By Connie Podesta, CSP, CPAE, Hall of Fame Speaker Personal and Professional First of all - the idea of personal and professional balance is really a myth. You don't have a personal life and a professional life - you have a life -- and the two most DEFINITELY are intertwined. Chances are that despite your best attempts to keep the two separate, the quality and stability of your personal life often have a direct impact upon the quality and success of your professional life. In fact, for many people, their professional life mirrors their personal life. When your personal life is stable and Read More
Quit Being Afraid of Being Afraid
Quit Being Afraid of Being Afraid
By Hall of Fame Speaker Connie Podesta, CSP, CPAE Let’s talk about fear. As emotions go, it doesn’t have the best reputation. People don’t usually want to be seen as fearful or anxiety-ridden or…well, wimpy. But I want to convince you that fear has some enormous value. I teach my audiences the same thing I taught my children: being afraid can be the catalyst for some pretty amazing things. As someone who’s been a speaker for more than 25 years, I know about this topic. Statistics show people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. Every time I step in front of a Read More
Quit Setting Goals!
Quit Setting Goals!
By Hall of Fame Speaker Connie Podesta All right – don’t start sending me hate mail! Let me say first, if you are a goal setter and that is absolutely working for you – stop reading. This is not the post for you. This post is for everyone out there who may feel a little – or a lot like I do. The ones who feel like setting goals can be constrictive. Restrictive. Binding. Limiting. Forced. Uncomfortable. A confidence-killer. Hear me out. You might not know this, but for a lot of us, this whole goal setting thing is a sure-fire method for feeling locked in and limited. Why? Because Read More
Quit Underestimating the Importance of Childhood Messages
Quit Underestimating the Importance of Childhood Messages
By Human Behavior Expert & Hall of Fame Speaker Connie Podesta Straight talk? If you’re 25, 65+ years old or anywhere in between and you’re still blaming your parents for a few (or many) things you believe are responsible for the condition of your life right now – then you’re totally on the wrong path. Now I’m not saying to discount any negative childhood messages or experiences. I’m definitely 100% an advocate for children who’ve been through trauma and I know what that means moving into adulthood. What I am saying is that when you reach the age of adulthood, it’s time to use your Read More
How to Get Out of Your Own Way
How to Get Out of Your Own Way
Life Totally Changes When You Do By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta I recently made a Facebook post that went something like this: “So what's REALLY stopping you? From going for your dreams? Taking that trip? Taking care of yourself? Living life to the fullest? I can tell you what it is not - it's not someone else, something else, time or even money. We make happen what we make a priority. Isn't it time you moved yourself up the list of things that are IMPORTANT?” It was immediately followed by a volley of questions, messages, and emails from readers who wanted to know Read More
What I Discovered in the Nothingness…
What I Discovered in the Nothingness…
And How it’s Changed Everything By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta This vacation was my best ever. I did nothing. We didn't sightsee. I didn't learn anything new. I didn't read anything non-fiction. I literally -- did nothing productive! I read a romance novel. Drank mint and cucumber water. Watched Netflix. Had a crunchy salad. Walked along the ocean. Meditated. Had a watermelon salad. Snuggled. Snacked. Watched the sunset. Had a great white wine. Walked some more. Ate wonderful seafood. Slept. And slept some more. Floated in the ocean. Had a fresh fruit smoothie. Got a Read More
EVERYONE is in Sales… Regardless of Job Title
EVERYONE is in Sales… Regardless of Job Title
As a Keynote Speaker, I often ask my audience: exactly what IS your title? Or perhaps I should say titles plural since we’re often asked to wear many hats these days in our hustling, bustling work environment. And their answers? Are all over the board. Bottom line: No matter what your job title or description, ALL of us are in SALES. Oh, and if you don’t realize that SALES is the single, most important aspect of your job, then you will never experience the success you want and deserve. “Whoa now,” some of them reply, “No way. I don’t like, want to be in, have an Read More
Fun: It’s Secret to Success!
Fun: It’s Secret to Success!
Forget What Anyone Tells You to the Contrary! by Connie Podesta Listen, there's all kinds of people in the world. Those who will lift you up and those who drag you down. And some who are quick to tell you that getting ahead, succeeding, doing a great job at work all has to be an effort in drudgery, dullness and nose to the grindstone. Truth is? Some of the most successful people on the planet LOVE what they do every day. They have FUN with it. And even the parts of work that are well -- WORK. They make it fun. They find a way to enjoy the day. I get it - don't get me wrong. Read More
Is Work and Life Balance a Myth?
Is Work and Life Balance a Myth?
How to Create More Time to Focus on What Really Matters While Ditching the Guilt! With Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta In a world that’s spinning at about 1,000 miles an hour (and 1,000 things at once) for most women, that whole elusive concept of ‘Life Balance’ seems like quite the slippery slope! So we wanted to tap into the humor, how-to’s and success strategies from one of the world’s top motivational keynote speakers, award winning authors, and an expert in the psychology of human behavior as it relates to relationships, change, communication, and life balance. – Connie Read More
#1 Key to Outstanding Customer Service—Understanding PEOPLE
#1 Key to Outstanding Customer Service—Understanding PEOPLE
Six Essential Elements to Adopt in Your Business By award-winning Keynote Speaker and Author Connie Podesta Bottom line: If you don’t understand PEOPLE-- customers, colleagues, leaders, owners, family, friends and YOURSELF, there is NO WAY you can ever experience success—at any level. Imagine just for a moment how much you, your team, and your franchise could accomplish if you understood WHY people do what they do and say what they say. Especially when it comes to your customers. Reality check: Customers are picky, internet savvy, impatient (even INSTANT gratification takes way Read More