Your New Chapter, Available Now

You don't have to wait for your birthday, or for New Year's to decide that you're in a new phase of your life. You can decide on any day, and in any moment. The new you can start right NOW.

As someone who's always in pursuit of the next level of me, I'm always looking for how I'm getting in my own way of my next, even better chapter. Sometimes it's super obvious and sometimes it's hidden in camouflage, and I can't even see it with my own two eyes.

Let me give you a perfect example. Many years ago I had dreams of being on a TED stage giving a TED talk. This ended up on several vision boards I created. Over time, this goal lost emphasis and steam for a number of reasons. Some of these included; my limiting beliefs about how difficult it is to get your foot in the door, narratives I told myself about how my patterns have been about creating my own table (not always a bad thing), as well as the gatekeeping and process around the TED franchise. The topic came up again this summer with a dear friend and long-time advocate of mine telling me that she thought it would be a great idea to have a TED Talk. She even went so far as to reach out to one of her connections to try and help me in the pursuit. I was quickly excited, and put it back on my "TO DO" - perhaps because I felt supported and not alone in the journey. HOWEVER, it didn't take me long to feel the heaviness in the dream - especially when that connection didn't work out. When I looked for a reason not to go full steam, I quickly found one. I decided that if the pursuit didn't bring me joy - then maybe the path was not mine to take.

THAT SNEAKY INNER CRITIC!!!

She came in around the back door! Protecting me from disappointment, pulling me away from overwhelm and discouraging me to "play the game" altogether. Deep under the surface, she made me question if the effort would even be worth it, and if I had something different 'enough' to say in the eyes of some gatekeeper.

SHIT!!! Inner Critic 1. Tosca 0.

And guess what? I didn't even call myself out on this!! Another friend helped me to see the TRUTH. The truth is that if someone offered me a slot on a TED stage, I would take it in a friggin' heartbeat.

So what does that mean?

It means the dream is very much alive in me, but I was getting in my own way of truly grounding that goal within me and therefore blocking myself in taking the steps to make it become a reality.

Can you see how helpful it is to have folks you trust help you to see where your inner critics are leading your life? I digress.

WHAT NOW?

There was only one choice to make: time to claim a new fucking chapter for myself.

Time for a new chapter of not letting my dreams get swept away by 'the process'.

Time to remember that it's the pursuit of our dreams that matter the most - because we don't know what we'll find along the way.

Time to re-claim my speaking superpowers - and that doing it makes me HAPPY.

Time to expand what's possible for myself, my business and my trajectory.

And what good timing for this New Chapter. My birthday is on September 17th and I'm ready for the rebirth. I'm turning 45, and I'm just now hitting my stride. This is MY time. This is MY harvest season.

My TED talk is coming. I don't know how, and I don't know where, and I certainly don't know what will happen along the way....but I'm here for it one. step. at. a. time.

What new chapter do you want to claim for yourself starting TODAY?

This edge of your comfort zone - the one you are claiming right now - is exactly why your inner critics might be coming at you right now, in this very moment!! But don't be fooled. Trust your truth, and tune into The Unlock Lab for more support to get out of your own way.

Episode 30: Inner Critic Series - The Edge of Your Comfort Zone

As part of my inner critic series, this episodes is about one that shows up when you’re taking those important steps of doing something that scares you. In other words, when you're on the edge of something big or doing something you don't normally do. Whether you’re about to quit your job, start a side hustle, or set a much needed boundary, your inner critic tends to get louder as you push past your comfort zone. I share personal stories of experiencing this, as well as examples from a client, and even my niece. Tune in to learn how to reframe that fear, breakthrough self-doubt, and take bold steps forward.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

Episode 29: Inner Critic Series – The Maximzer

In this episode of The Unlock Lab, I talk about how we often look back on our summer with regrets. Find out about?“The Maximizer" inner critic, which constantly pushes us to feel like we aren’t accomplishing enough. This episode?encourages you to acknowledge the positive aspects of your summer and recognize what you actually needed, versus what you planned. I invite you to reflect on your summer patterns and think about what you need as you move into a new season, reminding you that you can carry the summer vibe with you whenever you need it.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

Podcast Interview on Meeting Your Magic

Strap in for this deep dive conversation on inner critic work, including the stories of how both the host Kiera Doyle and I have navigated them ourselves. Discover practical 'how to' tips as well as a 2 week challenge to start the process of shifting your relationship with your inner dialog. Kiera is a dear friend of mine and has an inspiring career journey. She now helps people become more full expressions of who they are using Human Design as a primary tool. I am BEYOND excited for you to meet her!

Listen Here

Discover The Golden Thread of Your Personal Brand

You're Invited: Virtual Workshop Date: 10.10.24

In partnership with Ellevate Network ,you can attend jam packed session on getting to the very core of your personal brand. This session will include a few breakout sessions, so you'll also get to meet some other badass folks as well. Even if you're not a member, you can register here for?$10!

Thank you for diving in with me this month. Thank you for being a part of my circle as I step into this new chapter - my birthday and my expansion!

If you want to claim your new chapter with me, I would love to hear about it - send me a message.

Cheers To The Next,

Tosca DiMatteo