Coach Colette Says Relax on August 15

Did you know that August 15 is National Relaxation Day? What will YOU do to calm and quiet your mind? 

To ease your anxiety and release your tension, why not join me for a (free) Guided Meditation session?! I'll be guiding you based on meditation principles I learned from my training in Coping with Work & Family Stress. 

With all of the emails, IM's, FB posts, texts, tweets, voice-mails -- don't you deserve some ME-time to relax, unwind, and re-group? 

You probably don't need much convincing of the benefits of relaxing and reducing your stress. Just in case, though, here are three health-related reasons:

1. Your stress is aging you faster -- by damaging critical DNA in your cells
2. Your stress increases your risk of a heart attack -- by nearly 70% for women
3. Meditation can ease your stress -- by changing your brain to delay aging and improve health

This Guided Meditation session is my gift to you. Will you accept and sign up today? 

Know that I'm rooting for you and support your intention to relax so that you can achieve your biggest dreams and create the fulfilled, joyful, and purposeful life you want to live! 

I look forward to "seeing" you next Wednesday, August 15 ... meet me in the gap.

Keep a Photo Journal to Reduce Your Stress

Did you know that journaling can help reduce stress? Studies have shown that journal writing has led to reduced anxiety, worry and depression.

Yet, sometimes even words aren't enough to fully express your emotions, thoughts -- let alone to fully document your goals or vision. Like they say ... a picture is worth 1,000 words!

Wouldn't it be great to have a site that allowed you to photo journal your goals and start your vision board?

I'm so excited to let you know about a NEW photo journal and vision board tool created by ShutterCal!

ShutterCal is an online, calendar-based daily photo journal (and vision board!).

As a coach, I think it's really important to keep track of your goals, intentions, and life vision -- for your own accountability and to get support from your network of champions and advisers.

Let's say you've set a goal in the next 30 days to lose 10 pounds, or to get physically active at least 4 days per week, or to meet 15 new people to expand your network, or to do ANYTHING that's important to you!

You can use your photo-a-day journal to track your goals in a creative and FUN way. It just means taking a moment each day to:

• STOP
• BREATHE
• NOTICE SOMETHING
• TAKE A PHOTO

ShutterCal will keep your photo journal / vision board organized. The ShutterCal community will keep you inspired with comments and feedback. And, through your daily photos, you will watch your story unfold into something truly amazing!

Deepak Chopra says: "Whatever you pay attention to will grow more important in your life." Use ShutterCal to pay attention to something you care about -- and create a visual timeline of your best moments!

Check out the site and let me know in the comments area below what you think -- and share your link when you sign up so I can watch your story unfold!

PS -- since the ShutterCal team and I are all LEAN Startup Weekend graduates, I'm able to offer you a 5% discount on their digital membership and a 10% discount on their print membership!!

Manage Your Work Stress: NEW Video

We all know that managing stress is super important since stress can impact every aspect of our health and well-being. Yet, finding creative and FUN ways to relieve your stress sometimes can be a challenge. This is where health and stress management coaches come in!

If you've ever wondered how we help our client companies and organizations to make healthy, stress-free living FUN for their employees, the video below is for you!

Watch this interview on Beyond Focus TV in which I share real answers to some tough questions about we help entrepreneurs to manage stress during business launches, and assist corporations to develop engaging wellness programs -- and even guide job seekers to calm their anxiety during their transition.



Let me know what you think and share your ideas in the comments area below.

Just in case you're curious, the mission of Beyond Focus TV is to inspire, educate, inform and empower the Brooklyn community through sharing commonalities and giving voice to their concerns.

Beyond Focus TV is hosted by Angie Daniel every Tuesday at 10:00 pm ET on BCAT in New York City [Time Warner: 35, Cablevision: 68, RCN: 82, Verizon: 42]

How Do You Define Success? Find a NEW Way July 16

Have you ever asked yourself: "What does success mean to me?" or "How do I measure my success in life?"

The answers that shape your reality in today's New Normal may be much different than the answers would have been in the past. This process of self-exploration may be more challenging as our paradigms continue to shift and we find that our old definitions of success and leadership don't serve us in quite the same way anymore.

The GOOD NEWS is that you can get access to experts and resources to help guide you on your journey towards your unique, wonderful definition of success!

