Navigating Difficult Decisions Part 1 // Interview with Natalia from Achieve the Impossible

Hello hello beautiful!I'm beyond stoked for today because it's the beginning of a new video interview series I've created to help you navigate difficult decisions with stories from some pros. 

I've asked some of my fav fellow coaches to chat with me about a topic that is pretty fresh in my life and I bet it's fresh in some of yours as well. We are going to spend some time talking about how to navagate through difficult decisions and why it's important to do so. 

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Today's interview is with the ever lovely Natalia Chouklina from Achieve the Impossible. Natalia is a soulful Life Clarity Coach who beams (I love that word!) beauty and light and has such a contagious glow to her. We giggled our way through this interview and it seriously made the whole process (and my day) that much more fun. 

This one's unedited because there was just such a great vibe going on that I couldn't cut any of it. It's a bit on the longer side but totally worth every minute because Natalia discusses SO many juicy and wonderful things!

Watch it, love it, share it below -->

If you want to jump ahead to some of the juicy parts here is a little recap: 5:00 - We get into vulnerability and the "what if it doesn't work" mentality 7:14 - Natalia touches on the concept of body wisdom 8:00 - In walks resistance - we all know her! 9:37 - Natalia asks an incredibly powerful questions 10:47 - "Resist the resistance" 11:45 - We dive into the idea of beginner's mind (oh it's gettin' good!) 18:11 - We talk about the two-pronged perspective 21:40 - Natalia give THREE awesome tools you can apply to your life today to help get clear and help you make those big decisions! 27:00 - My new favorite saying "little pockets of peace" is mentioned

So what did you think? What came up when you watched this video? How can you find little "pockets of peace" in the chaos that is life?  Leave a comment and tell Natalia and I your thoughts, feelings or whatever else comes up!

To learn more about Natalia and Achieve the Impossible check her out on Facebook and join her amazing tribe!

When Being a Quitter is a Good Thing

While I'm away on my month-long adventure I have some friends here to help me share their experiences with adventure. Today Natalia from Achieve the Impossible is talking about how she found a sense of adventure in choosing to make a hard decision but one that was best for her and her life. 

Last year, out of the blue, I was offered a volunteer leadership opportunity with a coaching organization. Based on my conversations, the role seemed like a great fit and it sounded like an amazing adventure.

I was given a few days to think it over; but the way I saw it, it was a done deal. I was so excited to be a part of a dynamic professional community and create great work together. What’s not to love?

Six months into the job, I was spending about 40 hours a week struggling to stay atop of my volunteer duties, often neglecting my business, personal relationships and other important commitments. Hard work never bothered me; however, in this case, as much as I tried, I couldn’t make it work. Turns out, this tribe wasn’t my tribe and the work, well, it didn’t light my heart on fire.

What I thought was going to be an exciting adventure in reality felt like torture.

But what could I do?

I made a commitment and it was my responsibility to keep my end of the bargain. I couldn’t just walk away, after all, people were counting on me.

Many of you, I’m sure, have been in a similar predicament. It’s tough to navigate but not impossible to handle. This is what you do:

Be honest with yourself

This is hard but the truth will set you free.

At first, I was afraid to the truth about I was really feeling and refused to listen to all the different ways my body was telling me to stop. Denial takes a lot of physical energy and emotional space. I felt tired and couldn’t find the motivation to do anything at all. Once I found the courage to be honest with myself, I felt free and energetic. I finally had the emotional bandwidth to consider my options and next steps. Oh relief!

Resistance Vs. It’s not working out

This is the type of thing I asked myself in the first few months. Is it resistance? Or is it just not working out?

Sometimes it takes to know for sure. We need to give it a solid try and I think there’s nothing wrong with that. But, some people don’t like licorice, they don’t need to try anymore – they just don’t like the taste. While many people before me loved doing this work, it wasn’t quiet the right fit for me.

With anything life, we have to know where the line is between resistance and something not being a good match. Do you really want to do it? Or is it something you’re doing because you think you have to?

