Design Yourself

It’s one thing to see what you want, but it’s quite another thing to be able to communicate that vision to others. When we know how to say what we want, others can help support us on that path and we can more clearly direct ourselves to the future we desire. This weeks episode looks at common roadblocks to saying what you want like fear, lack of clarity, wordiness and concern for what others think. Sharon then shares ways to overcome that resistance like being direct, getting specific about what you want, being “selfish” and more. Finally you will learn how to put all of these tools together and get into the everyday practicing of saying what you want.    Ideas Shared What Gets in the Way of Saying What We Want Too many words Fear Lack of clarity Focusing on What Others Want Overcoming Resistance Be direct Let go Be specific Focus on What YOU Want Cultivate the emotion that will serve you Honor the emotion that you are in How to Say What You Want Ask Your Heart, “What Do I Really Want?” Quiet Your Mental

Today Sharon explores the topic of asking for help. You will learn about why flexing this skill is a critical component of successful leadership and sane living, what holds us back from asking for help, and why we’ve got to push forth and ask anyway. Finally, Sharon offers 5 Rules of the Road for how to get past your own discomfort or habit of not asking for help and move into the practice of doing it anyway. Ideas Shared Why Don’t We Ask For Help: We don’t know what to ask for The “Busy-ness Cycle”  It makes us uncomfortable No one can do it as well as me I’m in control, thank you very much Why We Ought To Ask Anyway: Our own capabilities are finite  We can’t do everything  You can leverage others’ strengths to cover your own blindspots * You will learn something – about yourself, about your habits Going it alone can get lonely and it’s necessarily riddled with your own limitations. You can’t see beyond you. 5 Rules of the Road for Asking for Help: Be clear and specific  Be open   DON’T ask a

Vision, if we’re lucky, is what propels us forward. We set our sights on what we want and then choose to move in that direction. It’s rare that our visionary paths are linear but the sightline helps keep our actions aligned with our values, our choice. This month’s “Design Myself” theme is vision. You will hear about how vision fits into Sharon’s larger 2018 path, receive a few questions to prompt your own visionary reflection, learn about the connection between vision and seasonal (springtime!) living and hear about some personal updates in Sharon’s life and business. Whether you are curious to learn about some of the behind the scenes looks into this coach entrepreneur’s world or to prompt your own Design Myself path forward, this week’s episode is for you.   “It’s about not taking on too much…the thing I do want is to choose intentionally, to be choiceful. And that’s ultimately what Design Yourself is about. When you are figuring out what you want and you are making it happen and you are going after that

This week’s episode is all about the simplest of tools for getting stuff done: The To Do List. This week Sharon geeks out on the best times to tap into this tool, her favorite 4 variations on the To Do List, and 4 tactics to make sure that you leverage this resource to best effect. Here’s the basic theory, one size fit all solutions simply don’t work. But that doesn’t mean you have to begin every solution from scratch. Sharon offers these templates and strategies to arm you with some best practices to customize your own approach. IDEAS SHARED 5 REASONS TO WRITE A TO DO LIST To stop feeling overwhelmed To let yourself dream up something ambitious To achieve something you’ve never done before To bring your big ideas into fruition To get stuff done 4 TYPES OF TO DO LISTS The Comprehensive List – Whether you write it all out on pen and paper or capture it in an online tracking tool, the Comprehensive To Do List allows you to put down everything in your head in one place. Bonus: It usually lowers your stress le

It feels good to step out of winter hibernation and embrace the energy of spring. This week’s podcast episode is all about shifting into a space of action to get stuff done. But not just any things - the things that matter. Sharon frames this week’s conversation around how to know that you are ready to move to action by highlighting both potential red flags and readiness signals. She then offers up her tried and true resources for shifting from being ready for action to being in the action. Her 5 Tips for How to Get Sh*t Done include everything from creating a roadmap to dropping the unnecessary distractions to cultivating boldness. This week’s episode is great for anyone who is feeling ready to dive into a new project or perhaps follow through on that idea that’s been on the back burner for long enough.   “Timidity has no place in the space of holding a purpose and taking action.”

