She Gets An F in Girlfriend Support!

I meet a lot of different people throughout my day. I try to attend every networking function that I can and connect with as many people as humanly possible. It is my belief that this approach is the key to becoming a success in your field. People need to know who you are and what makes you different from everyone else. I am also a firm believer in teamwork and supporting one another, especially my girlfriends! An incident that transpired the other day made me stop and really think. 

Two different people had given me the name of a woman they felt I should meet. She was eager to set a date to talk to me further. From the beginning of our conversation, things did not go in the direction that I anticipated. Normally, when I meet someone new, we spend the first half of our time together getting to know each other and enjoying one another’s company. I truly enjoy every minute of talking and learning more about an individual. From the beginning of the conversation, my meeting partner grilled me. When I tried to steer the conversation back to her as a person, she immediately wanted to talk business. Her style was abrupt and cold and I was a bit put off. Nevertheless, I persevered and asked her some questions.

She continued to grill me for the next 10 minutes. I rarely feel uncomfortable talking to others, but I immediately felt my “guard” go up. Although I continued to answer her questions, I felt strained and not myself while talking to her. The next statement she made really shocked me. She said, “I see how I can help you but I don’t see how you can do anything for me”. I always think on my feet and I replied in a calm confident tone, “You know, I always feel that we can help each other. For example, I know there are clients I could refer to you. It might seem like I can’t do much for you at this minute, but I am a big believer in working together and supporting each other to accomplish our goals.” Although what I said sounded good, I could sense that she just didn’t “buy it”.

The truth is that I don’t help or support people while measuring whether my investment in them will come back to me. I don’t network with people wondering only what they can do for me. I believe that every time I connect or network with someone, one more person knows who I am and what I am attempting to accomplish in the world. It is my opinion that as soon as we feel that networking and connecting with a person has to lead to some sort of immediate monetary or positive gain for us, we are doomed in our work and our life. People work with people they like, respect and trust.

The bottom line is this— maybe that woman is brilliant, but she knows very little about human nature. The world is all about relationships and as far as I am concerned, she flunked her test on people. Maybe this minute she couldn’t see how we could work as a team and help each other, but everything could change six months down the road. If I like you and see you are truly a good person, I will move mountains for you. Maybe I am just naive, but I have to believe what goes around, comes around. I think I will just continue to do things my way— it seems to have worked for me in the past!

She Gets An F for Networking and Girlfriend Support!

I meet a lot of different people throughout my day. I try to attend every networking function that I can and connect with as many people as humanly possible. It is my belief that this approach is the key to becoming a success in your field. People need to know who you are and what makes you different from everyone else. I am also a firm believer in teamwork and supporting one another, especially my girlfriends! An incident that transpired the other day made me stop and really think about.

Two different people had given me the name of a woman they felt I should meet. She was eager to set a date to talk to me further. From the beginning of our conversation, things did not go in the direction that I anticipated. Normally, when I meet someone new, we spend the first half of our time together getting to know each other and enjoying one another’s company. I truly enjoy every minute of talking and learning more about an individual. From the beginning of the conversation, my meeting partner grilled me. When I tried to steer the conversation back to her as a person, she immediately wanted to talk business. Her style was abrupt and cold and I was a bit put off. Nevertheless, I persevered and asked her some questions.

She continued to grill me for the next 10 minutes. I rarely feel uncomfortable talking to others, but I immediately felt my “guard” go up. Although I continued to answer her questions, I felt strained and not myself while talking to her. The next statement she made really shocked me. She said, “I see how I can help you but I don’t see how you can do anything for me”. I always think on my feet and I replied in a calm confident tone, “You know, I always feel that we can help each other. For example, I know there are clients I could refer to you. It might seem like I can’t do much for you at this minute, but I am a big believer in working together and supporting each other to accomplish our goals.” Although what I said sounded good, I could sense that she just didn’t “buy it”.

The truth is that I don’t help or support people while measuring whether my investment in them will come back to me. I don’t network with people wondering only what they can do for me. I believe that every time I connect or network with someone, one more person knows who I am and what I am attempting to accomplish in the world. It is my opinion that as soon as we feel that networking and connecting with a person has to lead to some sort of immediate monetary or positive gain for us, we are doomed in our work and our life. People work with people they like, respect and trust.

The bottom line is this— maybe that woman is brilliant, but she knows very little about human nature. The world is all about relationships and as far as I am concerned, she flunked her test on people. Maybe this minute she couldn’t see how we could work as a team and help each other, but everything could change six months down the road. If I like you and see you are truly a good person, I will move mountains for you. Maybe I am just naive, but I have to believe what goes around, comes around. I think I will just continue to do things my way— it seems to have worked for me in the past!

Girlfriend, get back on it!

Things were going well in the Cincinnati Bike Ride until I hit mile 36. In fact, things were going better than well. In the week before the event, I was fearful that I would not have the stamina to make it through 45 miles, since the most I had ever ridden on my bike was 27. But here I was, only nine miles to go, feeling strong and full of energy. My biking friend, Barb, had just announced to the three of us, “We are so good!” I laughed and agreed with her. At that point, I realized that very little stood in the way of me accomplishing my goal of completing the ride. A deep groove in the pavement along the side of the road changed everything for me..

