Leonie Dawson's Blog, page 82

Leonie’s Scrapbook: Love, Laughter and The Lurgy!

Hiya lovebugs,

Here’s another scrapbook instalment, hooray! It’s a been a fortnight of picnics, crafts, love and the lurgy!

Just having a relaxing picnic nap in the backyard. Just kidding, I have kids.

Spring has sprung, yay! But it’s still fucking cold.

 

We had our 5 Ways To Get Back On Track webinar and I publicly promised to review and share my goals to embody public accountability and encourage all my readers to be “out” of the cupboard with their goals too!

So I went through my workbooks and typed up all my goals, and crossed out any I’ve already completed. There’s lots done, and lots more to do.

I wanted to share as well – I’m not particularly having a Big Goal year. I’ve done a lot over the past eight years… and had some years where I’ve gone ballz-to-the-wall with goals. After so much moving and growing, this year, I’m much more about sweet domesticity and settling. So my goals reflect that. There ain’t no wrong way to do goals! They are really just the structure to help build a life and business you adore… however that looks for you and your family!

See how I’m going!

The synchronicity has already started now I’m reviewing my 2016 workbooks… I  found my special necklace from  that has my Word of the Year behind the mermaid! It had disappeared thanks to those pixies that live in my home (aka children)… But it reappeared in my ensuite!!! Hooray!!! I swear those dang workbooks have magic in them! I can say that coz I might have created them but they are not mine, I was just the vessel, and I’m as much a user and fan of them as anyone else!!!

I celebrated my sweet friend/Academy member/tie dye tailor The Sunny Daisy Tie Dye‘s birfday the only way you should celebrate birfdays; by wearing tie dye! Just kidding, I was wearing it anyway because I’m a 24/7 hippy. HAPPY BIRFDAY GIRRRRRRRRL.

Whose child is that? Definitely mine.

Good morning, morning!

“When you start each day with a grateful heart, light illuminates from within.”

I was struck down with another throat infection… I’ve been back-to-back sick for 3 months now. I feel like I’ve got the lowest immunity in the world so I’m heading off on a glorious health retreat in October.

I was sick again, so it was a three-book weekend.

Can not recommend these two books more highly.

Wearing this brilliant/ridiculous shirt to cheer myself up after being up half the night coughing.

The Dawsons caught up with this gorgeous ray of light!!

Jill was the first person to commission an artwork from me… maybe 12 years ago? We’d met on the SARK message board, as so many of us did.

8 years ago, she was visiting Canberra for work and we met for lunch and were instant kindness. We ate cheesecake and she asked me if she could tell me a secret… she was newly pregnant and hadn’t told people yet. It was one of those miracle dates.

Five years ago, she messaged me. She was flying in to Townsville and wanted to come visit me in Proserpine. She did, and we spent a magical 24 hours together. She once again had a secret to tell me… she was newly pregnant again. I told her my secret… that I was profoundly suffering in the midst of PND. We stayed at the farmhouse is grown up in, and walked the fields, and took goddess photographs by the lake.

Nearly two years ago, we moved to Tasmania for a while, and got to live near each other at last. She’d come around for lunch and eat Indian. We went on a road trip to Launceston. And we did that thing we always seem to do… tell each other secrets. She messaged me again a few weeks ago. She was coming back to Canberra for work. Back to the place it had all began. We eat Indian (as we always do). I, like the dealer I am, started her new addictions of historical romance and planning by giving her my surplus goodies. And as always, we told each other our secrets. Our secrets are safe with each other.

Since the moment we met, it was always this: Sister, come as you are. Tell me your truth, and I will love you anyway. Thank you Jill for our adventures all over this country… and for loving me just as I am.

We baked. We ate. I was well enough to bake with my darling offspring!!! Awwwww yisssssss LIVING THE DREAM.

Take that, dastardly low immunity & recurrent colds! Made little gluten free banana, honey & cinnamon muffins in the Thermomix that were super om nom nom. (For recipe, google “banana muffins Thermomix) – I just used the first recipe there. Because I’m faaaaaaaaaaaaancy like that.

Anyways, the kids loved helping, even if Beth needed new clothes and a solid wipe down after “helping” with pouring mixture.

Starry said

“Do you know why baking is important Mum? Because it is FAMILY TIME and we get to be together and have FUN and that is the BEST.”

She’s right.

A good reminder when I’m feeling all uptight and anxious trying to rein in the baking mess and mayhem that Beffy creates.

Our dining room table is splattered with paint. It has a permanent coat of mess strewn about it.

We spent some magic time here this week… all immersed in our own creative projects… Beth on watercolours, Starry inventing “decoralating” (glueing wooden beads together) and me on art journals.

I’ve got writing and lists and sketches and Polaroids spread out in a half dozen places from our recent beach holiday… sweet husband is scanning it all in for me, and I’m turning it into a mixed media zine… here! This what it is!

Picnic blanket naps and reads in the backyard.

The kids keep trolloping dirt and leaves all over the blanket to bring me flowers. #worthit

I volunteered to do some toy fixing for Starry’s kindy room. I’ve had these wooden toys for months, waiting for some TLC.

Finally have been well enough to get to them!

They were all broken, so I wood glued them back together. Then hand-sanded them with the kids to smooth them and revive them.

Funnily enough, I discovered the big plate had some engravings on it – it was made near Lake Barrine in FNQ near where we used to live!

Synchronicity plus!

Wooden toys all reglued, sanded, and polished with olive oil. Hard to capture it, but they are glossy and sumptuous and gorgeous and ripe for playing with again.

Made some magical wool fairies today… one for Beth’s room, two to gift to Starry’s school for decorating the kinder room.

If you’d like to know how to make these, there’s a video workshop on them in my Academy! They are surprisingly easy & fast!

Magical, exhausting, wild, magnificent Elvin priestess/toddler. Your/our kryptonite is shops currently. You vacillate between running & grabbing everything in sight like a thieving whirlwind, and getting so fed up you lay flat on the ground on your belly. I’m pretty sure you are good for the budget because I can’t browse – ever – even when there’s two of us to try and tame you. Thank god for internet shopping for groceries, books, food delivery.

