What if your dream is measured in miles?

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

Is this luck?

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

I want to THANK YOU for supporting my journey!  I feel so lucky to have YOU along for the ride!  

2019 has been a year of tremendous growth for me.   This time last year I closed Flown The Coop the retail store… hard to believe!  Time is flying!  Since then I’ve devoted my time to learning.  I’ve listened to copious hours of podcasts.  I went to two Tony Robins events, one in LA and one in Vegas.  I’ve read more books than ever before.  My friend Dawn Gardner and I have been devouring personal development books together.  Our weekly call is one of the best blessings that developed from attending Tony Robbins events!  Finally, the biggest leap I took this year was enrolling in The Life Coach School.  It was a stretch worth taking!  I love the woman I am becoming!  

So is this what luck looks like?  

“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” 

Are you setting yourself up for luck?  I believe you make your own luck.  I believe YOU can create the life you want.  I also believe that it is never too late or too early to set course on your own journey to become the person of your dreams.  

I’d love to help YOU create the life of your dreams with self awareness and intention.  Schedule a coaching session with me! I will listen to your ideas and help you discover what you really want.  You’ll develop a strategy to believe in the possibilities of your dreams.  Your first session if FREE!

Currently I am working with women who want to set up 2020 to be LUCKY!  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Tiffany

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

5 Podcasts To Finish 2018 Strong!

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!

Answering The Call

 

My restless, roaming spirit has called.

“Traveling is like flirting with life.  It’s like saying, I would love to stay and love, but I have to go; this is my situation” Lisa St. Aubin de Teran

The Coop is currently at an all time low in the junk department.  While I love pouring over beautiful catalogs, ordering from a catalog pales in comparison to the joy I experience junking, and meeting up with my friends who deal in the coolest junque!  “Chief Junker” is my favorite hat that I wear at The Coop.  Returning to The Coop with a trailer load satisfies my restless, roaming spirit with adventure.  I hate to leave my beloved Burton, but I have to Fly The Coop.  This is my situation.

The Coop will be closed January 14th – 23rd

Jeff and I are answering the call with a road trip to Ohio.  Armed with audio books and a journal for my crazy ideas, we’ll hit the road next week.  The hours on the road often feel endless.  If I’m lucky, we’ll stop at a few interesting places on the way.

I know once we make it to our destination I’ll have plenty of treasures to pick from.  I have an idea of what I’m looking for, but am always open to the unexpected.  On our last trip Jeff bought a stack of eight foot church pews (the seats and backs, without the ends) from our friend Ken.  I wasn’t 100% sold on the idea.  They took up a lot of room on our trailer.  There were enough ends to make four pews.  Jeff cut the eight foot pews into four foot sections and added a galvanized detail to the ends.  The finished product turned out fantastic.  The owners of The Grand Texana saw the pews Jeff crafted and commissioned him to make eighteen short pews out of the remaining stack of eight foot pews.  I shared this story with Ken.  He laughed and reminded me, “Tiffany you weren’t even 40% on those pews.”  Lesson learned.  Jeff and I will never question each other’s wisdom or sanity when junking.

I am on the hunt for specific treasures for a few of our customers.  I enjoy the satisfaction of finding the perfect piece and their delight when it is delivered.  Email me what you are looking for at eckhardt.tiffany@gmail.com if you are interested in this service.

Remember to stayed tuned to the Flown The Coop Facebook Page and Instagram account @2FlownTheCoop!  We’ll share our adventure on these two platforms.

Flown The Coop Reopens January 28th

The doors will reopen on Thursday, January 28th.  Will you answer the call to fly the coop?Plan a road trip to be the first to pick from the treasures we bring back to Burton.  While your here, show off your wings by taking a picture in front our Gen.U.Ine Free Spirit mural.  Tag them with #2Flownthecoop so we can celebrate all our free spirits!

#BringmetoBurton

Happy Trails!

~Tiffany

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

Dedicated to those who can’t be caged

 

Flown The Coop is dedicated to those who can’t be caged, because I aspire to live authentically.  I want to surround myself with individuals who are giving themselves permission to BE.   I honestly believe in the American dream, that we all have gifts to give and that we all can soar past our limitations.

