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Calling all Gutsy Girls. Stand up & Shout out!

posted 22nd May 2009    Written by: Molly Hoyne    CATEGORY: All Posts, Events, Tips & Tools

Wednesday night was a treat! The lululemon store in Pacific Place hosted 35 Gutsy Girls for an hour of “stratejoyzing” & then served up delicious strawberries, chocolate & chair massages with Claire from 5Focus.  We connected, we laughed & we jammed about living life on purpose.

For those of you who couldn’t make it out (and for those of you readers who aren’t in Seattle), I don’t want to you to miss out on all the great ground we covered!  Thus, I am writing a 3 part series on the program! Grab your journal, put your thinking cap on & do some exploration with me.

Living Life on Purpose: A Gutsy Girl’s Guide to Success

By the end of this 3 part series you’ll have a handle on what this phrase means, ’cause we’re going to break it down, bit by bit.  Did I mention it’s interactive?  Participation is requested, well actually, it’s required!  I suppose I will never know if you don’t answer the questions I’m posing, but those of you who leave a comment with your answers win gold starts & undying adoration from me…

Seriously, who wouldn’t want that?

First, introductions.

“I’m Molly, the gutsy entrepreneur who loves belly laughs & is seeking a tribe.”

Who are you?  It’s as easy as completing a little mad lib style nametag:  “I’m NAME, the ADJECTIVE NOUN, who loves NOUN & is seeking NOUN.”  Get it?  Good!  This is the first part of your posted comment!

WHAT DO I MEAN BY GUTSY?

When I tell woman about what I do for a living (I run a fabulous company that offers workshops, keynote speeches & online resources to build a community of women leading authentically joyous lives), there is one response I get all of the time.

“Oh my gosh, Molly.  That is so cool, so needed right now.   I have a friend who could really use your workshop.  She’s graduating/going through a quarter life crisis/just got divorced/lost her job/is a new mom and could use some time to get reconnected with her life & the things that bring her joy.”

I tell you– this is the classic response.  And I don’t doubt that there is a friend out there that would really benefit from a workshop.  But there seems to be some sort of stigma about saying “You know what?  I bet I could gain some clarity & excitement by spending time really thinking about my life & what makes me truly happy.”

Of course you could!  We all lead such busy lives & are constantly being pulled in several directions.  It’s rare to find a women who feels like she’s totally dialed in with herself.  The majority of us are just trying to get through the day- working hard, playing hard & figuring it out as we go along.  I get that. Life’s a journey & we’re doing the best we can.

But I truly believe that our lives can be led gracefully & with more meaning when you take time to connect with yourself. When you take time to strip away the social self that tries to keep up with everyone else’s expectations & live more in tune with your authentic core.  When you challenge yourself to step up to the plate of truly loving the life you live.

“You did then what you knew how to do and when you knew better… you did better.”
–Maya Angelou–

Long story to get to the point…  Let’s try this again!

WHAT DO I MEAN BY GUTSY?

I think it takes guts to say you’re committed to tackling the hard work of happiness.  I think it takes guts to admit that you might not know how to navigate a new phase of your life.  I think it takes guts to carve out time for yourself to define & go after your version of an authentically joyous life.

A gutsy girls listens to her intuition.  She surrounds herself with supportive company & stands up to naysayers.  She admits when shit has hit the fan or when her life feels off course AND she does something about it.  A gusty girl has the strength to live by her own compass, her own north star. A gutsy girl stands up for her beliefs, her passions & her place in the world. She goes after the big dreams without stepping on others in the process. A gutsy girl truly loves herself, her companions, her neighbors, her world.  She knows deep in her soul that there is enough of all that is wonderful to go around.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
This is the second part of your posted comment!

•    What is your definition of a gutsy girl?
•    When did you last exhibit gusty girl spirit?

I can’t wait to hear what you think.  Gold stars all around, you gutsy girl you.

photo credit: ken mahar

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Meet the Team Behind Joyful Living

posted 11th May 2009    Written by: Molly Hoyne    CATEGORY: All Posts, Stratejoy the Biz

School’s almost out for the summer!  For most university women that means a break from classes, a summer job or two & perhaps kicking back with old pals.  For three special ladies- it means a Stratejoy Internship!  These spunky powerhouses are going to be the marketing brains & brawn behind a bunch of exciting projects over the next few months…

Stay tuned.  There are amazing new advances in building our community of gutsy women living authentically joyous lives coming soon.  We’re wiggling with excitement over here as we work on a Lifestyle Design Video Course, a “Gutsy Girl’s Guide to Success” workshop aimed specifically at college girls & a national speaking tour!  (Okay, okay- the speaking tour is still on the wish list!)

