Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring! I’m writing to you from my sun-filled patio where the warm air is kissing my skin, tulips are beginning to pop their heads through the earth, and my mouth is upturned in a permanent grin! This is the time of year to remember who you are at your core and reawaken all that is possible for your life.

Your Spark for this week is: I Have Hope!

I just returned home from two weeks of purposeful business travel, and am reminded of a fundamental truth: Hope fueled my dreams. If you had asked me four years ago where I would be today, I would have said… “Well, I hope to be a life coach, I hope that I’ll be empowering women, I hope that I’m married to a great guy, I hope I can be on the radio or TV.” Part of me believed what I was meant for… and part of me was squeamish. Like, Can I really be a radio star? Come on, Carin!

It felt a bit like a pipe dream since I had no idea HOW to make it happen. But hope tells your brain what you want. It literally primes your brain to see more of what you desire so that you are ready to take action when opportunity presents itself. Hope ignites motivation and creates strategies forward. Without you even knowing it, hope is fueling your dreams! It’s like a wonder drug!

I’m not saying that you can just sit home and hope without action. However, when you allow yourself to be hopeful, you set your purpose in motion. Last week, I was in NYC to do my regular segment on SiriusXM (where I announced my new webinar, “Succeed As You!” with show host, Taylor Strecker) and then, I went to San Francisco to launch the Certificate in Positive Psychology. (Note: there is still room to join this course!)

While in SF, I taped this video about how HOPE can help you succeed as you and fulfill your dreams.

Succeed as you SF

What are you hoping for?  Say it to yourself, “I have hope.” Turn it into a sentence, “I am hopeful that…” then make a list of everything you are hoping for. Personally, I now have new hopes: I hope to mentor more women ready to create profitable purpose-based businesses. I hope to inspire more women in their 40s to kick butt. I hope to publish a book. I hope to take clients on retreat in Sonoma and Paris. I hope for a plush home with a gourmet kitchen and jacuzzi bath. And, I hope to create a community of great friends in Philadelphia. Most of all, I hope for you to have all you hope for.

Happy hoping this week!

xoxo,
Carin

Last week, I found myself questioning my own purpose. Well, more accurately, other people questioned it and I almost abandoned myself. 🙁

What I remembered is that other people will always have an opinion for what we “should” do, and we get to say “NO!”

About a year ago, I was introduced to a big-time agent who represented all sorts of “big” names on TV and he wanted to represent me! I was flying high, so excited, so sure I’d “made it!” When we spoke, I was so nervous. He hounded me with questions so quickly I barely had time to answer. Did I want to be big? How big? How old was I? Did I want kids? Am I telling the truth? Don’t I know that happiness is a bad subject? Then suddenly he said, “we’ll be in touch,” and hung up.

My heart beat so fast, sweat dripped down my arms. I huddled over my knees and began bawling like a little girl. Afraid I’d messed up, that I wasn’t savvy enough,  I took a deep breath and said, “I’m just going to have to put my big boy pants on.”

My big boy pants? You know me. Does that even sound like me?

Deep down, I think I knew that this agent wasn’t a good fit, but I was too afraid to say “no.” I was desperate for him to want me. I thought I needed him. I was afraid that if I didn’t work with him, then I would never get another agent again. I was afraid I was STUPID for feeling like this. So throughout the year, I’ve fought with him, struggled to speak my voice, and questioned my message altogether. This is so embarrassing to admit, but I ended up confused and lost.

Sound familiar? For decades, you’ve been told what you “should” do, where you “should” work, and how you “should” act. You’ve internalized their stuff and you don’t need to anymore. You get to say NO! Say it right now: NO! Say it out loud: “NO!!!!”

So that’s what I did. Last week, I let this agent go. I was terrified because he was then promising to get me on “The View” and “Steve Harvey” – and you KNOW I dream of sharing my message of purpose as widely as I can! But in my heart, I knew I had to stand in my POWER and say, “NO!”

In your heart, you know if this job is right for you. In your soul, you know if you’re aligned. In your deepest truth, you know if you have dreams waiting to be fulfilled. How do you know? The whisper of your heart that yearns to make a difference. The desire in your soul that dances at the thought of an idea.

Here are three ways to know when to say, “NO!”