When we are on the midst of realizing something close to our heart, money worries often show up. It might be about fear of change or a concern about being vulnerable. No matter the circumstances, when we are on the cusp of a transition money worries are a common road block. This week’s episode highlights some of the reasons the two are so linked up and then shares strategies for how to buck this unhelpful trend. You’ll hear about how you less the fear and move into inspired action. You’ll learn about why cynicism around money is getting in your way and how to grow your sense of confidence and bank account too. For anyone in the midst of a transition who is feeling stuck around money, this episode is for you. If you’ve got a dream, don’t let money stop you from running after it. There is nothing stopping you, including money. “What would support you in taking back your power from the worry, from the fear that is present? How might you move forward? How might you cozy up to that money worry and see it for what

Do you have one of those friends who you freaking love to hang out with and who kind of blows your mind when it comes to what she has created professionally? Natalie Tincher is just like that. She’s about as down to earth as they come and super impressive. Time Out Magazine named her business one of New York’s top personal shopping services. In today’s episode we learn all about Natalie’s journey from freelance copy editor to thriving entrepreneur. We discuss everything from fast fashion and personal styling tips to how love and empowerment fuel everything that Natalie does. We also learn about what some of the investments Natalie has made to scale her business including hiring her first employee and rebranding her business. This episode is a great fit for anyone who has ever wondered how to put your whole self into a thriving entrepreneurial business. It’s also a must listen for anyone curious about the power of self love and failing forward.   “I lead with my heart and love with everything in life. So I nee

Have you ever had the feeling that things just seemed to fall into place without any effort at all? The feeling that just by wishing for something that of course it would be so? April’s “Design Myself” theme is inspired by just such a feeling – the feeling of magic. In this week’s episode, Sharon shares some of her resistance to the idea of magic and the 5 spaces she’s exploring this month to play with the wild possibility of making things happen – with ease. From getting out into her own garden to vacationing in one of her favorite places to paying attention to the moon, this week’s episode offers up many opportunities for brings a little more magic into your everyday. Wand optional.   “Changing our questions can change our life. What we ask, directs where we follow. What we see determines where we question. You’ve got to shift your perspective – literally change the question –  to move down a new path.” Ideas Shared 5 Magical Explorations See Something New Ask New Questions Be Positive + Allow For Healin

What if I told you that you could actually increase your brain function in just 8 weeks and all you have to do is meditate? Scientific studies have shown the meditating can improve things like your memory, compassion and sense of self relevance. At the same time it can decrease your anxiety, fear and stress. In this week’s episode, Sharon shares her own journey into mindfulness and meditation and how she has come to understand these two practices. She then offers up 5 simple ways for how to bring mindfulness into your everyday and how these simple tactics lay the groundwork for more in depth meditation. If you are a meditation-curious or ready to deepen an existing practice, the week’s episode is for you. “What is it that my awareness lacks? What am I hungry for? What diversions am I giving more attention to than my true self?” Ideas Shared Mindfulness vs. Meditation These two terms are often used interchangeably. Here is how Sharon sees the two: Mindfulness - The act of bringing an observer’s lens to your th

What are you afraid to say out loud? What places do you feel stuck? Sharon is joined by her dear friend and fellow executive coach Bethany Dufour in this week’s episode to explore these questions and more. You’ll get an honest and unfiltered look into the places where Sharon gets stuck and also get to observe a coaching conversation in action. Sharon talks about getting her chakras read, being in the middle of a transition but also feeling stuck, her fear of disappointing people and her worries about being selfish when she prioritizes herself first. You’ll hear her move towards realizations about needing to stop doing something and also her new distinctions about how she is holding the idea of letting go. This is a great episode for anyone who is curious about some of the personal questions that Sharon is working through, anyone who is curious what it is like to be coached, and anyone who is working through his or her own transition. “That’s one of the greatest benefits of coaching – it’s the space for you t