I don’t remember much about the incident other than the following: my bike aligned with the slim, deep groove on the road berm and I struggled to get back out. I was going at a fast pace, which made the maneuvering much more difficult. I remember trying to keep my balance, but losing my battle and hitting the pavement with the right side of my head and body. My head banged hard on the road and I struggled to pick it up. A policeman seemed to appear out of nowhere and insist that I had hit my head very hard and that I should not move. I also recall a Good Samaritan trying to get my bike unclipped from my shoe— the bike was still connected to me. I announced that I felt sick and had a headache convincing everyone that I had a concussion— everyone but me. I figured that I was sick to my stomach because my body was reacting to a crisis, and my head hurt because it just got banged on the pavement.

As they rushed me to University Hospital, I stared at the ceiling of the rescue squad in disbelief. Is this really happening? Why did I have to do this? Why me? Was it something I did that made this happen? I was so disappointed. As they examined me at the hospital, they told me how lucky I was that I had escaped with so few injuries. The doctors and nurses shared that it was because I was an athlete that I was able to sustain the fall so well. For a second, that made me feel good but that feeling didn’t last long. I was sad, angry and upset that this had to happen to me when all I wanted to do was finish the race.

By the next day, something changed for me. First of all, my body ached like an 85-year-old woman’s. The reality of what my body had sustained began to sink in. I had been struggling with the fact that things did not happen the way I had planned them, but I was slowly realizing how lucky I was. I was bruised and battered but my head was fine. I realized that if I hadn’t been wearing my helmet, I definitely wouldn’t have walked out of the emergency room.

My bike accident is like many experiences you have in your life. You make a plan, and you believe you know just how things will turn out. But the reality is that life doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it to turn out. Sometimes bad things happen when you least expect it, and you need to find a way to make peace with it, move on and try again. Whether it’s the ending of a relationship, a lost sale in business or a bike crash, you need to find the courage to begin a relationship anew, give your all to a new business deal, or, in my case, get back on your bike and go for an awesome ride!

Say it Ain’t So, Jim Tressel

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have heard the bad news coming out of Ohio State University. Jim Tressel, the much loved, successful coach has tendered his resignation. Everyone that I come across has an opinion on this story. Being an Ohio State Alumni, I have a lot of mixed emotions. I liked Jim Tressel and felt he was truly a good, stand-up kind of guy. I saw him as someone with character and respect for his players, the game and the rules. I feel disappointed. This situation reminds me of an experience I had as a student at Ohio State. Continue reading

From One of Shari’s Clients…

Five months ago, I was at my breaking point. I felt like my life was out of my control and there was nothing I could do. And it’s not that I was unemployed or frustrated with relationships. I was at the peak of my success – finishing my PhD, founding a non-profit organization, married to a great husband. Typically I just pulled through stress, but no matter how I tried my mind and body just refused. I couldn’t take the pressure anymore. Then I met Shari.

Shari has helped me not feel guilty about being happy and relaxing. Shari helped me express how I really feel to others, including relationships with my mom and boss that have been utterly toxic for years. My marriage has never been better because I feel that I can share my true feelings and my husband isn’t afraid to tell me something because I might explode. I won’t say that I’m a new woman. Instead, I feel like I have found the person that I lost along the way. I have found the person that is happy, healthy, and still successful.

Thank you Shari for giving me my life back!

——————————————

I was first introduced to Shari by a colleague/friend at a women’s event in the area.  Immediately, I was drawn to her.  Her energy was infectious and the way she positioned herself as a Life Coach for Women helping to “find your inner sass” was unique and appealing- very non- clinical or threatening like a non partisan/judgmental girlfriend or mentor.  I had seen a life coach in the past (which was great) but fell off the wagon due to some changes in career. The minute we sat down for coffee, I knew this was going to be a life changing experience for me- partly because I was ready to commit and partly because Shari was brilliant and great to work with.  I initially went to discuss my career but I don’t think there was anything that we did not talk about- career, relationships, life….  The books she recommended, conversations we had and simple truths/ life lessons that she coached me through were invaluable.  She not only helped me to find my “voice” and strengthen my confidence but also helped me to find peace with issues that I have been “dealing” with silently for years.  I fully endorse Shari!
K.F.

Girlfriend Life Coaching

Do you desperately want to change your life but have no idea how to go about doing it? Are you itching to reinvent “YOU” but don’t know where to start? As a Mental Health Therapist and Life Coach, I believe that you are entitled to a life filled with happiness, success, contentment and passion. Through Individual and/or Group Coaching, you will learn the skills it takes to achieve your goals. Together, we can map out a whole new life for you.

There is no reason why you can’t start your new life NOW!

Kick-Sass Package

  • -4 60-minute individual sessions
  • -Email communication between sessions
  • -A Sassy plan developed just for you that give step-by-step instructions on how to -reach your goals.
  • -Access to relevant resource materials

Sassy Girlfriend Package

  • -2 60 minute individual sessions
  • -Email communication between sessions
  • -Access to relevant resource materials

Receive a free consultation and learn more about Girlfriend Life Coaching.

 

About Shari

As a Mental Health Therapist, Women’s Life Coach, International Speaker and Author, Shari works with you to identify the challenges that are standing in the way of you reaching your full potential.  After enjoying a very successful career in Business Operations and Program Development, Shari decided to go back to school to fulfill a dream of receiving her Mental Health Degree. Her vast business experience combined with her Mental Health expertise gave her the perfect combination of skills to help women discover where they belong, subsequently reinventing their lives.

 

Reflecting back on her career, her 30-year marriage, and raising two sons, Shari realized that there were core principles that were present in her personal and professional life that enabled her to be successful, happy and healthy. She presents these in her new book, “31 days to Finding Your Inner Sass – Shortcuts to Girlfriend Happiness.” She works daily with women to incorporate these principles from her book into their own lives so they may achieve the success, happiness and SASS that they deserve.

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Quiz

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