I was delighted to be asked last week to host an online chat by the Connect2Mums AusMumpreneur Network, spending the evening with an amazing group of women who were all looking to build their personal and business confidence.  It was real.  Even raw.  And we spent the whole time talking about the ‘C’ word!

There was so much goodness and inspiration that came out of the chat I thought it worthwhile to share with you all some of the main highlights of what we discussed, because, let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to build up just that little bit of extra confidence, self-belief and sassiness?  Considering how all these things can open up your heart and mind to play an even bigger starring role in your own life – I think confidence building at it’s heart is for us all.

So here are the tips I shared on how to build your confidence.  They’re yours.  Take them.

Believing in ourselves can sometimes be hard (even though it shouldn’t be) but it’s important to remember that if YOU don’t believe in YOU – you cannot expect anyone else to.  Think about whether it’s doable or fair to expect others to believe in you if … Read the rest

My 13 year old stepdaughter is currently going through a stage of being obsessed with all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  I told her about the show one day, mentioning it was something girlfriends and I used to watch when I was living on campus at University, and she said she would like to watch some episodes.  With her never having been a fan of the Twilight series I was somewhat surprised, but from the first episode she was hooked.

She is a very active and energetic young teen and I can see how Buffy’s kick butt, save the world and fight the baddies super-hero character, really appeals to her.  It’s now also not a surprise to me she has developed the same love for Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games.  Watch out Bella.  I think you’re in trouble.

Girls today have a plethora of choices when it comes to thinking about who may inspire and challenge them and for each girl and her set of values and interests this will be different.  There are some incredible young women in real life and character based as well, that can and do have a positive influence on girls lives – but on the flip … Read the rest

I am SO excited to let you all know that I am going to be running my first workshop in an AGE – and its going to be in beautiful Sydney. If you are an incredible woman with a business or blog this ones for you….come play, learn and love with me!

What does being your best and most beautiful self in business and blogging mean to you?

 Does it mean your blog and website are a beautiful representation of exactly who you are?  That you fully believe in yourself and take up every opportunity to speak in public, be on panels and court media?  That you embrace and deeply dive into self-promotion in a way that is authentic and engaging?  That you’re building beautiful relationships via social media and giving just as much as you are receiving?  That you’ve stopped worrying about how many friends, likes, followers and comments you have and are simply immersed in the joy of being your own webpreneur?

Oh…

And that you charge what you’re really, really worth?

Yeah.  That!

Join me for this inspiring, heart-filled and intimate 3 hour workshop to explore how developing greater self-love and being your best and most beautiful … Read the rest

I’ve been there too you know.

That feeling when you quite literally think everything is falling in on top of you.  Overwhelmed.  Uncertain.  Tight.  Worried.  Like it’s never going to work out.  Never going to go away.

We all have.

You’re not alone.

And I’m the first person to admit that on some days it can be hard to shake it away but here’s what I do.  In a series of small but deliberate and successive moves.  And it works.

I stop.

I sit or stand in a comfortable position.

I take a big deep breath in with my eyes closed.

I open them and slowly and purposely gaze around me, letting my eyes fall on whatever is in front of me.

And I drink it in.

My cat.  The fruit bowl.  The growing magnolia tree.  Ellen on the TV.  A flickering candle. The smell of tonights curry.  The sound of a car door opening.

And I immerse myself in the gratitude of that moment.  Of how my cat cuddles me just when I need it.  How that mandarin in that bowl is going to be in my tummy later in the day.  How that magnolia tree not long ago was … Read the rest

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you all that I love reading both print and ebooks.  Books are such an incredibly rich source of not only information but inspiration as well, and I am constantly drawn to doing as much reading as I can to both benefit myself and my coaching and counselling clients.  I was recently sent a copy of a new ebook by Michelle Marie McGrath of Sacred Self called ’7 Ways to Love Yourself’ and just one chapter in I knew it was too good not to share with you all.

’7 Ways to Love Yourself’ is beautifully type set and as can be clearly seen from the title, is all about finding ways to inject more self-love into your life.  I love the way Michelle has broken down the topic of self-love into 7 key areas including learning how to love yourself more mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, nutritionally, financially and sexually.  Often the topic of self-love is viewed as a ‘whole’ with grand statements like ‘Love Yourself More!’  Well – we should – but it’s not always that easy is it?  It should be, but it’s not.

