How to stop feeling overwhelmed and get motivated again

You’re confused. 

Life is pretty good. There’s nothing obviously wrong. 

And yet you’re exhausted. You feel a little lost. 

You’re working so hard… but you’re not sure what you’re working towards and why it’s not paying off. 

Girl, I get it. Something is off. Something is missing. 

You have big dreams and you know you’re destined for more.  

You know the answers are out there, somewhere.  

I mean, everything you want to know is on Google or Youtube these days, right?

It can’t be that hard. 

Or can it? 

Let’s paint a picture here and you tell me if I’m the only one that’s been there.

It’s the end of the day. 

You just sent off that last piece of work to your client. The dishes are done.  

The kids finally fall asleep and you commit to find the answers and get the clarity and motivation you’re looking for.

So, you decide to follow a few people on social media for inspiration.  

Suddenly, your inbox is packed with options. 

Memberships, podcasts, journals, conferences, webinars, courses, and workshops. 

All this, and your bookshelf filled with bestsellers is still collecting dust. 

Where do you even begin? 

Overwhelmed with options and unsure of what direction you should take, you decide to hop back on Instagram and proceed to dive into the scroll hole, only to come out an hour later and no further ahead. 

Can you relate? 

In the days to follow, your to-do and to-research list gets even longer. 

You subscribe to more podcasts. 

You sign up for another freebie and receive ten more emails. 

You’re watching inspiring videos and TedTalks, and yet you’re still not making progress. 

Now, you’re even more confused, and wondering how everyone else seems to be doing it and start comparing yourself (even though you know you shouldn’t). 

Soon, you start to ignore the emails, the videos, the podcast notifications just like the books on your shelf since they remind you that you don’t have enough time or money and you aren’t even sure what it is that you want. 

And yet, every time you open Instagram and see others’ success, you wonder why that’s not you.  And deep down, you know that you TOO are smart, capable and oh-so-worthy of success.

I mean, what do they have that you don’t?  

(Besides an obviously better camera, Instagram husband and thousands of followers). 

Well, I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know this:  

It’s time to do things differently and wake up to get the success you want, on your terms. 

If you can relate to feeling overwhelmed, confused, and like everyone is ahead of you, you’re not the only one. 

I can help.

Women like you are why I created Goalden Girls Community.

Goalden Girls Community has been designed for you so you can stop feeling confused and overwhelmed, and START getting clarity, inspiration and strategies that work for you. 

It’s a safe-haven to block out the noise from social media, your nosy coworkers, and your judgy cousin Tracey. (Amen to that!)

You’re ready. 

You’ve had enough of trying to do it on your own. 

It’s time to get the support, inspiration, and training to turn your dreams into reality.  And get a community that connects you with other goal-driven, like-minded women. 

Instead of comparing yourself to others and being stuck in overwhelm and inaction, join a space that lifts you up and simplifies the goal-getting process by giving you only what you need most. 

Goalden Girls Community is a group of women ready to level up, connect and support you as you go for your big dreams.

Led by me, Success Coach Lisa Michaud, this goal-getting community provides the space to stay focused, reduce distractions, and shift your mindset so you create success and go after your dreams.

Are you ready to feel confident?  Get clarity? And find connection?

Are you ready to step into the best version of yourself?  

If the answer is a “heck yes”, it’s your time. 

In Goalden Girls Community, we focus on ONE thing a month. 

That’s it.  One thing.  

Not time management, and positive thinking, and health, and values, and goals, and focus, and and and…… 

One. Thing. At. A. Time. 

And that’s how we eliminate the noise, the overwhelm and the confusion. 

This is how you get clarity and start getting results, immediately. 

Because taking action and being focused gets results. 

And nothing is more motivating (or exciting!) than actually making progress. 

Imagine finally prioritizing your health and getting consistent with your workouts like you keep saying you will.

Imagine finally signing yourself up for a 5km run or triathlon after all these years, and the pride you feel as you cross the finish line. 

Imagine feeling confident in your decision to go back to work, or back to school, and leaving behind all the excuses or lies you’re telling yourself about being too old or not a good mom.

Girl, this is all possible for you. And it’s available for only $37/month (no, that’s not a mistake, and yes, it’s less than you’re spending on coffee or diapers, or even avocado and toast in a month). 

