One of the things I love most about this podcast is that I can have content that is all over the place! Yes, there is definitely value in a niche, but it is necessary, in my opinion to discuss a range of topics to best relate to listeners. Today I am excited to talk about marriage advice! The topic is always nerve-wracking, but these 2 powerful pieces of marriage advice have changed me and my marriage. I am not going to NOT share this message!

One of the things I love most about this podcast is that I can have content that is all over the place! Yes, there is definitely value in a niche, but it is necessary, in my opinion to discuss a range of topics to best relate to listeners. Today I am excited to talk about marriage advice! The topic is always nerve-wracking, but these 2 powerful pieces of marriage advice have changed me and my marriage. I am not going to NOT share this message!

73: Marriage Advice That Changed My Life

One surprising thing a lot of people do not know about me, is that I was a high-level lacrosse player. It was a big deal in my life and a huge piece of my identity. Being in athletics has shaped the way that I think. Today, I am using this background as the way I make decisions, how I think about things, specifically about failure.

One surprising thing a lot of people do not know about me, is that I was a high-level lacrosse player. It was a big deal in my life and a huge piece of my identity. Being in athletics has shaped the way that I think. Today, I am using this background as the way I make decisions, how I think about things, specifically about failure.

72: Are You Pushing To Failure?

I have some news! We have become foster parents! I kept feeling God calling us to not get pregnant again so we began looking into fostering! Here we are 2 years later- we have placements and I feel like we are ready to share a little about our experience. Today I brought on Laura, a close friend of mine, Laura Edwards! She is an Ontario County Home Finding Adoption Extraordinaire! We ill discuss 5 things that I didn’t expect when becoming a foster parent. Laura is going to add her experience as well as common misconceptions.

I have some news! We have become foster parents! I kept feeling God calling us to not get pregnant again so we began looking into fostering! Here we are 2 years later- we have placements and I feel like we are ready to share a little about our experience. Today I brought on Laura, a close friend of mine, Laura Edwards! She is an Ontario County Home Finding Adoption Extraordinaire! We ill discuss 5 things that I didn’t expect when becoming a foster parent. Laura is going to add her experience as well as common misconceptions.

71: 5 Things I Didn't Expect Becoming A Foster Parent

"Hustling" is a topic I am super passionate about. And the growth of social media and entrepreneurship has really pushed the conversation to the forefront. I have never had trouble working hard, but my struggle began when it came time to STOP. But, if you don’t know how to stop, the cost can be damaging to you and those around you. I will discuss 4 ways to stop hustling and start begin to pursue you!

"Hustling" is a topic I am super passionate about. And the growth of social media and entrepreneurship has really pushed the conversation to the forefront. I have never had trouble working hard, but my struggle began when it came time to STOP. But, if you don’t know how to stop, the cost can be damaging to you and those around you. I will discuss 4 ways to stop hustling and start begin to pursue you!

70: 4 Ways To Stop Hustling

Christy Wright runs “The Business Boutique.” She did a podcast on identity and one piece to her chat has been on my heart. “You are not your season.” She was referring to 2020 and how hard that season was. Data is coming out that a lot of the pressure families faced in 2020 had to do with children- activities, childcare, lack of support. I wanted to share some of my aha’s around this idea- the concept of your identity and how it relates to the season you are in. 

Christy Wright runs “The Business Boutique.” She did a podcast on identity and one piece to her chat has been on my heart. “You are not your season.” She was referring to 2020 and how hard that season was. Data is coming out that a lot of the pressure families faced in 2020 had to do with children- activities, childcare, lack of support. I wanted to share some of my aha’s around this idea- the concept of your identity and how it relates to the season you are in.

69: You Are Not Your Season

A message I have been feeling and hearing most recently revolves around my cell phone and the idea that takes control of our lives like handcuffs! But, these particular handcuffs are self-inflicted because we are making the choice to have our hands on our phones. To "handcuff” means to make ineffective or powerless. What else does our phone make ineffective or powerless? Our phone can distract us from life and take things away from us, robbing us of important things. Today we discuss how to break your phone habits and get your life back!

A message I have been feeling and hearing most recently revolves around my cell phone and the idea that takes control of our lives like handcuffs! But, these particular handcuffs are self-inflicted because we are making the choice to have our hands on our phones. To "handcuff” means to make ineffective or powerless. What else does our phone make ineffective or powerless? Our phone can distract us from life and take things away from us, robbing us of important things. Today we discuss how to break your phone habits and get your life back!

68: How To Disable The Handcuff Feature On Your Phone

Today I share a thought I had after driving past a sign during a recent visit to Florida. It read, “Its 12:00 o’clock somewh…just kidding! It’s 2021. Come on in!” It made me laugh but it also got me thinking. There is no denying 2020 was super had. Maybe you lost your job. Maybe you were able to keep your job. Either way it was a hard year for everyone. Today I discuss 6 ways you can reset your habits and, in turn, bring you back on the path of pursuing you.

Today I share a thought I had after driving past a sign during a recent visit to Florida. It read, “Its 12:00 o’clock somewh…just kidding! It’s 2021. Come on in!” It made me laugh but it also got me thinking. There is no denying 2020 was super had. Maybe you lost your job. Maybe you were able to keep your job. Either way it was a hard year for everyone. Today I discuss 6 ways you can reset your habits and, in turn, bring you back on the path of pursuing you.

67: Do You Need A Habit Reset?

Today I am discussing how to love your “night-before-self.” I was inspired by my younger sister Abbey. Loving on your night-before-self lays the foundation for tomorrow. Tomorrow quickly becomes today and today is your life! If there is one thing that you can do today that can change the course of your life, I believe one of them is taking care of your night-before-self. I share a few ways that I do!

Today I am discussing how to love your “night-before-self.” I was inspired by my younger sister Abbey. Loving on your night-before-self lays the foundation for tomorrow. Tomorrow quickly becomes today and today is your life! If there is one thing that you can do today that can change the course of your life, I believe one of them is taking care of your night-before-self. I share a few ways that I do!

