What I missed on the way to my dreams

What I missed on the way to my dreams

On a good day, I felt restless. On a bad day, I felt like a caged animal.

Exasperated, I came home from work to my dark, musty, basement apartment – a glaring reminder that I was not just figuratively, but literally, underground. Drowning in student loan debt, I rarely answered my phone because collection agencies were calling me daily. Trying to find my way in the world wasn’t easy. Emotional and practical baggage of difficult family dynamics and estrangement seemed to be hitting me all at once. I felt like a victim of circumstances, dealt an unfortunate hand, profoundly alone in my struggles.

The job I begrudgingly got at an Ivy League university to establish some stability, looked good on paper, but my soul was dying, a little more every day. If I had to sit through one more hour-long meeting that could have been communicated by an email, I was going to lose it. Things were done in inefficient ways for no reason other than it’s the way they’d always done it. This felt archaic to me, but rethinking conventions wasn’t welcomed or encouraged. Waiting for that clock on the wall to read 5:00 felt like an insult to my personal integrity and pride, not to mention that I’d finished my work hours earlier. And the starched button down shirt I wore, because I thought I should, felt like a straight-jacket, a costume that belonged to someone else – but not me.

I knew I couldn’t stay.

While going through the motions on all the things I thought I was supposed to do, I was losing myself. On autopilot, I’d drive to work, or the grocery store, or the gym (when I could get myself to go) feeling more and more disconnected from who I was. I wasn’t challenged. I wasn’t inspired. I felt contained, micro-managed, and caught in status quo games that I didn’t want to play.

I felt like I was drowning, and I knew no one was coming to save me.

Underneath my restlessness and frustration, was a growing sense that I was meant for MORE, that this couldn’t possibly be all I was meant to do, be, or have.

I knew I needed to take the reins and reshape my life, to reshape my reality, to figure out how to not live in a basement apartment forever, to create a life that was my own, that reflected the truth of who I was.

It was from that dark musty basement apartment, that I gazed out that teeny-tiny window with a view of the sidewalk and the tires of cars passing by … and I’d dream.

I dreamed of:

having the freedom to travel when and where I please
√ having my own location-independent company so that I could work from anywhere
a home with lots of natural light
becoming a bestselling author
wealth on my own terms
finding love
having time and energy for creativity and play
making a positive impact, serving others in meaningful ways that made their life better
being myself without boundaries.

The voice of my soul, and seeds of my own self-actualization, were surfacing.

There was a huge difference between the caged, soul-crushing, autopilot life I felt constrained and uninspired by, and my dreams. The problem was I couldn’t figure out how and where to find a bridge between the two.

A few things were missing, and when I finally figured those out, everything changed. Quickly.

What was missing was…

  • Self-trust
  • Belief that dreams my were possible – for not just other people, but for me
  • A way to see and transform my blind spots and expand my thinking

I needed to step up for myself, rather than waiting around for things to change, or others to approve. I needed to go from complaining about what my life currently was to becoming the person that COULD and WOULD move out of it.

What I needed to learn was…

  • How to manage my energy
  • What to do with fear
  • How to navigate naysayers

I needed the skills and support to take the REINS on my life, to listen to my heart, and really take ownership of the life I dreamed and envisioned for myself. To stop fear from running the show, I needed to get out of my head and shift my focus from all the seeming limits of my current circumstance to finding strategies and ways forward that I couldn’t yet see but chose to believe were there to be found.

What I needed to do was…

  • Get the right support
  • Take brave consistent action
  • Show up fully for what I was saying I wanted

I needed support from someone who’d been there. And perspective OUTSIDE what I’d already tried, a shift out of what had created the life I had, and into creating the totally different life I wanted.

So, I got support. And I changed my thinking. And I became a different version of me.

Spoiler alert: It worked.

Not only have I achieved my “impossible” dreams and the freedom I so craved, I have built a business and a profoundly fulfilling, decades-long, career around helping others rethink conventions, chart their own course, live their dreams, rediscover themselves, and realize what’s possible.

I help you create the life you think you cannot have. 

