Carol Schulte

Get your BRĀV on!

keynote speaker

Start With Why, and then STAND FOR Your Why. (Here’s why!)

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Happy Friday!

Having just completed the founding member launch to The Brave Society this past week, boy did I learn a ton.

First of all, putting yourself out there is NO JOKE!

Was it scary? Absolutely.
Was it easy? Not at all. 
Was it successful? Yes AND No!

See, success can be defined in many ways.

With respect to reaching my goal of number of sign-ups, not so much.
With respect to showing up and playing full out, learning a whole lot, and being super excited to now have an amazeballs group of women to experience this brave journey alongside with – I’d say I knocked it out of the park! ⚾️

While there is absolutely a whole lot I’d do differently, that simply means there is also a whole lot I learned.

Here are the 3 biggest insights gleaned:

 

1. STAND FOR Your Why. 👊

No doubt you’ve heard of Simon Sinek, and his incredible ‘Start with why’ concept. Indeed it’s very powerful. AND, sometimes you gotta take it a step further.

Once you’re clear on your ‘why’ (championing others or a cause, your family, financial independence…) you gotta be prepared to take a stand for it – and to get into ACTION. I chose to take a stand for you (hence the reason you may have been seeing more of me recently!) because I believe in this brave community, I believe in the brave models and concepts I teach, and I believe in you. 

 

2. LET GO! 

Again, putting yourself out there (and the fear that comes up when you do) is real! You’ll feel the fear on so many levels… will it flop, will it not, will it be well-received, will it – or I – be criticized… When you are ready and willing to play bigger, you also gotta be willing to LET GO!

To let go from expectations, from being attached to the desired outcomes, from caring about what people may think or say.

 

3. Celebrate the Win 🎉 of the EXPERIENCE!

Its not about the number of sign-ups.
It’s not about coming first place.
It’s not about whether your big idea is given the green light or not.

And it’s definitely not about how many people think you’re amazing or how many people think you’re crazy.

It really is about the experience. That’s the real win.

Because any time you do something new, something scary, something that asks you to really put yourself out there – it’s about the fact you did it at all! So the experience itself is the win, and the win deserves to be celebrated.

And with that, I encourage you – no, I DARE YOU! – to choose an area of your life where you’re ready to perhaps more bravely show up or play bigger – and choose one small step of action to take this week.

And then let me know what you take on, and how it goes in the comments below!

I continue to be so honoured & grateful to have you in my world.

xo,

Why your FEAR ZONE is actually a good place to be…

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Happy Friday!

So it turns out I had it wrong all along!

Well, sort of.

See, I used to think there were only three zones of human experience… and it turns out there are actually four.

And when it comes to fear, I’m being reminded that perhaps it’s not such a bad thing after all. In fact, it’s actually a GOOD THING – especially if you’re ready to learn, stretch and grow.

I would even go so far as to say you need to both embrace your fear and invite it in!

In this week’s video, I’ll share a new model with you so you’ll understand exactly what I mean. If you’re ready to push past your fear, you gotta watch it now!

So, are you ready to get out of your familiar zone, get your brave on, and step into your fear? After all, that is the only way you’ll get to the place of learning and then growth.

You are ready NOW!

I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below…

 

Have a FAB week,

Never save anything for the swim back…

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Yesterday morning I jumped in the lake for a quick dip, and then decided I’d go for an actual swim. (I’m up north at a cottage right now – soaking in my fave way to enjoy the Canadian summer – feeling pretty grateful!)

At first, I told myself I’d do 100 strokes in each direction. And as I was approaching the last stoke, I thought, why not just keep going? A little over 500m up ahead was a floating dock, with a bright yellow slide. So that became my new goal, my new target.

It reminded me of a powerful scene from the movie Gattaca, where two brothers – one who had been genetically modified before birth and physically ‘superior’ – replayed a ritual they used to do when they were younger. They would run into the ocean, and start swimming… to see who could go the furthest and outswim the other. And it was always Vincent, the genetically ‘inferior’ brother, who tested far less strong and able, who would win every time.

Once again, his brother Anton could no longer keep up and yelled ahead to Vincent to turn back. Struggling to get his words out amidst the crashing waves, he asked him how he did it. How he managed to do any of it – any of all he had achieved in his life… far surpassing anything that was ever expected of him.

“You want to know how I did it?” Vincent yelled back. “This is how I did it, Anton.
I never saved anything for the swim back.”

It was a powerful moment. (And watching this scene is far more powerful than I’m expressing here, believe me! In fact, the movie is worth the watch…) 

And it’s a powerful idea.

Never save anything for the way back. 

To me, this idea is all about giving it your all, going full out, and not worrying if you’re going to get there, how you’re going to get there, and what you’ll have left at the end of it.

It could also be interpreted as a warning not to jump ahead to what doesn’t even exist yet. As sometimes it’s the fear of what could be or the anxiety of what doesn’t yet exist, that prevents people from taking the first step – or stroke – at all.

And yet there’s no point spending energy in a future that does not yet exist!

It’s really about committing to the journey, taking it one step at a time, being willing to take the risk, and trusting you will figure it all out as you go. 

There have been numerous times where I have tip-toed – dipped in with only one foot – instead of diving in headfirst. And you know what? I never get where I want to go, nor do I receive the results I was hoping for.

I’ve come to realize it’s a form of self-sabotage. And it never serves me!

The truth is, whenever we’re trying something new, or embarking on a new project or goal of any sort, we’re never going to know exactly what it’s going to look like before we do it.

And moreover, we’re never going to know how we’re going to get there, and what we’re going to come up against in the process.

