Dream It, Do It, Own It: The Playful Art of Making Magic Happen

Manifestation is often misunderstood as a quick, easy process—something that just happens with a few affirmations and a dream board. In reality, it’s a multifaceted practice that changes depending on where you are on your journey. Sometimes, attracting your desires involves quieting your mind, other times it’s about letting go, and sometimes it’s a test of your courage. Here’s what the process really looks like in all its varied forms.

1. Meditation and Clearing Your Mind: Creating Space for Your Desires

For some, the act of drawing in their desires starts with meditation. The practice of quieting the mind is essential because it creates space for new ideas and clearer intentions. Without a still mind, it's hard to truly hear what you want. The process of creation begins with inner clarity, allowing your desires to emerge from a calm, open space.

2. The Art of Letting Go: Trusting the Process

Attracting your dreams isn’t just about asking for something and waiting for it to appear. It’s also about letting go of the how and when. Letting go can be difficult—especially when you’re desperate for things to happen on your timeline—but learning to trust the process is crucial for bringing your desires into reality.

3. Inspired Action vs. Fear-Based Action: Knowing the Difference

One of the most critical elements of bringing things to life is understanding the difference between inspired action and fear-based action. Inspired action feels effortless and aligned with your purpose, while fear-based action is driven by anxiety, desperation, or avoidance. Manifesting requires that you take action, but it needs to come from a place of trust and alignment, not fear.

4. Handling Other People’s Limiting Beliefs: Protecting Your Energy

When you’re in the process of realising big things, others may try to project their doubts onto you. Learning how to manage their limiting beliefs and protect your own energy is crucial. Not everyone will see your vision, and that’s okay. What matters is that you trust in your ability to create and stay focused on your path.

5. Embracing Uncomfortable Situations: Testing Your Resolve

Manifestation isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes, you’re thrust into uncomfortable situations that challenge you. This is the universe (or your higher power) testing your commitment and resolve. Embrace these moments—these challenges are often the stepping stones to your success. Don’t be afraid to push through the discomfort; it’s part of your growth.

6. Believing in Yourself: The Magic of Trusting the Energy Around You

At the heart of drawing in your desires is belief. It’s not just about believing in the end goal, but also in yourself, your abilities, and the invisible energy around you that is always working in your favour. Cultivate this belief, especially on the days when doubt creeps in. Creating your desired reality requires unwavering trust that the universe has your back.

Manifesting is not a one-size-fits-all process. It’s as unique as the person creating it, and it evolves with every step you take. Some days it will feel like alignment and ease; other days, it might feel like trudging through the mud of doubt and discomfort. That’s the beauty of it—it’s dynamic, personal, and a constant journey of growth. Whatever your practice looks like, trust in your ability to shape your reality. The energy you put out and the actions you take will always guide you closer to the life you’re creating. So, whether you’re meditating, letting go, or pushing through tough moments, know that you’re on the right path—your path.

Wickedly Smart Women EP277—Shea Harty: Helping Jobseekers Achieve Their Career Goals

If you’re struggling to find work, it’s easy to fall into a scarcity mindset.

But what if you had access to free executive coaching? What if a coach could help you build confidence and land a job that is meaningful to you?

Shea Harty is Executive Director of the Empowerment Foundation, a nonprofit that champions workplace equality, focusing on diversity and mindset transformation in business. 

With over 20 years in HR, cross-cultural communication and digital engagement, Shea advises international corporations on inclusive cultures and DEI initiatives.

On this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, Shea joins Anjel to share the origin story of the Empowerment Foundation and explain who the nonprofit serves. 

Shea explains how her team helps jobseekers develop an abundance mindset and how the volunteer coaches benefit from working with the foundation.

Listen in for insight on how corporations benefit from building an inclusive environment and learn how to achieve your career goals through the Empowerment Foundation!

Supporting Unemployed Immigrants on AmsterDames: Inspiring Women in the Netherlands

Remember what it was like for you when you came to the Netherlands? When you had to get settled and needed to find a job? For some of us it is rather easy, for others it is really hard. For migrants who are not familiar with the Dutch or any European labour market there are many challenges to face. Often they apply and apply but only receive rejections without knowing the reason.

