Leonie Dawson's Blog, page 89

How To Run A 2 Day Conference

Hi loves,

End of Feb I ran a 2 day conference for my Academy members.

It ended up going incredibly well, with hugely positive feedback, with lots of people sharing that it was a truly world-class event.

It was run seamlessly, and I thought I would share with you some hints and tips on running a powerful & beautifully-run event.

Get an event manager

That right there is the number one reason why our event ran smoothly, on time & was quite the joyful experience.

Sonya my COO was our events manager. She had lots of experience in running events in the past.

As a teacher, you do NOT want to be managing the event, logistics, contractors, registration & all the myriad event kerfuffles that pop up.

You should be focussing totally on teaching.

Because of the size of the conference, our events manager also had an assistant to work our attendee registration desk, get speakers miked up, help with stuffing gift bags, do event set up and clean up, and even pat my head and sing “Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty” to me. MWAHAHAHAHA. #priorities

Create a run sheet

Sone had our event timed down to the last minute, and she ran it on time like a damn pro.

Nobody likes for events to run over time.

Nobody likes for speakers to drone on and onnnnnn and cut into lunch time.

SERIOUSLY. I WILL GET SO HANGRY I WILL CUT A BITCH.

Even if you like to be a fluid teacher (like me), it’s so important to have structure around your day to make sure you keep your attendees’ needs taken care of. They need water, food, toilet breaks & clear-the-head breaks.

At least a month out from running the event, Sonya had bedded down our event run sheet, including the all-important rest breaks. We had the run sheet plastered everywhere for speakers to see, and Sonya gave us the wind up hand signals when it was time to end sessions.

You can also have monitors on stage to give you countdown times as well.

Brand your space with roll banners

When it comes to creating an event, it can really help to “brand” your event by using signage.

We ordered three wide pop-up banners in addition to one I already had.

It turned an otherwise normal looking space into a very “Leonie” looking one.

Instagram banner

During one of those late night internet shopping sessions that I am apt to do, I bought a large Instagram selfie stand.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Totally worth it and totally awesome.

Gift bags

We had gift bags printed up in advance through Grenada Promotions.

We included in them:

Conference handouts (printed at Officeworks)
2016 Shining Year diaries
Postcards & business cards (printed at Vistaprint)

We also let all of our Academy members send in gift vouchers, discount vouchers & goodies.

Some of the most gorgeous gifts in there were:

Necklace pendants from Beliana Mosaics
Luna Bird hairpins
Cheralyn Darcey oracle cards & seed packs

Everything had to be sent to me before the conference began, and our team stuffed the bags the day before the conference.

Staff Uniform

Our staff running the retreat all wore uniforms so our attendees knew who to turn to for help.

We got some polo shirts printed up with a unicorn.

Because DERRRRRP. #required

Outfits & Hair

I think I got this shirt at a shop somewhere three years ago. Skirt from Tantrika two years ago.

As far as outfits go, my style statement would be:

Comfort, comfort, comfort.

I changed clothes during lunch every day just so I didn’t feel like a sweatyballsack all day.

I didn’t get my hair blow dried or shit like that because it honestly seemed like too much shit to deal with. Maybe I will in the future. Or maybe I’ll just keep doing the mermaid.

Mermaid flapper dress. Found it at one of those women’s dress shops. Maybe suzanne grae? I don’t know. It was in the Tuggeranong Hyperdome. I bought it for the Australian Business Woman of the Year awards night.

Worn with Boody bamboo leggings. And a cardigan from Kmart. I think.

Gawd I’m an amazzzzing fashion blahhhgerrrrrrrrrrrr.

Top from Just Gorgeous Kuranda. Skirt by one of our Academy members Sunny Daisy Tie Dye (who was there! at the event! and we wore matching clothes on the regular!) SQUEEEEE!

This outfit I did buy especially for the event! Me & my darling women’s circle mentor Deb went for a ROOOOAD TRIPPPPPP to Bird’s Nest boutique store (they are an amazing online clothes shop that started in a small town not far from me). This dress was from the Globetrotter by Ruby Yaya range.

Totally stunning dress. I should say – the whole range IS polyester.

I was super wary of it – I tend to wear all-natural fabrics. I was worried I’d get too sweaty or staticy in this dress. But it ended up being quite comfortable to wear. So… WINNAH!

Shoes

None.

#bloodyhippy

Suppliers

Venue and Catering: The Abbey, Canberra

I cannot say enough good things about The Abbey. They were an absolute joy to work with and took care of us so well.

