the star part.

Can you unleash your inner rockstar? Image: AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK

Let’s look at what rockstars have done to get to where they are. Firstly, they do something well – they hone their skills and they practise and practise. They pick their genre and refine their ‘act’; they know how they want to present themselves and what they want to be known for. They learn as much as they can about their specialty area. They learn from others, from books, from trial and error – however they can. They work and work, and every time they get knocked down, they get back up and try again. They’re determined, they’re focused on their goal, they believe in themselves and they persevere.

They know it won’t be easy and they know it’s up to them to make success happen. They get disillusioned sometimes, but they just keep going. They’re passionate about what they’re doing, and they have fun and probably shed a few tears along the way.

They do everything possible to make it. They commit to punishing touring schedules and know they might have to start small and work their way up. They know that every person they meet is a potential fan, and that every time they go on stage it is an opportunity. They are working to be the very best version of themselves every single time they record or perform.

They continue to grow, improve, learn, create and evolve. They put themselves out there at every opportunity: gigs, interviews, press conferences, media releases and social media. They let people see who they really, uniquely are.

Some, looking for energy, longevity, good looks and good feelings – think Pink, Sting, Mick Jagger – also commit fully to looking after themselves.

OK, you get the idea I hope. But here’s what I want to say. Many rockstars look pretty ordinary in their Grade Six school photos, and they come from pretty ordinary backgrounds – quite possibly just like me and you. But what got them Rockstar status was their drive and commitment to their goal. And we can all do that, be our own version of a rockstar.

We just need to do… well, all of the above. Find our passion and be the best version of ourselves.

So how am I being the very best version of me? (Thank you for asking.) Well, I plan my food, I schedule exercise, I educate myself and I take on career opportunities that are terrifying. I persevere.

Change and challenge and big goals are hard and uncomfortable. And things don’t always go to plan; life throws us curve balls and sometimes we fumble or even drop them!

But the rockstar version of you is so full of possibility, fun and adventure. This is where dreams live. When we are rockstars in our own world, magic happens. We become obsessed, consumed and passionate. Everything is different when we have the vision and we’re prepared to do the work and go after what we want.

Who did you want to be, before you became a grown up? And/or (think big here), who or what do you really want to be now?

TIP: Take action. Start now – take a first small step towards getting closer to who or what you want to be

Coaching Questions

Do I know who my inner rockstar is?

Does it matter to me if I don’t live the dream?

What skills and knowledge do I have that serve me in going after my rockstar dream?

Who do I know who could mentor me?

Am I having enough fun in my life?

Do I remember what I am passionate about?

Am I prepared to do what’s required?

What are the consequences of me doing nothing?

How do I get started?

Originally published in News.com.au by Alexis Carey
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/aussie-success-coach-lisa-stephenson-reveals-golden-rules-for-getting-ahead

IF YOU’RE struggling to get ahead in life, these four very common bad habits might be to blame.

According to Aussie success coach and author of Read Me First Lisa Stephenson, people who find it hard to succeed in certain areas tend to fall into a few similar traps — and they probably don’t even realise where they’ve gone wrong.

The mum-of-three told news.com.au she has worked with some of the biggest global names — from CEOs to elite athletes and entrepreneurs.

But she said there were four mistakes that could hold back even the most confident and talented people.

“Many people are living in ‘the waiting place’ — waiting for the next job, to finish study, to save money — they’re always waiting for the perfect time to have everything in place, but the reality is there is very rarely a perfect time to create something or be something more,” she said.

“It’s a concept I’ve seen over and over again as a success coach, seeing people expecting something to change — but it won’t unless we take action.”

She said another common pitfall was believing bad feedback which might not be true.

“Sometimes past versions of ourselves and the experiences we’ve had get stuck and the beliefs we have get in the way of success,” she said.

“Often we don’t trust ourselves to be more and do more, and we believe excuses we tell ourselves because the brain doesn’t know it’s not a valid mindset. For example, if we’ve been given feedback that we’re not very good at public speaking in the past we then look for evidence to make that true rather than seek out experiences that will develop that capability. “Our brains are wired to make ourselves right and unless we deliberately seek out new experiences and grow ourselves, we tend to stay the same.”

Ms Stephenson said another mistake — which was especially common in Australia — was talking ourselves down.

“Another really big one is people diminishing themselves and using diminishing language — we dilute ourselves a lot and it’s the biggest way we self-sabotage, by playing small,” she said.

“I see and hear this all the time in conversation with others, people saying ‘I should have been better, faster, more prepared’ rather than really owning their success, and part of it comes down to the Tall Poppy Syndrome.