Your dreams, like mine, are fuel on your path to self-actualization.

The first step along the way to THAT life? Want the key to reclaiming what’s missing, to create everything you want for yourself, to finally make that change? >>> The Only Skill You Ever Need

xo,

P.S. Going after your dream life, finally living it, moving from your life now to the life you want to have – all of this can feel completely overwhelming! How do you know what you want? How do you GET what you want? Where do you start? How do you face all the uncertainty and that huge climb from where you are now to the life of your dreams?

There’s one skill that unlocks all the rest.

And my totally free and totally updated Only Skill You Ever Need guide and bonus chapter goes through exactly that.

Ready for that dream life of yours?

Planning for a big year

Planning for a big year

Welp, here we are …

The new year is just around the bend.

It’s been an(other) unusual twelve months and I think it’s fair to say, no one has gone unchallenged this year. Yet in the midst of the challenges, we’ve also each been presented with some unique opportunities: to embrace a new kind of rhythm, to make lifestyle adjustments, to find innovative ways to nurture connections, to discover new strategies for how we work, self-care, and create, to name a few…

 

Before the close of each year, I find that doing a Year-in-Review reflection is a valuable exercise and a powerful way to set the stage for the year to come. Doing an annual reflective review is something I not only coach clients to do, but something I do myself.

 

3 powerful Year-in-Review questions to consider:

1.)
What did you accomplish, create, or achieve in this past year? Create a big long list.

2.)
What goals or dreams did NOT come to fruition for you this year? It’s uber important not to ignore or disregard the fact that you didn’t achieve them. By shining light on them you’ll gain clarity and momentum about what you really truly want in the coming year.

3.)
What is your action plan? What will you do differently in the coming year?

 

 

Today I feel inspired to briefly share some of my own 2021 highlights, a few personal goals for 2022, and some exciting ways we can connect in the new year.

 


2021 Tara’tory:

 

  • As an RVer, I’ve been able to enjoy continued domestic travel, rolling across state lines in my Airstream, a.k.a. condo on wheels. My quick travel synopsis from 2021: Winter in New Mexico, New Orleans and Florida in the Spring, Summer in the northeast, and Fall in the Berkshires, Niagra Falls, and Illinois. (Friendly reminder: While many venues are closed, nature is open and she’s beautiful as ever, so get out there and hug a tree or something.)
  • Illinois is where I was when my book launched on Amazon and became a bestseller. The launch and success of The Brules of Life and The Brules of Life Companion Workbook was a definite bright spot in my year, the culmination of a tremendous amount of work and planning. Seeing how well it is being received, hearing how it is touching and inspiring the lives others, is the ultimate repayment.
  • I ran more in 2021. Salsa clubs used to be my sweaty haven, but times have changed. Running has become both a mental health and physical health outlet for me. 5k is a typical distance now, but as I look to 2022, I’ve got a 10k training app tempting/taunting me to go further.
  • Along with the launch of my book and coaching my clients to harness the unique opportunities of this interesting year, countless improvements and updates have been made to my website and offerings, to include a special new free gift, and other gems – all of which are waiting for you at tarasagecoaching.com.
Ok, 2022.

 

My 2022 goals include: increasing readership of my book, start writing my next book, reach some fitness milestones, put out more video content, and light a fire under a creative project I’ve got sitting on the back burner.

 

January is going to be a full month, and includes several exciting opportunities to connect!

January 5: Brule Break-a-thon Livestream! 

Jumpstart the New Year with a different take on resolutions! On January 5th, I am joining forces with community coach, Peter Bowden, for a fun, one-of-a-kind, interactive, livestream event to help you identify the “brules” (bullshit rules) that are holding you back so that YOU make 2022 a joyful, life-enhancing, dream-fulfilling year! It’s going to be a hoot! Subscribe, like, share, and invite your friends!


