See the rest of my photos on flickr

Have you ever wanted something so much you were afraid to go after it? Yeah, that’s me right now.  I’m in the process of redesigning my coaching website & blog and I really want it to reflect my true heart’s desire.  But, I feel so vulnerable with it all. You see, I want to explore the topics of:

• Connecting with your Soul
• Receiving your Calling
• Creating your Success

But, I’m afraid I’ll fail. Oh my gosh.  It just hit me that I’m making myself a failure before my site has even been published.  Ouch.  Why am I torturing myself?  I guess the torture feels safer than actually opening my internet doors {read: heart} to the world.  It reminds me of this quote:

“Known hells are safer than unknown heavens.” ~ unknown

I wonder…what am I really afraid of? That people won’t like it?  That people won’t hire me?  But, those are all external factors.  If I were working with a client on this challenge I would ask her to focus on the internal factors: her desires, her message, and her heart.  I would ask her to trust her Soul, her Calling, and herself.

Another aspect to my stuck-ness is that I feel like I have to choose between business or spiritual coaching.  Over the last year I’ve worked mainly with women business owners.  In fact, people refer to me as a business coach.  I do have one foot in the business realm and one foot in the spiritual realm.  The business realm feels so easy in that I know the language and where to go to meet people.  It feels so tangible.

The spiritual realm feels so out of reach. I don’t know exactly how it will work or where to go to meet people.  Wait a minute.  That’s so not true!  I mean, it is how a part of me feels.  But, it isn’t true.  The truth is…I’m a part of a national spirtual community that has totally transformed my life.  I’m taking classes in preparation to enter the Licensed Practitioner program.  In fact…

I am an aspiring spiritual leader!

Whoa.  I “said” it out loud.  Yowza.  It wasn’t even that hard or scary.  You know what?  This is one of those times when thinking about it is worse than actually doing it.  I just need to go claim my Calling, write my web copy, and put it out there.  Wahoo!  I’m outta here…

{fyi ~ my blog is moving to SimplyFearless.com ~ more news to follow when I launch}

Tags: confidence, courage, decisions, fear, Life Coaching, spirituality, success

78. {12/08/09} Lately I’ve made a lot of decisions and adjustments in my life coaching practice.  There is a fear coming up that I’m letting myself off the hook.  After connecting with Soul, I learned that it’s okay to follow my gut.  Well, of course I already knew that, but I needed to learn it again.  Now, I can let go of doubting myself and move forward knowing my decisions are sound.  Aaahhh…

Tags: 100 Things I Fear, confidence, courage, fear

54. {11/14/09} I went to a new networking event and totally rocked it out! I delivered a powerful 30 second introduction and openly shared my thoughts, suggestions, and experience.  I walked away feeling successful and empowered.  Woohoo!

Tags: 100 Things I Fear, confidence, courage, fear

In this video {2:15} I talk about feeling like a failure {yuk!} and how I moved through it.

Now that you’ve watched it, what do you think? I’d love to hear about your insights and struggles.

Tags: career, confidence, courage, failure, inspiration, meditation, pressure, procrastination, success, VLOG {Videos of me!}

“Fear in Motion”

You know, ever since I started this whole 100 Things I Fear craziness I’ve been so aware of when fear is holding me back.  Of course, the really cool thing about knowing when fear is getting in the way is that then I get to make a choice if I’m going to let it hold me back.  And you know what? When I consciously ask myself, “Am I going to let this stop me?” the answer is:

No! I’m not going to let fear stop me.

I’ve done so many courageous things that I’ve even impressed me.  Like yesterday, a colleague/friend asked me if I would like an introduction to a successful teen advocate and I said yes.  At the time, the voice of fear was telling me, “Why would this guy want to help you?  Just say no.  You don’t need his help.  You can do this on your own.”  I was so close to doing just that: saying no.

And then, I noticed that this was the voice of fear.  Was I going to let it stop me? NO!  And I told her to yes, please initiate the introduction.

Whew!  One fear faced with victory! And by the way, I’ve noticed a theme of fear here in asking for other successful peeps to help me.  Interesting.

Then later that night I was at a party and the karaoke machine was fired up.  I so wanted to sing.  In fact, it was me who asked them to turn it on.  But, then I freaked out. I’d never done this before.  I didn’t know the crowd very well.  What if I sounded like crap?

