Posts Tagged ‘Katana Abbott’

View from my hot tub

I’ve made it a custom over the years to spend a week in Costa Rica every winter.  I was just reminded of this tonight as I snuck outside in the dark to take a late night dip in our hot tub.  It was 8 degrees and the steam was rising into the night sky and crystalizing under the full moon and Orion was fully present.  I love the constellation of Orion and only see it in the dead of winter.  During the summer it’s not visible.

When I am in Costa Rica, although we are just 600 miles from the equator, the night sky is not that different. I love lying out at the pool on the top of the mountain at Rancho Armadillo around 10 pm and looking at the night sky.  I am a real Astrology buff even though I only took one class in college. Our host at Rancho Armadillo, Rick, graciously brings out his telescope and give us all a tour of the night sky which is so clear high on the mountain, that you can actually see a star nebula in Orion’s belt with just binoculars!

I am sharing these thoughts with you because it’s so important to slow down and take the time to look at nature, take a vacation to a place where you can really slow down and recharge.  This is one reason my husband and I purchased a house on the lake.  We feel like we are on vacation year around…even in the winter, we are out on the lake every morning and every evening in our hot tub. 

Creating your millionaire lifestyle is all about planning, getting real clear about what it is that brings you true pleasure and true joy and then taking the steps necessary to make it happen.  In the next few weeks, I will be sharing the steps that I took to create my perfect life with tips and resources that you can implement yourself. 

It really just takes small changes to make huge differences in your life.  Creating your vision is number one.  I just created a new vision board this week with a picture of the healing retreat my daughter and I will be opening up in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica on or before December 2015.  It’s our joint goal.  I have placed it where I can see it every day and keep my energy focused on this dream.  I know the perfect opportunities will just fall into place to make this dream a reality.  I will keep you updated as the miracles begin to happen!

What is your dream?  What are you doing to make it happen?  What is the one thing that scares you to death — yet would bring you the most joy?  How can I support you?

About the author:  Katana Abbott, is a Certified Financial Planner and The Midlife Millionaire Coach and teaches women ages 43-60 how to have financial freedom while following and fulfilling their life purpose.  Email her at katana@midlifemillionaire.com to learn about her next women’s retreat to Costa Rica this spring (limited to just 12 women).

Recent two week trip to Brazil

I have decided to put myself on the top of this list.

  This is an idea I received from a dear friend, who now is battling breast cancer for the second time.  How many of us continue to put everyone’s needs before our own only to remain frustrated and ofter exhausted that our own needs are not being met?

I am challenging everyone who reads this blog to join me in a “Self Care Experiment” for the next 60 days by putting yourself on the top of the list and creating a “self care routine”.  I have read lots of books on this topic, taken programs, purchased planners.  It seems like I start out enthusiastic, with the best intentions, and then life happens, and sooner or later, I end up at the bottom of the list again.  What about you?

There are three parts to this exercise. 

1. First of all take out a pen and paper, and list out all the things in your life that you are currently tolerating, that are simply unacceptable.  Then prioritize the list and just pick the one thing that would make the biggest difference in your life and start there.  We will come back to that list later, so don’t throw it away.  I am launching a new program in 2010, so stay tuned for details soon.
2. Now take action on that one item and start by putting that one thing on the top of your list and give it the highest priority every day by scheduling time in your planner to do this one item.  Plan everything else around this item. 
3. Next you are going to tell others (family, assistant, friends) that you are doing this one thing and ask them to hold you accountable and to support you.  Let them know how important this is for you.  Also, tell us what this one thing is and how you are going to make it work.

For me, this one thing is going to my Better Backs yoga class every single day.  The class is only 10 minutes away, and I can go attend at 8:45 or 11 am every morning, seven days a week.  So far, I have kept my promise to myself for the last three days.  It takes 30 days to create a habit, and I hope by going every day for the next 30 days, it will become a habit and a part of my daily routine, just like cleaning my teeth.

I believe that going to yoga will have the biggest impact on me because of the high level of stress I have in my life right now.  Besides running a business, and a household with two teenage girls, four cats, and two dogs, I have been caring for my mom with Dementia.  This week, my mom was put into Hospice so my yoga class has helped me focus on my breathing and remain more relaxed and focused.

Besides the reduced stress level, I look forward to seeing the physical changes in my body since I am going to Costa Rica in March.  I have another century to live, and I want to be in the best shape possible physically, mentally and spiritually.  I will be posting regularly to hold myself accountable. 

