Carol Schulte

Get your BRĀV on!

Carol Schulte

Take Off Your Bunny Slippers! (7 Ways To More Effectively Work From Home.)

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Happy Friday!

Have you found yourself spending a lot more time in your pyjamas and your bunny slippers recently?

Me too!

I totally get it. Who doesn’t want to be all cozy while trying to get some work done?

Well, I’ve been working from home, for the most part, for the past few years. And while I certainly don’t have it all down pat, I’ve learned the hard way what does, and what doesn’t work. I’ve also discovered some powerful strategies in the process (some of which are works in progress!)

In this week’s video, I share 7 ways to more effectively work from home during this time. Because let’s be honest, it’s not simply business as usual. 

Sometimes it’s the little things – like making your bed or taking a minute to stretch – that make all the difference.

So, which of these ideas most resonated with you? Which are you already doing? Which one or two, if implemented, would make all the difference?

I challenge you to choose one to take on this week. And let me know how it goes in the comments below. Feel free to also share any other ideas you may have… sharing is caring after all! I look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Easter 🐣 if you are celebrating!

 

Feeling on a bit of an emotional roller coaster?

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Have you been going from feeling totally optimistic one day – ready to be super productive and make the most of this time – to not wanting to get out of bed the next?

You are not alone!

And however you’re feeling or whatever you’re doing, you’re doing it right.

Because the truth is, there is no right or wrong way to go through what we are going through.

We’re in uncharted territory, and we’ve never been here before (and will hopefully never be in a situation like this ever again!) 

We can only take one day at a time.

In this video, I share three ways that helped me take one day at a time this week, and I hope will help you, too.

 

That’s all I got for you today.

Now it’s your turn… please share your ideas with me, too. I look forward to hearing your comments below.

And in the meantime, give yourself the grace and compassion you deserve, plan a virtual Netflix movie night with some friends this weekend, and use that TP sparingly!

You’re not alone.

 

5 ways to stay calm amidst the chaos…

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Happy Friday!

It’s true, the Coronavirus COVID-19 is a serious situation. And the situation seems to be changing almost by the minute.

And, that doesn’t mean we need to stock up on enough toilet paper to last us for the next 3 months! (it may seem silly, but in numerous Costcos and grocery stores across the Greater Toronto Area in Canada they have actually run out of stock of toilet paper!) 

While the stats, especially in certain places, are scary, it is not a time to panic or act from a place of fear. And in fact, it can actually be a chance to display brave leadership in action, and choose to see the opportunities that exist in the current landscape. 

Have you ever heard of the term equanimity? It describes mental calmness, composure. It’s really your ability to stay calm amidst the chaos. 

It’s a term often used in yoga and meditation practices, as it’s about having control over the mind. 

In my humble opinion, while again this virus and the current situation is to be taken seriously, it is being significantly elevated by the unnecessary hysteria!

So while I am not a doctor, government official, nor scientist well-versed in how this virus is spread (although I did learn a lot from reading this visual explanation in The New York Times HERE), I have a few ideas that may help us as we navigate the current climate. 

 

BE EMPOWERED.

One of the biggest fears is the fear of the unknown. And one of the most challenging elements of this situation is that there is a lot unknown. AND, there are still many ways we can stay properly informed. Now that doesn’t mean watching the news channels 24/7, but it does mean looking to trusted experts and resources to keep you up to date, instead of your frantic neighbour who has become a hoarder overnight. 

 

BE A LEADER.

In challenging times, you see the leaders arise. They are the ones who are confident and secure, follow the protocols, and trust the officials are doing what they need to be doing. They make others around them feel safe, and instead of being motivated by fear, are motivated by the opportunities that exist. Unicorns are born in tough times. Uber and Airbnb were started during the Great Recession. Amazon took off after the dot com crash. Tesla and SpaceX came on the scene when everyone was looking the other way. 

You never know, It may a perfect time to create that online course, to invest in stocks, to write that book.

 

BE OF SERVICE.

There are many people, businesses, and industries that are being affected in a very serious way. How you can come from a place of service? I’ve reached out to all of my contacts in the events space, especially those who have conferences and events coming up where I am scheduled to speak. I first asked how they were doing. I then confirmed my commitment to be there should the event go on as scheduled. And then I asked how else I could help… by offering to be a back-up presenter or delivering a digital program.

Reach out to your contacts and friends who are being affected. Ask what they may need. Show support. And BUY LOCAL whenever you can! It’s the small local businesses that are going to get hit the hardest. 

 

BE OPEN. 

Be open to whatever change is coming your way. We are ALL being affected here. Events are being cancelled, schools are being closed, toilet paper is running out (🤣) Don’t fight it, stay open. Be willing to be flexible, to have your plans change. It’s only those who are too attached to their expectation of how things were supposed to be – whether that be their upcoming holiday or big work opportunity – that experience upset. 

