Love knows, love grows, bigger than before. In your heart, there’s always more.

{That’s not Hafiz.  Those are words our 7-year old daughter sings with great gusto (from a Barbie movie, natch).}

Yes indeed. I believe in the heart’s infinite capacity for love.

I also believe in efficiency.

Capacity vs Room.

When clients present in session with uphill battles they’re facing, or difficult relationships they’re “managing” (ugh…do you HEAR the weight of that?), I’ll often ask them to consider the emotional real estate that’s being taken up with the current situation, as it is. You have only so much bandwidth to work within. How much space do you want this situation, this person, that conversation, that decision, this relationship to take up? Is it worth it?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. And ever a good enquiry.

That’s talking about room. Not CAPACITY.

So let’s assume your heart is a home. ‘Cause, it kinda is. It houses your emotions and is your sanctuary when you remember to rest there. You do your best to keep it well-tended. It’s neat and tidy and yours. You are a gracious host and so you invite people in. After the soiree has ended, some guests feel entitled to stay in this loving place for longer. You, of course agree. It would be unkind otherwise.

At first, it’s most convivial. You enjoy the devotional acts of leaving mints on the pillow and making your guests breakfast. Sure, they can pick the movie tonight and don’t worry about using all the hot water. Over time, you start to feel a subtle, but mounting resentment to the space they’re taking up. You can’t walk into your living room without tripping over their bags. Is that MORE dirty laundry for you to do? Don’t they EVER wipe the counters down after they shave? And about that toilet seat…

Then you stop yourself for being unkind. You take a step back and think: no, it’s not the last beer that they drank or the fact that they tear out articles from your magazines. No…the problem is you. It’s your house. If it were BIGGER, then you’d be a more gracious host.

Maybe it’s time to put an addition out on the back of the house. Then there would be TONS of space for visitors and their bags.

Sure, it will cost a ton (money, resources, effort), but then there will be room enough for all? Right?

Hmm.

You have only so much room in your heart. Fact. AND, heart’s capacity knows no bounds. But your love can.

So by all means, throw open the doors. And them all in. Just be mindful of who gets to STAY.

Allow to stay those who give as freely as they receive.

• Those who value your radiance; not simply your PVR.
• Those who come bearing nourishing greens + sumptuous broths to feed your soul; not three beers from a 6-pack.
• Those who make you want to laugh with the world; not at it.
• Those who cherish your quirks; not deride you for them.
• Those who see you for the infinite light that you are; not just your generosity and comfy couch.
• Those who are worthy. Of the space that you are sharing.

Before you know it, your house will have filled well beyond the imagined constraints of any architects’ drawing. There, in every room will be more love, joy and fulfillment than you thought possible. An effortless expansion with not a bead of sweat.

Exactly what your heart’s been yearning for, all along.

We all have dreams. Luxe dreams. Travel dreams. Book dreams. Stage dreams. Restaurant dreams. Peace dreams. Adventure dreams. Love dreams. Foo Fighter dreams. Freedom dreams. NYC dreams. Heal the world dreams. Glossy magazine dreams. Circumnavigating the globe on your own at 16 dreams.

Yup. We all have them. They may look different, but they all come from the same place. The heart.

And I happen to have it on good authority (aka Twitter) that 2012 – The Year of the Water Dragon – will be a good year for dreams coming to life.

Cool.

While I don’t doubt the power and tenacity of a Dragon (really, that would be a foolish thing to do), let’s consider giving the Dragon a hand and getting our dreams off the ground, shall we?

Loving the leaps.

1. Get clear on what you want to do. And why. Because a “what” without a “why” is a “just because” or a “should”. And just becauses and shoulds won’t get you where you want to go. Fact.

My friend and the artiste behind the savvy + sa-weet design that is my site, Amanda Farough, got over her just becauses and shoulds and to mark the occasion, has just launched HER gorgeous new space. Get on her list (after you’ve taken the tour and drank in her sassy pants post of bigness) for 10 weeks (YUP!) of giveaways. You may win a Clarity Session with me.

2. Know that fear will want to hold you back and keep you small. That’s its one and only job. Review  #1 and then answer this question from my friend Tara Sophia Mohr: Are you being more loyal to your fears, or to your dreams? (Registration for Tara’s Playing Big closes Jan 24^th at midnight. If you’re keen on amplifying your impact, claiming your place and taming those fears, this may well be the journey for you.)