Today is my third day of going to my yoga class and I am so excited about how I am feeling.  I don’t see it as a chore, but as a pleasure…that’s why I am doing it every day.  When asked how he finds time to meditate every day Michael Beckwith says that his life revolves around his meditation.   

If you would like to join me in the “Self Care Experiment”, tell me what you are committed to.  The first step in any journey is the most difficult.  If you run into roadblocks, share them with me here, and I will help you work out solutions.

Ladies, it’s time to put ourselves on the list.  With everyone pulling us in every direction and all wanting a part of us, it’s so easy to keep moving our own needs down to the bottom of the list, but let’s think again.   

Recent Trip to Brazil

A few years ago, I was told that I needed both knees replaced.  The doctors wouldn’t do the surgery until I was older (after 50) and quite frankly, I am putting it off as long as possible.  In fact, I hope to avoid it.  I tend to be a workaholic, because I love what I do.  The problem I run into, is that I can put self care on the back burner and that’s probably part of the knee problem.  

When I turned 50, I realize that unless I take action now, having lots of money and poor health is a terrible scenario.  Besides, my husband is five years younger than I am and when he retires, we have plans for lots of travel and golf. 

Over the last two months, I have implented three new smart choices in my life and I’d like to share them with you.  My goal is to lose weight, feel more focused and calm today…and then ensure a more vibrant lifestyle later in my life with Mark.

• I joined a yoga class and am attending classes about three times a week.  I notice that I feel much calmer, more focused and feel lighter on my feet.
• I have created a bedtime ritual(inspired by Contributing Expert, Marci Shimoff’s 10:30 Angel Train) where I journal before bed to clear my mind, listen to music, read and stay away from the TV and computer after 9 pm at night.  I am sleeping so much better and waking up a lot earlier.
• I am drinking lots of filtered water with lemon during the day.  Here is the formula for how much water you should drink:  weight divided by two and add a zero.  TIP:  If you weigh 150#, then you want to drink 70 oz of water daily!  Many times when we feel hungry, it could just be dehydration. 

When we get ready to retire some day, having all the money in the world won’t mean a thing if we don’t have our health, right?  By taking these three simple actions, I find I am more affective at work, and happier and more active at home with my family at night.  Plus the yoga class is amazing…my goal is to go five times week. 

What steps are you taking today to live happy, wealthy and healthy?  I’d like to know!  Thanks!

We recently asked you, “What’s the single biggest Challenge holding you back from living Your Perfect Life?” and this is what over 200 of you have told us:

• 32% Financial
• 22% Don’t Know Where to Start
• 12% Confidence
• 10% Time
• 7% Relationships
• 3% Health
• 14% Other

There were quite a few comments (one out of four of you wanted to tell your story) and here are a few of them:

• I am searching for a new career and desperately want to make that change now that I am unemployed and available to make that change.
• I need to make enough money through my business to negate my husband’s dream for me to go back to work!
• Up until I lost my job in 2007 I considered myself a “smart woman”, although finances are considerably low, my biggest challenge is how to tap into a realm of creativity. It seems I have lost my passion and/or motivation to get going again.
• After 23 years of raising my sons, getting my masters, and working 19 years with autistic children, I am ready to make my own dreams and business happen. I read your steps to success and go strong, but then burn myself out with energy and money by second guessing everything I do. If I had a mentor to help with decisions, ideas, marketing, and business, it would make my finances, time, and confidence become assets to my dreams and realities.
• My biggest challenge is self-sabotage and pragmatism. I focus more on perfection rather than “just doing it.”
• I have an amazing business that I can’t focus on doing because I work a 9-5 during the day!
• Not enough time in the day to act on all my ideas… even the prioritized ones.
• I often don’t feel I can do it. My perfect life involves starting a jewelry business and then moving to NM to live on a ranch.
• Life transitions in 2004 left me at ground zero with no savings, property, pension, home or other resources. I know where I want to be and what my goals are but need support, help and resources to get there because I cannot do it alone.
• Difficulties with family relationships and life transitions – Lack of Clarity, support and finances hold me back. I have been trying for a year, but nothing seems to be shifting. I do not do well without human live support i.e. online courses/business building or network marketing.
• I know that my life does not have to be as hectic as it is. I am looking to learn to let go, and focus on what is most important!

What I am hearing from you is that finances or money and then knowing where to start are your number one priorities. I read the “other” comments, and they were primarily financial and knowing where to start as well. So, what do you do about this? This is exactly why I created the Smart Women’s Café.

