Declare Who You Want to Be (and go be it!) with Jess Ekstrom

Tangible Takeaways:

• Pay attention to the experiences you create for others, whether it's in person, over the phone, or via email. Consider how you want people to feel in your presence and make those experiences positive and warm.
• Write your eulogy. This exercise can provide clarity on the qualities, actions, or values you want to be evident in your life. Use this reflection to guide your actions in life.
• Reflect on what matters most to you and what gives you joy. Explore your passions, interests, and positive qualities, to find your why or purpose.  
• Acknowledge negative realities and grieve instead of avoiding or suppressing negative feelings or losses in your life. Grieving and allowing yourself and others to feel these emotions can open the pathway to joy and healing.
• Find your why or purpose by exploring your passions, interests, and the activities that bring you joy. Your big why can be found there!

P.S. This will be the last episode for 2023! I will be taking a much-needed break, and return in January. I look forward to reconnecting in the New Year!
 

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.
 

Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Tangible Takeaways:

• Recognize what you can control and that you can’t control the actions or health of other people. Especially those suffering from chronic pain or disease. Instead of fixing it, ask what is needed.
• Establish clear boundaries for yourself to prevent burnout. Prioritize self-care and ensure you're taking care of your physical and emotional well-being.
• Ask for what you need! Communicate your needs to friends, family, and other support networks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Take time to reflect on your emotions, frustrations, and losses associated with the situation. Give your negative feelings space to be processed. That alone is therapeutic.
• Find moments of joy and positivity amidst the challenges. Laughter and positivity can co-exist with pain, and maintaining a hopeful outlook can significantly affect your ability to cope!
  
   

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.
 

Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Tangible Takeaways:

• Try implementing "20 seconds of courage." For 20 seconds take those initial steps, whether it's asking for a raise, starting a conversation, or making a significant change. It only takes 20 seconds to get started!
• Write down your achievements. Keeping a record can boost confidence and provide a visual representation of your progress over time. (This is also handy when asking for a raise!)
• Be real and be you! Embrace who you are, understand your value, and build confidence from there.
• If you struggle with networking and starting conversations with new people, initiate conversations with a compliment. This can serve as a friendly icebreaker.

About Sarah:
Sarah's career began in the Network Marketing Industry, where she built large organizations and learned about the importance of personal development, setting goals and how to lead others. She later realized that she could reach a larger network by utilizing technology.

Sarah then fell into the mobile marketing and tech world, where she was in charge of the marketing department, project management, customer success management, and found her true calling. That passion led to helping business professionals discover and establish their brands through technology.

In 2018, Sarah expanded her career by entering the membership association industry and worked for the California Fashion Association. There she learned the business side of fashion. How to run a business, how to know your market and the difference between building a brand vs. becoming an influencer.

February 2021, Sarah became the Director of Membership Engagement & Business Development with the California Manufacturers & Technology Association supporting all California Manufacturers on a advocacy level, supporting seventeen sectors of manufacturing including the garment and textile industry.

Furthermore, in 2017, Sarah and her family founded "The Soule Foundation" in honor of her Father, Dwight Johnson. In Dwight's memory, the Johnson Clan continues to host the Annual Dwight Johnson Golf Classic" to raise money for local charities in the Seattle area.

Connect with Sarah:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-johnson-8ba25357/

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.
 

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Episodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Tangible Takeaways:

• Actively engage in conversations by asking open-ended questions and pausing to listen attentively.
• Imagine that everyone has a sign above their head that says, "Make me feel important." Use this perspective to show genuine interest in others.
• Start and end your sentences with confidence and clear articulation to engage your audience.
• Pay attention to your facial expressions, and smile! This way, you’ll convey a positive and approachable demeanor.
• Avoid the "curse of knowledge" by tailoring your message to your audience's level of understanding.
• Incorporate storytelling into your communication to make your message more engaging. Remember to make them concise!

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Tangible Takeaways:

• Look at all the rules that you’ve been handed, and ask: which of these do I want to keep carrying with me and which ones do I want to break?
• Your worth is not connected to achievement, success, or how your body looks. These rules create shame or make you feel “too much:
• A part of creating change and understanding the rules is calling them out, and then purposely start to break the ones that no longer work for you. You don't need to throw everything away, but you get to choose!
• Adopt an attitude of experimentation. Tell yourself “I’ll just trying it out.” Shedding and choosing your own rules is not a permanent decision that has to be forever.

About Heather:
Heather Whelpley is a speaker, author of the award-winning book An Overachiever's Guide To Breaking The Rules: How To Let Go Of Perfect and Live Your Truth, and host of the podcast, Create Your Own Rules For Life. Her work focuses on galvanizing women to rediscover their voice, take up space, and unleash their authentic leadership - and life. Prior to becoming a speaker, Heather worked in a wide variety of HR and leadership development roles in the US, Australia, and Latin America. Her second book, Grounded Wildness, will be published this fall. Heather lives in Colorado where she enjoys hiking, exploring, and getting connected with her grounded and wild self!