It’s the only way we’re surviving.

Our aim is to get you through childhood safe, despite your efforts, and gently guide you how to be that big self of yours while respecting other people’s boundaries and sovereignty too… coz you’ve got them covered for yourself!!!

You are such a strong force of nature, so fully committed to being you, you utterly amaze me and inspire me.

Thanks for being your full incarnation, Bethany.

It’s not easy being your mama, but it’s not easy being anyone’s, and I’m just glad you came through me so I could learn from that brilliant fire and power you are.

Okay darlinghearts, that’s all from me!

I’m off for more writing… so much to share with the Academy closing enrolments this month! If you’re wanting to be a part, ya need to jump in now!

If you’ve got any questions about the Academy, do make sure you email us – support@leoniedawson.com and my lovely fae will help!

Love, love, love,

P.S. Don’t forget the Shining Academy is closing in JUST 7 DAYS! DON’T MISS OUT!

Leonie’s Ocean Retreat Journal (free illustrated ebook)

Hi kittens,



I wasn’t sure if I would share this…

It’s not particularly the most polished thing I’ve ever done…

It’s more just a scrapbook of the photos, musings, illustrations, lists, drawings & collages I made when I was on holiday.

But it means a lot to me.

And I just wanted to share it with an open heart.

It’s the “behind the scenes” of what I produce here in a way… it’s the experimenting and journalling and sketchbooking that I do just for me.

So if you’re wanting to see my holiday scribbles and scrawls and scratchings…

Download my Ocean Retreat Journal here (no opt-in required!)

Sending you SO much love and healing!

Dear George Christensen MP

Dear George,

I apologise for the informality of how I address.

But I think of you often. And I always call you George.

My name may sound familiar, as last year I wrote a Facebook post about your trolling of female journalists, and I was banned from your page. Still, my Facebook post went on to be shared and viewed by more people than you currently have as Facebook fans.

Last year I was saddened by your misogyny.

This year, I am saddened by your homophobia.

I fell across an article this morning.

About a 71 year old veteran who hijacked his wife’s Facebook account so he could defend his gay son to you after you inferred that homophobia = pedophilia. Which is ridiculous and offensive and so very incorrect.

And as I read that article, I thought:

I know this young man.

We were both raised in Proserpine, that small hamlet of 4,000 people.

We both went to Proserpine State High School.

Growing up as a hippy weirdo like me was tough in that small, regional country town… but it would be nowhere near as hard as growing up gay there.

It took me years to get over my time at Proserpine High. For some reason, the waters in regional areas seem to breed a kind of homogeny, and that if you fall outside the lines of normal, you are fiercely and violently railed against. It’s so indoctrinated that teenagers who barely know what life is know enough to punish those who fall outside the lines.

It’s like the famous social experiment of five monkeys and a ladder.

“A group of scientists placed five monkeys in a cage, and in the middle, a ladder with bananas on top.

Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water.

After a while, every time a monkey would start up the ladder, the others would pull it down and beat it up.

After a time, no monkey would dare try climbing the ladder, no matter how great the temptation.

The scientists then decided to replace one of the monkeys. The first thing this new monkey did was start to climb the ladder. Immediately, the others pulled him down and beat him up.

After several beatings, the new monkey learned never to go up the ladder, even though there was no evident reason not to, aside from the beatings.

The second monkey was substituted and the same occurred. The first monkey participated in the beating of the second monkey. A third monkey was changed and the same was repeated. The fourth monkey was changed, resulting in the same, before the fifth was finally replaced as well.

What was left was a group of five monkeys that – without ever having received a cold shower – continued to beat up any monkey who attempted to climb the ladder.

If it was possible to ask the monkeys why they beat up on all those who attempted to climb the ladder, their most likely answer would be “I don’t know. It’s just how things are done around here.”

I don’t know why I fell outside the lines, honestly.

What ladder I was trying to climb that pissed the monkeys off.

I didn’t identify as gay. I didn’t really identify as anything, except myself.

Perhaps it was because I was arty and geeky and uncool. Perhaps it was because I cut my hair short and died it with food colouring – blue one day, pink the next. Perhaps because I was an undiagnosed Aspie. Perhaps because I was smart, in a place that took great pride in tearing down tall poppies.

If I had been a boy, I would have been beaten.

Instead, I had food and rubbish thrown at me. When I walked through school, strangers would stop to yell “freak!” or “scrubber!”

I wasn’t gay, but I wasn’t in that tight, tight realm of what constituted “normal”.

And I was firmly, repetitively, over and over reminded again and again that I wasn’t allowed to be who I was.

And so I ran.

I sent myself to boarding school for the last two years. I got a scholarship, and I got the fuck out.

I ran away to places that are okay with someone who falls a little bit outside the bell curve of normal.

I’m glad I did.

Because it’s being outside the bell curve that has brought me the greatest amount of joy and success in my life. It’s precisely because of my oddnesses, my artsiness, my Aspie-ness that I’ve become a best-selling author with books read by over a quarter of a million worldwide, why I’ve been a finalist for Australian Business Woman of the Year and Ausmumpreneur of the Year, why I was a self-made millionaire by the time I was 30, why I’ve been able to donate so much to philanthropy, and most of all, most importantly – for me to have a joyfully happy life.

I get that not everyone gets to run away.

And that it took me years of healing to really know that it was good and wonderful and okay for me to be me.

Despite what the monkeys told me, I am good enough. I am lovable. I am allowed to be all of me. That those things that make me ME are not my greatest vulnerability, they are my greatest strength.

George, I know you drank the water.

I know the monkeys taught you to pull other monkeys off the ladder too.

The monkeys told you it was unsafe for you or anyone to be outside the realms of strictly normal.

And so you can keep saying the same words, over and over.

Being gay is bad. Being a woman is bad. Being Muslim is bad.

I know you must be scared. I’m so sorry if you are.

The world is changing, honey.

And being gay, Muslim, a woman, or just plain weird is okay. In fact, it’s more than okay. It’s just the way it needs to be.

