Posts Tagged ‘women’

As a woman that specializes in finance, I find answers in numbers. To me, statistics can say a lot about an issue. So this month’s theme, Making a Difference: A Smarter Approach to Philanthropy, made me question how many people in America contribute to the greater good. My findings pleasantly surprised me. According to the “Giving and Volunteering in the United States Survey,” 89 percent of households give on an annual basis. Actually, the average annual contribution for contributors was $1,620 in 2008.

How do you give back to your community? What kinds of emotions are evoked when one is charitable? The interesting thing is, happiness and giving are directly related to each other. One of the longest-running social-science studies on happiness began in the 1920s, in Oakland, California. An astonishing 90 percent of the 200 studied have stayed participating in the survey, offering insight into what exactly a “happy life” is. According to psychologist and researcher Paul wink, one of the MAIN elements is generativity, the ability to give to others.

I have found this to be true, through my career, into retirement and now in my personal life. That’s why when I created the Smart Women’s Café, I didn’t just want to create a business. I wanted to create a resource of aid to a community of women that have nowhere else to turn. August’s fundraiser to support the organization HAVEN was a success. We presented HAVEN with $1,000 and we will soon award four women a $1,500 scholarship each, along with the support of a life coach for one year, free of cost.

International charities are a wonderful option too. Just this past Tuesday I interviewed Humanitarian and Founder of Village Empowerment, Don Smith, on Smart Women Talk Radio. Don’s mission is to help solve the problems of starvation and crime in the poorest regions of Africa. Food shortages occur on a very constant annual basis, predominately in September and October, according to Don. If you’d like to donate or learn more about Village Empowerment, please visit www.VillageEmpowerment.org. Stay tuned to this month’s weeklynewsletters (click the hyperlink to be added to our mailing list) to find out different ways on how YOU can help.

If you’re interested in travel, the Smart Women’s Coaching program and Gutsy Women Travel are joining forces to bring you a 9-day retreat to Costa Rica in January! Scroll down to read more about it!

Please tell me what are you doing to tie your purpose to your passion and prosperity?  Thank you!

I just finished the book called, “How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free.” In this book, Zelinski suggests retiring as soon as possible while you are still young and healthy and then finding ways to enjoy your retirement more by discovering your life purpose, pursuing hobbies and enriching your life. If you do work part-time in retirement, he suggests doing something that you love regardless of the pay.

While his book is focused on how to enjoy your retirement more, I have been inspired to use some of his suggestions for women in midlife who are still working but feel that they are really ready to write that next chapter of their lives. I have found that often when a woman has reached 40-50, if she has not found something that she is passionate about in her career; it begins to affect her entire life. Imagine what it would be like if you could create the ideal life of your dreams working at something that you love.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you crazy about your job?
• Do you wake up excited every day — passionate about your life?
• If money and time were no issue, would you still be doing what you are doing?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you may be ready for a major change. Zelinski states, “A few individuals are lucky enough to have had their career work and some passionate pursuit be one and the same. Thus, they can continue happily working part-time in their field well past retirement, without having to discover their true calling. Unfortunately, this is not true for most of us.”

Whether you are looking to retire early, change careers, start your own business or just want to make your life more interesting, consider doing some soul searching or assessments to discover your true passion in life.

There was a point in my life when I was working in a regular job, working 60 hours a week, day after day doing the same thing over and over. I hated it. I used to wake up and look at my husband and say, “Gotta make the donuts.” I cannot imagine living that way again.

How many of these statements reflect the way you feel right now about your work?

• I hate going to work and cannot wait to retire
• I spend everything I make and refuse to look at my investment statements.
• I hardly ever take a vacation. When I do, it takes me a long time to relax.
• I have no hobbies or interests outside work.
• I have no time for exercise or taking care of myself.
• Most of my best friends are from work and I don’t even like them that much!
• Most of my social functions are work related.
• I am proud to be a workaholic even though I know I am not that productive
• When I am home, I am restless or exhausted and can’t even imagine starting a hobby.
• I have a book in me that I would love to write some day, but know that I will never have the time.

If your work is running your life, consider the idea of reinventing your life to one filled with passion–where you can wake up every morning excited to start the day! It is possible, but it will take some work on your part to make it happen. Two years ago, I too was stuck and finally made the Leap and Retired To Something that I was Passionate about and started the Smart Women’s Virtual Coaching Café.  It’s been an amazing experience and I have met so many amazing people from all over the world.  They are now all part of our community as Contributing Experts!

Life is too short to live without passion and purpose. I have seen too many individuals work right up to 60 or 65 only to discover that their health is gone and with it–their dreams. One of my neighbors had been working overtime, six days a week, to maximize his pension. He was going to retire at 60 only he never made it—he died of a heart attack while driving home from work. He and his wife had a financial plan and she will be fine financially, but what good is a bunch of money if your dreams are crushed? Could he have retired 10 years earlier; could he have found something else to do for the last 10 years that was good for his health — that he loved doing and perhaps could do for the next 20 years if he chose? I believe the answer is “yes”.

Since it is very difficult to spend your last nickel with your last breath, it’s important to have a plan. I love the idea of retiring as soon as possible to pursue your passion and even earning an income from this passion! I have discovered this secret for myself and am in the process of creating multiple streams of passive income. In fact, I am teaching these principles for free to our Café members in my monthly Chat with Kat coaching call, as well as our Idea Lab entrepreneurial Think Tank and Joint Venture call.  It’s really amazing to be able to make a difference this way!

Begin to envision your ideal life…what would you do for free…what gets you excited and how would you like to spend the rest of your life? You are invited to experience two weeks free membership in the Smart Women’s Coaching Café where you will have a chance to learn, explore, grow and connect with some amazing people.  There is free, monthly, live coaching, resources, support and you even receive an audio CD by the De-Stress Diva and $875 in wonderful gifts when you take the trial membership!

We hope you join us in the Café!

~ With Gratitude,

Katana