How to Strengthen Your Inner Foundation
STRENGTHENING YOUR FOUNDATION
The Coaching, Cocktails, & Conversations Podcast with Lolita E. Walker
**This blog is a transcript of episode 1 on the podcast. May you read it and imagine Lolita pouring into you. Should any nuggets resonate with you, please subscribe to your favorite podcast platform (Coaching, Cocktails, & Conversations) and write an amazing review so that others can also be inspired to hear and feel what you did.
Thank you so much, Lolita
Welcome to Coaching, Cocktails, & Conversations with Lolita E Walker, the podcast that coaches you up while meeting you exactly where you are. Grab your water, tea or something stronger, and allow this podcast to help you feel the power in your pause. Come on in and join the conversation. Let's go.
Hello. Hello. Hello. And welcome to season one, episode one, Strengthening Your Foundation. I am just so excited to have you here with me today on my first episode of my podcast. I'm so excited. This is absolutely my small win for today. I cannot even begin to explain to you how long I have been saying that I am going to be putting a podcast out into this world with the goal to just give nuggets of coaching while I'm having a bit of fun and some good old fashioned conversations, just like I do at my kitchen table.
Now, don't the best conversations happen in your kitchen? I swear the answer for me is absolutely. Whenever anybody comes over, the place that we all gather is always the kitchen. That is probably because I'm usually cooking something but that is where the best conversations happen. Even when there's no cooking going on, everybody always gathered in the kitchen and we end up sitting at the table, standing all around and having the best conversations. So this is the vibe that I am setting for right here inside of this podcast. And they always happen right one time.
So as a certified life and executive coach, a TEDx speaker and the author of, “The Intersection of You and Change,” My passion truly lies in meeting you exactly where you are to help you leap beyond where you even think you want to go. That's one of my core strengths. I'm able to do that and I do it very well. But in everything I do, including my own personal and professional coaching and consultancy. I help women and teams to feel the power in their pause. I help you dig deep, move distractions out of your way, and then shift to the best version of yourself. This podcast is an extension of me and all of my passion that surrounds my work. You know, the purpose of this new podcast is to shift your thinking and to help you truly feel the power in your pause.
If you don't mind, I'm going to use this inaugural episode to be a little different from what you're going to experience in future episodes. So today I'm going to help you strengthen your foundation, while I also share a bit of my own foundation and talk to you a little bit about what you can expect inside of this podcast right here.
I'm going to do everything by leaning on my three-part methodology that I will use in every podcast. So part one. Ready? Is coaching. I'm going to delve into our topic a bit and then leave you with a few nuggets to intertwine into your every day. Okay. Then there’s cocktails. What do you think about when you're having cocktails? You're relaxed. It's a celebration. Typically, you're celebrating something, even if it's just a sit and pause – oh my gosh. You're celebrating something. And it's that release. It’s that putting your feet up. It’s that ahhh. So whether you're drinking water, tea or something stronger, it's not about what you're sipping when you come to this kitchen table. No, it's about the celebration of who you are and all that you bring to the table.
And then part three is conversations. So, sometimes it's going to be done with an invitation to an extra special guest to come on and give us another perspective on whatever the topic is that we happen to be talking about for that episode. And sometimes, guess what? The conversation is just going to be between you and I. And I will already warn you that sometimes it's going to feel uncomfortable and that's okay. But I want to challenge your thinking on where you are, again, to shift you further….to shift you so that you can soar. I hope that makes sense. And that is why you are here at Coaching Cocktails and Conversations, with Lolita E Walker.
See, this podcast here is a mindset shift. It's a choice to upgrade your lifestyle just a little bit. Consider it like a personal maintenance staff that's here for you to help you strengthen any cracks that happened to be inside of your foundation. So why do you think I'm starting my first podcast with, Strengthening Your Foundation? It's really because I believe firmly that you have to know what you're standing upon. You have to know what you're standing upon so that you can know, is it strong? Do I need some work inside of that foundation? So let's get started.
Coaching:
Now a reminder, this episode, the title is, Strengthening Your Foundation. Now, before we strengthen it, you have to first know what it is, right? So I want to start with this. When you think of foundation, what do you think of? Go ahead and say it out loud. You might be by yourself. You might be with other people. Don't feel silly. Just go ahead and say it out loud. When you think of the word foundation, what do you think of? Me, I think of a house. I think of the structure in the bottom most part of it, what is holding it up. I think of strength. I think of just the solid structure that's holding up all of this weight. What did you say? Now how would you describe your foundation? Would you say it was strong? Would you say, ah, there's a couple of cracks in it and I need to get those repaired? Hmm. Would you say that there's room for doubt and fear, anxiety, stress to seep into those cracks of your foundation? Does that happen, right? Yeah? But is there also room for joys, for triumphs and wins to help strengthen that foundation? Is there room for that? Are so many distractions and chaos in the way of strengthening your foundation? And when that foundation does crack, because it will happen, right? When that foundation of you does crack, do you have a list of resources that you can go to, to help repair it and strengthen that foundation? Huh?
So I want to talk to you today about your foundation. Okay. I want to share this story with you. And this is kind of the foundation of this podcast and how we got started and how I got my butt in motion.
So, it’s Corona-cation, right? It's just another day during this Corona-cation and my son, my mom and I are sitting at the breakfast table and I pull out one of my affirmations from my forty card deck of affirmations that I sell. And this one reads, I leap because my faith and strengths have wings to protect my fall. What? Powerful Right? Let me say that again. I leap because my faith and strengths have wings to protect my fall.
So I'm sitting there in the power of this affirmation and saying it aloud. And as normal, we go around in a round table and say, how are you going to leverage this affirmation today? How are you going to live in it? So everybody goes and I get to my part. And honestly in my mind I'm like, I don't know the how, but what I know is that when I'm feeling butterflies or where I'm feeling this procrastination, I'm just going to say, listen, I'm going to fly. I'm standing on this foundation of faith and strength that's going to help me to fly. Really what those butterflies are…I didn't recognize that they were fear yet, until I tell you this next part.
