Whenever I’m starting an exciting new project, my mind always flashes back across all of the people who helped me get here, today.

It’s kinda like a Rocky Balboa training montage. You know what I’m talking about. 😉

My current project? It’s big. It’s scary. It’s a brand-new webTV series that I’m writing, producing and (gulp!) starring in.

One mentor who helped me get here? Her name is Gail Larsen. She’s a public speaking coach. And one day, many years ago, she gave me one (bizarre) piece of advice that has never left my heart.

Put simply? She gave me permission to cry onstage.

More than permission — she basically insisted upon it.

“Why are you holding back your tears?” she asked, while I was practicing a keynote speech about a deeply-emotional family story. “Why not let them see you cry?”

“Seriously?” I said. “But isn’t that, like, totally unprofessional and sloppy?”

“You’re not going to have a nervous breakdown right there, on stage,” she laughed. “But if you’re moved, be moved. If you’re vulnerable, be vulnerable. That’s how you connect. That’s how you make an impact.”

Her words have stayed with me, through the years. They’ve shaped the way I write, coach, tell stories and market my work.

Because of that ONE piece of advice, I am better at everything I do.

And for me? That’s the power of intimate, personalized coaching.

Getting that ONE simple (and often surprising) slice of wisdom that changes everything.

My question for you today is:

What’s one simple, surprising slice of wisdom that changed everything for YOU? Who gave it to you? And is it time to reach out and say “thank you?”

On a related note: a happy announcement! I’m rebooting my 1-on-1 coaching program this fall, and I’ve got room for 2 or 3 more people to get on the love-train.

It’s 6 months of individual mentoring for your body, your career and your life, with lots of yummy phone-time and epiphany-sparking conversations. And did I mention our private lakeside retreat? That, too.

As much as I LOVE training newly-minted coaches, teaching at Martha Beck’s Life Coach training program, creating video programs & blogging my lil’ heart out, 1-on-1 coaching is still my absolute favorite way to help people get what they want. 🙂

Check out the program and if you’re feeling a big wave of YES-NESS, send a note to susanehyatt@gmail.com.

See (and coach!) you soon …

xoxo.

Susan