We’re not guaranteed to make it. We’re not guaranteed to succeed. We’re not guaranteed that it will look or feel as we’d hoped or envisioned it to be.

And yet, nothing is guaranteed in life.

If this global pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that life as we know it can change in a heartbeat. Life can be messy. And life is about living in the moment and doing our best to make the most of every moment.

Those were some of my thoughts during my swim this morning!

And here are some of my thoughts to hopefully inspire you this week:

  1. Take a risk and play all out
  2. Embrace (and enjoy!) the journey
  3. Don’t save anything for the way back 

Don’t be held back because you don’t know what every step of the process will look like.

Don’t worry about whether you will get there, how you will get there, or what it will look like when you do. 

And don’t allow fear of an outcome or a potential future that doesn’t yet exist hold you back!

I dare you to get your brave on this week and go for a “swim”… and not save anything for the way back.

(Let me know what you’re going to take on this week in the comments below, so I can cheer you on!)

 

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

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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. 

  1. Find something in your life, TODAY, to celebrate. 
  2. 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!

 

Would you be willing to take this leap? She was…

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I’m going to go out on a limb here, and bet you have no idea what you are truly capable of. 

I’ve seen it so many times before, and experienced it again so profoundly this week. 

For the first time since Covid-19 hit, I was lucky enough to get back to doing what I love, leading a small group of females on a leadership retreat (and in beautiful Kelowna to boot! First time traveling in over 3 months – and I have to say it felt good…)

And it never ceases to amaze me… seeing such extremely accomplished women not seeing in themselves what others – or what I – see in them. 

It was during one of our experiential activities this week – braving the ropes course and zip lines – this pattern showed up again. 

A few of them were admittedly pretty apprehensive. Either never having attempted a high ropes course before, or because heights was simply not their thing. Some were pretty fearful, reluctant to even put on a harness. 

Sometimes we need someone else to remind us of how capable we are, how amazing we are.
And sometimes we need an opportunity or an invitation to step into a bigger version of ourselves.

Here was an opportunity, and an invitation.

Try on the harness. Tighten the straps. Go through ground school. Practice letting go and being caught by your harness. Walk up to the first element. Connect to the belaying system. Take the first step up the ladder. Walk onto the platform. Attach yourself to the line. 

There was some emotion that arose, and there were some tears. 

And you know what?

Two brave ladies in particular – who were initially the most anxious, and also quite emotional – were two of the only ones who made it to the third and most challenging level of the entire course!

The truth is, all too often when you are facing something you’ve never done before, something that scares you, or something you’re not sure you can do – we let those feelings and fears get in our way of ever taking the first step.

Sometimes (in fact more than sometimes) I bet you underestimate yourself. 

Sometimes (in fact more than sometimes) I bet you haven’t felt ready or able to do the thing. 

And sometimes (in fact more than sometimes) I bet you’ve felt pretty darn amazing when you’ve pushed through the fear and done it anyway. 

You wouldn’t be human otherwise.

What sets those apart from being able to go further, to grow further, to push beyond their comfort zone and reach new heights, are those willing to be brave enough to take action in spite of their fear.

You may never feel ready before you try something for the first time. 

And yet the irony is, you’ll feel ready only after you’ve done the thing!

 

/BRĀV/:

Your willingness to get into action long before you feel ready, because you are choosing to feel ready enough.

 

Whenever you do anything new, it’s going to feel uncomfortable. 

And whenever you do anything that stretches you, that pushes you, that scares you… it’s going to feel uncomfortable. There’s no other way around it. 

And that is how you learn, you grow, and you achieve what you never thought possible.

Comfort and growth cannot co-exist.
And yet growth is required for real fulfilment.

The two ladies who were the most anxious going into the ropes course challenge, and chose to try it, to push through their fears, to keep going – were the ones who came out of the experience with the biggest smiles and the richest experience!

Now I’ll admit I make a pretty good cheerleader (and so if you’re looking for one, just say the word and I’ll be there with my pom poms in a heartbeat!) But you make an even better cheerleader for yourself. And I know she’s in there!

What have you been reluctant to try in your life? Perhaps it’s time to put on your harness, to face your first element, to take the first step up the ladder.

I dare you. 

And then please share with me what you’re going to take on in the comments below – and I shall get my pom poms ready!

 

Have a FAB week!

How to Be Brave Beyond COVID-19!

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Happy Friday!

Slowly stores are opening back up, parks are becoming packed with people, and we’re beginning to see signs of life again… finally!

And boy am I ready. Perhaps you are, too?!?

These have certainly been interesting and challenging times… I’ve certainly experienced my own ups and downs – and I know I’m not alone.

And while I have no idea what the new ‘normal’ will be (I do know, however, it won’t be the same ‘normal’ as before…) we do have a say in what our life could look like.

More specifically, when it comes to what we’ve enjoyed.

Is it working remotely?
The slower pace of life?
Dinner with the family every night?

As we begin to look beyond COVID-19, it’s up to you to start thinking about, and creating, what you want your ideal new normal to be.

And that may require you to be brave!

In this week’s video, I share 5 ways you can more bravely face this post-pandemic world… because although a lot may be out of your control, there is also a lot within your control.

Herein begs the question… what do you want to take with you as we move beyond COVID-19?

I hope you take a moment to recognize and celebrate the gifts that have come out of this time and be brave enough to keep some of those gifts in your life.

Because YOU get to choose.

So, which idea are you going to take on?

I challenge you to get your brāv on… and I want to hear from you in the comments below!

 

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