So, after we finish our breakfast, I go into my office. I’m sitting at my computer that I started and while it's booting up. I look up and what do I see? BAM! Right in my face is my vision board and right at the top is my theme for this year. It says, Lolita, surrender to plenty in 2020. Yup. Right on my vision board, surrender to plenty in 2020. My eyes glance over to the right and what do I see is a white paper that's glued on there with a black artwork that says podcast. And there's an outline of a black microphone right behind it. I kid you not, I can't make this up. This is a true story. And right there, I think back to my affirmation of, I leap because my faith and strengths have wings to protect my fall. I'm looking at this vision board that I have up for 2020 and I'm recognizing--- And guess what? It’s May and I have done no work toward my podcast. Now that's okay because I have all year. But what I recognized is the reason that I haven't done the work is because of fear. I haven't leaped into my podcast because of fear. And when I sat there and I wrote out what is stopping me… what is in the way of me doing this podcast? What I'd recognized is that there's nothing that can't be overcome. There was nothing there that I can't grab some help for. Reach out for some help and assistance to get me beyond the barrier that I think is in my way. That was fear.
I share that story with you because what I recognized in that moment is that I am standing on the foundation of my faith. Absolutely. I'm standing on the foundation of my strengths. One of them being a connector. So, who am I going to connect with in order to make sure that some of these barriers get out of the way that I've written down? Then I said, this is why I haven't started my podcast. No. That barrier has now become an excuse because I have someone there who was there to help me to patch what was now a crack of doubt; what was a crack of fear in my foundation. You see what I'm saying? What I'm saying to you is sometimes we have to stand upon our foundation and be really clear on what the aspects are that have built our foundation.
So I ask you again, how would you describe your foundation? Is it strong? What are you standing on? What are your strengths? Tell me two strengths that you have right now. Only two strengths that you have right now. I've already given you one of mine. I am a connector. I am a connector not only for other people, right? But I also am a connector in that, when I really dig down, I can associate myself with someone who possesses a strength that can help me in my time of need. My time of need in the example that I gave you was to create this podcast. So who am I going to connect with? What resource am I going to connect with so that this crack doesn't become a hole? All right.
What are your two strengths?
Good. How would you describe your foundation? See my foundation, I am passion. I am power. I am purpose. I know that. I know that I stand on the foundation of faith. I know what I believe. I know that God will see me through any obstacle. And I know that I don't always feel great every single day. I don't always feel great. But what I know is that when I'm ready to leap, I have strengths that are holding me up. I have my faith that is holding me up. I have some resources in my circle that can also help me to be held up in this moment. Yes, they are wings. They are my wings that are going to help me to soar when I decide to leap. It is very important that you have a strong foundation. So how do you strengthen that foundation? How do you strengthen that foundation?
What I want to offer to you today is to just do a little bit of soul work. Do a little bit of soul work as your homework and this is about strengthening your foundation. I want you to write down what are two strengths that you have.
Sometimes some folks struggle with what their strengths are and that is okay. That's okay. We are building our foundation. One of them you've got to know. One of them has to be from you. But if you struggle with finding another strength and knowing that it is one of your strengths, than ask someone, Hey, what's the strength that you think that I have. And give me an example of it. Okay? So you're going to have these two strengths that are right there for you. You're going to have two strengths. What else is holding you up? What are your core values? Integrity, honesty, compassion. What are your core values? Sometimes you're going to have to think about it and I want to give you that time. That's why it's soul work. What are your core values? Because you're standing on that as well.
How does it feel when you're free? How does it feel when you're moving in your passion? These are all the things that come together on what it is that you stand on. You're standing on these core principles, your values, your faith, your strengths. How is yours made up? I want you to know. I want you to feel it. I want you to believe it. I want you to trust it. This is about setting up your foundation and then strengthening your foundation.
I want you to be able to use this podcast as a resource to strengthen your foundation. We're going to have topics. Topics that are going to help you strengthen your foundation. We're going to have guests that will help you strengthen your foundation. And guess what? We'll have you, who is going to help you to strengthen your foundation.
Cocktails:
I want to say cheers to you for recognizing what makes up your foundation. Okay? That's big work. Cheers to you for acknowledging that there are cracks in your foundation that allowed doubt and fear and anxiety and stress to peep on in, to creep in. But when that happens, who are you calling on to help you? Some people call on God right away. There's some people who call on a friend and some people who call on a parent. There's some people who call on a coach like myself. The value in that is that you're also having an accountability partner right there with you to help you push forward, to help you move those obstacles out of your way. And that is why coaching is so amazing. So cheers to you for digging deep with some soul work to get clear on how you will continue to strengthen your foundation.
Conversations:
So in this conversation that we're about to have I'm going to ask you, again. How are you strengthening your foundation? How would you describe your foundation? I want you to dig a little deeper. How would you describe your foundation? What are your strengths? What are your core values? What’s sitting there? Who are you relying on to help patch these things up? Where do your cracks exist inside of your foundation? I want you to sit in this place and feel the power that is within it. This is the place where I help you to solidify your foundation.
Can you feel the coaching? Can you feel the cocktails and the cheering on, of you? The celebration? Can you feel the conversation that we're having? I love it. I absolutely love it. This is the place where I want you to feel the power that is inside of you. I want you to challenge your thinking. How did that exercise make you feel?
Sometimes it's uncomfortable and that's alright. That's why you come here to get a little coached up. What is one win that you're taking away from this podcast today? What’s one win that you're taking away from this podcast today?