Plus, the space is fucking next level beautiful. Absolutely STUNNING, with an incredible energy.

Photographers: Tracy Lee Photography

I’d used Tracy before for our 2016 workbook collection photoshoot and adored her. She was an easy choice, and she did a beautiful job of all our event photography.

Videographers

We hired in a professional videographer crew to record the whole event for our Academy members. Unfortunately due to their lack of customer service I’m not able to recommend them.

Audio: Infinite Light and Sound

Infinite supplied all audio gear and our projector, and provided audio technicians to manage sound throughout the whole event. They were fantastic and did a great job.

Some more big lessons I learned from running this conference!

You don’t have to teach it all yourself

I’ve held off from running a large-scale conference in the past because I didn’t want to teach by myself for two days straight. I’ve got a pretty weak throat that konks out pretty quickly while talking.

This time around, to make it doable for me, I had a co-presenter on stage with me at all times, and I also invited extra guest teachers who I knew and loved and respected to share their wisdom as well.

Denise Duffield-Thomas taught an awesome session on abundance and money blocks. I’ve known DDT for four years now – she attended a retreat I ran in the rainforest, and we’ve been business-sisters & mastermind-buddies ever since. This woman walks her talk like nothing else… in all the time I’ve known her, and as close-up as I have, she has been impeccable and authentic and always, always brilliant. I believe she is hands-down the best teacher on law of attraction in the world, and brings love, warmth & realness to the work of manifesting. If you haven’t already, you should be reading her books & applying her principles because HOT DAMN THEY WORK.

(Little known fact… we decided to have a “Conception Competition” to see how fast we could get pregnant. She beat me by six days! Ha! Our daughters Beth & Willow were in the womb together… it was especially sweet when they finally got to meet in real life. We reckon they were friends on the other side and decided to jump in on the two of us.)

Kerry Rowett (my favourite kinesiologist) taught some powerful energetic practices to help you get over your stucknesses, align to your goals and create them faster. Kerry was another old coaching client of mine from four years ago who I loved working with to help her business grow. She is such an earth angel with bright, clear energy and a real gift. I started using her (and even sending staff to her) to clear blocks & achieve goals. It was so lovely to meet her in person for the first time after knowing her online for so long!

Gini Eagle, my dear friend, came in to lead yoga at the beginning of each day for everyone to start feeling refreshed and energised and grounded in their bodies. I’ve know and loved Gini for years, and we’ve shared some truly special, sacred moments together, especially out at her Ingelara Retreat. She was my reiki master that led me through my reiki attunements during a truly magical weekend. She has the most beautiful energy and I am SO glad that I got to share her with all our attendees.

Melissa Prince led a meditation, and also held a sacred women’s circle for our conference attendees during the evening. Mel is a magical human being with a lot of love and integrity in leading women’s work, and I was overjoyed that she flew over the country to teach. And I love that she was able to include elements into the conference that I would have led but just couldn’t because there’s only so much physical energy I have. I love that our women still got to experience that energy, that it didn’t need to run off all my own energy and that Mel could do it instead!

It was a win for everyone involved!

Fill your own well with body work

The night before the conference, I heard from an acupuncturist/body worker Indira from Sacred Health letting me know she’d be happy to do a session for me before I went on stage the next morning. I said HECK YEAHHHHHHH! It helped me so very much to ground and fill up my own well before I went on stage. I got her to come back the following morning for more because I found it so useful. A definite energy booster!

I’ll definitely look at having some kind of bodyworker backstage from now on.

Have boundaries

I’ve learned the hard way before that as much as I want to do EVERYTHING and be involved in EVERY SINGLE MOMENT for EVERY SINGLE PERSON, it’s really not the best way for me to hold energy.

I NEED to have time and space and rest away from people to refuel my energy when I’m not on stage.

I decided to sleep at home (only 30 minutes drive away) during the event. I had other staff stay onsite to manage everything. It was actually wonderful and grounding to be able to drive home, have dinner with husby and kids, lay on the couch and just have normal routine at night. It definitely helped my energy levels as an introvert.

When I was at the conference, I made sure I had a longer session of rest over the lunch break, and either took a nap in the green room or went to one of my team’s hotel rooms just to chill in the quiet.

My energy levels were actually pretty great at the end of the two days which I was surprised by – but it goes to show that a little bit of structure and support can go a LONG way!

All in all, I’m really proud of what we were able to achieve, and ecstatic at the feedback we got from attendees!

