Celebration

Is it time to pop a little bubbly (or a fizzy soda?!?)

July 3, 2020 by Carol Schulte 1 Comment

Happy Friday!

Do you love yourself a good celebration?!?

I know I do!

And being on the heels of Canada 🇨🇦 Day, and on the eve of the 4th of July, it got me thinking about celebration.

I’m all about the excitement and the cheers and the pomp and circumstance… I’m that girl who brings balloons for every birthday no matter what age, always has sparklers at the ready, and literally a party and celebration storage box with crowns and noise makers and confetti to boot. You just never know when you’re going to need them!

While important days like our countries’ or our friends’ birthdays, or other exciting events like weddings and anniversaries are ripe for proper celebration, you don’t always need a special occasion in order to find a reason to celebrate.

In fact, if you wait only for said special day for a celebration, you’re going to be missing out on a whole lotta moments worth celebrating!

In my book (which I embarrassingly started writing YEARS ago! And one of these days will come out… mark my words!) one of the chapters is titled “It’s Tuesday! Time to break out the China!” And it’s all about the need to find moments and reasons to celebrate as much and as often as possible.

I see it all the time – with women especially – accomplishing big things, reaching their goals, getting their brave on a BIG way… and as soon as they do, they’re already looking ahead to the next thing!

Umm… hold on! You gotta take at least a moment or two to acknowledge how far you’ve come, recognize your progress, and celebrate your wins!

And every small step counts.

All too often we’re looking ahead to where we want to go next – what next milestone we want to hit, what next goal we want to crush, what next mountain we want to climb.

And, because we will never get ‘there’ (there will always be another milestone, goal, or mountain…) you really do need to take some time to acknowledge where you are right here, right now.

When was the last time you took the time to properly celebrate 🎉 something you’ve achieved, or a special moment in time?

One of the things I have the highly ambitious females I work with do, is to write out a celebrations list.

I have them sit in their fave coffee shop or cozy chair, beverage of choice in hand, and relaxing or inspiring music in the background (I often recommend epic soundtrack music… it really helps set the tone!) And ask them to set a timer for 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes to write out all you have accomplished, achieved, experienced. And I bet you’d be pretty darn impressed with yourself!

Just like bravery and love and laughter, celebration is contagious.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” ~ Oprah

We’re in a bit of a weird time. And we may not be able to celebrate in the way we’re used to.

Canada Day this year just wasn’t quite the same. (I’m ashamed to say I didn’t even wear my special red maple leaf t-shirt, which I keep especially for this day!) But I still took a moment to celebrate and reflect on how grateful I am to be Canadian. I had a picnic in one of the beautiful parks we have in the city. And I watched the CN Tower light show, and managed to catch some unexpected and very much appreciated fireworks from my balcony.

And, you don’t need fireworks to celebrate!

So, I have two small challenges for you this week.

Find something in your life, TODAY, to celebrate.
Choose how you are going to celebrate! Are you going to take a moment on your own, take a bubble bath, reflect in your journal, pop some bubbly, listen to your favourite song, order a double scoop of ice cream, eat some rich chocolate, sleep in?

Take a moment to acknowledge where you are, how far you’ve come, and all that lies ahead. Take a moment to truly celebrate this moment.

I DARE you.

Have a FAB week!

Before you bring on 2019, do this ONE thing.

December 29, 2018 by Carol Schulte 2 Comments

Photo by Tessa Rampersad on Unsplash

Happy Friday!

The Christmas music is still playing off in the distance.

The last morsels of turkey made for yet another delicious cold turkey lunch.

There are half-eaten boxes of chocolate in the pantry, an impressive amount of empty wine bottles, and the recycling boxes are full to the brim with cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, greeting card envelopes.

All evidence points to a lovely holiday of entertaining and enjoyment by all.

And that it was indeed.

And now we enter into this weird time when a part of you is likely still in festive mode, a part of you is back thinking about or diving deep into work, and yet another part of you is busy looking ahead and strategizing all for 2019.

I’m not quite sure where I am, but I did show up at my girlfriend’s house this morning in my Christmas onesie with breakfast pastries and one last gift, trying to hang onto this special holiday for as long as possible! (also learned a valuable lesson… if your gift requires batteries, you better be sure to have them in tow! Clearly an amateur!)

For me, this time of year has always been about spending time with friends and family and all loved ones, and likely always will be.

And so somehow I can justify my procrastination on the overflowing inbox and strategy sessions by surrounding myself in good company.