3. Keep it open, keep it expanded. Shenee Howard is launching Hot Brand Action today…a direct result of stepping into her starring role as writer and teacher. Hell’s YES. Watch the ground come up to meet her in the most glorious way.

4. Get support. Tell your friends, hire a coach (ahem), find a mentor.  They’ll bolster you when you need it, keep your intentions set to “shine”.  They want you to knock it out of the park. We all do, in fact. Count on it and welcome it in with heart and arms wide open.

5. Launch. Just like that.

C’mon now.  Don’t leave it all in the talons of the Water Dragon. Make it happen for your own fine self in 2012.

XO

I am so over the whole “for-it-to-be-important-it-must-be-hard” thing. That’s never worked for me. Oh, I’ve tried it. I’ve white-knuckled and fretted, and all it’s ever won me was this worry line (the one that yielded the “have you thought of Botox?” question from the dermatologist).

No.

Ease is my new port of call. Yours too?

Here are some thoughts on how to make alllll easier.

1. Decide to make it easier. (Just like that).
2. When you notice yourself clenching up, ask yourself: how can this be easier? Inhale and release your shoulders on the exhale. Proceed.
3. Know your values. If you ignore everything else, please don’t ignore this one. They inform E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G you do.
4. Evernotes for your smart phone. Super smart, super easy way to remember everything.
5. Whether you scrapbook or not, document every kid-ism you can. (Evernotes!)
6. Short bursts of exercise burn goodly amounts of calories and fit into your day (like, 10 minutes of running). Making excuses takes more time than that.
7. You can never give (or receive) enough hugs in this lifetime.
8. When you clink those glasses, do like your mama told you and look the other person in the eye. Acknowledgment is a gift.
9. If you’re Canadian, get yourself a TFSA and add the option of saving 50 cents from every Interac transaction. Set it and forget it, (because invisible savings rocks my socks.)
10. When it just doesn’t want to be written, record yourself talking about it. Have that transcribed. (Trust me…)
11. Know that you have permission. Always did.
12. Take three hours once/month to get your bookkeeping up to date.
13. Keep the pulp from your morning green juice in a freezer bag and make a vegetable stock when the bag’s full. Start with olive oil, onions + garlic, throw in the pulp, add water +bay leaf and simmer for as long as you like. You’ll be tweeting about how virtuous you feel.
14. Next time you’re stuck, try a handstand against the wall. Oh, don’t worry about it being elegant…it won’t be.
15. Remember Master Godin’s words: Go ahead, fail. Try to avoid mistakes, though.
16. Know how to fill in this blank: I am ridiculously good at __________. (This is your super power…knowing it will come in handy).
17. Set big + beautiful goals that make your heart soar. Then break them down into the smallest, most delicious morsels you can. Savour.
18. Cut corners, but be clear about which ones must stay sharp.
19. Know the difference between fear and intuition.
20. Write a love letter. To your business. To your self. To your love. To your daughter. To your father. To your ideal client. To your future spouse. The universe loves love and rewards it with ease.
21.  “No, but thanks for asking”. You must stretch this muscle, otherwise your yes’s have no value. And what a colossal waste of energy that is.
22. Clarity will set you free from the shackles of “hard”.
23. You could say it, but you could also sing it. (Insta-mood lift).
24. Bootstrap until you can hire the very very best.

Easier said than done? Let me know. And how do YOU keep it easy, Sunshine? Share in the comments, please.

++++++++++++++++

PS – Just decided over the weekend that while I am of course a Life AND Business Coach, I really am a Clarity Coach. Easy. ‘Cause bringing people Clarity is MY super power.

PPS – Rates for my super-charged Clarity Sessions are going up in 2012 but you can raise your hand now by emailing me by Dec 23^rd and I’ll honour the current price until February 29^th.

Whattahook, eh? “Setting Yourself up for Success”? In “seven steps”? Sensing you’re in for some kind of cheesy post, aren’t you?

You’re not.

But you ARE about to get the value of one or two coaching sessions with me in this here monster post, if you do your work.

Ready?

“Success” has such an amorphous quality that it’s almost benign to me. (You too?)

If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.

― Albert Einstein

What does success mean to YOU and where are you at on that spectrum right now?

Let’s find out, Tiger.

Draw a circle on a piece of paper and intersect four lines so that there are eight pie wedges.