66: Loving On Your "Night-Before-Self"

Today I am discussing something that has been a passion project for me: the path to presence. My journey as an entrepreneur, a woman, a wife and a mother has completely evolved from where I was a decade ago...even last year! Seeking presence is a journey. I refer to presence as, “[being] fully focused on or involved in what one is doing or experiencing.” Although your body might be present; is your mind? Is your soul? I share some tips on how to jumpstart this journey.

Today I am discussing something that has been a passion project for me: the path to presence. My journey as an entrepreneur, a woman, a wife and a mother has completely evolved from where I was a decade ago...even last year! Seeking presence is a journey. I refer to presence as, “[being] fully focused on or involved in what one is doing or experiencing.” Although your body might be present; is your mind? Is your soul? I share some tips on how to jumpstart this journey.

65: Your Path to Presence

“If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” My business coach shared with me on a coaching call recently. My word for the year is “listen.” You may know that I LOVE talking. Previous words for previous years were always something like “finding my voice” or “sharing my message,” aka something about talking. As I move into this new season of life, I feel like, for this year, I want to make it about listening. I share 3 questions to ask yourself.

“If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” My business coach shared with me on a coaching call recently. My word for the year is “listen.” You may know that I LOVE talking. Previous words for previous years were always something like “finding my voice” or “sharing my message,” aka something about talking. As I move into this new season of life, I feel like, for this year, I want to make it about listening. I share 3 questions to ask yourself.

64: What Are You Too Busy For?

The Pursue You Podcast encourages you to pursue you so you can give the gift of your best self to your family, community and your business. Join the conversation as Mandy Friend Gigliotti shares her journey as a wife, mom and passionate entrepreneur. From handling pressures of parenthood to scaling your business, each episode will be a deep dive into strategies, tools and powerful questions that will set you on your own personal journey to pursue you!

You are a light!! Thank you for all you share and mostly for being you. Cut from the same cloth, you’re like my soul sister! I’m excited to see where you go. #KWStrong during these times and keep on keepin on all that sparkle! Much love!

So grateful for you! 💞

Good job, Mandy! I’m excited to see you pursuing your passion.

Quality advice from a quality person!

Pursue You

Today I want to talk to about pruning, and before I get into it, I have to call out the elephant in the room. If you know what pruning is, it has to do with gardening, but don’t be fooled into thinking I know what I’m doing when it comes to gardening. In fact, I’m so bad at gardening that I once killed a cactus. But today, I want to talk about pruning as a metaphor for your life. Pruning, by definition is when you trim a tree, shrub, or bush by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, for the purpose of increasing fruitfulness and growth. Today, I want to share with you four areas of your life that might need pruning in order to increase your ability to pursue your best self, and thereby give the gift of your best self, to those around you. [1:50] I share a story about when I first came to understand the idea of pruning as a metaphor for life, and how it prompted me to realize that I needed change in my life, no matter how hard it was going to be. [5:35] I introduce the four areas of life that I am going to challenge you to reflect on and see where you might need to do some pruning in your own life. [5:50] 1. Commitments: The things you have committed to, be it committees, family, church, etc. are either fulfilling you or draining you. I share some of the excuses I made before I finally made the decision to leave the committees that were draining me, and I challenge you to examine your commitments and see which ones you need to step away from.   [10:52] I ask the question, “How do we know if something is fulfilling or draining?”. Then, I challenge you to ask yourself these questions in relation to your current commitments: How did I feel doing what I did today? How did I feel on the way there, after it was over? How do I feel about it at the end of the day? Did I show up better or worse after? [11:45] 2. Habits – Which habits are positively or negatively impacting your life? This one is hard because they are small things, like hitting the snooze button, or checking email in bed, or not hugging your spouse enough. They aren’t massive, but they compound, and they turn into bigger problems. Ask someone else to help you notice these things. What is consuming your time at each segment of your day? [16:20] 3. Content Consumption - You are in control of what you consume on social media, tv, movies, etc. I challenge you to reflect on how the people you follow on social media make you feel, how you respond to watching the news or certain T.V. shows, etc. Find the content that lifts you up and empowers you as you go throughout your day. [23:00] Relationships – If you met the people you spend the most time with at a party today, would you see them and want them to be the people that were influencing you? Do a relationship check to make sure your close, close friends are all people who fill you up. Are there people in your life that aren’t serving you? If they aren’t serving you, you can’t serve them. Pruning is hard. It takes a lot of work, reflection and self-awareness. It takes counseling and experimentation to see what’s serving you and what isn’t. Here’s the harder part, for me at least. As you start to prune, you may go into panic mode and try to hold on to things that you need to be letting go of. Until you really reflect, you won’t have the confidence to do the hard action of pruning. Pruning can make you feel so empty, but what feels like emptiness at the time, that emptiness is really space. It’s space to make active choices on everything from your commitments, to habits, to relationships, and as they slowly fill back up, you realize your life is now filled with things that empower you and fulfill you. All your energy and time is being put to the best use and that focused energy goes towards the right things. I challenge you to see how pruning can change your life. It will give you space to design and pursue a life that allows you to give the gift of your best self to everyone around you.

