Amateur to Pro
Carolyn Mahboubi
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A weekly solo-cast offering insights for leaving the “amateur” mindset behind — no matter your age — and adopting the mindsets, skill sets and practices that can help you live life like a Pro.
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3 days ago
I Cry Because...
I have no words for the jumble of emotions that have me so moved in this moment. Nothing sad, bad, or particularly emotional has happened. It is the most quotidian of mornings. But here’s the thing.
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Sep 21, 2023
How to Make Conscious Commitments? Six Steps to Help You Succeed
Why does commitment have to be such a zero-sum game? Or does it? Regarding most behaviors, a little bit is better than nothing. The foundation of successful coaching is helping folks take one small step at a time. Small steps forward can be a powerful strategy for attaining seemingly daunting and impossible goals. But when it comes to commitment, taking small steps doesn’t do the job.
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Sep 14, 2023
6 Phrases That Sabotage Your Self-Worth
What if you had indisputable evidence that your words could unquestionably shape your life? What if, like magic, everything you uttered created your reality, both for the better and the worse?
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Sep 7, 2023
Are You Exhausted?
Across all my conversations with friends and clients, the phrase I hear most often these days is, “I’m exhausted.” This is a surprising statement on so many levels. Firstly, these are not folks who are working 80 hour weeks! Secondly, regardless of their age, they possess the means to travel, socialize, and enjoy their hobbies. So why are they exhausted?
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Aug 31, 2023
5 Ways to Get Inspired EVERY. SINGLE. DAY
Most of us believe that inspiration is an occasional occurrence. We hear someone’s heroic story, visit a new country, or watch an extraordinary athletic performance, and suddenly, we are inspired! But for how long? Not very… unless we take charge and embrace the concept of inspiration as a force that we can allow into our lives on a daily basis.
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Aug 24, 2023
Why Books Don’t Work!
I was hard pressed to crack open a text book, but devoured any about human behavior, potential and the metaphysical. But my insights and learnings — those that have led me to becoming a Professional Coach — have less to do with consuming information, and a lot more with taking the time and putting..
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Aug 17, 2023
Your Questions, Answered: 9 Insights That Changed Me Forever
Last week’s article — 9 Insights That Changed Me Forever — garnered significant attention from folks in my coaching community. Many reached out with life changing insights of their own. When we slow down to reflect on where we were, or rather who we were, a decade ago, and who we are today, we can’t help but notice change.
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Aug 10, 2023
9 Insights that Changed Me Forever
I’m often asked to share these very personal insights. So, in no particular order, here are 9 that helped me change my personality and consequently my life.
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Aug 3, 2023
Beyond Helicopter Parenting
The antithesis of Good Enough Parenting is Perfectionist Parenting and it rests on the foundation of the belief that we need to optimize every aspect of our children’s lives. But the consequences of raising our children as our projects are now evident to so many of us.
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Jul 27, 2023
Redefining Seriousness! The ‘Succession’ Effect
Being a serious person is not about putting on a performance of seriousness, but rather a way of thoughtful and deliberate living. It's the art of being fully present and conscious of our actions, creating systems that keep us alert, awake, and attentive.
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Jul 20, 2023
7 Steps to Forge Lasting Connections
I put it to you that every effort we make at communicating stems from one of two mindsets. We are either aiming for connection or for control. How do you identify?
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Jul 13, 2023
Are Your Beliefs Holding You Back? Let's Change That.
You see, beliefs are simply thoughts that we have practiced over and over again until they appear to us as facts. When we are able to see the difference between facts and beliefs, we realize how much more powerful we are than we imagined.
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Jul 6, 2023
What Luxury Brands Taught Me About Soul Quenching Conversations?
I’m often asked what I do in a coaching session that is so valuable. I’m also asked to share my “framework” and “curriculum.” The simple answer I give is, “We talk and your life changes.”
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Jun 29, 2023
9 Ways to Offer and Receive Support
“How can I support you?” is one of my favorite questions to ask at the start of a coaching conversation. What I’m really asking is, “What is your support language?” So much has been written about our Love Languages and most people are familiar with their Primary Love Language. Gary Chapman has identified five in his book, and perhaps there are more. But what about Support Languages?
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Jun 22, 2023
How Ignorance + Arrogance Helped Me Finish a Sky Race
Many times, we scare ourselves before even starting, causing us to never begin. And that’s why, so often, simply to begin is to win. But what happens when we do begin and then realize we had forgotten how hard the effort actually was? I did finish the Borken Arrow Skyrace I wrote about last week. But perhaps due to a measure of Ignorance and Arrogance (I+A). Here are my thoughts in retrospect and what could have happened if it wasn’t for a little bit of I&A.