I'd love to hear from you. So, email me at podcast@lolitawalker.com. I would love to hear from you. What did you learn about yourself inside of this podcast right here? What did you learn about your foundation? Where did you think that there were cracks, that maybe weren't there? Were there additional cracks that you thought about? Who's helping you to really strengthen your foundation? Take some time after this podcast, rewind, listen back, forward it to a friend. Talk about it with a friend. This is here to be a tool to help you sit in the power of your pause. I want to meet you where you are and allow yourself to open up and be coached. I love it.
I get so much out of these podcasts, the same way you get out. So this has been amazing.
We have concluded another episode of, Coaching, Cocktails and Conversations with Lolita E Walker. Connect with me at lolitawalker.com for speaking, coaching and my book, The Intersection of you & Change. Next time, bring a friend. Cheers.
……………
**Lolita is a single mommy of a school-aged son. She is the owner of Walker & Walker Enterprises, a personal and professional coaching and consultancy that helps busy women and teams to truly feel the power in their pause. Through certified coaching, speaking, courses, her book, podcast, women and corporate retreats, and empowerment products, Lolita meets you where you are to journey you to where you want to be. Please visit lolitawalker.com for additional information and please do not forget to gift a 5-star podcast rating if you were able to take any amazing nuggets from Lolita or any of her podcast guests. It helps her grow organically and....also feels great to read and celebrate that win! Thank you for listening, sharing, and reviewing.
· Website: www.lolitawalker.com
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkernwalkerchange
· Podcast: www.podcast.lolitawalker.com
· Podcast FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachingcocktailsconversations
· IG: www.instagram.com/walkernwalkerchange
· Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lolita-e-walker
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/lolitaewalker
Let's M.O.V.E. into 2019 with a bit of Intention
It’s time M.O.V.E. forward into 2019. Here’s 4 tips to help you on your way up!
I recently had the amazing opportunity to sit with Veronica Johnson of ABC’s Channel 7 and NewsCenter 8 for four minutes of a great conversation. We chatted my book and I shared four tips to get you moving into 2019. Here’s a bit more that we were unable to chat on the air!
Make time for YOU!
How often do you give your all to work, to home, to kids, to spouses, to friends and family? How often do you reserve that same amount of energy, time and resources to yourself? Likely the two are a bit off balanced! Well, the good and the bad news is that you are not alone! So what do you do? It is a new year and time to simply make a bit of time for yourself.
Here’s a thought. Grab your calendar and start with adding and entry called “Me Time.” Begin with a recurring entry once a month at the same time, on the same day. Perhaps your”Me Time” means taking yourself to a restaurant on your own, the library on Saturday morning, the house of a friend who will be out of town next weekend, a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood, or even a day of pampering just for you. Whatever it is that gets you to a happy place, allowing yourself to pause, is well worth the time - your time. Try something that you have yet to do, but have always wanted to do. It’s time for you to experience the unexpected, and the great news is that you have already scheduled this time into your busy calendar!
I invite you to check out my upcoming retreat where I have arranged an intentional pause, reset and rejuvenation just for you! Click here to read more about this amazing weekend renewal.
Open your mind to embrace the word “no”
“Yes, I can do that.” “Yes, I’ll take care of that.” These are phrases that are no strangers to most of us. The word no is not always a negative.
Consider this. Saying no can be two-fold. It can not only give you time back for you, but it can also reissue the power that you may have taken, back to the individuals who are beyond capable to handle the task(s) that are being asked of you. Are there any “yes’s” that you give without being asked? Sounds like a crazy question right? But, not really. Think about it. Have you said things like “I’ll do it” or “I’ll take care of it” without the question being directly posed to you?
It’s ok to laugh now hahah.. Challenge yourself to say no and release yourself from the guilt that typically follows.
Victory is yours! Visualize it.
Victory is in fact yours so let’s visualize it, claim it, and make it a reality! Vision Boards help with this visualization. Not only is this your creation of images, words, and phrases of where you want and claim to be , but there are neurons in the brain that equate your visualization to reality. Let’s celebrate the small wins as you claim victories along your journey.
Experience the power of affirmations.
To affirm is to declare what you want and believe is possible. Whether a personalized affirmation or reading through a deck of 40, when you walk in your affirmation, your confidence, clarity, and commitment pushes up a notch!
Try this. Choose two of your strengths and add “ I am” in front of each. Follow that up with an opportunity that you wish to manifest into a strength. Finally end with your name. For example, mines could be:
I am a powerful speaker. (strength)
I am a dynamic coach. (strength)
I am a purposeful perfectionist. (an opportunity that I want to be more purposeful about)
I am Lolita E. Walker
Consider reciting yours for the remainder of this week. Be honest with yourself in how you feel, how you act, how you move in this new space.
Yes, it is time for you to M.O.V.E.
If you are ready to jump start your year with intention, a plan, and accountability, please plan to join me February 21-24, 2019.
Veronica Johnson, of ABC’s Channel 7 & News Channel 8, connects with me on Good Morning Washington
Listen in as I share a bit of motivation as we enter 2019! Are you ready to make your Power M.O.V.E.? Grab 4 tips on how to M.O.V.E. forward and leap to where you want and deserve to be.
He Said or She Said........
7 Ways to L.O.V.E. Y.O.U. and remember your Core Values when He Said or She Said something that doesn’t quite sit right with you!
HE SAID………… (or She Said)
Something that made you question YOU….so what do you do?
It’s easy for someone to tell you the first thing that comes to mind, “Give them the business right where you sit,” but sometimes we find ourselves simply caught in the moment of “what is happening now?” or even thinking “if i said what I really think, I could be fired immediately.”
Have this happened to you?? I know that I can absolutely relate!
Though you may be cursing them in your head, your facial expressions may be giving them every word non-verbally, or you have zoned out to think through how you got to this point….your reality is that you are still seated across from the person who has said something you do not agree with and it has hit you at your core.