January 14: Book signing!
I’ll be doing an (outdoor) book signing at Sundog Bookstore in Seaside, FL. This is a fabulous independent bookstore I’ve visited many times, while envisioning the day when my book might be on their shelves. That day is here! If you’re in the area, stop by! 11am – 2pm

 

January 19-23: RV Show! This will be my third year on the seminar stage at the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, presenting Nomadic Living 101: How to Live Nomadically for a Month, a Season, a Year or Forever. 1pm, daily.So that’s a bit of what’s happening in my world . Let’s start the year off strong together!

 

Are YOU determined to make 2022 different and finally bring those back-burner dreams to life? Are you ready to tell yourself the truth about what you want, refuse beliefs about limitation, fears about worthiness, and lies about what you “can’t” do? If so … claim your seat in The Dream Acceleration Program for all of this and more in the New Year! There are just a few openings, so enroll today.

 

Looking ahead to 2022, I am 100% committed to taking extraordinary care of myself while also giving (you) a lot more. It feels wonderful to know how deeply compatible these intentions are.

 

Onward and upward!

 

Here’s to a happy healthy dream-fulfilling New Year,
Tara Sage
PS – Seriously, if you have a fire in your belly and are determined to make this year different and finally bring your dreams to life, register now for The Dream Acceleration Program and let’s do this together. I can’t wait to welcome you to the program!
3 Simple Powerful Action Steps to Make Your Dreams Come True

3 Simple Powerful Action Steps to Make Your Dreams Come True

Hi there!

Let’s talk a minute about one of my favorite topics: how to make your dreams come true.

In each and every moment, we create and re-create our life with the choices we make – whether intentional or not.  Embrace this fact with full awareness, and you’ll come to understand that only YOU can decide to take the reins on your life. Your present does NOT decide your future … unless, of course, you keep thinking and doing what you’ve always done. 

Real talk: You are either creating your life by intentional design, or you are living life by default, passive chance — in other words, winging it.  Your precious life!

Here’s the doozy: Both take the same amount of time, and both use the same amount of energy. But only ONE will be an ongoing source of fuel for your soul.

Only one will have you spilling over with gratitude, joy, faith, and wonder.

Only one will align you with your best life and your best self.

Only one will inspire others, by your example, to follow their own dreams and passions.

And only one will leave you wondering why you ever hesitated or why you didn’t begin sooner!

With this in mind, the choice is clear.  But oh, it can get so murky so quickly…

Here I’m going to give you three really simple steps. So simple, you’re going to wonder why you didn’t do this before!  

And trust me when I say they are very very powerful towards making your dream(s) come true.

So, grab a piece of paper, sit down and do this:

3 Steps to Make Your Dreams Real

STEP #1: Want what you want, without apology

Write it down on a piece of paper or get out a journal and let you heart speak. Ask yourself: “If I could script my life to be unreasonably phenomenal, how would it go?” Write it out and don’t let ‘how’ limit your dreams and visions. The dreaming process begins with simply owning the truth of your desires. “How” comes later. 

To live the life of your dreams, you must first stop minimizing, apologizing, or hiding what you want. You must stop buying your own excuses about why you can’t have it or why you believe it is impossible for you. Simply let your imagination be your guide.

If you find it difficult to get clear about what you dream of, you are definitely not alone. Often the hardest part of creating your dream life is (step 1) defining what you want!  The noise of the world, the expectations of others, and all the messaging telling you what you “should” want, understandably make it VERY difficult to hear the voice of your soul speak the truth of its desires!

If this resonates for you, but you’re ready to seize the day and powerfully connect to the truth and passion of your deepest dreams and goals, click here to learn about my special Masterclass where I guide you through exactly how. 

Finding your way to this level of clarity is an absolute game-changer. It sets you up for life mastery on every level, with freedom, fun, and fulfillment in all areas of your life.  Tell me more, Tara!

STEP #2: Feel into it

If you’re clear on Step #1, the next is to feel into the depth and truth of your desires. What would it FEEL like to live your dream life? Setting fear and doubt aside for now, savor the sense of joy and excitement you feel as you imagine a life of your dreams. Enjoy just thinking about it, paying special attention to what you see, hear, and feel.  For help connecting to the felt-sense of it all, listen to this unconventional 5-minute meditation I created for you.  