My colleague, Kate Siner Francis, founder of the Life Fulfillment Formula and the Larger Visions non-profit, is presenting the World Changing Success Summit from July 16-27. Each of the 12 teleseminars will teach you skills and lead you to insights aimed at answering your most important questions about how to improve your leadership abilities and realize your vision all the while feeling empowered to do so.

The best part – it's FREE to register! Listen in from wherever you are by phone or on your computer. It's just that easy!

The World Changing Success Summit brings together visionaries and leaders like YOU, and the helping professionals who want to find a heartfelt answer to what will bring you more satisfaction and joy in your life. These experts include Suzanne Evans (on Authentic Marketing), Anne Merkel (on Balancing Mind-Body-Spirit) and Gayle Joplin Hall (on Busting FEAR). You will be taught powerful tools and essential skills that will help you:

● Lead from a more empowered place
● Effectively deal with conflict or other work challenges
● Create more prosperity in your life and business
● Inspire yourself!
● Collaborate and partner most effectively for your vision
● Clearly see how you get stuck and how to get free

I'm so excited to be a part of the incredible line-up of 12 fantastic speakers who are ready to help you make the difference you were born to make. My session is Reconnect to Your Purpose: The Benefit of Doing Less with More. We're all sharing powerful and practical tools to create the life you have always wanted to live! There is no other time than NOW.

Mark your calendar and sign up now because this amazing event starts July 16th. Join us for the World Changing Success Summit! Learn from these master teachers and creative experts how to flourish living the life you were meant to live!

How to Develop Positive Assertiveness: NEW eHow Video

You CAN gain more confidence in your personal and professional relationships by developing positive assertiveness. Being assertive means speaking up for yourself while still considering the needs and wants of other people. Yet, we often confuse being assertive with being aggressive, where someone gets what s/he wants by dominating, manipulating or humiliating others.

Here are three ways you can develop positive assertiveness in my NEW how-to video:

How to Develop Positive Assertiveness -- powered by ehow

This video is one of a 10-part series of how-to videos I've produced on eHow.com with tips and ideas to help you be happier in the workplace (and beyond!). Watch the whole video series on Improving Workplace Morale!

Let me know in the comments if this information was helpful for you and feel free to share any ideas that you've come up with on your own.

Vote to Help InStep Reach More People Dealing with Stress

Have you heard about the Chase/Living Social Mission Small Business contest? Individual grants of $250,000 each will be awarded to help up to 12 lucky small business owners to grow their businesses!

InStep Consulting has applied and we'd love to have YOUR VOTE of support!


Now through June 30, small business owners who have been in business for at least 2 years and have less than 100 employees can submit an application.


What Would a $250K Grant Mean to InStep?
Currently, we offer wellness and stress management coaching and training. I'd like to develop a web/mobile application that would provide up-to-the-minute info to help people monitor their stress "triggers" and better manage how they respond to stress (like a stress "heat map").

I have a particular interest in helping those who are living with or are at risk for high blood pressure / hypertension, as it is a personal and family concern.

This grant would help us to recruit our initial technical team to successfully complete the technology planning phase for the application including: defining initial features and functionality, creating wireframes, and building an initial MVP.

Voting is really easy! Visit the Mission Small Business website: 

• Click the Login + Support button

• Input your Facebook login

• Put "InStep Consulting" in the business name search

• Click VOTE!

Thank you for your support! 

PS -- let me know if you submit an application for your business, and I'll be happy to vote for you as well (there are no vote limits!)

Be Mindful to Beat Your Stress

Have you been wondering how to manage your stress and anxiety in today's fast-paced world, where it seems there aren't enough hours to get everything done? Or, how to balance multiple roles and responsibilities while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

Good news! You CAN incorporate healthy habits into your routine to achieve a healthy mind and well-being! Your thoughts are just that ... thoughts -- they don't have to control you.

Don't let the dark clouds of avoidance, anxiety, procrastination, or worry overshadow you today. Tune in for easy, practical stress-busting techniques you can use right away from my recent appearance on Turtle Shell Health Radio.

Plus, you'll learn why I've personally decided to help people like you to better manage your stress -- particularly those of you who are coping with or are at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke. This keeps me passionate about sharing relevant tips and to exploring new ways we can track, monitor, and manage our stress for better overall health ... maybe an app for that??

