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By Lisa Thomas,

Hurry up already, What’s taking so long?!?

When I’m standing in a room full of professional  and business women speaking on this subject, I often say, ” you know….. “patience” …..my fellow leaders,      really is a virtue!!!”

Read on!

I’d gotten a live pot of tulips for mother’s day last year and they were absolutely gorgeous.  Because I love plants and seeing their growth, I was excited that I would have a chance to experience tulips for a bit longer than just this one time.  So I watched them grow taller and taller week by week.

One day I decided it was time to re- pot their beauty so they could grow even larger. Soon after being transferred the tulips slowly wilted and died…no more beautiful tulips!

But for me there was hope.

Having a green thumb, I thought no problem, I’ll just see what happens if I water the soil for a while. Surely tulips will reappear again. Now, I knew nothing about tulips, but I did know that if I water a soiled seed; in this case a bulb, something would soon grow.

So I began watering the soil as I did my other plants, watching every month or so to see if something would reappear. I’d longed to see the multicolored tulips like before, but after several months I saw nothing.  In fact, one day it looked like the dirt was turning a moldy gray color.

Would I ever see the tulips?

I began to worry after about 7 months. Had I killed it by moving and disturbing the soil too soon? Had I over watered it? I was plagued with thoughts of how I must’ve done something wrong!

I should’ve seen something by now.  My other plants had grown so much since this one entered the family.  But in spite of my worries, I chalked it all up and still watered the soil.

Another month passed and nothing.  Frustration had now begun to set in. I mean all this work and no plant, just moldy dirt. I couldn’t take it anymore so I finally went to the store and bought a small tiny plant that I admired and place it on top of the soil. I had to have something to deal with my mind about this watered soil not producing my beautiful flowers when“I” had expected.

Sometimes we’re like that about other things in life, right?  We get impatient with ourselves and others because we don’t see the results we’ve been longing for “when” we want them.  In fact, in some cases we stop dead in our tracks, because we’re working real hard or so we think and there’s no harvest that we can physically see.  It doesn’t come fast enough so we quit. Little do we know the harvest is about to take shape. It is germinating, finding it’s way to the universe; the physical world for all to see.  Rather than wait, we “kill it” right there at that critical point when things are about to break through.

I deliberately put the small plant on top of the soil I’d been watering to trick and train my mind into thinking my works were not in vain.

After a month of training my brain,  I removed the small plant and there I saw something peek through the soil. It was the beginning of life; it had forced it’s way to the surface.  It took 9 months of constant watering, nurturing and caring for the soil to see something come through – 9 months!!!!…Sort of like birth. It takes 9 months to birth a child. The baby is conceived which we cannot physically see but the process and system of creating life is happening. It’s happening  “inside the mother” so that life can emerge fully equipped for the world after the 9 month period has passed.

How many times have you started to venture into something new and just before things pop, you get mad and quit?

Many of my clients who are successful business women and executives find themselves in this predicament time and time again. There’s something they want to achieve but have never done, and they want it so bad they can taste it. The problem lies in wanting it right now or on their time line. But sometimes a big harvest doesn’t come right away.

The system and time line for growth is an unknown factor, yet they operate like they know how long it takes.

Most of the time, we under estimate the manifestation time line and we lose faith in our abilities to produce. Small milestones are necessary to trick the brain into “knowing” you can and will produce.  Les Brown once said, “we don’t truly know our potential because we aim too low and make it rather than aim too high and miss”. I believe you should and can aim high, however set milestones that help you see the results.  Let’s face it the world wants results and so do you. Set yourself up to win.

I didn’t know a lot about tulips, but I knew that a watered seed in the right soil that’s cared for in a systematic way would produce a harvest. I also knew that depending on the plant, the time line could be a month or several months to fully come into physical existence.

If you ever find yourself wanting to give up and give in, wait a while and stay the course. Nurture your soul as I did by training your brain that there are results being produced.  Give yourself a break and acknowledge things are just delayed by your time line but not by the time line of growth.  After all, with a big goal, you aren’t always certain how long it really takes anyway, but you do know consistency produces. Enjoy the journey and watch the riches of life manifest!!!

Lisa Thomas provides Life Coaching for Women. Her mission is empowering women worldwide. She is a Expert Success and Leadership Coach, host of The P3 Power Boost Radio Show and Visionary for Women. Lisa has been featured on NBC, Fox 8 News and various radio shows around the country.