What’s next?

I will be running the Shining Academy conference again next year in Canberra for all our Academy members. I’d like to make this an annual event, it’s such a beautiful thing to meet face-to-face and connect heart-to-heart.

At this stage, I won’t be running large-scale conferences like this outside of Canberra. So if you’re wanting to come, you’ll need to come to my beautiful city. Distance is no excuse – we had attendees from Scotland & USA. And we’ll release dates as soon as we can so you can get it all booked into your calendars!

I so hope this post has been useful for you in planning your events!

I’ve definitely made mistakes over the years when I haven’t created enough structure and support around live events. I’m so delighted with the flow of what we could achieve together this year… and am delighted to look at ways we can bring even more magic in for future events!

May all your events be a beautiful container of your wisdom and love.

So much love and joy and awkwardly long cuddles,

Leonie’s Scrapbook: gastro goddess

Hola possums!

Holy fuckaduck, it’s been a really big month/few weeks.

Grantacular + his wifey Jenneroo have been here working/holidaying. You can read Part 1 of the scrapbook of their holiday/work retreat here.

They just landed back in the US so I thought I’d bring ya’ll up to date with what we got up to after the Shining Academy retreat ended!

That’s where we ended last time in the scrapbook… the conference wrapping up with me and Granto doing Awkward Prom Photos triad style.

After the conference ended, Granto and JenJenJenno headed off for a week’s holiday so I could recover in bed from so much people-ing.

I love people-ing, and as an introvert, I defo need a lot of downtime afterwards to centre myself and build my energy up again.

I was expecting I’d have a week lolling about in bed, getting massages, filling my creative well…

Instead…

Poor lil Beff got a vomming bug, and spent a day throwing up all over me.

It was a ruff, ruff day.

And then Charlie‘s ashes were delivered.

And we all cried.

And then Beff vomited again.

Sweet Beffy finally stopped vomming and went back to her wild elfin self. Thank goodness! Was starting to worry about my lil fluffy haired peach!

Oh cooooool then me and Mr D had Beth’s gastro. Magical. Just magical. “Having restorative holidays” while “being a parent” is an oxymoron.

It was one of those Crap Parenting days where me & Mr D had both succumbed to Beth’s gastro and we were in quarantine so we didn’t pass it on to anyone else and our kids had to be babysat by the television. Ooooof. What a shitter (literally and metaphorically) of a day. Here a photo of Beth wearing a gift from Luna Bird to cheer us all up. Also, I’m handing out (weak, shaky handed) vag slaps for anyone who says “enjoy every minute!” I’m declaring a moratorium on it.

“Gastro makes me feel like a real goddess”, says no person, everrrrrrrr.

Mr D starts work on video and audio engineering of the Shining Biz conference. We will be releasing the complete two day conference recordings to all our Academy members free of charge. We know many teachers would charge $1-$2k for conference recordings like this. That’s not our model.

We much prefer to just keep making the Shining Biz & Life Academy the most insanely affordable, generous program out there. Can’t wait to share the conference with you!!!!! It’s equal parts funny, ridiculous, wise, deep inner work & big business mojo… Lots of tears were shed… Connections made. Holy and sacred. So grateful for it all!!!!

My BFF (and Ops Manager) Sonya went to see Brené Brown speak live the other night in Sydney. She sent me this photo of her journal. I don’t have FOMO ATTTTTTT ALLLLLLLLLLL. #massivebreneboner #fuckkkkkkwanttobetheresooooobad

I then proceeded to live stream our text messaging as she kept me updated with everything Brené was saying.

Seriously… I have my BFFs trained super well. Haaaaaaaa!!!!

 

Surprise delivery of books from my darling mentor Hiro Boga cheered me immensely!

Woah. This one. Janis Joplin (one of my favourites) talking about the possible origins of ambition. This touched me.

Bonza new show we are watching. British, of course. Travel Man. #leoniewatches

One of my favourite business books – Kelly Cutrone’s “If you have to cry, go outside”! I read it on Kindle a few years ago and was enamoured by its utterly Scorpionic sharings of business, life, spirituality and sex interwoven. I found a paperback copy in a local bookstore and leapt at it. It feels so good to have a physical copy in my hands.

Cold grapes in the hot backyard before a storm comes our way.

