Dream BIG in 2012!

2012 is literally just around the corner.  I can clearly remember this time last year and I am in awe that time has flown by so quickly.

I think one of the biggest mistakes I made in 2011 is not setting enough goals.  Actually I think my goal for 2011 was simply to be 'better', a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better person. Not that there is anything wrong with that goal however I think my lack of goals resulted in me not excelling the way I could have done.

2012 will be a different year because I have BIG AUDACIOUS goals for next year.  One of the things that was almost depleted in 2011 was my level of 'expectations', that is such a dangerous place to be in simply because in life, you get what you EXPECT!

If you expect to get things wrong you will get things wrong.  If you expect to get things right you will get things right.  If you expect to lose you will lose, if you expect to win you will win.  If you expect to fail you will fail, if you expect to succeed GUESS WHAT?

2012 is the year for BIG DREAMS to be manifest.  It is a huge year for us Brits for a number of reasons, the Olympics, the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the 5th Anniversary of the annual Dare to Dream conference. (http://www.women-r-mad.com/)

I want to encourage you to DREAM BIG in 2012.  Despite the recession, the news reports, the economy and your circumstances DREAM BIG!  You only have one life and one chance to live it so why not live it FULLY and TO THE MAX!

Below I have suggested 3 things you can do in 2012 to assist you along your journey of living the life of your dreams.

1. Set at least 12 BIG AUDACIOUS goals. 

I'm talking about the kind of goals that people would laugh at.  Did you know the number one reason why most people never achieve their goals?? Because they never set any! Don't settle for less in 2012, DREAM BIG.  Write that book, start that business, go for that promotion, visit that country, think and live outside the box, there is no time like the present to live the life of your dreams.

2. Read a 'Better' Book.

The kind of book that will enable and empower you to become 'better'.  Whether it be in love, life, business, fitness, health or otherwise.  I can honestly say that I have read so many books that have literally CHANGED my life.  I haven't always been a lover of books but it is a habit that can easily be developed.  All the secrets of success are hidden in the pages of a great book.

3. Live life on Purpose.

If you don't know what your purpose in life is, the time to find out is NOW.  You only have one life to live and you only get one chance to live it.  This is NOT a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing.  Today is yesterday’s tomorrow.  This simply means that there will come a day when you will run out of time.  Don't keep putting things off, stop saying 'I will get it done tomorrow', or 'I will do that thing in the future'.  This is it, the time is NOW. Make 2012 be the year when you did the thing you have always wanted to do. 

Imagine looking back in December 2012 and being proud of yourself because you did at least ONE thing that you have wanted to do for years.  Imagine......

You can do it. 

Dream BIG in 2012....I DARE YOU!!

Dare to Dream 2012 is a great place to start if you need inspiration for 2012 click on the link to register http://www.women-r-mad.com/

All the best for Christmas and the New Year and if you like what you have read please leave a comment and share with a friend.

Until next time

Karen. x

Mummy makes the world go round!!

I woke up this morning and thought about how challenging and rewarding it is to be a mother.

As a mother of five children every day I get to experience the high highs and low lows of motherhood, sometimes I love it, other times not so much!

It was never one of my dreams to have a big family, actually my plan was not to have children I thought my life would be one which was carefree, however God had other plans for me and I'm so grateful he did.  Being a mother is not easy, it is not stress free and more often than not mistakes are made but it is by far one of the most inspiring jobs in the world!

Last week I got a call from Cassandra a good friend of mine who wanted to know how I did it!
'How I did what?' I thought. 
How do you manage to do all you do with so many children? 
Great question!!

If you are a mother reading this I want to hopefully encourage you with the same words I used to encourage Cass.  In a nutshell my answer was threefold...

1. By the grace of God

I could not do what I do without God's help.  Like I said I had no intention of being a mother of five so I had no perfect plan but God did.  He will never give us more than we can bear.  Motherhood can be so overwhelming at times, with school runs, packed lunches, lost shoes, can't find the book bags, homework, after school clubs, cooking dinner, getting them to eat the dinner, bath, reading books and bedtime....it's enough to drive even the most sane amoung us over the edge.  BUT GOD!!!

2. Don't be too hard on yourself

You won't always get it right.  By all means draw up an ideal daily schedule and stick to it as closely as you possibly can but don't be hard on yourself if you miss the mark.  Motherhood is not just about doing, which is where we spend most of our time and energy, its about BEING.  Are you being KIND, are you being LOVING, are you being CONSISTENT are you being PATIENT? 