Occasionally we find ourselves caged by ideals and circumstances.  Flying free is not always easy.  I unexpectedly found myself caged and am willing to share what I learned in hopes that we can encourage each other to fly free!

Caged by the Do

Time between shows and buying trips makes me restless (and crazy).  I love the road, finding unusual junque and then finding new homes for the treasured pieces!  I also love to be busy, proving myself to be productive and useful.  In the month of March I was super busy, only home in Houston for five days.  You would think that I would welcome a few weeks off.  After only a few days of rest I was anxious to get on with another project, hit the road, DO something productive.

Well, here’s the thing… I was caged by my need to “Do.”  You know I like the HUSTLE!  I equate doing with successful people.  I tend to fight for what I think is necessary for success.  I erroneously believed that if I stopped the madness, nothing would be accomplished.

My forced down time has given me the opportunity to read, garden, walk/run, watch the DIY network and spend time with Jeff.  Funny what you discover when you slow down!

  • I read The Invention of Wings and wondered what women of that era would think of the freedom we have today? I devoured a few Brene Brown books on shame and vulnerability, discovering a few things about myself and my perceived limitations.
  • I serendipitously discovered TX/RX Labs while picking up an industrial shelf I purchased on an online auction.  Jeff and I joined the lab, signed up for classes and now have a renewed excitement about creative projects we are planning.
  • One day, I won a GoPro camera watching Brene Brown on Chase Jarvis Live, which has inspired me to pick up my camera again.
  • After watching Brene Brown on Chase Jarvis Live, I also watched an interview with Brandon Stanton, creator of Humans of New York.  I fell in love with his project, bought his book and daily read individual stories on Facebook.  We are all so unique, but still struggle with similar issues.

Although I fought it at first, slowing down has given me a new sense of HOPE, creativity, and made room for new opportunities.  I am reminded of the importance of BEING.

Caged by Comparison

Comparison is a cage I desperately need to be free of.  GEESH!  This one kills me.  If I wish to be vulnerable and authentic, I need to be honest about this one.  I found myself envious of the success of others.  I immediately fell into despair thinking I will never achieve success with all my limitations.  I have had time to process this cage and take flight.  First of all, my personal journey will not look like any other journey.  The hardest thing for me to grasp is that my self worth is not tied to my net worth, productivity, or the accolades of others.  Life has meaning and hope when I free myself of that crap!

FOCUS

Improper focus is another cage.  I’ve always had a Focus Board of dreams.  I have several posters covered with magazine images of what I thought life should deliver me.  I dreamed of big houses, cars, exotic trips, etc.  Dreaming and ambitions in life are not bad.  I treasure the dreams and accomplishments of my life.  I realized, after reading Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection, that the acquisitions and accomplishments I strive for don’t necessarily bring joy.  Love this quote in Brown’s book,

Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness.  Happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you are lucky.  Joy is a light that fills you with hope, faith and love

~Adela Rogers St. Johns

I see a pattern.  Once I achieve a dream, I always set the bar higher for myself.  Striving for success in the future robs me of present joy. Now, I am working on a Focus Board for JOY, the things in life that bring meaning and hope.

The Avett Brothers sing it best!

Head full of doubt/Road full of promises

Like a bird in a cage, I broke in and demanded that somebody free it!  I am grateful for the downtime and for discovering creative people who inspired me to live authentically.  In sharing my journey, I hope to encourage you to break free from whatever cage ensnares you.

I’d love to hear from you!!!!  Let’s encourage each other in flying free.

Here’s to freedom!

~Tiffany

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

Acquiescence

source unknown

~A reminder for me to surrender to the journey and trust.

Sentimental

While most people are busy dashing from one holiday event to another, I find myself curled up in our “empty” nest decorated for two and thinking about the journey.  This year had unexpected bends in the road.  I wonder what 2014 will bring?  It feels good to be still, enjoying our first Christmas tree at FTC headquarters and establishing new traditions for the two of us.

I am excited that Flown The Coop has settled into a nice routine of quality shows and feel blessed beyond measure with customers who have become friends this year!

Even though Jeff and I have “flown the coop”, we are grounded by our expanding family!  We are having fun planning our daughter’s wedding in 2014 and getting to know our son’s girlfriend and her son.