Today I want to talk to about pruning, and before I get into it, I have to call out the elephant in the room. If you know what pruning is, it has to do with gardening, but don’t be fooled into thinking I know what I’m doing when it comes to gardening. In fact, I’m so bad at gardening that I once killed a cactus. But today, I want to talk about pruning as a metaphor for your life. Pruning, by definition is when you trim a tree, shrub, or bush by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, for the purpose of increasing fruitfulness and growth. Today, I want to share with you four areas of your life that might need pruning in order to increase your ability to pursue your best self, and thereby give the gift of your best self, to those around you. [1:50] I share a story about when I first came to understand the idea of pruning as a metaphor for life, and how it prompted me to realize that I needed change in my life, no matter how hard it was going to be. [5:35] I introduce the four areas of life that I am going to challenge you to reflect on and see where you might need to do some pruning in your own life. [5:50] 1. Commitments: The things you have committed to, be it committees, family, church, etc. are either fulfilling you or draining you. I share some of the excuses I made before I finally made the decision to leave the committees that were draining me, and I challenge you to examine your commitments and see which ones you need to step away from.   [10:52] I ask the question, “How do we know if something is fulfilling or draining?”. Then, I challenge you to ask yourself these questions in relation to your current commitments: How did I feel doing what I did today? How did I feel on the way there, after it was over? How do I feel about it at the end of the day? Did I show up better or worse after? [11:45] 2. Habits – Which habits are positively or negatively impacting your life? This one is hard because they are small things, like hitting the snooze button, or checking email in bed, or not hugging your spouse enough. They aren’t massive, but they compound, and they turn into bigger problems. Ask someone else to help you notice these things. What is consuming your time at each segment of your day? [16:20] 3. Content Consumption - You are in control of what you consume on social media, tv, movies, etc. I challenge you to reflect on how the people you follow on social media make you feel, how you respond to watching the news or certain T.V. shows, etc. Find the content that lifts you up and empowers you as you go throughout your day. [23:00] Relationships – If you met the people you spend the most time with at a party today, would you see them and want them to be the people that were influencing you? Do a relationship check to make sure your close, close friends are all people who fill you up. Are there people in your life that aren’t serving you? If they aren’t serving you, you can’t serve them. Pruning is hard. It takes a lot of work, reflection and self-awareness. It takes counseling and experimentation to see what’s serving you and what isn’t. Here’s the harder part, for me at least. As you start to prune, you may go into panic mode and try to hold on to things that you need to be letting go of. Until you really reflect, you won’t have the confidence to do the hard action of pruning. Pruning can make you feel so empty, but what feels like emptiness at the time, that emptiness is really space. It’s space to make active choices on everything from your commitments, to habits, to relationships, and as they slowly fill back up, you realize your life is now filled with things that empower you and fulfill you. All your energy and time is being put to the best use and that focused energy goes towards the right things. I challenge you to see how pruning can change your life. It will give you space to design and pursue a life that allows you to give the gift of your best self to everyone around you.

10: The Pruning Challenge

Goals, goals, all types of goals! Any SNL fans out there? I love the skit Back Home Baller and the song “Bowls, bowls, all types of bowls”, and if you haven’t seen it you might want to watch it, but today, we’re not talking about bowls. We’re talking about goals! Like many of my stories, I had one of my most amazing revelations about goals at a retreat I went to in October. This message is applicable any time of year if you are thinking about setting goals, but I wanted to share it now as we’re approaching the beginning of the new year because I know many of you are deep in goal setting mode. Now, I’ve been the person who always knows what the next goal is and I’ve been the person who has no time to even think about setting goals, so whichever one you are right now, I hope this will help change the way you think about goals, and let you see that when you care about the goals it will be much easier to work towards achieving those goals.   Download the GPS Goal Planner Worksheet

Goals, goals, all types of goals! Any SNL fans out there? I love the skit Back Home Baller and the song “Bowls, bowls, all types of bowls”, and if you haven’t seen it you might want to watch it, but today, we’re not talking about bowls. We’re talking about goals! Like many of my stories, I had one of my most amazing revelations about goals at a retreat I went to in October. This message is applicable any time of year if you are thinking about setting goals, but I wanted to share it now as we’re approaching the beginning of the new year because I know many of you are deep in goal setting mode. Now, I’ve been the person who always knows what the next goal is and I’ve been the person who has no time to even think about setting goals, so whichever one you are right now, I hope this will help change the way you think about goals, and let you see that when you care about the goals it will be much easier to work towards achieving those goals. <a href="https://mandy-friend-gigliotti.mykajabi.com/forms/296524" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the GPS Goal Planner Worksheet</a>

13: Set Goals You Actually Care About

I am starting today’s episode with a story about my daughter, and I hope that this story about her inspires you to not be afraid to use your own voice in your family, in your job, or anywhere else that you find yourself wanting to ask something of someone else. I want us to not be afraid to ask for what we want. Sometimes it takes us awhile to figure out what we want, but when we do, what do we do with it? What do you do when you’re wanting a promotion or a raise, or when you need something from your clients or your spouse? What do you do when you want something from your friends? Once we identify what we want, how do we get closer to getting it or making that happen? In today’s episode, I’m sharing six steps for asking for what you want.

I am starting today’s episode with a story about my daughter, and I hope that this story about her inspires you to not be afraid to use your own voice in your family, in your job, or anywhere else that you find yourself wanting to ask something of someone else. I want us to not be afraid to ask for what we want. Sometimes it takes us awhile to figure out what we want, but when we do, what do we do with it? What do you do when you’re wanting a promotion or a raise, or when you need something from your clients or your spouse? What do you do when you want something from your friends? Once we identify what we want, how do we get closer to getting it or making that happen? In today’s episode, I’m sharing six steps for asking for what you want.

16: Ask for What You Want

Today’s episode was inspired by one of our listeners, Bethany. Bethany and I were talking about organizing our thoughts as we were listening to podcasts and audio books and I started to share with her some quick tips of how I organize on the go and she was like MANDY, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HEAR! So, maybe you’re the same? You’re starting to do more ‘thinking’, maybe more reading, or consuming of content, but feel like it goes all over the place. Maybe you feel anxious about to do lists and are worried that you’re going to forget something because it’s written all over the place. Well this episode is for YOU. Like I always say, this isn’t an episode on the BEST way to do something, it’s all about what I’m doing and what works for me, but I share it to hopefully inspire you to figure out your best way. So, here’s how I’m organizing on the go, as of January 2020. I hope you’ll listen in, find your system and come join us in the Pursuers Community and share what challenges you have, what successes you’re finding, and all that good stuff!

Today’s episode was inspired by one of our listeners, Bethany. Bethany and I were talking about organizing our thoughts as we were listening to podcasts and audio books and I started to share with her some quick tips of how I organize on the go and she was like MANDY, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HEAR! So, maybe you’re the same? You’re starting to do more ‘thinking’, maybe more reading, or consuming of content, but feel like it goes all over the place. Maybe you feel anxious about to do lists and are worried that you’re going to forget something because it’s written all over the place. Well this episode is for YOU. Like I always say, this isn’t an episode on the BEST way to do something, it’s all about what I’m doing and what works for me, but I share it to hopefully inspire you to figure out your best way. So, here’s how I’m organizing on the go, as of January 2020. I hope you’ll listen in, find your system and come join us in the Pursuers Community and share what challenges you have, what successes you’re finding, and all that good stuff!