Success starts with you but doing it alone just plain sucks. 

Join Goalden Girls Community today to say goodbye to wondering IF you can achieve your dreams and say HELLO to the confident woman who faces her fears!

Now, jump on in - take action now because Goalden Girls Community enrollment opens only three times a year.

Join us before the doors close Thursday, August 1st at 11:59pm PST.

I can’t wait to welcome you into our Community!

See you soon  <3

Xo Lisa 

PS. Here’s a video I recorded last night with 4 steps to get you motivated again and get you unstuck no matter how long you’ve been stuck for.

If you like this type of training, you’ll LOVE Goalden Girls Community.

F*ck your excuses

The other day, someone asked me what made me start my business. Here’s the short version.

Almost 5 years ago,  I had health scare.

Before that moment, my life was going good. 

But while I’d achieved a lot of success, and ticked all the usual “boxes” you “should”, I wasn’t living my potential - and I had a lot of dreams and goals I was taking to the grave with me. 

Maybe you can relate. 

Life is pretty good. It’s comfortable. You’ve been successful. 

But there’s more within you, a desire, a dream, a goal you want. You’ve got potential that you haven’t fully explored yet and you know you’re made for more.

And it’s a little scary. 

So it’s easier to put it on hold just for “right now” for when things settle down in life. 

You know, wait for a “better time” when life is less busy.  

Here’s the thing: I’ve been there too.

I’ve waited for “one day” and told myself that “someday” I would start a business. 

It took me 8 years to let go of the excuse that I needed the “perfect business idea” to start. 

I dreamed about living in Vancouver, and flat-out believed it would NEVER happen.

It took two round-trips between BC and Alberta, and more boxes, bottles of wine and friends than I can count to find a way to make it happen. 

I imagined visiting Thailand, bought the guidebook and let it get dusty on my shelf for 8 years. 

It took a cancer scare, the reality that I might only have a year or two left to live, for me to just book the damn trip and finally eat authentic khao soi and meet a real Thai monk, like I’d dreamed of for so long. 

This is what I’ve learned - through my own journey in life and through the honour (yes, HONOUR) of coaching incredible women:

The excuses will ALWAYS be there. 

Your excuse “I’m too young” will turn into the excuse “I’m too old”.

Your excuse of “it’s not the right time” will turn into the excuse “I don’t have enough time left”.

Your excuse of “I don’t know enough” will turn into the excuse “it's too late to go back”.

Your excuse of “I can’t afford it” will turn into “I have too many other expenses to ever invest.”

Your excuse of “they won’t like it/me” will turn into “I don’t even know what I want anymore.”  

Or worse, “I don’t even know who I am anymore.” 

Your excuse “I’ll invest when I have more money” will turn into the excuse “I have too many other expenses to ever invest.”  

Your excuse of “I don’t know how” will turn into “I can’t do it.”

Let go of your excuses. 

Because if you don’t, it will only turn into yet another excuse.

For me, it took a health scare.  For others, it takes the death of a close family member. 

But why does it have to?!

The truth is, it doesn’t. 

Setting the intention, investing in yourself to do the hard work, and a really damn good coach (ahem, hello friend) can work wonders on those excuses. 

Girl, I’ve got two spots available for one-on-one coaching this month, and then that’s it: there will be no more opportunities to work together privately for several months.

These spots are rare, and I know they will go fast. In fact, the first one went last week within hours of announcing it. 

If you’re ready to drop the excuses, let’s do this. 

Your life is precious. 

And you’re WAY more freakin’ capable than you give yourself credit for.

Book a coaching discovery call and let’s connect to see what “someday” dream you are going to make reality. 

It’s time to get excited about your life. 

It’s time to get clear about what you want - without the excuses. 

It’s time to step into the woman you’re meant to become. 

And create the life you’re meant to live. 

Book your complimentary call today and let’s get you fired up to drop the excuses and make ANYTHING possible. 

I never thought I'd admit this

Just over a month ago, I challenged you to fail.   (For those of you who are new to me, you can find the post  here.)

I’m going to be honest with you.  The thought of failure makes me uncomfortable.

I want to be successful.  I want you to be successful too. I'm guessing you do too.

For me, failing isn’t easy.

This sounds entitled, but I’ve been successful a lot in my life.

