August 17, 2017, marked my 10-year anniversary of being a professional coach. Holy moly. It seems surreal to even be typing that.

It’s been a wondrous and fulfilling journey, one in which I am constantly learning and continuously developing. I truly love what I do and I am immensely grateful for how it has organically taken shape and form over these years. Coaching has served me and my own personal growth as much as it has allowed me to serve others, so if you are one of those people who trusted me with the privilege and honor of working with you, either individually or as part of a group session — THANK YOU.

Throughout August, I have thought about highlighting this milestone, but because of everything going on in our country and the world it seemed indulgent or insignificant in comparison to the very real issues we are dealing with as a nation, and I wanted to be offering PGGs to help you navigate these stressful times, provide a little respite and hope, and inspire you with ways to improve your world and the world around you. And I will continue to do so …

But a 10-year anniversary comes along only once, so I decided to finally share it here, because I realized it is the very thing we need to do in times like these: Celebrate who we are and what we have accomplished so that we are reminded we each have the power within us to effect positive change, evolve and make our mark on our corner of the world — whatever that looks like for you, in whatever capacity, big or small, it all matters, it is all important when you come from the highest and best good within you. We can all recognize, encourage and be examples for one another.

When you are aligned with who you are and what you are supposed to be doing with your life, it means you have a sense of purpose, ease and sanity that is essential to creating peace in your life, and hence peace in the world around you. Our country needs as many of us out there to do this — STAT. I view my role as helping people get on their path — no matter where they are in their career or life — as part of my contribution to the overall well-being of the planet. I do this by providing clarity, balance and direction that allows you to achieve your version of success, even if that is simply finding a way to be content with where you are at.

As I reflect on my career each August, I always remember and give a shout-out to my very first client, who was a young woman named Lisette Miranda. I don’t recall our session in much detail; what I do remember was her being interested in PR, but during the course of our conversation, she admitted that she wanted to be on the red carpet someday, not behind the scenes supporting someone else. We have been friends on Facebook for a while now, and it just so happened that on August 1 she changed her profile picture to the one I’ve included above. Amazed, I tagged her, shared the photo and here is our exchange:

Do you realize how auspicious it is that you changed your profile picture to this today, August 1, 2017?? As my very first coaching client, one of the things I remember from our session is you talking about how you wanted to someday be on a red carpet. Ten years later – almost exactly to the day – here you are!!!!! Who knew the journey that would get you there, and in what context, but you made it happen I will always be grateful to you for trusting me – one DECADE ago this month – as I began this journey doing work I truly deeply love and am constantly inspired and amazed by.   Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS on all you have accomplished thus far – can’t wait to see how you continue to grow and evolve!

Lisette replied: Thank you! I remember our session very well. I was so young and uncertain. I felt like I couldn’t map out my next meal let alone my next professional steps. I was at a crossroads and I needed an “outsiders” perspective. You gave me some sound advice and I proceeded to redirect my professional course. I was about 23 and a decade later – I couldn’t imagine the life I have now. Everyday I do what I love. I feel like I have a bigger purpose and effect the lives of young women who will be the future leaders. Gracias a ti    

What is so great about Lisette’s story is that she is a perfect example of how what we see for ourselves can happen in a way we could never imagine – and it is a process that takes TIME.  No, Lisette is not some starlet in a film at Cannes, but after living and studying abroad for several years not long after our session, she began a fantastic internship and immersion program in Spain called PINC International, and therefore spends much of her year traveling around Europe.This is a photo she took after this summer’s interns successfully completed her program.

Also this month, I received a perfectly timed message from a recent client who demonstrates so beautifully what I do, as expressed by this testimonial:

What I found most appealing, and what sets Kristina apart from other career coaches, is her emphasis on your “whole picture.” She considers everything you were exposed to or experienced, how that ties into your life’s goals and how to find the best path forward from there.  Talking with Kristina made sense of all the ideas and confusion running around in my head.  The initial session further confirmed the direction I want to go in and visualize where I want to be; doing her homework helped me become more confident in owning what my gut is telling me and fueled my passion to pursue what I know deep down is right for me. As a result of working with Kristina, I now have the tools, motivation and perspective to create my dream career and life. Because of her insights and expertise, I am the happiest and most content I’ve ever been and found an incredible peace of mind.~ Alyssa C. 

Alyssa’s is a different type of result, as hers is a journey that has just begun, but in the initiating of the journey she has already achieved success of an inner kind.

Of course outcomes and timelines will vary, and we are all works in progress. The reality is that everyone is on their own path, traveling at their own pace with various circumstances and internal or external hurdles to overcome; and quite frankly, some put in more effort than others (i.e., I can’t make you do the homework!). But if what I do via my coaching, writing or speaking can help you experience some semblance of happiness and, more importantly, peace of mind, along the way, then I hope to be celebrating another milestone 10 years from now, and then another and another …

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This past June 2017 when I had someone film parts of my New Attitude Summer School series (see info below), which resulted in this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)”

In this excerpt covering the final ten minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life,  maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.   Enjoy & Stay Tuned for Fall Classes!