18: Organizing on the Go

Ed Gigliotti

I can’t thank you all enough for the support of this podcast! It makes my heart soar to hear how it’s impacting your life and business! Your reviews are so helpful to make sure I am providing the valuable content you’re wanting to hear. Leave a review, screen shot this episode, and share it with others! Today is a really big deal! I love listening to interviews and I love to share and learn from other people who are excelling. When I recorded Episode 3 – Three Reasons You’re Not Making Your First Hire, I got the idea of who my first guest would be, and it was only confirmed when you guys asked for more information on hiring. I knew I had to bring on my husband, Eddie, Ed, Papa, aka Dr. Ed Gigliotti. Before I bring him on to share his favorite hiring tool, I have to share a little about him. He has grown his chiropractic office from the ground up. He knew no one here in Rochester in 2013, and today, he's one of the top chiropractors in the state. In the six years he’s been open, his business has exploded, and he has perfected his systems and hired an incredible team. Today, he’s on to share his favorite hiring tool, the DISC assessment along with practical tools for making your next hire. [4:55] Eddie and I start off sharing a little about what the DISC assessment is. We talk about the theory behind it that centers on four personality traits: dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance. [5:45] Eddie shares how he got into learning about and studying the DISC assessment. He shares how his own interactions with his team lead him to search for a way to hire the best people for the work he needed. He wanted to best serve the people on his team, so they could provide the best service to their clients. [8:05] Eddie and I spend the next several minutes digging deep into each of the four characteristics and what different traits tend to show up in each category. We discuss their strengths as well as their fears. We also share stories of how we’ve learned to better interact with these different people on our own teams as we’ve become more understanding of the DISC assessment. [17:00] We recommend you start by taking the DISC assessment for yourself. You can take it for free at www.wizehire.com. Find out who you are and how you’re showing up, and then offer it to people on your team, whether that’s business or family. [18:00] Eddie and I introduce four ways you can use the DISC assessment as you begin to figure out roles you may need to fill on your team and how to find the right person to fill it.   [19:00] 1. Look at your job description and decide who would find the most success in that role. You want to make sure that you are putting people in the right role, otherwise you’ll have great team members get burnt out because they are doing the wrong job.   [24:40] 2. When you get a good resume in response to your ad, request that they take the DISC assessment and send it back to you. This will give you more clarity on who is excited about the job and who would be a good fit. [27:00] 3. Review each person’s DISC assessment before setting up a phone interview with them. Review the information so that you are able to communicate with them in the best way possible, and so you can decide what additional information you’d like to find out on the phone interview. [27:40] 4. Have a phone interview to validate the DISC assessment. Use pointed questions that will allow you to clarify and validate the results of their assessment. This will allow you to make sure you want to take the time to bring them in for a full, in house interview. [29:27] – Eddie shares one last piece of advice on how to start using the DISC tool now, with your current employees and team members before you start implementing it as a hiring tool. Utilizing the DISC tool when you are looking to hire, and with your current team or family has unlimited value for you. Remember, do not label yourself your one DISC trait. It’s great to know yourself better, and it helps the relationship you have with your team, but you can also use this information about yourself to grow and change as you pursue you.

I can’t thank you all enough for the support of this podcast! It makes my heart soar to hear how it’s impacting your life and business! Your reviews are so helpful to make sure I am providing the valuable content you’re wanting to hear. Leave a review, screen shot this episode, and share it with others! Today is a really big deal! I love listening to interviews and I love to share and learn from other people who are excelling. When I recorded Episode 3 – Three Reasons You’re Not Making Your First Hire, I got the idea of who my first guest would be, and it was only confirmed when you guys asked for more information on hiring. I knew I had to bring on my husband, Eddie, Ed, Papa, aka Dr. Ed Gigliotti. Before I bring him on to share his favorite hiring tool, I have to share a little about him. He has grown his chiropractic office from the ground up. He knew no one here in Rochester in 2013, and today, he's one of the top chiropractors in the state. In the six years he’s been open, his business has exploded, and he has perfected his systems and hired an incredible team. Today, he’s on to share his favorite hiring tool, the DISC assessment along with practical tools for making your next hire. [4:55] Eddie and I start off sharing a little about what the DISC assessment is. We talk about the theory behind it that centers on four personality traits: dominance, influence, steadiness, and compliance. [5:45] Eddie shares how he got into learning about and studying the DISC assessment. He shares how his own interactions with his team lead him to search for a way to hire the best people for the work he needed. He wanted to best serve the people on his team, so they could provide the best service to their clients. [8:05] Eddie and I spend the next several minutes digging deep into each of the four characteristics and what different traits tend to show up in each category. We discuss their strengths as well as their fears. We also share stories of how we’ve learned to better interact with these different people on our own teams as we’ve become more understanding of the DISC assessment. [17:00] We recommend you start by taking the DISC assessment for yourself. You can take it for free at <a href="http://www.wizehire.come" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.wizehire.com.</a> Find out who you are and how you’re showing up, and then offer it to people on your team, whether that’s business or family. [18:00] Eddie and I introduce four ways you can use the DISC assessment as you begin to figure out roles you may need to fill on your team and how to find the right person to fill it.   [19:00] 1. Look at your job description and decide who would find the most success in that role. You want to make sure that you are putting people in the right role, otherwise you’ll have great team members get burnt out because they are doing the wrong job.   [24:40] 2. When you get a good resume in response to your ad, request that they take the DISC assessment and send it back to you. This will give you more clarity on who is excited about the job and who would be a good fit. [27:00] 3. Review each person’s DISC assessment before setting up a phone interview with them. Review the information so that you are able to communicate with them in the best way possible, and so you can decide what additional information you’d like to find out on the phone interview. [27:40] 4. Have a phone interview to validate the DISC assessment. Use pointed questions that will allow you to clarify and validate the results of their assessment. This will allow you to make sure you want to take the time to bring them in for a full, in house interview. [29:27] – Eddie shares one last piece of advice on how to start using the DISC tool now, with your current employees and team members before you start implementing it as a hiring tool. Utilizing the DISC tool when you are looking to hire, and with your current team or family has unlimited value for you. Remember, do not label yourself your one DISC trait. It’s great to know yourself better, and it helps the relationship you have with your team, but you can also use this information about yourself to grow and change as you pursue you.

