“How did you go from being a nurse to traveling the world as a businesswoman?”
I get this question a lot.
True, my career path has not been very conventional. It’s pretty weird, actually. However, it can be done.
Everyone’s exact steps are different, so rather than share my chronological process, I’d rather share the mindset shifts I had to go through to get here. If you can incorporate them into your own unique life and desires, you will find your own beautiful path.
1. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
I can be a nurse or a businesswoman.
To you, this equation will look different. Maybe you think you can be a amazing mom gold has successful business owner.
The problem with thinking either way is that it keeps you stuck in one way of being, one mindset. If I could only be a nurse, then entrepreneurship would have been out of the question for me.
When I started my current journey, I had to embrace both hospital work days and explore entrepreneurship at night.
What is your story of one or the other? Substitute and to see what possibilities arise.
2. life is my playground
I used to believe that life was a dreaded experience that I had been dropped into to endure and win my crown of glory on the other side. However, contrary to what some people believe, life doesn’t have to be as hard as some make it out to be. In fact, life can be fun. It’s this incredible experience that just wants us to wake up and play in its beauty, resources, and even challenges (see #3).
When I changed my mentality to see the world in a different way, opportunities began to open up, people arrived and I began to have more fun than I ever imagined.
Do you see life as a war zone or a playground?
3. problems are puzzles
Most people have been trained to see problems as bad and work very hard to avoid them. The result? There isn’t much action. Shyness. Fear. Playing it safe.
Ultimately what they get is no change, more fear, more frustration.
I trained myself to see problems differently, seeing them as fun puzzles, not impossible dilemmas. These puzzles are what make life exciting, giving me things to fix, figure out, and master. Without them, it would be a boring mess.
Problems like lack of money, confusion about next steps, how to create a program, how to be a great mom and businesswoman, and how to deal with a difficult person have all become little experiments in discovery instead of dreaded things to do. must be avoided.
4. my body does not lie
Every time I drove to the hospital, my body would contract. Every time I attended a wine tasting, my body expanded.
I learned to listen and trust my body, which is why I signed up for sommelier school and became a food and wine writer and developer of wine programs.
My body also took me to Paris. Every time I saw an Eiffel Tower, I got dizzy. I didn’t know why. The closest I got to France was Epcot. But I heard.
When I finally got to Paris, I felt at home. The lifestyle, the people, the fashion, the food, it all felt right. Looking back, I realize my body was taking me to a place where I would trade fear for a true appreciation of food, learn about joy of life and how to design my life my way, which is how I developed the Slim, Chic and Savvy immersion experience.
5. I am a smart and strong woman who can do and handle anything.
I remind myself daily when I encounter challenges, confusion, or difficult situations.
You must, you must believe in yourself, because even though life is your playground, people don’t always play fair, you will fall, and sometimes you want to sit on the sidelines to rest.
Regardless of what you find, don’t forget who you are: a smart and strong woman. And don’t forget where you are: a playground full of resources available to help you live your most fabulous life.
6. I can choose the game I want to play (aka do life my way)
She had to believe that she had a say in what game she played in life. I had to stop trying to be like all the other moms and create a relationship with my daughter that is genuine and true for her and me. I had to talk to my husband and decide how we wanted our marriage to work so that we would both be satisfied and happy. In my business, I had to stop trying to be like everyone else in my industry and listen to what inspires me, which is why you’re about to see big changes (Hint: think haute couture + travel + food and wine + style + brain game).
Do it your way. Sure, people will talk, so check out #8.
7. My life is my business, your life is not.
What prevents so many women from creating fabulous lives is their need to please. They fear what people might say if they admit they love expensive shoes or sometimes want a break from their kids.
When I left nursing, people told me how crazy I was, that I was letting go of security, that I had spent too much time being a nurse and that I shouldn’t let it go.
Leaving nursing was scary enough, but with all these scared people in my business, it was especially scary.
I found the same reaction last year, when I chose to put my daughter in virtual school.
Some people have even mentioned how strange it is that I often travel without my husband. My our business, not theirs. Thank you so much.
You will find that when you follow your wishes, your life and business will look very different from those around you. They will be scared and/or intimidated by you. So, as we say in the South, bless their little hearts, and commit to playing your own game.
8. Play with the right people
I’m sure you see people playing a different game in life, one that inspires you. Why not go play with them instead of the kids who kick, fight, or don’t play?
I spent years playing with people who, quite frankly, bored me to tears. They complained about their lives, husbands, children, and jobs. As long as he was stuck in his game, he couldn’t learn and play a different game.
I guarantee that the life you want to live will require building great relationships with people you don’t currently associate with. You want to be around people who demand that you play your own game, your way, and have fun doing it.
Look outside of your current social circles and ask who those people might be. Who do you see playing a game that you would like to learn more about? Walk over there and ask nicely if you can join.
9. Seek inspiration, not more information
My journey has taken me to some really interesting places. However, the least interesting have been in boardrooms with folders. I’ve spent so much money on programs and systems, but nothing has impacted my business and my life more than the conversations I’ve had over pastis with friends in the South of France, writing in a coffee shop in Soho, or chatting about social issues. at 3 am on a ship full of brilliant minds.
Women come to me because they are frustrated. They have attended workshops, received training, and read hundreds of books, but still no results. That is why my programs are based on experience. In the Slim, Chic and Savvy experience, the women go on weekend excursions. My travel mastermind takes women all over the world to experience life, not just talk and read about it. Seeing themselves in the world in a different way, they play a different game, the game of their choice.
What game do you want play?
When you see your world differently, your world has to change.
As always, thanks for reading. I’m currently working on some articles on what it’s like to work from the road. I’d love to hear what you’d like to know.
In the meantime, go out and play. French kiss life!