Big Change Requires Big Courage

Three years ago, here I was. So much pain. So much unknowing.

In this picture, I still didn't know that I had the rare lung disease, lymphangioleiomyomatosis. I just had a surgery that put me in incredible pain. And even though I had been in the hospital going on six days, no one could yet tell me what was wrong. I didn't know if I was going to live or die. I didn't know if I would leave my son without a mother and my husband without a wife.

But if you think about it, there is no difference between that moment and today in so many respects. Because even though I would soon be diagnosed with what, at the time, was considered a fatal condition, my hold on life was really no different then than it is now. As I write this, I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, even as I didn't then.

But this is what I do know:

• Big change comes from big courage. And all of the changes I've had in the last three years have come from stepping waaaaaayyyyyyy out of my comfort zone, putting on my big girl pants, making myself do things that made me feel uncomfortable.

(Thank you Dan Sullivan for that one btw)

And while many of those changes have been financial (we've had the best years in my companies every single year since that time) - many of them have also been in FREEDOM AND TIME, because I've learned how to get it. So while I make more, I work less. THIS HAS BEEN HUGE, for obvious reasons.

Since that diagnosis, I've done so many things I never thought I would have the courage to do. Things like:

• started an entirely new business, one that made me multiple six-figures in the first year, and has grown every year since
• assembled a team of strong, supportive people that help me work in a way that gives me joy and energy every day (instead of spending my days with people that make me frustrated, sad and angry)
• whittled down the amount of time I spend at work to an almost embarrassingly low amount
• wrote a book (a lifetime bucket list item)
• started a podcast (for the heck of it, but received numerous opportunities as a result)
• got asked to be a speaker at multiple high-level, national events (undreamed of, previously)
• began to make money based on my true value, not based on my insecurities
• became a much better communicator with the people I care about
• became a "go-to" expert in the media for the topics I want to be known for

But here's the thing....these things all took me getting even more clear about who I was and what I wanted than I had previously been willing or even able to do. Doing these things, for me, took courage. (What does courage look like for you?)

• The fuel of courage is uncertainty. The fact that I have no idea what will happen tomorrow is the fuel for making today count. And in doing this I push others and expect the same from the people around me. I don't apologize for this...you don't like it, you're free to remove yourself.
• Gifts come in unexpected places. I thank the universe for giving me a rare lung disease. Yes, I do. Because it forced me to be honest with myself and to be brave and to accept change and to understand I can't control everything and that it is really, truly, ok.

While I am not "cured" - I am healed. And that has made all the difference, both in my work and in my home life.

I hope you decide to take some steps to make this year amazing...steps that require big courage, too. It isn't necessary to be diagnosed with a fatal illness...is it?

2018: THE YEAR OF BIG COURAGE

Join me?

Here's to a great year,

Nicole

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PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 4 ways I can help you get Catalytic Results for YOU and YOUR business:

1. Be a part of our small group “Innate Impact” workshops

My favorite thing to do is help business owners and leaders get clarity on what makes them uniquely amazing - the thing that will, when properly used, get the highest return on investment of time and energy. I’ll be doing several small group intensives in 2018. Interested? Just send me a message and put “Innate Impact” in the subject line.

2. Discover Your Entrepreneurial Instinct Catalyst

The framework of everything we we do is based on what YOUR natural instincts are, and how they best work when it comes to working with others (whether in teams or just in influence) is based on the Instinct Catalyst. In 8 questions, discover yours - Click Here.

3. Join the Catalytic Team Solution and be a Case Study

I'm putting together a new Catalytic Team Solution group this month... stay tuned for details. If you'd like to work with me on leveraging your team to achieve better results than you could ever do alone - and with much less effort on your part... send a message and put "CTS" in the subject line.

4. Work with me One-on-One

If you'd like to work directly with me to create Catalytic Results (the kind that make you MORE money with less of YOUR effort) for your team & business... just send me a message and put "One-on-One" in the subject line... tell me a little about your business and what you'd like to work on together, and I'll get you all the details!