Brandmerry Blog Archives
3 Steps to Release Your Fears
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear" -Jack Canfield
The other day I had a moment of absolute fear. It was so consuming that I called my husband in tears. After a long talk about what was holding me back and him reassuring me that he believes in me with all of his being, yeah I got super lucky with him as a partner, I felt better, but drained. Why was I continuing to let fear control parts of life? I've been fighting this battle for years and even though I continue to release it, it seems to sneak back in.
The next morning I was getting ready to meditate and pulled one of my motivation cards. I pulled the "Invite Fear Over For Tea" card. I've pulled this card before and was about to put it back when I felt called to keep it out and make it my focus for the day. What came up for me over the next twenty minutes was life changing.
During my meditation I decided to write a goodbye letter to my fears. I proceeded to write in my journal the following letter.
Dear Fear,
I see you, I hear you and I don’t want you any longer. It is time to hit the road and release this hold you have on me. I’ve been walking in tandem with you for years and we just can’t be connected any longer. I don’t need you anymore. I don’t need you as a crutch any longer. I’m ready to do it with my whole heart and soul and I just can’t do it with you around.
There was a time when you actually brought a little comfort to my life. When I could count on you/blame you to get me out of situations I wasn’t 100% sure of, but now you are consuming me. We have been together too long now and I’ve become dependent on you.
I know you’ll never leave on your own so this is my final goodbye. I’m releasing you to never find you again. This isn’t temporary, we’ve done that before, this is permanent. It’s time for drastic change and I’m ready physically, mentally and emotionally to release you from my soul.
It’s time for me to stand alone, free from fear and put myself and my talents out into this world. It’s time to live freely.
No longer yours,
Michelle Knight
Here is the thing about fears, we all have them. It's how we choose to react to them that dictates our lives. Are you hiding in fear? What are you holding back from because you are afraid of the outcome?
I've created a list of the top three steps to release your fears. Seriously don't wait another minute to say goodbye to your fears.
The immediate release I felt after following these steps and releasing the fears that have been paralyzing me for years felt like nothing else. Is it easy to release them, absolutely not, but it is worth it. Yes, you may have to repeat steps 1 to 3 multiple times in your life, but each time will get easier and you will come out stronger than before.
Three steps to release your fears:
Get to the core - journal with the intention of asking yourself Why Am I Afraid? and I’m not talking the first answers that come to your mind - you have to explore the underlying fears and where they are coming up and why.
Pinpoint Where they are holding you back - Take those fears and pinpoint exact moments in your life where those fears have held you back. Relive those moments and connect on an emotional level. I want you to feel those fears so you can finally come to terms with how toxic they are.
finally Release them - verbally, emotionally and physically let it go. Verbally - Say “{INSERT FEAR} I release you and the hold you have on me." Emotionally - Feel it in your soul that you are free of this fear and the emotional hold it has on you. Don’t just say it - Believe it! Physically - I encourage you to physically release the hold fear has on you. My favorite ways include burning your fear (although I’m not responsible for damage so please practice safety) and writing a letter.
If you are serious about releasing your fears and getting to the root of what has been holding you back, it is time to get help. In my 90 Day Passport to Freedom program we uncover what fears and limitation are holding you back from reaching your life of freedom. Uncovering your fears is just as essential as getting your sales funnel in order, and dare I say more important. You can't possible go forward in your business without doing the dirty work and digging down deep. I'd love to support you on this journey >>
Be Merry!
Michelle Knight
What I Know For Sure
On Monday, September 12 I will be turning 29. It isn’t a big birthday in the grand scheme of things, but I will be entering the last year of my 20’s which is pretty crazy! To say I’m excited for this next year, is a complete understatement. At the end of this month I am leaving my 9 to 5 to pursue my business full time. This is an exciting transition for myself and my family and I am on the brink of changing our lives and the lives of others.
My goal is to make a global impact in this world, by empowering women to share their story with the world through their brand. In my mind there is no better storyteller or promoter of stories than Oprah. This week I’ve been drawn to listening to her book, “What I Know for Sure.” If you haven’t read or listened before, I highly recommend taking time to do so.
Her book inspired me to think about my own life and where I am as I enter into this new phase, so I’ve complied my own list of What I Know For Sure thanks to Lady O.
What I Know For Sure...
I know for sure that spending time with family is the best feeling in the world. Whether it be sitting on the couch watching Netflix or playing washers in my parent’s backyard, nothing fills my soul like family time.
I know for sure that traveling is one of the greatest joys. It opens your eyes to the beauty of this world and to the acceptance of others. It takes you out of your comfort zone and puts you in situations that require you to problem solve. As an added bonus you get really good at staying calm when you get lost.