Contact her directly for your Private P3 Power Session where you will begin the journey of discovery. It will be the best 60 minutes of your life. Remember, power, passion and purpose begins with the spirit of who you are.

For a private P3 Power Session, media inquiries, speaking engagements and free life changing videos, visit http://www.theP3Group.com

“When we are born we come into the world fully equipped with nothing lacking, nothing missing; it is only our thoughts, our feelings and our emotions that drive us into thinking that we are inadequate”…..Lisa Thomas

The month of February seems to bring most people into the presence of love because Valentine’s day is around the corner. I’ve often wondered why it is such a big deal now rather than just a natural part of our lives. I’m sure there is some historical monumental moment that has generated such buzz for a holiday and there was a decision made to have it be celebrated yearly. However love is such an emotion that deserves full recognition throughout the year, don’t you think?

Imagine simply showing love on February 14th and not fully engaging or being present any other time of year – wouldn’t those you love miss the depth of meaning they are to you?

My husband, Jonn and I have been married now for 16 years. This year we embark on 17 and it has been an amazing journey being with such a caring, thoughtful individual. I think I grow fonder of him as the years go by. In the early years, I’d say being in love was certainly an experience we both felt, however amazingly over the years our relationship has grown beyond being in love. There’s a deep profound kind of friendship that has been born as well. I truly can’t think of a better friend than him. His commitment to me and my work/vision is unwavering and mine to his the same.

We’ve worked very diligently at having our relationship be one of loyalty, support, commitment and kindness. I’m shocked when I hear couples say they don’t talk or they talk at each other. I sit and wonder exactly  how that works. I couldn’t imagine being in a relationship where we had unresolved issues, felt afraid to broach a subject or skipping around to ensure no one’s feathers were ruffled, but unfortunately some people do. It’s like hoping issues will resolve themselves without your input.

Most end in divorce because they are fairly positional about who’s right and who’s wrong.  No war was ever resolved with both parties on a position unwilling to be open for a discussion.

In light of our heart beating month of love, I’d like to offer our power, passion and purpose for staying together and keeping love alive throughout the year.

First, we have purpose:  We both know who we are individually and who we are as a couple. Jonn has a vision that everyone has what they need to be who they are. My personal vision is “every woman lives a life of power, passion and dreams come true”. Collectively we are a “beacon for spiritual and financial prosperity creating wealth for generations to come.”  Purpose drives us to be great to each other and for each other. Purpose drives our relationship to be great. Greatness exemplifies our collective vision.

Next, we have passion:  Individually and collectively we have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.  Our desire and passion drives us to make the difference for others and also for ourselves. Each conversation we have is filled with passionate desire to be better than we were when we entered the dialogue. Passion drives successful communication leaving no stone unturned.

Finally, we have power: Personal power lies in choice. We choose life as it is presented. We choose to love each other in moments when it seems impossible. We choose to live life powerfully through the challenges. We choose each other and all that comes with the choice. We accept each other for who we are and who we’re not. The power of having an extraordinary juicy and incredible relationship lies in choice. Love exists in the moment you create it to be there. And we create it as a practice.

Give it a try yourself. Power, Passion and Purpose in every relationship is worth having. It brings more love to you when you choose to create it. Let’s celebrate this heart beating month of love with choice, shall we?

Lisa Thomas provides Life Coaching For Women. Her mission is empowering women worldwide.

Lisa  is the President and CEO of The P3 Group, Inc, Vision and Leadership Support Coach and Visionary for Women. Featured on NBC’s My Carolina Today, Charlotte Today, World Puja Network, Dr. Pat Show and Conscious Talk Radio. For more information about this segment or a 60 min Power Session, contact Lisa at 910 221 9294 or 704 909 7663. Visit the website at http://www.TheP3Group.com.

For media inquiries or speaking engagements, contact Annika Murray at 678 807 9486.

Eleanor LeCain is a dynamic speaker who gives people hope and inspiration, helping them understand what is happening now, and what we can do to improve our lives and build a new world.  With over 20 years experience in finding and communicating breakthrough solutions in a variety of fields, Ms. LeCain is an expert in social innovation. Understanding that women are vital for needed changes, she draws on her expertise in women’s leadership to offer seminars and retreats for women. She speaks about leadership and social innovation to emerging and established leaders around the world from Harvard University to Kyoto, Japan, Oslo, Norway, and Penang, Malaysia among others.