Over the past two months, I have gotten a few questions on what my thoughts are to best handle feedback. I think this is partially because I consistently profess that feedback is a gift….which I truly do believe.
We have found ourselves in December! Hallelujah but hold on to your seats sports fans! The end of the calendar year is typically a time when your direct manager is plunging through quarterly reviews, you have increased stress driven by last minute work and personal deadlines, shopping for the holidays is still on your to do list and you still need to squeeze in time for reflection and to document your small wins.
Whew!!!!!! You’ve got a lot going on!
So WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO……………
My advise is to remember to L.O.V.E. Y.O.U as you hold on to your core.
…….Because YOU are talented, you are unique, you are an expert in what you do.
Listen Intently
Have you heard the saying, “You have two ears and one mouth and to use them accordingly?” If not, no problem, it may be something that my father put on instant repeat each time I put my foot in my mouth without truly using the opportunity to not only hear, but to listen.
Allow yourself to be present during the conversation by taking a deep breath when you realize that this is about to be a difficult conversation. Your undivided attention in the conversation allows you to understand not only what is being said to you, but the reason that they are saying it. Listening is the only true way to then be able to ask intelligent follow up questions that may drill a bit of clarity.
Option your opportunities
If feedback is a gift, what parts can you control? Well let’s think about this for a moment. It’s not a bad thing to make yourself vulnerable and invite input into your space. What you have power over is how you react to this gift that is being presented to you. Will you act upon each point? Is it something that you know will help you personally and/or professionally?
Consider after hearing what is said, to write down the strengths that came out of the conversation and the opportunities that were highlighted. Option them.
I am suggesting that you write them as a list and then give options on how they could help you if this area were improved. Choose then if you can leverage your strengths to help you. Choose if this is a priority for you at this point. Remember that you don’t need to necessarily grab all of these gifts with excitement :) Just because they were offered to you does not mean that you must readily unpack them. It’s ok to give yourself a bit of time.
Voice your understanding
Consider after you listen to the feedback to repeat back your understanding. As you summarize what you heard, it offers the other person to confirm or clarity the points. When you draw clarity, you can then focus on the most relevant information. You are clear on the points that they have made and can avoid assumptions or reading more into what was said. This, for me, has proven to open a dialogue of better understanding. In your emotion of “how dare you” thoughts during the conversation, you may have misheard a few points or related it to something unintended. Clarity breeds understanding.
Explore you and your role
Take time with the input and leverage this time to reflect and to explore. Is this feedback something that has been told to you in the past by another person? Have you explored if this feedback is worth unpacking and doing something with? What role did you play in the examples that were told to you?
Yesterday’s thoughts
Compare your “yesterday’s thoughts” to today. Once you have had a moment to sit on what was said, you then have a clear head to compare. Have your thoughts changed at all? Are you in more of an open space to receive the feedback that you may have blocked yesterday?
Organize with clarity
As you can see, clarity is an ongoing theme with each of the points as you L.O.V.E. Y.O.U. To be clear is to be focused and to be focused allows you to navigate the path that is best for you by assigning actions that yield the outcome that makes the most sense.
Use your strengths
At the end of the day, your core strengths are able to propel you to your greatness. They are what make you you. They are what you have become an expert in and likely are innate characteristics that you possess. The beauty in this is that these strengths have become part of your DNA. Use them to secure the resources and help you need to turn those opportunities into further strengths.
You are good at what you do. You are good at being you. Allow these strengths to work for you and help you L.O.V.E. Y.O.U even more.
Your strengths become your power so protect them. Don’t easily give these up or allow them to be taken away from you by a cloud of what others may not yet see. The feedback or input that was given to you is just that - a gift. What you control is when you unpack that gift, how you react to that gift, and how you allow yourself to bounce back!
Own it and l.o.v.e. y.o.u
I’d LOVE to see you at my upcoming February 2019 Women’s Weekend Renewal Retreat. Not only is it a sacred space to reflect and renew, but it is the perfect opportunity for you to love you even more. Investing in you to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate is PERFECT for you to jump start 2019.
Fall First, Act Next!
3 Ways to remember Y.O.U. as you embrace, act, and thrive!
When we were small, we would fall and then cry.
As parents, we encourage our children to get right back up and try, try, again!
As adults, we occasionally forget that to fall is to learn from our mistakes and that in short timing, we must quickly act. We must quickly and intentionally move and behave in a certain way to push forward.
I recently had the amazing pleasure of welcoming and facilitating a workshop at an empowerment conference in Washington DC, where the theme of the conference was “It’s Your Year of Action".” In this full day of empowerment, , my goal was to motivate, excite, and jump start these women into knowing and declaring that this was in fact…..THEIR YEAR OF ACTION!
As each of you reading this blog have again hopped aboard my Change Train, I thank you. In writing this, I was reminded that we push ourselves so much for continued excellence. We oftentimes compensate for things that are not our own, we hold ourselves to standards that are beyond achievable, and we do this without a second thought. We do this selflessly.
We must remember that…………We are power. We are independent. We are, in our minds, ready to conquer the world….at one time.
AND WE DO ALL OF THIS WITHOUT TRULY THINKING ABOUT US!
Through this blog today, I share with you a few of the words I welcomed these women with and asked them to consider during my interactive workshop. I was reminded that today was about knowing and declaring that this is your year of action. It was a time to INTENTIONALLY pause, breathe, and think about how to make this year ABOUT YOU!
WILL WE FALL? ABSOLUTELY!!! What we can control is how and when we get back up! So, let's go!
…………………………..
There is power in articulation! When you look at the power woman right beside you, look at her in her eyes and tell her THIS IS YOUR YEAR OF ACTION!
Ground yourselves upon two principles: The first is to start with the foundation of you and the second is to focus on what we can control in any situation.
