Category Archives: Coaching

Making This Year Different: Why Accountability is Key to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on by
Reply

The New Year is a time for fresh starts. It’s a symbolic moment when people across the globe turn the page to begin anew, motivated by a sense of optimism and the possibility of change. Many set New Year’s resolutions, eager to improve themselves or their circumstances in the coming year. The idea is simple: the calendar flips, and so should our habits, health, or personal growth. But let’s face it—this isn’t the first time you’ve thought about making a change. It’s not even the first time you’ve vowed to start fresh. Yet, you may have found that those resolutions tend to fade long before the year ends.

You’ve set goals in the past: lose weight, get fitter, save more money, or finally read that book you’ve been meaning to. And each time, you had the best intentions. But by February, you’re back in the same routine, and the resolution feels like a distant memory. The cycle of good intentions and eventual disappointment is so common that it’s almost expected. But here’s the good news: this year can be different.

Why Resolutions Fail: The Common Pitfalls

Research shows that approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February (U.S. News & World Report, 2019). The most common reasons? Unrealistic goals, lack of clear planning, and the challenge of forming lasting habits. For example, making an ambitious goal like “I will lose 30 pounds in one month” is often set up for failure, because it’s both unrealistic and unsustainable. Instead of setting yourself up for inevitable disappointment, it’s crucial to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals.

Another common trap is the lack of a concrete plan. Simply saying “I want to get healthier” isn’t enough. Without clear actions or steps—such as committing to exercise three times a week, cooking more at home, or tracking food intake—it’s easy to get sidetracked. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that people are more likely to succeed when they break their goals into smaller, actionable steps.

Perhaps the biggest reason resolutions falter is the failure to build habits. It takes time and consistency to change behaviors, and it’s difficult to stay motivated without support. This is where an accountability partner comes in.

The Power of Accountability

Accountability is a game-changer when it comes to sticking to New Year’s resolutions. An accountability partner can help keep you on track, offer encouragement during tough times, and hold you responsible for your goals. The concept of accountability has been studied extensively and proven to increase the likelihood of success. According to research from Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before, accountability partners are one of the most effective ways to ensure that new habits stick.

The benefits of accountability are well-documented. Studies show that when people know someone else is watching and supporting their progress, they are more likely to follow through. A study published in The Journal of Applied Psychology found that people who made public commitments were more likely to achieve their goals, because of the social pressure and desire to avoid disappointing others.

An accountability partner acts as both a motivator and a reality check. This person doesn’t have to be someone who shares your exact goals. It could be a friend, family member, colleague, or even a coach. Their role is to check in on your progress regularly, encourage you when you’re feeling discouraged, and hold you accountable for your actions. This added layer of external motivation helps keep you aligned with your resolutions, especially when the going gets tough.

How to Find the Right Accountability Partner

The key to a successful accountability partnership is choosing someone who is supportive, trustworthy, and invested in your success. Ideally, this person should be someone you respect and feel comfortable confiding in. They don’t need to have the same goals as you, but they should be committed to helping you stay on track.

In addition, it’s important to set clear expectations for your partnership. How often will you check in with each other? Will you meet weekly, monthly, or communicate online? Be specific about what you need from each other. Are you seeking advice, motivation, or just someone to listen? Once the ground rules are set, you’ll both be on the same page and more likely to achieve your goals.

Making This Year Different

This year, instead of relying solely on willpower to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, consider adding an accountability partner to the mix. Research shows that this simple step can dramatically improve your chances of success. By setting realistic goals, creating actionable steps, and involving someone who cares about your progress, you increase the likelihood that your resolutions will stick—not just for a few weeks, but for a lifetime. So, why not make this year the year that really changes? Find your accountability partner, set your goals, and watch how far you can go.

How to invest your way to a bigger home deposit

Posted on by
Reply

The housing market is not friendly to would-be buyers without help from mum and dad. So many are turning to the sharemarket for help.

Sophie MacPherson, 25, has been investing since she picked up a copy of The Barefoot Investor as a teenager and thought she ought to “dip a toe in”.

After eight years, she plans to use some of it for a home deposit.

