Last week, after my husband Greg read my article 
“Smart Women Are a Lot Like Rocket Ships,” he had an interesting question: He said, “Every week you write about the same thing–making your Big Idea happen, Reaching your Goals and Dreams, getting the right support, blah, blah, blah… when are you going to write about something else?”
Being a woman who encourages new ideas and new perspectives, I went to take a bubble bath (a nightly self-care ritual!) and reflect on his question.
Over the last few days, I’ve spent some time with women entrepreneurs who
are all having the same challenge—the race against time or “time management.” Whether you are an attorney, a fitness professional or a business coach, time is the like the elusive lover—you can never get enough! Here are a few comments I heard over the last few days:
– “I’m never able to get it all done.”
– “I can’t figure out which “to-do” should be done first.”
– “It only takes 10 minutes.”
One of the birthday “traditions” in our family is 
when a member gets to a certain age, they share one “pearl of wisdom” for each decade they have lived.
Today is my 50th birthday! The five decades behind me were all wonderful and as I reflect on each one of them, I can clearly see how each decade blended into the next to bring me to where I am today. I’m very excited about the next 50 years with lots of ideas and plans for living a meaningful and full life. In keeping with my family “tradition,” I’m going to share with you my five “pearls of wisdom” that have been instrumental in my life so far. This is not an easy exercise! Choosing five was a real challenge. We all have beliefs that we carry inside of us. They come from our families, mentors, and life experiences that we have along the way. However, I’m clear now that the five “pearls of wisdom” that you read below are the ones that have shaped my life in the most profound way:
A few weeks ago, my sister Rene and I had the opportunity to visit our Mom in Florida. It was a “girl’s getaway” filled with shopping, going to the beach, tasty food, wine and great conversation. Every morning we had a ritual of getting up, grabbing our coffee and heading out to the beach for a walk. On the first morning, I noticed a large, magnificent lighthouse that stood in the distance. Whether it was a bright sunny day or one surrounded by dark, gloomy clouds, the lighthouse was performing its job. In the top of the tower, you could see the bright light on a continuous turning cycle, reminding those at sea that a safe harbor and guiding light is close by if you need one. If you look the word lighthouse up in the dictionary, it’s a “tower or structure displaying a very bright light for the guidance of ships to help avoid dangerous areas.” This got me thinking about how Smart Women always need a lighthouse in their lives.
In order for you to realize your Big ideas, dreams and goals, you need to have a “beacon of light” in your life. Having a “lighthouse” can help you navigate “troubled” waters and avoid a possible dangerous situation along the way. I’ve shared with you many times that I would not be where I am today without all of my coaches and mentors—my “guiding lights.” It has been a key factor in navigating my passionate, purposeful life.
“Troubled” waters come and go in our lives. Smart Women make sure that they have a safe harbor and a guiding light for these times to help them navigate a clearly thought out map on how to proceed or move ahead with clarity. I’m going to share a few ideas so that you can begin to think about creating your very own “lighthouse.”
Find a Coach – Nearly all of the successful, clear thinking people that I meet have had a coach at one time or another. They realize that living a meaningful life requires a thinking partner. Someone who can help them navigate their journey along the way, see possible danger, and help provide solutions to avoid these areas. Every year, I create time in my calendar and a place in my budget to have a coach help me navigate the year ahead.
Form a Mastermind Group – Bringing a small group of like-minded people together at a regular time each month is a wonderful way to provide that extra “beacon of light” in your life and others lives. I facilitate several Success Masterminds for Women here in Los Angeles and I’m a member of one myself. These groups provide an overall sense of clarity and positive action steps to move ahead. Make sure that everyone in the group is positive and intentional about their journey forward. Having a strong confidentiality policy is always wise.
How about you? Do you have “lighthouse” in your life? Do you have a person or group of people who champion you? Someone who offers a safe harbor where you can explore where you are now and help you navigate what’s next? Many women express that my Women’s Success Circles act as their “lighthouse.” The Success Circle creates a “safe harbor” where women can share their lives in a non-judgmental, confidential setting.
One morning, we went out for a walk and the sky was turning dark and gloomy. The ocean waves were rough and the wind was picking up. In the distance I saw boats being guided by the lighthouse to make it back safely to the harbor. Whether your life is in a positive, upbeat phase or possibly times of “troubled” waters, Smart Women know they must have a “lighthouse” in which to turn.
Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.
****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff
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Joy Chudacoff is the Business
and Life Coach for the
National Association
of
Entrepreneurial Moms