When I was a financial planner, I worked with hundreds of wealthy individuals. I had no time left to help those who needed help getting started and creating financial security.Today, I am honored to have attracted some of the most amazing financial, business, career, and lifestyle experts in the word to join me in this mission of helping women create their perfect life with purpose, passion and prosperity.

The Smart Women’s Café is the perfect place to do this because it is a supportive and interactive community where women can learn, grow and connect by accessing resources at their own leisure in the member library. Plus, we offer three hours of live coaching and training every month.

These statistics were not that surprising to see. Right now, the need for financial planning assistance, whether it be in the small-business environment, schooling or household maintenance has sky-rocketed as a direct result of our economy. You are not alone. 33% of American’s carry debt balances up to $10,000 (median balance: $2,254). 64% of the people polled who carry debt admitted that debt is a cause of worry and stress for them. 93% percent of retirees carry debt into old age.

Finance troubles affects your path to the Perfect Life everyday. These worries can cause a ripple effect on everything else, which may have caused 22% percent of people surveyed to respond with, “not knowing where to start.”

Vist the Smart Women’s Cafe now to receive your Free Gifts: Video Training on how to maximize Twitter and Brian Tracy’s Report, The Way to Wealth ($100 value). You can also take a 30 day free test drive of our community of smart women and access free, live coaching, resources and support towards living with Purpose, Passion and Prosperity.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our poll! Sharing your thoughts with us was great appreciated. A national press release will be released this week, documenting your concerns.

Looking back over the last 25 years, it’s exciting to see how far we have come as women. I was watching Meet the Press on Sunday and was thrilled to learn about the new report just released by Maria Shriver and the Center for American Progress called, A Woman’s Nation, showing that women now make up 50 percent of the workforce and are the primary breadwinners for the family. (Four out of ten women are the primary breadwinners, while an astonishing 62.8 percent are “co-breadwinners.”)

We have been aware of these issues here at Smart Women’s Coaching and invite you to participate in our poll by telling us, “What is the Single Biggest Challenge Holding you Back from Living Your Perfect Life?”

In fact, we are just now launching our new Free Video Training and invite you to sign upto receive your free Twitter training video and Brian Tracy’s free report, The Way to Wealth.

The Smart Women’s Café is a forum where women can receive live coaching on their most pressing issues related to life balance, finances, time management and creating lifetime passive income while following your passion. Visit the Café now to learn what’s new!

What are you doing to live with more purpose, passion and prosperity and how can you tie this into making a difference in the world that you live in? Good question, eh? Well, this must just be part of my DNA, because ever since I was a small child, I have been doing some sort of fundraising, helping the less fortunate and following my passion.

Learning to give back: As a y0ung girl, I attended a four room parochial school where we were constantly asked to go door to door selling things like Texas fruit cakes, boxes of Florida oranges, candy and even zip code books. My mother was the mastermind behind all of this. When we were asked to sell zip code books, for example, my mother took me to each of the local businesses in town, and had me introduce myself as, “Wiley Galbraith’s granddaughter.” My grandfather was the manager of the local bank in town, so this carried a lot of clout. Also, since businesses new they would soon need to be using zip codes, I ended up selling more than everyone else in the school combined. I still remember getting up on the stage to collect first prize which was a clock radio! This was back in the early 70s, so a clock radio was very cool.

School of lifelong learning: In addition to selling things, I also went door to door every holiday collecting “holiday dollars” for the poor and the needy. I was like the “Kirby Vacuum Salesperson”. My mom would drop my friend Brenda and me off at one end of the street and allow us to canvas the entire street with my brothers doing the opposite side of the street. This was during a Michigan winter where it was dark, cold and snowy. I had lots of doors shut in my face, many who would peek out and not even answer the door, but many more who gladly gave me a dollar. In fact, one man actually gave me a $20 bill once! This one experience had a huge impace on my future confidence when I really needed to “stretch”. For years, I would come back to the church with at least $100 for the evening’s work. This is just one way that I learned to make a difference as a child.

Volunteering: Another way was after church on Saturday (I was raised Seventh Day Adventist) we would go to nursing homes or to visit “shut-ins”. Shut-ins were normally members of the church who did not have family and were unable to get out of the house anymore. For years, I remember going to visit Nettie Harp, Mrs. Little and Fidelle offering to help them with chores like cleaning house, gardening, laundry and cooking.

