Audible Sample—7 Secrets for Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership [Video]

I invite you to imagine that you and I are having coffee or tea, or a cocktail, and we’re just talking about life, your life… https://a.co/d/00hEWfcs

You are likely a woman currently in a leadership position or on a leadership track who appreciates, mentors or friends that help you navigate the complexities of your work and personal life. I know because I’ve been there, but I never had the benefit of someone helping me when it mattered. I want to be that person for you.

I named this book the “7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership” because every moment, every micro- moment matters. Micro-moments turn into macro outcomes. This book attempts to help you identify and win in those micro-moments. I want to help you experience the compounded benefits of your small choices at home, at work and in between.

I came to the U.S. at the age of 5 not knowing English and interpreting and advocating for my family. We had no connections, money or influence, which made navigating friendships, school and life even more complicated. As a child, I had 1st hand experience with bullying and discrimination. As an ambitious young woman building my career in the 80s and 90s. I faced blatant misogyny, sexism and discrimination. Because I am a female leader. There are aspects of my life and career that men just cannot understand because they have simply never had to deal with the same issues. I started my career at IBM, worked on Wall Street, helped turn around a nonprofit, and ran a trade magazine all before starting the business I have today. And unlike those experiences, my business of today serves my life, my life doesn’t serve my business—that is by design.

The journey of having that be the case was not always straight and not always fun. I remember looking for answers, guidance, mentorship and support and finding all the books and articles I could find were written by men. In those days it was very uncommon to find women willing to mentor other women as we were coming up through the ranks. It was an environment of alpha men and alpha women. It was survival of the fittest for these women and they did not have the time or the inclination to worry about the entry-level women. I decided a few years ago that I had to help change that for other women.

You may be a high-powered woman leader people go to for answers, guidance, mentorship, support, etc. The question is, “Who do you go to?” I am hopeful that this book is the place for you.

I packed my 59 years of intellectual curiosity, learning tips, tricks & hacks on how I have been able to lead a life of intention and happiness designed by implementing a few small things in 7 key areas. I have blended my own professional and personal takeaways and compiled them for all of you so you don’t have to.

I am now the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, more comfortable in my own skin, confident and unapologetic. I don’t regret the decisions I made, and I have clarity and commitment about what I want my next chapter to look like. This book is the beginning of that chapter.

There are so many points in our lives when we are made to feel or make ourselves feel less than. Sometimes we are not true to ourselves. We make bad decisions. We are not intentional with our time. We speak to ourselves without grace. We allow others to dictate who we are or we find ourselves in the wrong environment.

Eventually, we reach a point where we want to get ahead of it all and create a better outcome for ourselves and ultimately a better life. A life that feels like we are driving the bus, not the passenger. The mercy of a crazy driver. The purpose of this book is to unpack all those variables one by one with you the reader and see pragmatic ways to address and overcome your not enough.

In each chapter, I have stories from dear friends as well as my own life that you might be able to relate to. I give you my thoughts on how to look at this particular topic. Some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. Some exercises to do and a summary of takeaways for you to think about and implement in your own life.

There might be certain times or areas where you feel like you’re slaying it while others are just really hard for you. Those feelings are completely normal. You cannot be operating at 1000 miles an hour in every aspect of your life. You have to be comfortable slaying it in one area while you’re doing your best in another.

In case no one has told you, you can’t be everything everywhere, all the time. Or be at your best all the time. It’s just not a realistic expectation. You can make small changes in various aspects of your life that will make a significant impact on your life, attitude, how you show up, how you feel about yourself, and the overall quality and satisfaction of your life. I want to help you make those small changes in your life so that you can design a life you love, that supports who you really are and includes the things that give you joy.