STEP #3: Rate your desire

Rate the strength of your desire on a scale of 1-10. Write it down. If you’ve rated the strength of your desire less than 7 out of 10 for wanting this in your life, repeat steps 1 & 2. If you’ve rated the strength of your desire 7 or more out of 10 for wanting this in your life … let’s make it happen.  

If you’re ready to be shown exactly how to create more joy, ease, freedom and flow in your life, click here to select an appointment time for a FREE 1:1 call with me so we can talk one-to-one, explore the possibilities together, and determine your best personalized strategy forward.

Go here to schedule your complimentary session now!

I’ll close with this quote by Napoleon Hill: “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” 

Will you make TODAY your someday?

Time will pass either way. If you’ve read this far, there’s a reason.

I believe in you. I also believe that a desire would not be felt if the Universe couldn’t provide it.

I know it’s scary, but you can be bigger than your fear. Like many have done before you, you too can do what may feel impossible right now.

In truth, all you need to do NOW is be willing to cross the threshold and take the next step. I am here to stand with you and support you on the precipice of new possibilities. I will guide you, one step at a time, through a proven process to make those dreams REAL. 

Big love,

Tara Sage

 

Breaking the Mold on Coaching

Breaking the Mold on Coaching

“High-level coaching does not have to be cost prohibitive to be life changing.”

I do things differently than most coaches in the industry.

Through my company, Tara Sage Inc., I offer several comprehensive signature coaching programs:

The Dream Acceleration™ Program

The Speak Up™ Program

Nomadic Living 101 

… to name a few.

I provide in-depth seminars and trainings, both online and in person events.  

If you haven’t already, my FREE Dream Acceleration Strategies video training is a good one to grab, for sure.

And I offer Private Coaching. 

Most of my clients come from other clients.

Client referrals are and (since in 2004) have been, the primary source – like, 80% – of how I attract new clients into my business. Most people find me and my programs because someone they know recommended they connect with me.  

Referrals really are the best testimonial. 

Here’s an example of an email introduction made from a past client recommending that the woman she knows connect with me.

She wrote:

“I told you about the difference that Tara Sage has made for my business. She truly is a dream acceleration coach, listens deeply for what wants to come to light for her clients, is a brilliant life hack expert and knows how to create organic workflows, compelling messages and teaches how to enroll clients gracefully and effectively.

With her help I was able to double my income and generate my best revenue year ever – and I didn’t kill myself in the process and had fun with it. Her first 30-minutes are at no charge and you will have an opportunity to unlock something of value even in that initial engagement.”

Claim this session here >>> www.sessionwithtara.com 

Private coaching obviously provides the most customized and personal level support, but something I’ve consistently heard from folks who are in my signature coaching programs (The Dream Acceleration Program in particular), is how unique it is to find such affordable content-rich coaching programs that INCLUDE built-in personal customized private support.

 

The industry standard is that you usually get one OR the other – not both.

But anyone who knows me knows, I’m a BOTH/AND kind of person.

I re-write the rules.

I manifest new horizons.

I color outside the lines.

I don’t accept that things have to keep being done the way they’ve historically been done.

I always see new avenues and opportunities to create results.

I love finding new ways to break old molds.

I set and create my own standards about what’s possible.

I’m told that this is rather contagious. 😉

My clients quickly start seeing new opportunities where they thought there weren’t any.

They start having courageous breakthroughs in behavior patterns.

Narrow limited views suddenly open up to become broad, vast and expansive.

Possibilities they never considered before, or that seemed impossible, rapidly start coming into focus.

I love finding new ways to do things better.

And I’m fierce about my clients’ success.

As a rule, I don’t hold back on what I know will make the biggest difference for them.

Private 1:1 Coaching + Comprehensive anytime-access to invaluable at-your-fingertips content = The magic mix.  

It’s the java juice, the secret sauce, the dynamic duo.

This supercharged combination is the potent pairing that gets results.

I say this from my years of experience, integral Masters level education, and many many many hours of coaching individuals, people spanning four continents.