What does all of this have to do with Living on Purpose while Making a Difference? For me it has everything to do with it. All my early childhood experiences have given me the tools to do what I need to accomplish during this lifetime–My Life Mission. It’s just up to me to take those experiences and take action today.

What I learned as a child:

• helped me strive to do my best
• gave me the confidence to take risks
• to handle rejection
• and to enjoy helping others.

In all my jobs, I tied these experiences and passions of helping others and making a difference into my work. I believe this is what helped me to become successful, and also helped me to move on to the next level when the time was right.

Living with Purpose and Passion means you are living authentically within your values system. When you can tie your values and passions into the way you generate income you not only will enjoy your work much more, but most of the time, you will end up earning more money because the energy you are sending out will be very positive, and in return, you will attract abundance back into your life.

What are you doing in your life today that allows you to live with passion, follow your purpose, attract abundance while giving back? Let me give you some examples:

• Help someone else and by utilizing a long lost hobby: (My mother is an artist, and had stopped painting after being diagnosed with dementia…I used to paint 25 years ago before my daughters were born.) I started painting with her on Sundays at my home, and guess what? I found I was a wonderful artist too and I found absolute join in painting AND spending more time with my mom. I found my passion, by helping her!
  

  My first painting with mom!

• Find out how to tie your passion into what you do for a living: After 20 years as a Certified Financial Planner, I felt a tugging to create new programs for women in transition, but was hampered by compliance and SEC regulations. I was able to walk through my fear of “losing my financial security” to start Smart Women’s Coaching where I could write, create and lead programs specifically for helping women live with more purpose, passion AND prosperity. As a financial planner, I could only help people who were already wealthy…now I could help people learn how to create wealth based on their purpose, while following their passions.
• Take a painful experience and use that experience to help others: During the first 20 years of my life, I experienced my fathers death at six years old, saw my mother struggle as a widow and then marry an abusive husband who left her homeless with cancer. I then married at 19 and found myself abused and in the hospital. These experiences helped me not only become a much better financial planner, but inspired me to start a foundation to help disadvantaged women and girls. It’s called, Smart Women Empowerment and we have partnered with the HAVEN, a domestic violence shelter, to coach four women this next year.
• Make a committment to yourself and others: I married a Detroit Symphony French Horn Player, and love classical music . To ensure I make time to go to concerts, I purchase season tickets with two of my former financial planning clients who are widows. We all win! Beth who is 90 could not attend if I did not drive, I share her wonderful box seats that she has had for decades, we have a blast sharing stories on our drive to and from the concert, they are mentors to me by sharing their life lessons.
  

  Beth, Katana and Amal at DSO concert

Spend some time thinking about ways you can bring more joy into your life and the life of others. You may end up with some very pleasant surprises just like have. Tell me, what are you doing to live with more purpose, passion and prosperity while making a difference in the world?

Costa Rica is a passion of mine. In fact, I have visited six times and plan to live in there in the next few years! Because of the healthy lifestyle, fresh, vine ripened fruit, mineral rich water, lifetime physical work and sense of purpose, Costa Rica is home of one of the few Blue Zones in the world known for it’s high number of centenarians.

You are invited to join me in Costa Rica this January since I am traveling with Gutsy Women Travel January 17th for 9 days in Pura Vida (the Pure Life)! The trip they have put together looks wonderful. We will be going to several places I have already visited and several that will be new to me, like the snorkeling in Tortuga Island! I cannot wait to return to the hot springs spas of Tabacon near the Arenal Vocano. Here you will experience soaking in hot natural spas in an exotic garden setting. Imagine having a steaming hot waterfall massaging your back while relaxing in a jungle setting. It’s amazing!

While here in the rain forest, I will lead a group to experience the most amazing zip lines near the resort. These are the most amazing zip lines I have ever experienced. Imagine flying hundreds of feet above the canapy of the rain forest. It’s totally exelorating. I used to have a fear of heights, but no more! It looks very scary, but after your first time, you too will be a fan!

I believe in taking time to rejuvinate and what better place to do this. I hope you can join me in Pura Vida this January! Here is some details about our trip:

Join Gutsy Women Travel’s Costa Rican Traditions trip and find out for yourself why it was voted the “Happiest Country on the Planet.” Costa Rica is a peaceful and prosperous country that is internationally recognized for its ecological and environmental mindfulness as well as its warm hospitality, majestic landscapes, colorful wildlife and vibrant culture.