Less than 50 years ago, Australia’s Indigenous population wasn’t allowed to vote.

Less than 120 years ago, women couldn’t vote.

These facts seem insane now. What were we thinking?

The same will be true in 20 years when we look back at this flawed, confused time in history, when gay people weren’t allowed to marry.

The times are changing.

Love is now the front page story.

It’s okay to change your mind honey.

It’s okay – you got confused. You got shown by other monkeys that it wasn’t safe to be outside of normal, so now you are just trying to teach the same.

But it’s not working.

It’s okay to realise that you might be hurting more people than you are helping.

You’ve inspired me today George.

I felt about all the pain I had in my childhood.

And I thought about how much worse even still it is for kids who feel even more unsafe, unsupported and unloved because of their sexuality. This is what LGBT teens feel like in Mackay, George.

And, inspired by you, I’ve donated $1,000 to Minus18.org.au, which supports LGBTI teens in Australia.

I’m going to send you this in the mail as well:

 

It’s not often I send love letters to politicians, but I feel you deserved it.

You can keep speaking out in ignorance and in fear.

But I want you to know you aren’t hardening my heart.

You are making me love more, support more, care more, and do more.

Thank you.

It’s safe to climb the ladder, George.

P.S. To anyone out there… who feels unsupported, unsafe or unloved… I just want you to know that I give so very many fucks about you. And I’m so so sorry you are going through this. And I promise you… you are loved, and you are lovable, and you are allowed to be who you are. And things will change, I promise you. They are. Not as fast as they should be. But they will.

LOVE WILL WIN, MOTHHHHERFUCKKKKKKKERSSSSSS!

My bow-chicky-bow-bow course is on TOMORROW!!!!

Gorgeous ones!

It’s time, gorgeous goddesses! It’s time to talk honestly + frankly about sex, pleasure + relationships!

I am DELIGHTED to invite you to the LIVE unveiling of our new Shining Biz & Life Academy course that is happening in LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!!!!!!

EVERYDAY SEX GODDESS!

If you know me IRL, you’ll know I talk about sex a LOT. Like… TMI. It’s just how I tend to do all things in life… I’ll talk about it all… sex, money, mental health, death, politics… it’s a Scorpio thang I reckon!

And though I’ve shared about many of those those things online… I haven’t talked about sex yet. For some reason, it just wasn’t the right time. I’ve always been good at following that gut instinct in me… to just share what I am called to.

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF:

Are you feeling like your mojo’s left town?
Like your relationship’s in a rut, and your sex life is aching to be reinvigorated?
Or are you just so freaking exhausted by life, biz + everything that the thought of revving up your motor for some sexitime fun is just another To Do List item?

In this intimate one-hour workshop, I’ll take you from frazzled + disheartened to rejuvenated + energised, and joyously reclaim the everyday sex goddess in you!

You will learn:

How to increase your libido
How to communicate about sex without freaking out, getting embarrassed or upset
A panoply of orgasmic options
Practical tips – awwwww yiss!
Toys, goodies & resources to dive deeper into

WHETHER PARTNERED OR SOLO, MAKE TIME FOR YOUR OWN SWEET SELF + SIGN UP NOW TO FIND OUT HOW TO LET YOUR INNER SEX GODDESS OUT…

This will be a typical Leonie-style workshop full of honesty, humour, practical tips, gigglesnorts, TMI + all the things you wish your best friend had told you about sex.

IT’S ON TOMORROW!!!!

You’ll need to join up to the Academy to access it and 112+ other courses in there… along with ALL the other incredible goodies you receive as well!!!!

SIGN UP NOW TO JOIN MOI IN ZE SACRED BOUDOIR!

Not a member of the Shining Academy yet?

No problem, but you are missing out on these fabulous member perks…

112+ courses
Free 2017 workbook collection delivered to your door
Access to a mastermind of thousands of spirited, creative business women to brainstorm with
Monthly group coaching calls with Leonie (the only way to get coaching from me!)
Shining Discount Centre ($2000+ of savings)
New workshops (including Boundaries Bootcamp & The Anxiety Workshop!)

JOIN TODAY! And see you on the call tomorrow morning!!!!

Bowwww chickyyyyy bowbowwwwwwww… mwahahahaha!!!!

I’m honestly SO excited for this course tomorrow… like money, sex is one of those things that just ISN’T talked about enough, especially between women. It’s in sharing we learn, heal, let go of shame, and embrace a new, sensual, whole-hearted way of being in the world… alive in our body and in our sex lives.

I feel a little bit nervous, but mostly just grateful… if what I’ve learned along the way can make your lives just a little bit more delicious, sacred and happy… then I’m delighted.

Okay possums, jump on it if you are called… I can’t wait to share all the goodies with you!

Big love,

A Peek Behind The Curtains…

Hey possums!

Want to see inside the Academy?

I gots you a video…

and it’s got such gooood voice!

I didn’t want to do the tour myself… because I would only start talking about random things like how my youngest whirlwind of a kid right now is walking around with a rubbish bin on her head, and the fact that I’ve been sick but am secretly delighted because I’ve been able to read 3 books in 3 days totally guilt-free and also, why did God make gluten so tasty and so very very not healthy for my belly? This could go on for days…

So, I asked Mel to make you a tour.

Now, Mel happens to have one of the best video voices ever.

She also happens to be one of my oldest friends, who I wrote about on the blog 11 years ago.

This is us, eating gelato, looking so fresh-faced and YOUNG:

Mel was one of my very first mentors at work in the public service. She met me and believed in me when I was 20 years old, and she told me then that one day, I would be her boss. It only took 13 years, but here we are.

She’s now one of our Academy Happiness Officers, and our resident Project Manager. She also keeps me sane on the regs. YAY MEL!

Anywaysies, I asked her to do a tour for ya’ll of the inside bits of the Academy so you can see everything we’ve created in there for you!!!!!!

And holy dooley, she did NOT disappoint… she does SUCH good tour guide voice!!!! Bahahahaha!!!!