At the same time, however, my mind can’t help but wander to a few days from now, where I’ll likely be watching the ball drop, toasting with a glass of bubbly, and if I’m lucky enough enjoy a few kisses and cheers with some of the special people in my life.

And all of a sudden it will be a new year.

A new start.
A fresh opportunity.
A blank page.

And as much as I love thinking and dreaming up all the possibilities for the year ahead, I also tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to have all of these ambitious goals figured out and planned out exactly what it is I want my year to look like before it’s even arrived.

Well, I’m not quite there yet.
And you may not be, either.
And that’s okay.

Because before we jump ahead to dreaming and scheming up the sensational storm that will be 2019, it’s important to do this ONE THING:

Pause and Reflect.

It sounds simple enough, but it’s not always easy.

All too often we’re in a rush to get to the next thing before reflecting on what just happened.

We experience a breakup, and we’re back on line or swiping left looking for a new mate within days (or even hours!)

We arrive home from a trip, and before we’ve even unpacked we’re thinking about the next one.

We leave our job or position for whatever reason, and we’re jumping into a new project or applying for a new position almost immediately.

When was the last time you took the time to actually pause and reflect on what just happened? On your learnings? On how your perspective may have shifted? On what you want to be different next time? On what worked, and what didn’t?!?

Before we look ahead to 2019 – and all we want to experience, achieve, and feel – let’s first take some time to properly pause and reflect on this past year.

Now there are lots of questions out there and journal prompts and workbooks available for you to complete, but the last thing I want to do is add another something to your to-do list.

So I’m sharing 10 questions with you here… of which you may choose to answer all or one or even none. There is no right or wrong, nor does it matter if you answer with fancy gel pens in a fancy new journal, or simply in your head while enjoying a bubble bath. But I do suggest you at least read the following… as even doing just that will allow you to pause and begin the reflection process.

(And then stay tuned, as next week I’ll be offering my annual ‘Intentions, Resolutions, & Goals, OH MY!’ workshop to get clear on all we want in 2019. Good news? It’s going to be taking place ON LINE… so all y’all can join! *Registration opening soon.)

Reflection Questions for 2018:

What are your BIG celebrations?
What were your proudest accomplishments?
What were the highlights? Lowlights?
What is the most important lesson(s) you learned?
What do you want more of? Less of?
Where were you playing smaller than you know you could have?
Who were the big cheerleaders and supporters in your life? (and how will you acknowledge them?)
How did you stretch yourself to live BIG in 2018?
What do you need to let go of in order to live even bigger in 2019?
Who did you need to become to get here, and who do you need to grow into to get where you want to go?

May you take a moment to properly reflect on 2018… all that it was, and all that it wasn’t. All you experienced, and all you learned. How you grew and who you became.

Take a moment – if only a moment – to pause and reflect, celebrate, grieve, acknowledge, accept.

(And then please share some of your reflections in the comments below! I want to share in them with you.)

And when you do, you truly will be ready to ring in, and bring on 2019.

May it be all you desire and more.

xo,

P.S. THANK YOU for being an important part of my year… your reading, following, supporting, and commenting means more than you know. And I continue to be honoured and grateful to be in this together…

Cheers to continuing on the journey in 2019!

25 Easy Ways to Make More Merry This Holiday Season!

December 14, 2018 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

Happy Friday!

Still on a high from an incredible CAPS convention in beautiful Vancouver, BC, learning and connecting with fellow speakers from all over the world… however there is no rest for the wicked, especially at this time of year!

After a serious leak from the condo above, I’ve had all new floors and baseboards put in, and the whole place repainted. So I’ve had no home for a few weeks (thank goodness I do love hotels!) and was finally able to move back in. Just in time, too, as I’m co-hosting a Christmas party tonight for the amazing Dovetail community of female entrepreneurs, and throwing a tacky Christmas sweater party for other friends and colleagues tomorrow night… because, well, why not?!?

I do love this exciting season, however perhaps you can relate to the to-do lists taking on a life of their own?

So I’m reminding myself, and you, to take a moment to slow down, and connect with what this season is really about.

And as I’m all about small, do-able, fun activities that can make a BIG difference both for you and for others, and we’re now knee deep into this festive season, I have some ideas for you!