MacPherson, who is a policy officer in Sydney, is among the growing number of young people turning to the sharemarket to turbocharge their savings in the hope they will make enough for a house deposit.

The combination of (until recently) lacklustre wage growth, higher rents and soaring home values make keeping up with property price growth a Sisyphean task for those trying to break into the market.

MacPherson was investing monthly into exchange-traded funds in 2022. Although she has stepped it back recently to chase high interest in her savings account, she still has about 50 per cent of her money in shares.

“Ideally, I wouldn’t liquidate my entire portfolio to buy a property, but I would liquidate some to help form a deposit,” MacPherson says, admitting it’s tricky to manage her HECS debt while breaking into Sydney’s “crazy” property market. So, she thinks it’s likely she’ll have to tap her investments.

“If the right property came up towards the end of this year or next year, we would definitely be open to putting an offer on something like that.”

Here is a guide to investing if you want to buy a property within one year, a couple of years or in a decade’s time.

Within a year

This timeframe is too short for investing in financial markets, says Melody Edwards, a financial adviser at Evalesco.

“The chance of losing capital over that amount of time is considerable,” she says. “So unless you’re flexible on your purchase date, to the extent you can ride through something happening, you really want to keep it more secure savings.”

HSBC head of investments Donahue D’Souza agrees that the amount of risk you can take on is tied closely to your timeframe.

“An investment horizon of up to two years is typically seen as short term, medium term is three to five and long term is greater than five years.”

A one-year timeframe is very short for the sharemarket, so if you’re planning to buy soon, cash is your friend, D’Souza says.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your money work hard.

Canstar analysis finds a person with $100,000 who put it into a high-interest saving account earning 5 per cent, and deposited $1000 a month, would earn $5018 in interest in 2025.

That means the deposit will grow to $117,018 over the 12 months, even accounting for forecast interest rate cuts in May, July, August and November (as forecast by Westpac).

Someone with a $150,000 savings balance would reach $169,401 over the same period if they contributed the same $1000 a month, while someone with $200,000 would have $221,784.

The First Home Super Saver Scheme, in which borrowers can withdraw up to $50,000 of voluntary superannuation contributions, is another option and offers some tax benefits, as savings within super are taxed at only 15 per cent.

In two to three years

If you’re thinking of buying within two years, you’d still be largely in high-interest savings accounts, says Edwards.

But once you reach three years, you may consider adding a small portion of investments, such as diversified or exchange-traded funds. “You’d probably still be 75 per cent to 80 per cent in cash,” she adds.

D’Souza agrees liquid and defensive assets – those that are less likely to lose value – should still be front-of-mind in this scenario.

“Typically, these types of investments would include high interest and bonus interest savings accounts, term deposits and government bonds, if prepared to collect coupon payments and hold to maturity,” he says.

In three to five years

You have a little more room to play here, but still not a lot.

“You’re probably opening up a bit more in terms of adding growth,” says Edwards. “With three to five years, you would start increasing the growth allocation towards 50 per cent, but you’d try to diversify it as much as possible.”

That is, you’re not putting it all into just Australian banking shares, or US tech shares.

“Especially if the amounts are smaller, in terms of the regular savings that you’re putting into your investments, the easiest way to diversify would be to track an index and that’s the most cost-effective as well. Something like [an ETF tracking the ASX or the S&P500] is something we’d look at, or a diversified growth ETF that might mix the different indices as well.”

For example, ETF providers such as Vanguard offer products based on risk tolerance. Vanguard’s diversified conservative index ETF is described as medium risk, with a three year-plus timeframe.

Its diversified balanced ETF is also medium risk, but has a timeframe of five years-plus.

Others, such as its diversified growth ETF are considered high to very-high risk, and so it recommends holding them for at least seven years.

In 10 years

It’s not uncommon for Edwards to meet clients who want to buy further than five years out, particularly if they want a house rather than a unit, or they have quite a specific property goal.

For that saver, the first step is building up a three- to six-month buffer of living expenses. This is because these savers will invest much more in growth assets, such as shares, which they don’t want to draw down upon for a long time.

“Once that buffer is built, it’s about deploying 70 to 80 per cent of their wealth into growth assets. The rest will be in cash or fixed income,” says Edwards.