It can be hard to know what to expect in a program… my hope is I can make it as transparent and easy as possible for you to know what you get when you sign up to the Academy!

I can’t wait to delight you with all our goodies!!!!

Anywaysies… watch and be mesmerised by Mel’s ridiculously delicious voice!

Big love,

Just a reminder: a couple of weeks left to join the Shining Biz and Life Academy before we close our doors to new members!!!! Don’t miss out!

JUST 15 DAYS LEFT

Kittens,

THE CLOCK IS TICKING!

You have just 15 days left to join the Shining Biz & Life Academy this year!!!

If you’re on the fence about joining… or if it’s been on your “one day when I get around to it list”… ya gunna need to jump in quickly before you lose out! Learn more about the greatest-place-on-earth in this awesome video I made!

It is your LAST CHANCE for 2016 to get into the Academy + work towards your dreams… alongside thousands of other women just like you who are getting incredible results already.

Be our next shining success story, darling! 

If you already know you want to be an Academy member:

>> CLICK HERE! TO JUMP ON IT! NOW! DON’T MISS OUT BOO!

Go! I’ll see you in the Academy, lovebug! GO NOW!

Need more convincing? I can help ya out there!
Here’s what you’ll get:

112 inspirational courses (and counting!) for all aspects of Biz, Marketing, Relationships, Life, Creativity + Soul, with more added every month
A mastermind of thousands of vibrant women from all around the globe to support you

Monthly Q&A coaching calls with me (worth $1000 + the ONLY way to connect personally + get coaching with me like, EVA!)
$2000 worth of tremendous discounts in the Shining Discount Centre, a treasure trove of deals for the software & suppliers you need to grow your business!
New workshops delivered live, then added to the training resources at your fingertips!
SPECIAL BONUS: The printed 2017 Workbook Collection delivered straight to your door as part of your membership (valued at $150!!!)

All for one wildly, gloriously, you-ain’t-gonna-find-this-anywhere-else generous price.

The Academy is my shining gift to the world.

It’s my soul’s work + I’m focussed on providing as much value as possible for all my Academy members. EVERYTHING I create, EVERYTHING I do, is made for my magical members.

It’s simply the best way I can help you grow an incredible, beautiful, abundant business & life!

What’s more… we are NOT a flash in the pan, babes…

The Academy has been around for DONKEYS… since 2010!!!
I have taught close to TEN THOUSAND WOMEN in that time.
What’s more 80% of our members will renew their membership at the end of the first year because they get SO MUCH VALUE and power out of their Academy membership they can not IMAGINE living without it!!!!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ACADEMY NOW WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

Still not convinced? See what some of our darling members had to say!

Still thinking? Here’s what you need to know:

The Academy is closing to NEW MEMBERS ONLY at the end of September.
You can join with either a Biz & Life, or a Life Only membership, if biz is not where you’re at right now.
YES! We have payment plans!
But this is the last chance you have to join the Academy for 2016. After the closing date, we’re not opening enrollments to new members for AT LEAST six months. That’s WAY too long to put your dreams on hold for, babes!

So if you have a goal that’s so big you know you’ll need magical support to get there, a dream that won’t be silenced, a vision of a world that is nurtured by your gifts, while earning you abundant dobleros, the Shining Biz + Life Academy is for you!!

Q: Are you closing down forever?

A: Nope. The Academy will continue to be run permanently, we are just closing the doors to new members until sometime in 2017.

Q: What if I’m already a member?

No changes for you – you’ll still get all your course materials, and you can renew at any time if you want to!

Q: Do I really get the books sent to my door?

Yes. The whole 2017 collection! Mailed to you in November!

Q: Do you have payment plans?

Yes! There’s a payment plan button as you sign up!

Q: Are you offering a 12 month payment plan?

No, only four months, sorry loves. 12 months = way too many people not following through on their payments.

Q: Can I get a discount if I’ve already pre-ordered the 2017 Workbooks? 

No. But what you do get is two glorious, love-filled workbook bundles! Ze perfect gift for Christmas!

Q: Are men allowed?

Yes.

Q: I don’t have a business – can I just sign up for the creativity, spirituality, relationship & meditations?

Yes. We have a cheaper priced Life Only membership available!

Q: Do you think Mr Dawson is hot?

Yes.

Q: What are you wearing?

OH HELLLOOOOO THERE. ROWR.

I iz wearing…

wait for it…

Pink leopard print pyjama pants

Blue tracksuit jacket (thanks, husband)

A white tee that I drew on years ago with sharpies, and still is just as inktastic as it was back then.

Q: Leonie, will you ever brush your hair?

I’ll never say never, but probably not.

Q: Should I go now and jump into the Academy?

Yes

Q: Will I regret it?

No

Join now, while there’s still time! Memberships close 30th September!

And of course – any questions – just ask!

My Support Fairies are here to help! Email us at support@leoniedawson.com.

Big love,

PS: It’s time to decide honey…

Are you ready to step up and make those BIG dreams of yours happen?

All the help & guidance you need to do it is right here!

Join my powerful, proven & popular program TODAY… I promise it will rock your ding dang socks off with delight!

Don’t miss out hon!!!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY INCREDIBLE TRAINING PLAYGROUND TODAY!

 

Want To Know What They Say About Me?

Hola loves,

So, I know I’ve been talking about the Shining Biz and Life Academy a lot since we are closing enrolments at the end of this month.

And sometimes it’s hard to know what to think… there’s so many words out there by people about themselves… and I thought it would be nice instead to hand over the microphone instead… and you can hear from our actual members…

These were videoed at a bunch of different places – some at the annual Shining Biz + Life conference in Canberra, some in Cairns, some on webcam from around the world.

Why you might find it useful:

If you’re wanting to know if the Academy could help YOU…
if you want to know the kinds of results members are getting…
if you want to know if you’ll fit in there…

watch it now!

And I have to tell you…

My sweet husband edited it all together into this video for me… and finished it in one particularly crazy week where I was running around here, there and everywhere, putting out fires, making stuff happen… and he asked me to come sit beside him for half an hour and watch it.

And I was like:

Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think I have time to sit down right now?