I was on a Book Finishing Binge … Have been feeling overwhelmed with the number of partly read books scattered around the house. Just finished this one – Lisa Messenger’s Money & Mindfulness. That woman is a force of nature & I’m grateful for her honest sharings. Definitely on my list for #leoniestopbooks2016

A lot of time has been spent revolving around this table. Tea and newspapers, books and art and journaling.

Two years ago, at this very moment, I was laying in bed as the first waves of labour rolled through me. Soon, my nine month personal hell of hyperemesis gravidarum would be over. Soon, our darling Beth, elfin queen, would enter the world. The world tilted the moment I first dreamed of her and the conceived her. She is sage and wild and hard and easy and whirlwind and grace all at once. Exactly what we needed for all of us.

“What is love, Starry?” “Love is like the moon that makes the flowers in my heart grow.” “Who do you feel love for?” “I love my friends, I really love my mummy and daddy but very most of all I love love LOOOOOOVE Beffy. She is the one I love the mostest of all.”

Two years ago I gave Starry the gift of a little sister, her most favourite thing in the world.

Happy 2nd birthday Beth, our elfin princess.

You are so very loved and adored. Getting through nine months of hyperemesis gravidarum was the biggest sacrifice for love I’ve ever made. Your Papa Bear got me through it… I truly couldn’t have held on to you and to me without him. We were surrounded by angels that whole time… Doctors and nurses and midwives and acupuncturists and therapists and healers and supportive friends and a whole lot of medication to keep us alive. You were a tribal baby from the very beginning… We needed a whole community to bring you into the world. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, but you are a miracle and I can’t imagine who we would be without you. You were the sweetest newborn and easiest baby on the planet. You healed so much for me and made me want to adopt so I could have more sweet babytime. You are a gift and a joy and a wild one. Thank you. Thank you for choosing us and marking us as your own.

Happy birthing day my love.

Love,

Your Mama

Who wrote this on the toilet

Where you found me

And now you are tearing vast quantities of toilet paper up

To make snow.

We spent the morning – just me and her and her papa – wandering down alleyways and eating until we were in a food coma and reminding each other of tender memories from her pregnancy and birth.

And then the fourth corner of our tribe was home and so we ate ridiculously good cake (from Patissez the inventors of the FreakShake.) HAPPY BIRFDAYYYY BEFFFFFYYYYYYYYY

Granto Grantacular came baaaaaaack!

We were in content creation lockdown for a week…

Hired a quaint b&b just for writing & filming in. Best idea ever!

Brilliant, beautiful, slow, gentle, intriguing. British TV really is the best.

I bought Starry some gorgeous handmade patchwork dresses from Etsy… She’s a tall almost-6 year old and fits into size 9 clothes which is out of the kids range and heading into tween territory. I’ve had such a hard time finding lovely, innocent, age-appropriate dresses for her (her favourite thing to wear.) After my failed efforts at sewing some myself I turned to Etsy and got these beauties.

They just arrived so I’ve laid them out on her bed for her as a surprise for when she got home from school. The only issue is… They camouflage in with her quilt that Twisty Rob Designs made her when she was a baby. Can you spot the two dresses??? Hahahahahaaaaa!!!!

Our Creative Cave/Writer’s Room/Course Recording Den/B&B had a beautiful pond filled with goldfish. We liked to visit them after we were all sweaty from exerting ourselves with words and ideas. #hardwork #needbeer

Don’t worry guys, me and our LDI Operations Manager are suuuuuuper profeshunal. Us 10 years ago at a Wild Women Gathering. No, we weren’t drinking. Yes, we are wearing large underpants over our jeans. Doesn’t everyone?

My beyoooootiful friend Sandy Forster sent my girls the most amazing book… I am in magical enchanted love… Uni the Unicorn!!! Highly recommend!!!

The biggest live event I’ve ever created happened two weeks ago. I feel utterly amazed at what we were able to create. It was a magical, teary, loving weekend filled with the most precious souls from all around Australia & the world. I love that we got to spend such intensive time connecting & learning about what it really takes to grow an amazing business.

Thank you to all the beautiful, wise souls who I got to meet and hug and hear the stories of. Thank you to my co-teacher Grant for making it a joy and an ease to be on stage teaching for two days. Thank you to Sonya for being the greatest event manager to walk the planet. Big thanks to Denise Duffield-Thomas, Kerry Rowett, Melissa Prince and Gini Eagle for flying in from all over the country to be the most incredible guest speakers and serving our tribe so beautifully.

