What’s The Price of Freedom? Grandma’s Silver?

4,200 square feet of furnishings, clothes, games, holiday décor, purses, pots, tools, picture frames.  Piano lessons, pot lucks, car pooling schedules, play dates and PTA meetings.  20 years of accumulated memories, dust and piles upon piles of stuff.

How would you feel if all of the above disappeared from your life?  And all you had was a suitcase and your family?

My dear friend and sometimes-business-partner-in-crime, Brooke Castillo, has entered into a whole new level of contrarian behavior. Enamored by the location independent lifestyle, and in a relentless pursuit of what’s possible, her family has decided to sell everything and go on a year-long travel adventure around the United States and Italy.

But why would you DO that?

I’ve had so.much.fun discussing this with people. My family, friends, hairdresser, pals on Facebook. The reactions range from curiosity and admiration to outright panic and anger.  During this interview, you’ll hear me chat about my own husband’s outrage at the thought of selling our block of kitchen knives (the horror) and my daughter’s concerns about her art supplies, friends and flute lessons.  My son’s reaction was that he could throw a few things in a duffel bag and be fine. I (obviously) am fascinated by the whole idea.

Brooke also talks about how she has enjoyed exploring the patterns and expectations we’ve created in our culture:

1) Buy a big house

2) Buy lots of stuff to fill said house

3) Work really hard to pay for the stuff and house
Tons and tons of people work ridiculous hours and rarely see their families to afford that big house and all the stuff in inside it.

Crazy.

Clever, expectation-challenging woman that she is, Brooke wondered what it would be like to be free of her material things and able to travel and live in different, exciting, life-changing locations.

How are they doing this?

Over the course of the next six months, Brooke and her family will be selling their house (they actually sold their home in 2009 and are renting a large home) and nearly every.single.thing inside it.  From July 2012 to July 2013, they’ll rent homes for a month at a time – in places like Boston, Charleston, Florida, Maui and Italy.

Each person can save one steamer trunk of stuff that will stay tucked away in a friend’s garage. What can they take with them? One, single suitcase.

The kids will be home schooled and the Castillo’s had a custom curriculum created based on the locations they’re visiting.  They will operate their business from the road.

Have a listen to this interview and ask yourself -  if you were to go on an adventure like this one….

●      What would make it into your suitcase?
●      What would you put in your trunk?
●      What in your life can you question? Either “Why am I doing this?” or “Why not?

And some really powerful questions to discuss….

●      Am I doing my best to prepare my kids for life? Am I doing my best to prepare me for life?
●      How much of my identity is tied up in my location and home?  We all know that it’s not where you live, it’s who you are.   And you’re you wherever you are.
●      Like my Emily, do you get anxious thinking about leaving your friends for a year? Friends aren’t location dependent, are they?

My favorite line of the whole interview? Brooke says that what her biggest hope for this adventure is that they will return to with “appreciation – that we would choose this (their life in California) again.”

Would you choose your current life again? Why or why not?  Leave your thoughts in the comments!  This is going to be one juicy discussion!

Did you see that text from your body? “Dude. What is up?”

I spend probably 50% of my business working with intelligent, accomplished, amazing women around the issue of weight loss.  But, that’s not really what it’s about.

Sometimes, I’ll get a Facebook message like this one, “I just don’t understand it. Just put the fork down and go exercise. Problem solved.” Calories in, calories out is only 10% of the equation. 90% is something else entirely. It’s this 90% that I help.

We humans are so hilarious. We look at our bodies, that we have overstuffed, undermoved and neglected, and blame it for the shape we are in.

Our minds. Oh, our gorgeous minds…..race with thoughts that are horrifying. A tsunami of hate for our very selves fills our time and our cells.

When all the while…

Our feet asked to please go faster and farther.
Our calves ache to be flexed.
Our thighs wonder if they will ever stretch again.
Our hips cradle our pain with grace.
Our stomachs expand supernaturally and cover for us.
Our backs feel as if they will break under the weight of it all, but carry on.
Our arms go soft with longing to be useful.
Our shoulders slump and ask our feet if anything is going to start moving soon.
Emotions are trapped in a body that doesn’t process them.

Guess what? Your body is pissed off and has every right to be. It is an employer that has been taking crap from it’s employee (the mind) for far too long. The not so civil war is over, and a revolution is here.

It’s not about scale weight. It’s about truth. And, you can’t find that in a box of oreos.

Join us www.theweightschool.com.