What are saying Yes to?

Integrity is important to me and I loathe breaking promises. So much that I’ve been known to keep my promises regardless of how I felt about them. My word was a rock and so was I.

A wise woman once told me that by saying YES to things I don’t want to do, I was saying NO to things that energized and filled me up. Keeping a promise for the sake of keeping a promise is not being in integrity, it’s self-torture.

Yes, keeping your word is an honorable thing to do and people will always appreciate this about you. But what are you giving up as a result? What are you saying NO to by continuing to say YES to things that no longer serve you?

You’re allowed to change your mind

You can commit to something and then change your mind. It doesn’t make you a flake. It means that situation has changed and what once seemed like a great idea doesn’t fit anymore.

You know as well as I do that it’s nearly impossible for us to fully show up and do our best work when your heart is not in it. I thought I was doing this coaching organization a favor by enduring when in reality they deserved someone who wanted to be there and could give them their 100 per cent.

Ask yourself why it is that you do what you do, and whether you truly want to keep going. It’s worth noticing if you’re doing it because you think you have to, while ignoring something that you embrace enthusiastically and with your whole heart.

When I realized that I didn’t to force myself do the work that didn’t fill me up, I felt better. Sure, I may have disappointed others and some may think of me as a quitter. But I was quitting in favor of something that I wanted more: to work on projects that were closely aligned with my soul’s desires and surround myself with people who’s company I enjoyed.

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Natalia is a certified life coach for women who are dreaming of aligning with their deepest truth and living a gorgeous life. Through her 1:1 sessions, eBooks and her signature eCourse - Unravel Yourself Circle - Natalia helps her clients explore different ways they hold themselves back, why they do it, and how to move past it. Shine with passion + take brave strides towards a life you love at Achieve the Impossible.

Guest Post: Radiate your passion – it’s good for you, and everyone else by Natalia Chouklina

Birthday month is coming closer to an end and there is only one more Monday guest post after this. I truly hope you have enjoyed reading the inspiring, honest and brilliant words of the women who have shared already. Today's post is from a sweet and dear lovely, Natalia. I met Natalia back over the summer and we've been budding a little friendship through email back and forth. She is truly an inspiring individual on so many levels but specifically because she really walks the walk.

Her post today is all about radiating your passion and embracing and shining your enthusiasm for the world to absorb, something that we both feel deeply about.

She is also giving away something so amazing so make sure you read all the way to the bottom of the post to see what it is. And if you missed the other three giveaways, make sure you check them out as well:

One-month 'Build Your Best Life Coaching' with Amanda from The Savoury Soul

A Vegetable Spiralizer from Heather at Raw and Not Alone

Rock Your Body Now Strategy Session with Elizabeth from Your Highest Self

All giveaways are featured at the bottom of the post and will be open for a limited time so if one looks appealing just follow the instructions to be qualified and please share if you think others would be interested!

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Guest Post by Natalia from Achieve the Impossible

A while back I found myself sharing a glass of vino with a group of amazing women and chatting about everything under the sun. Introductions out of the way, one of the ladies asked me:

'‘What kind of a life coach are you?’

I LOVE answering this question and could talk about life coaching for hours with anyone who’d listen.

‘I’m in business of helping people make their dreams come true!’ – I responded enthusiastically. (Getting goose bumps and teary eyed as I type this!)

I glanced around the table with a happy grin on my face and noticed a couple women sporting a look I knew all too well.

It was a look of a person who’s been hardened by time, disappointments and setbacks. It was a look of person whose passionate enthusiasm had been replaced with hard-wired pragmatism, and it said:

‘You are so young and full of dreams; give it a few years and it will change.”

The conversation died shortly after I shared my age and my excitement was chalked up to a young-and-hopeful syndrome.

I was sad. Not because nobody shared my enthusiasm, but I was reminded what it was like to live a life sans excitement and uncontained dreaming.

It’s no fun at all.