Today, your specific situation is that you are in a room filled with amazing, talented, and powerful women whom you may not know! Leverage them, alongside the tools/strategies you learn, to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word act as to move and do something. To behave in a certain way. Today I want to add the word intention to that definition. Today is about INTENTIONALLY ACTING.
I CHALLENGE YOU TO FALL, THEN ACT. I CHALLENGE YOU TO JOIN ME AT MY UPCOMING RETREAT SO THAT I MAY POUR INTO YOU! An all-inclusive 4-day experience that meets you where you are. I meet you at the Intersection of You & The Changes that are coming at you left and right. I meet you where frustration meets the desire to want more. I meet you where you have leveled up and know that this is great, yet you are capable of so much more. I meet you exactly where you are……………..needing moments to recharge YOU! Check it out by clicking here! I’d love to host you!
Leap from your comfort zone to the unknown.
Meet me at The Intersection of You & Change.
Not only is this the title of my new book, but it is purposeful and it is full of so much intent.
It is where fear meets confidence and where clarity meets opportunity.
You have been given a sacred space to leap out of your comfort zone and into the land of the unknown, where you will embrace, you will act, and you will thrive.
Embrace what you are learning. Act in today’s unexpected moments and Thrive because of the new information you are now armed with.
TODAY IS ALL ABOUT YOU!!
I left them with the offering of three things in the form of the acronym YOU. Y. O. U! I would love to also share them with you here today.
You
You are here for a reason. You are here to intentionally act AND I have the privilege of holding you accountable because I am at the mic or in this case, the author of this blog 😊 So…Grab your pen and your pad and we are going to be intentional. Consider this: Today, I will have intentionally……..done what?
For instance. I will have intentionally met 2 NEW women to expand my business network or I will reapply 2 strategies that I learned today within 2 weeks. DECLARE IT! In this case, while you are reading, what are you declaring is your intention for today?
Open
Open your eyes, open your ears, open your mind to new ideas and thought processes. You have chosen to be here so use this platform so that you can LEAP.
Unleash
Unleash You! How many of us, just the week alone, had fears, anxiety, stress, distractions, or even had to jump out of our own way? I know I did!
Close your eyes and simply breath. Take a deep inhale of the positive energy that you feel in the room. Take a deep exhale of your distractions, anxiousness and barriers.
Again, take a deep inhale of the wonderful lessons that you will take in today and a deep exhale of the words “can’t” and “won’t” that will want to enter your space.
You are power. You are phenomenal and you are right where you need to be. Be Intentional.
……………………………………
Change Agents, I remind you that aboard Lolita’s Change Train, we challenge each other to soar! We challenge each other to live in our moments and push WHILE making time for ourselves. Declare that 2019 is your year and make it happen!
Declare it
Write it and Post it
Create a Clear Plan
Identify an Accountability Partner
Check in on the Progress of Your Plan
Adjust as Needed
Celebrate your Small Wins Along the Way
Make it Happen
…………………………………..
GRAB YOUR SPACE AT MY ALL-INCLUSIVE RETREAT!
Journey with an intentionally, small group of power women where we support each other from the moment you begin your payment. The experience is indescribably, but don’t believe me…check out the videos and testimonials at https://www.lolitawalker.com/retreats and click on the upcoming renewal retreat and experience.
GRAB YOUR BOOK TODAY!
Journey with me aboard Lolita’s Change Train as you travel 17 stops of self-discovery, affirmations, poetry, and much more! You’ll be happy you chose to LEAP to YOUR Unknown!
Is YOUR BEST worth YOUR RENEWAL?
Don’t underestimate your worth, Don’t underestimate your renewal! Learn how.
Is YOUR BEST worth YOUR RENEWAL?
How much would you say your BEST is worth?
Before you answer, think about it a minute. How much would you say your ABSOLUTE BEST is worth?
Was your first thought to attach your worth to a dollar amount?
If so, I totally get it. It is such a natural response and so interesting how the mind works.
For these few moments, I ask you to shift your thinking and approach the answer a bit differently. Think about shifting your thought to another tangible - to your worth equating to your piece of mind., which affords your the ability to be free.
When you identify a way to free yourself of the distractions and obstacles of your busy, every day life, you find release in the new ability to focus on you. THIS is your newfound focus of building your worth.
I'm sure you are thinking, this sounds great Lolita, but I simply have no time. I am busy all day, busy at night, barely have a chance to go to the bathroom, and simply have no time to figure out what is my best really worth. I have no time for me.
What if I challenged you and said.."Yes You Do!" Think about it. If there is an emergency and you have to stop what you are doing right now, what would you do? You would drop what you are doing because your priorities INSTANTLY shifted. That "something" became the most important action in your day, despite what you were doing previously. What if you made yourself a priority? What if the priority shifted to you?
My challenge to you is to make time. You are worthy of it. You have earned it, you deserve it, and you will get it.
Invest in Your, Invest in Your Worth!
Whether a walk around your office, an after-work appetizer at a local restaurant, a walk around the park, or a movie before heading home., it is oftentimes tough for us to reward ourselves without feeling guilty of what we could or think we should be doing. I challenge you to get out of your own way.
Hmmmm..How many times have you taken a moment for you this week? If less than 3 hours, perhaps consider one or all of the following:
Grab a personal trainer or accountability partner and schedule the gym into your calendar at least 2x a week.
Walk around your office space at least 2x a week.
Choose a single day of the week for a "me party." Schedule it in your calendar and do not deviate. Close down the computer and celebrate your wins from the week. Simply celebrate you!
Put on YOUR Oxygen First, Before You Help Others
Another opportunity to invest in you is to carve out time to rejuvenate and renew. The "airplane approach" is spot on. Take care of you so that you can then take care of others. Some folks go to the spa, others simply look out over the ocean, but here is an opportunity to de-stress, unwind, and love on you.
Allow Dr. Jennifer Alexander, Dr. Safiyyah Rahman, Karima N. Roepel, and I to guide you on a journey to a weekend renewal of self-discovery, networking, and your reinvestment into you.