Those growth investments will still be in broad ETFs or index funds.

You have a bit more time now, so you can afford to take more risk as you have longer for the market to recover, agrees D’Souza.

“This portfolio is mainly growth-oriented with increased exposure to equities, global equities, and thematic plays.

“Given the higher risk, investors will likely use active ETFs and leverage the expertise of a financial adviser or fund manager to actively manage and adjust the portfolio exposures to increase returns and actively manage the risk,” he says.

If you’ve got a 10-year timeframe, you may consider adding an element of leverage to your investment strategy.

ETF provider Betashares launched a suite of products this year called Wealth Builder ETFs. These products track an index and are leveraged at a range of 30 to 40 per cent, meaning that for every $100 invested, the investor is granted $143 to $167 worth of exposure to the related index.

Betashares says $10,000 invested in the ASX200 from September 2010 to March 2024 would have grown to $30,400, but if that same sum was leveraged at a loan-to-value ratio of 30 to 40 per cent, it would have grown to $37,400.

But, notes Edwards, any time you introduce gearing, you increase risk. “That would be something where you only put in as much as you are comfortable to lose, over that short-term period,” she says.

How do I split it?

It’s not a simple matter of transferring, say, half of your savings into ETFs in one fell swoop, says Edwards.

Instead, you need to figure out what you’re trying to achieve for your deposit and then work backwards.

She gives this example: “Let’s say the starting point is $50,000 and the target is $100,000 deposit and the timeframe is five years – to save the $50,000 you would need to put aside about $192 per week into a savings account.

“A way to potentially grow your savings would be to invest a portion of these funds, keeping sufficient funds as an emergency buffer. We typically target three to six months.

“If your annual living expenses are $60,000, keep $30,000 as your buffer and start your investment with $20,000 and then with your regular savings, direct 50 per cent to savings and 50 per cent into investments.”

If you’re starting with $100,000, and plan to invest a larger amount, say $70,000, she says it’s worth considering dollar cost averaging over four months (so $17,500 in each instalment) to minimise market timing risk.

“We would usually look at dollar cost averaging between three and six months depending on the amount invested and your comfort level. Usually, the more to invest, but less familiar with investments would take over a longer period.”

Although she’s used a five-year timeframe, she says this buyer would have to be comfortable extending their purchase date if markets were to drop and fail to recover within that span.

“The big question [for people trying to save a deposit is] what is the timeframe and what are you looking at to buy?” Edwards says.

“The answers to those questions will help guide us around what’s reasonable, and what might require a little bit more work.”

by Lucy Dean in AFR 03/01/2025

Instinct vs. Intuition: Decoding Nature’s Reflexes and the Mind’s Wisdom

Posted on by
Reply

Human decision-making often hinges on two powerful yet distinct forces: instinct and intuition. While they may seem similar, they originate from entirely different aspects of our being. Understanding these forces not only sheds light on our behaviors but also empowers us to make more informed and balanced decisions. Here, we’ll explore five key distinctions between instinct and intuition, highlighting how each plays a unique role in our lives.

1. Origin: Nature vs. Experience

At its core, instinct is a biological inheritance. It is hardwired into us to ensure survival, such as the instinct to pull our hand back from a hot stove or the fight-or-flight response to danger. These responses are embedded in our DNA and shared across species.

In contrast, intuition stems from subconscious processing of our accumulated experiences and knowledge. It is not something we are born with but something we develop over time. For example, a seasoned entrepreneur might “just know” when a business deal feels off. That gut feeling comes from years of learning, pattern recognition, and subconscious analysis.

2. Consciousness: Automatic vs. Awareness-Driven

Instinct operates on autopilot, bypassing conscious thought entirely. It is an immediate, automatic reaction to stimuli, ensuring quick responses in critical moments. For example, flinching when something suddenly moves toward you is an instinctive response.

On the other hand, intuition involves subtle awareness. It is not as immediate as instinct and requires a moment of internal processing. Intuition often manifests as a quiet whisper or a gut feeling that guides decision-making. While it may not demand conscious thought, it is deeply influenced by our subconscious mind and emotional intelligence.