Ms. LeCain’s articles have been published widely from the New York Times to the Boston Business Journal to Le Monde in Paris, France. She profiles breakthrough solutions – in green jobs, education, parenting, crime, marriage, conflict transformation, health, philanthropy, and ending poverty – in her new book, Breakthrough Solutions: How to Improve Your Life and Change the World by Building on What Works. The Introduction is written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She has been a guest commentator on numerous radio and television networks.

As a consultant, Ms. LeCain shows organizational and government leaders the transformational programs, people and principles that can improve results, save money, and strengthen communities. Drawing on her expertise in social innovation, Ms. LeCain expands the capacity of organizations and communities to see new possibilities and increase effectiveness by understanding the opportunities in this historic moment and by learning from breakthrough solutions.

Ms. LeCain is currently President of NewWayUSA, dedicated to improving lives by identifying and building on breakthrough solutions. She brings fresh perspectives that enable people and organizations to see new opportunities, improve relationships, strengthen leadership and generate new streams of revenue.  She draws on her twenty years of research and experience in social innovation, and her wide network of colleagues with expertise in the best of what’s working in their fields.

As Executive Director of Blueprint 2000, Ms. LeCain was hired by the Massachusetts state government to create a strategic plan for the future of the Commonwealth that addressed every area of public policy. She also served as the Massachusetts Assistant Secretary of State.  Ms. LeCain served as an adviser to the Kyoto Businessman’s Association in Japan on opportunities in environmental business.  The National Committee on Responsive Philanthropy hired her as a strategic planner for their organization addressing the field of philanthropy and strategic giving. In 2003, Ms. LeCain designed and led a leadership seminar for women in Afghanistan, sponsored by Eve Ensler and the V-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls. She is the founding President of Women of Vision and Action, an international network of spiritually aware women taking action for a better world.

Ms. LeCain earned a degree in Economics from Yale University, and a degree in Law and Social Policy from the University of California Boalt Law School.  She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and daughter. To enroll Ms. LeCain as a speaker or consultant for your organization, email Team@newwayusa.com.

I had the pleasure of speaking with P3 Pearl, Jeannette Fitzwater on a cold wintry day. We both snuggled up to a candid conversation about her vision and passion for developing and leading others into their greatest potential.

I was fascinated with Jeanette’s journey of success however what most fascinated me was the golden nuggets she offered for women during this particular time of year.

We are upon a new year and we’re all looking at new goals and visions. We often choose new things or recommit to old goals. Jeannette offered strong recommendations that will catapult you into a successful experience in 2011.

As you might imagine Jeannette who lives in the roles of mother, wife and Senior Vice President-Director of Corporate Services, she has mastered a few things around seeing a vision, setting goals and accomplishing them.

She shares what has made her successful throughout the years and we are certain that if you applied you too can gain new experiences of success. We invite you to listen in on the candid interview with a note pad to write down your goals. Determine your plan of action and find new ways of making your every dream a reality in 2011.

Hear two great quotes to live by and what Jeannette knows for sure. You don’t want to miss our time of educational dialogue!

Visit Jeannette at http://www.JRFitzwater.com

The Power of Closure by Lisa Thomas
©Copyright 2010..

The Power of Closure is important and critical when you’re creating a new. They say “out with the old and in with the new”, but what happens when you don’t say goodbye to the old?

In reflecting on the close of 2010 while embracing the newness of 2011, I asked myself how to bring a complete close to a wonderful year so that I can begin painting on a clean canvas for 2011? It is a great question for everyone finishing up something old and preparing for something new.

Can you imagine trying to paint a new picture on an old used canvas? Often we do that when we make New Year’s resolutions. The resolutions from 2010 are still lingering – incomplete and unfulfilled, yet we try to start new ones as though they will magically manifest.

Every three years I do a deep introspective, but this year something seemed different. We’re about to embark on the year 2011 and I thought wow, for me this is the beginning of a new decade.  Others began last year, but for me it begins this year.

So, in my deep retrospect this time around, I reviewed my 10 year list. I had accomplished a lot and felt some enormous successes, met some incredible people and had many exciting times.  I’d also been met with some of life’s greatest challenges, let some people go in the process and felt some of the most disappointing and saddest of times. But more importantly, within the last 10 years, I found my purpose and my voice.