Here are 25 easy ways to add a little extra merry and joy to you and yours and others this holiday season:

Make a snow angel ❄👼❄ (ideally right on the sidewalk for all to see!)
Donate to your local food bank or fill a Shoebox for The Shoebox Project
Send yourself a Christmas Card 📭 (why not?!?) and then give your postman (or postwoman!) a card while you’re at it
Buy yourself a poinsettia
Shovel a neighbour’s driveway or sidewalk
Invent a Christmas Cocktail
Spend a day in your robe and just do nothing
Buy coffee for the person behind you in line ☕
Get a sparkly festive manicure 💅
Go to the movies to watch a vintage holiday classic 📽 (or stay in your jammies and watch Love Actually!)
Learn a Christmas tune on the ukulele or the nose flute (talk to me if you’ve never heard of the nose flute, and I’ll introduce you to my good friend David Gouthro, who also happens to be the founder of the Vancouver Nose Flute Ensemble!)
Treat yourself to a comfy onesie… be it a cheesy Christmas themed one or a snuggie!
Go to a fancy store, and try on a ridiculously expensive fuzzy, furry item… just ‘cause! (Or go to Value Village and buy a tacky Christmas sweater!)
Build a Snowman ☃
Visit your local Children’s hospital or hospice and enjoy some meaningful moments
Buy chocolates for an old teacher, a mentor, or yourself
Go ice skating ⛸ or tobogganing 🛷 !
Put on a pair of reindeer antlers and walk around town as if all is normal.(Maybe even make some ‘neeeiiigghh’ sounds!)
Indulge in an obnoxiously large and fancy hot chocolate or other holiday beverage (I’m talking like Venti Gingerbread Latte styles!)
Bond with a stranger and turn them into a friend
Spend some time out in nature. Go for a walk and if you’re lucky to have snow where you are, listen to the crunch sound under your feet as you walk
Bake cookies 🍪
Make an easy holiday craft (I always found reindeer candy canes the easiest!)
Get a few friends or neighbours together and go Christmas Caroling 🔔
Crank up the 🎶 Christmas tunes 🎵 while driving, while cooking, or whenever… and get your belt on!

Lots of ideas there… I hope you take on just ONE this week!

And then please do share your stories below ~ and also feel free to add your ideas to the list! Always on the lookout for new fun things to do.

Remember, it’s not about simply adding more to your to-do list, rather to offer a fun respite of sorts, and get re-connected with what this holiday season is really about.

Have a FAB time making merry this week!

P.S. My friend Warren Leppik at Cognition Productions made a holiday card on my behalf for y’all… check it out HERE!

Raise Your Glass! It’s Time To Celebrate!

June 9, 2017 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

My week in pics: Learning how to make the perfect Mate (a BIG part of the Argentinian culture), exploring the city and hanging out with my new friend I met on the airplane, walking tour of Buenos Aires (and going to the famous grave of Eva Perón, aka Evita!), getting dressed up to go to a famous Speak Easy to celebrate some birthdays, which are all the rage here!

Raise Your Glass! It’s Time To Celebrate!

Happy Friday!

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE finding an excuse to celebrate! Birthdays, anniversaries, because it’s Friday, or JUST BECAUSE! And no, you are never too old for balloons!

Well today, we’re going to talk about celebrating, and the importance of it! And moreover I’m going to share 3 reasons as to why we don’t always take the time to celebrate, and 3 ideas how we can change that!

Enjoy!

(transcript below)

Have a FAB week!

P.S. Are you ready to ‘Unleash Your Powerful Woman Within?!?‘ There are still a few tickets left for our event in Toronto on Monday! JOIN US!

TRANSCRIPT:

Happy Friday!

I’m Carol Schulte, and welcome to my Happy Friday video blog.

Today is all about celebration!

Why? Well, it’s Friday, I happen to love celebrating, and it just so happens to be the celebrating BIG day in the 5-Day Living Big challenge!

You see, I love a good excuse to celebrate. Birthdays, anniversaries, and I also love balloons! (And I believe you can celebrate with balloons at any age!)

But I also don’t think we necessarily have to wait for special occasions to celebrate. In fact, I would argue you can find a reason to celebrate each and every day, if you choose to see it that way.

So why is it that so many of us have a hard time taking the time to celebrate?

Today, I’m going to share with you three reasons why, and three ideas how we can conquer them.

As my friend and colleague Nina Spencer writes in her book describing her experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, ‘Sometimes you can’t see the mountain when you’re already on the mountain.’ Which means, sometimes when you’re so busy doing what you’re doing, you’re not able to take that bird’s eye view and look at how far you’ve already come. It’s good to be focused on where you want to go, however also we need to celebrate where we’ve come from and all we’ve already accomplished.

