Tag Archives: Dreams come true

Be unrealistic about age and get what you want

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Tiffany Eckhardt, Certified Life Coach helping women believe their best years are ahead. Be unrealistic and get what you want.
“You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

Now that you’ve entered the season labeled midlife, do you fear it’s unrealistic to create something new at your age?  

Many clients of mine share a fear that age limits their ability to create something new.  I believe the opposite.  Your best years are ahead.  Finding yourself at the end of one season is an exciting opportunity to make decisions about life in the next season.   

Of course you are capable of learning new things and creating your life as you would like it to be.  

According to Marie Forleo, “Everything is figure-outable.”  

What if being unrealistic IS the answer to creating something new?  

What is the first thing your mind offers when you decide to create something new?  All the reasons it can’t work, all the reasons it isn’t a good idea and all the reasons it isn’t reasonable.  Yep, your mind is very clever in keeping you safe and secure. 

When you spend your time considering all that your brain offers, you fail ahead of time.  You stop yourself before you even get started.

So, trick you brain.  Agree with it.  Don’t give it anything to argue with.  

Agree with your brain that your new idea might not work, there will be obstacles and it could be completely unrealistic.  Decide to appreciate all the lessons and proceed anyways.    

Remind your brain the only way to create anything new is through trail and error.  

The fail factor

Should we fail on purpose?  Of course not!   

Brooke Castillo teaches in her eight week Business Course there are two different types of failures, escape failures and worthy failures.  

Escape failures 

Are you curios about why you don’t keep your word or follow through with your decisions?  Escape failures are a form of avoiding what is needed to realize your new creation and choosing to fail ahead of time.  

Examples:

  • Making excuses for not following through with a commitment
  • Indulging in confusion about the next step
  • Changing your mind
  • Not planning ahead of time, protecting your calendar
  • Any form of perfection is an escape failure
  • Waiting until your ready or have learned every aspect  

Worthy failures

Worthy failures are not caused by inaction, but by taking a step forward.

“We were never taught to fail.  We are taught that F’s are bad growing up.  This programming has contributed to steering away from starting things and changing,”  Brooke Castillo.  

For example, this past week I conducted my first FREE workshop on Self Appreciation.  I spent hours deciding what to teach, gathering information, putting it into an understandable form, etc.  I enthusiastically marketed the workshop, but only had a couple people show up to the live event.  Was that a failure?  NO!  No, it was not a failure.  I learned better ways to approach the next workshop and will continue to market the replay, which will reach untold amount of women.  

You can check our my Self Appreciation Workshop by clicking here: SELF APPRECIATION WORKSHOP

Never tried.

Ever failed.

No matter.

Try again.

Fail again.

Fail better.

Samuel Beckett

Get crystal clear

There will never be an age limit to creating something meaningful, but take time to get crystal clear about what you wish to create.  

  • Define: What does it feel like once you create it?  Who will benefit from your creation?  
  • Objections: What makes it unrealistic?  Go ahead and let your mind offer you the objections.  
  • Solutions:  Then answer the objections with, “That objection is true, but…”  What skills will you need to create it?  

Basically, allow your mind to define what you want to create, the obstacles in your way, and strategies to solve them ahead of time.  

BE unrealistic, a challenge

Let’s be honest, being a little unrealistic sounds like a fun challenge.   

I’d like to challenge you to a worthy fail.  Well, not just one.  I’d like to challenge you to write out 25 worthy failures you are willing to take action on.  First brainstorm all the ways you could take action that will likely fail.  From the brainstorm, pick 25 that you will commit to and then put the 25 worthy fails on your calendar.    

Taking this challenge will inspire you to take the first step.  By simply taking action, you will learn everything is figure-outable!  

Let me help you!

I love working with midlife women who are ready to believe their best years are ahead.  It is not a time to avoid the hard things, it is a time to embrace them with the self confidence earned at this age.