And then I was like, “Am I seriously going to walk away from this? Am I that concerned about looking bad that I’m not going to do this? But, I love to sing.  Who cares how I sound.  Just do it.  It’s not like these people are going to laugh and make fun of you.  Even if they did you probably won’t ever see most of them again anyhow.”

So, I picked the song I really wanted to sing (Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland) and stood up and sang.  And guess what? I rocked it out! It felt so good to get out of my own way.  It was so liberating to not allow the fear to sit my ass back down on the couch.  You know, if I didn’t sing I would have felt like crap and then probably treated my husband like crap the rest of the night.

Yup, it’s true: when you don’t face & process your own fears, you tend to treat others badly as an outlet – especially spouses! So what are you waiting for? Jump on this crazy bandwagon with me & face a 100 fears in a 100 days!

Tags: 100 Things I Fear, confidence, courage, fear, success

If you keep focusing on that which stands in between you and your dreams you might not ever get there.

I realized this morning that I keep focusing on all the things I haven’t done or I’m not doing in my coaching practice.  There’s this underlying energy that I’m not good enough or doing enough.  And yet, I have more clients now than I’ve ever had before.

Why am I not celebrating?!

So this morning I decided that I am enough and it’s okay to stop believing that I’m not.

The first step really is choosing to be different.  There’s always going to be something else you could do, so it really does come down to making a choice to allowing yourself to be enough right now just as you are.  And truth be told, you really can accomplish more when you come from a loving place of acceptance.

What a great way to begin my weekend!  Now I give myself permission to go see a movie with the Hubs this morning – he needs to take some vacation days this month and my favorite theater is selling $6 tickets for all am shows on Fridays.  What a great way to celebrate!

Now what can you do to celebrate all that you’ve already accomplished?

Tags: attitude, celebrate, coaching, confidence, Life Coaching, negative self talk, productivity, self esteem, success

This week I launched the very first Simply Fearless 8 Week Program!  It is such an amazing process and I am running both an in-person and telephone group.  Oh my gosh…as I typed that last sentence I realize that one of my dreams is coming true!  How cool is that? I am living one of my dreams.  Woohoo!

When I first designed it, I planned on writing one chapter in the workbook each week that we would discuss in class and that the participants could use in between classes.  It’s a great structure – one that I’ve used many times as a student.

But, when I delved into the creative process I found that the structure was stifling the creativity.  In fact, I kept second guessing myself and it took a long time to create.  Well, guess what?

I’ve completely revamped the program and it rocks!

We now have a Learning Blog where I post DAILY Lessons and Practice Assignments.  Can you believe it?!  I can’t believe I’ve committed to posting a new lesson every day.  But, the crazy thing is, it doesn’t feel overwhelming at all.  In fact, it feels perfect.  And I am loving it.

I love it when I give myself permission to get creative because the coolest things happen.

p.s. There’s still room if you’d like to join us :~)

Tags: confidence, connecting, courage, creative, fear, Life Coaching, Simply Fearless

I am so excited to announce that I have officially launched the inaugural Simply Fearless 8 Week Coaching Program!  Woohoo!  And I absolutely must share with you that this program has been at least 3 years in the making.  I seriously feel like I have just given birth.  I feel the joy, excitement, pain, and exhilaration knowing that my life has just taken on a whole new level of meaning.

It would mean the world to me if you are able to join me in this life-altering event.  In fact, I just decided right now as I was typing this post to offer CassandraRae.com readers a $25 discount!  Check out the program first and then read below for how to claim your discount:

Do you feel like you should be happier but don’t know how to get started?

Are you ever overwhelmed by fear, worry, or sadness?

Would you like more confidence, clarity, and courage?

If so, then we’ve got the group coaching program for you! You are invited to join us for:

The Simply Fearless
8 Week Coaching Program

What is it?
The Simply Fearless 8 week program is all about helping you design, create, and live Your Simply Fearless Life! It includes:

1. 8 weekly sessions (1 1/2 hours in person or over the phone)
2. A workbook
3. Daily Practice Assignments to integrate new skills
4. An on-line forum to connect with other participants
5. A 30 minute private coaching session with Coach Cassandra Rae

The weekly topics are:

1. Uniquely Equal ~ different roles, equal value
   Compassionate Honesty ~ truth with heart
2. Part 1 Awareness ~ honor your inner knowing
3. Part 2 Acceptance ~ let go of what’s hurting, embrace what’s helping
4. Loving Boundaries ~ saying no with ease
5. Freedom Structures ~ external guidance for internal freedom
6. Responsible Risk ~ smart and inspired action
7. Connected Independence ~ stand on your own together
8. Celebrate! ~ an ending and a new beginning

The intention is for you to walk away with practical skills and tools that you can use and rely on for the rest of your life. Life will always challenge you – especially when you are going after your dreams – and we come together so that you gain the know-how to process any challenge. Imagine believing that you can handle anything and everything that comes up for you, no matter how big or small. And imagine having a community of like-hearted people who are always there to support you through it.