Not so long ago I was the one looking exactly same way at the eager sales executives, and I smirking at their ambitions of changing the world one sale at a time.

Enthusiasm irritated me and brought on a wave of sarcastic comments. I felt tired and resentful most days. This persistent lack of enthusiasm for life and my job eventually led me to exit the industry altogether to search for something different.

“If it doesn’t light you up, you are the wrong person for a job.” – Danielle LaPorte

There was nothing wrong with the job – it simply wasn’t for me. Despite my sarcasm, I saw that enthusiastic people looked alive and attractive. I wanted me some of that!

Here’s what I’ve learned about enthusiastic people:

1. They are magnetic. Enthusiastic people radiate light from inside out, and this in itself is enrolling, compelling and moving!

2. When you discover what lights you up, someone’s display of enthusiasm no longer annoys you – you ride the wave together! You seek out different ways to combine your ideas and energy instead of hating and judging.

Brene Brown says that ‘vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation’. I would like to add enthusiasm to this mix. Being authentically enthusiastic about anything calls on you to show up and to practice courage like you wouldn’t believe!

It’s a lot easier to stick with the crowd and blend in especially when your ideas are unique and untested!

When writing my website copy the first time around, I decided to stick with the tried-and-true coaching lingo instead of writing about what made me go ga-ga with excitement, a message centered on listening and trusting our inner wisdom.

I researched other successful coaches, borrowed an idea here, a structure there, massaged it, changed a few words and posted that.

Now I had a professional looking website with a very proper message. Except that it felt meh. It was another boring website with no personality, like the world needs any more of those.

A re-do was in order and this time I told myself that I will not a post anything unless I absolutely loved it. It mattered not if it wasn’t professional, eloquent or didn’t meet the industry standard. The words had to make my heart burn with excitement when I read them, otherwise – bye-bye!

Enthusiasm is indispensable in the creation process. It’s what makes your uniquity rise to the surface! It’s a key ingredient in invigorating others and enrolling them into your possibility!

‘Most amazing people are a tad obsessive and eccentric. Driven. Devoted.’ – Danielle Laporte

This brings me to my main point – the world needs your enthusiasm, your passion and your excitement. Witnessing enthusiastic people in action reminded what I was missing out on, and inspired me to search for what made my heart shine and eyes sparkle!

Allow yourself to get giddy with excitement, dream big, show your enthusiasm and share your awesome ideas with the whole wide world!

Your dreams are not for everyone; however, eventually you will meet people who will eagerly share the road with you. The road that fills your heart with love, your soul with passion and your body with life force and will inspire others to do the same.

Isn’t this the most awesome way to heal the world, don’t you think?

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GIVEAWAY

Natalia is launching her first e-course, Unravel Yourself Circle beginning on October 23, 2013. Only 15 spots are available and she is graciously giving one of YOU a chance to win one of the precious places.

What do you have to do to enter? Just leave a comment on either her facebook or mine (The Savoury Soul) and tell us, "What does Unraveling mean to you?"

It's that easy! Also, please feel free to share this post. The more the merrier!

Natalia wants to live in the world where everyone wakes up feeling 100% alive, ‘Thank You’ notes are written by hand, and kindness and generosity are default responses to everything.

A wildly passionate life coach + thought-provoking writer, she’s been spotlighted on Kind Over Matter, Wellness Warrior, Wild Sister Magazine, In Spaces Between and Sprout Magazine.

Her first signature e-course – Unravel Yourself Circle - launches at the end of October 2013.

When she’s not coaching up a storm, she can be found walking in Stanley Park, testing a new Bon Appetite recipe with her man and watching 70s cop shows.

Find out how to shine with passion + take magnificent strides towards making your dreams come true in life & in business at Achieve the Impossible.

A Savoury Soul: Natalia Chouklina // Achieve the Impossible

Today's Savoury Soul is a woman who encompasses authentic happiness and personal freedom. She is super sweet, radiates kindness and love and her blog is something I read and walk away learning incredible lesson, big or small.