This past week I had the privilege to coach a beautiful spunky woman in her sixties who was was considering a new idea.  We worked through her thoughts, feelings and actions around the idea.  Afterwards I asked her what she thought she would be creating as a result.  She lit up and said, “a new career!”  

Sometimes you just need to be able to work through all the thoughts, feelings and obstacles to believe in the possibility.    

If you are ready to break some of your own limitations, let me help you!  Schedule a FREE mini session.  It’s a 45 minute chat with someone who truly believes in your possibilities.  It is also a great way to see if life coaching is for you.  

Simply click the link below and choose a date on my calendar.  It really is that simple!

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

Tiffany Eckhardt, Certified Life Coach

What if your dream is measured in miles?

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Tiffany Eckhardt, Certified Life Coach helping women believe their best years are ahead. Learn how to go the extra miles for your dreams
Will you go the extra mile????

What if your dreams are measured in miles?  At what mile marker do you let the dream die?

You set out to achieve a dream, thinking it will be achieved at the mile one marker. 

What if the dream couldn’t actually be realized until you reached mile 4?  

In your minds eye, did you stop at mile one? Or did you continue?  

What if it took 20 miles?  Would the dream be worth it to you?

Determination of a weed

Last week we chatted about resiliency.  I am convinced resiliency is the secret to achieving abundant dreams.  I believe in your capacity!  

Your best years are ahead when you are willing to go the extra mile.  

Getting older has it’s benefits.  Life experience has taught me the importance of perseverance. 

My motto is “fall seven times, stand up eight.”

I had an a-ha moment in my garden this week.  

Y’all, the weeds took control while we were out of town.  This is not the first time I faced a major clean up in my garden.  In fact, pulling weeds is a daily chore.  As I was cleaning out rogue grass and weeds I thought to myself, “these damn plants refuse to die.” 

In that moment, I wondered if I am as determined as a weed?  

Am I willing to go the extra mile?  

GRACE for your dream

I believe the life you desire will present you with opportunities to be persistent.  So, I offer you grace.  

You will skip through miles of pure joy and adventure!  But when adversity hits, you will need to be determined, learn new skills and develop resiliency to reach your dreams.  

How do you navigate the extra miles?

  1. Universal law of construction

Jeff and I have remodeled and restored seven homes in the course of our thirty years of marriage.  One thing we can tell you for sure is that it ALWAYS takes longer and cost more money than expected.  

Is that a failure?  No, it is wise to allow for the unexpected.  

Failure is a stepping stone on the path towards your dreams.  Decide on how you will define failures, and do not let them define you. 

“If you want success, you need to double your rate of failure,” Thomas J. Watson.  

2. Instant results verses hard work.

It is like winning the universal lottery when a dream comes quickly without much effort.  You may think that you are destine or chosen.  You definitely feel excited.    

On the flip side, what does it mean when it takes a long time to realize a dream?  Could sticking with a dream create perseverance?  Going the extra mile gives you something to be proud of.  It shows what you are made of.  You learn so much more from the stepping stones of failure than you do from instant gratification.  

Sometimes it is simply good for your soul to really “earn” the dream.  

“When we suddenly shift toward both focusing on and finding joy in the process of achieving instead of having the goal, we have gained a new skill,”  Tom Sterner.  

3. Curiosity is always the answer to a road block!

Yep, questions are the answer!  Asking your brain questions forces it to focus on solving problems.  It can’t help but answer the question.  Isn’t that cool?  

How will this make me stronger?

What can I learn from this experience?

How can I use this?

What do I want to create from this?

How many miles will you travel for your dream?

You know that failure does not define you, that you are capable of hard work and are curious, but maybe you just need a little push from someone who believes your best years are ahead.  

When you live your life in an intentional way, you create the life you desire!  

I’d love to help you navigate the miles ahead.  If this resonates with you, schedule a FREE mini session. 

Click the link below and choose a date on my calendar.  It is really that simple.  

I hope our paths cross on your journey.  

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky.  

Tiffany Eckhardt, Certified Life Coach

The life you desire is only a thought away

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Dreaming of a life I create!