Connect with Heather:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.whelpley/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherwhelpley/

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Episodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Tangible Takeaways:

• Communicating with clarity takes intention!
• Your audiences need structure to know where you're headed and what you're doing. Otherwise, they're going to get lost and tune out.
• When you start any message, whether it's a voice message, voicemail, or voice memo- front load it with why you're sharing it or what you want from the conversation.
• If you notice yourself rambling, stop, pause, and say aloud, “My point is this…” That will repair the rambling episode and make you appear more focused.
• When you're communicating with clarity, pausing is a beautiful skill to have. It shows control, people listen, and is directly linked to credibility.

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Tangible Takeaways:

• You’re a spiritual being on a human journey, and that intersection between the two requires emotional learning. It's learning how to integrate, like balancing a bike.
• It’s important to listen to your body and listen to your emotions.
• When struggling with a frustrating event, separate yourself from the story and avoid the blame and judgment. Focus inward on what emotions you feel.
• Google “Emotion Wheels” to help name your emotions.
• Think of emotions as your greatest teacher. What are they showing you about yourself?

About Karen Fullerton:
Karen has always been a catalyst for growth. As a seasoned marketer, she made her mark as an award-winning entrepreneur and nonprofit founder. Parallel to her career, Karen became a Reiki Master and Teacher in 2002—igniting her passion for chakra energy healing and evolution.

Her paths converged in 2018 after becoming a quantum energy practitioner, focusing on emotional wellness as the precursor to effective mindfulness, overall well-being, and success.

Karen’s mission is to help women flourish to #SpiralUp momentum to a life of emotional freedom, harmony, and happiness. She is a speaker, teacher, author, intuitive energy worker, and guide.

Join Karen’s 7 Days to Emotional Wellness: A Quantum Energy Approach: https://bgo9wolen2gqcvkb4xs1.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/14d6fabc-5a3f-4402-9dfe-17f8c6b67dce

Connect with Karen Fullerton:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenleefullerton/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-fullerton-speaker/

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Episodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Tangible Takeaways:

• Remember: people want to be pursued!
• Follow up beyond your comfort level. With high ticket offers, you need to follow up a minimum of nine times, and it could even be years before they are ready to buy.
• It is tempting to ask passively because it feels more comfortable, but resist this urge and ask with clarity.
• Anticipate the next step and make the process easy. Schedule your next follow-up before you end the conversation! 
• You are not bothering anyone. Remember how busy you are and your own buying journey. It typically requires an extended hand from someone else. 
• Always be nurturing people around you. Be kind, thoughtful, and generous. 
• Communicate your value and share how you solve a problem for someone else.

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

• When you work on your mindset, teach your children along the way! You can transform both your life and the lives of your children.
• Research shows eight out of 10 people have negative fear-based thinking, and this comes from childhood trauma. This is the reason why many are afraid to use their voice.
• Have the guts and the mindset to say yes to opportunities. The more you practice it, the more you believe in yourself.
• Dating is not about being vulnerable, it’s about being empowered! Know how to ask conversational questions to make empowered decisions in your dating life.

About Riana:
Coach Riana Milne was featured in the March 14th 2023 Influencer Daily; Selected as “One of the Top Coaches to Follow in 2022” by Wealth Insider Magazine and is also featured in FORBES Magazine and Business Success Magazine in 2023. She’s a Certified, Global Life, Love Trauma Recovery & Mindset Coach, Advanced Cert. Clinical Trauma & Addictions Professional (CCTP-II), a #1 Bestselling Author, the Host of her Podcast called Lessons in Life & Love™, an Educational Speaker, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for over 23 years living in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Riana also won the 2022 GIVA International Award for Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year and Top Global Wellness Coach; and was selected in 2021 as “One of The 100 Most Successful Women Around the World” by The Global Trade Chamber. She was also a Life & Dating Coach for the 12-show Docu-Series; Radical Dating – Finding Lasting Love Over 40 (and her client is now happily married!). Riana specializes in those who have had past Childhood or Relationship Trauma and offers Group & VIP Coaching programs for Singles & Couples globally.

Riana’s 5-star rated books; the #1 Bestseller, LOVE Beyond Your Dreams – Break Free of Toxic Relationships to Have the Love You Deserve - and - LIVE Beyond Your Dreams – from Fear and Doubt to Personal Power, Purpose, and Success addresses Life Difficult Transitions, Personal Transformation, The Mindset for Success, and having Loving, Conscious Relationships with yourself and others.

Connect with Riana:

Website: https://RianaMilne.com

Podcast: https://www.LessonsinLifeandLove.com   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrianamilne/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachRiana

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/RianaMilne/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RianaMilne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rianamilne

TikTok & Clubhouse: https://www.tiktok.com/@RianaMilne

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Episodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Tangible Takeaways:

• The goal is to project the image that you want to project.
• Have a point, and stick to it! You can do this by deciding your point in advance and sharing this upfront. People need to receive information with the point first, and details after, not the other way around.
• Avoid data dumping! We can think this boosts your credentials, but in reality, people can only take in so much information at once. Keep it simple.
• Make sure your message is relevant to your audience, and be wary of the curse of knowledge. 
• Instead of shutting down new ideas, make sure that you are open. Even if you tried that idea before, give it 5 minutes of consideration and allow brainstorming to happen.
• Make sure expectations are clear, not unspoken, by asking, “What does ‘done’ look like to you?”
• State the “why” up front! Make sure everyone on your team understands the why behind projects and tasks so they’ll be more motivated to do them.
   

About me:
Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial 

Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

Clubhouse: @karenlaos

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/