Now, assign each pie wedge a different label, each area representing a different aspect of your life.

This is a tool from CTI (called “The Wheel of Life”) and they recommend you label the sections:

Career, Money, Health, Friends and Family, Significant Other/Romance, Personal Growth, Fun and Recreation, Physical Environment

You can download CTI’s Wheel of Life here (it’s on page 2).

I usually have my clients fill out the wheel before we even start working together, so we can get clear on where they are, and where they are going. But I’m finding that the eight categories aren’t representing the full picture, so we’re getting creative with our own categories: sexuality; soul work; relationship with children; relationship with parents etc etc and etc.

And for my solopreneur clients, “career” isn’t quite cutting the fullness of the entrepreneurial experience. So some do a wheel for their personal life, as well as one for their business, while others choose to do a mash-up on the same wheel.

The business wheel could have categories such as: Marketing; Sales; Operations; Accounting; Strategic Planning; PR; Innovation and Development; Customer Service, Communications; Results; Leadership/Team Development; Licensee Management; Flexibility; Productivity and so on. Totally specific to YOU.

(You could also do a wheel for how well your team is performing, or can take a look at your own management process. Those will have different categories still.)

There could be much, MUCH debate about what encompasses “leadership” or “customer service”. I don’t need to be right, I just need you to know what YOU mean by leadership or customer service. On my own wheel of business, I have a Ha-Cha-Cha Factor. This means everything to me and possibly nothing to you. It’s my personal reference point of resonance: am I doing work I love? Is my heart soaring? Am I being philanthropic? Am I collaborating on fabulous projects? It’s super clear to me what it means in any given moment.

Once you have your wheel drawn out (or printed out), assign a number that represents your CURRENT level of satisfaction in that area. Zero – 10, where zero is at the centre where the lines intersect and 10 will be at the perimeter.  Zero means you are completely dissatisfied and 10 is, well, a 10. This is COMPLETELY subjective so don’t overthink it. Once you’ve plotted your number, draw a line, creating a new outer edge for that section and do the same for all 8.

If you’re like most people with a pulse, your wheel will be anything but perfectly round. And if you imagine that wheel going down a hill, you’ve GOT to know that it would be a bumpy ride.

No need for judgment. It’s just a snapshot.

Now dive on in to EACH area of the wheel:

What’s working in this area? What do I want to celebrate? What’s NOT working? What do I want more of?

And most importantly:

IF THIS WERE A 10, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD BE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

Go on and write this down. (THIS IS HUGE).

So, you have your vision (life in all realms at a 10) and you have your reality: one bumpy-assed wheel.

Let’s bridge the two, shall we?

Wherein I show you mine

Here’s my wheel:

Clearly, some areas are working very well and other areas could use a bit o’ loving: namely PR. It’s been on the back burner while I focused on other aspects of my work (which accounts for the higher levels of satisfaction in those realms. (Clarity and attention work wonders for satisfaction levels).

I’m pretty clear about what would be going on if PR were at a 10 in my biz:

1)    I’d have a solid PR plan in place.

2)    A rock star publicist would be working the plan like it was her job, ‘cause, like, it WOULD be her job.

3)    She’d actually be enjoying the interesting challenge of keeping up with the media demands for my time: Some TV work, some radio, some writing…all delicious.

Yes, that feels like a 10 for me.

So, moving towards that “10” will require action.

And goals.

SMART Goals for the Smart Set

I usually have my clients set two SMART goals per area. I’ve written about this before, but let’s recap. For a goal to be SMART, it needs to be:

S =  Specific (you know EXACTLY what you want to accomplish)

M = Measurable (you know when you’ve succeeded in doing it)

A = Actionable (you know you can move forward and have evidence to back it up)

R = Resonant (it’s aligned with your values and you’re driven to accomplish it)

T = Thrilling (it’s going to be a thrill to accomplish it).

(BTW, R + T = where the honey’s at)

By looking at what a “10” would be like for me in PR, you can probably guess what my two goals will be for that area, non?

1. Hire a rock star publicist.
2. Create a PR plan.

Once I decide “by when”, then both of these goals will meet my SMART criteria.  AND each goal will require upwards of 5 action items to make it happen (download a blank template for planning action here).

For me to hire that Publicist, I’m going to have to go find her.