But he said: “Honey, you need to watch this…”

And when he says things like that, he’s always right.

So I sat down with him.

And we watched it together. And I cried four times.

These women’s stories. Their bravery, their courage, their joy… just the miracle of them.

Please do watch it!

I am incredibly grateful that the Academy has helped them to bloom. Because that’s what they were born to do.

I’m proud of them, and in awe of them, and so deeply grateful that we get to do this work together.

And it’s something I want to do for the rest of my life… to keep serving these incredible women… keep helping them make those big, brave, wonderful dreams of theirs come true.

As you probably already know, we are closing to new members at the end of this month so I can concentrate on serving my Academy members. If you’d like to be our next success story, you’ll need to enrol by 30 Sept.

Love,

P.S. Honestly? The money means bugger all, really. Anyone can sell anything. The instant success. The one-off wins.

But this – this is the thing that brings me joy and satisfaction:

 

 

I’m so proud that our membership retention rates are so insanely high – we get 80% of our members renew for another year because they get SO MUCH VALUE out of it they don’t want to live without it… in fact… some of our members have been with us since the day we opened our doors exactly six years ago… September 2010!!!!!

To be helping people? And seeing them be so delighted they return over and over?

That makes me the happiest of all…

Sign up before we close enrolments for the year!

YOU MAY ALSO LOVE…


Sep 13

Leonie’s 200: Life + Biz Goals in 2016

Hi dearests,  So, last week while running this webinar on getting back on target with your goals in 2016, I Read more...

Apr 28

FREE TRAINING! 10 Things I Had To Stop To Go From Broke Creative to Millionaire Maven!

Hola baberoonies, I got to thinking one day… About how once upon a time, I used to be a broke Read more...

Sep 06

5 Proven Tips To End 2016 With Your Goals Completed

Hola gorgeous souls, What a bloody wonderful webinar it was this morning… with such great feedback from listeners too who Read more...

Feb 17

10 Lessons From Building A Million Dollar Business

In this live keynote presentation, I cover how to create success + happiness in business + life on YOUR terms Read more...

Read More Articles →
 

Leonie’s 200: Life + Biz Goals in 2016

Hi dearests, 

So, last week while running this webinar on getting back on target with your goals in 2016, I made a public promise to share my 2016 goals here… to embody public accountability and encourage all my readers to be “out” of the cupboard with their goals too!

So I went through my workbooks and typed up all my goals, and crossed out any I’ve already completed. There’s lots done, and lots more to do.

I wanted to share as well – I’m not particularly having a Big Goal year. I’ve done a lot over the past eight years… and had some years where I’ve gone ballz-to-the-wall with goals. After so much moving and growing, this year, I’m much more about sweet domesticity and settling. So my goals reflect that. There ain’t no wrong way to do goals! They are really just the structure to help build a life and business you adore… however that looks for you and your family!

So, here we go!

Life

Go on a health retreat
Increase my immunity
Tint van windows
Go horse-riding
Celebrate solstice
Do a large painting
Get fans installed
Do a picnic by myself
Do art date/workshop with Starry @ NGA
Get family photographs taken
Have BBQ with old work mates
Set up Wii and play games
Get painting for above bed
Have creative side projects (decide on some!!!)
Have a solo mama retreat
Do a digital illustration course
Do a daily creative challenge for 20 days
Experiment with Jade Egg
Get Lile to teach me knitting
Try tie-dying
Do some woodwork
Take Starry to something sacred
Try Tigress Yoga or Yin Yoga
Read 52 books (up to 45!)
Re-read “What We Say Matters”
Read “5 Love Languages For Kids”
Finish “The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving A Fuck”
Finish “Quiet Power”
Finish Bill Bryson’s “Home”
Do quarterly personal plans
Go to Cockington Green
Go on a road trip with Deb
Go to Kingston Foreshore or get a Freakshake with family
Fix bicycle + go for ride
Replace curtains and blinds
Get shelves installed in wardrobes
Go to a concert or show
Read a good money book
Pay off mortgage on Property #1
Update wills
Make our house feel like a home
Plant tomatos and beans
Create poster for Golden Rules of Success + hang in studio
Stop sleeping with iPhone in bedroom
Declutter and get boxes to op shop
Get phone fixed/get new phone
Prune roses before Spring
Rearrange house and put bookcase in lounge
Order electric blanket
Order non-slip rug for long hallway rug
Finish Brené Brown e-course
Put up Zen Habits poster in my office
Have weekly solo mama retreats in bed
Get coat racks
Watch the seasons change
Max out super contributions
Quarterly financial planning meetings
Work out watering system
Fix foot
Make a creative nook for myself
Discover a new creative passion (planners!)
Go to Questacon
Go to Balloon Festival
Go to NLA exhibition
Finish “I’m Off Then”
Finish “Something New”
Read “Zim Zum of Love”
Keep regularly art journalling
Go on regular girl dates with Lil
Try San Churro
Get new king size bed
Get new headboard
Find a pilates instructor + do pilates weekly
Weekly food delivery
Beach holiday
Get wedding ring re-sized
Go to women’s circle
Get rugs + carpets professionally cleaned

Christmas Bucket List:

Order 2016 Instagram album
Come up with advent calendar
See the Christmas lights
Get family Christmas cards done
Write Christmas letter and send cards

Business

Run 12 webinars (Have already released below ones… want to do more! Need to work up immunity so I don’t get throat infections and lose my damn voice so often!)

Top 10 Goal Setting Mistakes
Marketing Do’s and Don’ts for Wellpreneurs
From Broke Creative To Millionaire Maven
5 Proven Tips To Finish 2016 With Your Goals Completed


Release adorable goodies (Have already released below ones… want to do more!)