Guilt-free, distraction-free relaxation of mind, body, and soul with 12 Women, 4 Experts, 3 Days, 2 Nights, 1 Goal! YOU ARE WORTHY of a celebration of YOU! Click here to learn more about this amazing weekend where you can let go of the stresses of your week, create a blueprint that helps you thrive in the true essence of you!
Lolita E Walker is a Certified Life Coach and Change Champion for Women. She is at the forefront of a movement to empower women to embrace, act, and thrive in the challenges and triumphs that are before them, act in their strengths, and thrive in the greatness that they are. Click Here to Read More
It's Time for your RESET! The Summer is Here!
5 Tips to R.E.S.E.T.
Remember to capture YOUR wins
Embrace YOUR impacts
Surround your space with positive energy
Experience the joy of YOU
Trust that YOU ARE.......uniquely YOU
The sun is out, the grills are lit, the beach is waiting on your arrival, and RESET season is here! It's time to pause, to reflect, to celebrate, and to enjoy YOU! Here's 5 tips to help you get your summertime RESET on!!! Have fun!!
R is for Remember to capture YOUR wins
How amazing would it be to read your collective wins at the end of a long week? How inspiring would it be to remember your achievements on those days you feel you have nothing more to give? It’s all in your control! If I may offer you one consideration, I would love for you to try something new in the upcoming week, which is something that has worked for me and a number of my clients, friends, and family. Consider posting a flip chart pad or sheet of paper near the dinner table. Each day before dinner, jot down your small win. If there are other folks in your household, also consider dividing your paper in columns, with the name of each family member at the top, where everyone writes one small win from that day. There are no rules, there is no judgement, but instead, simply the capture of what each person considers their win. My 6-year-old son occasionally writes, “you picked me up early from after school” or “my teacher said I did great today.” Not only may this be a new dinner-time ritual and conversation piece, but it also showcases a moment in your day where you achieved something great…AND allows you to articulate it to people you know, trust, and love! Congratulations.
E is for Embrace YOUR impacts
Far too often, we miss taking our moments to say “Wow, I did do that.” Even at a rarer instance do we take time to celebrate our impacts. Did you know that you had an impact on someone yesterday and today? Hmmm, you had to think about it right? Well, it’s true. Even when you don’t want to be or think you are, there is someone looking at you for encouragement and it’s OK to take moments to pause, reflect, and embrace the impact you are having on others. Occasionally, it is even hard to fathom that someone saw you and your actions as role modelling a piece of where they want to be, an inspiration, a push, or a lesson. When you sit and reflect, you are able to embrace the fact that there is in fact, cause for celebration.”
Here’s a little story. As I coached a client this week through a brainstorm of what would excite her in her moments of pause, she mentioned a “me party.” Now a recurring schedule on Fridays at 5:00pm, with an hour reminder to wrap up at work, her new 5:00pm appointment with herself became the weekly celebration she needed for her. I pass this along to you because a “me party,” quite simply put, is pausing to enjoy your moments. It will differ for everyone, but for this amazing woman, her celebration includes take-out from a local restaurant, a glass of wine, a recliner, and her favorite Netflix movie. I encourage you to define your “me party” AND get it scheduled today!
S is for Surround YOUR space with positive energy
Social media may remind you that you have 1K followers or 200 more connections in a single day, however your personal space is a sacred place. This is reserved for the energy you want to give and that you wish to receive. Surrounding yourself with people and things that push you beyond where you are today, will allow you to thrive in a newfound greatness you have yet to realize.
E is for Experience the joy of YOU
Guilt, fear, and the notion that we are too busy to slow down, are only three blocks that get in our way when we think of taking care of you first. When you invest in taking care of yourself, you fuel your mind, your body, and your soul. Who said being selfish on occasion is a bad thing? My vote is that it is A-OK! I posted an “instructional acronym” on SELFISH this week and would love to share it with you in the event that you missed my post on IG, FB, or LI.
T is for Trust that YOU are uniquely YOU
Need a reminder? Consider not only reminding yourself, but also reminding the world by grabbing a tee or tank that make the same power statements.
In summary, your RESET is all about YOU! An easy and poetic way to keep it all together is...
You are cordially
Remember to capture your small wins
Embrace the impacts you have made, then allow your celebrations to begin
Surround your space with positive energy, folks who lift you when you are at your worst
Experience the joy that comes along with taking care of you first
Trust that you are enough, you are worthy, and you are blessed! BEYOND MEASURE!
JOIN AN AMAZING WOMEN'S WEEKEND RENEWAL RETREAT & GET YOUR RESET ON with 11 other powerful women September 21-23, 2018. Check it out and grab your tickets today!
Lolita E. Walker is a change champion for women and a certified coach. Her passion of witnessing transformation right before her eyes has sparked her movement of empowering women to embrace their challenges and triumphs, act in their strengths, and thrive in their greatness. Personalized affirmations, coaching, women's retreats, products that make a statement, and more, Lolita meets you where you are and journeys you to where you want to be.
It's Time for You To L.E.A.P.
Ready to L.E.A.P.? Please allow me to show you four ways to start your journey.
“The jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be...because of all I will become I will close my eyes and leap.””
Ever had that butterfly feeling in your tummy and knew you should just do it, or been fed up and simply knew you need a change? Well...
NOW IS YOUR TIME, YOUR TIME TO LEAP and here are 4 things to commit to memory that remind you YES, YOU CAN!
L is for Latch
Latch on to your faith and strengths, which will help you soar to greater heights.
Ask 3 people you know to give you 3 of your strengths. Shoot them an message, call them up, or ask them in person, the results will be the same. You are looking for positive characteristics that make you.,YOU! Ask them to give you an example of each one so you have context. Try not to challenge what they share with you, over-analyze, or ask penetrating questions, because you have now opened your mind to receive their feedback as a gift. Simply say thank you and most importantly of all, believe them. Relish in the fact that you have many strengths, some that you know and some you have yet to realize.