Our 9-day tour starts in San Jose on January 16 and weaves through lush rainforest, virgin cloud forest, two active volcanoes, working coffee and sugar plantations and the world’s largest butterfly garden. There will be endless opportunities for viewing wildlife and plant life – many of the species only found here – as you venture through one of the most bio-diverse regions of the world.

As you may know, I was in Brazil for the last three weeks on an education retreat.  It was a wonderful experience and I have created new friends from all over the world:  Dubai, Hamburg, Belgium, Sweden.  It was amazing to me how many of these individuals were heading off to more time off trekking in other parts of South America for another 30 days or so.  We Americans really don’t take enough time off.  Do you know that it is mandatory to take time off regularly in many European countries?  Their employees are encouraged to talk multiple weeks off at a time too.

All I can say is that it was wonderful having time off for almost 3 weeks in August.  How many of us never make time for ourselves to really rest and rejuvenate?

What did I learn in Brazil?

I really learned how to relax and to be a person…to really have conversations on non work related topics, to sit an contemplate nature for hours at a time, to eat three sit-down meals with stimulating conversations, to eat really healthy and take long, long walks in the woods, beaches and quaint, resort fishing towns.  Today, before starting my day, I am going for a long bike ride where I can be in nature and get the blood flowing to my brain.  My goal is to stay in the state of rejuvenation.  I will also be joining a yoga class two mornings a week.  What simple actions can you take to create more balance and joy in your life?

Update on our event:

I returned home with just one day to prepare for a fundraiser for the HAVEN.  It was interesting; I just trusted my team and my husband to make sure everything would work out perfect, and guess what…it did!

Last Saturday at 5 pm, our home began to fill up with wonderful supporters.  As our guests entered our home, they were welcomed by the sound of soft live jazz with DSO trumpet, Bill Lucas and some of the top jazz players in the country.

Thanks to Jill Jordan and Barb Kopacs we had a very successful silent auction.  I had decided to cater myself, and between my husband’s awesome shopping, some generous food and wine donations and our terrific kitchen staff, not only did we have a wonderful concert on the lake, but we were able to raise some nice funds for both HAVEN and our foundation—The Smart Women’s Empowerment Program.

In addition, we are giving $1000 in cash to the HAVEN, plus awarding four women who have come through HAVEN a $1,500 scholarship each along with the support of a personal mentor/coach.  Next week, we will announce the four mentor/coaches who have volunteered for this wonderful project.

Take Time to Dance! By the way last night, just as the sun was setting, my husband, Mark and I  were picking up the yard from the event while listening to Bill Lucas’ promo CD with some of the   music from Saturday’s concert.  It was so beautiful, that we decided to take just one more dance as   the sunset.  Remember…take some time to enjoy the music!  Life is too short and it’s meant to be enjoyed and savored!

Thank you to all who supported us!  Again, we want to thank our sponsors Bill Fox Chevrolet, Fleming’s Steak House and the Seed Foundation for their generous support as well as our support team; Agatha Wolkowicz and Megan Russett who helped make the event happen.  If you are interested in learning more about supporting Smart Women’s Empowerment or the HAVEN, please feel free to email me at katana@smartwomenscoaching.com

Ever worry about losing your luggage when travelling abroad? Well, part of planning your trip should include these few simple tips:

Pack enough basics in a carry on — so you can survive just in case your main baggage doesn’t arrive.

Purchase baggage delay insurance — I suggest American Express so you can spend $500 on necessities until your luggage arrives.

Keep an inventory of what you originally packed in your main luggage.

Update to my trip to Brazil:

It’s day 10 and my luggage still has not arrived.  In fact, Delta has no idea where it is, so I have asked them to send it to my home when they do find it.

The night before I left for Brazil, I purchased Baggage Delay insursurnce with my American Express Platiunum Card.  This was reassuring, because as soon as I arrived and found that my suitcase was missing, I stopped in town on the way to my Pousada (bed and breakfast) and purchased several clothing and personal items that I needed for my trip.  I made a quick trip to the local mall and picked up jeans, walking shoes, socks, toiletries, sweaters, etc. 

My next task will be to file a claim with Delta, and then American Express to be reimbursed for the items in my main suitcase.

Due to smart packing and planning for the unexpected, my vaction is turning out wonderful! 

Could you still enjoy yourself if your luggage never arrived for your three week vacation?  Visit me in our new online community and create your free profile at www.smartwomenscafe.com   or email me at katana@smartwomenscafe.com