“We don’t own our strengths when we focus on the things we’re not good at … it’s a vicious cycle. The brain believes what we tell it and people are very self-deprecating in Australia, but it’s important for people to understand we can be really serious and passionate about what we do without being serious about ourselves.”

Finally, Ms Stephenson warned of the dangers of expecting change — without putting in the hard yards.

“A lot of people expect things are going to change when they’re not prepared to do the work that’s required to change careers or have a healthy relationship or get a better body,” she said.

“People get really stuck expecting things to change without doing the work.”

So how can you turn things around if you are stuck in a rut?

According to Ms Stephenson there are a few “golden rules” for success, and the first step is to recognise success is personal — one person’s version of success might be fitting in a 10-minute walk every day, while another’s might be completing a marathon.

In other words, stop comparing yourself to others on social media and listening to what your family and friends think you should do and instead work out what you truly want to achieve.

“The first tip is to create time and space to do work on you — make sure you are your most important project, because we give so much of ourselves to others,” Ms Stephenson said.

“Prepare to be uncomfortable because part of being successful is finding out what you’re capable of and what your real potential is.

“Put yourself in situations you haven’t been in before, talk to people who are not necessarily in your network, and know it’s OK to make mistakes and to fail — successful people are really good at that.”

Ms Stephenson said there was a clear difference between motivation — which is a feeling which can pass — and commitment, which is a long-term plan of action.

She said successful people tended to build healthy habits which set them up to win and to be the best versions of themselves, as well as surrounding themselves with other successful people in their everyday lives.

Originally published in the Fraser Coast Chronicle – 4 August 2018

Originally published in Wellness Daily
https://www.wellnessdaily.com.au/balance/resilience-over-happiness-why-happiness-outcome-not-goal

What if happiness was an outcome rather than a life goal? You’ve no doubt read a lot of hype in recent years around the concept of happiness. Where to find it, how to feel it, how to keep it.

Well here’s my take on it: first, we don’t need to be happy all the time, and second, if you’re not happy it doesn’t mean you are sad. I know! Breaking news. A full life encompasses it all, the entire gamut of emotions, the plethora of feelings and the richness of emotional experience. Love, fear, joy, sadness, surprise, anger – that’s life!

In a society obsessed with the constant quest for happiness, you can find yourself dissatisfied and feeling like an underachiever. We’ve become so inundated with “think positive” messaging that we are almost fearful of feeling anything other than happy.  The word “happiness” alone can incite anxiety. Why aren’t I as happy as everyone else? Importantly, happiness can be momentary. You might in fact be setting yourself up for unhappiness if you live your life in a way that expects happiness to be long lasting.

Start making resilience a focus and the happiness will come anyway.

Being resilient doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to have a bad day, or that you walk around spouting inspirational quotes to anyone who will listen.  It does mean being conscious of the fact that your most trying moments in life can be the greatest life lessons and that a traumatic experience can become your personal triumph.  Happiness is a consequence of how we manage and how we feel about what happens to us, and it’s the people who have resilience who are happiest. The people who “bounce back” better and faster spend less time down and more time up – that’s logical, right?

Resilient people are happier people because they:

•    Have a greater ability to “reframe”, to look for the positive, the better response, the best way out or forward.
•    Don’t stay long in victimhood, or look to allocate blame to others.
•    More quickly move on from the negative emotions and self-manage their mindset.
•    Choose courage and solution-focused thinking.
•    Surround themselves with people who tell them the truth and want them to be successful in life.
•    Don’t let life’s challenges define them.
•    Consciously decide what particular meaning they will attribute to experiences.

People who take responsibility for themselves and their own decisions and actions are the happiest. And happier people spend most time with others who are optimistic and happy, and minimal time with people who drag them down – emotions are catchy things! In my experience as a coach, people who are resilient in their responses to what life throws at them are more peaceful and healthier – physically, emotionally and spiritually. They’re happier, though they do not need to be happy all the time. The good news is that I have worked with enough people to know that all these behaviours and attitudes that happier people display can be learned.

Coaching questions to challenge your thinking:

1.    What are the benefits to me if I am more resilient?
2.    How can I identify opportunities that will build my resilience?
3.    What mindset shifts would I need to make?
4.    Who do I know who is resilient and how can I learn from them?

Everybody wants to be happy. Of course you do! But the next time you catch yourself feeling down in the dumps, and wishing you felt happier, step back and consider what you are learning from the experience. Be proud of how you are handling the situation and trust that next time life throws you a curve ball you will be stronger, braver and more prepared. It’s so important that you build trust in your own ability to evolve. When you stop to celebrate how you survived something or stepped into a challenge, it’s success and that’s something to be happy about.