I felt the intense desire to include what I’ve called the “P3 Cleanse” in my process of closure.  Most hear the word cleanse and immediately think detox. Yes, to some degree it is a detox. However, cleansing for me is all about mind, body, spirit. It is indeed a spiritual, emotional and physical cleanse. I start with all things informing my intellect of information to distract my cause.   I cleanse my body of those things which conflict with the pureness of healthy living and I mentally cleanse all self imposing thoughts that plague my ability to achieve the greatness I deserve.

I’d engaged in this triple cleanse last year and this year I was ready to take it to another level.  I usually give myself three months to bring closure to all that has happened good or bad. I believe that to fully open up to the process of closure, there is preparation and a good P3 cleanse system provides that opening.

The P3 Cleansing system includes the following steps:

Step 1. Stop watching TV and engaging in other information technology to cleanse your mind and spirit.  You will have to encourage your family to support your efforts by including them in your cleansing process or asking them to respect your process by allowing you to fully implement your cleanse system.

Step 2. Remove all self imposing thoughts and comments from others who plague your ability to think clearly to promote cleansing of your emotions.  This means you will deliberately “stop” all negative, limited thinking. To succeed, you should journal your thoughts and issue a cancellation notice to your mind. The cancellation notice forces you to acknowledge the self imposing thoughts as such. So, the cancellation notice is an imperative part of the system.

Step 3. Eliminate all foods that do not foster energy, good health and vibrant living to cleanse your physical body. First research and exercise a good detox program so you begin your food eliminations with ease. After the detox, usually 7 to 10 days, simply notice your energy levels and keep a journal of all foods consumed. Eliminate those that seem to slow you down or zap your energy.

I suggest you do this for three months. However, you can implement the cleansing system at any time. Cleansing the mind, body, and spirit opens you up to new found energy, problem solving, thought process and effective decision making.

All occurrences have emotions attached to them whether we choose to process them at the time they happen or push them back to process later. To go forward effectively and embrace the future, we have to completely process them all.  And because you’re now in the space of answering three sets of very pointed questions, you can fully and completely navigate through the closure process:

What do I really want?
Where am I unbalanced?
What are my happiest moments in life?
Where is my heart pulling me?
In what direction do I know within my soul am I being led or pulled?
Where am I agitated in life?
Where am I fulfilled?
Where am I unfulfilled?

I follow those with the big questions:

Why am I unfulfilled?
Why am I agitated?
What elements make up the happiest moments in my life?

And lastly, four important and paramount questions come to mind:

What responsibility do I play in it?
What, if anything, am I willing or going to do about it?
How can I make my life line up with what I want it to be?
How do I put myself in the driver’s seat of my own life?

Most of us make New Year’s resolutions without first bringing closure to what has happened. Often we decide we want a different result without first identifying old habits and cycles that continue to lead to our demise.  When we fail to produce, we can easily become cynical and resigned to simply settling for whatever we can get.

I think it’s critical to honor and acknowledge the following:

What have I accomplished and what have I not accomplished?
What is my honest assessment of my accomplishment pros and cons?
How do I make improvements and adjustments for the future?

As you answer these questions, please be cautioned that guilt may arise. Make sure you are in a place to embrace the answers and to become empowered by them. Feelings of guilt or chastisement do not bring closure but, rather deepening in-completion. It is also critical to acknowledge in authentic truth what you will change and what you are not yet willing to change. Also, what you can and cannot commit to; really owning the whole enchilada.

Keep the process going until you feel whole inside and a sense of completion. When you feel a sense of completion, you are settled and at peace in your state of mind and being.

This closure process cleanses out all of the impurities of your life. It brings about the truest most authentic you and creates a clean slate to work from. When you finally make a decision to have something in your life for the New Year, you actually do it with integrity and power attached to it rather than adding it to a pile of words that never manifest. Cleansing actually starts to wipe away all of the old paint and gives rise to a new canvas ready for a new creation.

I am excited about what the days of 2011 will bring now after the closure process is complete. I’ve vowed to make closure a part of everyday living. The daily question becomes “what masterpiece will I create today?”.

Let’s create the absolute best year ever, shall we?

Lisa Thomas provides Life Coaching For Women. Her mission is empowering women worldwide.