Altitude Summit is a conference for creative entrepreneurs and social media influencers. It’s bright colors, fashionable attire, gorgeous location and - best of all - a fantastic community gathered to learn and grow together. Sharon attended this year for the first time and was blown away by the experience. She gets why 85% of attendees have come back more than once. In today’s episode, Sharon shares a glimpse into the experience of Alt Summit 2018 with headlines from talks that inspired her, ideas that stuck with her and the  lessons she is carrying with her from this amazing experience. From What Not to Wear’s Stacy London talking about the Evolutionary Woman to Liz Forkin Bohannon bringing new insights to Design Thinking, prepare to have your socks knocked off. This is a great episode for anyone looking for some fresh perspective and inspiration or who might just be curious about what all the Alt Summit hoopla is about.  “The bigger takeaway I had was that the ideas will iterate and grow with inspiration.

This week’s episode introduces our March theme, Center. After a hard-driving February, Sharon was ready to return to her own center. If you’ve ever found yourself working hard to achieve a goal that your own sense of wellbeing takes a backseat, perhaps you can relate. Learn how the Altitude Summit, a conference for creatives in Palm Springs, helped kickstart Sharon’s own centering practice and 5 simple ways that you can find your own center every day. Sharon shares her favorite meditations tools, talks about the power of being thankful and tipping generously, asks herself (and you!) what wicked problem are we trying to solve and more. This is a great episode for anyone wanting to listen to tap into your inner wisdom or regain a sense of wellbeing. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain For show notes visit www.pointroadstudios.com/podcast

Things don’t have to be complicated. Ease is possible. And this week’s episode embraces this possibility. Sharon shares why more is available to us when we scale our potential through systems for support – more impact, more joy, more peace, more! She also discusses her favorite tools for bringing beauty and ease into her life and her business. From productivity management to video chat platforms to delegating to a virtual assistant, you will hear about tons of resources that you may choose to add to your own tool belt. Plus learn about why the most important “resources” are the real live human beings who make up Sharon’s tribe, partners at work and creative community. This week’s episode is a great prompt for anyone who is looking to grow and scale at home or work. It’s also a great fit for anyone who values efficiency and the power of getting things done. Plus Sharon kicks off this week’s episode with a personal update on how her “focus on Focus” has gone this month. If you’ve been wondering what she’s been

This week Sharon’s very special Grandma passed away peacefully while sleeping in her own home. In honor of her legacy, we decided to interrupt our regularly planned scheduling with this encore episode. With light hearted humor (hello, chickens!) and a deep well of grace, Sharon opens up about her own observations on the topics of death and grief. This is not a show designed to give you the answers on what’s right or wrong when it comes to these gritty topics. Instead it’s one person’s reflections and observations as she comes to appreciate not just what’s possible in this life, but what’s possible when we honor the full life cycle. May this be a helpful resource to those who listen.   Resources and Links The inspiration for this episodes’ title? Anna Sale’s podcast Death, Sex, and Money, which is all about the big choices and hard questions that are often left out of polite conversation. If you already know the podcast or just find you want to learn a bit more behind its managing editor and host Ms. Sale, I

Goals, goals, and more goals ya’ll. Having a great idea is one thing, but figuring out how to make that idea come to life takes a whole other skills set. This week’s episode dives into the practical side of how to set big and audacious goals and then execute the follow through to achieve success. Learn about the difference between lag and lead measures, why focusing on inflection points is so critical, operating with the Pareto principle and more. Plus Sharon explains how setting goals for business and life follow the same key tenants. So whether you want to hit an ambitious revenue target or buy your first home, the process to get there is the same. This week’s episode is perfect for anyone who is ready to get tactical on how to make your vision a reality. It is also a great primer for anyone new to a leadership role who is a looking for a quick primer on how to achieve results. “As leaders – both at work and in our personal lives – we must shift from letting others define success for us to putting our own