Internet Addiction illustrated zine
10 Lessons From Building A Million Dollar Company (video recorded live at a conference)
How To Run A Workbook Group
8 Paths To Instant Happy wallpaper


Batch-record video content in advance
Stop working nights (yeah, not yet! Still work a few weeknights. Working on it!)
Professional video & photoshoot for 2017 workbooks (underway…)
New website design
Grow mailing list to 100,000
Grow FB page to 150,000
Finish all courses I’m partway through!
Finish reading “Managing For Dummies” (surprisingly good!)
Read great business biographies
Income goal of $X (usually I share these things publicly, but this one I’m being called to keeping private for now. I only share when it feels like a big YES from my gut!)
Do some interviews I am proud of – (HOORAY! Eventual Millionaire and Wellpreneur podcasts!)
Release Shining Discount Centre into Academy
New design for ShiningAcademy.com
Professional video for Academy
Train staff in copywriting
Strengthen LDI Standard Operating Procedures
Organise insurances
Get 2017 workbooks off to print
Find permanent bookkeeper
Find permanent tech support
Sell 5,000 workbook packages in our 7 day pre-order sale
Run a Canberra conference
Stop working weekends
12 coaching calls for the Academy  (Done monthly, rest of year already scheduled in)
Do some live speaking gigs (did 3 – Canberra Business In Heels, Canberra Wise Women and Wellness Hub in addition to my annual Academy conference)
Release 12 new courses into the Academy

Sales 101 (with guest expert Fran Pratt)
Business Goddess 2.0 e-course
Boundaries Bootcamp
Discover Your Life’s Wisdom
Publishing Sensation Case Study
6i Success System
7 Chakra Business Model Masterclass
2 day Shining Academy conference video recordings
How To Align To Your Goals (with guest expert Kerry Rowett)
7 Life Changing Habits For An Abundant Year (with guest expert Denise Duffield-Thomas)
Smart Time Management (with guest expert Kate Christie)
Leonie Speaks: A Live Interview on Creativity + Death (video recorded live at a conference)
Upcoming: Everyday Sex Goddess and The Anxiety Workshop and more to be announced!



Philanthropy & Community

Build library through Room To Read (can read about it here!)
Sponsor more children (now sponsoring 8!)
Sponsor animals (sponsored an elephant, turtle and orangutan)
Donate to more land and animal conservations (donated $5000)
Make more loans through Kiva (have now made 390 Kiva loans! Woot! So close to 400!)
Cook for someone who needs it (gave food delivery vouchers to a grieving family)
Donate workbooks and diaries to charities (yay! 70,000 donated!)

Okay, this has been suuuuper fun…

I think I’ll print these all out, stick ’em on my wall… keep them front and centre so I can finish 2016 with a PEW PEW PEW!

Now get sharing your goals… and go make ’em happen, loves!

Your dreams are needed in this world!

Big love,

YOU MAY ALSO LOVE…


Nov 02

HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM: A LETTER TO MIDWIVES [AND DOCTORS. AND CAREGIVERS.]

Hola possums, I was asked to write an article for Australian Midwifery News journal on hyperemesis gravidarum. It’s a letter Read more...

Mar 22

Burnout: How To Recognise It, How To Fix It + How To Get Better At It

I’m tip-tapping you away from the corner couch of a cafe. Out the window I can see mountains and (you Read more...

Oct 13

FREE MEGA COLOURING BOOK! 100+ PAGES OF CREATIVITY, MERMAIDS, UNICORNS + COLORING MAGIC!

Hola dearests, PRESENT TIME!!! Thanks for sticking with me during our Shining September Sale. If you’re a new Academy member, I’m Read more...

Nov 23

The Aspie Goddess

Maybe I should have known back then. My brother had cerebral palsy, my mother was a disability support worker. My Read more...

Read More Articles →

 

My most ridiculous video yet!!!!!

Hi dearhearts,

About a month ago, I had one of the funnest, craziest days of work in my life. I teamed up with some truly cool peeps… and spent 8 hours filming an 8 minute video!

It was one of those moments in life where everything stood still… and I realised that everything I’d ever dreamed of doing in my life… books, drama, comedy, art, sacred women’s circles, helping people, hippy-ing it up, being a ridiculous nutbag on camera…

It all came true.

It’s the most ridiculous, glorious, paint-splattered video I’ve ever made.

The night before we went and made it, I had this HILARIMO idea for a skit to do in it… of being a suuuuper mopey public servant… which resulted in stealing clothes from my husband’s cupboard and texting my PM Mel at butt fuck o’clock in the morning that I needed her briefcase.

Worth it though, for the ridiculous, sad scene we managed to create…

I have to say though – I was laughing too damn hard from it. I am WAY more Tigger than I am Eeyore.

And to do a glum walk was something I need more acting practice at.

The adorable cameraman Jimmy kept yelling:

“CUT! LEONIE! STILL TOO JOYFUL! MORE MISERY PLEASE! BACK TO STARTING POINT! AND ACTION!”

Then once we cut, we’d all have another giggle again.

Bloody splendid.

Just as we finished filming that section, some gorgeous mates turned up…

I’d put an urgent call out on my private Faceybookywooky, asking if any friends were free that afternoon to be video stars.

I have such bloody good mates… they turned up with glee.

Above is me cuddling Rachel, who I hadn’t seen for five years… It was such a teary moment actually… she was our doula and photographer when we had Starry, she photographed me an hour before my waters broke, and was there for the birth and post-natal parts, and photographed us as a family, and then flew up to photograph our wedding a year later as well. So many moments shared with this one… big, tender, vulnerable moments that made seeing her again so beautiful.

Our little circle… Louie and Bee (and Jasper, the cutest baby of all time with cheeks for days!) who I have been sacred circling with since a dozen years ago, and Smita, who is a friend and my osteopath and Rachel.

It was fucking cold, but gosh it was golden in that afternoon light.

And so sweet to have a mini adventure/meetup/circle just so spontaneously.

And look around this circle of beautiful faces and just feel love, love, love, love, love.

Also: at one point, the producer had to interrupt and ask us to stop swearing so much because even though that part was going to be without audio, it was super easy to lip-read. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

And then I threw a bunch of paint powder all over myself.

And dance as it fell upon me.

AS YOU DO.