I’m grateful.  I’ve been fortunate.  And I’ve worked damn hard.

But success has made me scared of failing.  

(And duh, I’m a Success Coach.  So what’s that got to do with failure?)

I realized a month ago that my fear of failure was killing my creativity.  It was so strong that it was holding me back from the work that I love, and the mission I’m on.

I decided enough was enough.

My belief that we can have it all – success on our terms – is WAYYY more important than my fear.

So, I decided to shift my perspective about fear.  In August, I committed – and I asked you to join me – to redefine failure.

Together (and with some inspiration from our friend Sara Blakely in her video here), we agreed to celebrate our failures for the next month.

We redefined failure together. 

Here’s what I know to be true – and set out to prove:

Failure is not trying.

Failure is not putting yourself out there.

Failure is being too afraid to do something.

Failure is not starting the business you want to.

Failure is not trying out for the play you want to be in.

Failure is not applying for the job you want, even if you think it’s out of your reach.

Failure is not asking for the promotion or raise you believe you deserve.

Failure is not writing and sharing what you believe will help others.

So last month, I played to fail.

Because if I was failing, at least I was trying. 

Truth be told, this is a bit awkward for me.  But, in true celebration spirit, I can’t wait to tell you how I failed.  Here’s just a few examples:

• I applied to sit on two separate committees for the development of a new Vancouver neighborhood.  I was rejected from both. 

• I tried to set up blogs to automate before I left for vacation and I didn’t.  #vacationfail

• I sent out videos to you and one had a privacy setting so you couldn’t even watch it!  Whoops.

• My very first Facebook ad was disapproved. Bah.

• When my Facebook ads were finally approved, they bombed.  Guess there’s more than I thought to this whole marketing thing…

• My coach challenged me to get three new clients in a week.  I only got one.  #lovetheoneIgot

• My landing page was ineffective.  For those of you that have no idea what I’m talking about, my success rate was about half of the average. 

• I was supposed to record three videos and I fully chicken-sh*tted out. 

• I bought a lottery dream home ticket and really, truly, thought I could use “the Secret” to win.  Spoiler Alert:  We do not have a new dream home.

• I missed 3 “planned” workouts.  Uhh… let’s just say my workout clothes got lost… uhh… in my bed… where I was searching for them, not sleeping… I swear… zzzz…zzzz.

Yup.  That’s a whole lot of failure in just one month.

I’ve been reflecting on these failures.  Working on extracting the lessons.  Luckily, I have a coach (two actually!) so I got coaching on my failure. 

I shared with my coach that focusing on failing was a bit drab to me and I was feeling more like a failure, than I felt like celebrating. 

It was a bit depressing.  I prefer to be positive, rah-rah-rah-ey and the like.  I wanted a champagne-and-cake-kind-of-celebration, which is much more my style.

And my coach explained something extremely profound to me.

He said “Failing has made you.”

Suddenly it clicked.

I f-ing love that.

Failing has made me.

In just one month, I have changed. With every failure, I’ve evolved.

Failing has made me the tenacious woman I am today.

Failing has made me realize that being rejected hurts for about 20 minutes.  Then I get over it.

Failing has made me excited to try because I never know what I just might get (like a dream home, or featured on the Huffington Post – which actually did happen!)

Failing has moved me forward in my business.

Failing has brought me new, inspiring clients to work with.

Failing has gotten me invited to speak at dream-team events.

And failing has taught me.

Failing has taught me about best practices with Facebook ads. With Youtube settings.  With visualizations.

Failing has taught me about myself. 

This Lisa is more resilient for trying.

This Lisa does make a difference in people’s lives, regardless of failure.

In fact, this Lisa makes a difference because of her failure.

My writing is being shared with people who need it.

People who believe in my mission are hiring me to speak to their groups to inspire them.

I am changing lives.

Even better than this just being about me and my journey?  Having failure on my mind has opened me up to some beautiful conversations with others about failure.  

Let’s be honest:  no-one talks about failure voluntarily. 

Most of us don’t share our missed targets, or rejected statuses on social media.  Often, we only see the best, most beautifully curated version of someone.

But I’ve discovered, that all of us go through hard times (yes, duh).  And even more shocking – sharing our own challenges opens the door for the person next to us to embrace challenges too. 