Listen to the recording in the widget below, and let me know what ideas were most helpful for you. Feel free to share your comments and stress-related questions here, or tweet me so we can keep the conversation going!

Listen to internet radio with Turtle Shell Health on Blog Talk Radio

You've Gotta Hustle to Turn Your Passion into Small Biz Profit

I had such a great time attending yesterday's Spark & Hustle Conference. I met some fantastic fempreneurs including Cassandra Droogan -- who's about to launch an exciting new boot called Pysis, designed to help you "protect your shoes in style!" -- and Donna Casali with Stella and Dot.

Plus, there were great, actionable messages on how to grow and scale your business from fellow CRAVE New York City entreprenesses including host Tory Johnson, Sarah Caplan from Footzyrolls, Laura Geller, and Liz Lange. And, I cannot forget to mention the awesome finale by real estate "Shark" Barbara Corcoran.

The best tips I learned to put some more spark into my hustle were:

• People will buy from you if YOU are telling your story. You are the best spokesperson for your own brand.
• Don't get comfortable in business -- always be seeking out what's NEXT, what's NEW. Stay current!
• Stay in touch with your customers -- especially when there's a service issue. Your response/follow-up can turn product or service "haters" into your best evangelists.
• When you get too busy doing things -- and it can be a detriment to your business -- ask for HELP!
• Be great at failure -- don't feel sorry for yourself too long when things don't pan out as you had planned. Be resilient and keep moving forward!

Coach Colette Schools 'Preneurs on How to Communicate for Impact

In this video interview with Melissa Wildstein, I share more tips to Communicate for Impact in advance of my upcoming class for women entrepreneurs on March 27 at Wix Lounge. Get "schooled" here!



By the way, 'PRENEUR is a rockstar membership community created for business owners by business owners who do what we do everyday: hustle! Katie, Melissa and Sabina have designed a fun, interactive community to skyrocket your business growth in four key ways: Get Press, Get Exposure, Get Support & Get Schooled!

Since joining 'PRENEUR, I've been so glad to have these 3 PR and SEO dynamos as part of my team! Because another key component to communicate for impact is having connected, raving supporters who proactively create a buzz about you and what you have to offer.

Communicate for Impact: Our Differences Do Matter

Did you know that 75% of the people who are critical to your happiness and success are DIFFERENT from you in SEVEN key ways?

Communicate for Impact: Video Intro

More PowerPoint presentations from Colette

To find out why it matters and how you can still be successful in business, join me as I share tips with  savvy women entrepreneurs and founders on Tuesday, March 27th at Wix Lounge.
 
BTW, a People Style assessment is included in your registration for my Communicate for Impact interactive workshop.

Assertive Communication: Not Just Good for the Bottom Line

To succeed as a woman entrepreneur or startup founder in today's New Normal requires strong communication skills -- whether you're seeking to raise capital, find partners, hire employees or create a buzz about your brand.

While communication isn't an exact science, it IS possible to adjust your communication habits and behaviors to jumpstart your business interactions and relationships.

Think about the business interactions in which you engage on a regular basis. Do you communicate confidently and assertively when you:

• Propose a new idea or business solution
• Ask for cooperation or help from a business partner
• Say 'no' to a request of your time when your plate is already full

To make it easier, I suggest you think of being assertive as a communication dial or knob that you can turn up or turn down to boost your confidence in critical business conversations. For example, you can tweak your body language and nonverbal responses based on the cues you receive from the other person.

• Increase your eye contact or lean forward to let him/her know that you're fully engaged in the conversation and attentive to his/her needs
• Raise the volume of your voice (breathe from your diaphragm) to emphasize your key words and points to keep the other person engaged -- use his/her name at crucial points in the discussion when you really want to capture their attention

Did you know that learning to be more assertive is actually good for your health? Being more assertive and confident in your business interactions is not only good for your bottom line! It helps to boost your self-esteem and gain more respect from others -- both of which can reduce and alleviate your stress and anxiety.

For more tips on how to assertively communicate in business, join me on Tuesday, March 27 for my Communicate for Impact class for women entrepreneurs at Wix Lounge in New York.

What eBook Are You Reading This Week?

What eBooks will you read during eBook Week?