 

BE BRAVE.

Choose to be brave in your mindset, as well as in your actions. You can’t control the situation, but you can control your thoughts. And it’s still safe to walk the streets, to hang out with your friends, to go to work. Just be responsible about it! Wash your hands, don’t touch your face if you can avoid it, and cough into your sleeve. And, if you begin

 

So there you have it. 

I don’t have all the answers, but if you choose to be empowered, to be a leader, to be of service, to be open, and to be brave, you will no doubt be better equipped to navigate the current landscape with Coronavirus COVID-19 in our midst. 

 

Have a FAB week!

 

Do you know how fabulous you are?!?

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Happy Friday!

And happy (almost!) International Women’s Day!

Today, and every day, I celebrate YOU.

Even though I hope we don’t need a special day to realise how fabulous we are.

(And you know what, I don’t necessarily want to exclude the men today. I really don’t think today should be about a battle of the sexes. There are so many incredible men who have supported, encouraged, cheered us on from the sidelines, and continue to do so…)

But it is a day to recognise the incredible achievements of women, and to empower each and every one of us to continue to go after our dreams, to help us see and believe that anything and everything is possible.

There have been some incredibly brave and extraordinary women in our history that paved the way. Women who believed in the power of their dreams. Women who didn’t take no for an answer. Women who were prepared to fight for what they truly wanted. Women who really did make things happen, despite their circumstances, their age, their sex, their naysayers, their sometimes extreme battles.

We’ve come so far.

And maybe we still have a long way to go.

But I think it’s time to focus less on what we don’t have, and more on what we do have.

And moreover, less about seeking external validation, and more about realising we have all the power to achieve whatever we want within.

It’s about being brave enough to be ourselves in a world that all too often wants us to be something else.

In past blogs around this time of year, I’ve spoken about how fabulous women are. And let’s be honest, we ARE!

If we’re lucky enough, we can give birth and create new life. We are mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, aunts, girlfriends, powerful professionals, caregivers… and sometimes all at the same time. We can rock it in anything from leather pants to yoga pants, from short cocktail dresses to jeans and a tee. We have big hearts. We nurture. From suffragettes to style icons, women inspire others to fight for their rights and go after their dreams. We have vision. We come from a place of love, compassion, and caring. We put others before ourselves. We have spirit. We have grit. We are beautiful. We have the power to bond pretty profoundly with one another. We take care of each other. When we see someone crying, we sit with her and find out what’s wrong and we comfort her. We have a natural ability to look after those needing comfort, support, love, friendship. We care. We are strong and capable yet gentle and kind. We come together and help each other. We are each other’s cheerleaders. Women fill up each other’s buckets. We can roar. We are brave and vulnerable and real. We can raise society up to a higher level by making value-based choices. And we women empower other fabulous women to step into their fabulousness.

Now you may not resonate with each and every idea above, but chances are you’re feeling you deserve a good ol’ pat on the back right about now.

And you DO! So go ahead, I’ll wait.

You really are pretty amazeballs. I hope you take a moment to realize it.

But you don’t need me to tell you that, your boss to tell you that, or the world to tell you that.

And we don’t need a special day to remind us of that.

You need to KNOW that. And believe it.

However, International Women’s Day is coming up. So take a moment to celebrate YOU this weekend. And take a moment to celebrate the other special women in your life, too. Reach out and tell them what they mean to you, and express how fabulous they truly are. And then reach out to the special men in your life, and let them know what their support means to you also.

And now, some fun and inspirational quotes from some pretty fabulous ladies:

“If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.” – Katharine Hepburn

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anais Nin

“If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.” – Margaret Thatcher

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” – Audrey Hepburn

 

Have a FAB week, you fabulous woman (or man!)

 

How to make miracles happen…

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Happy Friday!

There is something magical about newborn babies, isn’t there?

Yesterday, I got to hold a beautiful baby girl, a mere five days old. And three hours later (it’s amazing how the time just passes by…) I was still staring, still in awe at the miracle.

She stayed cozily asleep in my arms for most of it, save for a few moments where she would stretch, crinkle her face, yawn, or peek open her bright blue eyes, desperately trying to keep them awake, but ultimately giving in to her tired little self. 

Her tiny fingers, her soft skin, that newborn baby smell. 

You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if you tried! (And I have to admit, it made me pretty excited to hold my own little peanut one day…) 

There really is something magical about newborn babies. 

But even more magical is how this little miss came into the world.

One of my good friends and fellow fabulous female entrepreneur, has wanted to be a Mom for forever. 

She began the adoption process in 2011. 

She began her fertility journey the following year. 

And over the last nine years she has poured so much love, hope, fear, emotion – not to mention money – in trying to make her dream come true. 

She was ready to give up on more than one occasion. 