What is the secret sauce to making your dreams come true? 

Do people who realize their dreams have a secret sauce?  What if I told you that the life you desire is only a thought away?

Indulge in an exercises to stretch your dream muscle.  

I want to encourage you to take a break from marinating in “what is.”  Take a hot second to fully embody YOUR dream life!  Transport yourself into that life.  Build that dream with all the thoughts that excite you.  

What does it look like?  How does it feel?  What new skills did you learn?  How do you behave differently?  Where do you shop?  What car do you drive?  Who do you hang around with?  What fills your calendar?  What does a person who has your dream life think about on a daily basis? 

Embodying the dream is creating the future from the future! 

What are you willing to do to achieve the dream?  

I’m not talking about being willing to do something immoral or illegal.  I’m talking about addressing the thoughts that oppose your dream.  Although not as sexy as flexing your dream muscle, it is equally important to address all or your obstacle thoughts upfront.  

Would you be willing to risk embarrassment? Would you be willing to stick to a protocol or a calendar?  Can you think of possible attitudes that would creep in?  All these obstacles are currently just thoughts.  What if you created a strategy to nip those thoughts in the bud and replace them with thoughts that served you?

Identifying obstacles and creating a strategy ahead of time is creating the future from the future.

My dream is to create a 100k coaching business the first year as a coach.  

Wow.  I said it.  That is scary.  You might judge me.  Well, so what?

100K means different things to different people.  

  • Some might think, “who does she think she is with that outrageous goal?”
  • While others dismiss the goal as chunk change.  You might already have a million dollar business.

All those thoughts (good or bad) don’t matter when I am working towards my dream.  Both views are simply thoughts, beliefs of what is possible.  I could choose to think it’s impossible or easy.   

The only thing that matters in creating YOUR dream life is what YOU think!  

I’m a product of the product

I coached myself through this exercise by imagining what life will be like when I see 100k on my tax return.  Let me share my example so you can start applying it to your example.

First I flexed my dream muscle.  Honestly, at first I couldn’t begin to imagine how life will be different.  The exercise was harder for me than I thought it would be.  I meditated on it.  Nothing popped in my head. 

Then a brilliant idea came to me… What would you do if 100k landed in my lap today?  It all came to me as I began to journal.  I know exactly what I’d do with a 100k today.  I’d buy a Mini Cooper (because I’d look cute driving one), pay off Jeff’s car and pay off the random credit card debt we have.  Then I’d reinvest the rest of the money into developing a kick ass business.  I’d hire a web designer, enroll in Stacey Boehman’s 2k for 2k mastermind, and buy the equipment I need to create videos, podcasts and online seminars.  

The dream is worth it!  What am I willing to do to achieve it?

So, what is exactly standing in my way?  In addition to fear of rejection and the fear of failure, I have all the mind drama associated with a start-up. Creating systems for finances and time management will require a lot of planning.  Learning to create a website, funnels, creating videos and classes will stretch me. Hiring people to help me. It all sounds hard!  

I actually found myself thinking the second 100k would be so much more fun because it would be easy.  

WAIT>>>> why can’t I think it is easy NOW?????  

A light bulb moment!  I can think anything I want.  From now on, I will choose to think creating a 100k business is easy.  I will face each obstacle with the thought that it can be figured out.  My future self will be so grateful I chose to create from the future.  She will know it’s easy because it’s done.  I’ll trust her.    

“Change your thoughts, change your life”  Wayne Dyer

Dreaming becomes realistic when you do thought work around the accomplishing the dream.  Realizing your dream is truly a matter of acknowledging your desires and identifying the obstacle thoughts you will need to strategically address.    

What thoughts are preventing you from stepping towards your dream life?  How does the thought make you feel?  How do you behave when you feel that way?  Are your results confirming your belief?  Do you want to change that?

I’d love to help you sort through your thoughts to create life on your terms.  Working with me will give you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.  It truly is my passion to help women choose to think they can be, do or have anything they set their minds on!  