Lisa is a Expert Success and Leadership Support Coach, Visionary for Women and  Inspirational Speaker. Featured on NBC’s My Carolina Today , Charlotte Today, World Puja Network, Dr. Pat Show and Conscious Talk Radio. For more information about navigating through the closure process contact Lisa at 910 221 9294 or 704 909 7663. Visit the website at http://www.TheP3Group.com

The towels…By Lisa Thomas

In September 1994, it was a warm day filled with happy and joyous moments. I was wearing a carefully designed tailor made gown; one I had envisioned in my mind and had finally put to paper. I’d previously gathered my thoughts and gave my vision to a seamstress and she made magic happen. That day is a day I’ll never forget. I walked down an aisle with my father on my arm, wearing the gown I’d designed, surrounded by many friends and family to give up my life as a single woman to a man I’d grown to love.

It was my wedding day. After the vowels were exchanged, the first dance, the wild honeymoon and the settling in, I finally opened our wedding gifts. Out of so many there was a huge box that I vividly remember opening. The box was labeled “for Lisa and her new husband”. Inside were 4 set of towels. I thought how beautiful..

Even in this moment, I can barely type this message. The tears are forming in my eyes…Please forgive me as I pause…..

The towels were white in a sealed clear bag –

Thank you for letting me share this story. I hope to be able to get through this with the message loud and clear. This clearly is not the edited version….

The towels were white with a satin heart in the middle, located in the center at the bottom half of the towel. Embroidered were blue and pink flowers surrounding the heart also embroidered in satin. In the middle of the heart bared a scripted “T” for Thomas..….
There were other towels with just the emblem itself …

I guess there were designed as a set to use and a set to display..

The towels are from my great aunt who passed away in 1998….At our wedding, there were satin pillows especially made to represent my grandmothers who had long passed. My grandmothers made a great impression on me and I know I am who I am because of them. In their honor, I had the pillows made so they would be represented. They’ve all made their transition but I still think of them often and the impact they’ve had on my life….

My great aunt, my grandmother’s sister was the last of my mother’s immediate maternal linage..…Needless to say, the other day when I was unpacking some boxes, I saw the towels…I still have the towels in their original bag. I hadn’t opened them. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t open them, but I hadn’t….

My aunt was like that. When she got something special she wouldn’t use it. The funny thing is I’ve grown to use everything I buy, “EXCEPT” these towels..

My husband finally said, “I think your aunt would want you to use those towels. They really match our new bathroom”. For some reason, I still had reservation. I couldn’t let go. I heard what he said, but I just couldn’t bring myself to open that bag.

Then I leaned back on our bathroom counter, looked at the bag of towels and took a moment to think of why it was such a great task to rip that bag open. After some forethought, I knew exactly why.

The towels represented my maternal linage, the strength of women I’d loved. I just knew if I opened it, the newness, the presence of all of my ancestors would leave me. I just knew that if I open that bag, I would lose precious moments with them that I’d savored. I would lose the sound of their laughter. I would lose the tone of their voices. I would lose the image of their faces.

I could confirm that a part of them was in me when I saw that bag. A big part of me was in that bag. I could reach inside and get their energy to help me press on to be all of who I am…I knew I couldn’t open that bag unless I was ready to let go and release yet another great part of me into the world. A part of them had been driving me, propelling me forward but if I open that bag it would be ME driving me..They could live in me, however “I” would be the driver……So, I asked myself, “could I drive me freely?”

So, today, I’m opening the bag. The towels are still as white as they were when she gave them to me. I’m present to all of them. My mother, my grandmother, my great aunt, my great grandmother and all that they bought to my life. I ‘m honored knowing that they are the reason, I am who I am. And they will never ever leave my spirit….

This was another great day, of letting go and Letting God… A day to enjoy the towels giving from a part of my heritage, a great part of my past that created a wonderful moment in the present – 15 years later….

Thank you for letting me share this special moment with you. Find your bag and open it, whether it’s a past relationship, past hurt, past heartache, past disappointment, or just your past as a whole…let’s all let go and let God and the universe live in us..
Lisa Thomas is The President and CEO of The Power, Passion and Purpose Group, a Vision and Leadership Support Coach, Visionary for Women and Inspirational Speaker. Please contact her at 910 221 9294 or 704 909 7663. Visit the website at http://www.TheP3Group.com.

Feel free to contact her directly for your P3 Power Session where you will begin the journey of discovery. It will be the best 60 minutes of your life. Remember, power, purpose and vision begins within the spirit of who you are.