Almost did. 

And then one day everything changed… she found out she had one more shot, and she took it. Not without a whole new can of worms mind you, but she was willing to take that chance. 

By the power of determination, science, and sheer will, it came true. She found out she was going to have a baby.

And as her belly grew, so did her bravery. 

She was doing this on her own, figuring it out every step of the way, at 46 years old. 

When she first sent me a picture of her cuddling her baby daughter, her caption read: ‘Best decision I ever made.’

I cried. 

Yesterday she shared with me the moment she knew it was happening. After having just received the news she would have one more chance, she turned her head and spotted a quote she had posted on her wall:

If you want something badly enoughh, the universe will conspire to make it happen. 

I am so incredibly happy for her.

And I am so incredibly inspired by her bravery. 

 

It’s brave to declare to the Universe what it is you really want.

It’s brave to stay on the journey… through all the fears and tears and setbacks along the way. 

It’s brave to never give up on your dream. 

 

The world is a brighter place with this little one in it. 

And that, in my opinion, is a miracle.

And after what I shared last week, it confirms the true amazingness that is the circle of life.

I know what I would do if I were braver. And I’ve just begun the process…

 

What would YOU do if you were even braver?

 

If you really want something, I mean REALLY want something, and are prepared to do whatever it takes to make it happen, the Universe will conspire to make it so.

And whether it’s a new baby, a new idea, or a new you, it’s ready to be born.

And it, too, will make the world a brighter place. 

 

So, what would you do if you were braver? Go ahead and share it in the comments below… I dare you!

 

Have a FAB week!

 

What if, instead of leaving a legacy, you lived your legacy?

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Happy Friday! 

And a happy friday it is, too! The sun is out, glistening on the lake as I watch through the glass doors to my right. I have the soundtrack to Hamilton blasting in the background, and I’m smiling.

Last night I was lucky enough to go with my cousin to see the award-winning Musical, Hamilton. And O – M – G (and I don’t say that very often!) it was SOOO good!

Now I’m a sucker for musicals, it’s true. But this one was pretty darn special.

A historical depiction of the fascinating life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the story is told in a very modern fashion, combining hip hop with spoken word poetry with rap with traditional musical theatre styles to boot.

It truly is a masterpiece.

As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he was responsible for bringing the country out of debt, and established not only a centralized bank but also their own US national currency. He also wrote 59 essays defending the US Constitution, founded the Federalist Party, The United States Coast Guard, and the New York Post newspaper. Oh, and he was father to eight children… accomplishing an incredible amount before he was killed in a famous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr at age 47.

And even though he is the least known and spoken about of the Founding Fathers, you can’t hear his story without thinking about legacy. And rightfully so, as he certainly left one.

But it got me thinking. Does legacy have to be something we leave?

After finishing an amazing book last week, Everyday Legacy (which also happens to be written by my good friend and colleague Codi Shewan, and just launched this week – shameless plug I know!) I have a whole new perspective with respect to legacy.

His belief is that legacy isn’t something you leave, but something you live, and create every day of your life.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Your legacy doesn’t exist in what is written on your tombstone, but in the words of encouragement you utter, in the smiles you share with strangers, in the belly laughs you have with your girlfriends.

Every day you have an opportunity to live your legacy. In every interaction, in every conversation, in every pair of eyes you meet.

I received some very sad news last week, which is still very surreal and very raw. A very special family friend, one of my Dad’s best friend’s in fact (who subsequently became very near and dear to me, also…) has terminal cancer.

She has sent me a card on my birthday every year for the past, well, probably 30 years. Although she lives in the UK, never once has it arrived late. And I know she does the same for likely hundreds of others in her life. She has been a volunteer in the prisons for decades, is an incredible friend, wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver, and the most welcoming and amazing host you could ever imagine (I’ve never tasted Yorkshire pudding so delicious in all my life… and I don’t even like Yorkshire pudding!) 

I have never once heard her complain, nor have I ever not seen a smile on her face.

She is a perfect example of what it means to live a legacy. And with every day we are lucky enough to still have her with us, she will continue to do so.

Living your legacy is about living fully. Living with passion, and living with purpose.

 

How might you be living your life differently if each day you were aware of living your legacy?

 

Would it give you permission to try that thing you’ve always wanted to try?

Would it give you the courage to acknowledge your fear, stare it in the face, and take the first step in the direction of your dreams anyhow?

Would it give you an extra nudge to say yes before you felt ready to have that conversation, the very thought of which makes you uncomfortable?

 

That is what Codi means when he says everyday legacy.

And that is living brave.

 

This week I encourage you to take on this idea, and spend each day as though you truly are living your legacy.

And then please share what everyday legacy means to you, and how you’re going to start putting it into action in the comments below… it warms my heart every time I hear from you!

Have a FAB week!