Natalie, from Achieve the Impossible is here today to answer some questions and for you to get to know a little better. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, head over to Achieve the Impossible. I'm loving her Unravel Yourself  e-program (which is free btw), with the mission to help you learn to listen to your own wisdom and find Joy, Beauty, and Meaning in your life.

So without further ado....please meet Natalia!

Adorable, isn't she! Below is the interview I shared with Natalia.

What does authenticity mean to you?

 Authenticity is about being YOU, always.

Authenticity is honesty without judgment and blame.

Authenticity is coming back home to yourself.

Being authentic is about speaking and standing in your truth even if it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable.

 What is something you are still working on in your own journey to be as authentic as possible?

I’m always working on being authentic with others and myself. It’s a lifelong practice and a daily choice for me. Learning to let go of control, and releasing the need to always be prim-and-proper, and focusing my energy on cultivating acceptance and self-trust instead, have made this journey a lot easier and way more joyful!

So much gold can be found and experienced when we let go and allow. I say – embrace the mess!

 What do you love most about coaching?

I love everything about it, especially the depth of connection and relationships I get to cultivate with all my clients.

Coaching relationship is unlike any other. It’s about choice, awareness and discovery. It’s full of space and possibility so you can breathe, fantasize, explore and strategize freely. With my clients I walk the path every step of the way. I support them, encourage them to own their brilliance and lovingly nudge them to step up while they discover what lights them up and create the life they desire the most. These are extraordinary moments worth living for.

 Many-many years ago I hired my first life coach and she told me that she was in the business of helping people make their dreams come true. As soon as she said this, I knew I wanted to be a life coach.

 I love talking about coaching and I could go on forever. I will stop here… for now. :)

 How do you handle challenging moments in your life?

Ahh, those moments… We all have them in common.

Robert Frost said that the ‘best way out is through’. The only way through in these challenging moments is be real with what is; I’m not good at pretending that everything is well (when it’s clearly not), putting on a big smile and just brushing it off.

Sometimes I’m sad for a day or two, or maybe longer. I recall that I’ve been here before (many times) and I survived, better yet, I thrived.

I do what I need – I take extra good care of myself, listen to music and cry when I need to. I allow, I allow, I allow.

Everything passes and this too, shall pass – I whisper to myself.

I reach out and ask for help from friends and family. I allow myself to be held closely by them. I ask for extra on exceptionally hard days and they always say yes.

I talk about my challenges openly. I say – this is where I’m and this place sucks big time – but deep down I feel that this experience is valuable. I trust that most of my suffering is caused by fear and this moment is an opportunity to practice courage by being with what is. This I know – everything I want is on the other side of that fear.

 What do you LOVE most about yourself?

My sensitivity. I used to think it was my greatest curse. As a child, I was teased incessantly for my hyper sensitive nature and told that I needed to toughen up on many occasions.

I refused to do that. Over the years I came to realize that sensitivity was my greatest gift and I became fiercely protective of it. My sensitivity is the reason I can love so strongly, connect so deeply and experience the world so vividly.

 What is A Savoury Soul to you?

 One of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho, captures the essence of A Savoury Soul ever so beautifully:

 “Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.”

 Savoury Soul is not afraid to try. Savoury Soul loves the sweetness but recognizes that spice, tartness, and sourness add so much more flavor, dimension and fun to this amazing dish we call Life.

Natalia is a certified life coach for people who want to shine with passion, confidence and unwavering self-respect, and to discover a life of Beauty, Joy and Meaning. Through her one-on-one coaching sessions and e-products, she empowers her clients to dream big, dissolve limiting beliefs, work through fears and celebrate their successes as they uncover what truly lights them up!

At Achieve the Impossible she shares insightful and inspirational words to help you adore yourself and to own your brilliance. You can learn more about Natalia and her forthcoming Unravel Yourself e-program here or join her on Facebook and Instagram.