It has been humbling and reassuring to be able to share my challenges with friends, clients and collaborators.  In return, they have opened up to me and shared that the amazing business I see them running today had its share of struggles. 

That the first few executive jobs they applied for, they didn’t get.  

That sometimes they kissed a few frogs before they found their prince (who hasn’t?!).

There are always ups and downs.

Even the most successful people you see have had to overcome challenges.

You are not successful despite failure – you become successful through failure.  

I agreed to try on this new definition and perspective of failure for a month.  And I’m so glad I did. 

I’m so ecstatic about the fact that I failed forward, that it’s not over for me!  It’s a reminder I’m setting for myself each month to celebrate what I failed.  (Literally, I’m setting a reminder in my calendar. You should too!).

Heck - maybe I'll start calling myself a "Failure Coach" instead of a "Success Coach"!  

Then again.  Maybe not. 

If you also failed this month, I’d love to hear from you!  Tell me what you failed at. Tell me what you learned.

Share with me (and the world) who failing has made you.

Because failing is not the same as failed or failure.  It’s not permanent.  It’s not tattooed to your forehead for all the world to see.

What is permanent is your growth.

And what the world sees is your courage.

Your vulnerability.

Your authenticity.

Your brave, daring, audacious self that’s jumping back from challenges, and continuing to show the world who you really are.

Keep failing. Keep learning. Keep getting up.  

Keep allowing failure to create the wonderful, driven, empowered human you are becoming each day.

The new and improved, failing,

 - Lisa

Success/Failure Coach

www.lisamichaud.com

 PS. Ironically, as I made breakfast and finished writing this, I started listening to Brene Brown’s book Rising Strong  (and I love it already!).  I immediately realized it is ALL about failing!  What?! Where was this book in August?! 

I did a quick search and here’s what Google says about the book: “The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall.

This is a book about what it takes to get back up and how owning our stories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak gives us the power to write a daring new ending.

Struggle can be our greatest call to courage and Rising Strong, our clearest path to deeper meaning, wisdom and hope.”

I’m on it. I’m reading Rising Strong this next month as I find ways to own my story and create a new beginning for myself.  If you want to join me, check out her book Rising Strong  or click on the book below.

Here's my alphabet. What's yours?

Welcome to my blog and my website. Thanks for joining!  I'm on a mission for women like you to LOVE your career and love your life.  So who am I? Here's a little more about this curly blonde's life and favourite things:

The A-Z's of Lisa

Adventurist.  I LOVE trying new things and exploring the world.  Anything from meeting new people, to white water rafting, to sky-diving, I love it.  I will try anything once... and I have never regretted anything I have tried. 

Beach.  Is there anything better than sand, waves, and beautiful water?  Not in my world. I love the ocean, and lakes and rivers.  Whether it's a tropical beach in Southeast Asia or the beaches in Vancouver (not so tropical but still beautiful), beaches are so good for my soul. I'm lucky to be only a few blocks away from a beach most days of my life.

Croatia.  Where my family is from. Croatian was my first language and to this day, most of my family still lives there. I love spending summers swimming in the Adriatic sea, and eating delicious Croatian truffles and cevupcici (deliciously spiced sausages!)

Dancing. I started at the age of 3 in ballet, and continued through tap, modern, jazz, hip-hop, song & dance, and point. My love with dance has extended to salsa, belly, tango and burlesque. And let's not forget the occasional twerking to some top 40 (even if it's just in my kitchen)!

Extreme Extrovert.  I'm a 30/30 on the extravert scale. Every time I do a Meyers-Briggs assessment, my other traits change. Not extravert though. I absolutely love being around others and soak up energy from those I'm surrounded by.

Food. Delicious! I used to be a ridiculously picky eater (I didn't like steak or seafood). Let's just say a 2 month trip to China fixed that! Now, I adore trying new food and cuisines. I also generally dislike cooking and being in a foodie-centric city like Vancouver suits me well!

Goals.  I love them!  I'm all about making sure that I'm living life on my terms and goals help me do that.  There's nothing better than doing some deep soul-searching, reflecting and brainstorming with amazing friends to determine what my BEST life is. And then setting some awesome, inspiring goals and habits to match. 

Husband.  His name is Troy and he's simply amazing. I have found a true partner in life. He's smart, funny and it doesn't hurt that he's extremely handsome. 

