Belly Dance Alchemy

The news today says that yet another company has announced layoffs.

Layoffs have become such a standard operating practice for companies nowadays that there's corporate-speak to talk about them: RIFs (Reductions In Force), Rightsizing (yeesh), Corporate Outplacing (wow).  But calling it something different doesn't make it any easier to deal with if you're at risk of losing your job.

However, there a...

No, that's not hyperbole.  Stress really is trying to murder you.  This episode is all about stress: what it is, how it affects our brains and bodies.  But it's not all doom and gloom, because yes, beloved listeners, we also brainstorm some ways to reduce your stress.  Show that murdering jerk who's boss!  By relaxing.  And other stuff.

Want to share something that's worked for you?  Let me know!  Email...

If you're anything like me, by mid-February you've already fallen off the wagon with some (or all!) of your new goals or New Year's Resolutions.  It happens. 

But instead of beating ourselves up for not being as disciplined as we should, let's consider a new way of looking at goal achievement - Goal Subtraction.  What's that?  Giving up on my goals?  But how would I achieve anything?  Oh my loveli...

I'm so grateful for you!  And to say thanks for listening, here's a quick episode sharing some inspiring quotes about gratitude.

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We also have a Youtube channel with more content!  Belly Dance Alchemy Videos

If you want to grow your professional skills, either 1:1 or through workshops at your company or or...

In Part 2 of our first Belly Dance Alchemy Duet, I talk with Kristin Chesnutt, a friend, former colleague, instructional designer, and book lover about the challenges of finding our value outside of our work/title, the importance of appreciating work no matter the "corporate ladder" level, and some books she recommends (along with a lot of other great insights!)

Kristin's recommended books:
Laziness Does...

In Part 1 of our first Belly Dance Alchemy Duet, I talk with Kristin Chesnutt, a friend, former colleague, instructional designer, and book lover about the challenges of finding our value outside of our work/title, the importance of appreciating work no matter the "corporate ladder" level, and some books she recommends (along with a lot of other great insights!)

Part 2 coming to your ears soon!

Kristin&...

If you haven't heard the term "quiet quitting" yet, it's all over social media recently.   What does it look like?  Well, it doesn't mean quitting your job - it means doing only what's required for your job,  or setting boundaries that say "I'm not going to do more than I’m being paid to do."

But is quiet quitting actually a solution to the problems that we're facing?   I vote No!  T...

If you've never been to a belly dance convention, you're missing out!  In this episode, I share some lessons learned about the 4 P's of belly dance conventions:

• Planning
• Packing (or overpacking...)
• Participating
• Performing

Listen now and get excited about attending one of these fantastic events! 

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The Belly Dance Alchemy Podcast is back for its 3rd season!  We're kicking off our new competency-based format with a long look in the mirror.  Yes, this episode is all about self-awareness and self-management.  These two skill areas are critical for any other professional or personal growth you may attempt.  Without them, we're all just oblivious wrecking balls of human beings, and nobody wants that, right?

Register today...

Light out of darkness: the theme of so many holidays at this time of year.

Know what else is all about light out of darkness?

Resilience

Resilience isn't being impervious to setbacks - it's the ability to bounce back from setbacks.  Which is good, because we all deal with disappointments!

Think you're born with a set level of resilience?  Nonsense.  We can build that skill just lik...

It's Gratitude Time!  

Gratitude gives us a different (bigger) perspective on our lives.  It can make us feel humble, small, receptive.

That's awesome.  Except when it goes too far.  Then it's not great.  When we have too much humility, we may not advocate for ourselves like we should, whether at work, in dance, at home, or with any opportunity.  

In this episode, we turn gratitude inward, to discover how to be grateful...

I’m going to go on record here saying that the word "priorities" plural is just messed up.  The word priority (singular) means the thing that goes first.  

 As in, the singular first position. 

Saying that we can have more than one thing in the first position is a recipe for stress and overwhelm and divided attention.

And here's a Big Truth:  Our priorities aren't what we say they are, they're what we actually...

It's the spooky season and this is a rerelease of a great episode all about Fear!  No, it's not scary (I promise!), but we are going to chat about how we can use our fears productively.  

Fear is there to help us - it keeps us safe and makes us alert to possible dangers, but sometimes gets so big and so all-encompassing that it holds us back in our lives and careers.  

In this episode we explore: 

1. The...

Hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, and those puffy vests that people dig out of the back of their closet as soon as the weather gets a slight chill.  Ah yes autumn!  My favorite season.

Whenever autumn comes around, it sends me into self-reflection mode.  Something about the world shedding its summer glory to rest into winter's chill inspires me to slow down and think:

How has my year gone so far?  Are there things ...

What if we discovered a switch in our psyches that would turn our fears into courage?  What risks would you take if your courage were doubled?

 What if I told you that courage is not a prerequisite for taking risks, but a RESULT of taking risks?  

 Interested in learning more?

 In today's episode, we explore a new way to think about courage: instead of an unpredictable emotion, courage is a muscle that we can train and build, so ...

Ever had a narcissist play you like an old ukulele?  Not fun.

They can show up anywhere - home, work, dance, social settings, and they're hard to resist (at first, anyway).

We're diving into the manipulative, self-centered world of narcissists today, to learn what they're thinking, how they interact with others, and most importantly, how we can protect ourselves from their wily ways!  

Especially if you consider yoursel...

Are you trying to find more balance between your work and the rest of your life?   

And does the whole "finding balance" thing just feel like part of your To Do list?  

Well in today's episode, we're going to explore a new way of thinking about work/life balance, one that will lift off the ACTUAL cause of work/life imbalance.  

Most of the advice out there on how to balance our lives is off the mark.  

Ins...

Ah, personal and professional branding.  There's a slew of information out there on creating your brand through your online profiles, your personal elevator speech, etc.  The problem?  You already HAVE a brand, whether you have a LinkedIn profile or not.  

 And if everyone thinks you're a pain in the butt, the fanciest elevator speech in the world won't help you.  

 In today's episode, we're going to look at ...

When you want someone to share your opinion, but you know you can't force them to agree with you, what's left?

Influencing them, of course!

And despite what social media influencers would have you think, influencing is not the same as just directly selling someone on an idea.  It takes some deep thinking, some reflection, and of course, a plan!  

In this episode, you'll learn my 3-Step Influencing Model, so you can star...