Hi there! When last we met, I shared my experience working in corporate America and what those, oftentimes trying, experiences taught me. In short, a desk job is not for everyone, and, look fear in the face and go for it! Now that I’ve done the easy part – Haha! Just kidding. That’s hard! – it’s time to put all this self-motivation into action. You’re revved up and ready to go. So, we need a map on how to get there, wherever “there” is for you. Let’s create actionable steps on how to build a realistic, personal definition of success that leads to an authentic life for yourself. Are you ready? Let’s do it!

Be bold, break the mold.

This mantra is tattooed on my heart and a virtual bumper sticker on the vehicle of my life. It’s the mantra I’ve used as a compass to live my life. It started with how I was raised and the lifestyle freedom I experienced from a young age. I had bigger dreams than sitting at a desk 40 hours per week, climbing the “corporate ladder,” building the wealth of others at the cost of my dreams. I wanted the freedom to push the envelope of what’s “normal” and shape my life to meet my rules and standards. I’ve gotten lost inside the mold many times. The good news is, this mold can be broken. Again, and again. You may find that once you break through the mold once, that it builds itself around you again, without even noticing. Doesn’t matter. Being bold and breaking the mold is the act of taking that so-called corporate ladder that’s leaning up against someone else’s wall and repositioning it against a wall that is built for you. Your goals, your visions, your aspirations, and your dreams.

The great thing is, everyone’s wall, everyone’s mold looks different! Breaking the mold and challenging the status quo is not a one size fits all model. We’ve been conditioned to believe “success” means making six or seven figure incomes, being promoted to vice president, working overtime, leaving vacation days on the table each year, doing more, being busy, focusing less on ourselves and more on others. Guess what? That’s a load of b***shit.

Being bold and breaking the mold is taking what society tells you is important and asking, WHY? Why are other people are pushing their initiatives on you? Why is success one-sided? Why does money = success? Literally, breaking the mold around you that doesn’t fit.

Actionable Step:
Take your emotions out of equation. Step back and really feel into whether or not the standards and beliefs you currently subscribe to align with your values, beliefs, desires, goals and ultimately the vision for how YOU (and only you) want to live your life.

For me, breaking the mold is escaping the corporate 9-5 to build a location-independent business where I could coach clients from around the world. Whether I’m sitting at a café in Paris, or the comfort of my home office in Washington, I can work. My experience breaking the mold is most likely 100% different from yours and anyone else’s, and that is freaking awesome! Maybe being bold and breaking the mold is asking your manager for a week off to pursue a surf vacation in Costa Rica. Or, it might be transferring within your current company to work in a different part of the country or internationally. There is ALWAYS a mold to be broken. The beauty of the “be bold, break the mold” ideology is it can be interpreted differently by everyone.

As times continue to change, so does our ability to carve out the way in which we choose to experience our own lives. A decade ago, telecommuting wasn’t commonly found in companies. Freelancing was seen as more of a temporary gig. As technology, the economy, and company structures change and evolve, so does the possibilities for how you can create the lifestyle you want for yourself.

Actionable Step:
I have a challenge for you: over the next two days, begin imagining what your ideal life looks like. Imagine what you would do, how you would spend your time, what would you create, and where you would go if time and money were no object. The goal of this exercise is to eliminate the pre-disposed thoughts you have around what you “should” do and focus on what you “would” do if you called the shots. As my favorite thought leader, Marie Forleo, says in her book, Everything Is Figureoutable, “Wouldn’t it be cool if…?” (fill in the blank) How you would start living boldly, breaking the mold, challenging the status quo, and thinking outside the box of what society, your parents, friends, coworkers, or your boss are telling you is important?

Actionable Step:
Take out a pen and paper and get your creative juices flowing by answering these questions:

• What do you yearn to do, create, achieve most in your lifetime?
• Why does it excite you?
• What are your biggest passions in life?
• What (if anything) is preventing you from pursuing those passions fully?
• What does “being bold” look like for you?
• How do you plan to “break the mold” you currently find yourself in?
• Where do you see yourself in the next 3-6 months? The next year? Next 5 years?
• What type of impact do you want to make?
• Who do you want to positively influence?
• What is calling you to pursue this?
• Describe what your “perfect day” would look like (the more details, the better)!
• What does “being bold” look like for you?
• How do you plan to “break the mold” currently surrounding you?
• What 3 Action Steps can you take today to start living your “perfect day” today?

Are you ready to be bold and take a chance on yourself? Are you unsure of where to start, what the next chapter looks like, or simply need help defining your dream? I’m here to help – schedule a Complimentary Consultation Call with me, and we’ll start outlining and tackling your biggest goals together!