Finding “your people”: defining your business’s target audience

You have a business idea. Maybe you’ve already shared it with a few people, or maybe you’ve even sold a product or service. Now, you’re concerned about how to attract more clients and make a salary for yourself. Hopefully, you read my other article, and you’re over your fears of starting your own business. This deserves a little celebration. (Yes, it does! Whether you know it or not, it’s a great hurdle to overcome that fear and step forward into entrepreneurship).

Now, let’s talk about clients. This article has a lot more questions than answers - and that’s okay. First of all, every business is different. Secondly, you need to ask the right questions to get the answers you need. I hope you will find some of them after reading this piece. And if anything I mention isn’t clear, drop me a message anytime!

Who are your clients?

Clients are like you and me. Think about why you wanted to start this product or service. Did you notice a gap in the market? Did you see someone else doing it and thought you could do it better? Are you extending what you've done in your corporate life and now want to do it for yourself? Is there something you've been looking for that no one is offering?

Understanding your why will help you attract clients who want to work with you. They'll see that you understand their needs and are the best person to solve their problems or that you have the best product for them.

What do you already know about your clients? If you were initially helping yourself, say with a new organic soap that has specified ingredients for people with eczema, then someone like you would be your ideal customer. Easy. Now, try looking at yourself as a model of your potential client. Make a list that best describes:

• Your beliefs & values,

• Your financial situation (how much you make and how much you are willing to spend on products/services that you make),

• Your family situation (kids, partner(s), or any family obligations that would impact how you think about products/services you’re purchasing),

• What is missing in the current market that you wish you had,

• And anything else that you think might matter to someone wanting a product like yours.

Build an avatar(!)

The answers to these questions will build up the first avatar of clients you want to serve. What's an avatar? It's not just for video games (or movies). It's also market speak for the type of client you are serving. It's a model you will modify and build on to help you plan (digital) marketing to attract them to your business. As you grow your company, you'll create multiple avatars. But first, just start with one.

If this product or service is not for you or a family member or a friend, create an avatar describing that client group. Where do they work? What do they complain about the most? The answers to these questions can come straight from your own personal experience with the people you want to sell to. For example, join Facebook groups connecting your target audience/buyers and where they discuss topics important to them. You'll get a good sense of what bothers or challenges them, what makes them happy, and what words they use to describe themselves and their needs.

What if you want to sell to a group you have no experience with? Firstly, why do you want to help that group? Secondly, do you know anyone from this kind of group that you can talk to? You'll want to create a safe space to ask direct questions about their values and lifestyle. This could mean going outside your comfort zone (where all growth begins).

Stand out from the competition

It's not always the unique service or better quality product that attracts clients. People like people and are attracted by them. I know not everyone feels comfortable putting themselves in front of (any) audience. But there are ways of being out there without doing a Facebook Live, for example. People become attracted to the story. You have a story. Don't tell me you don't. I know you do; everyone does!

If you don't know your story and still insist that you don't have one, then it would be a good idea to talk to a friend. Tell them why you want to do this business. Why it's important for the people you want to help, and why YOU have the knowledge, experience or expertise to start it. See? You just shared your story!

If you don't have a friend that you trust or feel comfortable talking to, send me a message. I'd be happy to listen.

Attract your buyers

Now, you need a plan and a strategy for how you will get in front of the people who will buy your services or products. Where can they find you? Online? Brick and mortar? How often will you be there? Can they find you and ask questions? Where can they see or feel what it's like to work with you? Or to use your product? Are you at conferences? Fairs? Pop-up stores? Can you do a demonstration online? In-person? How will you keep in touch with them? How often will they hear from you?

When you answer these questions, plan the next steps for your business’s presence and offerings. Do the things that fit who you are and feel comfortable to you. However, I challenge you to stretch your comfort zone. Push your own boundaries and see where it takes you.