Life Coach Susan Hyatt explains ways to reach those New Years resolutions:

Part One:

Part Two:

I’ll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours

Confession: I’ve been married twice. To the same dude. Yep. Scott Hyatt and I were so ridiculously in love, that when he was offered a job far, far away, while we were engaged, instead of waiting until the church wedding to be married and together, we eloped. And then lied to my parish priest about it so that we could still have a church wedding. My mom? Horrified.

Would you believe that for years (years!) I didn’t want anyone to know that we eloped first. I mean, after all, I lied to a priest. I’m surely going to burn in hell. Ridiculous, right? Because I bet you just read my little confession and thought “That Susan! She.is.hilarious.”

At least I hope that’s what you thought. 

But even if you didn’t find that particular story side-splittingly-funny, you probably like me a little better for being open, honest, vulnerable and a little bit weird.

You guys. There is nothing better than being who you are and letting your freak flag fly.

A watered down version of you isn’t really you. We often tell ourselves that it’s safer to blend in – don’t sing so loud, don’t wear that purple dress, don’t pipe up in the middle of that never-ending meeting.

But people-pleasing your way into a job you hate? Or settling for a mediocre match that’s made in hell? Or emotionally eating your way to 50 extra pounds doesn’t seem very “safe,” does it? Being anyone other than yourself is unkind and unsafe. Dare I say, violent to your self. Also: really, really boring.

Here’s how to fly your freak flag with joy, honesty and love:

Get honest with yourself.
Tell someone you can trust – even if it’s just your journal. But get it out. What do you really want? It’s okay if your dreams seem out of reach, over the top or just plain weird. Be honest, girl.

Make a pact with yourself that you’ll start small, but that you’ll start now.
Tiny tweaks. Baby steps. So you want to perform a number at a local jazz club? Start listening to some Billie Holiday. Google voice teachers. Troll Amazon.com for elbow length gloves.

Seek out a crew of like-minded people who will help you raise your freak flag.
Harry Potter had Ron and Hermione. Jesus had his apostles. Start assembling your tribe.

Decide that you matter.
Your happiness is not a matter of convenience. It needs to be front and center. You and your fantastic, freaky dreams are a priority.

Expand your thoughts and vision of what’s possible with each passing week.
Write your own End Game and Manifesto. What is that big, juicy, freaky dream going to look like when you get there? How is it going to feel you when belt out those notes for a crowd, cross that finish line, cash your first self-employed paycheck?

What does your freak flag look like? Are you being true to yourself?

… to end the struggle.

Visit www.theweightschool.com on January 16th for the unveiling of something awesome…

It’s official: the holiday season is in full swing.

Eggnog. Mile-long lines at the mall. Gingerbread houses. Holiday parties and family reunions galore (over and river and through the woods to your mother-in-law’s house you go!).

Wuh-oh.

It’s a fact: the holidays can get tough- really tough- on your wallet, your self-esteem, and your waistline if you are not intentionally creating what you want. But not THIS year. THIS year will be different.

This year, you can make a change. What makes me say that? Honey, I wrote the book on holiday survival… literally.

Presenting (drumroll please) my ideal holiday workbook and coaching videos:

‘This Ain’t Yo Mama’s Christmas’.

This baby’s got it all. It’s chock full of detailed how-to’s, from planning your holiday budget to deepening family communication and ramping up those god-awful traditions. It’s a playbook for your most peaceful, joyful season yet.

And, It’s yours FREE. Totally free. Just enter your name and email address in the space below, and dive in!

Curious how This Ain’t Yo Mama’s Christmas can improve your holiday?

Here are some sneak preview tips that’ll get you on the road to calm + bright… right away.

1. Bag it, Baby!

What is it you dread the most about the holidays? Running all over town buying things and feeling empty? Agreeing, once again, to host the holiday bake-a-thon in your kitchen? Attending three different holiday dinners because your extended family expect you to?

Make a list, and check it twice. Congratulations- you’ve just pinpointed exactly what you won’t be doing this holiday season.

2. Create one new holiday tradition that is all about connecting with the people you love.

Bag the bake-a-thon, add the “technology free night.”