I have to say – there was SO much synchronicity at play during that day too… Asher, the producer, ended up being the son of a wonderful illustration teacher I learned from about a decade ago! And the cameraman was a dear family friend of my video star ring-in Bee. Hilarious connections for a video company we chose at random! It was so connected and so lovely.

I also discovered throwing paint powder at yourself does infact turn your hair pink for weeks afterward.

WOOPS!

I’ll do a follow-up post soon on all the logistics of organising something like this… but in the meantime… please go watch!

The day and the video was ridiculous and artsy and beautiful and oh so very fun.

And though it took a huge day and a huge van of props and a huge crew to make it… I think it is worth it!!!!

I am SO very proud of this video… PLEASE go watch it!!!!

Big love,

 

How To Double Your Biz With Blogging (Tips From A Multi-Million Dollar CEO!)

Hi loves,

So I’ve been thinking lately.

About how often here on this blog, I end up talking about mindset and productivity and parenting and soul stories and all that good stuff.

And I forget to just give ya’ll some practical how-to business and marketing stuff.

I’ve got SO much of it piled into the Academy – over 40 courses just on them! – that I forget to include all that juicy goss here too.

Which might leave you wandering if the Academy is JUST the mindset stuff. Which it totally isn’t – it’s got some seriously meaty business and marketing courses with the exact tools, tips and how-to’s you need to make business growth happen.

So I thought I’d give you a taster today!

And start by talking about how to build your business exponentially through blogging.

How I’ve Used Blogging To Build A Multi-Million Dollar Company

I’ve been blogging since 2004. It was the thing that really started my business. I started sharing my writings and art online as a creative outlet for myself. I was astonished when I discovered other people (besides my best friend) read my blog.

Through the process of blogging and feedback from my small but growing tribe of followers, I started finding my own voice and what I wanted to share with the world. My offerings organically evolved from that process.

I began using my blog to:

Promote my offerings
Direct people onto my mailing list (right now, I have about 75,000 people)
Find my peeps and build the trust so they become customers
Build lasting connections (I’m amazed at how many of my current colleagues and friends and fans have been reading my blog for five to ten years! That’s a pretty solid, loyal connection right there!)

15 years on, those four results continue.

  

How Much Workbook Sales Have Grown Over The Years:

How Often I Blog

I write at least one article a week. How much I blog has varied hugely over the years – I used to blog multiple times a week. For a while I attempted to blog five days a week (which led to a big ole burnout). Now I prefer to write one longer, well written, well thought out article every week.

I make sure my one “pillar article” per week is designed to be as useful as possible, and shared as much as possible.

How I Make Sure My Blog Articles Are Shared As Much As Possible:

Making sure it’s got a fantastic heading that draws people in
Keeping a long list of questions people ask me that can be turned into blog posts
Using images within blog posts
Making sure I used headings, bullet points and bolding in blog posts to make them as easily readable as possible
Giving quality, useful content that actually (GASP!) helps people
Being as authentic and honest as I can
Speaking in my own voice + flying my own freak flag. (If you find yourself copying other people’s style too much, ban yourself from reading their blogs until you get comfortable with your own voice and how YOU want to create, write and appear in the world.)

My blogging type mix-up tends to look like this:

Mostly longer written blog posts (I tend to prefer writing).
I occasionally do video blog posts (I aim to do more of this)
I occasionally do larger list types of blog posts (i.e. top books + my goals for the year)
I’ve dabbled in podcasting
My weekly article is designed specifically to help my target market (usually on a topic like self development, productivity, money and business).
I also write more personal posts sharing the soul lessons of challenges in my life (for example, Post

Natal Depression).
I trust my gut about what I want to share from my personal life. Over time, it’s evolved and will keep on changing. I just keep checking in with myself about what I’m happy to share.

How I use blogging to increase sales

I use blogging as a way to promote my programs and products. For example, if I have an upcoming program that I want to promote, I will write blog posts around that topic for the month leading up to the launch. On each blog post during that month, I will include an ad image for the program, or write a postscript like this:

“P.S. Want to dive deeper into this work and find out even more about how to build your own team? My Shining Six Figure Team System starts February 1 and will guide you through the exact system I use in my own business to hire, train and keep a six figure team. Click here to find out more and sign up!”

I also sporadically use guest blog posts in a way that will promote my programs and products. For example, during a promotional period for my Shining Biz and Life Academy a while back, I asked a number of clients to write a blog post sharing the biggest business lesson they’d learned from the Academy. I try to make sure the guest posts are as helpful and useful as possible for people to read.

Now let’s talk about how to use blogging to grow YOUR business!

A WORD OF WARNING:

Don’t Ignore The Online Or Offline Worlds And Think They Don’t Apply To Your Business!

Now let’s get this straight – you can NOT ignore the online world even if you have an offline business!

There are two worlds to find your tribe in – online and offline. Increasingly, these babies are overlapping.

Just because you have a bricks-n-mortar business, doesn’t mean you should ignore the online world of finding your tribe – in fact it’s more important than ever that you have this part covered too.

If you run an online business, you can be a bit more selective about what offline activities you get involved in to find your tribe, but it’s still ding dang useful to get out there, meet people face to face, and really “get” who you are helping on the ground level.

You Don’t Have To Do All The Kinds Of Marketing, But It’s Useful To Add More Arrows To Your Quiver!

The more of the marketing practices you do, and the more you perfect each one, you witness something beautiful called COMPOUND EFFORT. It’s just like putting more cashola in the bank – all that compound interest starts multiplying.

The more you do, the more you get back. By getting better at one technique, and also applying different techniques to finding your tribe, your business will grow exponentially quicker. By making one small change in a number of areas, you multiply your results.

Don’t be sitting around waiting for customers to find YOU. You’ve got to be proactive. You’ve got to find the people out there that you were born to help and serve.

You’ve got to be out there, finding them and helping them.

And creating a blog is one way of doing that.

Wait: WTF is a blog? And should I really have one? Can’t I just use social media?

So just incase you’re feeling totes clueless about all this tech stuff, let’s get back to basics for a second: what’s a blog? It’s a website that includes regularly updated content on a range of topics. Most websites now have static pages (i.e. an About page and Contact page) as well as some form of blog or regularly updated articles or news.