Inspiration.  It's all around us so I make sure to soak it in every day.  Each day, I take time to be grateful for the amazing things in my life (my 7pm phone reminder).  I'm always on the lookout for fun, interesting and inspirational events online and in my city that will teach me and inspire me to be a better coach and human being. So far this year, I'm already signed up for The Art of Leadership, and at least 2 TedX Conferences. #inspirationoverload

Juggling. I have a great life, don't get me wrong. But my schedule, commitments and life are a constant juggling act. I'm very deliberate with my time and each week I sit down to plan out the next week. It helps me make sure I have all the right balls in the air and that the important ones are getting the attention they need. If only juggling time would be as cool of a party trick as actual flame juggling or something....

Kelowna.  Where Troy & I got married, on a gorgeous rooftop overlooking the lake. It's where I got to have friends and family from all parts of then world celebrate as I said "I do" to my best friend. It holds a special place in my heart. Plus it has amazing wines ;)

Leadership. I love everything about leadership.  I even started the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference 8 years ago, ran it for 3 years, and it continues to this day. I believe we all need to be leaders, not just at work or school but in our home lives. Each one of us can be a leader in life as we support friends, family and lead ourselves on the path to achieving our goals and dreams. 

Meeting new people.  Genuinely one of my favourite things. Everyone is a friend I just haven't met yet. I love finding similarities and the connections between all humans - I've learned we really are all more the same than we are different.

New York. One of the most amazing places on earth. I absolutely adore every moment I spend here and mostly only watch tv shows if they can offer a glimpse of Manhattan. 

Open-minded.  I believe in being open, honest, and vulnerable.  I'm not perfect and that's ok.  I love learning from others and hearing their perspectives. I will always learn something and continue to grow more as a person when people share their thoughts with me and I deeply appreciate it.

Possibility.  There is nothing that can't be done when we believe it's possible. Nothing is more powerful than people who believe in their own potential.  When we believe in possibility, fear disappears and we just do it.  We create change.  We make a difference. As Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, you are right."  

Now I want to empower more women to believe they can.

Quad. My husband loves quadding and so do I. That's why we have a quad in our downtown apartment complex. Sure, it's a little quirky but it doesn't take long to get a bit outside the city and hopping on the quad is an exciting way to get deep into nature and explore new territory. And it's a great conversation starter with the neighbours.

Running. Something I always hated and never thought I could do. Until I found wicked-awesome running partners and I've now done 5 half-marathons. I'm signed up for number 6 and love the challenge and friendships that form over sweat and exhaustion.

Sustainability. We're all just visiting on Planet Earth and it's important to me that the world will be a better place because of me. I once heard "leave everything just a little better than you found it" and I apply this philosophy to everything. Whether it's a job, a city, a friendship, and especially, this beautiful planet, I live and work to make everything I touch better.

Travelling. My great love. My current count is 32 countries and I will hit 50, 100, and more in my life!

Umbrella.  You won't catch me on the We(s)t Coast without one. This curly hair frizzes just hearing the word "sprinkle" so I'm always prepared for the rain. 

Vancouver.  The city I live in and adore. My love affair started when I was a child and I'm constantly in awe of its natural beauty and cultural diversity. 

Wine.  My usual drink of choice. I love visiting wineries around the world and meeting super passionate wine makers who put their all into their delicious wine. The only thing better?  Getting to take home a bottle and enjoy it on my patio with my husband and awesome friends. In full disclosure, I also love craft beer and I swoon for original, innovative cocktails. 

Xenodochial.  Wow. Who knew finding an "x" word would be so hard?  Xenodochial means "friendly to stranger" and it's a philosophy I live by. Everywhere I go, I find connections with all ages, backgrounds, languages, and distance.  And now we've learned a new word too!  

Yoga.  What kind of Vancouverite would I be without it?  All kidding aside, I love the mix of mental and physical challenge in yoga and it helps this type-A chick stay grounded, humble and sane. 

Zestful.  How I approach life. Life's an adventure, an exciting gift, a remarkable journey.  I want it to be filled with fun, love, curiosity, wonder, exploration and laughter. 

Who are you?  I love getting to know amazing, driven, passionate women like you.  

Get in touch with me - I love hearing from you!