3. Universality: Shared vs. Personal

Instincts are universal across species. They are the same for everyone and follow predictable patterns, such as the maternal instinct to protect offspring or the instinct to seek shelter during a storm. These behaviors are consistent because they are evolutionarily programmed for survival.

Intuition, however, is highly personal. It varies greatly from person to person, depending on their individual life experiences, knowledge, and perceptions. For instance, a musician might intuitively recognize the right note to play in a melody, while a chef might instinctively know when a dish needs more seasoning.

4. Complexity: Simple Reactions vs. Holistic Insights

Instinct is straightforward and specific. Its simplicity is its strength, as it enables quick and decisive actions. For instance, hunger is an instinctive drive that signals the need to eat, ensuring we sustain ourselves.

In contrast, intuition is more complex and multi-faceted. It integrates diverse pieces of information—sometimes without us realizing it—into a cohesive insight. Imagine walking into a room and instantly sensing tension between people. This intuitive awareness arises from subtle cues like body language and tone of voice, processed subconsciously into a holistic understanding of the situation.

5. Timeframe of Development: Innate vs. Learned

Instinct is present from birth or develops naturally without the need for learning. A baby instinctively cries to signal discomfort, and animals instinctively know how to hunt or migrate. These behaviors require no training.

Intuition, by contrast, is cultivated over time. It grows stronger with experience and learning. For instance, a firefighter develops an intuitive sense of danger in a burning building through years of exposure to similar situations. This ability is not innate but honed through practice and reflection.

Bringing It All Together

While instinct and intuition often work in tandem, understanding their differences can help us use them more effectively. Instinct is our primal safeguard, reacting quickly to protect us from harm. It keeps us grounded in the physical world. Intuition, on the other hand, is our subtle guide, offering deeper insights that draw from our personal experiences and subconscious wisdom.

Imagine facing a critical decision. Instinct might urge you to flee a threatening situation, while intuition could provide nuanced guidance, helping you navigate the challenge more strategically. Recognizing when to rely on instinct and when to trust intuition is a skill that can transform how we approach life’s complexities.

By decoding these natural forces, we gain the ability to align with both our biological heritage and our learned wisdom, creating a balance between survival and self-awareness. Instinct keeps us alive, but intuition helps us thrive.

Which will you listen to today—nature’s reflex or the mind’s wisdom?

The Invisible Bridge to the Future: Are You Ready to Walk It?

Posted on by
Reply

For centuries, the way spiritual energy flows between the inner and outer worlds has been a mystery, guarded by spiritual masters and hidden places of power. But the tides of change are upon us—shifts are happening, and long-dormant energies are awakening. Are you ready to step into the unknown and help shape the future?

The unseen forces at work in our universe are not mere fantasy; they operate with a precision akin to science. These energy flows connect us to the deeper currents of life, influencing the patterns of existence in ways we’re only beginning to understand. As this ancient wisdom resurfaces, it invites us to harness its potential—not just for ourselves, but for the greater good of humanity.

The Awakening of Dormant Powers

The world is undergoing a profound transformation. Places of power, long silent, are reactivating, and their latent energies are beginning to flow. To engage with these changes, we must first understand them. This isn’t about returning to an exclusive knowledge reserved for mystics; it’s about reclaiming what belongs to all of us—a heritage of esoteric wisdom that is as old as humanity itself.

This awakening has the power to reshape the world. The energy it carries isn’t just a tool for personal growth or spiritual awakening—it’s a force for collective evolution. It’s about stepping beyond self-centered goals and aligning with a broader purpose. The question is, will you embrace this call to action or resist the changes it brings?

Crossing the Threshold of Fear

Transitions are never easy. At every juncture in history, there are those who welcome change and those who cling to the familiar. To truly contribute to this new era, we must free ourselves from the grip of fear and conditioning. It requires courage to step into the unknown, but the reward is profound: the chance to participate in shaping a future that benefits all life.

This work isn’t confined to mystics or spiritual leaders. It’s for anyone willing to look beyond the surface and connect with the deeper rhythms of life. The task at hand is immense—bridging the gap between the inner and outer worlds, between the spiritual and the material. But it’s also vital. The patterns we set now will define the coming age.