I know for sure that having a garden that you get to nurture and grow and then eventually benefit from in the most delicious way never gets old.
I know for sure I’m meant for so much in this world and that just going with the flow has never been enough.
I know for sure Italy will always have my heart. The amazing food and wine, strolling down the streets after a late and long dinner, to just walking through the cities will always be my favorite memory.
I know for sure an evening talking and laughing with a good bottle of wine is the best way to spend time with someone you love.
I know for sure compassion, above all else, is the best, most attractive trait a person can possess. Not to mention it makes the world a better place to live.
I know for sure a soy no water chai from Starbucks is the best drink to enjoy when I need to get shit done.
I know for sure everyone has a story to tell and I was put on this earth to empower them to tell it. Join my 5-Day Challenge to Own Your Story >>
I know for sure feeling water rush over my body, as if I’m standing alone under a waterfall, is the most relaxing and meditative feeling in the world.
I know for sure walking barefoot outside helps me feel grounded and connected to this earth in a way nothing else does.
I know for sure that there is no greater feeling than love and once you truly feel love for yourself and the love for and of another you can accomplish anything.
I know for sure that everything we encounter is a choice and it is a choice we have the power to make.
I know for sure my body is a vessel and I must take care of it in order for it to carry me through this life.
I know for sure there are no better colors than the colors of fall.
I know for sure I’ve never felt stronger than when I take time to get on my mat. Yoga makes me feel strong inside and out and as if I can take on the world.
I know for sure love that supports you, lifts you and pushes you to be your best self is the truest of love and I have just that.
I know for sure giving birth changed me forever. Not only did I bring into this world a beautiful life, that I can nurture, inspire and learn from, but knowing that I did it, through perseverance and pain, is my greatest accomplishment to date.
I know for sure that I am worthy of everything I desire.
BE MERRY!
Michelle Knight
P.S. If you know for sure that you are meant for more in this world, that you are destined for a life of freedom and you have a story to tell this world, but aren't sure how to go about it, I'd love to chat about how I can help make your life of freedom a reality. schedule a call >>
Colorado Getaway
#travelmerry
If you are a regular to the Brandmerry blog, then you know all about my love of traveling. If you don’t know my story, be sure to check it out here. Traveling has always been a top priority for me; even before my husband and I started traveling together I had already visited seven countries on my own.
Traveling opens up so many possibilities because it takes you out of your comfort zone, forces you to adapt and by default you begin to grow. I know for a fact that my story and the person I am today has been shaped by the experiences I have had the privilege of having throughout my travels.
When I became pregnant with our son so many people told us we should get it out of the way now. For some reason they had this idea in their heads that when we have kids your ability to travel, learn and explore go out the window. Well to that I say Hell No! Seriously, who came up with this idea. Traveling with our son has been even more exciting than it was before and we don't plan on slowing down anytime soon.
My husband and I know traveling is essential to learning and growing and want to teach our son the same mentality. Because of this we have already taken three adventures with our son before he was even 9 months old. Together we have explored California, Chicago (check out the blog post here) and Colorado, next up Europe with a visit to Belgium and Amsterdam.
Traveling is so much a part of who I am that it was the driving force behind starting this business. I want to be able to travel the world as much as I can, whenever I want. I also want to show other women and especially mothers that it is possible to travel with your children and create a job that allows you to do so.
Colorado
We booked an impromptu trip to Colorado in July. I was daydreaming, as I typically do on a Monday, and came across some seriously cheap airfare. Minutes later it was booked! As with all of our trips we book our accommodations through Airbnb, and once again our rental did not disappoint.
We spent our evenings in Boulder, CO, but our days exploring the beauty around us. Here is a snapshot of our impromptu getaway to Colorado.
Boulder:
Twisted Pine Brewery
Native Foods (we seriously visit this everywhere we go!)
Avery Brewing Company
Flatirons
Mountain Sun Pub
Eldarado Canyon (a hidden gem in Boulder)
Leaf Restaurant (delicious vegan brunch)
Taj Indian Cuisine
Estes Park:
Estes Park Brewing Company
Estes Park Tram
6 mile hike (yes 6 miles!) to Bridal Veil Falls
Colorado Springs:
Garden of the Gods
TRiNiTY Brewing Company
Would love to hear your favorite places in or around Boulder and Denver - I definitely see another trip in our future.
Facing Your Fears {Surface-level Shit}
Whether you have a fear of heights, water, public speaking (which if this is you you definitely need to watch my free webinar replay) or something else - it is time to start facing those surface level fears and stop letting them dictate your power.