3. Donate or give to someone needy.

While you give thanks for your family and your blessings, it’s always important to give to those who need it. Here are a few of my favorite charities to donate to over the holidays:

Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas charity.
The Angel Giving Tree
(This charity helps Christmas wishes come true for children in need. It’s simple- pick an angel and buy one of the suggested gifts. You’ll light up a kid’s whole holiday.)
Write Girl
Operation Once in a Lifetime
(A charity for servicemen and their families)
Toys for Tots
Trees for Troops

4. Let your loved ones off of the hook.

You heard me.
Stop bugging your Great Uncle John about his diabetes. Don’t lay into your 19 year old niece for getting another piercing. Let Grandma sleep in that chair for as long as she likes. Don’t try to force-feed your father gluten-free Christmas cookies if he doesn’t want them. And the fourth time your cousin asks you what the heck it is you do again… smile, and give him your best cocktail pitch. You may just land yourself a new client!
What was that little ditty everyone taught you in kindergarten? ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Yeah, that one. You better believe that applies to the holidays

5. Be still. Connect with yourself.

Be sure to set aside time for yourself. If you do yoga regularly, make sure you don’t slack, no matter how busy you get. The time to breathe, be still and centered is now, more than ever.

Some people look shocked when I remind them to keep their fitness and health routines up during the holidays. They’re absolutely floored I would encourage them to seek refuge from the holiday squabbles and calorie overloads in a little workout.

Local 7's Stefanie Martinez sits down with life coach Susan Hyatt to talk about dysfunctional family bingo, which may help getting through the stressful holidays

It’s not just a good idea- one of the most important things you’ll do for yourself.

I hope these ideas make the holidays a little easier on you.

Post your own holiday survival tips and ideas for spankin’ new holiday traditions in the comments below.

Wishing you all the joys of the season, with all the love in my heart.

Xo,

Susan

Gather round, team. We’re about to learn a lesson via football analogy and a 13-year-old honey badger.

My son Ryan is struggling with seventh grade algebra. He has a D. Now, he has this grade not because he’s bad at math. He has this grade, because for the first time in his school career, he has to actually study to get a good grade. Imagine! Studying to get the grades you want!

And, the grade isn’t what’s winding me up. It’s not so much about him getting the A as it is about him trying and learning.

With three weeks left in the grading period, my little man has announced that he’ll just “start over” next quarter. Clearly, in his mind, it’s too late to do anything about it now. I was doing my best not to go all “southern mama meets Bon Qui Qui” on him, but the boy is a .5 away from a C!

When I heard this, I knew it was time to pull out the big guns – which, when you’re dealing with this particular teenage boy – are football analogies. Ryan is a fierce middle line backer, so I asked him if he’d walk off the field during a game, if there were three minutes left.

No way! Absolutely not. Kah-ray-zee cray cray talk.

Why? Because a lot can happen in three minutes in a football game.

Right? Right.

It’s December. With all the parties and the cookies and a million obligations, a lot of us will walk off of the field during the holidays.

Don’t.

There are three minutes left in the game and you deserve to play hard until the clock runs out. Leave it all on the field.

Here are some valid reasons for an unhealthy, inactive lifestyle:
1) Zombies have taken over the world, you’re trapped in a 7-11 and can only consume Pringles and Mountain Dew
2) After a reality TV marathon, your butt has actually fused to the sofa and you’re incapable of eating anything outside of arm’s reach
3) Like the classic “Would you rather?” question, you have buckets instead of feet.

Reasons that are not valid:
1) I’m too busy
2) I’m tired
3) The weather’s bad
4) My yoga pants make my butt look flat and wide
5) The newest episode of The Office is on and I need to catch up on Dwight and Jim’s shenanigans

and the big one:

6) I don’t have enough time

Come on now. That’s not a good reason! It’s not even creative. More importantly: it’s a big, fat lie and excuse.

I’ve coached women who have five kids, work full time and still make time to move their bodies and shop for healthy food. And, yes, they still find time to sleep. (No, they aren’t taking any recreational drugs either.)

Time is a mindset and a choice. When you are aligned and committed, you can create time.

Here’s how:

Develop a morning ritual
It’s incredibly easy to roll out of bed, stuff your maw with some delicious processed carbohydrates (cheese danish, I’m looking at you) and guzzle coffee while you sit in traffic, cursing the other drivers. But what if you got up 30 minutes earlier and spent that time meditating? Or doing a bit of yoga while the sun rises? Or cooking up an egg white omelet while you listen to holiday music? Doesn’t that sound nice? And don’t you think things would run a bit more smoothly (and healthily) if you started off your day on the right foot?

I think so. That’s why I created the Dial It Up worksheet. Download it, use it, change your days.

Create a ‘Stop Doing’ List
The things that you don’t do are often just as (if not more) important than the things you do. If a certain behavior/activity/choice is eating into your time, choose to stop doing it. It’s not always easy, but few things worth doing are.