Click here to watch video

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!   Click on above links for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Read over thirty 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List
 

Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | Express Yourself

Special Note:   This week has been a difficult one for our country.  As someone who founded a non-profit organization with the tagline “Recognizing Our Unity; Celebrating Our Diversity“, I have a lot to say about this topic but was not able to write something new at this time. In thinking which to re-run for this week’s PGG, I chose the one below from February 2013, but please go back to the past several weeks for further inspiration, and be sure to check out Carte Blanche from December 2014, which talks about white privilege. I also wanted to share what I posted on PGG’s FB page:    

Here’s one suggestion from last week’s PGG, A Deeper Wave:

“And cultivate relationships. Relationships to every kind of person, family or stranger, friend or lover, store clerk or sibling, and whatever you want to call that force greater than ourselves. When you go deeper into yourself and can truly relax and be present, you free up more internal space for love to flow between you and yourself or any of the people in your life, and yes, even those you just met, because we are all part of the same brother/sister/gender-neutral ‘hood”

**************************************************************************************

With the current release of films like Lincoln and Django Unchained, and BET’s bringing the acclaimed ’70’s TV series Roots out of the vault [and more recently 12 Years a Slave and Birth of a Nation], there’s been a spotlight on and discussion about this essential part of our nation’s history both on screen and off.

Whether or not you are a direct descendant of someone who lived or worked on a plantation in the 19th century, all of us in the 21st century, no matter who or where we came from, can check in to see which areas of our lives need to be emancipated from the tyranny of whatever is keeping us down, holding us back and making us feel “less-than” in both subtle and overt ways.

Oprah expressed it perfectly when she called slavery “A machine to create inferiority.”  You can only imagine what amazing strength, utter self-belief and profound self-worth was required to break out of that mentality, to really know who you are and be able to simply exist, let alone thrive, despite others perceiving you and often treating you in, well, let’s just say a most unfavorable way. What it would take to preserve and protect your self, your spirit and your soul under such circumstances is beyond comprehension.

We certainly continue to struggle in a variety of ways with the legacy and repercussions of slavery in terms of race, while at the same time have come very far. But regardless of the color of our skin, there are more inconspicuous ways that we are judged – much of which has to do with what we think of ourselves when we look in the mirror, are alone with our thoughts, and by the choices we make in every area of our lives.

The foundation of who we are reaches far and wide throughout our work, relationships, health and everyday life, so the stronger and deeper your tree grows, the more you can weather even a storm like Sandy. Yes, you might lose a few branches along the way, but you won’t be knocked out for good! So take some time this month to connect to the root of who you are, using this last part of of the [summer] to develop, heal and love yourself so you can blossom more fully come [Fall].

You might have some family roots to dig up or some grass roots to build up in the process, but the bottom line is that if you look at any problem, challenge or change you want to make and trace it back to its ultimate root – if you’re honest with yourself – will find that the buck stops with you. Remember, this is always good news – because that means you can do something about it.

Having a little trouble connecting all the literal and metaphorical genealogical dots of your career and life? Give me a buzz, and I will help you get to the root the matter, so just like Alex Haley searching for Kunta Kinte in Africa you can shout, “I found you!”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This past June 2017 when I had someone film parts of my New Attitude Summer School series (see info below), which resulted in this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)”

In this excerpt covering the final ten minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life,  maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.   Enjoy & Stay Tuned for Fall Classes!

Click here to watch video

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!   Click on above links for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Read over thirty 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List
 

Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | Express Yourself

There is a deeper world than this
That you don’t understand
There is a deeper world than this
Tugging at your hand
~ Sting,  Love is the Seventh Wave

Besides what we hear about the 1% and the increasing disparity between the rich and poor, there is a growing epidemic of another kind of poverty that has nothing to do with the amount of money in a bank account: A lack of connection to ourselves, each other, the world around us, and something greater that holds it all together.

I’ve been noticing a trend in my clients lately, many considered millennials or “digital natives” (essentially those who have never lived during a time without pc’s, texting and social media), who are rife with angst and a level of discontent and self-doubting usually reserved for those in the midst of a traditional midlife crisis, empty nest syndrome, or more dire scenarios.

And it’s not just young people who are dealing with this; it simply shows up more pronounced. On the surface they seem to have everything going for them – they are highly educated and have decent first or second jobs, they have good health and no major responsibilities like kids or a mortgage – but somehow they feel like they haven’t achieved enough, are bored or are missing something but can’t quite put their finger on it.  In older folks it comes through as unspecified anxiety, career or relationship frustration, mental scatteredness or erratic communication, an inability to sit still or deeply relax, or a feeling of “is this all there is?” when thinking about the rest of their life.

And no matter what your age, because of our now 24/7/360 digital lifestyle, there is severe FMO and a (mostly) subconscious habit of comparing ourselves to each other that is self-sabotaging, making us feel “less than” or deficient in some way – whether it’s about the hot boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/spouse you’ll never attract, the dream job that alluded you, the baby you do or don’t yet have, the great vacations you can’t afford, all the amazing friends you never hang out with or “like” your Facebook posts or Instagram photos…etc. You get the #nofilter picture.