Building the Bridge Between Worlds

At the heart of this transformation is a bridge—a connection between the visible and invisible realms. This isn’t some ethereal fantasy of rainbow colors and mystic visions. It’s a tangible structure, grounded in the physical world but infused with the essence of the inner worlds.

This bridge is nearly complete, and when it is, it will transform how humanity interacts with the unseen forces of the universe. Accessible to all, it will nourish our collective spirit in ways previously unimaginable. No longer will we depend on intermediaries like priests or shamans to access higher realms. This connection will be personal, direct, and universal.

Finding Your Individual Connection

For each of us, this bridge represents our unique link to the inner world of the soul. You may glimpse it in dreams, feel it in the creative flow of painting or music, or sense it in moments of inexplicable joy. Through this connection, the ordinary comes alive with meaning, and the impossible becomes possible.

As we embrace this new reality, knowledge will flow freely—secrets of how the worlds interconnect, how light can heal and transform, how dreams guide us, and how the hidden properties of matter can be harnessed. This bridge is designed to withstand skepticism and control, ensuring it remains a tool for all of humanity.

A Collective Path Forward

Like the internet, this bridge belongs to everyone. It’s a network of energy and wisdom, guarded by forces of love and light. Its purpose is clear: to empower humanity to live in harmony with the universe, free from the shadows of ignorance and control.

As the masters of love complete this work, the question remains—will you cross the bridge? Will you let go of fear, embrace the unknown, and play your part in this great unfolding? The future is being born, and it’s calling for all of us to rise.

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout
📩 Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!

The Loss of Flow in the Digital Age

Posted on by
Reply

In today’s hyper-connected world, Finding Flow offers an unsettling proposition: the digital age is making it harder to experience flow. With constant distractions from social media, notifications, and multitasking, our attention is fragmented. Csikszentmihalyi explains that flow requires an uninterrupted focus on a specific activity, something that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain in the age of constant connectivity.

The problem with digital distractions is not just that they take us away from tasks, but that they prevent us from entering a state of deep, undistracted engagement. When our attention is constantly being diverted, it becomes nearly impossible to achieve the mental immersion necessary for flow. Csikszentmihalyi warns that this constant fragmentation of attention not only makes us less productive but also less happy. Without flow, we miss out on the satisfaction and joy that come from fully engaging in an activity.

In the digital age, cultivating flow requires a conscious effort to disconnect from distractions. Csikszentmihalyi urges us to take a step back from the constant noise and prioritize activities that allow us to focus deeply. This could mean turning off notifications, setting aside time for deep work, or creating environments where distractions are minimized. In doing so, we can reclaim the flow experiences that digital life often threatens to erase.

As we face an ever-increasing digital world, the challenge is clear: how can we create spaces in our lives that allow for uninterrupted focus, and in doing so, rediscover the deep satisfaction that flow provides?

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout
📩 Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!

Heart-Centered Creation: A Conscious Approach to Manifesting Your Reality

Posted on by
Reply

In the realm of personal development and goal setting, most approaches emphasize the power of focus, visualization, and strong will. While these traditional models have their place, there’s an alternative that delves deeper into the essence of creation—one that aligns more consciously with the heart, rather than the will.

Creating from the Heart

True creativity, and by extension true manifestation, isn’t born from sheer determination or mental focus. It emerges from an open and receptive heart. Being truly open—allowing space for the unknown and unplanned—is vital for authentic creation. This heart-centered approach requires us to embrace the ability to do nothing, at least for a moment. Not in a passive sense, but in a way that encourages awareness and presence, rather than action for action’s sake.

Contrary to popular belief in many personal growth teachings, which advocate for “creating your reality” through forceful intention and constant visualization, this conscious approach suggests that the most profound changes are born not from active effort, but from an alert stillness. Your consciousness is always creating, even when you aren’t aware of it. But when it comes to consciously creating, the key lies not in willpower but in deep self-awareness.

The Inner Reflection of Change

External changes—whether they’re in your career, relationships, or environment—are always reflections of inner transformations. When inner processes are fully realized, only then does the outer world shift to mirror this change. If we push too hard from the outside—focusing obsessively on goals or outcomes—we risk overlooking the internal shifts necessary to sustain these changes. This disconnect can lead to frustration and unmet expectations, as we are not creating from the true depth of our soul.