Without further ado…. I’d like to introduce the bevy of beauties below!

Summer 2009 Street Team

KRISTY HOGUE, UW

1.  What is your definition of joy?
Joy is enjoying the things in life that take advantage of the best of who you are, challenge you, and keep you engaged, passionate, and motivated.

2.  What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?
I’ve always wanted to learn how to become a better photographer. I took one photography class some years back and want to explore the medium more.

3.  What ice cream topping is most like you?
Dark chocolate fudge sauce because it’s a unique twist on a traditional favorite and while it may be a striking change at first, it grows on people. Dark chocolate also rides the line between “indie” and “trendy,” while always remaining slightly sophisticated.

4. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Paragliding! My stomach was in my throat the seconds before I took off last summer in Switzerland, but once I was soaring above the Alps I realized that not only was I safe, but that it was the most amazing, beautiful thing I’d ever experienced!

5. What do you crave?
Intellectual and artistic creativity. I love stumbling on people who have new ways to think about things — whether it’s through a piece of writing, a painting or craft, or a new theory. Creativity always leads to the most interesting, stimulating conversations.

LAUREN SHILDMYER, UW

1.  What is your definition of joy?
I believe that real joy manifests when you know what you’re doing, love what you’re doing, and believe in what you’re doing.

2. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?

I would love to travel to India and study in an Ashram.

3.  What ice cream topping is most like you?

Strawberries! Because I am loyal, honest, and trustworthy.  Strawberries, as a mix-in, will never let you down!

4. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
White water rafting in Costa Rica (Class 4). My raft tipped half way down a considerable drop and my tail bone made friends with one too many rocks!
5. What do you crave?
I crave buffalo wings! Too often!

NATALIE CERDA, SEATTLE U

1.  What is your definition of joy?

Joy is the feeling you get when your mood can do nothing but lift up.  It starts with a smile and leads to a sense of confidence in yourself.
2. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?

Communication, to better understand the world & the people around me, to be able to build a dialogue and help them learn about themselves and perhaps better understand myself.

3.  What ice cream topping is most like you?

Colorful gumballs… Even though there are a variety of colors, each individual one has its own unique flavor that is loved. Together they are a party, but separately each retains the ability to stand out.

4. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Standing in front of someone I love and care about most and telling them the truth.

5. What do you crave?
I crave being active in life.  I like to stay busy doing something, even if it’s just kickin’ back and watching movies or hanging out with those I care about.

What the heck are you going to do, Molly?

I knew you were going to ask…  Don’t worry!  Even with this rockin’ team at the helm, I still have plenty to do.  I am creating content to bring you brand new Joy 101 classes, refining the Lifestyle Design Workshop so you learn the most powerful clairity exercises & goal setting processes,  and concentrating on booking speaking gigs so I can spread the Authentic Happiness movement near & far. Plus running a small biz, networking, researching, going to workshops myself, writing blogs, reading, connecting with you on Twitter & Facebook, leading Club ReFresh and doing my own personal work on living an authentically joyous existence.

And because I also knew you were going to ask…  Here’s my answers!

MOLLY HOYNE, THE WORLD

1.  What is your definition of joy?

Joy is knowing what you want your life to stand for & having the ability to express it every day.  It’s being connected to your authentic self & understanding that you create your own happiness. Joyful living is the lighthearted journey towards acceptance, goodness & fulfillment.
2. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?

One thing?  How about 100 things?  At the moment, relearning to play the piano (rock/pop singalong songs only) & speaking passable Spanish are at the top of my list.

3.  What ice cream topping is most like you?

Let’s go with chocolate covered pretzels.  Classic, but with a twist.  They seem sweet & mild on the outside, but inside they’re a little salty, with real substance to them.

4. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Starting my own business was/is scary because I’m sharing my passion with the world, the ideas & opinions that really mean something to me.  It’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

5. What do you crave?
I crave rejuvenation in nature, fresh mangoes, brand new markers, back of the neck kisses & connecting with other curious people.

So…. What are your answers to the five questions we’ve answered?  Share below or post on your own blog & leave the link for us to explore!

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Lululemon + Stratejoy = Free Event!

posted 2nd May 2009    Written by: Molly Hoyne    CATEGORY: All Posts, Events

What’s it going to take to rock your world?

Join us at this free event! Starting at 6 pm at the lululemon Store in Pacific Place, I will share secrets to kicking butt & taking names on your own terms. It’s a mini workshop/life check-in/inspirational hour…

At 7 pm, there will be time for nibbles, shopping & free chair massages! And of course a little gutsy girl networking.

Can’t wait to see you all there!

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