Or, perhaps I should ask: on which device will you be reading those eBooks? Have you upgraded to the Kindle Fire, or are you awaiting the release of the new iPad?

To celebrate eBook Week, I'm offering a 50% discount on my Focus on Your Vision eBook through midnight (PST) on Saturday, March 10th. To participate in this offer, visit my Smashwords publishing site HERE and enter code REW50 at checkout.

After you've download and read my eBook, it would be great if you took a moment to write a review and share what you learned/gained on the Smashwords or Amazon site.

FUN Fact: You probably won't be surprised to learn that The Help is the most downloaded eBook from libraries (in adult fiction) -- it's been on the list for 32 months!

Communicate for Impact: Video Tips

Here's a video I recorded with one of my favorite quotes from Marianne Williamson about how to release your fears and confidently communicate your ideas and opinions -- through your throat chakra.



This video is a quick preview of my communication philosophy -- more of which I'll be sharing with women entrepreneurs on Tuesday, March 27th at the Communicate for Impact class at Wix Lounge. Learn more and sign up HERE!

Does Your Facebook Business Page Have a Theme Song?

Ours does! Sorry if that sounds a little like a taunt from the school-playground, LOL! I'm just really excited about the new landing page on our InStep Consulting Facebook page. Here's a sneak peek:

When you click on the pink horn icon in the upper right hand corner, a funky tune will play as you navigate on our page. How did we do it? By using the FREE publishing platform provided by Wix.com!

Wix.com offers cutting-edge web technology that allows you to customize your Facebook or mobile website regardless of your technical skills or knowledge. It's an online tool that guides you through building your site without having to code. I was literally able to drag and drop different image and text elements to update our Facebook page by starting with one of their many free templates.

My tips for using the Wix platform would be to:

1. Plan ahead and decide what aspects of your business want to feature (will help with choosing template layout and tabs)
2. Think about what message and image you want to convey to your audience (will help with choosing template themes)
3. SAVE YOUR WORK as you go (yes, I did have to rebuild it from scratch once when Internet Explorer had a hiccup and stopped responding)
4. Have FUN -- you can customize and update your site whenever you want

The Wix support team is friendly and helpful (true story -- I actually called them and got advice on how to optimize the page). Stop by and "like" our Facebook page when you have the chance, and tell us what you think on our Wall!

You'll also see info on my upcoming Communicate for Impact seminar for women entrepreneurs on Tuesday, March 27 -- which is being held in NYC at Wix Lounge!

How I Broke Through My Fears - Literally

I had the privilege to be a guest last Saturday at the Winter Rejuvenation Workshop hosted by Jasmin Terrany and her fantastic team of experts and healers. It was so rewarding to experience their gifts and take part in their activities to help re-align my mind-body-spirit.

As a coach, I know it's important to take ME-TIME, and this workshop was a great opportunity for me to practice what I preach. I'd like to share a bit about my personal breakthroughs.

The closing exercise was designed to help us find our true power so that we can experience true mind-body-spirit alignment. This was achieved through breaking -- several participants agreeing to strike a wood block with their fists. It's often in these situations that I'm not sure from where my motivation to participate strikes me. All I knew was my hand shot up in the air when El asked for volunteers.

My instruction was to write on one side of the board some of my FEARS [false evidence appearing real], and to write on the opposite side of the board some of my DREAMS [dedication responsibility education attitude motivation]. Then, at the front of the room, I would acknowledge my fears (by bowing to the board) and then BREAK-THROUGH by striking the board with my fist.

I was the first volunteer; so in addition to the fears I had written on the board, I also had performance anxiety chattering in my head ... "What if I don't break the board? Will they laugh at me? Will I de-motivate everyone else?" Not to mention, will I break my hand?!

Somehow, I was able to access my inner power, make connection with the board, face my fears, and BREAK-THROUGH to the other side! And, NOT break my hand, LOL! I've since kept the broken board pieces on my fireplace mantle as a reminder of my experience. What's ironic, though, is my little inner fear-voice inside isn't completely silenced. Occasionally, I've found "her" internally critiquing me because I didn't break-through the board in two equal parts like others had done. Of course, I know that my willingness to take this activity on and face my fears head-on is what counts. And, I'll always have the broken board as my reminder to motivate me when "she" surfaces. And, I'll gently let her know it's ok.