So, here’s my plan:

For those of you who can’t read Tanyawriting, here’s my plan:

1. Write a job description (by Dec 9th, 2012)
2. Ask my coaching colleagues/peers who they work with (by Dec 31, 2011)
3. Reach out to my media contacts to see who they recommend (by Jan 31, 2012)
4. Interview 10 candidates (month of Feb, 2012)
5. Make decision (by Feb 24, 2012)

Some obstacles may show up in the process. Some will be real: there may be few suitable candidates. Some will be my own saboteurs (“you can’t really afford to take this on right now” or “you’re being too lazy…just do it yourself”). In all cases, I will have a workaround (aka “planned response”).

I usually plan for a reward once the goal has been completed, but in this case, having this extra person on my team is the reward in and of itself.

So, your turn.

1. Create your wheel of life, of business or of life+business (with the most resonant and personally meaningful labels you can muster).
2. Assess your level of satisfaction in each area.
3. Ask yourself: What’s working in this area? What do I want to celebrate? What’s NOT working? What do I want more of? AND IF THIS WERE A 10, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD BE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
4. Based on what that 10 would look like, create two SMART goals for each area.
5. For each SMART goal, create your action plan.
6. Work it like your (version of) success depends on it. It does.
7. Rinse and repeat quarterly.

And THAT, my friend, is how you will succeed.

Your definition + Your plan = Your success.

(Go ahead and celebrate that win – and saving the cost of a couple of coaching session  -  by treating yourself to a brand new set of Ginsu knives for your soda can slicing pleasure).

++++++++++++++++++++++

PS – Want more? Contact me. I have a couple of available spots in my coaching practice.

So…you’ve been thinking about hiring me as your coach, have you?

Confession time: I failed the all-important oral portion of my coaching certification exam.

No…no. WAIT. Come back!

I mean I failed it the FIRST time. Nailed it the second. Yes, I am a fully certified coactive professional coach. And have been for well over a year.

Are we better now?

Not really?

I guess I had THAT coming. Should have kept my mouth shut.

Here’s the story. It’s short and painful. Or at least, it was.

I worked hard during the 6-month certification process. Studied hard, got excellent grades on MOST of my supervisions. Passed the written part of the exam (I ASSUMED with flying colours…at CTI, they just give you a pass or fail).

Then I got super cocky.

So cocky, in fact, that I chose to book the oral portion (live coaching of certification supervisors) on my birthday. I mean, what’s one more awesome thing to celebrate, right?

There was not a doubt in my mind that I was gonna win. Was loud and proud on my Facebook page. Bottle of champers at the ready.

Like this picture of me when I was 9.

Dug up by my friend Sarinda

Love that kid and her “I’m gonna win” strut, right?

But sometimes we don’t win. In fact, sometimes we fail.

Well, you know the drill. First I was in denial. Then I got mad, then petulant, then self-indulgent. Then probably mad again. Then I needed validation that there were OTHER amazing coaches who had failed (there are many, and they prefer to remain cloaked.)

Eventually, I landed on this: I’ll take the exam again. I’ll learn from this experience. I won’t like it, but I’ll do it.

So I did.

Here’s what I learned:

1. Confident is good. Cocky, less so. – Confidence is knowing what you are capable of. Cockiness is not leaving any room for error.

2. To win the game, you have to play the game. – I relistened to the audio of the exam. Just once. (It was all I could bear.) The coaching I did in that oral exam was excellent. I’d certainly hire me. But I didn’t use the SPECIFIC coaching tools I was being tested on. Kind of like being in a culinary examination on your ability to create puff pastry, and trying to wow the examiners with your meringue prowess. Possibly delicious, and highly irrelevant. Had I been the supervisor looking for those tools, I’d also have failed me.

3. You have to know the rules to break the rules. – I’m fiercely proud of the year and a half that I spent training to become a coactive coach. And I’m not coactive in my coaching all of the time. I don the hat that my client requires me to wear in that moment. Without exception.

4. Fail fast, recover faster. Lick your wounds and get back on the horse before you’ve made up your mind that you will never ride again. Because you know not-so-very-deep down that to never ride again is just punitive bullshit.

5. Lean into your friends. (Imma lookin’ at you, Lisa). They’ll remind you of this all-important truth, even when you choose not to see it:

6. Fail ≠ you are a failure.

7. If you’re a blogger, do not write about your process while you’re in your process. You need time, space and perspective to parse out what’s valuable for yourself and your readers.  It’s one thing to be authentically vulnerable…quite another to do an emotional striptease.