11: Using the DISC to Hire with Dr. Ed Gigliotti

 I just got done recording this episode with Maryellen Dance, a licensed mental health counselor that I met years ago. We just recently reconnected in a local mastermind group and I just knew she was someone I wanted to bring on and share with you all. You’ve all heard me talk about therapy and what an important role it plays in my life, my development, my growth, my relationships and its funny because with me being so open about it, I really have seen how many preconceived notions we carry around about what it means to go to therapy, what qualifies us to have to go to therapy, etc, etc, -- so get excited, because this episode is jam packed full of good tid bits about what therapists wish you knew about therapy and how it might change your perception of who therapy is for, and how to go about getting started.

I just got done recording this episode with Maryellen Dance, a licensed mental health counselor that I met years ago. We just recently reconnected in a local mastermind group and I just knew she was someone I wanted to bring on and share with you all. You’ve all heard me talk about therapy and what an important role it plays in my life, my development, my growth, my relationships and its funny because with me being so open about it, I really have seen how many preconceived notions we carry around about what it means to go to therapy, what qualifies us to have to go to therapy, etc, etc, -- so get excited, because this episode is jam packed full of good tid bits about what therapists wish you knew about therapy and how it might change your perception of who therapy is for, and how to go about getting started.

21: 5 Things Therapists Wish You Knew with Maryellen Dance

Welcome to the Pursue You Podcast, where we are empowering you to continually reflect, design and pursue who you were created to be so you can give the gift of your best self to your family, community, and business! Today we’re talking about the Rise Business Conference I attended that is put on by Rachel Hollis and her husband Dave Hollis through the Hollis Company. While they have held multiple personal development conferences, this was their first ever Rise Business conference, emphasis on business! In a nutshell, it was awesome! It was fabulous, and not just in that emotional high feeling where you feel like you just want to live in an imaginary bubble after a great conference, but I was able to leave with very real, tactical takeaways. Now that I’ve had time to think about my experience, review my notes, and summarize my takeaways, I want to share them with you, and hopefully pass along some of the amazing wisdom I heard during the conference.   3:00 I start off sharing my story of how I discovered Rachel Hollis, who she was, what she was about, and my internal struggle with being excited about her and her mission, but also feeling like I couldn’t pursue what I wanted to because she was already doing it. 6:50 I introduce the “bean dip” (Rachel’s term) or Ladder concept that the conference centered around. Each rung represents a different topic that we covered during the conference. 7:29: Rung 1 - YOU - You are the problem, but you are also the solution. We spent nearly an entire day focusing on this topic. I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from all of the speakers that covered this topic, but ultimately, I want to share Rachel’s 5 points – humility, hard work, health, honesty, optimism. 17:42: Rung 2 - Product and Service – The big point that hit me was that they helped us realize the businesses that were really succeeding were offering a product, service, AND an experience and that experience is key. I challenge you to ask yourself: what can you do to enhance your experience opportunity? 19:20: Rungs 3 &amp; 4 - Branding and Customer Experience – In order to create a better product, service or experience you need to listen to your customer and respond to what they are asking for. Let’s work on this practically by creating a circular flow chart that outlines your customer’s journey in order to assess how you can offer a better customer experience. 22:00: Rung 5 - Marketing – Amy Porterfield hit on this topic so well and her biggest point was about having an email list that allows you to constantly engage with your customer base in an personal and authentic way, while delivering original content that you are creating (like a podcast!) to them each week! 25:00: Rung 6 - Sales – Most of us are selling something because we want to help our customer when they are in need. In order to do this successfully, we have to be passionate about what we are selling. If we aren’t, we shouldn’t be selling it.   28:14: Rung 7 - Finances – This is often a difficult subject for business owners, because they honeslty don’t know their numbers. I’m here to encourage you from this conference that you need to know your numbers, and it’s okay to ask what they are and to learn how to understand it better. Once you do this, you’ll be able to figure out simple things you could change or tweak to make even more money.   32:20: Rung 8 - Systems &amp; Processes – The best way to establish your systems and processes is to figure out what your goal is, and then, work backwards to outline a road map to get there.   33:38: Rung 9 – People – Define what success looks like for you and then make sure that every decision you make supports that goal. Otherwise you will never be able to stay rooted in what you value. 37:25: Rung 10 – Servant Leadership - A great leader makes it all about the team. A servant leader asks questions: How are you? What are you working on? How can I help? Then, follow up and follow through. You are responsible for providing the trainings and resources your team needs to grow. This conference was an incredible experience and I was excited to break it down the 10 rungs of the ladder for you. I am just siting here after going through this, and I remember the overwhelming sense of joy I had there, and I think about hoisting a business conference just like this in the future. I know you guys that are here listening are excited about that with me, and you are the ones that give me so much fire. You’ve shared about how you’re using these episodes to grow you and think bigger in your business. I don’t know how long it will take to do this, but I know that I am going to be pursuing it! I am excited to pursue this big, crazy dream. Thanks for being my hype tribe and get me excited about this “Pursue You” business! Having you on this journey makes it even more enjoyable for me. Thank you!