We’re really good at saying ‘I will celebrate when.’ When I get there, once I’ve done that, once I’ve reached that goal, or met the man, or had children… then, then, THEN I can celebrate. We’re always waiting for that next big milestone before we can celebrate, instead of recognizing we already have so much to celebrate, right where we are right here. So make sure you take the time to recognize that, celebrate that!

Sometimes we get so caught up in looking around at what everyone else is doing, that all of a sudden our achievement or accomplishment doesn’t seem so great anymore. So be careful of that. Don’t compare where you are to someone else’s middle or even end game. If you’ve conquered an action, if you’ve done something you’ve set out to do, celebrate that! Don’t look at what everybody else is doing, it doesn’t matter! After all, they’re not on your journey.

So today I challenge you to find something to celebrate. And however you choose to do it, whether you get some balloons, or you get out a glass of your fave bevvy (don’t worry, it’s just water, I’m still working!) or you want to write out a celebrations list, do something to celebrate who you are and where you are right now.

This is actually something we do every Friday in The Tribe, and I’m excited to do that later on with them. I want you to stay tuned because on Monday I’m going to be sending out a very special invitation for you to join The Tribe.

It’s an amazing and powerful group where you get the accountability, the support, and the inspiration you need to continue to go after your dreams and make them happen. And furthermore, to live your biggest life!

So, it is celebration time!

Happy Friday, have a wonderful weekend, and if you have someone in your life who you think would benefit from this video, please share it with them!

And until next time, don’t forget to dream big, play big, and live big.

Carol

We all need a tribe. Got yours? 3 Ways to find, or build, your tribe.

May 26, 2017 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

We all need a tribe. Got yours? 3 ways to find, or build, your tribe.

Happy Friday!

Hard to believe I’ve been home for a week now… it’s almost as though I never left! To be honest, it’s kind of comforting. Nothing really changes.

And although it’s been a busy week, preparing for two exciting presentations for the Association of Public Sector Professionals and the International Association of Administrative Professionals, a Women Living Big Habitat for Humanity Build, and lots of fun fam jam and friend catch up time, I’ve loved every minute of it.

Why? Because I love being surrounded by my special peeps. I love being surrounded by amazing folks that I love and that love me. I love being surrounded by my ‘tribe.’

Human beings need human connection. We’re social creatures. And we all desire to be around people who accept us, who ‘get’ us, and who love us unconditionally no matter what.

And that’s what this week’s video it all about!

Watch it here:

Which of these three ideas are you going to take on this week? And why does it matter to YOU to be a part of a Tribe? Share your comments below or over at my YouTube channel! And be sure to SUBSCRIBE

AND, please feel free to share with other people in your life!

Have a FAB week!

TRANSCRIPT:

HAPPY FRIDAY! I’m Carol Schulte, and welcome to another video edition of my Happy Friday blog.

And greetings as I come to you live on location from our Women Living Big Habitat for Humanity Build.

Last week Iguazu, Argentina, this week Ontario, Canada! Yes, this jet-setter is pretty fortunate. However I have to say even more fortunate than being able to travel? Having a network, a community, a tribe I can come home to.

Although it’s been a busy week ~ preparing for my talk yesterday in Ottawa for the Association of Public Sector Information Professionals ~ and more prep for the workshop I’m delivering for the International Association of Administrative Professionals on Saturday, today’s build (not to mention some much needed fam jam and friend catch up time!) I have to say I’ve been loving every minute of it. Why? Because I’ve been surrounded be some pretty amazing peeps.

Human beings are social creatures.

And our number one desire is to belong… to something. A group, a community, a tribe.

We all want to know there are people that ‘get’ us. We want to know there are people who have our backs. We want to know there are people who will love us regardless of what we look like, what we’ve done, or what we’ve said.

Now I know I’ve written before about the importance of having a ‘Positive Peeps Posse,’ and so today I want to expand on this idea, and offer three simple strategies for you to start finding, or building, your own tribe.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People.

As Oprah says, ‘Surround yourself only with those who life you higher.’ This may mean doing a personal audit and getting honest with yourself, and it may mean having to let some people go that are no longer serving you. Sometimes it’s more important to subtract, then to add to your current network.

Put Yourself Out There.

It can be intimidating to join new groups, attend events where you may not know very many people, introduce yourself to folks you don’t yet know. And yet sometimes that’s exactly what you gotta do to find your peeps. And I truly believe in the idea: There are no such thing as strangers, only friends you haven’t met.

Become a cheerleader, a raving fan, and treasure your peeps.

