Many women struggle with negative self-talk, also known as the inner critic. This voice inside our heads can be relentless, telling us we're not good enough, smart enough, or attractive enough. It can hold us back from achieving our goals and living our best lives. But the good news is that we can learn to overcome this negative self-talk and cultivate a more positive and empowering inner dialogue. 

Do you often feel like an imposter, despite evidence of your competence? If so, you may be experiencing Imposter Syndrome. What is that anyway? We hear it said so much, but what does it really mean? Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual doubts their accomplishments or abilities, despite evidence of their competence. It is often associated with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, and can cause an individual to remain silent or self-critical in order to prevent being exposed as a fraud. Sound familiar? Definitely does for all of us at Manifesting YOur Excellence. At many points in our lives we have been faced with the anxiety, lack of productivity and even depression that can come from this phenomenon. Imposter Syndrome can feel like a heavy burden, and can be difficult to overcome. But with a few helpful tips, it’s possible to tackle the issue head-on and start to feel better about yourself. Here are five tips we have used and shared with people just like you in our practice to help you start to feel more confident and secure in your abilities.: Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognizing that you are experiencing Imposter Syndrome is the first step towards overcoming it. Acknowledge your feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, and remind yourself that they are normal and not a reflection of your worth. Challenge Your Negative Thoughts: Once you’ve acknowledged your feelings, it’s important to challenge the negative thoughts that are causing them. Ask yourself if your thoughts are actually true, and remind yourself of your successes to help build your confidence. Celebrate Your Accomplishments: Take time to celebrate the accomplishments you’ve achieved and remind yourself that you are capable of succeeding. It’s important to recognize your hard work and give yourself credit for it. Reach Out for Support: Connecting with a trusted friend, coach or mentor can be a great way to work through Imposter Syndrome. Talking to someone can help you see your accomplishments in a new light, and you may be surprised by the amount of support and encouragement they provide. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself as you would a close friend, and be gentle and kind in your self-talk. Remember that everyone is flawed and everyone makes mistakes, and try to focus on the positives. Imposter Syndrome is a common feeling, and it can be difficult to overcome. However, with a little effort and self-compassion, it’s possible to start feeling more confident and secure in your abilities. If imposter syndrome is not addressed, it could lead to chronic self-doubt, decreased self-confidence, and a lack of motivation. In the workplace, this could lead to decreased productivity and lower performance. Without the proper support, you may also be more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. If you're struggling with Imposter Syndrome, know that you are not alone. Don't be afraid to reach out for help and support, and remember to be kind and gentle to yourself. And if you'd like to take the first step towards overcoming Imposter Syndrome, why not try one of the tips mentioned above? Ready to do it with some support? Click the link below to book a quick call with us today to see how we can help you reach your goals: https://calendly.com/manifestingyourexcellence/30min P.S. We have an online group coaching course called Slay Your Inner Critic that focuses on helping individuals overcome their imposter syndrome and increase their confidence and self worth. Through a combination of reading, discussion, and activities, participants will learn to recognize their strengths and value, and gain greater self-awareness and understanding. Topics of discussion include strategies to identify and address imposter syndrome, building a positive self-image, and developing helpful coping skills. Through this course, participants will gain the skills and understanding they need to embrace their unique qualities and achieve their best potential. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about the Slay Your Inner Critic 8 Week Online Group Coaching program please sign up for the Open House. You will learn more about the coaches and how this program can change your life as it has so many others.

When it comes to personal development and growth, two great options are coaching and therapy. Coaching is a more practical approach to helping people reach their goals, while therapy is a more therapeutic approach to helping people with their challenges and struggles. Coaching is all about helping people develop their skills and talents to reach their desired outcomes. It focuses on identifying and optimizing strengths and finding solutions to obstacles that may be preventing individuals from reaching their goals. Coaching is a much more solution-focused approach than therapy, which is more focused on processing the past and understanding why certain behaviors are occurring. Therapy, on the other hand, is a process of exploring the underlying causes of iissues and behaviors. It provides a safe and non-judgmental space to process emotions and experiences. In therapy, individuals can gain insight into their beliefs and thought patterns, and learn new ways of responding to their environment. The best way to know when to use each approach is to assess your individual needs and decide which one will best serve your goals. If you are looking to develop your skills and overcome obstacles, coaching may be the best way to go. However, if you are looking to explore underlying issues and gain insight into your behaviors, therapy may be more beneficial. Ultimately, both coaching and therapy are great tools for personal growth and development. Knowing when to use each approach can help you get the most out of your efforts and reach your desired outcomes. Ready to start your journey? Not sure where to begin? At Manifesting Your Excellence we have a team of trained and certified Coaches and Therapists who are caring, nonjudgmental and eager to help you. Click the link below to book a quick call with us today to see how we can help you reach your goals:  https://calendly.com/manifestingyourexcellence/30min See you soon!

