“Life doesn’t get less busy.”
If I’ve learned anything lately, it’s that if I don’t start doing the things that I enjoy, right here and right now, then I’m never going to do them. Quit using the “whens” as excuses. You know, the “Oh, I’ll do that WHEN this is finished, or WHEN the kids are away” etc. Life doesn’t slow down and it most definitely doesn’t stop. You – and only you – are the one who can fit in the fun things for yourself. Because even after your “whens” are accomplished, there will be another task waiting just around the corner. So let’s start fitting them in NOW!
“Stop postponing your joy.”
Life happens and there are definitely things that take priority over others, but keeping your soul happy must be at the top of your list if you’re looking for that everlasting gratification. I’m challenging you to start this week – a minimum of 45 minutes a week to do something that makes your soul smile. Follow that one thing that has been pulling at your heart strings. (For me, it’s my guitar…no pun intended.)
“The ones that say there’s no time to play are the ones who need to play the most.”
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Suzanne Adams is a best-selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Life Purpose Consultant and contributor to The Huffington Post that is sharing her zest for life with audiences around the globe. She believes that having fun and following your passion are the keys to finding true happiness and living a life of fulfillment and joy! Suzanne was a speaker at the 2016 Hay House World Summit and is so excited to share with you her secrets to help attract happiness and freedom into your life! Suzanne is thrilled to be leading workshops and retreats around the world. She also loves to share her secrets to success with you through her books, digital courses, and inspirational talks.
“My mission to my awakening and spirituality came from me first looking for happiness and joy in all the wrong places from a very young age.”
Suzanne begins by telling us that she spent most of her life at “surface level happiness,” the type of happiness where you pretend everything is all good while fitting into a box that everyone else wants you to fit in. But when she recognized that the beauty of life goes much deeper than the surface, her mission began.
“I was searching for my romantic relationships and career advancements and everything else through validations. It just didn't feel good.”
Spiraling from surface level happiness to depression, Suzanne knew that she was on this Earth to do much bigger things than this, but where would she begin and how would she get there? It was in this time that she began her shift.
“Being aware means you are aware of who you are and that you are worthy of all your desires.”
Hearing Suzanne share her journey to a spiritual and awakened life was magical. Her energy and positivity is magnetic. Her advice and motivation is the perfect push we all need to take the step from an okay, average life to an extraordinary one! Being spiritually awakened is a beautiful thing that we are all meant to experience – no matter who or what your higher power means to you.
“Meditation is listening, and prayer is meant for asking.”
With tips on how to ask and receive and just about everything in between, her book (listed below) is an awesome place start. Suzanne brings life to guidance and connection in her interview today, as if she is the little light bulb in all of our heads turning on and pushing us to find the deeper meaning of why we are here and the start to our journey.
“We are all here on a mission, no one is meant to just sail through life.”
Visit suzanneadamsinc.com for more on self-love and to find your truth in a fun and magical way! Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
I am honored to have my husband, Chris Harder, with me on today’s episode! For those of you who don’t know, or may not have tuned in yet, Chris’s very own podcast “For the Love of Money” is totally killing it on iTunes! He’s here today to share some juicy info about it.
“I started my podcast after my journey of reading 30 books in 30 days because I realized that the key and common thread to happiness, success, business, wealth etc. is giving!"
There has been a lot of stereotypical views and opinions about people with wealth, but the saying “money is greed,” couldn’t be farther from the truth. As Chris says, “There will be a bad egg here and there,” but from our very own experience, some of the wealthiest people are also the most giving!
“The more you give, the more you get back.”
Whatever your thing may be, your passion, you are very much capable of reaching it and then some! Don’t just stop at the dream or the thought, make plans and take action! Chris and I love sharing our relationship insights and what works for us when it comes to growing together – instead of apart. With more than 10 years of marriage, through all the ups and downs, it’s a beautiful thing to see BOTH of our lives and businesses growing in the same direction as each other’s. Make sure that when you step into your happiness that your person steps in, too.
“Don’t be afraid of your rock bottoms, they force you to take action!”
Bonus: Find out how and why Chris read 30 books in 30 days, the impact it had on his career and the start of his amazing podcast!
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Maria Marlowe helps busy women improve their health, lose weight, and/or clear up and age-proof their skin by guiding them to develop healthy eating and living habits that actually stick.