“If you aren’t in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty, or back in pain and regret.”  Jim Carrey

I am determined to not allow the mountains Jeff and I had to climb this year wear me out.  Cancer, a stolen trailer and other various disappointments slowed me down a little.
Cherishing the relationships in my life and enjoying rest in December will rejuvenate me.

If I live the life I’m given, I won’t be afraid to die.  ~Avett Brothers

There is no way to predict which way the road will bend in 2014, the uncertainty is both scary and thrilling.  Life is a journey.

I’ve spent time researching trends, dreaming of projects to undertake and looking at what worked in 2013.  When it comes down to it, I know this journey is best traveled simply pursuing what I love.  I envision “Road Work Ahead” signs along the way.  And that’s ok.

I love being the author of my job description and pursuing new ways to connect with junque and the lovers of junque.  I love deep roots in family and strong friendships.

source unknown

I hope to be known as a person surrendered to LIVE the journey given me, despite the unexpected bends in the road.  I will reread this post mid year and see where I stand.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope your December is filled with the warmth of your relationships and traditions.  I also hope that 2014 will be the beginning of an excellent adventure!  Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.  Fly free!

~Tiffany

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

 

 

 

Lessons learned in 2012

Flown The Coop will take part in Folk Magazines year long Journaling Agenda, a community journaling/blogging project. Here’s to the first blog of the year!

Dear Tiffany,

It is safe to say, 2012 is over and you can move on.

Looking at your 2012 ~ Goals, Mantras and Dreams Board on Pinterest, the message is clearly the importance of pressing on. You are a dreamer. You always will believe that you can create the life you want.

2012 challenged that belief.

The year started with a move to Houston, Texas. This was not your choice. Leaving your two grown children in Ohio was difficult.  Fulfilling Jeff’s dream of living near his family, you made the move with the love of your life and was hoping for the best. You didn’t do so well.  You missed your family back in Ohio and the best friends in the world! You learned that you are a small town girl, who enjoys knowing your neighbors and walking around a historic downtown with lovely old homes. You missed The Depot, your favorite coffee shop, where the community gathers for their daily dose of Java and everyone knows your name.

With a wounded heart, but not a wounded spirit, you pressed on.  Not many people in your new home understood that you were having a crisis of belief.  You questioned, “Could you really be happy and fly free when you didn’t have the ability to choose your circumstances?”

Despite the Houston traffic, you managed to find your way around the “fourth largest city in the US.” Exploring a new city is always fun! You even managed to find a new coffee house to frequent, Boomtown. You enjoyed decorating your little flat in Rice Village, but parking tickets and loud college students made it clear that it wasn’t the ideal situation.  You longed for community and a feeling of place.  You and Jeff decided to end 2012 by placing a deposit on a rental house in the Heights.  The Heights is a neighborhood inside the loop that in many ways feels like your small town and is the only thing like it in Houston.  The cost of living is drastically higher than we are used to, but the decision felt like a leap towards creating the life that you wanted.  After your move in January, you will be able to make new friends, get involved in community and even walk to Boomtown!  You learned that given time, you can find what your heart longs for if you are willing to pay the price.

You hustled in 2012 and will need to hustle some more in 2013!

Flown The Coop made the move to Texas too. It was a scary move for you. How would you find ways to buy and sell, restore and repurpose wonderful Junque?  You rose to the challenge and Hustled.

You set up at several shows in Texas. You did Canton, Warrenton, Junk Salvation, Discovery Green Flea Market and the prestigious Urban Market Houston. In July you opened a booth at Chippendale Eastlake Antiques on 19th street in the Heights. Your were even invited to help out The Seed Box at the Dallas Market. All of these opportunities inspired you work harder at Flown The Coop. You learned a lot about merchandising from the pros in the business. You were encouraged to discover a niche, which is still a work in progress. The best part in stepping out in the various opportunities was making fabulous new friends! You have the best colleagues and customers who continually support your dream of flying free!

Creating a life on purpose is very important to you. In 2012 you learned that even when life isn’t zesty, you don’t have to be caged. You can fly free! The happiness you long for isn’t in a destination, but is in the way you travel. You’ve proved to yourself that you are strong, willing to persist and that you have the ability to start over!

Life is a journey, come travel with me!

 ~Tiffany

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