8. You can still be a Super Star AND have failed.  Like Beethoven. Gates. Lucas. Lincoln. Edison. Churchill. Spielberg. Ford. Honda. Disney. Winfrey. Socrates. Seinfeld. Godin. Ask your idol – she’ll tell you about the time she failed. It’s like my friend Kelly says: Nobody gets through this journey without a stubbed toe or two.

I’d much rather learn from success than from failure, but I’d be a fool not to take the learnings where I can.

And honey? I may have failed, but I ain’t no fool, I ain’t no Failure, and surely to heaven above, I will fail again. But I’m also gonna win. Lots.

I love throwing parties. I love bringing people together. I love signature cocktails, the excuse to arrange lavish floral arrangements, and ironing the white linen napkins. I love planning the cheese tray. I love the loot bags.

So yes. I love throwing parties. And I’m told by my friends that I’m pretty good at it.

It’s in the details. And possibly, the love.

Lead With Your Strengths. In All Things, Including Launches.

So, when Kelly and I discussed how to launch my happy new site (that she and Amanda done did as red+purple), she answered simply (and with what I make up would have been a “duh” expression in her eyes): throw a party.

You heard the “duh” in that too, right?

Yup. Got it.

One slight problem: how do you throw a party with no cheese tray, flowers, white linens, or cocktails?

Answer: loot bag!!

Goody goody good good. I love giving stuff away.

Problem there (party-planning’s all about problem solving, turns out): I have a pretty happy busy coaching practice and not a ton of time to give away (like I did last time). It’s a champagne problem and a reality. I have no products (yet) other than my beloved Joy Pages (which I’ve been giving out anyways – grab yours here).

Kelly patiently pointed out that in addition to giving good party, I also make good friends.

And?

“Generous friends.”

Huh?

“Generous friends who have products.”

Blank stare.

“Generous friends who have products that your readers would want to have.”

Crickets.

“Jesus, Tanya. Ask your generous friends with products if they would give you a copy of said digital product for Swag Bag of Magnificence and then give it away to one super lucky person!”

Why would they want to do that?

“Woman. Read your own words on the topic: people want to help. ESPECIALLY your generous friends. Hell, I want to help and you haven’t even asked: so you can have a Red Shoe Blogger session”.

Right. I know this to be true. I see it time and time again.

So I write what I hope is an elegant ask of Danielle, Dyana, Pam, Jen, Carrie, Tara, Amanda, Michelle, Jamie and Kelly. And then hold my breath.

10 asks. 10 effusive yes’s. Over $1100 of digital gorgeousness.

How did I get so lucky?

Carrie: “You got so lucky by being you.”

Stunned.

So, with the Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified secured, off we go our separate ways: Amanda designing, Kelly writing, Tanya party planning (and nail-biting: “what of no one shows up?”). Launch date: July 26^th 2011.

Wherein the Best-Laid Launch Plan Goes Awry

Then, on July 7th, T minus 20, it happens: kablooey. My existing site blows up.

Well not really, exactly. But kinda sorta.

Let’s just say the email that I received at 6:30 that morning while at the gym read:

We are very sorry to hear your ‘public_html’ folder has been deleted. Unfortunately, we do not keep a backup of your files. You would need your webmaster to manually restore those files. In the future, please ensure you run the ‘Backup Wizard’ on a regular basis. 

In other words: kablooey.

Once it’s established that no one died (this is good), and the tears and expletives have subsided, we are left with this: I am a coach without a website. There is only one solution that we can entertain: launch the new site, stat. Two weeks earlier than planned.

Did I mention Amanda 9++ months pregnant and days overdue?

Didn’t think so.

A three day workback is drafted. It must get done. There is no time to iron the linens – paper napkins will have to do. There is no time for fear no-shows. There was no time to even get in my own damned way. The SNAFU made sure of that.

Funny thing about urgency: it tames fear and strips back to what’s essential.

And Essential is Excellent

Between Kelly, Amanda, my Rock Star VA, and I, we get it done. Amanda fixed code during contractions. I couldn’t make that up.

And it launches. And they come. BOY, do they come.

It’s a party of epic proportions.

Loving emails, tweets of congratulations, Facebook “likes” and phone calls flood in.