Was there a time that you faced your fears head-on? What happened? What did you learn? How are you stronger as a result of doing so? Share your comments here or tweet me on Twitter.

How Can Brooklyn Drive Down Diabetes?

Did you know that in 2007-2009, that Brooklyn had an adult obesity rate of 25% and a diagnosed diabetes rate of 10.2%? [NYC DOHMH Community Health Survey]

Well, the folks who are part of the Brooklyn Partnership to Drive Down Diabetes (BP3D) do and they are determined to achieve lasting health policy and environmental changes over the next two years. BP3D is a collaboration between CAMBA, the Greater Brooklyn Health Coalition and is guided by a coalition of over 40 public and private stakeholders. They took on a social marketing campaign last year to promote healthy eating on the community level: Our Health is in Our Hands.

I attended a strategic plan meeting yesterday at Brooklyn College, and learned more about BP3D's 5 Strategic Goals to help Brooklynites gain more access to healthy food options and safe places to exercise so we can more effectively manage our weight and prevent/reduce diabetes. The goals are to:

1. Address linguistic and cultural/ethnic barriers to healthcare
2. Build partnerships and coordinate among service providers and health promotion programs
3. Increase knowledge of and access to healthy options
4. Build capacity of faith-based and community centers to address health needs
5. Create sustainability of BP3D and partner programs

I was honored to be able to share the findings from our workgroup, after an hour-long brainstorming session to determine our Top 3 Recommended Action Items to Achieve BP3D Goal 3:

• Change and enforce school food and physical activity policies -- ensure that this includes parent education and awareness; stimulate connections between students and local community gardens; ensure school water fountains work; create age-appropriate nutrition and health awareness curriculum that demonstrates connection between physical activity and academic performance
• Expand existing city initiatives, e.g., healthy bodegas and play streets -- ensure that this includes social media strategies to increase awareness and strengthen connections; maintain cultural sensitivity
• Establish and expand workplace wellness programs -- ensure that this includes healthy eating options in worksite cafeterias; create company health fairs and employee health competitions; facilitate public/private partnerships to link business owners with nutrition and health awareness resources

As a Brooklyn resident and entrepreneur, I'm excited to be part of this endeavor, and look forward to sharing more about our efforts going forward. Share your thoughts and comments here on the blog, or tweet me using the #BP3D hashtag.

NEW Podcast: How to Love Yourself More in 2012

As we get closer to Valentine's Day, it seems as if LOVE is in the air. This day can be a source of great joy for some, while for others it can be a source of stress and anxiety. So, I decided to kick off 2012 with a podcast to help you manifest more (self) love this year.

The idea of loving yourself often seems cliché. We throw the phrase around, but do we really understand what it means? As you know, LOVE was one of my 3 Words of 2011. And, even I'll admit that my focus more often than not was externally focused -- to attract more love into my life. It does leads one to wonder: Do we actually know how to love ourselves? On the other hand, do we even know what the process of self-love looks like?

Tune into this informative podcast with Jasmin Terrany, founder of JasminBalance.com. By combining traditional psychotherapy, life coaching and eastern practices, such as mindfulness and meditation, she helps her clients feel supported and inspired as they overcome barriers and blocks to fully loving themselves.

In the podcast, Jasmin explains her “love tank” theory, and provides tips to help you fully love and accept yourself just as unique and special as you are! She also shares more info on an upcoming Winter Rejuvenation Workshop she's offering to kickoff V-Day weekend on Saturday, February 11 here in NYC.

After you listen to the podcast, I'd love hear what's your biggest insight on your journey to greater self-love and acceptance? Comment here on the blog or tweet me your thoughts on Twitter.

How to Be Assertive Without Causing Tension or Stress

Did you know that 1 in 3 women law partners have felt uncomfortable when discussing their worth to negotiate their compensation? It's no wonder since (according to a 2010 MCCA & Partner for Attorney Retention survey) 30% have experienced intimidation, threats, or bullying to back down after they disputed the allocation of business origination credits.

These shocking statistics made me jump at the chance to help women lawyers reduce interpersonal tension and miscommunication by leading my seminar for the Women in the Profession Committee of the New York City Bar Association: Communicate for Impact! How to Use People Styles to Hone Your Skills ... and Get Results!

