A Matter of Perspective
Where do you
want to be planted?

Into Action
To uncover possible hidden thoughts
and beliefs

Modern Mom Spotlight
Amanda Hughen, artist and graphic designer

Challenge
900 NAMES IN 90 DAYS

Current Offerings
Vibrant Mother©
Motherhood By Design©
Individual Coaching

Bio
Who is Corrine Bucher?

Where do you want to be planted?
by Corrine Bucher

When my daughter was born I remember thinking: “Now my lifestyle will be really limited, and forget adventurous travel.” I went through a rollercoaster of highs and lows those first few months, alternately reveling in the unexpected joys of being a mom and getting depressed over the restrictions of my new responsibility.  Then I did a little self-coaching to transform my experience. I told myself: “Being a mother opens up an entirely new world of possibility." A few weeks later my new perspective was tested. My husband invited me to join him on a work trip to Africa. I was torn about leaving our six-month-old daughter with her grandparents for the week-long trip, but I took the plunge -- and it proved to be a great experience, not only for myself, but my daughter and my parents as well. 

What I learned is that my perspective impacts my choices, behavior, and results. If I'm thinking that "Adventurous travel is over," then I instinctively say no to the African trip and don't even consider pursuing such opportunities. Then my belief that a part of my life is over is confirmed -- not because of circumstance, but because I made it so. 

In order to be the mother, wife, friend, and woman I desire to be, I need to take a step back and get down to the basics (often). I love to think of myself as a tree with deep roots, standing tall and strong, grounded and thriving. Metaphors often inspire me from the inside out. If I am this vibrant tree, my perspective is the soil in which I'm planted. It seems so simple, but all too often I am operating on auto-pilot and don’t even realize the underlying beliefs that run my life. For instance, if I am operating on the belief, “Being a mom is hard” then chances are I'm going to live my day so that prophecy is fulfilled. What if, however, I operate on the belief that "Being a mom is a blessing"? Can you sense the internal shift between those two perspectives? Being a mom IS hard -- but focusing on that, seeing it as only that, makes it infinitely harder and limits my ability to see everything else it is. The first step to creating a vibrant life is to make sure that your perspective is powerful and productive, not limiting. Off what perspective are your roots feeding? 

In the exercise below, you will begin exploring what limiting beliefs might be lurking in your life. Limiting beliefs are the ones that hold you back and sabotage your efforts to accomplish what you really want. Find them and you are more than halfway there!

To uncover possible hidden thoughts and beliefs, finish the following statements:

Being a mom is

Motherhood is

Finding time for me is

Balance is

Take a look at your answers above, which belief are you ready to shift? Pick the one that you think will have the biggest impact.

Now create a new positive belief or perspective. For example:

From: Motherhood is exhausting.
To: Motherhood is a fulfilling journey that nudges me to grow!

Your Powerful Belief or Perspective is

Please email me and share your results! Corrine@corrinebucher.com

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Amanda Hughen, artist and graphic designer
http://www.amandahughen.com

I have two small children -- ages 1 and 3 -- and two careers, so my life is something of a juggling act. So far, I have managed to stay reasonably sane and have time with my family. I have exhibits of my work this year in San Francisco, New York, and Chicago, but it is difficult if not impossible to support oneself on art sales (galleries take 50% of sales, and the art market is always fluctuating), so I also work as a freelance graphic designer. As a result, balance is the number one priority in my life.

Sometimes I have lots of graphic design work, sometimes I have art exhibit deadlines, so my work life is a roller coaster. I try to take the ups and downs as they come, and not be overly affected by either.

My husband also works for himself -- he is an architect -- and the fact that both of us are self-employed comes with advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage is that we are truly co-parenting. My husband is fully involved in the day-to-day activities, trials and triumphs of our children. When one of us has lots of work, the other one is able to step in and take on more responsibility during that time.

1) What is your top tip for balancing it all?
Flexibility and awareness are key for me. Staying aware of my body is important. If I am tired or frazzled or feeling like I need more time in my studio, I pay attention to that and do what I need to do to regain a healthy equilibrium. I am a firm believer in the idea of putting the oxygen mask on mommy first so she can take care of others. Or as they say in the south, "If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy." When either I or my husband seem over-worked or over-tired, the other one steps up and takes on a bit more for a few days. 

One disadvantage of my husband and me both being self-employed is that we work seven days a week. So we frequently divide and conquer. The trick is finding quality time for our entire family to be together, and we do that in the mornings, evenings, and weekend outings.

2) How has being a mom impacted your success?
Being a mom has increased my openness to and the importance of fun in my life. Before I had kids, I was quite serious and rigid about my career, but my kids have enabled me to realize how much better everything is when fun is involved. To paraphrase Anne Lamott, I was carrying heavy boulders for no reason, and I have put them down. It feels great. 

My biggest fears about having children were that I would not have time to make artwork, or that I would lose the desire to do so. But somehow, being a mom has made me a more prolific artist. There is the saying, "99% of success is just showing up", and for an artist that is particularly true. I am fiercely protective of my studio time. It is tempting sometimes to accept an invitation for brunch, or to finish a graphic design project, or just clean the kitchen instead, but I resist and am in my studio like clockwork. 

3) What is your best mommy moment?
When the four of us are together and happy and calm, I am in heaven.

A good coach always challenges his/her clients to stretch FAR,
and I've been challenged by my coaches to increase my distribution list by 900 names in 90 days.

 Please help your friends, family & colleagues discover Embracing Motherhood by forwarding this issue and encouraging them to join my distribution list. As a thank you, they'll receive their complimentary Vibrant Mother Planning Workbook, not available by any other means!

Thank you for your support.
And if you are interested in a copy of the workbook, simply email me for the link!

Three Offerings:

1. The Vibrant Mother© Group Coaching in Half Moon Bay
This 3 month program meets the 4th Tuesday of each month as a group for 2 hours. You also receive one 45-minute individual coaching session each month. Investment - $150 per month.

2. Motherhood By Design © From Tired To Inspired At Home And Work
Designed to make it efficient and easy for busy moms to participate, this 9 month group tele-class will meet twice a month for one hour. A total of 18 group sessions. Investment - $149 per month. Launching this spring.

3. Individual Coaching
Coaching is a powerful partnership that often leads to remarkable results. As a coach I provide structure, tools, accountability, and inspiration to move you forward.  Pricing varies.

Please email me for more details, corrine@corrinebucher.com