The results: My cheeks hurt from smiling, “thank you” has started to lose all meaning and my heart feels like it could burst. In other words: it was pure bliss.

I am grateful. I am radiant. Like my girl Kelly.

And so I’m reminded:

 Ask – Clearly, sincerely, respectfully and nicely. People want to help.

Launch – Wherever you are at. Throw open the doors.

Ask – With your heart and then launch with your heart. It never fails. Nor will you.

++++++++++++

PS – You still have until July 22^nd to win the Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified by entering a video of you about stepping into your starring role. Don’t worry about having perfect hair (seriously… did you see MINE in my launch video? Windswept – not the good kind – from having just picked my kid up the ferry docks after her day at Island camp). Shine from where you are. Step into your starring role.

PPS – And once your video is complete, remember to drop the URL in Mr Linky. Otherwise I won’t know about your brilliance and you won’t get entered for the Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified. So please get to shining…and linking!

The “Step Into Your Starring Role” Project

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Welcome to my shiny happy new home. Isn’t it something? Don’t you want to spend, like, ALL your time here?

Okay, maybe that’s just me.

But I hope it’s not just me…because really, I put this site together for you.

Because I want you to step into your starring role.

Shine, Baby, Shine

Did you see the message at the top of this page?

Life is a grand production.

Yup, that. And what I mean by that is this:

Your life, as it is now, has been the preparation - the production – needed to launch your next project.

The project where you step into your starring role and your radiance lights up the world.

Project Life, Well Lived. Project You.

‘Cept I know that for you, it isn’t all about you. Your most glorious project – your life – isn’t the “The Me-Me-Me Show”. Instead, your grand production – and mine, too – is about creating and contributing to a better world by becoming a better person.

It’s the mama+oxygen mask theory. If (god forbid) you’re ever on a plane in an emergency situation (oh, those pesky snakes on a plane!), you put your mask on, first. Because by staying conscious, engaged, and intentional, you’re able to use your life help others.

And that’s what today is all about…for you and me.

I launched this grand production – my coaching practice of several years and now this brand-spanking-new site – so I could step into my starring role…

…which is help you shine, by

supporting you as you step into your most glorious, productive, purposeful self

AND

empowering you to use your life and your gifts to instigate change and instill joy.

For yourself and the world. And that’s the grand production I’m on about:

LIFE, starring YOU.

It’s a Joyful, Gratitude-Fueled Journey

If you’ve read my signature guide to the good life, The Joy Pages, you know that I’m rock-solid-certain that

• connecting to your core values,
• aligning your life with your values,
•  infusing your life with joy, and
• radiating gratitude

are the building blocks of the life-stage on which you stand, deliver…and shine.

So right off the top, I must thank Amanda and Kelly for working their red+purple magic. The colours! The message! The groove! Oh…I’m so happy.

These incredible women worked tirelessly on this baby. In fact, speaking of babies, Amanda was still doing a spit-shine on this (virtual) baby between contractions for her (real, live) baby. (Congratulations, honey!) THAT is dedication. And Kelly held my hand during every little bump and managed to made it roller-coaster fun.

So. Clearly I’m happy.

Let’s Celebrate Our Grand Production…with a Premiere

Which means I want to make YOU happy.

That’s my mission (talk about aligning values + action…) as a coach and that’s what this site is all about.

You becoming your most intentional, purposive, radiant you.

And THAT is cause for celebration.

So to celebrate the premiere of our (yours ‘n mine) grand production, I invited my magnificent, magnanimous friends DyanaValentine, Jamie Ridler,  Michelle Ward, Pam Slim, Amanda Oaks, Jen Louden, Danielle LaPorte, Carrie Klassen, Tara Gentile, and Kelly Diels to the party.

And they came bearing gifts.

…So OF COURSE There’s A Swag Bag

Yup, each of these gorgeous, generous women contributed their talents, time and services to make this premiere a premier event.

And I’ve poured all their love and and excellence into one super-fabulous, celebratory, giveaway swag bag.

Here’s what The Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified includes:

(in reverse alphabetically order because I know Michelle is done with being last in line with that “W” last name of hers.)

1. Michelle Ward’s Creative Career Cheer Workbook. – Hip hip hooray and grab a beer – her rhyming, illustrated workbook will help find your career to cheer (about)!