The reality is that we oftentimes fail to pause and simply take in our small wins. Your strengths are wins. They are what empower, inspire, motivate, challenge, and demand the positive attention you deserve. Take your moments to pause because, guess what.... YOU ARE GREAT! simply say thank you, let the feedback sit, and then think about how this strength can help you reach your goal! This, alongside your faith, will propel you to SOAR!
E is for Expect
Expect ups and downs on the journey to bring life to your vision.
If it were easy......well,,,, all of us would have leaped by now! There will definitely be times you will question yourself and even contemplate whether or not you should quit. There will be times you get extra energy because you are on a roll. It is these energetic wins that will lift you when you begin to challenge your decision to leap. Here's something that you can try. At the end of each day, document a small win. Stick a sheet of paper, titled "Small Wins" on your wall so it is visible daily. You can even section off columns for everyone in your household. It is a fabulous family fun time, that after a few times, will become a fun habit that everyone looks forward to. Stay consistent and lean on these accomplishments when your days, weeks, and months throw small doubts your way! #YOUGOTTHIS
A is for Assess
Assess your progress and adjust to meet your goals.
Just because you have a plan doesn't mean you cannot adjust the plan as needed. Your goal is clear, you have developed how you will get there, have tested it out over a period of time, and have a few results to warrant the change. Do it! It is your plan. You created it to achieve your your goal. Adjust as needed and be sure to measure your success.
P is for Prepare
Prepare to live and thrive in your greatness. ITS RIGHT THERE!
When you have reached your goal, the magic that sits there awaiting you is confidence, commitment, power, determination, accomplishment, perseverance and reward! You did that. Yes, you are worthy! Recognize and Reward Yourself!
Lolita E Walker is the author of “The Intersection of You & Change,” Certified Life & Executive Coach and Change Champion for Women. She is at the forefront of a movement to empower women to embrace, act, and thrive in the challenges and triumphs that are before them, act in their strengths, and thrive in the greatness that they are. Click Here to Read More
Are YOU ready to L.E.A.P.? You are invited aboard Lolita’s Change Train!
SPRING into A New You
6 Ways to help you S.P.R.I.N.G. into the new you!
It’s Time to SPRING Into A New You & Here's 6 Tips to Get You Started
The sun has peeked its head, the children are making their way to the playground, vacations are being planned, your car is finally getting washed. When you clean your windows and change out the closets, consider cleaning out the clutter in your personal space. Spring is the perfect time to detangle yourself from some of the people and things that may occupy your spaces and places.
· Think of 5 people in your immediate circle. Are they adding to your "joy jar" or taking from it each day?
· Are your friends telling you what they think you want to hear or what they know you need to hear?
· Are you already super happy and simply are wanting spring to jump start your next phase of awesomeness?
Well, COME ON IN SPRING!
Check out this S.P.R.I.N.G. acronym to spring you into something new!
1. Sing it loud.
I am a conqueror. I am beautiful. I am power. I deserve any and every blessing that is coming my way.
Start with a deep breath in and a deep breath out each morning as you wake. Consider modifying your morning routine to include gratitude and an affirmation to yourself, FOR YOURSELF. Be specific, intentional, and driven towards your core strengths and the greatness of where you want to be. Don't know where to start? Grab a powerful, personal, & poetic affirmation designed just for you.
2. Prepare yourself for the breakthrough that is headed straight your way.
Start with removing distractions from your space. Avoid getting caught up in what is not progress you forward. It oftentimes seems easier said than done BUT it doesn't have to be. YOU GOT THIS! Be clear on your goals. If people or things are obstructing your path to achieving those goals, classify them as a distraction. Move them to the sidelines and keep forging ahead. When you reach your end destination, you can then decide if they remain on the sidelines or if you allow them into your new space.
3. Rediscover yourself.
Rediscover what you love to do, THEN do it. Here's a little exercise. Grab a sheet of paper, position it horizontally, and divide it into five columns.
Column 1: Write down 3 things you are doing when you are at your happiest.
Column 2: Write down the month and year of the last time you recall doing each of the 3 activities.
Column 3: Write down what obstacle or fear is holding you back from doing each activity more regularly.
Column 4: Write down what you can do to conquer each obstacle or fear.
Column 5: Write down a month THIS YEAR that you will plan to do each activity.
Create a calendar event for yourself to "just do it." Finally, take a photo of your list and send it to 2 people that you know will support you in getting it done. Accountability drives action!
4. Intercept negativity now.
Shut negativity down by intercepting it before it knocks at your door. Your space is sacred and must be protected with what you deem is appropriate to bless it with. Negativity has no place within your journey. Disrupt your normal and hang your positive affirmations, your goal, and your plans for you to see on a regular basis. Stay focused and positive in getting there.
5. Nourish all of you.
Hmmmm, can one of the activities you listed in #3 (Rediscover Yourself) help you nourish your mind, your body, or your soul? Are you reading, attending training's, and growing your mind? Are you feeding your body fruits, veggies, grains, and other power foods? Are you taking time to invest in you and what feels good to your soul? Looking for an amazing way to do all 3? Join me for a 2.5 day, all-inclusive renewal & rejuvenation of wellness, cooking, meeting new people, workshops to shift your thinking, dlounging by the pool, and simply rediscovering you!
6. Give of yourself freely.
Although you may not yet be in the position you desire for your future, you have so much to be grateful for. Give of yourself freely and without reservation because to "pay-it-forward" may really go a long way for someone in need. Someone did It for you. Give of yourself and be amazed at the blessings that pour down in your favor.