If you are considering how you can become a more resilient person, make sure you muster a little patience. When you are doing the work and creating the change, it can take a while to realise you’ve made the right choices. There are no quick fixes when it comes to building your resilience, you will have setbacks and some quick wins, so just keep going. Identify opportunities to stretch yourself. We know we learn most when we are uncomfortable and remember your values, life experiences and beliefs can guide your decision-making as you progress. Do a reality check on where you find yourself in life right now and then make plans for how you are going to look after yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually in a way that builds your resilience.

Originally published in Nature & Health
http://www.natureandhealth.com.au/mind-and-spirit/what-is-success

Originally published in Business Woman Media
https://www.thebusinesswomanmedia.com/dont-wait-find-capable/

Originally published in New Idea – 20 Aug 2018

https://www.pressreader.com/australia/new-idea/20180820/282273846196595

LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT LISA STEPHENSON LETS US IN ON HER SECRETS

Successful people don’t wait for the right time or for next Monday. Bring your dreams, plans and changes to life with these tips from success coach, Lisa Stephenson…

PLAY AND PLAN BIG

Lisa recommends being ambitious in your dreams.

‘Consider what you want to be able to say about this life when you are 80 years old and sitting on the verandah, reflecting on the experiences you had,’ she says.

‘Successful people aren’t necessarily the ones who are the smartest or best educated – they are the ones who are brave enough to own what they want.’

MAKE YOURSELF YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT

Investing in you is the most important investment you will ever make, according to Lisa.

‘Successful people think strategically about how they are living and where they are heading,’ she says.

‘They often create a vision board, identify blockers and review their progress. Ask yourself, how can you make you, and your future, a priority?’

DO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE AREN’T PREPARED TO DO

How many times have you heard yourself, as well as friends and family, talk about what they wanted to do but never followed through?

‘Successful people do what’s required, they keep going even when it’s hard and they don’t want to,’ says Lisa.

‘Don’t wait and don’t give in – when your motivation has passed, it will be your commitment that keeps you going. Are you prepared to do what’s required?’

FIND YOUR TRIBE

According to Lisa, we should surround ourselves with people who want us to succeed, who will challenge us to be more, and who understand our true potential. ‘Your tribe extends beyond friends and family, they are people who will challenge you and celebrate you,’ she says. ‘Identify those in your world who you trust and will tell you the truth – no energy vampires allowed!’

GET UNCOMFORTABLE

To know what you are really capable of, you have to test out your resilience and capabilities, according to Lisa.

‘You are an ever-evolving complex person with so many things to learn and that is where your potential sits,’ she says.

‘Intentionally look for new experiences and meet people out of your network. When was the last time you felt really uncomfortable?’

BE RESOLUTE, COMMITTED AND COURAGEOUS

According to Lisa, the reality is it’s unlikely anyone else can create success for you.

‘There really is only one you on this planet, no single other person looks the same as you, has your beliefs or experiences,’ she explains.

‘As a coach, I’ve never met anyone who is an overnight success, so be brave on all the days you can manage it.’

Originally published in Australian’s Women Health
https://www.womenshealth.com.au/how-to-improve-emotional-health

We are all in this thing called ‘life’ together, and what a ride we are on! In the middle of the madness and mayhem, the peaks and troughs, the lessons and laughter, and the triumphs and tragedy is the beautiful and complex you. You are the writer of your story and the CEO of your life. It’s extraordinary, sometimes boring and occasionally heartbreaking. You start new projects, change direction and end things you thought would last forever. Then you rebuild and do it all over again. To set yourself up for a successful, resilient and happy life, you should have integrated strategies that support your emotional wellbeing. Then, when the inevitable curveballs come, you are ready for them. What are your non-negotiables when it comes to looking after you? Here are 10 life must-haves to help keep you balanced:

Originally published in Smart Healthy Women
https://smarthealthywomen.com/eight-beliefs-that-hold-you-back-from-achieving-what-you-want/

We all know that our mindset determines how we feel and, in turn, what we believe we are capable of.  But why does that matter so much? As a success coach, I have conversations with people every day about what being successful means. We are all in this thing called ‘life’ together and what a ride we are on! In the middle of the madness and mayhem, the peaks and troughs, the lessons and laughter, and the triumphs and tragedy is the complex you.

By the time you are an adult, you are an expert on how to judge yourself. You might find that you are being self-critical to the point of sabotage without even realising you are doing it. Your beliefs and values started to evolve from the day you were born. If you aren’t where you would like to be in life right now, it’s likely that there are a number of factors at play, with the most significant being your belief in your personal potential.