Her approach uses humor to break down the latest nutritional science, her tone is always non-judgmental, and her philosophy for health centers on real, whole foods and reducing stress. She is the author of The Real Food Grocery Guide (May 2017), and the Creator of EatBEAUTY, a 90-day plan for reversing acne naturally, and EatHEALTHY, a 4-week meal plan to simplify your time in the kitchen without compromising nutrition. Maria has been featured or appeared on various media outlets including Vogue, The New York Times, CBS, NBC, and more.
Growing up in the typical American family, health and wellness were not the main focus. By the time Maria was 18, she found herself unwell with ailments that she couldn't quite figure out.
“I visited the gynecologist and dermatologist, but didn't get any answers I was looking for. Long story short, I decided to change my diet, and my health drastically changed too.”
Finally feeling better – better than ever – Maria took herself down a “nutrition rabbit hole” as she called it, to become knowledgeable enough to help and serve others in the same boat.
“After I got better, I thought to myself, ‘How come nobody teaches us this stuff?’”
Shortly into her schooling, realizing just how much food affects one’s mood, athletic performance, skin, brain power, personality etc., the topic quickly became her passion.
“As a young adult, I had acne so bad that there were some days I wouldn’t leave the house. It was amazing to see how my skin changed too, once I began eating clean.”
Now, as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Maria’s main focus is to help people clean up their eating habits to create long-term achievable health goals. The power of clean eating and how it greatly and directly affects our body and life is really quite incredible! I’m sure we’re all a little guilty when it comes to the reasoning behind “why we eat healthy.” For a better looking body…duh. But to be honest, what it does for the INSIDE, for your mood and brain etc. is the driving factor for me. The outer effect of eating well is just the bonus. On today’s episode, Maria shares awesome and healthy eating tips and habits (including drinks/foods that will lower stress levels.) Her way of coaching is simplistic and obtainable, making just about anyone want to dive in and start working on a better you – right away!
For delicious healthy recipes, downloadable meal plans, and actionable wellness tips, head to mariamarlowe.com or follow her on Instagram @mariamarlowe Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
“The actual journey is a lot different than what people think.”
Let’s be honest here. We all want something better, or something we don’t have and that’s fine because contrary to what anyone says, it’s all eventually achievable!
“It comes down to consistency, faith and the willingness to show up!”
From time to time, especially depending on the severity of the situation, we tend to think we were dealt an “unlucky hand.” But what we are failing to realize is that every mess has a message! Every one of these life tests is FOR YOU!
“It’s not happening to you, it’s happening for you.”
The person or situation that is testing you most is the one that’s going to help strengthen you – and your muscles. Instead of negative outlooks, view each situation as a gift to become stronger (mentally or physically, whatever your biggest struggle may be in this moment). Like the old saying says, “Nothing in life worth having is going to be easy to obtain.”
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Andrea Owen is an author, mentor, and certified life coach who helps women get what they want by letting go of perfectionism, control, and isolation and choosing to practice courage instead. She has helped thousands of women manage their inner-critic to create loving connections and live their most kick-ass life. When she’s not juggling her full coaching practice and writing her second book, Andrea is busy competing in triathlons, chasing her 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter or making out with her husband, Jason.
She’s also a retired roller derby player having skated under the name “Veronica Vain.” Around 2003, when Andrea was first exposed and becoming aware of life-coaches/coaching, she knew she’d found her path.
Having lived a pretty “charmed” life as she called it, she wasn't sure how she could be a life coach without any extraordinary life circumstances or tragedies to be able to share and relate to. Having said that, a few short years later as Andrea and her then-husband were trying to have their first baby, she found out about his affair with the neighbor and a resulting pregnancy from that (talk about her first traumatic event! GEEZ!).
Just when you think “what could be worse?” Andrea picked herself up and launched herself back into the dating world. Moving onto the next man who she thought was Mr. Right, she later found out about his addictive drug habits and how she had been conned out of more than $8,000 during their 9-month relationship. Oh, and she was pregnant. Looking back and telling her story with us, Andrea now shares how she believed this all may have come to be.
“The common denominator of my circumstances was me. What was I attracting in my life? What had I tolerated? What had I ignored my intuition about?”