This week’s episode introduces our February theme, Focus. You’ll learn how Sharon chose this theme despite some initial resistance as well as tools and frameworks for sharpening your own focus. You will hear how to bucket out your own areas of focus, practical tools for rethinking your schedule, how to shape your own goal setting retreat and more. This week’s episode is great for anyone who is feeling lost for where to put down roots or who is overwhelmed from trying to do many things at once.  “Focus is what we pay attention to. A small act with the most consequential of results. Where we choose to focus drives not just the outcomes we achieve but the process for how we get there and how we – and those around us – feel along the way.”   Ideas Shared Areas of Focus Consider what 1-3 buckets of focus are critical for the results and impact you want to drive in your life. Here are the 3 areas that Sharon is focused on this month. Goals Setting Quality of focus Support “Like so many things in life, it wasn

The idea of leading slower, less cluttered lives is a deeply resonant concept right now. With good reason. With the barrage of information and stuff at our fingertips, minimalism holds a calming appeal. The shadow side of this trend is that it can leave us paralyzing to pick anything up. The episode addresses this conundrum head on. Host Sharon talks through a few core concepts that unpin her “Picking Up Philosophy” and then offers up a How To Guide for Picking Up. From learning how to say yes with intention (ahem exercise your ability to say no ahem) to recognizing seasonal shifts, this episode shares many tools and lens for how you can think about the things you carry. “What we choose to hold with us, what we choose to pick up and carry, makes up the landscapes of our lives. The greatest gift is learning how to curate this bundle for each season. To decipher what to hold and when to let go – and when we are ready for something new.” – Sharon Lipovsky   Ideas Shared Starting Points for Picking Up Understand

Letting go is a critical process to clear the path to whatever it is that you really want. In this week's episode, Sharon shares 6 steps you can take to ease you through the act of letting go. You will learn how to tap into the power of the present, honor your emotions (especially the tough ones that like to show up and tell you to hold on!), make room for what you want, see things with a different perspective, and find your inner compassion and gratitude. Sharon also shares some of the common road blocks to letting go like perfectionism and resentment and how to keep going in spite of them. This is a great episode for anyone looking for tangible ways to let go and move forward. Whether you are simply getting organized, looking for more simplicity or ready to release something long held, this week's show is for you. “I never thought I’d have so much to give up; that the view from this side of my life would be so precious.” – Philip Schultz, Magic Kingdom   Ideas Shared 6 Tips for Letting Go 1. Stick with t

There’s something about the start of the new year that makes you want to start with a blank slate, right? Cue the queen of decluttering, Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizational consultant behind The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. In this week’s episode, Sharon takes Kondo’s framework for decluttering your home and talks about how it can be adapted to living the life you really want. She reviews why it can be hard to keep your life in order in the first place and offers up tools and resources to overcome those challenges. From simplifying to being still to appreciating what’s already there, this week’s show has a little something for everyone. This is a great episode if you are looking for a little more peace and calm in your life and will be especially fun for all those who have been inspired by Marie Kondo’s approach to home.  “I suspect that the mind, like the feet, works at about three miles an hour. If this is so, the modern life is moving faster than the speed of thought, or thoughtfulness.” – Rebe

This week’s episode introduces our January theme, Rituals. These are the actions and behaviors that we do regularly, invariably, without having to think about it. You will learn about why Sharon is introducing themes in 2018 (sneak peek: to avoid the end of year burn out and blues), why rituals is our starting point this year, and how to see, evaluate and simplify your own rituals this year - and beyond! You’ll get tips on how to bring your current rituals into focus, how to determine what needs weeding and what needs cultivating and learn how to do all of this with ease and a healthy dose of fun. This is a great episode for anyone looking to move through your year with intention and to find ways to bring ease for how you move through your everyday routines. “Rituals are like a uniform for your actions. They are something that we do everyday without having to think about it. There is incredible freedom and potential offered up in this way of being.” – Sharon Lipovsky   Ideas Shared 9 Steps to Create Ritual