I personally have always had a fear of heights.
You would never find me standing near a ledge, jumping off rocks or really even going in elevators at a young age. My husband on the other hand, most definitely does not have a fear of heights. It’s not uncommon to see him scaling rocks with absolutely no equipment or jumping off of 40-foot waterfall in Costa Rica; yeah I almost had a heart attack with that one.
When we started dating he was constantly pushing me and pushing me and pushing me to face my fear of heights, but I was not budging. I remember a time in Yosemite when we were there with his whole family and they were all jumping off this rock into the water. I was so scared, but I eventually climbed up the rock, already hard enough on its own, and waited to jump. Needless to say I ended up in tears, climbed down a little bit and jumped off a lower rock. It’s hard to explain, but the feeling I get when I am on the edge of something is an all-encompassing feeling in my whole entire body that the worst is about to happen.
So why am I telling you this? I’m telling you this because I know you can relate. I bet there is a surface level fear you are dealing with that is holding you back in your everyday life.
That rock in Yosemite made me realize that I was sitting back on a lot of fun adventures because I was letting my fear consume me. From then on I made it a point to try one thing that scared me every year when we took our annual anniversary vacation. Since Yosemite in 2012 I’ve walked across a rope bridge in Ireland, stood at the edge of Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, zip lined in Oregon, stood in the glass case at the Sears Tower, hiked to the top of a waterfall in Costa Rica and just recently went indoor rock climbing with my husband. Each one of these experiences has made me get out of my comfort zone and pushed me past my limits - and each of these experiences has carried over into my everyday life.
I’m becoming more adventurous in my decisions, in taking chances and yes, in climbing to the top!
Facing Your Fears:
Helps you grow as an individual and business owner
Makes you feel as if you can accomplish anything (especially if it is a fear you've held on to for years)
Teaches you that YOU have the power
Gives you a new perspective on life and what you've been holding back from
That’s the trick with facing your fears at the surface level, it opens up the opportunity for new possibilities you might normally ignore out of fear. I want you to remember that every small step you take every chance that you have to face these fears is really a chance for a new beginning.
By facing our fears a little bit at a time we are slowly breaking away the layers that are holding us back.
Be Merry!
If you are ready to stop living your life in fear and reach to make drastic changes in you life and business, then now is the time to book a discovery call with me. let's chat for 30 minutes about where you are, where you want to be and how you are going to get there >>
Become a Public Speaking Pro
It has been reported that 74% of people suffer from speech anxiety - 74%, And I totally believe it!
During my 7 day challenge in my Facebook community more than half of the people participating in the challenge reported a fear of public speaking or networking. The thing is public speaking is one of the best ways to get your messaging, your brand and essentially you in front of the right people.
I’ve literally been speaking in front of people my whole entire life. I participated in performance arts for most of my youth, medaled in speech competitions and could never turn down a microphone. Later in my life I majored and worked in public relations, helping write speeches for business CEO’s and nonprofits. Even today I work in the communications department at a major nonprofit, talking on camera, writing speeches for our Executive Director and speaking to large and small groups alike.
So when I tell you I know a thing or two about public speaking, I mean it! Now I might not have a fear of public speaking, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous - cause I do. However, my experience working with others who have this fear has prepared me to help coach and train entrepreneurs overcome their fear of public speaking and completely ROCK their next speaking gig.
Today I’m sharing three things you can easily do to prepare to your next engagement. If you are looking for a more in-depth training and to learn the top five tips I’ve learned over the years then register today.
Practice, Practice
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it still needs to be said. Why? Because no matter how many times it is said people still skip this step. Seriously, the number one thing you can do is PRACTICE. Get your butt in front of a mirror and practice. Grab a friend and practice. Just practice. Practicing your speech makes you recognize repetition, facial expressions and just better prepares you to deliver your speech.
Tell A Story
So I understand that the point of your speech might be to share a product or service, and ultimately buy into what you are sharing. But the key to getting great results is to have them buy into you. In order to do this you have to be relatable and authentic (so much more on this in the training). Telling a story from the beginning breaks the ice, is a fantastic transition and makes you seem more relatable.
Simplify
So often we think we have to cram everything we know into a speech - this just isn’t the case. You want people to take away your main points and you can’t possibly do that if you are overloading them with things to remember. Simple is best when it comes to public speaking. Pick your top three things you want your audience to takeaway and build your speech around that (P.S. we go deep into messaging in the webinar).
If you have a fear of public speaking, trouble speaking about your business to others or just need to take your skills to the next level then you need this training.
Click here to reserve your spot for the training.