2. Michelle Ward’s Declaration of You. Let Michelle Ward, Jessica Swift, and Pierre François Frédéric help you uncover your own definitions/ideas/values/perspective around enthusiasm, money, success, uniquity (yes, that’s a made-up word!), intention, self-care, success, money, celebration, and trust – all leading you to The Declaration of You!

3. Dyana Valentine’s Pitch Perfect Pack – Never get stuck again on the wrong end of “so whattayado”?

4. Jamie Ridler’s Your Creative Spark – SERIOUSLY Inspiring Interviews with 12 Highly Creative Bloggers.

5. Pam Slim’s Ethical Selling that Works – Pam is the Queen of Ethical selling. She’ll show you how to sell your services in the cleanest, clearest and most natural way.

6. Amanda Oaks’ Regiving: The Gifts of Kindness & Laughter: thirty awesome contributors, sixty heartwarming and hilarious stories, five inspirational printable art prints…and a place for you to share your stories!

7. Jen Louden’s Satisfaction Finder – Learn how to be satisfied – how to declare what “enough” is – and liberate your energy, get stuff done, and most importantly: Start enjoying all that you already have…right now.

8. Danielle LaPorte’s The Spark Kit – I KNOW you already know this, but The Spark Kit is the mother of all must-haves digital book-meets-video seminar to help you rock your business… your way, right away.

9. Carrie Klassen’s How to write a Loveable Home Page - It’s like writing a love letter to your ideal client.

10. Tara Gentile’s The Art of Earning – Tara gorgeously helps you shift into a new money attitude. “Because making money should be beautiful.” YES.

11. Kelly Diels’ Red Shoe Blogger Session – A one-hour digital strategy session with Kelly is time with your soul teacher. She’ll help you kapow your whole platform and provide artful, heart-full feedback and strategy to amp it all up.

12. My Joy Pages guide to the good life AND a Clarity session with me (value: $250).

Added up, The Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified  is worth $1,100!

(And, perhaps obviously, that’s only a fraction of its true value. I mean, just look at these products and people!)

But Wait, There’s More!

Everyone who enters the giveaway for the one and only Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified will also be entered in a lottery to receive a pay-what-you-choose Clarity Session with me (usually priced at $250).

The Step Into Your Starring Role Project

AND NOW…here’s how all that swag (or a Clarity Session) can be yours:

1. Step into your starring role. Literally. Do a quick (2 minute MAX please…PLEASE) video of gorgeous you telling me:

• About your own desire to step into the starring role of your life
• What that would give you/ what it might mean for you
• What needs to be overcome for you to step on out
• How I/we can help you

(For a nerve-busting post on how to do a fabulously effective and ease-filled video, please read DyanaValentine’s awesome “get down on it with video” post.)

2. Sign up for the “Step into your starring role” project below in MrLinky.

3. Upload your video to your own site, tagging it “Step into your starring role”, to YouTubeor Vimeo and come back and drop the link down below.

4. Tweet about it using the hashtag #star.

How the Prizes Will Be Awarded

• A couple of my favourite peeps and I will decide who wins the Swag Bag of Magnificence, Magnified based on the video that displays the most creativity, heart, art and authenticity. So go ahead and glow…that’s how we’ll know it’s you.

• Everyone who participates will have their names entered in the top hat for a pay-what-you-choose Clarity Session…which thirty (30!) of you will win.

THE DEETS:

1. The entry deadline is Friday, July 22, 2011 at 12pm PST / 3pm EST.

2. The winner of the one and only Swag Bag Of Magnificence, Magnified will be announced July 29, 2011 at 12PM PST/3PM EST, via Twitter, Facebook and the Mr. Linky List.

3. Winners of the thirty individual pay-what-you-choose Clarity Sessions with me will be announced August 1st.

4. No purchase is necessary to win.

5. Not redeemable for cash*.

We want to see you…all of you.

So go ahead. Step into your starring role.

PS Now I KNOW I don’t need to say this, ‘cause you’re awesome and wouldn’t try to but the prize pack has no cash value. As in, please don’t win then ask me for $1100 cash.That would neither be cool, nor elegant (nor, given this disclaimer,legal!)

PPS I’d adore it if you subscribed to my mailing list. I only send e-mails when I think it’s really good stuff (like excellent blog posts, compelling offers and the occasional giveaway) and absolutely worth your time (twice a month-ish). Promise.