SPRING Forward & Invest in You
Lolita E. Walker is a change champion, speaker, and workshop facilitator at the forefront of a movement to help women shift their mindsets and take back moments for themselves. These moments translate to more productive, creative, and decisive individuals, who embrace change at the onset, act with clarity and confidence, and thrive, as they surpass their desired results. She moves powerful women into their own personal greatness to thrive in work, home, and life. Within the disruption, discomfort, fear, and doubts of change, are triumphs, successes, and wins. Lolita's brings those out of all of her clients. Her services range from creating personalized daily affirmations, to retreats, speaking, and coaching, to name a few.
Are YOU your top priority?
Hmmmm, how do you make you your top priority?
How many times have you said ABSOLUTELY as the response to this question because you know it is the right answer? How many times have endless thoughts danced in your head to then give you pause in taking those moments you need?
Likely this has happened to you once or twice. How do I know? Because I have had this happen to me as well. I have been there when little voices rouse up feelings of guilt, as if there is no time, or thoughts that you don't need to take your moments right now because you are doing just fine on your own. Far too often, as women, we don't take the necessary moments to PAUSE and renew ourselves.
Self-focus, self-doubt, self-sabotage, & self-limiting beliefs can knock us down and hold us hostage each day. The drive is knowing that we are better than the little voices in our heads. We are powerful, we are smart, we are warriors, we are determined. Even Wonder Woman pauses to simply be :) In the normal hustle and bustle, busy women like us can begin to renew ourselves by creating time in our schedules, shifting our mindsets, and knowing that taking care of us means that we are better able to take care of others. Here are a few tidbits on how to consistently renew you - one step at a time.
7 Steps to Renewing You.
1. Take Moments to BREATHE
To really breathe. Solitary deep breaths in of knowing you are enough, of positive energy, of your worthiness, of your commitment to greatness in your day. Deep breaths out of toxic energy, negativity, self-limiting beliefs, and of doubt.
2. Lean on FAITH & MEDITATION
To have a greater purpose beyond yourself and a faith that holds you up is a rock that is unshakable. Lean on it for strength and guidance as you move throughout your journey.
3. AFFIRM Yourself Daily
Address yourself in the mirror daily to profess what you will do and be within your day. Continue until this routine is missed if you momentarily forget.
4. Visualize Your GOAL
Get your goals on paper so that you can see it daily.
5. Identify Your SUPPORT SYSTEM
Occupy your space with people who will hold you up during your journey.
6. Communicate your LEAP PLAN
To leap is to know that there is a world of unknown awaiting for you.
7. COMMIT
Just do it! You got this!
RENEW yourself for the greatness that lies ahead.
Remember you are stronger and smarter than you may give yourself credit for.
Expose yourself to new experiences & be amazed at how your strengths propel you to soar.
Nourish your mind with positive energy & affirmations each day.
Execute your work with excellence, pride, & with everything you are proud to attach to your name.
Wish the same upon those who support you, then with your leadership, they will do the same.
Consider renewing YOU at an upcoming Women's Weekend Renewal & Training Retreat to reset right before the holidays. You will enjoy 11 other phenomenal women, at a serene location, private chef, workshops, mindfulness, and much more.
Lolita E. Walker is a change champion, speaker, and workshop facilitator at the forefront of a movement to help women shift their mindsets and take back moments for themselves. These moments translate to more productive, creative, and decisive individuals, who embrace change at the onset, act with clarity and confidence, and thrive, as they surpass their desired results. She moves powerful women into their own personal greatness to thrive in work, home, and life. Within the disruption, discomfort, fear, and doubts of change, are triumphs, successes, and wins. Lolita's brings those out of all of her clients. Her services range from creating personalized daily affirmations, to retreats, speaking, and coaching, to name a few.
I Am.....
I am…..what words would you use next to define you?
AREN'T YOU???
Like honey on a wand, I leave imprints on every crevice I touch and I stick around until the dose over-delivers on the greatness you originally expected. Honey improves almost everything it comes into contact with and has unlimited possibilities for what it can positively impact......similar to the experience of working with me.
Wait ... you would say the same of working with you right? If not, I am here to help you discover your "I am!"
Hello Busy, Phenomenal Woman & the Strong, Confident Man who supports your journey to be "YOUR BEST YOU".... unequivocally!
I am Lolita E. Walker, and am here to grace you with 5 tips to ALWAYS KNOWING YOUR WORTH...just like that amazing, natural honey that NEVER goes on sale, neither will you and what you bring to the table.
My note to you: Make lasting imprints in EVERY crevice you encounter and be that perfect drop of HONEY that over-delivers each time!
H - Hone in on who you are and be confident as you affirm it each day.
O - Own your strengths and use them to fuel the steps on your journey.
N - Never say Never. That word doesn't live here anymore. There is a solution to every obstacle. Pause, reflect, adjust, and go.
E - Experience the unexpected. Remove distractions to open your eyes to new experiences, people, and places.
Y - Yearn for even more. When you have realized your goal, take time to celebrate, then move to the next. You have plenty more wins to grab hold of.
THIS YEAR is not only about achieving your goals, but it is about consistently over-delivering to expectations.
THIS YEAR is the Year of the Woman and our time is NOW!
THIS YEAR is when you will make every drop count!
THIS YEAR is when you will Know who you are, Be who you dream, and Master who you are confident you will become!
Know your "I am" and affirm it every day!
Lolita is a change champion, speaker, and workshop facilitator at the forefront of a movement to help women and teams shift their mindsets and take back moments for themselves. These moments translate to more productive, creative, and decisive individuals, who embrace change at the onset, act with clarity and confidence, and thrive, as they surpass their desired results. She moves powerful women into their own personal greatness to thrive in work, home, and life. Within the disruption, discomfort, fear, and doubts of change, are triumphs, successes, and wins. Lolita's brings those out of all of her clients. Her services range from creating personalized daily affirmations, to retreats, speaking, and coaching, to name a few.