Imagine what your life could be like if you consciously paid attention to your strengths, passions and goals. When you have the same thought repeatedly, it becomes a belief and here what’s annoying about that… your brain is wired to look for evidence to make you right. It’s a strange throwback to caveman days when humans needed to be kept safe and stay on alert. So, whether your belief is positive or negative, your brain will try to make the belief true.

Here are some common beliefs that people have which get in the way of them achieving emotional, financial and physical success:

• I am not good enough
• Things will never change
• The risks are too high
• I don’t want to disappoint anyone
• Everybody else is smarter than me
• I will never have enough money
• It’s too late
• I don’t deserve it

If you feel that some of your beliefs are blockers to you living the life you really want, the good news is that there are strategies you can implement to adapt how you think. Even the most happy and successful people in the world have to work on this stuff. So, be kind to yourself and carve out some time in your schedule to consider the following four ways to adapt your beliefs:

1.   Choose your meaning

We all have negative self-talk that creeps into our thinking – that’s normal! The important skill to develop to overcome this is to choose what meaning you are going to give the experience you just had. For some people, redundancy is failure, while for others, it’s a new opportunity. What story are you going to tell yourself?

2.   Don’t believe everything you think

You have about 60,000 thoughts per day and many of them are habitual, which means that a huge percentage of what you think today, you will think again tomorrow. Start noticing which beliefs might not even be yours – perhaps they belong to your parents or friends. Pay attention to what you are thinking about daily and do an audit of which beliefs no longer serve you. When did you last clean out your brain?

3.   Get uncomfortable

What you believe about yourself is largely tied up in how much you trust your own decisions and intuition. Create opportunities for yourself that test your capabilities. Sure, this means you might make mistakes but you will also learn from the activity. Remember to choose the meaning you give to your experiences. When did you last have a brand-new experience that allowed you to create brand-new beliefs about yourself and the world you live in?

4.  Know what you are good at

Most of us are highly competent in knowing what we need to do better, the regrets we have and can quickly tell people our weaknesses. Imagine the impact of that on your belief system! Sit down and write a list of all the things you are good at, what your passions are and what you value. Then, look at that list every day and make this part of your belief system. What would be different in your career and relationships if you were confident in your strengths?

The world is full of amazing people, so perhaps there are some beliefs you could borrow from them. Some of the greatest writers, CEOs, designers and teachers on this planet do what they do so that you can grow and translate their learning for yourself. Who inspires you? Read a new book, broaden your network and document your new ways of thinking. If you are ready for your next chapter, then this is the perfect time to explore how your beliefs are working for you. Get on it!

Originally published in Wellness Daily
https://www.wellnessdaily.com.au/balance/8-principles-achieving-success

As a coach, I am certain that the people who are most successful in life are those who have absolute clarity on what success will look like, adapt their plan as they progress and still enjoy where they are in their life right now.  

You might be considering starting a new business or working up to a promotion. There could be a big adventure you want to plan or maybe it’s time to go back and do some study. Successful people don’t wait for the right time or for next Monday.

So how do you bring your dreams, plans and changes to life?

1. Play and plan big

This is your one shot to live an amazing adventure. Be ambitious in your dreams. Consider what you want to be able to say about this life when you are 80 years old and sitting on the veranda reflecting on the experiences you’ve had.  Successful people aren’t necessarily the ones who are the smartest or best educated; they are the ones who are brave enough to own what they want.  What are you really capable of?

2. Make yourself your most import project

Investing in you is the most important investment you will ever make. Successful people think strategically about how they are living and where they are heading. They set deadlines and consult experts who will support their success. They often create a vision board, identify blockers and review their progress. How can you make you, and your future, a priority?

3. Do what other people aren’t prepared to do

The world is full of people who start stuff, but never follow through. Successful people do what’s required. They keep going even when it’s hard and they don’t want to. Don’t wait and don’t give in. When your motivation has passed, it will be your commitment that will keep you going.  Are you prepared to do what’s required?

4. Find your tribe

Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed, who will challenge you to be more and who understand your true potential. Your tribe extends beyond friends and family. They are people who will challenge you and celebrate you. Identify those in your world who you trust and will tell you the truth. No energy vampires allowed! Who do you know?

5. Get uncomfortable

It is true, the greatest learning happens in discomfort. To know what you are really capable of, you have to test out your resilience and capabilities. You don’t know what you don’t know about you yet.  You are an ever-evolving complex woman with so many things to learn and that is where your potential sits. Intentionally look for new experiences and meet people out of your network. When was the last time you felt really uncomfortable?