Possible items for the ‘Stop Doing’ list: checking or responding to work emails outside of work hours, watching TV shows you don’t totally love, committing to things that don’t light your fire, baking 15 different types of Christmas cookies, saying ‘yes’ when you want to say ‘no.’ You’d be amazed how much time you have once you stop filling up your schedule with junk mail, junk obligations, junk situations, and yes, junk food.

Delegate
We all love to believe we’re the only ones who know how to Do Things Correctly. Obviously, the world will cease to spin if someone else makes Thanksgiving dinner, picks up the kids from soccer practice or organizes the sock drawer. Everyone else is simply incapable of doing these things.

Nope. Sorry. This is not actually true. Shockingly, there are other people in your life who can do these things. They might not do them in exactly the same way (because nobody can beat your pumpkin pie) but they can do them. And when they’re doing them, you’ll have the time you need to build the healthy, active life you want. So don’t be afraid to ask you spouse, kids or co-worker to pull their weight. They might just welcome the opportunity!

Realize that for things to be different, you have to change your thinking and you have to do something different.
It’s honestly no joke that your mornings shape your day. Understand that you need to stop doing things that eat up your spare time and don’t excite you. Know that you are not responsible every.last.detail in your husband’s/children’s/friends’ lives.

There are 24 hours in a day. We all get the same amount (ain’t that fair?) What are you going to do with yours? I’d love to hear your very own tips on how to combat the nasty excuses in your head. Share please!

Worried about paying your mortgage… but hate your gig simultaneously?  My inbox, Facebook, and Twitter are full to bursting with your coaching questions.

Loads of you are scared about your jobs.

I get it. You took the job to make the money, and while you’re grateful for the paycheck and the blessings it provides… you’re exhausted. You’re miserable. You don’t want to get out of bed. Why?

Because your career or business is sucking you dry.

Your mind is churning mind crack….
• What if I’m fired?
• What if this is all there is?
• What if I can’t make it work?
• What if someone finds out that I want to blow this popsicle stand?
• What if I’m not cut out for anything better?

Don’t believe your fear. Trust your possibilities.

by lemasney

You know what I’ve learned? Work doesn’t have to be a prison. And the truth is, if you spend time obsessing about the negative “what ifs,” you’re stealing away from your real life.

It really is possible to wake up so pumped about work that you can’t imagine not rocking your gig!  It can be your reality to walk into your workplace every day and feel breathlessly excited to be there… while still being able to take vacations and buy braces for your kids. Work can be fun. It can be fulfilling.

Truth is, I’d rather live in a tent (ok, maybe it’d look more like “glamping”) than force myself into a professional life that goes against my strengths and interests. Because I’ve reinvented myself professionally three times…. from Marketing and Promotions Director, to stay at home mom, to residential realtor, to Author/Life Coach/Speaker/Luck Creator…and lived to write the tale, I can report that it’s not only possible, it’s profitable.

And you know what? I’ve discovered something: when you follow your true interests, your world opens up with more possibilities than you can imagine.

I can hear your mind crack… “What’s the sense of taking a risk in times like these? What if I fail? How will I survive?”

Look, I’m not telling you to quit your job tomorrow, or even the next day. Taking risks is an essential part of life.  Yet, it’s important to look before you leap…so that you don’t land in job rebound poo. Here are a few action steps to take before you get cracking on your career shift.

3 steps to pursuing your dreams without winding up homeless:

1. Establish a transition plan.

Discuss it with your partner, if you have one, or a trusted friend. Get their feedback. Be real and honest with yourself.

Bank some coin.

Set a date. Crafting an exit creates a shift. A deadline. Peace.

2. Create a business plan.

Turn toward your money. Budget your savings. Know what’s coming in and what’s going to go out.

3. Good fear, or lies?

Know the difference between fear that is valid, and the lies you’re telling yourself.  Something that is wrong for you, will not just feel scary, but sickening, like poison. That’s very different from something that your soul craves, but is just worried about the “how.”  And, often, something that terrifies you, is exactly where your soul wants to go.

The cure for fear?  Approach your future like an explorer, with curiosity.

• What if you finally show up for yourself?
• What if you allow yourself to look crazy for five minutes, and create something amazing?
• What if you decide that you will not spend another minute longer bound by golden (or not so golden) handcuffs?
• What if you remembered that what you think is more important than what everyone else thinks?

Well? You don’t want to end up like Bon Qui Qui at King Burger do you? Security!

Think about it.  And then, post on the blog your own top tips for overcoming fear and stuckness.