Digging herself out of the rut like a strong, powerhouse woman would, Andrea skipped the “victim” role and instead went to taking radical responsibility for her life! (YOU GO GIRL!) Expressing her feelings about her rock-bottom years wasn’t easy, but Andrea found the message in all of her mess and shares with us some of the very first steps on how she started over.
“I wrote down 10 things I was grateful for, and it was actually pretty easy. Despite a few things, let’s be honest…I still had a very privileged life.”
Fun fact: You cannot be angry and grateful at the same time. No matter what has happened previously, you can’t let your past define you. Andrea is the perfect example of someone who has had hardship(s) in her life, but has still come out on top! You must envision your future. Draw it out, pray for it and hustle until it becomes your reality.
“Controlling and perfectionism were two of my biggest nemesis, but I had to learn the balance between taking responsibility and also for letting go and self-compassion.”
If you’re ready to say HELL YES, go to yourkickasslife.com for more on Andrea! Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
A great way to get present is through breathing. (In through your nose, out through your mouth.) Pay attention to what you hear in these moments… What are you feeling? What are you grateful for today?
I am so excited to announce the launch of my 12-Week Bliss Habit eCourse! Thousands of women have completed this course and have incorporated the lessons learned into their ongoing life journey of creating their own bliss. The first step to being the CEO of your life is to take action, and the Bliss Habit is an amazing way to start with an even more amazing tribe of thousands of women who have your back!
“Even coaches need coaches.”
I am such an advocate of continuous learning, and I truly believe that the bits and pieces we gather from all types of coaches is knowledge that we wouldn’t be able to learn on our own.
“I want someone to measure my goals and hold me accountable. I forgot how good it feels to set a goal and then make yourself AND them proud.”
Today’s quickie is a just glimpse into a few of the many reasons I am a firm believer in coaches. Whether it’s a smaller goal like weight loss/learning to play guitar or a major goal, such as opening a business and making a million dollars per year, each of these things requires a coach, am I right?!
"Coaches use your time effectively and efficiently, which allows you to get laser focused on exactly what you want to do.”
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Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Jean Chatzky is an award-winning financial journalist, author, and motivational speaker. She is the TODAY Show’s financial expert, and has appeared on The View, Live!, Morning Joe, The Talk and Oprah among others. Her most recent book, AgeProof: Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip was written with the Cleveland Clinic’s chief wellness officer Dr. Michael Roizen to explain the vital connection between health and wealth — giving readers all the tactics, strategies, and know-how to live longer, healthier, more lucrative lives.
Graduating college and all “gung-ho” as she calls it, to become a journalist, Jean got her first job at a magazine called Working Woman. Recognizing that business journalism was more her speed, Jean took some time away from Working Woman and designed her own path/detour. She went on to cooking school (interesting, right?) and did some freelance work, landing her on Wall Street (the business capital of the world!).
Finally dipping her toes into the business world water, Jean had found her niche. Her experience and stock research duties on Wall Street led her to many more business/financial opportunities, which include work with personal finance magazines, becoming the Financial Editor on The Today Show, and also writing books along the way.
“I am honored and love working in so many different jobs. It’s like I’m able to put all the information into different formats. I absolutely love reporting!”
Jean is a total financial powerhouse! Her tips and advice that she shares on today’s podcast may be just the thing some of you need to hear. Over the years, I’ve learned that feeling financially secure and stable is a huge part of one’s happiness, so any time I can share tips or have a guest on with expert advice, that’s what I do!
“Financially limiting beliefs come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us don’t believe we deserve it while others are too fearful to dive into it, believing that money is too confusing, even though once you dive in and just start, you’re 99% there.”
“It’s actually very motivating once you visit your savings account after a while, and see what you have accumulated. It’s almost like, ‘I can do this! I’m a saver!’” I
f you eventually want the stability, it’s not rocket science. Just do ONE thing and save a little bit more. And it won’t hurt to start incorporating one of Jean’s powerful but simple mantras:
“Control what you can control.” Jean coaches us that we all have the ultimate say in what we choose – with both money and health. If you don’t like something, you can choose something better. You can choose to save a little bit more in your savings account. You can choose to eat a little bit healthier. You can also choose to let go of the things you can’t control and know that in the end it will be OK.
Finally, remember that focusing and fine-tuning our finances is a constant thing. Big changes don’t necessarily happen overnight. Start small, put habits in place, and you may find that both your wealth (and health) will benefit.
Visit Jean at jeanchatzky.com Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com