The soul speaks in moments of stillness and surrender. It is often when we stop trying, and even when we feel like giving up, that the clearest guidance from our inner self emerges. It is not the act of giving up that brings clarity, but the release of expectations. When we let go of the need to control outcomes, we become receptive to what is, and in that space, we create more authentically.

Releasing Expectations and Limiting Beliefs

Holding onto rigid ideas of what we “should” want or achieve often narrows the creative possibilities available to us. When we are fixed on a specific outcome, such as a job title or relationship, we confine our potential to the borders of what we already know. True creation requires stepping beyond those psychological boundaries and welcoming the unknown.

Instead of focusing so intensely on the specifics of what you desire, consider approaching your goals with openness and curiosity. This doesn’t mean abandoning all desires; rather, it’s about recognizing that what you seek may contain aspects you haven’t yet imagined. It’s about creating space for something new to emerge.

The Power of Self-Acceptance

At the core of heart-centered creation is self-acceptance. No amount of goal-setting, visualization, or positive thinking can manifest a reality that doesn’t align with your true feelings and beliefs. When there’s a disconnect between your inner world and the reality you’re trying to create, confusion and doubt set in. You might think, “I’m working so hard, but nothing is changing.”

Self-acceptance is a form of love, and love is the greatest magnet for positive change. When you fully accept and love yourself for who you are—right now, in all your struggles and imperfections—you naturally attract circumstances that reflect that self-love. It’s as simple as that.

Instead of striving for perfection, embrace your humanity with all its quirks. Humor helps, too. Perfection, after all, is an illusion. The real power comes from recognizing your own inner light, just as you are.

Embracing the Heart-Centered Approach

Creating from the heart means recognizing the beauty and sincerity in your current self, imperfections and all. It’s about sowing the seeds of your future reality by acknowledging the light within you here and now. Rather than focusing on controlling outcomes, this conscious approach encourages you to trust the process, stay open, and allow the most aligned and authentic version of your reality to unfold.

This shift doesn’t reject traditional models of goal setting but offers a deeper, more connected way to create—a way that honors both your inner transformation and the unfolding of your external world.

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout
📩 Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!

Rethinking Success: How Interconnectedness, Not Independence, Defines Real Achievement

Posted on by
Reply

In a society that often celebrates individual accomplishments and the idea of “going it alone,” Linda Seger’s concept of Web Thinking challenges us to redefine what success really means. Seger argues that true success isn’t about independence or individual milestones; instead, it’s rooted in interconnectedness and the positive impact we make within a larger system of relationships. This shift in perspective calls into question many of our most cherished beliefs about achievement.

Traditional definitions of success—wealth, status, or personal accolades—tend to focus on individual outcomes. The message is clear: work hard, stand out, and earn recognition. Yet, Seger points out that in our increasingly interconnected world, this individualistic mindset is insufficient for the problems and opportunities we face. Real success, she suggests, can only be understood within a network of relationships, where the ripple effects of our actions create meaningful, collective progress.

Consider the workplace: leaders who focus solely on their own rise up the ranks often fail to foster true, lasting success. But leaders who cultivate team cohesion, share knowledge, and support others’ growth tend to create more resilient, innovative teams. Their success is defined not by personal accolades but by the collective achievements of those they empower. Similarly, entrepreneurs who prioritize community impact or sustainability often contribute to a stronger, more interconnected system that benefits everyone—not just shareholders.

In this light, Web Thinking proposes that our definition of success should shift from “What did I achieve?” to “How did my actions positively affect others?” This perspective applies to everything from relationships to environmental stewardship, emphasizing that interconnectedness—not independence—is key to meaningful achievement.

Seger’s approach encourages us to consider how our personal goals align with the well-being of others and the greater good. By viewing success through an interconnected lens, we foster values like empathy, collaboration, and sustainability. It’s a radical yet inspiring reminder that in a truly connected world, our highest achievements are those that strengthen the web we’re all a part of, making success something we can share, grow, and celebrate together.