Who is it for?
This program is for those who are ready to let go of what’s holding you back and open to embracing new, empowering perspectives to create the life you’ve always wanted. Now is the time. No more waiting for someone else to make it happen for you. You are ready.

How much does it cost?
We are excited to launch this program for only $175! You receive everything listed above for the cost of two private coaching sessions.  Plus, we want you to feel 100% confident that this is the program for you, so you only pay $35 to attend the first session.  Then decide if you’d like to continue and pay the balance of $140 before the second session to continue.  Hurry up and grab this deal now, because it is the only time we will offer this program at this price. Besides when was the last time you invested in your life, your happiness, and yourself?

When is it being offered?
The participants get to choose the dates & times! Once you register, we will conduct a poll to find a time that fits in everyone’s schedule. There will be at least 2 groups: one in person in Sunnyvale and one over the phone. You choose what works best for your schedule.

Referral Program
If you refer someone who also registers and pays for the program, then you receive $25 off your tuition.  This means that instead of paying the initial $35 for the first session, you only pay $10.  And your referral discount is only limited to the cost of the program, which means that you receive $25 for each referral up until you take the program at no cost!

Register
To sign up, simply enter your name and email address below.  Payment is made at the first session or via invoice.  You will not be charged by entering your name and email below.  Registration is open through Sunday, March 15, 2009.

Claim your CassandraRae.com discount
Here’s how it works.  If you are a feedburner subscriber, have emailed me about a post in the past, or have left at least one comment before today, then you qualify to receive a $25 discount off the Simply Fearless 8 Week Program.  Simply enter your name & email above to register and then send me an email at Coach@CassandraRae.com to let me know how you qualify for the discount.  Oh, this is so exciting!  I can’t wait to take our learning and growing together to a whole new level.

Tags: confidence, connecting, courage, education, Life Coaching

“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” ~ Anna Quindlen

Life truly is better when you give up the perfection and simply shine in your unique self!

This is what I have been doing lately and it is working beautifully. People are showing up in my life. Opportunities abound. And I feel so free to be me :~)

I’ve also been able to accomplish a whole heck of a lot in an incredibly short amount of time. Take a look…

• 1. I created a whole new blog, newsletter, and coaching group for Solopreneurs.

• 2. I gave a presentation to the Natural Healers Network about using blogging and facebook as tools to grow your personal and professional lives. It was so much fun and they were a fabulous crowd:

• 3. I became a contributing writer/photographer for Photo Bliss – a channel on Blissfully Domestic – and my very first article went live today! Please go check it out and post your thoughts. Your support means a whole heck of a lot to me.

And I didn’t sacrifice my personal life in the process. In fact, last weekend I went on a camping trip with my family – including Gracie – and my daughter’s boyfriend, Noah. I hope to post photos soon.

The bottom line is that life is better, easier, simpler when I let go of the suffocating pressure of perfectionism. I know there will still be times when I will succumb to the lure of perfectionism. But, now I know how to pick myself up, dust myself off, and get back to shining! And I invite you to do the same.

Tags: confidence, freedom, perfectionism

At at time in my life when I felt the lowest (junior year in high school), my English teacher Mr. Smith saw through my rough exterior. He saw the beauty in me.

Today as I prepare for my next coaching group, I want to see the beauty in me too. Maybe I’m a bit too close to see it clearly. How about I simply trust that there is beauty within me?

Okay.

I trust that I shine in simply being myself. I don’t need to try super hard. I have talents to do the work for me. My job is to tap into the talents and put them to use!

**

You know, must of us are blind to our own beauty. So much of what I do for my clients as a life coach is simply see their beauty, their talents, and their passion. I celebrate it. Dance in it. Point it out. Then ask them to claim it.

And you know what?

It’s absolutely amazing! And people do amazing things when they allow themselves to shine!

Tags: beauty within, confidence, Life Coaching, trust