Ever wonder how it is that your friend, co-worker or associate always seems to get more done than you? After all they have the same 24 hours as you do, don’t they? Even Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey have that same 24 hours, so what gives?

Time and money seem to be the two biggest challenges people face. They both seem to be a tough nut to crack, but we’ll tackle time for now and come back to money on another occasion.

I’ve broken down four major areas to focus in on being an effective time manager.

1. Personal Productivity
2. Delegating Tasks
3. Managing Results
4. Leverage

Before I get into explaining the four areas, consider that managing your time is easy, very easy. What I mean is the “to do” of managing time is easy. What gets in the way of people being effective time managers is their lack of vision or purpose and power and choice over their thoughts about what has to be done. In the absence of these, the “to do” of time management becomes a great challenge. So, know your vision and do the work on your internal thoughts.

Now, let’s just take a look at Personal Productivity for a moment.

Start with what needs to be done. You might even ask yourself, “Am I the only one that can do these things listed?” Most often, people think they are the only ones that can do something which stifles the possibility of expansion and growth. So, it’s imperative that you check the list and be truthful about it. If you are the only one to do it, then make it a priority and don’t waste time getting it done. Do it immediately.

Be sure to put things in a calendar as well. Things placed in a calendar will ensure more so than not that it gets done. It’s hard to get things done when you don’t have a system for remembering to do it.

Focus on one task at a time with all of your attention on that one task. Things get done faster when you give your attention to it. Multitasking only delays the process of completion; focus and complete each task within the time allotted.

When it comes to Delegating Tasks, it’s imperative to know what needs to be done. Remember the old saying “first things first”. Determine the things that need to be attended to first and foremost. When scanning the list, you’ll want to keep in mind the things only you can do or are the best at doing. Whatever is left will be delegated and given to someone else; someone who is effective, competent, experienced and has the ability to produce.

Often times, we delegate to those who don’t have skill, the time or are ineffective. Keep in mind, you’re soliciting the right person for the task.

If you delegate the task, it makes sense to the Manage Results, right? If you do this effectively you’ll delegate, manage and focus only on the results that are being produced or not produced. Now, this does not negate you from putting things in your calendar. In order to manage the results, you’ll need to register them somewhere, so be sure they are in your calendar.

There are a few things to keep in mind when managing results.

1. You must identify milestones and timelines and put them in your calendar.
2. Be in regular communication with the person(s) you’ve delegated the task to.
3. Track their progress and evaluate their results.

Leverage allows you to get more done in the same amount of time; the same 24 hours everyone has. It is a combination of personal productivity, delegating tasks, managing results and optimizing other people’s time, money, efforts, resources and systems. When you are leveraging, you look from a place of “how” to get things done. In essence, you’re strategically looking to see how you can best utilize the resources you have and interestingly enough, you’ll discover more is available to you.

I mentioned Donald Trump. When Donald Trump shares his vision and mission with his management team, he in essence shares with his entire team. It funnels all the way down to housekeeping in his hotels. He leverages his resources to get more done.

These four areas are how you can get your vision out in the world in a big, big way.

We all have the same 24 hours, how are you using yours?

Try these on for size and see just how much you can get done.

Lisa Thomas provides Life Coaching For Women. Her mission is empowering women worldwide.

Lisa is a Vision and Leadership Support Coach, Visionary for Women, Life Coach for NBC’s My Carolina Today and Inspirational Speaker. For more information about this segment or a 60 min Power Session, contact Lisa at 910 221 9294 or 704 909 7663. Visit the website at http://www.TheP3Group.com

By Lisa Thomas

It was a bright sunny morning when I spoke with this dynamic P3 Pearl. I was awe struck with her presence. She’s such a soft spoken young woman with a passion that exudes from her inner core. When introduced I wasn’t surprised to find a fascinating story in Anna Levesque. I knew her triumph would offer women inner strength and courage like none other.

During our time together Anna chronicles her life as a woman who found her passion and pursued it in spite of a few naysayers. She speaks of the pressure from those closest to her to find something more meaningful or more real. Many doubted her abilities but Anna paddled against the current of all of those who did not believe. She discovered that more meaning lies in her truth than anything else.  

Anna is an avid Kayaker and has made it her mission to empower women to build courage, confidence and strength through Kayaking classes and workshops.  While she loves the sport, it hasn’t come without challenge. Kayaking is a male dominated sport and considered an extreme sport. However Anna saw it as an opportunity to find her truest most authentic voice.