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout
📩 Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!

The Power of Silence: Can Quieting the Mind Unlock Your True Intuitive Potential?

Posted on by
Reply

In a society that thrives on noise, constant activity, and multitasking, the concept of silence often seems counterintuitive to success. However, in Radical Intuition, Kim Chestney argues that silence is a powerful tool for unlocking our deepest intuitive wisdom. In a world overwhelmed with distractions, learning to quiet the mind could be the key to accessing your true potential.

Chestney suggests that we live in a culture that values constant doing—whether it’s answering emails, making decisions, or running from one task to another. But in our relentless pursuit of productivity, we often miss the subtle, powerful messages that come from within. Our intuition, she claims, requires space to emerge. Just like a radio signal, it needs a quiet frequency to be heard clearly.

When we create moments of silence—whether through meditation, nature walks, or simply pausing throughout the day—we allow our inner wisdom to surface. This silence doesn’t just offer peace; it opens a channel to deeper knowing, creativity, and clarity. In those quiet moments, we may discover solutions to problems, gain insights into our personal lives, or receive guidance that we hadn’t considered before.

What if the key to your next big breakthrough isn’t more effort, but more stillness? Chestney encourages us to rethink how we approach growth and success. Instead of constantly pushing forward, we should create space for our intuitive voices to rise from the depths of our being. Embracing silence, she argues, could be the most powerful way to unlock the untapped potential within us all.

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout
📩 Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!

Unveiling the Secrets: Little-Known Facts About Credit Scores

Posted on by
Reply

Credit scores can be full of surprises! Here are some lesser-known facts about credit scores:

1. Multiple Scores Exist

  • You don’t have just one credit score. Different scoring models, like FICO and VantageScore, use distinct criteria, leading to variations in your score. Even within the same model, lenders may use tailored versions specific to their needs.

2. Soft Inquiries Don’t Impact Your Score

  • Checking your own credit report or applying for pre-qualified offers are considered “soft inquiries” and won’t hurt your score. Only “hard inquiries,” triggered by formal credit applications, might lower your score.

3. Utilization Matters More Than Total Debt

  • Credit utilization ratio (the percentage of available credit you’re using) heavily influences your score. Even if you have a low overall debt, maxing out a single credit card can hurt your score.

4. Closed Accounts Can Affect Your Score

  • Closing old credit accounts might reduce your score because it can lower your credit history length and available credit, affecting utilization ratios.

5. Medical Debt is Weighed Differently

  • Medical debt is often treated more leniently in scoring models. Some scores disregard paid medical collections entirely, and newer FICO models prioritize other debts over unpaid medical bills.

6. Utility and Rent Payments May Count

  • Traditionally, utility and rent payments didn’t factor into credit scores, but programs like Experian Boost and some VantageScore models now allow such data to improve your score.

7. Good Behavior Takes Time to Reflect

  • Improvements in paying off debt or reducing utilization may not reflect on your score immediately. Credit bureaus update their information monthly or less frequently.

8. The Myth of “Joint Credit Scores”

  • Credit scores are always individual. Even for joint accounts, each person has their own score, influenced by their credit behavior.

9. You Can Have a “Thin File”

  • If you lack enough credit history, you might have a thin credit file, making it harder to generate a score. This often happens to young adults or those who primarily use cash.

10. Having No Debt Doesn’t Guarantee a High Score

  • A good credit score requires a history of managing debt responsibly. Without any credit accounts, there’s little data for scoring models to evaluate.

11. Negative Information Fades Over Time

  • Most negative marks, like late payments or collections, drop off your report after 7 years. Bankruptcies may last longer, but their impact diminishes over time.

12. Your Income Doesn’t Affect Your Score

  • Credit scores are based on your credit history, not your income. However, lenders may consider income separately when evaluating creditworthiness.

13. Credit Scores May Affect More Than Loans

  • Employers, landlords, and insurance companies might use your credit report (but not your score) to assess risk or responsibility.

14. Overpaying Won’t Boost Your Score

  • Paying more than the minimum is great for reducing debt and avoiding interest, but it doesn’t provide extra credit score benefits beyond demonstrating on-time payments.