Customized support + timeless universal wisdom = the winning combination. 

This is what makes all the difference for you, your goals, your dreams, and your success.

Working in this way, I am able to provide high-level coaching without it being cost prohibitive.

High level coaching does NOT have to be cost prohibitive to be life changing!

This Is For You IF: 

==> You are motivated and ready to build a life and/or business that delights you …. a life that you can’t wait to get-up-and-out-of-bed-for in the morning … a life that you won’t need a vacation from.

==> You are tired of the status quo and part of you is crying out, longing to be lived, eager for a new level of experience, because you know there has GOT to be a better way.

==> You are ready to align your thoughts, words, and actions with the life you so deeply desire.

==> You want content-rich support from a coach who “gets it”, who explains things clearly, and who provides exactly what you need when you need it to achieve your goals and dreams (and keep on achieving new ones).

==> You have a “can do” attitude, you’ve had it with excuses and feeling stuck.

==> You understand the value of support, and you want to be shown exactly how to create more joy, ease, grace, and abundance – quickly and sustainably.

==> You are ready to amp up your courage, ready to be brave and supported throughout the entire process, to step up and into creating the life that you KNOW (in your heart of hearts) that somehow, someway, you are capable of.

Ready to explore how YOU can benefit from a customized coaching experience?

Here’s the next step: Click here to claim a time on my calendar. 

Let’s map out the exact best strategy that is going to be most relevant and helpful to YOU, your goals, and dreams.  We’ll take it one step at a time.

You know when something is for you.

If you feel called to learn more and connect about this truly transformative opportunity, go now to www.SessionwithTara.com and schedule a time for your free session.

A real-time, two-way conversation. (My favorite kind.)

Talk soon!

,

Tara Sage

PS – If this is not for you, but you understand and appreciate the power of high-level coaching, consider this a good-karma opportunity to share this with others. Who do you know that could benefit from high-level, private, comprehensive, cost-effective, custom-designed, transformative expert support? I always ask new clients how they heard about my work, and as a referral-based business I make a point to show my gratitude for each and every referral received. 🙂

Before Hiring a Coach, Read This.

Before Hiring a Coach, Read This.

I’m Tara Sage, and I believe in transparency.  As you may or may not know, the coaching industry is unregulated. There are many coaches who do not want you to know this. I DO.
 
Behind the scenes, there is great debate in the industry as to whether it matters if a “coach” has formal training. Some argue that life experience is all that’s needed. Others say formal education is the answer. Some say coaching is an art, others say it’s a science.
 
On your behalf, I say … the “either/or” mentality around this topic concerns me deeply.
 
As a full-time coach, in business since 2004, I have coach training + a BA in Psychology with a behavior modification specialty + a Masters degree in Holistic Leadership.
 
At the time of this posting (July 2019), I’m a few days away from my 44th birthday, marking 44 years of life experience. Over the years, I’ve had a wealth of life experience and certainly no shortage of “school of hard knocks” lessons learned. I’ve traveled extensively, left a marriage that was full of dishonesty, dug myself out of debt, built a business from the ground up, and many more personal milestones. All invaluable.
 
Prior to becoming a coach, I was told many times that I am “gifted”, a “natural coach.” Natural ability is fine and great, and following its lead as we each choose a vocation, makes a whole lot of sense.
 
BUT – just like I want my doctor to: be someone I feel comfortable with, have graduated at the top of their class, AND have good bedside manner … given the wealth of “coaches” to choose from, I personally see no reason or logic behind hiring a coach who is lacking both professional training and a wealth of life experience.
 
While a piece of paper does not a professional make (it’s no secret that there are plenty of terrible doctors, teachers, etc who have earned degrees) … and while I do not in any way diminish the value of life experience, the bottom line is: life experience is not one and the same with coach training.
 
I have personally witnessed “coaches” who have basic misinformation and misunderstanding about what coaching is. Unfortunately, this misinformation gets perpetuated by others who, despite good intentions, also lack the proper training and understanding.
 
As it stands, anyone can hang a shingle – without training, checks or balances. No bueno.
 