Welcome to the Pursue You Podcast, where we are empowering you to continually reflect, design and pursue who you were created to be so you can give the gift of your best self to your family, community, and business! Today we’re talking about the Rise Business Conference I attended that is put on by Rachel Hollis and her husband Dave Hollis through the Hollis Company. While they have held multiple personal development conferences, this was their first ever Rise Business conference, emphasis on business! In a nutshell, it was awesome! It was fabulous, and not just in that emotional high feeling where you feel like you just want to live in an imaginary bubble after a great conference, but I was able to leave with very real, tactical takeaways. Now that I’ve had time to think about my experience, review my notes, and summarize my takeaways, I want to share them with you, and hopefully pass along some of the amazing wisdom I heard during the conference. 3:00 I start off sharing my story of how I discovered Rachel Hollis, who she was, what she was about, and my internal struggle with being excited about her and her mission, but also feeling like I couldn’t pursue what I wanted to because she was already doing it. 6:50 I introduce the “bean dip” (Rachel’s term) or Ladder concept that the conference centered around. Each rung represents a different topic that we covered during the conference. 7:29: Rung 1 - YOU - You are the problem, but you are also the solution. We spent nearly an entire day focusing on this topic. I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from all of the speakers that covered this topic, but ultimately, I want to share Rachel’s 5 points – humility, hard work, health, honesty, optimism. 17:42: Rung 2 - Product and Service – The big point that hit me was that they helped us realize the businesses that were really succeeding were offering a product, service, AND an experience and that experience is key. I challenge you to ask yourself: what can you do to enhance your experience opportunity? 19:20: Rungs 3 &amp; 4 - Branding and Customer Experience – In order to create a better product, service or experience you need to listen to your customer and respond to what they are asking for. Let’s work on this practically by creating a circular flow chart that outlines your customer’s journey in order to assess how you can offer a better customer experience. 22:00: Rung 5 - Marketing – Amy Porterfield hit on this topic so well and her biggest point was about having an email list that allows you to constantly engage with your customer base in an personal and authentic way, while delivering original content that you are creating (like a podcast!) to them each week! 25:00: Rung 6 - Sales – Most of us are selling something because we want to help our customer when they are in need. In order to do this successfully, we have to be passionate about what we are selling. If we aren’t, we shouldn’t be selling it.   28:14: Rung 7 - Finances – This is often a difficult subject for business owners, because they honeslty don’t know their numbers. I’m here to encourage you from this conference that you need to know your numbers, and it’s okay to ask what they are and to learn how to understand it better. Once you do this, you’ll be able to figure out simple things you could change or tweak to make even more money.   32:20: Rung 8 - Systems &amp; Processes – The best way to establish your systems and processes is to figure out what your goal is, and then, work backwards to outline a road map to get there.   33:38: Rung 9 – People – Define what success looks like for you and then make sure that every decision you make supports that goal. Otherwise you will never be able to stay rooted in what you value. 37:25: Rung 10 – Servant Leadership - A great leader makes it all about the team. A servant leader asks questions: How are you? What are you working on? How can I help? Then, follow up and follow through. You are responsible for providing the trainings and resources your team needs to grow. This conference was an incredible experience and I was excited to break it down the 10 rungs of the ladder for you. I am just siting here after going through this, and I remember the overwhelming sense of joy I had there, and I think about hoisting a business conference just like this in the future. I know you guys that are here listening are excited about that with me, and you are the ones that give me so much fire. You’ve shared about how you’re using these episodes to grow you and think bigger in your business. I don’t know how long it will take to do this, but I know that I am going to be pursuing it! I am excited to pursue this big, crazy dream. Thanks for being my hype tribe and get me excited about this “Pursue You” business! Having you on this journey makes it even more enjoyable for me. Thank you!

Episode 9: What I Learned at the Rise Business Conference

 I’m going to start today’s episode with a question? What was your favorite book that you read in 2019? What if I asked what was your favorite book of all time? What would your answer be? The reason I want to ask you this is because a few years ago I would have had to think back to college when I was forced to read books, and I would only read the cliff notes version, and after an assignment I’d forget it all. Once I got into business, I read books here and there, but I want to share today how I used to think about reading, because I don’t want you to feel intimidated by a personal reading list and just skip over this episode. I want you to know that reading wasn’t always a natural thing I loved to do. I was too busy. You’re probably feeling the exact same way. As I’m recording this year in 2019, however, I have read more books this year than I have ever read in one year. Reading impacted me in such a positive way this year that I want to inspire you and share with you some books that you may want to check out in 2020.

I’m going to start today’s episode with a question? What was your favorite book that you read in 2019? What if I asked what was your favorite book of all time? What would your answer be? The reason I want to ask you this is because a few years ago I would have had to think back to college when I was forced to read books, and I would only read the cliff notes version, and after an assignment I’d forget it all. Once I got into business, I read books here and there, but I want to share today how I used to think about reading, because I don’t want you to feel intimidated by a personal reading list and just skip over this episode. I want you to know that reading wasn’t always a natural thing I loved to do. I was too busy. You’re probably feeling the exact same way. As I’m recording this year in 2019, however, I have read more books this year than I have ever read in one year. Reading impacted me in such a positive way this year that I want to inspire you and share with you some books that you may want to check out in 2020.

14: My Top 5 Personal Development Reads in 2019

 If you’ve heard me speak, you know that I LOVE being busy. I love activities, productivity, and efficiency. After four years of pregnancy and nursing babies, I was so excited for 2019 to ‘max out’ my life and jam pack as much possible into my life. And you don’t have to have had a human to have gone through this experience, it could have been from a sickness, challenging family situation, etc. but you might be able to relate to when you literally, physically cannot ‘max out’ your life the way that you think you have to in order to succeed. I knew that margin wasn’t a luxury, and I knew that it was a necessity, but I had no idea how to implement it in my life. I didn’t know how to go from my life of exhaustion, chaos, and a mindset of I have to be working, to having margin and rest. Learning this and creating this margin wasn’t easy for me, it was a process and a journey, but I’m going to share with you some questions to help you reflect on your current life so that you can design a life of margin in 2020.

If you’ve heard me speak, you know that I LOVE being busy. I love activities, productivity, and efficiency. After four years of pregnancy and nursing babies, I was so excited for 2019 to ‘max out’ my life and jam pack as much possible into my life. And you don’t have to have had a human to have gone through this experience, it could have been from a sickness, challenging family situation, etc. but you might be able to relate to when you literally, physically cannot ‘max out’ your life the way that you think you have to in order to succeed. I knew that margin wasn’t a luxury, and I knew that it was a necessity, but I had no idea how to implement it in my life. I didn’t know how to go from my life of exhaustion, chaos, and a mindset of I have to be working, to having margin and rest. Learning this and creating this margin wasn’t easy for me, it was a process and a journey, but I’m going to share with you some questions to help you reflect on your current life so that you can design a life of margin in 2020.