Thank you to our wonderful helpers – Tam, Jen and Jenny. And huge thanks to The Abbey for being such a wonderful event space. Tracy Lee Photography was our incredible photographer. And Blue Clay professionally video recorded the whole event so we can give it all to our Academy members. This was definitely a tribal event… It ran so beautifully because of so many supportive hearts and hands. My heart is so full. I am so grateful to be doing this work. And I deeply love every person in this photo and their dreams and hearts.

Me and Grant just finished up a week’s Content Creation Intensive. New courses for the Academy, a butt tonne of videos for the blog. A week definitely not long enough… We probably need a good year to record every course we have bubbling away. And by that time we would have even more ideas to work on!

Had a huge morning doing Full Tourist. Woke up at 5:30am, bundled everyone in the car (husbo, kids, Grant and wifey), and headed into city to watch the Hot Air Balloon Spectacular. Watched the sunrise, ate Dutch pancakes on a dew-soaked table, danced to live music that included a French horn, watched the kids chase bubbles with the usual perfect melting pot of Canberra families from all over the world, walked along the lake, had a ridiculously scrumptious breakfast #2 at National Library, then headed to Parliament House to gawk around. I needed a nap after all that, so we all just had a mammoth one. I’m reading another Bill Bryson book and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be on my list of #leoniestopbooks2016. So… That’s me. On a day when I am ridiculously happy to be living in my beloved Canberra once more.

I just bought Nayyirah Waheed’s poetry books and they are so scrumptious I’m lettering them out in my journal. Yes to this. So much yes. Let’s share our wars and our stories and our pain and our whole hearts.

Me & my blue eyed girls at the hot air balloon festival. We got to watch the sun rise & it was precious & perfect. We went off on more adventures with our American tourists… Helping them live up their last couple of days in Australia. Canberra in Autumn is a dreamboat… Glorious weather and festivals aplenty. But it’s basically perfection the rest of the year too. #Canberra, you’re my bae.

I went hunting for Cheralyn Darcy’s colouring books after meeting her at our Shining Academy conference. She is a publishing sensation and the most angelic fae soul. Have you heard of her amazing work yet???

SO cool… A serendipitous moment happened for me… We were wandering around Old Bus Depot Markets and I was looking over at these scrumptious soy candles… And the store owner recognised me & she showed me her 2016 Shining Year workbooks hidden behind her table to work on!!! We got to talking and hugging and laughing and discovered that not only do our kids go to the same school, we are also neighbours that live just down the street from each other!!! I reckon I’ve made a new friend… One that smells pretty good HAHAHAHA!!! I love you already Carrie!!! Serendipity and magic all around!!!

Portrait Artist of the Year is one of my very favourite shows… Reality TV for creatives!!! Just discovered it’s sister show Landscape Artist of the Year!!!! Orgasmic eye bliss and inspiration!!!! #leoniewatches

Canberra Balloon Festival = the best reason to wake up before dawn. Grant and Jen left the next day but we showed them a ridiculously good weekend!!!

FARMER WANTS A WIFE FINALE FUCK YEAHHHHHHH

Just said goodbye to Grant after a month of making him do this IRL instead of over Skype. This was taken at our Shining Academy conference. Sometimes when we make stuff together there’s this magic and awakening and ideas fling themselves between us. I’m glad we got the chance to do it face to face for a wee while. See you on Skype, Grant!

Today’s medicine: moonstone on my heart finger. A return to feminine wisdom, strength, intuition, the gloating of spirit. Moonstone is a dear friend. She is grandmother and full moon and mystic and wonder. She holds rainbows in her womb. If you look deep enough, if you are still enough, if you listen enough, you will hear them. A stone of magic and mystery in the very best of ways. A woman’s best friend. :::: that’s how I feel about moonstone…

Went to take a serious selfie, Mr Dawson cracked a joke. That man is the funniest person I know, hiding behind the mirage of a serious, quiet man. Also: hot. Don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that before. I just thought you should know. #importantinformationsharing

Opened the mail… And there was my Charlie boy… I ordered a custom doc portrait from Basova Art on Etsy… She has so captured his spirit and it makes my heart sing and feel so sad all at once. Now to find a frame and hang this in our family portrait hallway. The boy that made us a family. He was (and still is) the sweetest, funniest, most ridiculous, healing soul wrapped in a dog’s fluffy body. We miss him. We were so lucky to be loved by him and to adore him so much.