15. Authorized Users Can Benefit

  • Being an authorized user on someone else’s account can help you build credit, provided the primary account holder manages the account responsibly.

16. Old Debts Aren’t Automatically Removed

  • Paying off an old debt doesn’t remove it from your credit report—it just updates the status. Positive credit behavior takes time to overshadow past issues.

Awakening Within: Transforming Power from the Inside

Posted on by
Reply

In a world where traditional power structures can seem unyielding, true transformation begins within. Rather than dismantling systems outright, a new perspective suggests that meaningful change emerges when we cultivate a higher consciousness from within these existing frameworks.

This approach—rooted in spiritual awareness and a deep sense of interconnectedness—envisions change as most powerful when it starts internally and radiates outward.

The crises we face today often arise from a disconnection from the sacred aspects of life and the world around us. Reconnecting with a sense of unity and wholeness can help to guide transformation.

When we bring awareness of interconnectedness into established systems, we infuse them with a new light, subtly reshaping them from within rather than confronting them directly. This shift in perspective allows for a gradual evolution, one that honors both the individual and the collective in creating sustainable change.

The concept of “leaders of the new light” embodies this approach. These are individuals who awaken to a higher consciousness and carry this light into their daily interactions, often within structures that seem resistant to change. Their power lies in their ability to remain grounded in compassion and inner wisdom while engaging with systems built on older, often rigid, values. By embodying this new consciousness, they act as gentle catalysts, inviting change through their example rather than force, inspiring transformation without direct opposition.

Rather than tearing down walls, this kind of leader radiates a new way of being that gradually makes the old ways obsolete. When transformation comes from this place of inner alignment, it flows naturally.

Change is sustainable because it respects both the current framework and the higher vision of a compassionate, interconnected future. This approach avoids direct confrontation, which can sometimes lead to defensiveness and entrenchment within old structures.

Instead, it fosters an atmosphere where change feels organic, creating space for a shift that is less about rebellion and more about evolution.

True transformation involves a return to the sacred—a sense of purpose and reverence in how we interact with the world and each other. When we hold this awareness, we create conditions for real change to take root in even the most entrenched systems.

Leaders who embody this approach become living examples, inspiring those around them to recognize that higher vision. They reveal that change doesn’t always come through battle, but rather through embodying a way of being that feels more aligned with compassion, unity, and awareness.

The path of awakening within offers a hopeful roadmap for meaningful, lasting change. By cultivating transformation in ourselves first, we create a ripple effect, carrying this new light into the structures and systems that govern society.

This approach brings the power of true inner transformation into the world, inviting others to join in a shift toward a more harmonious and connected way of life. In times when external change often feels forced or fleeting, awakening within offers a powerful and enduring path forward.

Here are three practical steps to take on the path of awakening within for transformational change:

  1. Cultivate Inner Awareness Begin by dedicating time each day to self-reflection and mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling. These practices foster self-awareness and help you understand your values, intentions, and emotional responses. This increased awareness allows you to bring conscious, positive energy into all your interactions, even within challenging or rigid systems. By grounding yourself in these practices, you align more fully with a sense of inner peace and purpose, which becomes the foundation for inspiring change.
  2. Embody Compassionate Action Approach every interaction with an attitude of kindness and empathy, especially within environments resistant to change. Small acts of compassion, patience, and active listening can create ripples of positive energy that influence others. Rather than focusing on resistance or opposition, this step emphasizes how you engage—with respect, understanding, and an openness to dialogue. By embodying these qualities, you help transform the atmosphere within existing structures, subtly inspiring others to adopt a similar mindset.
  3. Integrate Higher Purpose into Daily Decisions Consider how your daily choices and actions align with a larger purpose or vision of interconnectedness. Whether at work, in community settings, or at home, find small, meaningful ways to reflect your commitment to unity and compassion. For example, you might propose more collaborative practices in group projects or seek ways to support others’ well-being. This step encourages you to view every decision as an opportunity to bring a bit of “new light” into existing structures, fostering gradual, positive shifts toward a more harmonious way of working and living.

These steps are about creating change from the inside out, using awareness, compassion, and purpose to gently influence the world around you.

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout
📩 Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!