Underneath it all seems to be a deep-seated fear of the unknown and feeling of powerlessness over our lives and a world that is rapidly transforming before our eyes in ways that are not always positive or hopeful. The worry and rudderless-ness is often magnified by social media and all else that is vying for our attention, time and energy.

Does any of the above sound like you? If so, take a moment to do a reality check. My guess is that you likely have what I am now dubbing “life dysmorphia” – meaning your sense of your life and how “bad” you presume it to be is either highly distorted, simply not true, or if you are unhappy or stuck, it’s not for the reasons you might think.

As in my coaching sessions, seminars and previous PGG’s, my solution for this is always to GO DEEP, as technology keeps us on superficial ground. Detach from the virtual world and plunge into the depths of your own thoughts, feelings, relationships and the mysteries of the Universe.

Whether you are 25, 65 or somewhere in between  – and I have worked with all ages – the antidote to this unsettled, dissatisfied existential state is to be SELF-centered in a foundation of worthiness and value, find purpose and meaning in your work, express yourself creatively, demonstrate faith and trust in yourself, the process and the Universe, and be open to giving and receiving LOVE. And stay in your own lane.

Most importantly, as I say in nearly all of my talks and to my clients: Get out of your head and into your body – which means operating from your gut and heart – and be grounded in who you are.

It’s about staying present and “standing where your feet are at”. It’s about having conversations IRL. It’s about being congenial, forming community and raising consciousness.  It’s about taking the time to spend with actual people; to commune with yourself, others and the world around you.  To feel alive in flesh and blood, not just in our minds projected and framed into an online existence. It’s about creating instead of consuming. It’s about remembering we are humans, not robots or avatars in a fantasy, real or imagined.

And cultivate relationships.  Relationships to every kind of person, family or stranger, friend or lover, store clerk or sibling, and whatever you want to call that force greater than ourselves.  When you go deeper into yourself and can truly relax and be present, you free up more internal space for love to flow between you and yourself or any of the people in your life, and yes, even those you just met, because we are all part of the same brother/sister/genderneutral ‘hood.

I’m a big hugger (see the PGG Six Seconds). I often hug people I don’t have a lot history with or even know well or at all, but if there is that spark of connection or some wavelength I click with, dig or admire in another, because I am “primed”, it allows positive energy to be exchanged through an embrace. That is real, and much, much more powerful and nourishing than a “like” on FB. Also, when the internal pipes are blocked or lie dormant, not only can your love not flow, but your creativity can’t be expressed, which is another surefire way to feel disconnected from your own vitality. So don’t be afraid to open the floodgates!

Not sure how to become less Fragile in these disorienting times? Before you send an SOS to the world, give me a buzz and I will help tear down that Fortress Around Your Heart so you can Send Your Love to yourself and others – as humans that’s the best way We’ll Be Together, and you’ll be doing your part in creating a Brand New Day for us all!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This past June 2017 when I had someone film parts of my New Attitude Summer School series (see info below), which resulted in this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)”

In this excerpt covering the final ten minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life,  maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.   Enjoy & Stay Tuned for Fall Classes!

Click here to watch video

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!   Click on above links for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Read over thirty 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List
 

Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | Express Yourself

When Lenny Kravitz came out with his anthem in 1989, the world was at once very different and exactly the same as it is now. The Cold War has been replaced by the War on Terror, the Middle East remains a mess, and there are still far too many people on the planet who live in the midst of hunger, disease and injustice.  Racism and religious bigotry are alive and well, and economies and the environment are in the tank.  Heavy sigh…when will we ever learn?

So what is little ole’ you to do? Well if, as the saying goes, peace begins with me, then the question is, Are you at war with yourself or with the people closest to you?

A loving relationship with yourself must come before you can be in one with another, or to even just get along with your family, neighbors or strangers on the subway. We have to take the time and energy to forgive and love ourselves and others. It’s our responsibility to dig deep to see what is going on inside us, understand it and then have the courage to communicate honestly and lovingly first to ourselves, and then to those around us when appropriate.

Love is the most powerful force in the Universe when used intelligently and intentionally; it can move mountains, heal, connect and transform.

What are you waiting for? There is no more important time than now to let love start ruling your world. Love of yourself, love of each other, love of your work, and love of life itself – the very breath and heartbeat that is allowing you to read this!

Need a little mediation between your head and your heart, what you earn and what you’re worth, your desires and your reality, or you and your significant other? Give me a buzz and I’ll be the peacekeeping force that helps you reconcile all the conflict zones in your life and make love the law of the land!

(Today’s PGG was originally published on May 4, 2010)    

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This past June 2017 when I had someone film parts of my New Attitude Summer School series (see info below), which resulted in this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)”

In this excerpt covering the final ten minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life,  maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.   Enjoy & Stay Tuned for Fall Classes!

Click here to watch video

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!   Click on above links for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Read over thirty 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List
 

Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | Express Yourself