And remember: All the questions I am asking in this article should inspire you. Take notes, start planning, and ask yourself even more questions until you know what should be your next step.

I cannot express this enough. There is no one perfect way to run your business, to find clients, or to be successful. It doesn’t matter how many other companies do something similar to what you offer. Only you can do what you do the way you do it. No one else. It’s special. People want what you have to offer; they just don’t know you’re out there yet.

Ready to Fail

Start your own business and prepare to fail. I know that’s an awful thought! Who would start a business knowing there might be a failure?

You should. Now let me tell you why.

If anyone is telling you that when you start a business, everything will go smoothly and perfect, at this point, you should already know it’s simply not true. I don’t need to tell you they are delusional. But, if it’s your mom who said that - she’s great! She just wants the best for you. She does! But she’s not being completely honest.

Even if you come from a family of successful business owners and you’re going to piggyback off their success, you will definitely make your own mistakes. It’s human. You will encounter situations that no one in your family has ever faced before, and nothing they have ever experienced will give you guidance on how to approach the problem. The world is always changing, and every generation experiences new things. That’s just life.

But if you don’t come from a family of successful business owners, you might be the first one to dip your carefully manicured big toe in the water of uncertainty. (Can you feel me celebrating you right now? I am!) That first step into the unknown, no matter how small, is terrifying. But you’re taking a chance and doing it. Yes, you! (Hug yourself for me. If I were with you right now, we would be hugging. Seriously. I’m a hugger.)

Okay. Now, let’s discuss why and how you should prepare to fail. It’s all going to be good, I promise. (I’m still cheering for you!) These are three things that come up repeatedly when people are first starting out:

1. Find the right product and service that fits you. It has to fit you before it fits any industry, or your target client. You need to love what you do. Don’t choose something just because you’re good at it. Choose something because you love doing it. Can’t think of anything? Let me help you a bit. Do you love working with your hands? Do you love being around children or adults? Do you like being around people? Do you like working alone? Is there something you used to do all the time as a child or as a young adult? Is there something you decided to give up because it didn’t make sense in the ‘real world’? (Was that something from one of your parents or a mentor? Can we ignore them just for a moment?) Is there something that you enjoy AND are really, really, really good at? Still stuck? Last suggestion - go zen. Sit still. Quiet your mind. Let the answer come to you. You may have to do that a few times to get there.

2. It can happen that the first thing you pick doesn’t work out the way you had hoped. It’s your first ‘fail’. Be glad the first one happened so quickly, and get it out of the way. What did you learn from it? I am serious! Take a step back and analyze what went wrong. Try to be objective and figure out what you underestimated or overestimated. Write it all down. Journal it if you can. This experience will help you build a strong foundation for what you do next. Do you have someone who can provide you with honest feedback? Ask their opinion and be open to it. Don't be too hard on yourself. Take a break and give yourself time to recover. Remember, you will bounce back.

3. Find the right price. A couple of juicy ‘fails’ to make here. Charge too little, and you attract clients who won’t value you, and you won’t be able to afford the lifestyle you want to have. Yes, you deserve that lifestyle. It should be your mantra. How do you fix this? It’s a simple trial-and-error process. I have had several clients doubting themselves when raising prices. They feared no one would pay THAT much for their services. Believe me, with the right approach, you can raise prices from 20 EUR to 80 EUR per hour. (Shea, that’s crazy! I can’t do that! No one will work with me. I’m not worth that much. - Exact words from a client of mine who worked with board members. Today, she charges over 100 EUR per hour for her services) Of course, there’s also the danger of charging so much for services that others don’t see the value in the price. This can mean that the market isn’t ready for what you have to offer (yet!) or you haven’t shown the actual value in what you have to offer. Consider those options before giving up on your business.

Failure is a good thing. It means that you are trying. And trying is good because it will ultimately bring you to success. Don’t be afraid of it. Take your lessons, write down conclusions, plan the next steps, and try again. You got this!

Why NOT to let “What if” keep you from exploring entrepreneurship

This article is a dose of tough love and real answers for any woman in my network who is wondering if she should think about starting her own business. 

