CC image 138/365 Frustrated courtesy of martinak15 on Flickr

I cried at my desk.

I guess I’m supposed to be embarrassed to tell you this, but I’m not.  As your coach, you trust me with your secrets and emotions; it’s only fair that I return the favor with a bit of vulnerability. Plus, I know that I’m not the only one.  Some of you have cried at your desks, too.

I cried at my desk, and I did it more than once.  It was almost a decade ago and my career was going great.  Years of late nights and delayed gratification had paid off with an impressive resume, a recent promotion, and I had even worked my way out of a cubicle and into an office – with a DOOR!  I was living the dream.

But there I was, feeling miserable. Not the kind of misery afforded to real people with real issues. Rather, the “first world problems” version of miserable – the kind that so-called successful people can’t always talk about.  I had done everything right but still, there was something…wrong. I didn’t feel fulfilled.

I worked crazy hours yet was consumed with anxiety about not getting enough done.  The parts of my job that I enjoyed were getting to be fewer and farther between.  I somehow managed to simultaneously feel like an imposter and undervalued.  Surrounded by great friends and family, I still had quiet moments of loneliness that I couldn’t shake.  I could feel in my heart that it was time for a change, but – for the life of me – I couldn’t figure out what to do.  I was stuck.

That was my wake-up call.  I truly believed that I deserved a more satisfying career and life, but I had to accept that they weren’t going to walk up and tap me on the shoulder.  It would require effort, commitment, and time.   As I faced myself in the full-length mirror, I had the scary realization that either I had to invest energy into improving my life or make my peace with feeling stuck.  Those were the only two options.  I’m pretty sure that you know how this story ends- nothing is perfect, but I really enjoy the business and the life that I’ve built since that low point.

My story isn’t unique.  In fact, I suspect that we may be in the midst of an epidemic of unfulfilled, lonely, frustrated folks trying to fight their way to the next level of life.  That’s ridiculous!  It’s time that we stop settling for less.  Stop exhausting ourselves in pursuit of other people’s goals while neglecting our own needs. Stop letting another year pass talking about what we’ll do “someday” instead of celebrating what we were able to make happen today.  It’s time to invest in us. That’s why I created The Soul of Success Retreat.

For one glorious weekend, a small group of amazing women will assemble in Lake Las Vegas, NV, at The Soul of Success Retreat. Through interactive workshops, personal coaching and networking with like-minded high-achievers, we will reignite our passions, rediscover our purposes, and release the potential of our best selves. Our venue, the luxurious Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa, offers a Tuscan getaway that’s far enough from the famed Las Vegas strip to offer peace and solitude, yet a short enough drive to indulge in everything that Las Vegas has to offer.

If you are tired of staying stuck, you can’t miss this powerful experience.  You’ll walk away with:

• Renewed focus on your professional and personal goals, and action plans to make them real
• Re-connection to your best self and strategies to squeeze more fulfillment out of every day
• A strong network of accomplished women who are energized to help you reach your fullest potential
• Feedback on your executive presence and an understanding of how your personal brand aligns with your aspirations
• Awareness of your authentic leadership style and how to leverage it to become more influential in your organization
• Ongoing support to help you achieve your dreams through online alumni resources and a year’s worth of group coaching calls

If you are ready to improve your life, join us and invite your friends.  Click on this link to learn more about the retreat and register.  We are going to have a BALL and I want you to be there.

And, if you find yourself crying at your desk, please remember that you are not alone.  Whenever you are ready to take control and make the investment to bring about real change, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.