We must spend as much  (if not more) time on BEING the best mother we can and cut yourself some slack if things don't always go as planned.  Also don't expect yourself to do things in the same way and at the same pace as you did before you had children and to add to that don't expect to move at the same pace after you've had the third, fourth and fifth child!! (that's if you have as many as I do :-))

3. You are doing a GREAT job!

So many mothers fail to hear these words but you are, YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB!  If you were not the best person for that job you would not have been blessed with that child or those children.  We can always improve and I encourage you to embark upon or continue on the journey of self development both you and your children will benefit.  But along the way remember you are doing a great job. 

I told Cass that as long as we focus on the fundamentals, the things that are really important to us concerning raising amazing children, as long as we continually focus on doing our best, God will honour our efforts and He will do the rest.

It is you MUMMY who makes this world go round, so keep it moving!!

Until next time,

Be the best and if you enjoyed this blog share with a friend and leave a comment!

Karen. xx

11.11.11 - The worst of times, the best of times!

I did some research into the meaning of the number ELEVEN (11)  I wanted to find out if it was significant in anyway.  To be honest with you what I discovered did not encourage me initially until I delved deeper and uncovered something very powerful about the number ELEVEN (11).

The number ELEVEN (11) in Biblical terms marks, disorder, disorganization, disintegration and imperfection.

In many ways not good at first glance HOWEVER the great thing about this discovery is that hidden within the very essence of these words which each have negative descriptions and connotations, is a word that means the exact opposite.  If the words are taken at face value then hope could easily be replaced by despair, confidence overshadowed by dismay and faith could be erased by doubt.

But within the very words themselves is a ray of sunshine, a silver lining, a glimmer of hope!!

I liken my discovery to life itself. 

Sometimes on the surface things may appear as though all hope is lost.  For the past few years the economy has taken a downturn and for many people the effects have been devastating. Homes have been repossessed, relationships have broken down and families have been destroyed. 

Many people have lost their jobs, their businesses and their livelihood due to this on going recession that seems to be no respector of persons.

For many, many people these are dark times.

I think it was Franklin D Roosevelt who said, concerning the great depression 'It was the best of times and it was the worst of times'.  A powerful statement, but what does it mean?  In my interpretation it simply means that 'the times', whatever you may be experiencing, is what YOU make it.  This could be the BEST time of your life or the WORST.  You get to choose!!

Now you may disagree with me and that's fine however, what I am confident of is the fact that no-one or no-thing has the power to make or break you unless you give them permission to do so.  You may do so consciously or subconsciously but the power is first yours and YOU get to decide what to do with it.

Today is the 11.11.11 and on the surface you may be going through what appears to be the WORST of times.  You may have been affected tragically by this economic downturn or it may be some other personal challenge that you are faced with. I want to encourage you to take a moment and dig deeper, look further into your situation and see what you find.

There is ALWAYS a ray of sunshine, there is ALWAYS a silver lining, there is ALWAYS a glimmer of hope.

Going back to my research into the Biblical meaning if the number ELEVEN (11) at first glance what I found was disorder, disorganization, disintegration and imperfection but as I dug deeper and looked further what I discovered was in the midst of these words were ORDER, ORGANIZATION, INTEGRATION and PERFECTION!

I believe that regardless how good or bad this year has been for you thus far (and for me it has been one of THE most challenging to date!!)  today, the 11.11.11 can be the first day of the BEST years of your life.

Be encouraged and be the best!!

If you enjoyed reading this post, please read others that I have written, make a comment below and forward to a friend!!

Until next time,

Karen

I can't do this...YES U CAN!

 I have been blessed with four boys aged 1,3,5 and 7!

They are amazing, I call them the four kings of Rochester (that's where I live!)

When I was pregnant with my third and forth child I went through a very challenging time emotionally, there was a lot going on in my life and there were a few occasions when I questioned my ability to overcome the challenge set before me. 

My last son Ashton, was born on December 13th 2009 and when I went into labour I was quite calm and relaxed as so many people told me it would be a 'breeze' giving birth because he was my fourth child.  I really believed that I would experience very little pain because I had done this three times before.  HOW WRONG I WAS! I often say to people, giving birth on that forth occasion almost killed me!!

It was soooooo painful the thought of it still almost brings tears to my eyes.

There was a point during the height of a very painful labour when the contractions were coming fast and furious that I screamed out in agony 'I CAN'T DO THIS'!  At that point they had taken me down into theatre because there were complications and they were preparing to give me a C-section because my son was in distress (bear in mind I had the previous three by natural birth).   At the moment when I screamed those words 'I CAN'T DO THIS', my amazing, outstanding, one of a kind, midwife who had been the midwife for all four boys came beside me and amongst the noise and confusion that was taking place around me in that theatre she held my hand and whispered 'Karen you gave birth to all of your sons naturally and you will do the same with this one, you will NOT have a C-Section but I need you to stay focused'. 