The short answer is: Yes, you should think about it. The longer answer is: Yes, you should think about it, and when you do, don’t get sidetracked by fear and let it trick you into making excuses. 

There are plenty of reasons why you should or should not open your own business, but trust me: You can make an excuse for either decision. But by making excuses, you’re robbing yourself of the opportunity to truly, deeply consider if you should work for yourself.

So, here are the excuses I hear the most (and I faced myself, too!), and some truths to go alongside them, to help your decision-making process. 

Most of the excuses have this structure:

I’m ready to start my own business, but what if….

Yes, what if?

What if I don’t make money right away?

That can definitely happen, yes, but that doesn’t happen to everyone (much less most people). Next.

What if it requires a lot of work from me?

Oh girl, trust me. It’s going to be even more work than you are dreading it will be. But the real question is: will it be worth it? How much work are you doing right now, including emotional work? Is it more or less? Which will make you feel more free?

What if I’m not good at it? 

How many things were you good at on the first try? From walking to speaking to working, you have already proven you can become better, even become an expert. Make a list right now of all the things you now know but didn’t know how to do when you started. See? You got this!

What if I fail?

I think that’s the real fear for many women. Failure. But what does failure look like for you? Let’s break down each of these on their own. 

I’ll fail if I can’t find clients.

I’m going to do another article just on finding clients, don’t worry! But for right now, before you drop your day job to start your own business, start small. Test the idea with friends and family first. Do they like your product or service? Would they recommend you to their friends? If you have five friends and they love your product/service and they recommend it to one person, that’s 10 clients. If they continue to recommend to only ONE person, that becomes a new client and now you are at 20 clients. Start small and keep moving!

I’ll fail if I can’t make enough money to cover my costs.

When you first start your business, yes, it needs to cover your bills. That means you have to have your pricing in a good place, and that requires knowing your clients as well as putting aside resources (time or money or both) to get new clients. 

For pricing - what is the price that your clients would love to pay? What is the true value of what you are offering? And are those numbers close? How much does it cover your costs? 

Remember too that getting clients and keeping clients is a huge part of your regular responsibilities. Even if you’re happy with 2-5 clients per month, you have to put in time to find new clients because clients come and go. That’s not necessarily a reflection on you (although you should always check in with your clients on why they move on) but it could be the nature of business in general. It’s wise to put aside some savings at all times to cover 6-12 months. It takes time to build this up but it’s necessary. Every little bit counts.

I’ll fail because I hate sales. The thought of it makes me ill.

Is it the fear of rejection? Putting yourself out there and being laughed at or just being told no? To be clear: Running a business requires comfort with rejection, because rejection is a part of life. It hurts, yes. But it’s not something you haven’t faced before. It could be someone you were dating, a friend, a teacher, or even a job you applied for. You have already faced rejection before. You dusted yourself off and went back out there again. It’s because of ‘rejection’ or hearing no that you are where you are today.  

I’ll fail because I can’t find my ‘ideal’ client. 

Yes, if you’re not selling to the right people this can affect the stability and growth of your business. It takes some time to figure this out. It is a bit of a guessing game at first (sorry!)It is part of the journey, which means it is nothing that should stop you. 

Who is this elusive ideal client? In the beginning you’ll think you know who your clients are but then some time will pass and you’ll continue to (re)define who are the right people how (1) could really use your product/service, (2) will want more of what you offer (we need those repeat customers), and (3) genuinely connect to what you are trying to offer to the world. These are the great people that just can’t imagine working with anyone but you!

I’ll fail because I feel like I don’t know what the f*ck I’m doing or where to begin so I’m giving up right now. 

Don’t give up yet. If you  want this, then don’t let this conversation in your mind take over. There are many resources online for impostor syndrome, but I would suggest talking to people you already know. The internet is full of advice and information but firsthand accounts from actual people helps to get over this fear.. And if you don’t know anyone you can ask, you can ask me! 

