It’s Monday, which means it’s time to introduce you to another influential woman through the Moments that Matter series. I’m excited to have Emily Swanda sharing her story on the blog today. I first met Emily a few months ago when our paths crossed in one of the many groups that we’re in. Since then, I have come to admire and look up to Emily for her passion to help moms through her Facebook group (more on that later). I hope you’ll enjoy her story of how she got where she is today by choosing courage over comfort.
In general I don’t consider myself a risk taker or a person who has wild and crazy dreams. I’m pretty traditional and like routine, consistency and to play it safe.
During my childhood I loved school, got good grades and stayed out of trouble. As a Type A personality I planned everything out and kept my nose to the grindstone even during college. I felt successful, but I never really pushed myself outside of my comfort zone.
The fact that I launched my coaching business last year was a huge milestone for me because I finally got the courage to break free from my comfort zone, take a risk and start working on the biggest dream of my life. It was a time in my life when I finally felt confident in myself and felt that I had value to share with other women.
What made me finally take action?
I was tired of envying other coaches in the online world and new that if they could do it, then so could I.
I was tired of wondering what my life would be like if I was a coach and wanted to see it for myself.
I was tired of complacency. I wanted to grow as an individual and I wanted to make a contribution to the world by using my talents and gifts.
I began to realize that I had the internal drive and motivation to begin building my coaching business. It would be a long road, with lots to learn and several obstacles to cross, but I made a decision that I would do what it took and move a step forward each day.
I can’t take all the credit for my big, bold move. I have to acknowledge the love and support from my husband who always has my back. When the self-doubt started taking over, he was there to remind me that I am capable of great things.
He was there for me when I decided to quit my full-time preschool teaching job 5 years ago and work on growing the housecleaning business that I started back in college.
He showed the same support as I launched this business. I can’t even count how many hours he has listened to my business ideas and things that I hope to accomplish in the future.
Each day I show up in my business with a mixture of feelings and thoughts.
Am I good enough?
Do I have what it takes?
Am I talented enough?
Can I create products and programs that women want?
Does anyone really care what I have to say?
What if I fail?
What if I succeed?
What will I do to celebrate my first 5-figure month?
How much impact can I make in the world?
Will my work inspire someone else to work on their dreams?
Finally being in a profession that I feel so passionate about is liberating, exhilarating and so exciting. I love being able to help women on a deeper level than just by cleaning their homes and making their life a little less stressful. But it never felt like “enough”.
I can now make a bigger impact on their lives and teach them skills that they can use the rest of their lives. I get to show women what it’s like to live life with a well designed plan to reach success.
One of the main lessons I try to teach all my clients is that belief in yourself is the first step of reaching all your dreams. My life didn’t start feeling “right” until I decided to believe in myself and go for it. Like the quote says, “All good things are on the other side of fear.”
If you find yourself tossing an idea around in the back of your mind as to what you want your future to look like, don’t neglect it. That idea is there for a reason. Really consider the possibility of it coming true.
I am a prime example of someone who almost didn’t make her dream come true. We are all meant for great things. It’s time to free yourself from all those self-limiting beliefs.
About the Author
Emily Swanda is a Productivity and Success Coach for women who want to design their ideal, meaningful life. She helps women look at all areas of life and build it in a unique way that feels right for them. When your life feels good to you and is bringing you the meaning you desire, everything falls into place and you are on your way to massive success and happiness. As a wife and mother of two very active boys and owner of two businesses, she relies on strategic systems to help her stay organized, achieve her goals and design the life she wants.
You can find her at Emprovedlife.com or in her Facebook group: bit.ly/empireofmoms