’7 Ways to Love Yourself’ breaks the topic … Read the rest

Today is International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate not only being a woman but womanhood as a whole, honouring the many amazing, unique and incredible things that women have done and continue to do, the world over.  I’m thrilled to present this guest post in honour of the day by a young woman called Alicia Hill who wished to share her special experience of volunteering in the community and how it is making a big impact on a special girls life.  Read on to learn more about Alicia’s work with her young friend India and your chance to win an accessories pack from Sportsgirl.

Lots of people grow up wondering how they will make a difference or do something that really counts. I was one of those people.  The obvious answer would have been to choose a profession that has an impact everyday like a nurse or doctor, but for me, that was not my calling.  I pondered for years before the answer literally fell in my lap.  A couple of years ago a colleague and I were talking and she told me how she had recently become a ‘Big Sister.’  I was instantly intrigued.

I immediately investigated … Read the rest

I bet – I just BET – you are an amazing friend.

Kind.  Loyal.  Forgiving.  Encouraging.  Available.  Positive.  Supportive.  Funny.  Helpful.  Giving.

I just bet. While I might be quite certain you are all of these things to your friends and even others, what I’m not so sure about is if you are all of these things to…yourself.

Ponder that for a moment.  Do you treat others better than you do yourself?  Have lots of love to give outwards but struggle to turn it inwards?  Give praise and positivity to those around you but berate yourself with a negative voice and thoughts?

Are you treating yourself with the loving kindness you are your best friend?

Yes?  Brava.

No?  Time for change.  What’s good and positive and wonderful for anyone else is entirely the same for you.

You cannot rely on others to return to you or give you the love and positivity you give out.  It must first come from you.

Take up a little kindness challenge for yourself and consider the love you are giving away right now.  That voice you hear being beautiful, encouraging and so lovely to others?  It’s time to talk that way to yourself.

To talk lovingly to yourself.

Focus on … Read the rest

I was first introduced to Facebook many years ago by a young colleague who I shared an office space with.  She told me about it and I decided to take a peak and create a profile.  I mostly thought it might be fun to see if I could find some old school friends and I loved you could see photos of their lives and what they were up to.  I used it only intermittently until about five years ago when the landscape of Facebook really began to change significantly.  Suddenly it was not just for connecting with friends but a bona fide marketing, business and branding tool that you could use to incredible benefit for nothing more than your time and the cost of an internet connection.

Fan pages for businesses, charities, celebrities and brands popped up everywhere with links being posted to drive people to buy, support, engage with and read blogging and website content.  People who ran businesses and blogs quickly realised with the millions of people on Facebook actively engaged online and often on there for extended periods of time…this was a chance to get new readers, customers or clients.  This was, in essence, a chance to … Read the rest

Let’s get straight down to it…and spread the positive word that Valentines Day should be just as much about self love as it is romantic love…

1. Dress the way you want.  Don’t be too concerned with what’s currently doing the fashion rounds or what anyone says should and shouldn’t go together or is ‘right’ for your body.  If you love the way you look and feel in something then you’re dressing with love.

2. Give yourself a break.  If you are harder on yourself than anyone you know it’s totally time to give that up.  It’s not serving you or making you a better person.  Let’s move on shall we?

3. Treat yourself.  No money spent on you for something that brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart is ever wasted.  Go get it girl!

4. Get yourself a wee bit more organised; or even totally organised.  Might sound super boring but if you can manage to get yourself out from under that pile of paperwork/dishes/general gunk and stuff, you will have so much more creative and loving flow in your life.

5. Take stock.  Of your surroundings, relationships, commitments and influences as a whole.  … Read the rest

I’m delighted today to present this guest post by Sue Muller, the inspirational owner (or ‘Chief Chick!) of the wonderful new business and blog Smile Chickie.   The mantra of Smile Chickie is to smile more, love more, laugh more and worry less.  Sounds like a great idea to me!  I absolutely love Sue’s take on Valentines Day which in case you haven’t been bombarded with all things hearts, chocolates and romance is…next week!  Read on and get to know Sue’s quirky sense of humour better and for a gorgeous giveaway too. 

Is that February 14th I see looming on the horizon, all sparkly and shiny???

Beckoning, full of hope and joy for all of the beautiful, perfect, ‘loved up’ couples out there?

Yes, yes I do believe that it is…

Now, don’t get me wrong I love, love, love, LOVE!

Not for one second do I begrudge the happiness of those lucky people out there who are blissfully knee deep in it and living their own happily-ever-afters.  I believe that, on Valentines day, they all fully deserve to have their names written in the sky and truckloads of flowers to be delivered to their door.  To be spoilt and pampered.  My heart smiles … Read the rest