Almost immediately I experienced the most painful contraction of all time (I'm sure there are mothers out there who may argue with me on this one, but it was so painful it felt like my time was up!!) I shrieked again in agony 'I CAN'T DO THIS' and I was serious, the pain was too excruciating.  Right at that time Pep (my midwife) squeezed my hand, bent over and whispered in my ear three words that enabled me to give birth to my fourth son NATURALLY without artificial assistance, painkillers or any internal or external damage being done.  (This was while I was on the operating table!!!) 

She whispered 'YES U CAN'.  And I did!!

Many people go through life trying to avoid or abort the painful process which is inevitable for their success. The trauma of the past or fear of the future causes them to 'exist' daily on a surface level as opposed to live  deeply with passion.  Most don't do this deliberately, they do it subconsciously hoping that it will be OK and trusting that they will get by.  In my personal experience and in the many years that I have worked closely with women I have found that avoiding or aborting the process ALMOST ALWAYS comes back to haunt you.  As painful as it is, the process is imperative!

At the YES U CAN Master Class I will share with you some tried and tested tools and techniques which will EQUIP, EMPOWER and ENABLE you to go through your personal process of transformation successfully.  There are countless people who know there are things they have to overcome and breakthrough in order to be truly successful but MOST people will not go through the process, subconsciously they tell themselves 'I CAN'T DO THIS'!  The pain of the process is too excruciating.

I believe that anyone at anytime can literally TRANSFORM their lives.  HOWEVER this cannot and will not take place outside of a process.  In the same way that a caterpillar cannot become a butterfly without going through a chrysalis, neither can you or I become outrageously successful without going through a process of transformation!  Most of us just need a helping hand or a voice that will whisper in our ear 'YES U CAN!'.

YOU CAN overcome fear, self doubt and low self esteem.
YOU CAN breakthrough limiting beliefs, procrastination and failure
YOU CAN succeed in life, love and business beyond your wildest dreams!!

YES U CAN! and I will show you how.

See you at the Master Class. xx

Karen

karenallenyesucan@hotmail.co.uk

YES U CAN! Be. Do. Have.

I have a questions for you... Can you  make 2011 the BEST year of your life so far?



I also have the answer :-))    YES U CAN!

When you look ahead into 2011 what can you see?

Who will you BE in 2011?
What will you DO in 2011?
What will you HAVE in 2011?

One of the greatest things about a New Year is that it provides us with a unique opportunity to 'start again'.  Many people will enter this New Year with a fresh sense of purpose and passion but unfortunately for most, that 'fire' will be put out by about March!  They will start off strong but finish off weak.  They will begin focused but end up frustrated.


So, what is it that determines the losers from the winners, what distinguishes failures from those who succeed, what differentiates those who can't from those who can?


In my experience, I have found that there are only a few things which ultimately separate the good from the great.  I believe wholeheartedly that YOU CAN transform any area of your life by applying what many have called 'principles of success'.

2011 will be whatever YOU want it to be.  Whether you achieve or not will be up to you.  Whether you succeed or not will be up to you.  Whether you rise or fall will be up to you.  What will be your story on December 31st 2011, what will people read of you? You have been blessed with a blank page in the new chapter of what could potentially be the first year of the BEST OF YOUR LIFE, what will YOU write on it, what will YOUR story be.


Despite their greatest intentions, most people will go through 2011 by default.   They will experience another year of mediocirty, being average and just enough.  They will listen to the propaganda of the media and spend the year wishing they were living someone else's life!  Don't let one of those people be you.


You can BE who you were destined to be in 2011!
You can DO the thing that you were created to do in 2011!
You can HAVE the desires of your heart in 2011!

Make 2011 the first year of the BEST of your life!! xx

YES U CAN! Dare to Dream...

For the past three years I have had the unique privilege of hosting an annual event which commemorates and celebrates the awesomeness of Women!!!  





'Dare to Dream' is held during the month of March which is International Women's month and it was born out of my passion to see women, who may have lost sight of their dreams for whatever reason, find the strength and courage to dream again.  Women who have attended this event in previous years have testified of having their hope restored, their minds renewed and their dreams revived!



Dare to Dream is a safe place where women, who have hidden behind masks such as 'business woman', 'stay at home mum', 'Executive director' and 'Mrs x', can come and discover their true purpose, passion and person .  I call these labels 'masks' because oftentimes behind those labels there is a woman who yearns to be more, do more and have more but has resolved to settle for less than what she deserves...the absolute best.




It is my belief that most women (and men) are not comfortable with themselves because they do not know who they are.  Most women do not have what they want simply because they don't know what they want.  At Dare to Dream women are reminded of their worth and value and are inspired and empowered to be who they really are, do what they really love and to pursue what they really want!




