Mid-Career

Mantra #3: Go Where You’re Respected

Posted by

0

Do you love yourself enough to go where you’re celebrated and not just tolerated? πŸ’œ

As a small business owner an N of 1, being sick can be terrifying. Not only do you not feel well physically, but you worry about your business. It feels as if there are literal dollars flowing down the drain.

Yet, I know (in my old age πŸ™‚ that resting is important and really, the only way to get better fast.

When I am sick, I have to cancel appointments, calling or texting clients at odd hours to apologize and change plans, hopefully giving them enough notice not to cause too much disruption.

Fortunately, a𝙑𝙑 of my clients have been gracious and understanding. Some of them aren’t even clients yet! They have sent me quick emails wishing me quick recovery and have already rescheduled. Thank you!

This is a far cry from my last job where I was scolded for not calling in sick before 8am every day. No one called or emailed me to see how I was doing. And when I was finally well enough to return, I was met with a “letter in my file” for violating a (non-existent) “attendance policy.”πŸ™„

I am finally in a professional place where I am loved and celebrated. It took years to build my business and I’m grateful for it every day. I truly love what I do and I’m honored to work with amazing people.

I was barely tolerated in my last job.

I stayed for all kinds of reasons. Most of them bad. And all of them false, because they were rooted in fear, not love.

You are allowed to be loved- at home, with family and friends, in school, and yes, at work.

If you aren’t. I’m so sorry. I know how painful that is. It makes you doubt yourself. It makes you think you’re going crazy.

You’re not crazy and you’re not wrong.

You’re allowed to be celebrated.

You’re allowed to want more.

You’re allowed to love yourself.

Mantra #2: Great People do Things before They’re Ready

Posted by

0

Leslie Knope, from Parks & Recreation, is a modern day shero: smart, ambitious, funny, and fiercely loyal.

We have Amy Poehler to thank for Leslie. I’m a huge Amy Poehler fan. She works hard, uses her quick wit to make others laugh without resorting to snark, and is unabashedly feminist and intersectional in uplifting other women, especially young girls (see: Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls).

In my work as a career coach and resume writer, I help women and men across industries, generations, life experiences, and skill levels. I’ve noticed that men are more willing to see coaching and resume writing as an investment and decide more quickly to hire me.

The women I speak with tend to hem and haw. They are less likely to see themselves as ready or worthy of the time and money they will spend in coaching. They (almost always) consult with someone else about their decision before they circle back to me.

In her book, 𝘠𝘦𝘴, π˜—π˜­π˜¦π˜’π˜΄π˜¦ Amy writes:

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that’s what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.”

I know what self-doubt feels like. I was NOT ready to quit my full-time job and take my company full-time. I’m glad I took the leap, though!

I help people find and promote their best selves. I am the coach that I needed when I wasn’t ready. I’m no Leslie Knope, but I am a compassionate listener and strong encourage-r. I helpΒ people see their unique gifts and talents, so they can find and then tell their career story.

Ladies, it’s time for us to stop waiting until we’re ready. Until we have every single box checked before we apply for that job, run for office, have a baby, choose a partner.

There is no ready. You are already ready. You can do this.

Like Leslie, find a squad of gals, love em fiercely, and let them love you fiercely in return.

I can help, too. Contact me-Β you’re β€œready.”

Trust yourself

50 Mantras for Turning 50

Posted by

0

2025 is a big year for me and my business, Sheldrake Consulting, LLC.

I turned 50 in April. πŸŽ‚

And Sheldrake was TEN in February. πŸŽ‰

I’ve spent many hours pondering (worrying) about whether to share that or not.

As many women know, ageism and sexism are alive and well.

But, it would be pretty darn hypocritical of me to coach clients on “being themselves,” and then not doing it myself.

My word for 2025 is elevate. One of the ways I’m trying to elevate my business, myself, and others, is to create more and consume less.

In the spirit of that, I’m challenging myself to share “50 mantras for Turning 50” throughout this calendar year.

So, here we go!

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚 #𝟏: 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 π˜πŽπ”π‘π’π„π‹π…

The biggest regrets I have, and the biggest mistakes I made, were when I didn’t trust myself.

When I gave too much power to others’ voices and not enough power to my own.

I have a “trust yourself” sticker on my laptop and intentionally put it there so I see it every day.

πŸ’œIt’s a reminder that I DO know what the heck I’m doing. (And so do you!)
πŸ’œThat, I’ve done hard things before and I can do them again.
πŸ’œTo trust my gut and not ignore red flags.
πŸ’œTo take risks and bet on myself.

Trusting ourselves is scary and takes practice. We’re constantly barraged by messages telling us that we shouldn’t trust ourselves.

I don’t always get it right. I stumble often.

But, I’m committed to trying and learning.

And honestly, at almost 50, I’m also trying to have more fun (hence the F-bo** that sits on my laptop, too, courtesy of my friend’s daughter).

What about π˜πŽπ”?

What’s a mantra that’s helping you right now?

(You don’t have to share your age. Unless you want to!)