Life taught me (the hard way) to slow down. Since college, I’d been a super achiever—building my career, shooting to the top of companies and helping them bring in millions of dollars.
But I didn’t feel fulfilled. Something was missing. For years, I couldn’t put my finger on it.
My big insight moment was realizing that for me, all this achieving was my attempt to fill a void. And it wasn’t working anymore.
My new desire was to have a family (after years of thinking and telling myself I couldn't be an ideal mom). After all, how could I succeed in both my career and my home?
I decided to try. And for the next seven years, I went through a powerful and trying transformation, riding the emotional rollercoaster of infertility…
My husband and I experienced so many ups and downs as we tried everything, from acupuncture to specialists, to grow our family. And it didn’t work. I felt a sense of loss that felt almost unbearable. I spiraled into a depression and so did my husband.
One day, I was doing research on depression and infertility. I was led to an article that was truly a godsend. It said that the stress levels that infertile couples face is the same as what cancer patients experience. All of a sudden, I was able to give myself some slack and mountains of compassion.
Just seconds later, my next search found yet another godsend - a promising ad for a doctor just five minutes away. My intuition told me to see this doctor. I felt a hopeful feeling rush over me. I knew this was the right next step.
After that, I made one simple change in my life: I let my intuition lead the way. I opened up my heart, sat in the stillness during my daily Take 8 ritual, and started listening to my inner voice.
I made another fascinating discovery. Intuition has two parents: Creativity and Self-Care. The more I invested in Self-Care (and what I call Taking 8), the more Creative and productive I was at work, and the more Intuitive ideas I received, making me even more productive and successful at work.
Because of this time I invested in myself, I gave birth to my two joyful children and several new creations that have blessed others in the process: a book, a podcast, two rebranded (and much more meaningful) businesses, BoldImpact42 and Take8Love, and much more.
When we feel drained, we don’t have as much to offer others. And as high achievers, we often find ourselves putting others first, often before ourselves.
Taking 8 has been an anchor for me—helping to begin my days with a sense of peace and intention. And helping me to “fill my cup” so I can continue living vibrantly and following my dreams. Of course, naturally when my cup is full, I am more productive, creative and intuitive - and I am able to share the overflow to help fill others’ cups.
I share my journey with you to inspire you on yours.
Looking back, I can see that by turning to my morning ritual and opening up my intuition, I was led to a greater purpose. And I can see it so clearly as I watch my children and my other creations grow and blossom.
...Creating a Take8 ritual that lights a spark in you for the rest of your day...and how this simple intentional act will have a ripple effect on all areas of your life.
It’s not the grand, sweeping changes that paint your life story. It’s the constant, continual actions of small and simple strokes, that lead to the beautiful masterpiece of life.