Life experience does not make training unnecessary. All it does is water down the credibility of the industry – my industry. Coaching is a learned skill, one that goes far beyond advice-giving and personal lessons learned.
 
Done well, it is immensely powerful. A skilled coach knows the intricacies of how to unlock the psychology and the wherewithal for a client to have their own success.
 
To emphasize my point, I personally have never:

  • moved to Costa Rica
  • bought a dream yacht
  • sold $2.5M in real estate in the first year as an agent
  • lead a mindfulness meditation program
  • sailed around Antarctica
  • successfully negotiated a salary 40% higher than the one she was going to ask for before coaching
… or any number of the things my magnificent clients have succeeded at.
 
And yet – I have coached clients to accomplish these very things successfully.
 
HOW could I have coached people to do countless things that I have never personally done or experienced?  >> It is through the application of universal coaching principles and techniques, things I learned through training.
 
My education and training is as wide as it is deep. Sometimes I go by professional titles other than Coach, like, for example: Life Strategist, Leadership Trainer, Business Consultant. All are true. In addition to my having a Masters degree in Holistic Leadership and a Bachelors degree in Psychology, I also earned a certificate from one of the first coach training institutes worldwide, back when there were only three to pick from.  
Add to that … 15+ years in a business built primarily on referrals that resulted from happy clients who sent their friends, and, darn it – not only do I want to help you succeed, I have a strong application, orientation, foundation and track record for how to do so.
 
My professional education + 15 years in business + countless client success stories = QUALIFIED. 
 
Given the lack of industry regulation, unfortunately the burden falls on the client to discern which “coaches” are qualified and which are not. Many unsuspecting clients find themselves buying a service that, in actuality, the practitioner is not qualified to deliver.  
 
Despite the charlatans in our midst, be assured: there are many highly skilled, highly qualified coaches – myself included – who are ready to serve you in the highest way.
 
If you’d like to explore this further, claim a comp session and let’s hop on the phone together.
Whether you join one of my programs and decide to work with me or someone else … here’s my recommendation: With so many coaches to choose from, ONLY hire those who have both professional coach training and a wealth of life experience.
 
To your success,
Tara Sage
 
[Please feel free to share this message if you think it might serve others. Thanks for reading!]
 
What this client did left me shocked!

What this client did left me shocked!

Totally unprompted, a client of mine reached out to me. She shared that she was sending me money.

Perhaps so far, this story doesn’t sound that out of the ordinary.  

But this client didn’t owe me any money.

She said she had decided to PAY the way – as a decidedly anonymous donor – for whomever I chose to receive a full scholarship to my signature program, The Dream Acceleration™ Program.

WHY would she do this?!?

She said simply that she credits The Dream Acceleration™ Program for so much of the success that she’s had, and she wants to help someone else have this special opportunity. She explained that she wants to know she helped someone else say a big YES to their dreams. That now that she can, she is eager to give back and pay the way for someone else who may not otherwise have the opportunity to join the program.   

Whoa.

Incredible, right? 

I’ve said a million times that I have the best clients in the world. This was just more evidence of how incredible my clients are.

Moved and inspired by her blind generosity, I could hardly wait to share.

So I shared on Facebook about this incredible generous offering and within minutes guess what happened next?? …

I received the following private message from yet ANOTHER client:

“Tara, I would like to donate $100 towards your scholarship program. The Dream Acceleration™ Program changed my life, and I too would like to give back in a meaningful way.”

I was blown away.  

Two past clients donating to future clients, people they didn’t know!

Wow.

When I tell you I have had the true honor of leading this extraordinary program for hundreds of people spanning 4 continents in the 15+ years I’ve been in business … I mean it.

While the scholarships have been claimed, I have a special GIFT for you.

I have put together a very special FREE video training: “9 Simple Powerful Strategies to Accelerate the Realization of Your Dreams” … walking you through exactly how to take the simple, powerful actions required to make your dreams real.  

>>> Claim it now

Here’s to refreshing surprises and dreams realized.

Big love,

Tara Sage     

Helping people live their dreams since 2004.