Before I went on Remote Year, I had a pretty jam-packed schedule attending events and meetings left, right, and center. People used to tell me I was crazy! Perhaps I am. However I LOVE people, and I love supporting people who are going after their dreams and are up to big things. You have to first offer support, if you are also looking for support in return. And we all need it.

And, treasure those people who are already important people in your life. Reach out to them regularly, Remember not only birthdays, but also important events, milestones, anniversaries. Take the time to let those important people in your life know how much they really matter to you.

So there you have it. Surround yourself with like-minded people, put yourself out there, and become a cheerleader, a raving fan, and treasure your people.

If you have someone in your life you think would benefit from this video, please share it with them! And let’s keep the conversation going. Which idea are you going to take on this week?

Share your ideas in the comments below.

And until next time, I’m Carol Schulte coming to you live from the Women Living Big Habitat for Humanity Build, surrounded and humbled by 22 powerhouse women. And don’t forget to keep dreaming big, playing big, and living big.

Who is in YOUR tribe? And if you don’t have one yet, who is one person you’d like in yours? Perhaps you may even want to reach out to them today!

Have a FAB week!

Carol

10 Ways to celebrate today… just ’cause!

March 11, 2016 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

My week in pics (and selfies!): Daybreaker event, (dancing at 7am!) Intl Women’s Day event & meeting Dr. Ginger Grant, One Red Lipstick Book Launch!, Selfie with CAPS National President Deri Latimer after listening to her speak, going to see Kinky Boots, speaking for WINGS, an amazing new women’s empowerment group.

10 Ways to Celebrate TODAY… just ‘cause!

This week I bought myself a lovely little bouquet of tulips. I was walking by a store I’ve never been to before, saw buckets of bouquets in various colours outside, and where I normally would have continued on my merry way, I stopped. At first I noticed all of the colours and smiled, and then continued on. A few steps down the road, I turned around and went back. Why not indulge in some for myself?!?

I remember a few years ago I told myself I wanted to buy fresh flowers every week. I’ll admit, it didn’t last very long! And although I don’t do it regularly by any means, whenever I do, it always brings me joy.

Sometimes those small acts can make a big difference.

Sometimes it’s fun to do a little something to celebrate the moment. For no other reason than just because.

I don’t think we take the time to celebrate enough. And beyond those special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, other achievements and milestones (which I certainly love to do in a big way!) – there is reason to celebrate every day if you choose to see it that way.

Celebrate how far you’ve come. Celebrate how far you want to go. Celebrate the small wins. Celebrate just because.

Need some easy ideas of how you can celebrate today? Here you go!

1. Buy yourself flowers.

(I bet they will make you smile!)

2. Celebrate someone else.

Nominate someone you admire for an award. Give a random shout out. Write a friend a love note.

3. Spoil yourself.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Do you like chocolate? Ice cream? Purses? Ties? Treat yourself to a little gift… just ’cause. You deserve it!

4. Try something new.

Is there an exotic fruit you’ve always wanted to try? A new dish? A new bold colour you’d like to try on? I dare you!

5. Have a little dance party for one.

Put on Celebration, or your favourite dance song, and get a little jiggy on. Right there at your desk or wherever you may be sitting (and if you have an open concept office, or are at a coffee shop, all the better! Those around you will want to know what’s going in and will join in the celebration in no time!)

6. Say cheers to yourself over your fave bevvy.

Be it a fancy tea, a latte, or a glass of bubbly. Indulge. Cheers!

7. Break out the china.

Why not? Today is as good as any to create a special celebration. Or, if you’re like me and don’t have china (yet!), break out a fancy dish or a cup. Or set the table more elaborately and swanky than normal.

8. Write yourself a love letter.

As you recall, last week I wrote a letter to my younger self. You can try that, or you can write a letter to yourself as you are today. Let yourself know how amazing you are!

9. Write a list of your celebrations.

When was the last time you listed out all of your accomplishments and achievements? You can look back over your year, or go as far back as you want… chances are you’ll be surprised and pretty darn proud of how far you’ve come and all you’ve done.

10. Take someone (or yourself!) out on a date.

I’ve done this on more than one occasion. And although the first few times I felt a little self-conscious about it, I actually really enjoy it! It makes me feel confident and strong.

So, how are YOU going to celebrate today?

There are reasons to celebrate every day if you choose to see them. So why not break out the china, just ‘cause? (Click to tweet it out!)

Have a FAB week!

How are you going to choose to celebrate today? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Is it time to pop a little bubbly (or a fizzy soda?!?)