As a by product of Dare to Dream I also host a bi monthly empowerment seminar entitled 'Yes U can'.  In the 16 years that I have worked with women in varying capacities, I have found that there are underlying hinderances to their progress and ultimate success and that those hinderances find their root in a problem which is threefold.  In other words, there are only three fundamental reasons why most women (and people in general) fail to think outside the box of their comfort zone or dream past the place of mediocrity and go on to live an extraordinary life, namely




1. How they think
2. What they say (to themselves)
3. What they do


It is as a direct result of my findings that I concluded it was not enough to simply encourage women to Dare to Dream, I had to inspire and empower them to believe that they can dream and not only dream, but go on to live that dream!


At the Yes U Can Masterclass using the same skills and the success strategies that enabled me to move from where I lived (a place of mediocrity) to where I was destined to be (a place of freedom and fulfillment) I expose the extent of the damage caused by this threefold problem and go on to coach and support participants through the process of transformation!!




It is at this life defining event that you will...

• Discover how YOU CAN OVERCOME obstacles such as low self esteem, insecurity andlack of confidencethat have hindered you from being, accepting and loving who you really are.
• Learn how YOU CAN BREAKTHROUGH barriers such as fear of failure, fear of rejection and fear of people that have hindered you from doing what you really love.
• Understand that YOU CAN SUCCEED in all of your pursuits despite the pain of your past or present setbacks and go on to have what you really want and live a life beyond your wildestdreams.
• You will also uncover some tried and tested success strategies that will enable you to conquer self doubt, manage your emotions, enhance your relationships, boost your productivity, increase your income and ultimately transform your life.

My mission is life is to make a difference by inspiring people to dream and empowering them to believe they can.  As you embark upon your journey throughout 2011, there may be dreams that you have placed on the shelf or discarded for whatever reason  and you may be questioning 'Is it still worth dreaming or is it even possible...'


I want you to know that if transformation can happen for me it can happen for you and in answer to your question

YES U CAN...Dare to Dream! xx

Make 2011 the first year of the BEST of your life.

Eagles fly alone!

I often sit and think about who I am and what I have been blessed to do as part of my life's mission and a dominant thought that often crosses my mind is 'I DON'T FIT'.  When I listen to the conversations of friends and family or watch the reaction and responses of those within my circle and observe the actions of some of my peers, I frequently conclude 'I JUST DON'T FIT'



I have big dreams, HUGE dreams, I am passionate about making a difference and leaving a legacy, I am compelled to play my part and leave my mark on the lives of the next generation and most of the time it is a challenge to find someone to converse with who feels the way I do.  The general topic of conversation (especially among women) is fashion, frustration, 'fun' and what can only be described as 'foolishness'.  I do not say this from a place of judgement or condemnation but rather from a place of intrigue and genuine interest.  I am interested to discover the physhology and reasoning behind this.  I have spent the past few years purposefully paying attention to the mindsets, conversations and actions of those who impact, influence or are in anyway included in my life and have had to make some HARD decisions.



I have decided that only those who are thinking, speaking and acting positively will have any influence on my life.  I have concluded that I cannot be average, I  will not be mediocre, I will pursue excellence and go on to achieve oustanding success, WHY...because I CAN!!

Yesterday I heard something from a man named Wayne Malcolm who said something that made sense of it all. He said 'EAGLES FLY ALONE'.  He explained that there are 4 types of people in the world, 'DUCKS', 'CHICKENS', 'TURKEYS' and 'EAGLES'.  Eagles are those who dream big dreams take huge risks and make a marked diference.  Eagles are the kings of the sky, they do not fly in flocks, they fly alone.  Their road is not easy but their destiny is great!  It confirmed to me that this is who I am and gave meaning to the reason why I feel the way I do at times.





At the YES U CAN Master Class my mission is to work with a group of 'EAGLES' who maybe feel the way I do, in that they just don't fit.  'Eagles' who know that they are destined for great things but are finding it difficult to break free from the 'turkeys', 'chickens' and 'ducks' that have been holding them back.  YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! You can feel it in your bones.  You don't think the way the crowd does, you don't dream the same dreams, you don't pursue the same passions.  You KNOW that you are an eagle but you have decided to settle for less than the best.  Time out for stinking thinking...


2011 is your year to:

Rediscover Yourself  (Who are you really ?) - Be who you are.
Reinvent  Yourself  (What do you really love to do?) - Do what you love.
Reposition Yourself  (What do you really want?) - Have what you want.

At the YES U CAN Master Class I will show you how.

Make 2011 the first year of the BEST of your life.