There’s been a bunch of talk about “the death of blogging”. Which makes me gigglesnort through my nose hysterically. There will always, always be a need for websites. And those websites should be updated often (i.e. with a blog).

Social media is growing, yes – but you should NOT just have a social media presence (i.e. Facebook page) as your only online home.

In fact, I think it’s pretty dang foolish to do that.

Here’s the thing: social media outlets will always go in and out of fashion. You do not own the environments they are in, and it’s not easy to create an archive of the content you create there. What’s more, as business owners are discovering, the rules within those environments are constantly changing (i.e. how Facebook ranks

business pages and content.)

Social media is definitely a more temporary, ephemeral arrangement. It’s powerful, yes, and of great use. But I don’t think it’s a basket to be putting all your online eggs in.

Why blogs kick butt over social media:

It shows you are a freaking professional with an actual business!
You have an online space you can craft as a guided journey for people to discover your work and dive deeper into it with you.
It can teach people more about what you do.
You can give lots of great free content so they get to know you and trust you and understand what you have to offer.
You’ll have a searchable, linkable archive of all the great content you post (whether it’s articles, photographs, videos, etc).
You will better results for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
You will have your own domain name that is yours to keep, forever. You can keep on promoting with that baby until the end of time.

Here’s Why Blogging Is Powerful For Your Business:

You can use your blog to:

answer questions people have
teach them why your products/services are important
demonstrate how it will help them
educate them about why they should invest
build trust in you and your business
show the behind-the-scenes of the company
create a story that is powerful and loved by your tribe.

Your blog can become

the linchpin, the sanctuary, the place where:

prospects are turned into customers

customers are turned into raving fans

a tribe is born.

How To Grow Your Biz With Blogging

Try out a mixture of posts to see what’s a good fit for you to create (or your team to create for you) and what your tribe digs.

For example, try:

Short posts
Long posts
Posts where you answer questions
How-To tutorial posts
Videos
Photographs
Behind-the-scenes stories


It is really easy to get caught up in blogging and looking at measurements of success that aren’t helpful. If you’re blogging to build a business, you absolutely should be using it as a central funnel to get people on your mailing list. It’s that important. It’s damn important. When you have a mailing list, it becomes a major business asset, far more than having blog followers or a certain amount of Facebook likes on a post. People on your mailing list are much, much more likely to buy from you than anyone else. It’s a way for you to keep in contact with the people who are interested in you and your offerings and are waiting for the right moment to dive deeper into working with you. So: make sure your blog is doing its job of getting people onto your mailing list.
Make it as easy as possible for people to share your blog posts along – have social media share buttons at the beginning or end (or both!) of blog posts.
Answer people’s questions in your blog posts to improve SEO (check out the SEO section in the Academy’s Double Your Biz program for a helpful worksheet on this!)
Use photos as much as possible in blog posts to break up text and appeal to both folks who like words and peeps who like pictures.
Use images with the header title on it at the top of the post. This way when people share it on social media (i.e. Facebook or Pinterest), it’ll automatically show up with a great visual that’s easy for people to read.

How much should you personally share in blogging?

Trust your gut about how and what you would like to share. Some people want to share only information directly related to their industry and offerings. That’s totally fine.

Some like to weave their own personal story and sharings in there too. It can be a powerful way for people to relate to you and grow their trust in you (plus be a wonderful way of practicing vulnerability and authenticity in your life).

Go with what you are comfortable doing right now. It can always change over time. You can always experiment and see how it feels.

FURTHER READING ON THIS TOPIC:

What You Need To Know About Privacy And Personal Safety When Blogging For Business

Should You Have Comments On Your Blog?

I get asked about this a lot, so let me answer it here: it’s up to you whether you want to have comments or not on your blog.

Unless you really, really enjoy the interaction you get there, or unless you have a business model of selling advertising on your blog, I’d suggest NOT having comments.

Why?

Because in my experience it adds an extra level of admin to your business, and you can get writer’s block if you feel like you’re not getting enough comments or the right kinds of comments.

And… success secret alert!!!!!!!! If you don’t have comments open… people usually do one of two things – will either share it on social media (YAY! Sharing your work along!) or commenting on the article on Facebook instead (YAY! Increased comment activity on social media posts will end up making your posts rank higher.) I’ve been experimenting on this for the last 4 years, and the evidence points to no comments = posts being shared further. AWWWW YISSSSSSSSS.

(If your primary business model is selling advertising on your blog, there’s more of an economic reason to have comments on and a commenting policy in place. Why? Because you’re in the job of increasing your page views and traffic as much as possible. And commenting increases page views. Especially if people start arguing in comments. There are some fascinating reads about this over on Offbeat Empire. The Offbeat Empire is a good example of a business model based on advertising too, by the way.)

So! Some bloody good reasons on why you need to be blogging + what you should be blogging for your business in order for it to grow!

If you’re wanting more useful guidance on things like this… make sure you jump into the Shining Biz and Life Academy before we close enrolments end of this month.

You are going to learn VERY practical business + marketing tips + practices in the Academy including:

The marketing masterplan for doubling your business revenue in 12 months
A masterclass on creating sales pages that sell (with worksheets + checklist)
Creating a loyal, devoted, BUYING following on social media
How To Raise Rates checklist
How to double your mailing list class
How to sell your book
How to market your Bricks + Mortar business
Case studies of Bricks + Mortar and local service businesses
Dozens of ways to incorporate passive income streams into your business
Creating a sales funnel that works
Money Planners to help you forecast cashflow
How to use Facebook advertising + blog advertising + SEO in a way that doesn’t make you completely batshit or broke, and actually – you know – gets you RESULTS for your business.
Case studies on exactly how I’ve grown my mailing list to 65 000(including how-to’s on creating teleseminars, squeeze pages and opt-in offers).
How to use A/B split testing in your business to supercharge your business growth.
Practical advice + worksheets on hiring + keeping the staff you need
and much, much, much, much more!

Just 21 days left to dive into the most generous, powerful + proven programs around!

Big love,