17: The Power of Margin

On Episode 25 I discuss a topic may be something some of you are experiencing: “What To Do When You Are No Longer Motivated By “Money.” Notice “money” is in quotes because I want to use it as a placeholder. “Money” is basically whatever has motivated you in the past but it is now "empty." You could be motivated by fame or fear of failure, for example. However, there can come a point when your motivation can shift from a healthy motivation to something empty. Today I want to discuss what you can do if you are lacking motivation or no longer motivated by “money.”

On Episode 25 I discuss a topic may be something some of you are experiencing: “What To Do When You Are No Longer Motivated By “Money.” Notice “money” is in quotes because I want to use it as a placeholder. “Money” is basically whatever has motivated you in the past but it is now "empty." You could be motivated by fame or fear of failure, for example. However, there can come a point when your motivation can shift from a healthy motivation to something empty. Today I want to discuss what you can do if you are lacking motivation or no longer motivated by “money.”

25: What to Do When You're No Longer Motivated by "Money"

 In Episode 15, I shared about asking for what you want. I went through the simple steps of understanding why it’s important to you, getting clear on what it is you want and then making a plan to just ASK for it. But, in our conversations, and from what I know to be true in my own life, there’s this extra LITTLE piece that presents a huge challenge to us. We can literally do everything right, we know exactly what it is we want to ask for, why it’s just so, so important to us, but sometimes, our fear of what the reaction will be on the other side, paralyzes us. Today I want to share some advice I’ve learned about how we can help ourselves overcome this fear of rejection and it’s in the form of a little game called rejection therapy.

In Episode 15, I shared about asking for what you want. I went through the simple steps of understanding why it’s important to you, getting clear on what it is you want and then making a plan to just ASK for it. But, in our conversations, and from what I know to be true in my own life, there’s this extra LITTLE piece that presents a huge challenge to us. We can literally do everything right, we know exactly what it is we want to ask for, why it’s just so, so important to us, but sometimes, our fear of what the reaction will be on the other side, paralyzes us. Today I want to share some advice I’ve learned about how we can help ourselves overcome this fear of rejection and it’s in the form of a little game called rejection therapy.

19: Facing Rejection Therapy

Today I am talking with a special guest, Claire Ficker to discuss the Enneagram! The enneagram is a personality assessment. You may remember when I brought my husband on the podcast to discuss the DISC assessment on Episode 11. This is totally different, but equally as amazing. I am so passionate about connection and the enneagram is a wonderful way to learn more about yourself, more about others and to better connect with those around you.

Today I am talking with a special guest, Claire Ficker to discuss the Enneagram! The enneagram is a personality assessment. You may remember when I brought my husband on the podcast to discuss the DISC assessment on Episode 11. This is totally different, but equally as amazing. I am so passionate about connection and the enneagram is a wonderful way to learn more about yourself, more about others and to better connect with those around you.

23: Using the Enneagram to Connect with Claire Ficker

 I’ve been on a roller coaster with sleep I would dare to say my entire life, and maybe it’s because I’m getting older (I just celebrated my birthday), or maybe I went through a period of sleep deprivation with two littles; but the more I read, and study, and actually live in a way where I’m conscious of my sleep, I’m still blown away!  Sleep is important. We’ve all heard it, but I wasn’t listening. I never really had it sink in, so that’s what I want to chat about today. I’m going to share tidbits about my sleep journey in hopes that you can hear the importance of sleep in a different way, so it sinks in for you. When I say this is life changing, I’m not exaggerating. I think you’ll understand if you’ve ever been sleep-deprived that it’s also INSANELY real and something I’m finding so many of you in my community struggle with, so yes, I’m spending this entire episode talking about sleep!

I’ve been on a roller coaster with sleep I would dare to say my entire life, and maybe it’s because I’m getting older (I just celebrated my birthday), or maybe I went through a period of sleep deprivation with two littles; but the more I read, and study, and actually live in a way where I’m conscious of my sleep, I’m still blown away! Sleep is important. We’ve all heard it, but I wasn’t listening. I never really had it sink in, so that’s what I want to chat about today. I’m going to share tidbits about my sleep journey in hopes that you can hear the importance of sleep in a different way, so it sinks in for you. When I say this is life changing, I’m not exaggerating. I think you’ll understand if you’ve ever been sleep-deprived that it’s also INSANELY real and something I’m finding so many of you in my community struggle with, so yes, I’m spending this entire episode talking about sleep!

12: Shifting Your Perspective on Sleep

This is Episode 22 and in this episode we are talking about leadership! You might say, “I am not a leader!” John Maxwell says “leadership is influence.” Whether you stay at home or you run a crazy big business or maybe you just have friends…you have influence! You are a leader! One of my favorite concepts I have read about in the past few years is from an incredible book called Multiplier by Liz Wiseman. It is a Wall Street Journal best-seller. The subtitle reads, “How the best leaders make everyone smarter.” Today I outline 8 ways we may be accidentally diminishing those around us.

This is Episode 22 and in this episode we are talking about leadership! You might say, “I am not a leader!” John Maxwell says “leadership is influence.” Whether you stay at home or you run a crazy big business or maybe you just have friends…you have influence! You are a leader! One of my favorite concepts I have read about in the past few years is from an incredible book called Multiplier by Liz Wiseman. It is a Wall Street Journal best-seller. The subtitle reads, “How the best leaders make everyone smarter.” Today I outline 8 ways we may be accidentally diminishing those around us.

22: Are You An "Accidental Diminisher" Leader?

On Episode 26 I discuss 5 Steps to Rock Your Morning Routine! I have been practicing better sleep habits for some time now and have been prioritizing sleep. I never realized the impact not getting enough sleep was impacting my body and the way I was interacting with those around me. I discuss 5 steps I have found greatly impact how I create a productive morning routine and how it has impacted my days and my life.