6. Pay attention

You are constantly receiving messages from the world around you. People who care about you are telling you what they think. The voices on your shoulder (the angel and devil) are tapping into your inner thoughts and feelings. Your body is communicating to you all the time about what it needs. The environments where you live, work, exercise and rejuvenate are all talking to you. What is working in your life and what isn’t?

7. Honour the future version of you

Imagine you in two years. How much more will you know in five years? And then in 10 years you will be so wise!  When you are planning your future success, consider what your future smarter/wiser/funnier/more experienced version of you would do. The best way to predict your future is to live it now. What advice does your future self have for you?

8. Be resolute, committed and courageous

The reality is it’s unlikely anyone else can create success for you. There really is only one you on this planet. No single other person looks the same as you, has your beliefs or experiences. Put your big girl pants on and enjoy the ride of being you. As a coach, I’ve never met anyone who is an overnight success. Be brave on all the days you can manage it. The future version of you is one super cool woman!

Originally published in Female.com.au
Interview by Brooke Hunter
https://www.female.com.au/read-me-first.htm

Interview with Lisa Stephenson

Question: What inspired you to write Read Me First?

Lisa Stephenson: My life didn’t go according to plan. The first ‘chapters’ of my life were a bit of a fairy tale: I grew up beside the beach in a stable and happy family unit, surrounded by good friends and family. Then, a marriage and three children later, the fairy tale crashed down around me and I’m crying at the bottom of the shower. My husband left and he didn’t come back. I knew it was up to me to create a new version of happiness and success for myself. Read Me First is the book I wish I had been able to pick up off the shelf at that time. It’s such a privilege to share my life learnings and those of my coaching clients with others so that we can all consciously write the next chapters in our stories.

Question: Why was it important to you to create a practical workbook?

Lisa Stephenson: Being a success coach is my superpower. That means I ask lots of questions and trust people to come up with their own answers and solutions. I wrote my book to be uplifting, practical and filled with content that will really empower people to drive change in their lives and create their own personal version of success. Read Me First provides readers with the tools they need to coach themselves to a successful future. If we want things to be different, we need to write it out, own it and do the work required. I’ve never met anyone who really was an overnight success.

Question: What’s involved in your work as a success coach?

Lisa Stephenson: I work with both individuals and organisations in a number of ways. I have a global consulting business, Who Am I Projects, with a team of highly skilled coaches and facilitators. This creates incredible opportunities for us to work with people around the world. I also have a private coaching practice and love to share my stories and learnings from the stage as a keynote speaker. Being a coach is the greatest privilege. People say things out loud to me that they’ve never said before and, by doing that, they often learn that vulnerability is what builds strength and emotional intelligence. As your success coach, I will ask questions you don’t know the answers to, hold you accountable to your own goals, reflect back what I am seeing in your behaviour and support you in designing a plan that will get you results. Amazing.

Question: What types of life instructions are included in Read Me First?

Lisa Stephenson: Read Me First is filled with thought-provoking coaching questions and strategies to challenge your thinking. I provide the framework to allow readers to reflect and take action. Readers will learn where they are now and where they want to be going forward. I have created practical strategies for creating a successful life and written thought-provokers to redesign the life they are living now. Readers will also discover life ‘must-haves’ for an emotionally healthy version of themselves and I share ways to build momentum for your next chapter.

Question: Can you share some of the thought-provoking coaching questions included?

Lisa Stephenson: Yes! That’s like asking me if I want a glass of wine on a Friday night. I’ll start by sharing one of my favourite quotes in the book, ‘No one is coming to fix anything for you. It really is up to you’. There are hundreds of questions in Read Me First and they are designed to trigger, provoke and support the reader into identifying what is and is not working in their life, with the goal of creating a plan to consciously design the next chapter in their life.

Here’s a sample of the questions I put to my readers:
1. Is success the same as happiness?
2. What decisions would I make if I trusted my instincts and believed in my own potential?
3. What have I always wanted to do, but not done?
4. What do I need to unlearn?
5. Am I prepared to do what is required?

Question: What’s next, for you?

Lisa Stephenson: So many things, and I can’t wait! I am a single Mum of three children so, like many others, I am doing the dance of life and all that it brings. An African Safari is on my to-do list and I’ve got a very clear vision on where I am taking my consulting business. Read Me First is a platform for me to really share everything I have learnt about myself and the extraordinary individuals I have been working with over the last 20 years, so watch out for me doing lots of speaking events and media. Oh! And I am learning to date, so that’s interesting. Watch this space.

REVIEW BY JANET MAWDESLEY AUGUST 25, 2018, 9:11 AM

Originally published at http://bluewolf-reviews.com/uncategorised/read-me-first/