What is the Connection Between Self Confidence and Courage? Glad that you asked! Let’s take a look at the connection between courage and self-confidence. Trust us, there’s an important reason why we’re exploring this idea today. Take a moment to think back on a time when you were scared to do something but you gathered up your courage and did it anyway. Maybe it was walking away from a bad situation. Maybe it was working through a problem that seemed impossible at first glance. Maybe it was overcoming a fear of yours, facing it, and coming through ok at the other side. Maybe it was overcoming a big physical or mental challenge like running your first 10K race or acing a big exam. It doesn’t matter what it was, as long as you think of something that took courage to do. Think about how you felt after you did whatever that courageous thing or act was. It felt pretty amazing, didn’t it? Maybe you were a bit exhausted from the effort, or relieved that you did make it through to the other side. Mostly though, that adrenaline started pumping through your system and you felt incredibly proud of what you’d accomplished. That in turn made you feel elated and good about yourself and your own ability to do other courageous things. In other words, you gave yourself a big boost of self-confidence. That right there, is one of the connections between self-confidence and courage. You can boost your confidence and feeling of self-worth by getting into the habit of doing courageous things. There’s also a second connection. Once you’ve gotten that boost of self-confidence, you start to feel more courageous and then you are ready to tackle the next hard thing on your list. In other words, self-confidence and courage can work in either a self-propelling cycle or spiral. Do something courageous and your self-confidence increases. As your confidence goes up, it will be easier to do something courageous. And on and on it spirals. This is an important concept to grasp and it’s something that you can use to your advantage. What it means is that by simply getting in the habit of doing something that scares you or that seems hard at first glance and having the courage to give it a try anyway, you can put this self-propelling spiral of increased self-confidence into motion. From there on out, every little thing you do that’s either courageous or increases your confidence in yourself, will make it easier to keep going and keep improving on both counts. The only hard part is getting started, and frankly, that isn’t all that hard or scary, is it? We won't downplay the anxiety that can come with taking that first step at all. One way to push yourself is to speak back to that little voice we like to call the Inner Critic and tell it that you appreciate it for trying to protect you but you are courageously taking over from here. What can you do today that takes a little courage? We can think of one major thing that you can do, you can start learning and implementing the tools and strategies that we teach in the 8 week online Group Coaching Program Slay Your Inner Critic. When you finish the course you will feel empowered to courageously rise to the opportunities that created fear for you before and have increased self love and self confidence. If you are ready we are ready to support you. Register for the upcoming Slay Your Inner Critic 8 Week Group Coaching Program Find out more below bit.ly/Registerforsyic  Or for questions or 1:1 Support book a discovery call: https://bit.ly/syicinfocall See you on the other side!

When you’re focused on becoming confident and fulfilled in life, it won’t be long until you bump up against some fears. Maybe you worry about what other people will think. Perhaps you doubt you can accomplish your goals. Maybe you’re trying something no one else has done before. Whatever your reasons, fear is a natural part of the process. It’s your inner voice trying to keep you safe. The problem is that you can’t grow if you’re always living in your safety zone. If you truly want to grow and become confident and fulfilled in life, you have to leave the comfort of the known. Here are a few tips to make that journey easier… Take a Tiny Step Shannon had almost drowned as a child and she was afraid to go near bodies of water after that. So when a friend invited her on a trip to the beach, she almost turned her down. Then she remembered that she was working on becoming confident and fulfilled in life. She took a tiny step by going to her local store and purchasing a swimsuit. A few days later, she went to her local swimming pool and observed a kind instructor teaching his students how to float. The next time she went to the pool, she went into the water ankle high. She kept focusing on the tiny steps one at a time so her big goal didn’t feel quite so overwhelming or impossible. Ask for Accountability Sometimes, overcoming a fear is easier if you know other people are watching you. For example, Diane wanted to finish a book. She’d started several but never actually completed one. So she announced publicly that she would be writing her novel this year. She joined an online writing group and posted daily about her progress. Knowing that her fellow writers were following her journey gave her the courage to keep going. Even on the days when she didn’t feel like writing, she still showed up because she didn’t want to let herself down. Create a Point of No Return Brenda had struggled with video marketing for years. She wanted to do it but she was terrified of messing up in front of the camera. So she would record a few takes, get discouraged that her videos weren’t perfect then give up. But Brenda’s husband encouraged her to create a point of no return so that she had to post daily videos that were live streaming. Brenda liked the idea because it would force her to let go of her perfectionist tendency. So she announced that she was doing daily Facebook Live videos on her fan page. At first, no one paid attention to Brenda and that made it easier for her to keep going. As time went on, her reach grew and she started to build a supportive community around her videos. Bring a Friend You can go a step further than Diane and bring a friend along with you on your next adventure. Katie wanted to attend dance classes. But she was older and she worried she’d look out of place. Katie’s friend volunteered to go with her so she didn’t have to face a classroom full of strangers on her own. They both discovered they enjoyed dancing so they signed up for several more classes. It all started because they were willing to be confident and fulfilled in life together. If you’re struggling to become confident and fulfilled in life, don’t keep it inside. Find an accountability partner or a supportive friend and do it scared. Then watch as your life is transformed by new more confident and empowered life choices. Discover the tools you need to become confident and fulfilled in life when you join our 8 Week Program Slay Your Inner Critic!