1. Look at your current life and ask yourself, “What am I NOT being honest with myself about right now?” For instance, if you’re lying to yourself that your job is okay because at least they let you have time off for doctors’ appointments or some other excuse, but really it drains you and hasn’t been exciting for a year, it’s a “NO!”
2. Write down everything that you do because you “should” do it. Look at each item one-by-one and ask, “If someone else would do this or help me with it, would I still want to do it?” If no, then it’s a NO. Go ask yourself “how else” can this get done?
3. When you are saying, “yes” to someone and your heart deflates, your eyes feel sad, and your body is tight, then, my love, it’s probably a “no.”

Saying “no” isn’t necessarily easy. And remember this: When you say “No,” you are making SPACE in life for your real purpose, for what you really want. That’s what I did and I KNOW that the right agent for me is coming. I know that by staying true to my message and to YOU, I am more powerful, creative, available and giving.

So, love, what are you ready to say “NO!” to? And… what are you ready to make room for in your life?  As always, I love to hear from you. Email me.

With so much love,
xoxox,
Carin

PS: If you want a PurposePower VIP day, I am opening a few slots in San Francisco in April for YOU to get pampered by me. In a PurposePower VIP day, you and I work one-on-one for a day to uncover your TRUE purpose and create your own brilliant path forward. It is a whole day dedicated to YOU breaking free and SHINING! You will learn my proven tools based in the science of happiness to help you create your own joyful, prosperous life. Join me! A PurposePower VIP day is a luxurious, delicious, yummy and priceless investment in your own happiness. What is your happiness worth to you? Email me for a free discovery session to learn if a PurposePower VIP day is for you.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 26: Hey SiriusXM Subscribers: Join me on SiriusXM Stars 109 on Wake Up! With Taylor tomorrow, Thursday, 3/26/15 at 8:35 am ET to talk about SPEAKING UP FOR WHAT YOU WANT!

March 28/29: Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology in San Francisco: This incredible 6-month program teaches you the science of well being and human flourishing. You’ll learn Mindset, Optimism, how to use your strengths, Vitality, Purpose, and so much more! There is still time to join! Even if you have to miss class this weekend, you can join the rest! Email me and let’s chat!

April 25: #ThisIs40 Graduation! Closed event for the women in #ThisIs40. These amazing women are ROCKING life, writing books, following their passions, demanding respectful relationships. Watch out world!

And great news…

May 20: New Date! Succeed As You: 3 Steps to Your Happiest, Most Authentic Self! Introducing a new LIVE webinar with Sirius host, Taylor Strecker. You’ll learn to how to live your purpose, get your dream job, and finally be your true authentic self without shame, guilt or apology! Tickets on sale now – register by midnight March 27 and get my published book chapter for free!

August: Join me in Paris? I will be hosting a small group of women ready to learn how to LOVE THEMSELVES and EXPRESS your purpose BOLDLY in Paris! Join me to dive deep into your soul so that you shine brightly in the city of lights! Email me for more info!

Your Spark for today is, “I Play!”

I am writing to you from my bed because I woke up with a cold today. Though I used to get sick all the time, I rarely do anymore, so this has made me pause and come back to a fundamental truth of how to live on Purpose: Live. Play! ENJOY!

Loves, we are taking our lives WAY too seriously. (And I totally include myself in this.) Gotta get ahead. Gotta do more, be more, have more. You’re busy, busy, busy, you wake up checking email, screaming at the dog to just poop already so you can get to work, stressed with overwhelm at your overflowing email inbox and yesterday’s to-do list, then running from work to pick up the kids, make dinner, to… well, just to do it all over again the next day!

This is NOT a PurposeFULL life!

Living on Purpose means LOVING your work, so you may want to work, work, work like me. Well, that’s not healthy, either! I’m launching my Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology in California this weekend – what a reminder of how our brains work! We need fun, juicy, introspective, creative INPUT for outflow of Purpose!

So this week, chill out. En-JOY life. It’s Spring! Get out and play! Put a halt to the craziness and return to your 4-year old self. That’s what I did this weekend…

SHE loved to DANCE in the street! So I did with with a client!
SHE made up funny accents and voices. So I have been talking to Josh like this, “Hidey, ho, Lovvvveeee!”
SHE colored (outside the lines). So I’ve been using markers in my journal.

What does YOUR 4 year old love to do? If you don’t remember, try this… dance, color, paint, read for pleasure, make funny sounds, clap, use construction paper, do a puzzle, smell the new tree buds, jump into leaves…

Have a wonderful, spontaneous, fun, slow, truly enjoyable week… and watch all of the ABUNDANT PURPOSE that returns!

xo,

Carin