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

5 Podcasts To Finish 2018 Strong!

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Listening to podcasts has given me access to incredible thought leaders who have influenced a new mindset.  I am a firm believer that at any point in my life I have the power to change my story.  I am so excited to join Rachel Hollis’s #Last90Days challenge to finish 2018 strong.  The Last90Days challenge got me thinking about the biggest obstacle to realizing my dreams. I believe the challenge is the narrative I create in my head.   Tiffany Eckhardt's 5 Podcasts to Finish 2018 Strong

Many of these leaders have inspired me to take a leap into the unfamiliar with Flown The Coop.  I’ve developed new skills, thought about life in new ways and became laser-focused on incoming producing activities.  By far, the biggest tool I’ve learned to harness is my mind.

Top 5 podcasts I listen to on a weekly basis

The Life Coach School with Brooke Castillo

Tiffany Eckhardt's 5 Podcasts To Finish 2018 StrongI am a BIG fan of Brooke Castillo! Brooke has a brilliant way of putting thoughts into perspective.  She is dynamic and energetic, full of wisdom!  Brooke’s main premise is,”Thoughts create feelings. Feelings create action.”  She has over 200 episodes.  I recommend starting her podcast from episode 1.

Rise Podcast

I recently discovered Rachel Hollis.  You have to read her book, Girl Wash Your Face!  She is seriously on fire with life!  I love her no nonsense approach to success.  She speaks frankly about the lies we tell ourselves in a way that feels like love.  I joined her #Last90Days challenge and am seriously excited to see how 2018 end!

I enjoy her Facebook Live every morning at 8am central with her husband Dave.  They are a great team!

The Essential Oil Revolution

Tiffany Eckhardt's 5 Podcasts To Finish 2018 StrongWellness has a huge impact on going for your dreams!  You have to be well to hustle!

I had no idea of where to start when I received my Young Living starter kit.  The Essential Oil Revolution was a God send, full of practical advice!  I love the variety of interviews, from Lucy Libido to Nadine Artemis.

The Goal Digger Podcast

Tiffany Eckhardt's 5 Podcasts To Finish 2018 StrongI adore Jenna Kutcher, a boss babe, promoting body positive!  She is a viral sensation.  Jenna’s Social Media training has been a game changer for me.  She owns a killer multifaceted business!  There are over 140 episodes.  Not all of the content is applicable to my life, YET.

The Story Brand

Tiffany Eckhardt's 5 Podcasts To Finish 2018 StrongDonald Miller has an excellent way of communicating ideas… through a story!  Clarify the message to create a story in which the hero is my customer and my business is the mentor.  This concept forced me to look at how Flown The Coop solves problems.  I recommend returning to The Story Brand podcast regularly to recharge marketing creativity.

I highly recommend any of Donald Miller’s work!

Bonus:   The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

Tiffany Eckhardt's 5 Podcasts to Finish 2018 StrongOk… The Strangest Secret is not a podcast, but a vintage 1950s YouTube video still relevant today!  I was challenged to listen to this recording for 30 days.  I hear something different every time I listen.

What is the secret to success?  It is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.

 

 

Renewing my mind daily with podcasts like these propels me toward my worthy ideals!  Let me know what your favorite podcasts are!  Let’s encourage each other to finish the year strong!

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

My secret town

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Burton, Texas is often overlooked in guides written to navigate Texas Antiques Week.  In fact, Burton has managed to be the best kept secret among the dealers who enjoy getting away from the crowd without the crazy lines.

In 2011 I was invited to join a group of dealers to eat at the Burton Cafe during the fall show.  Ludmil and Linda Marcov of Willow Nest lived in Burton at the time.  After dinner our group walked a block to their homestead for a chance to tour their shop and home.  It was love at first site.  In my wildest dreams I could never imagine that in four years I would call this magical property my home.

I pinch myself everyday!  The best way to get to know a new hometown is to become a tourist in your own town.  Here is what I’ve discovered about this secret town….