Fear often shows up when you decide to be Fiercely Confident. It’s that nagging voice in the back of your mind that makes you doubt yourself, worry you’ve made the wrong choice, and wonder if you shouldn’t turn back. This fear is holding you back from living your best life. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with it. There are tools that can help you overcome it. Here are just a few… Build a Strong Support Network Surround yourself with other fierce women. That’s what Dorothy did when she decided to change careers in her mid-fifties. She became friends with many of the women in her local swimming club. Every Sunday, she has brunch with the women she now calls her “dream team”. They support each other through the ups and downs of marriages, careers, and more. The more you're surrounded by brave action, the more likely you will be able to step past the fear. Knowing that you have a network of women who will always have your back can motivate you to try new and exciting things. Get to the Root What’s really making you feel funky? Are you worried about starting your own business? Or are you simply worried that your spouse won’t be supportive? Are you fretting over publishing your memoir? Or are you nervous over what your mom will think about it? Sometimes we fear other people’s reactions more than we actually fear doing something. The activity is easy. Dealing with the fallout can feel much harder. Ask: “So What?” When Linda wanted to start a business flipping houses, her stepfather fretted that she would lose everything she owned and end up homeless. He kept bringing up the issue and eventually, Linda got into tizzy. A kind friend asked, “So what?” She pointed out to Linda that she’d already been through turbulent business cycles once before and survived. “Even if you fail,” Her friend said, “It’s not the end of the world. It’s just one more step in your journey.” When you’re worried about what could go wrong on your next adventure, take a moment to think through the consequences. Are they really that bad? Or do they merely seem that way at first glance? Embrace Prayer Some people find that leaning into their faith and prayer can help them deal with their fears. You can do this by repeating a beloved Scripture verses, asking God for peace, or listening to worship music. One reason that prayer can be effective is because it reminds us that we’re not in control. When you view yourself as part of a bigger picture, then things like failing an assignment or getting rejected on a dating app don’t overwhelm you in the same way. Try Meditation Ashley is a public speaker. When she worries about sharing her message in front of a new crowd, she meditates. She imagines the event and focuses on all the ways it can go right. This positivity helps her disconnect from her fear. There are plenty of guided meditations on YouTube. Some meditations encourage listeners to think of walking through a forest, a winter snowstorm, or relaxing on the beach. These recordings can be relaxing and help you release any anxiety or fear you’re carrying.  Overcoming fear isn’t a one-time task. Fear will always rise challenge in you, no matter what you’re doing. The goal isn’t to get rid of fear. It’s to embrace fear, thank it for what it’s teaching you, and live your life.

I’m Jennifer Slay, along with my partners, Tanya Reynolds and Shirley Brooks, and we are the proud co-owners of Manifesting Excellence Coaching . I look forward to sharing our story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know us better. I was tired of being taken for granted and made to feel dumb, so I decided one day that enough was enough. It was like a light bulb went off, and I intentionally stopped being a people pleaser and began to express myself more, which made a world of difference. I figured I couldn’t be the only one who felt that way, so I promised myself that I would help others become self-aware and make vital changes to live as happier human beings. It inspired me to create the program Slay Your Inner Critic. Coach Tanya and Coach Shirley had similar circumstances that led them to my program. It not only transformed their lives and thinking but also springboarded their coaching careers to where they both co-teach Slay Your Inner Critic. Through several iterations, we came together under the umbrella of Manifesting Excellence Coaching with the mission to carry forward my original goal of helping women choose the direction they want their lives to take. Our motto is ‘To live a life happier to your core; you must be authentic, use the power of your voice, and believe in yourself.’ Therefore we work with confidence, and I believe what sets us apart from others is our integrity, authenticity, humility, and teamwork. I also attribute our success to the coming together of our different talents to help serve in a way we could not do alone. It includes combining our sixty-plus years of experience in the corporate world, the social workspace, change management, and business development, which has helped us excel in life, career, and business coaching. As a result, it fills us with immense satisfaction to see how many lives we have changed for the better. We are proud of our clients for having the courage to invest time into themselves and their personal development. Therefore, it’s rewarding when these men and women allow us to be there with them on their journey and witness the aha moments that propel them to make a remarkable transformation of their minds and spirits. For example, we were once on the last session of the Slay Your Inner Critic program, and at the end, when it was time to say goodbye, NOBODY wanted to leave. The sense of community, togetherness, and support we created in that cohort group was palpable, as everyone wanted to be buddies and have us there to facilitate their relationships. When we’re not empowering clients, I like to hang out with my sons, read and engage in public speaking opportunities. Tanya enjoys dabbling in CrossFit and rugby and spends time with her daughter, while Shirley loves quarterback training, watching HGTV, and listening to neuroscience podcasts. I have enjoyed sharing our journey about the things that matter to us and how they influence how we do business.  If you or someone you know could benefit from our expertise as Canada’s online certified life, career, business coaches, and registered social workers, I invite you to get in touch. Please visit our website at www.manifestyourexcellence.com . Sincerely, Jen, Tanya, and Shirley

