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Smart Women Have Their Own Hermageddon

Guest post by: Joy Chudacoff

Article Overview: This article is about the importance of taking a time out for yourself. If you are truly ready to make a change in your life and start living differently, there is no better way than to go on retreat and recharge and renew your mindset.

Smart Women Have Their Own Hermageddon

Did you hear about “Carmageddon?” Several weeks ago, the 405 freeway (noted to be one of the busiest freeways in the nation) that runs through Los Angeles closed for a weekend period of 53 hours for repairs. This created a frenzy here in Los Angeles called “Carmageddon” which forced residents to think creatively about their weekend travel plans. Many people (including yours truly) decided to stay home and avoid any hassles. I made a firm decision that if I couldn’t get to my destination on foot or by bicycle, I’d just stay home. This got me thinking about how Smart Women create their own “Hermageddon” to relax, recharge, renew and repair their own lives.

In my work with women, I often suggest they take an exit ramp from their day to day routine to contemplate where they are now and where they want to go – both in their business and personal lives. This is typically met with a big gulp, heavy sigh and: “You mean alone, by myself?” “I don’t have time!” “Who will take care of everything while I’m gone?” Because you play many roles in your life, it can be challenging to imagine leaving your current life for even an hour, much less an entire weekend. In my own experience, it is one of the best ways to find crystal clear clarity and focus around designing both a business and personal life that reflects your core values.

When you have the opportunity to step away from your day-to-day responsibilities and open your mind to quiet, peaceful reflection, magical things happen; you manifest answers to nagging questions, generate ideas about what you can change and accept what you cannot change.

Here’s the interesting fact: “Carmaggedon” came and went without a major glitch. Why? Because the city of Los Angeles prepared for the traffic interruption.

If you are ready to get crystal clear on the vision for your future, I invite you to take these 5 action steps to plan your exit for 24-48 hours (or longer if you can manage it):

1. Set a date – Pull out your calendar and decide when you want to take an exit ramp from your daily life. There will never be a good time so pick a date that works reasonably well for you.

2. Choose an environment – Where will you retreat? Do you enjoy the mountains, ocean? Do you want a spa retreat or just the basics?

3. Give everyone plenty of notice – This is an essential key. Make sure everyone who’s a key player in your life knows when you are leaving and returning. When everyone understands the plan, they are more likely to jump on board and be supportive of your needs.

4. Pack your bag for success – You’ll need very little. Comfy clothes, shoes for walking, a journal, pens, highlighters, oversized white post-it paper for visioning, colorful markers, your favorite tunes. (I always include a favorite bubble bath gel as I’m a big fan of taking baths.)

5. Shut down – If you want to have 100% success, I invite you to completely shut down while you are away. Leave your emails, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn behind. You may need your phone for emergencies or to call your family at bedtime to say goodnight but otherwise, press the off button.

As I write this article, I’m sitting at my desk enjoying my own “Hermaggedon.” Yep, my hubby and kids went to Palm Desert this weekend to visit grandparents. I stayed behind to vision, create, write and prepare for my preferred future.

You can do it too. You can have your own “Hermaggedon.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

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Article Tags: business, carmaggedon, mindset, retreat, Smart, smart women, success, Women



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Re: Why aren't there more women entrepreneurs? - My opinion on this (being a women, and being disabled), is; Women in general like security. Women are the caretakers, in general. In the work environment we are the one to have children. We are the ones who leave work to do this. We deal with a stigma that we are bad mothers if we work, but we are a bad mother if we do not work. I feel there is no way a man could ever understand this. Sure they can try, and some do a good job of it, however they truly do not understand. How could they?? Being a entrepreneur is throwing cation to the wind. It takes believing in yourself. It takes a women who can have someone say no, put us down or just plan old negativity and for us to turn it around. Women who can do this are called names, while men in the business world are just expected to have a thick skin. Studies show in the work environment that women are more apt to be bullies. Women are more apt to turn on each other. We expect more out of each other. Many women also use the work environment to socialize and to find a mate. Men and women are not created equal. Once we understand this and take what we are and "run" with it; the better all of us will be. Women business owners, women entrepreneurs are still considered a minority. Since there are more women then men in this world, some day this will turn around. This too is why men need to protect themselves and keep us under some kind of control. What bothers me to no end is when women give in to the mans world using sex as a selling tool. We need strong women leaders, not those who use their bodies as a step up. This is just my opinion on this subject.


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