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Jun 15, 2023
To Begin is To Win
I’m obsessed with beginnings. Beginnings carry what I like to think of as “Pilgrim Energy”! I’m talking about that effortless stream of vital energy we experience at the dawn of a desire. Think of the beginnings of falling in love, starting a business, or committing to a big mission.
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Jun 8, 2023
7 Steps to Getting Shit ✅
Efficiency and effectiveness are not the same. Understanding the distinction between these two words makes all the difference if our goal is to create more impact with our time, not just check off boxes on our “To Do” list.
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Jun 1, 2023
Coaching is… NOT a Hobby
Coaching is… NOT a hobby. It is a profession (and a sacred one at that). Casually using the title of "Coach" alongside another profession (so fashionable these days on every social platform!) is not the way to becoming a Professional Coach and certification alone doesn’t turn you into one or guarantee stellar results.
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May 26, 2023
Ordinary People Can Create Extraordinary Lives
I frequently use the word extraordinary to describe my clients. Yesterday, while running on the trails, it occurred to me that using this adjective to describe people who are creating noticeable change and transformation in their lives, may be misleading to others who want to do the same.
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May 18, 2023
10 Truths I Wish I Could Share With My Clients’ in the Very First Session
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May 4, 2023
How Do You Want To Be Remembered?
When you were in your 20’s, did you ever think about how you would like to be remembered? The answer from most of us is a hell no! Last week, I asked this question of G. — a 24 year old young adult client who has been coaching with me for a couple of years.
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Apr 28, 2023
28 Things You Control
28 things you can control. I’m not suggesting you do or don’t do any of these things — I’m just saying… You’ve got control. Do not fool yourself into believing that you don’t!
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Apr 20, 2023
Seize the Season
Spring is the season of possibility and potential, a time to plant intentional seeds for the future harvest. Let your mixed emotions guide you towards purposeful choices and thoughtful commitments.
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Apr 13, 2023
Coaching Vs. Therapy: The Long Answer
In last week’s blog, I asked but did not answer the question Professional Coaches are often asked: What’s the difference between Coaching and Therapy? Experience has proven to me that there’s no quick and easy answer to this question. I cover the 6 insights I’ve gained in the last decade in today’s journal entry — Coaching vs. Therapy: The Long Answer.
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Apr 6, 2023
Coaching Vs. Therapy: Why I No Longer Give a Short Answer to This Question?
When I first started coaching, I used to share easy answers. One of those answers was the response to the question Life Coaches are asked often. What’s the difference between Coaching and Therapy? My easy answer was, “Therapy is about exploring your past whereas coaching is about creating your future.” Today, I no longer give a short answer to this question.
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Mar 30, 2023
What Are You Leaving Behind?
Quite accidentally, yesterday morning I found a written reflection of mine from many years ago in response to the following question: Where have I left? And where am I arriving?
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Mar 23, 2023
The Mindset Reset! 11 Powerful Practices
Last week, Gabriel — a young adult client I work with reached out to me with the following question: “When new changes arise and abundance blooms, my upper limit hits the ceiling! I see it in every aspect of my life. What's your advice for re-calibrating and centering one’s focus?”
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Mar 16, 2023
Redefining Success in Parenting – Why ‘The Parent Test’ is More Than Just a Reality Show?
Parenting is the hardest job in the world, but why do we insist on striving for perfection when "Good Enough" is an achievement in itself?
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Mar 9, 2023
20 Things I Wish I Knew in My 30s: A Coach's Reflection
If I could go back 20 years in time and coach, really coach, my 30-ish self, she would:
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Mar 2, 2023
Raising Conscious Children: Balancing Growing Up and Waking Up
“My child needs to grow up!” Nope. Your child needs to wake up. This is my response to parents who confuse “growing up” with “waking up”.
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Feb 23, 2023
No Frapping — The Powerful Agreement That Creates Bulletproof Relationships
One of the most valuable relationships in my life is with the women in my private coaching group, The Wisdom Circle. While we are fiercely supportive of each other, our primary commitment is to the whole-hearted expansion and growth of one another. That’s why our first agreement is called — “No Frapping”. No Frapping is a powerful agreement you can use to elevate any relationship that matters to you.
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Feb 16, 2023
The Key to Better Decisions: Understanding the Why Behind Your Decision Making Process
What was the last impactful decision you made? How did you go about making it? Do you want to make better decisions? The first step is to become aware of your default decision making process.
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Feb 9, 2023
Ageless Advisors: 80-Somethings Share Their Secrets
Last week, as I passed a park bench, I noticed four women who were clearly in their eighties, huddled together, chatting, laughing and genuinely having a great time. Here is an abbreviated list of my thoughts as I passed them each time...
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Feb 2, 2023
The Blessing of an Ordinary Day
It’s not unusual for me to start a coaching session by asking, “What would make this conversation extraordinary for you?” Because coaching is all about going from good to great — ordinary to extraordinary. And yet, my greatest hope and wish for my clients, loved ones and myself is to be consistently blessed with the ordinary.