March is considered the “lucky” month because of St. Patrick’s Day. Do you celebrate this day with your friends? I don’t. Not for any reason in particular, I just don’t – lol. BUT Let’s talk about this idea of “luck”. Google defines luck as “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions”. When I was a child my mother used to tell me I was a lucky kid because I won so much stuff. I remember winning a walk-man, or a free lunch, or winning a hole in one in mini-put golf etc… In those situations – yep, luck had a lot to do with it. BUT As a grown woman who has dedicated hours upon hours to studying, learning, and teaching my craft – luck had nothing to do with it. As a grown woman who has taken risks in business, failed many, many, many times and just kept trying – luck had nothing to do with it. And as a grown woman who has been told “You can’t because you’re a woman/Black woman/too young/too old etc…” and doing the thing anyways – luck had nothing to do with it. In fact, if someone tells me that I am a lucky woman because of the different successes that I’ve earned I tell them – luck had nothing to do with it. A decision. Sticking to that decision even when I didn’t want to or didn’t feel like it. THAT is why I experience success. Risking ridicule, being talked about, not fitting in – THAT is why I experience success. When I stopped allowing the opinions of everyone else matter more than my own – THAT is why I experience success. What about you? What decision do you need to make, be held accountable to and execute in order for you to experience the success you know you were born to experience? Everything you want will happen after you DECIDE. What’s your decision? If you would like to book some time to talk to me or my team about how to make whatever you have decided on a reality, please feel free to book yourself in for some time: https://calendly.com/jenslay/1-hour-counselling-coaching-sessions

February is a very important month.  Why? Not because it is the month of love (Valentine’s day) or because it’s a short month (28 days) but because it is a month dedicated to the acknowledgement and celebration of Black History. February is Black History Month. Now, I am not silent about my views and I am proud to share information with friends, colleagues, clients and strangers BUT just the other day I was speaking to a couple people that I work with and I was telling them about Black History Month and their initial response saddened me. They said “Oh, I didn’t know February was Black History Month”. Now the reason this comment saddened me is not because they didn’t know. One thing I have become very aware of during this journey of life, is that often times if something does not directly affect you, then the likelihood of you knowing about or learning about it is slim. Not always – but often. The reason I was saddened is because given my passion for anti-racism and the upliftment of Black people – how can someone be in my circle and not know about Black History Month?!?! I felt that maybe I failed them in some way. So now, I’m on a mission. If you call yourself my friend/colleague/family then you’re going to know what I’m passionate about just like I am going to ensure I take an interest in what you are passionate about. Why? It’s important. It’s important in the development of strong, lasting relationships and it’s important in our fight for equity and justice. Conversations build bridges. Conversations allow for deeper understanding. Conversations can break stereotypes, enhance understanding and produce respect. So, my friend/colleague/family member – February , is Black History Month. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and successes of Black people today and in history. Please note – my history is not all about slavery. That is a part of it but that’s not all of it. I encourage you to take the time this month (and every month) to learn more about Black history (World history). It will allow you to reflect and look at your own biases and maybe even some stereotypes you have which have been perpetuated by media, history books, and racist attitudes. Not everyone can be an activist. Not everyone will have a platform to speak to thousands and not everyone feels comfortable speaking about these issues in a public forum. However, we all have the opportunity to learn and unlearn. We all have an opportunity to be an ally. We all have an opportunity to do better. What are you going to do to be a part of the solution? Please go to www.lbhcc.ca to find some virtual events happening here in London, Ontario that the world is welcomed to attend. Happy Black History Month!