In the above pic, I'm discussing the potential impact of non-verbal behaviors on how well your message is received and understood by others. While communication isn't an exact science, there have been numerous studies about how our communication behaviors and habits impact the quality of our interactions and relationships.

Bolton & Bolton's People Styles model suggests there are four styles based on your level of assertiveness, ("the degree to which your behavior is seen by others as being forceful or directive") and your responsiveness ("the degree which others see you as showing your emotions and an awareness of other people's feelings").

We had a rich discussion in the seminar as the women shared their experiences of how they had been perceived (perhaps judged?) in the workplace along a passive - assertive - aggressive continuum of assumed inner capabilities. And, there were a few A-HA! moments as we began to discuss assertiveness as a set of behaviors (e.g., gestures, eye contact, movement, posture, and voice volume/speed) -- as they began to realize that they can adjust how they behave/communicate -- or flex their style -- in different situations to make their interactions more productive [HINT: it's about making the other person feel comfortable].

These are the kinds of communication breakthroughs I love witnessing from my clients because the impact can be so broad -- not just for your relationships but for your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, learning to be more assertive can help coping with issues such as depression, anorexia, bulimia, and social anxiety disorder!

Are you ready to be more assertive and get better results in 2012? Now is the time to boost your self-confidence, improve your decision-making skills, and overcome barriers in your critical relationships. Sign up for one of my Communication Breakthrough Coaching programs so you can earn more respect, and create more honest, productive relationships this year.

Tune in and Take the 2012 Mind Cleanse Challenge

It's the start of the year, yet are you already feeling overwhelmed?

Take the Mind Cleanse Challenge and take some ME-time! Tune in to hear my tips on how to regain your focus and identify your stress triggers -- and learn how those triggers show up in your body. I was recently featured as a guest expert on Own Your Power Radio Show hosted by founder, Simone Kelly Brown. You'll also hear some great ideas from yoga expert, Kelly Ann Clark.

Let me know what you learn and what new mind cleanse habits you'll take on in 2012!

My 3 Words for 2012

Happy New Year! In keeping with tradition (isn't it funny how habits/rituals become tradition?), I'd like to share with you my 3 Words for 2012. I can't believe it's been three years since I adopted this habit from Chris Brogan ... where did the time go?!

Ironically, since taking on this habit, I've noticed that my mind begins thinking of the 3 Words that will shape the next year sooner. So, I'll share my 3 Words (and some of my intentions) in the order in which they came to and inspired me ... although my Type A personality wants me to share them in alphabetical order, LOL! :-) Drum roll please .....

1. Travel: I intend to travel via multiple business trips and vacations to see the world and expand my horizons. This word was inspired by a few things including my intention/desire to travel to London to watch the 2012 Olympics. I'd also like to travel to lead women's empowerment programs around the world in places like Haiti and Libya.
2. Wealth: I intend to build wealth in 2012 so I can do more, live longer, leave a legacy, transform lives and change the world. I've begun adopting a different mindset about money as a form of energy with which I can do GREAT things. I know the more I earn the more I can serve others -- on a business and personal level.
3. Fun: I intend to have fun with my family, friends, soulmate, clients, business partners, and associates in 2012. I intend to incorporate fun into my work, my play, my ME-TIME, my vacation (yes, will need some support on that one!). The personal mantra that has developed in my mind around this word is: Have FUN, or go home! And, I've created a new business slogan around this word as well: InStep Consulting -- We Make Healthy Living FUN!

So far, I've written my intention statements associated with all 3 Words. And, I've incorporated images into my Vision Board slideshow to represent these words. I'll be creating my Outlook daily task item with these intentions later today. And, I'm hopeful and optimistic for the year.

I will note the potential irony of writing this post today -- according to Deepak Chopra and the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Friday is aligned with The Law of Detachment, which states:

"Allow yourself and others the freedom to be who they are. Do not force solutions -- allow solutions to spontaneously emerge. Uncertainty is essential and is your path to freedom."

So, I know that I have begun the year with my intentions; and I need be detached from the solutions or outcomes. I don't know exactly how my 3 Words will shape my life in 2012. I know only that I'm expressing these words from a place of love and good intentions. And, I know that this level of detachment will come more easily on some (Fri)days than others!

What are your 3 Words for 2012? What intentions do you have for this year?