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Jan 26, 2023
The Power of Creating a Joy List
Last week in The Wisdom Circle, my private coaching group of extraordinary women, we explored joy. So many of us confuse joy with happiness. Let me explain.
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Jan 19, 2023
The Power of the Determined Client
Transformational Coaching takes skill, creativity and commitment. But more than anything else, it takes time. Can one conversation be full of insights and deeply valuable? Can it be unforgettable and impactful? Absolutely. But, when done right, this is life-changing work. And anything worthy takes time. That’s just a fact of life.
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Jan 12, 2023
Be a Miner, NOT an Astronaut
While we are learning how to slow down and live more consciously, our default tendency is to be future focused. We are a generation known for its relentless pursuit of “The Next Best Thing” — no one more than I and the extraordinary people I work with!
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Jan 5, 2023
We Made It! Now what?
It’s a new year, but it won’t be a new life unless we make it so. So in 2023, what’s your plan for loving just a little bit more unconditionally, learning just a little bit more deeply, and feeling just a little bit more at ease?
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Dec 15, 2022
Ambition Vs. Greed
When did ambition become a four letter word? Think of the last time you used the word “ambitious” to describe yourself or another person. Was it in an entirely positive context? Did it sound a little cringy even when it was meant to be a compliment?
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Dec 8, 2022
Why Are Old People Slow?
If you’ve been a part of my coaching community for any amount of time, you're likely sick of me repeating the message of “slowing down”!
I’m not asking you to slow down your desires, goals and ambitions. I’m asking you to slow down your thinking and actions so you can increase your consciousness, presence and ultimately, your results.
In today’s podcast episode I talk about 5 powerful ways you can “slow down” in the following 5 areas of your life:
1. Personal Development
2. Career
3. Leadership
4. Parenting/Family
5. Relationships
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Nov 17, 2022
How to be a Fierce Giver?
In last week’s podcast — The 3 Steps to Creating Money — I left you with a question to explore. The question was: How can we practice serving rather than selling without being taken advantage of? The answer lies in understanding the distinction between giving fiercely and giving selflessly. One of these behaviors leads to creating more prosperity, not only financially, and the other leads to endless hustle, resentment and disappointment.
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Nov 11, 2022
The 3 Steps to Creating Money
In my work, limiting beliefs around money are some of the hardest to unearth and transform. Most of us are still carrying around our great grandparents’ beliefs about money and allowing them to decide our present day to day actions. To create prosperity, consider my simple, but far from easy, three step invitation.
1. Change your mindset.
2. Understand two major facts (which no one talks about).
3. Start creating money!
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Nov 2, 2022
Creating a Powerful Community
Being part of a community that brings joy and fulfillment, for me, is to be part of one that is based on shared values. And to be honest, I wasn’t able to find one that matched mine. So I went ahead and created it. I call it The Wisdom Circle.
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Oct 26, 2022
Interesting vs. Happy: Which Life do You Want?
Some people have interesting lives. And some have happy lives. So, what’s the difference?
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Oct 19, 2022
How Can You Speed Up by Slowing Down?
So many of us believe that if we slow down our thinking, we will come to a dead stop or fall off the cliff — a la The Coyote in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons! Or maybe we’ll just lie on the couch all day and lose the thread of our lives forever, intoxicated by Netflix and chips! I’m here to tell you the contrary.
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Oct 6, 2022
Doing More, Faster, Better — How’s That Working for You?
If you describe yourself as driven, high-achieving and ambitious, then you’ve probably drunk the Kool-Aid. If you’re in your late thirties or above (depending on when you started drinking full out) you’re dealing with a hangover that never seems to go away.
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Sep 28, 2022
Qualify That Quote
Is it true that 80% of our decisions need to be made and only 20% need to be made right?
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Sep 21, 2022
What is Fierce Presence?
Power is not a title, an army or a bunch of strategies for controlling others. Power is not forceful, loud and brutal. Power is not something we acquire or inherit. It’s a state of being and a delivery system for impact. That’s it. But the journey of cultivating power in order to increase our impact begins with an essential precondition I call, Fierce Presence.
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Sep 13, 2022
Your Future is a Result, Not a Mystery
It’s the beginning of the last quarter of the year! Imagine yourself on the morning of January 1st 2023.
You’re holding a cup of your morning potion of choice as you sit or stand in your favorite spot.
Reflecting on the last 4 months of your life, you are overcome with thoughts and feelings of deep gratitude and pride.
I put it to you that who you are and how you feel on January 1st 2023 is not a mystery — it’s a result. And to determine that result for myself and my clients, I use a tool I’ve created and named FSD(TM) — short for Future Self Design(TM).
It is a powerful tool that allows you to create your future from the future, not the past, as most of us have been trained to do.
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