The nature of entrepreneurship is the roller coaster of feast and famine! But: famine doesn’t have to mean you are destitute. It can just mean not as many clients as you would like for a short period of time. That famine period is also a time to figure out what you want to change. It’s a learning period and an opportunity. It is not a failure.

If I can leave you with one final piece of advice: Take your fear and use it as fuel for your new business venture. Don’t let your fears stand in your way of being all that you want to be and experience. You got this.

Smash Your Fears and Be a Successful Boss

Did you forget that you run the show here? This is your business. It's your ideas. You are the visionary that is going to make it work. You just need a little reminder.

1. That feeling that you’re going to fail. Cut it out. Failure is a good thing. You want to fail. It means you tried. It means you took a chance. Whether you fail big or small, pat yourself on the back because you are willing to take chances. Write down the many times you have felt you failed or made a mistake. Next to each one, write down what you learned. Now go forth and learn/fail some more. You got this.

2. That feeling that you're not good enough. Do this for me. I need you to write down all the things people have ever told you that you're good at. Think of past teachers. Past managers. Parents. Aunts. Uncles. Friends. Lovers. Write it all down. Can't think of anything. Call a friend and ask them what they think you are good at. Write it down. Call another friend. Call mom. Call dad. Call anyone that has a positive attitude about you. Take that list and sit with it for a while and accept that you are good enough. Because you are.

3. That feeling that people will judge you. Good. Let them. That judgment is more about them than it is about you. Their opinions have nothing to do with you. Usually, the harshest judges are the ones who are afraid to try themselves. It's easy for them to sit on the side and criticize someone else. You can ignore them or just accept that you have some haters in your camp. Successful people always have a hater or two.

4. That feeling that it needs to be perfect. What happens if it isn't perfect? Then what? Seriously, write down what will happen if it's not perfect. And next to that write down how you will benefit from the imperfections. Perfection kills progress. You can't get very far, very fast if it has to be 100%. Let that shit go.

There are many more feelings I did not cover. For any feeling that you have that I didn't cover ask yourself, what is the alternative to NOT doing what you have to do?

The What If Project Personal Branding Process

Why You Need to Start Working on Your Personal Brand TODAY

Whenever I tell someone that I am a Personal Brand coach and advisor they seem to think that this is something they should work on when they are already successful. That somehow personal branding is just for people who are already recognized as leaders, experts, or celebrities. Nothing could be farther than the truth. The people you see and admire today established themselves way before they had an audience of 10,000 followers.

• Rome was not built in a day. It takes time to build an audience. 

It really takes time to build an engaged audience. Sure you can buy followers through agencies that offer to build you an audience. But what you really want is to connect to people that can do something for your career or business. And that takes time. People need to know, like and trust you before they can consider recommending or giving you the project, role, or client that you want.

• You want people to take notice of the amazing things you are doing right now.

Because it's going to take time to establish yourself, you want to be recognized for what you are doing right now. That will help showcase your expertise for others to recognize you for unique talents. (Hint: You need to know what you want to be known for first!) Right now, you are already making an impact at your job or with your clients. But if no one else knows except you and maybe a handful of people, then it's time to start working on your personal brand, TODAY.

• Taking action on your brand now, will push your career forward faster. 

It starts with the little things. First defining who you want to be known as ie THE Game App Expert or THE Fixer of Broken Widgets. Then communicating that message in a way that you can control the narrative of your career. Instead of waiting for others to FINALLY notice your work, take control of what people see, hear and experience when they work with you. See you career as a vehicle, be the driver and take your career as fast or as far as you want.

• Don't miss opportunities simply because no one really knows what you represent. 

The worst thing is finding out you missed an opportunity because the decision maker didn't know 1) that you wanted it or 2) that you are the shit when it comes to this type of work. When you establish what you want and what skills you want to be known for, it makes it really easy for others to see opportunities that would be perfect for you. They won't hesitate to contact you because you become the obvious choice.

Right now, make time to think about what you want to represent, what do you want people to say about you when you're not in the room, ask yourself how visible you want to be and how ambitious are your dreams. More importantly ask yourself what if?