During my time with Anna, she shared the moment she embraced her femininity in a male dominated world. She honored who she is and in the process transformed lives.

I’m excited you’ll listen in on this candid interview with Anna Levesque. Anna’s life  seems to be an experience of paddling against the current with extreme rewards and pleasures. How fun! What would life be like if  “you” chose to go against the current for a change?!?

Prepare to be inspired, to learn the lessons of being true to who you are no matter what and how bringing your faith into alignment with your desires produces extraordinary results.

Anna shares what she knows for sure, two favorite quotes and the best advice for all women pursuing their passion. Enjoy !

Click here to listen to the interview!

Watch Anna in action below! Enjoy!

4 Keys to Being Empowerd by Your Image
By Lisa Thomas

Recently on a segment of Oprah, I saw two people sharing their shame of going out in public due to their appearance.  I’d heard this plaguing experience from a few women I know as well. It seems that image can be something to boast about or be ashamed of, rather than something to be empowered by.  

So often the image one portrays or will try to portray is one that they’ve been taught from society. It seems as if every photo has been airbrushed or redone to perfection. Models appear thin and flawless.

Most people relate to image as merely the clothes they wear,  type of car they drive or home they live in.

But image has a deeper meaning than that.  From a much more powerful place, image is about being true to who you are and projecting your authentic self outwardly to the world.

 When we experience a sense of authentic truth within and project it simultaneously, we are far more fulfilled and confident in our own skin and all of life.

I believe if confidence is lacking there are a few critical areas missing in life.

Let’s take a look at the four keys to being empowered by your image.

 The First Key – Know Your Vision and Purpose.

 Truly know who you are prior to choosing the clothes to wear. It is imperative that you do the work of identifying your “why”. The “why” acts as a driver of  your actions and when “purpose” drives your actions,  you’re far more fulfilled in life.

The Second Key -Accept The Image Of Yourself.

Accepting yourself is a major component in empowering your image. Many women and, believe it or not, men have challenges accepting themselves as they are. The key is knowing that the body you have right now in this moment is the body you have right now.  Not the one you want in the future or the one you’ve had in the past, but the one you have right now. So accept the image, the body and fullness of who you are right now.

Acceptance means that you love, honor, accept, appreciate and celebrate the fullness of your body and your image. You can certainly have a body that you want and  aspire to have, however full acceptance of right now is required.  

The Third Key – Know What Expresses You and Know Your Style.

Once you’re grounded in your vision and purpose, then you’re ready to assess what truly expresses you from an outward standpoint. For those who love shopping, you have permission to go on a joy ride of finding the style of clothing that expresses who you are.  For example, if what fully expresses you is a  more classic look, then you’ll begin your search for clothing in that style. If it’s sexy, sporty or elegant, the same applies.  And for men classic, sporty or trendy may be the style. Whichever it is, the key once again is the place from which you choose your style. In this case, your vision and purpose – your “why”.

The Fourth Key – Create An Environment Consistent With Your Vision and Your Style.

So you’ve got your vision, your style is right for you, you’ve accepted your body. Now you’re ready to create an environment consistent with YOUR image.

The environment is your surroundings; spaces you frequently occupy like your home, office and car.  These are all a reflection of you, so the images you create of these spaces are just as critical.

Simply take inventory of the space and make small changes to represent your style and your image. For example, if your style is elegant, you may redecorate your home to be reflective of that style. However, if you’re on a limited budget you can slowly buy a few pieces of elegant artwork to add to your office or home.  

You don’t have to do it all at once, so take this opportunity to make small changes. The idea is to “create” your environment like an artist with a new canvas. Give yourself freedom to have your creation unfold naturally and freely.

These four keys will empower and inspire you to be more of who you are inwardly and outwardly. It’s an amazing feeling when all of who you are is reflected within you and around you.

Remember when “purpose” drives your actions; you’re far more fulfilled in life. You feel better, you look better and live better…

Lisa Thomas provides Life Coaching For Women. Her mission is empowering women worldwide.

Lisa  is a Vision and Leadership Support Coach, Visionary for Women, Life Coach for NBC’s My Carolina Today and Inspirational Speaker. For more information about this segment or a 60 min Power Session, contact Lisa at 910 221 9294 or 704 909 7663. Visit the website at http://www.TheP3Group.com.

For media inquiries or speaking engagements, contact Annika Murray at 678 807 9486.