This community is alive!  It didn’t take long to get to know people and feel apart of this wonderful community.  A quick look at the Burton Chamber of Commerce calendar for March gives a glimpse of the numerous events and opportunities to interact with our neighbors.  The energy put into events is admirable.  The chamber of commerce and area businesses have been extremely supportive of the Burton Preview Party and the Burton Blogger Party events planned for Texas Antiques Week.

There are three restaurants within walking distance and literally within view of our little white house.  The Brazos Belle Restaurant, with an authentic french fare, was recently featured in Texas Highways magazine.   Burton Cafe is a wonderful german restaurant where we discovered german pancakes and the red rueben.  The Burton Short Stop is a local favorite.  They make the best hamburgers and finger licking fried food.

This sleepy little town rocks during the weekend!  Every Thursday night the locals come out for Karaoke with Denise the Country Chick Karaoke & DJ at The White Horse Tavern.  On Friday and Saturday nights it is fun to watch two stepping couples let their hair down to live music at The White Horse.  I wish I had known about the White Horse when I was a dealer in the field.  It would have been a great way to unwind.  In addition to nightlife, it is not uncommon for motorcyclists and classic car enthusiast flock to Burton for day trips.

The rolling hills of Washington County is known for the numerous wineries.  I was thrilled to learn Saddlehorn Winery was only four miles away!  Another relaxing destination I wished I had known about during Texas Antiques Week.  The winery and tasting room are located in a renovated horse barn with scenic views of their vineyard.  Jeff and I joined their wine club and have enjoyed pick up parties in their fantastic event room.  Saddlehorn just announced construction on their outdoor patios.  I will toast to that!

It’s only natural to mention the parks.  Lake Somerville is a short picturesque drive from downtown Burton.  There are a few campgrounds to launch a boat, camp or have a picnic with the pet like deer.  Behind the Cotton Gin Museum you can explore the Indian Creek Nature Area.  This little nature preserve is a labor of love by local members of the Texas Master Naturalist.

Photo Credit: Heidi Jaster

I love that Burton’s charm has been preserved over the years.   The town is filled with historic homes, the official Texas Cotton Gin Musuem, The Burton Heritage Society located in the historic Burton Railroad Depot and established downtown businesses.  The Nesting Co Flourist is a lovely business.  Heidi Jaster is not only an accomplished florist, but a talented photographer.  The Burton Bridge Ministry Thrift Shoppe, located in a historic corner gas station, is a mission of Burton area churches and another best kept secret.

Photo Credit: Heidi Jaster

In recent years visionary businesses have fallen in love with our secret town.  Old Glory Antiques established their Old Glory Texas pop up shop in the 3000 square foot dance hall in the spring of 2014.  Their bunkhouse adjacent to their shop was featured in the October issue of Country Living.  This spring Texas Antiques Week will usher in two new businesses.  In addition to Flown The Coop, Joel and Shelby Geshay will open Bayberry’s on East Texas St. on March 25th.

The biggest joy of our new hometown is in our backyard!  Jeff and I have really enjoyed country living and so excited to open Flown The Coop in this wonderful community!  We’ll be kicking off our new venture on March 25th during the Burton Preview Party.  This will be a city wide celebration with food trucks and live music.  The party will continue on Friday, March 27th when Burton rolls out the red carpet for the first ever Burton Blogger Party.  Click through the Burton Preview Party and the Burton Blogger Party links to see details on the events.

In 16 days the secret will be out!  We know that as people become more aware of Burton, it will be a favorite Texas Antiques Week destination and a day trip destination all throughout the year.

Hope you stop by and see me!  When you come be sure to tag any posts to Facebook or Instagram with #BringmetoBurton so we can see Burton through your eyes.  I also use #2flownthecoop, #secrettown, #BurtonTX.  Search these hashtags if you want to see what has been posted recently.

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

Check it out!  Recently published Social Marketing on the Fly, a guide to social marketing on the road.