On Episode 26 I discuss 5 Steps to Rock Your Morning Routine! I have been practicing better sleep habits for some time now and have been prioritizing sleep. I never realized the impact not getting enough sleep was impacting my body and the way I was interacting with those around me. I discuss 5 steps I have found greatly impact how I create a productive morning routine and how it has impacted my days and my life.

26: 5 Steps to Rock Your Morning Routine

In Episode 14 last week I shared my top 5 personal reads of 2019 as well as my history with reading and how it’s been a journey for me to become a “reader”. Today I’m re-enforcing the important things to consider as you start or continue on your reading journey, and also sharing with you the top 5 business books I read as a part of my goal to pursue growth in my business. I hope this list will help you tune into the conversations these books and their authors are starting and maybe add a few of them to your own reading list for this year.

In Episode 14 last week I shared my top 5 personal reads of 2019 as well as my history with reading and how it’s been a journey for me to become a “reader”. Today I’m re-enforcing the important things to consider as you start or continue on your reading journey, and also sharing with you the top 5 business books I read as a part of my goal to pursue growth in my business. I hope this list will help you tune into the conversations these books and their authors are starting and maybe add a few of them to your own reading list for this year.

15: My Top 5 Business Reads in 2019

Today we’re talking about video. If you’ve been in a business or you’ve had some big growth, even if it’s just been a little while, it’s always so fascinating to go back and look on what you were doing years ago. Whether it be 10 years ago, 5 years ago, even last month, what did your days consist of? What were your priorities and your habits? How did you run your life and business together? One of the things I look back on so often is the early days of my real estate career. I was 22 years old. I had moved out of my parents’ house and joined a real estate brokerage and was clueless about it. One thing though I am so proud of, though, is that early on in my business I started to incorporate video into my branding, my marketing, my service to clients, and it has always been a big part of my business. Over the years, it’s morphed. Whether it be from the business growing, myself growing, or just technology and the change in modern marketing, but I feel like it’s had a dramatic impact on my business and that’s why I want to share it with you today. I want to show you how you might be able to incorporate it into your world and business.

Today we’re talking about video. If you’ve been in a business or you’ve had some big growth, even if it’s just been a little while, it’s always so fascinating to go back and look on what you were doing years ago. Whether it be 10 years ago, 5 years ago, even last month, what did your days consist of? What were your priorities and your habits? How did you run your life and business together? One of the things I look back on so often is the early days of my real estate career. I was 22 years old. I had moved out of my parents’ house and joined a real estate brokerage and was clueless about it. One thing though I am so proud of, though, is that early on in my business I started to incorporate video into my branding, my marketing, my service to clients, and it has always been a big part of my business. Over the years, it’s morphed. Whether it be from the business growing, myself growing, or just technology and the change in modern marketing, but I feel like it’s had a dramatic impact on my business and that’s why I want to share it with you today. I want to show you how you might be able to incorporate it into your world and business.

20: 3 Ways to Use Video in Your Business

Today’s episode is inspired by Mother Nature/Daylight Savings Time! This past year, especially, I have been so in tune with how daylight affects my nighttime routine. So many people talk about waking up SO early to get everything done! That never worked for me. I would wake up exhausted and, by the end of the day was beat! This year, I had the simplest revelation: a smart nighttime routine! You can’t have a strong morning routine until you have a strong nighttime routine! I am sharing 5 steps that helped me make my nighttime routine extra productive! So even if my morning routine hasn’t been great, I am setting myself up for a great next day!

Today’s episode is inspired by Mother Nature/Daylight Savings Time! This past year, especially, I have been so in tune with how daylight affects my nighttime routine. So many people talk about waking up SO early to get everything done! That never worked for me. I would wake up exhausted and, by the end of the day was beat! This year, I had the simplest revelation: a smart nighttime routine! You can’t have a strong morning routine until you have a strong nighttime routine! I am sharing 5 steps that helped me make my nighttime routine extra productive! So even if my morning routine hasn’t been great, I am setting myself up for a great next day!

24: 5 Steps to Rock your Nighttime Routine

One of my favorite quotes is “don’t compare your insides to other peoples outsides.” I have always found myself comparing myself to others, not so much in a way of being better than others, but learning from others to be my best. I have always wanted to reach my maximum potential. After a lot of work over the past decade, I have been able to name my never-good-enough feelings and emotions that I was unable to pinpoint before. I have come to accept that the path I have taken in life is that path that was meant for me.

One of my favorite quotes is “don’t compare your insides to other peoples outsides.” I have always found myself comparing myself to others, not so much in a way of being better than others, but learning from others to be my best. I have always wanted to reach my maximum potential. After a lot of work over the past decade, I have been able to name my never-good-enough feelings and emotions that I was unable to pinpoint before. I have come to accept that the path I have taken in life is that path that was meant for me.

32: Comparative Successes and Sufferings

Every small decision we make is powerful. Every accomplishment or achievement is a result of a series of smaller choices. No small action will make a difference on it’s own. But, it will set you up to take the next small step and then the step after that. When we take smalls steps, they are less intimidating. And when they are less intimidating, we are more likely to do it. It is the constant consistent progress that brings confidence. That brings joy. That inspires us to want to continue that small but mighty progress. Today’s episode is inspired by a bike ride I took last week and seemed so fitting to share because of where we are in the world today. Long story short, a simple trip outside to play outside the snow with my daughter evolved into a brisk jog up a main road while she biked alongside me…all because of a few small decisions! 

Every small decision we make is powerful. Every accomplishment or achievement is a result of a series of smaller choices. No small action will make a difference on it’s own. But, it will set you up to take the next small step and then the step after that. When we take smalls steps, they are less intimidating. And when they are less intimidating, we are more likely to do it. It is the constant consistent progress that brings confidence. That brings joy. That inspires us to want to continue that small but mighty progress. Today’s episode is inspired by a bike ride I took last week and seemed so fitting to share because of where we are in the world today. Long story short, a simple trip outside to play outside the snow with my daughter evolved into a brisk jog up a main road while she biked alongside me…all because of a few small decisions!

31: Why You Don't Need to Make Massive Changes

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