Got to hang with the incredible Peace from Ausmumpreneur between her meetings with Federal Ministers. She is an incredible advocate for Australian businesswomen and I am so proud to know her and be her friend. We got to talk all things business & books, motherhood & mayhem. I’m in awe of everything she has created & am so excited for what’s next for her & her sister Katy. We met last year after I was shortlisted as a finalist for Ausmumpreneur of the Year Award. It’s knowing women like this that inspire you to dream bigger. It creates a new kind of normal being in company like this.

What’s coming up for me…

It’s a big, beautiful week ahead!

My darling Ostara girl turns 6 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) years (!!!!!!!!!!!) old (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

My Dad & his girlfriend are flying in for the Easter long weekend. Hilllllarimo story – I set them up on a blind date over a year ago. I’d been friends with her for a decade already, and she is the loveliest soul, and thought it would be SUPER FUNNY to set them up on a blind date because they each have five kids. You know… SO MUCH IN COMMON!

Anywaysies… that blind date has been lasting an awfully long time now. I think I’m surprised that:

1. My matchmaking skills have actually WORKED FOR ONCE! I always have the best intentions that die up the ass within a nanosecond.

2. They’ve worked… on… my… Wild Bushman Dad. I’m legit my dad’s wingman now. #awkward

Annnnnnd we’re having an Easter/Ostara party with some sweet friends.

(And yes, Ostara DOES sound like Easter! Ostara is the Celtic Goddess that Easter was named after. Ostara was an Easter baby and told me very firmly when she was in my belly that it was her name, and that she was a “child of the stars.”)

This is a special time of year for us… the turn of the seasons into Autumn… reminding us of the miracle days of bringing first Ostara into the world and then Beth (both March babies)… it’s rabbits and miracles and so much wonder. Here’s our very own Easter miracle story.

I’m grateful, when I’m not sleep deprived, or when the kids aren’t breaking all my shit, or destroying my art journals, or Beth is losing her fucking shit in public places.

Apart from those times (which is often), I’m happy as a pig in mud! Ha!

Big love,

UPCOMING CANBERRA SPEAKING EVENTS!

WELL! Fuck a duck!
Look at me getting out and about!
The hermit is outta the hills and gettin’ out in the world!
I’ll be the keynote speaker at TWO events in Canberra in the next few weeks!

13 April: Canberra Business in Heels

19 April: Canberra Wellness Hub

At both events, I’ll be speaking honestly about the journey of building a multi-million dollar company, how I’ve become a best-selling author, the mistakes I see business owners making + I’ll also doing Q&A sessions.

Come see me! Come play! Come have inappropriately long cuddles!
See you there… my arms will be waiting… HA!

Big love,

I’ve Struck Podcast Gold! Eventual Millionaire Interview!

Hola beautiful souls,

My interview with Eventual Millionaire went live this week which has been a LONGGGGG time in the works… getting on that podcast is like Podcast GOLD, I tell ya!

There’s an application process, and you need to prove you’re an actual millionaire (instead of just one of those shammy internet shonks who talk the talk but aren’t walkin’ the walk) and then there’s this intense process of trying to get on the recording calendar.

It’s pretty full on and super selective and for good reason – it creates such a great, thoughtful podcast filled with super legit, super smart peeps like David Allen, Tim Ferriss, Michael Port, Laura Roeder and Verne Harnish… all of whom give me a #businessboner. So that was pretty damn excitlement.

Anywho, what a pleasure it was being a guest on show where Jaime and I discussed rainbows, unicorns and success.

We talk about:

How can a “weirdo hippie kid” make it in the world of serious business?
The one thing that changed my business trajectory.
Why getting a good marketing education is important.
Why business is the best way to make friends.
Can you build a successful business by only working 2 hours per day?

Come listen in over heresies!

Big ole love,

GOOD STUFF I DISCOVERED THIS YEAR

Hey guys,

I was looking back over the last year at the things that were good investments for me.

Things that I’m glad I spent the money on in my life.

Things that were in some way a game changer for me (sometimes in little ways and sometimes in big ways).

I wanted to share them with you…

Basically because I can’t keep my mouth shut at the best of times.

If there’s things in my head, they need to be shared.

#worstsecretkeepereverrrr

So we’ll start with the BIG one.

Last year we bought a Hybrid car. A Toyota Camry Hybrid, to be specific.

We needed a second car, so we went to buy one secondhand. They had a Hybrid there.

And I’ll be honest – as much as I was a hippy, I wasn’t thinking of buying one.

The idea just seemed really… foreign and strange to me.

Driving it for the first time was super odd too. They are so much quieter than a traditional car… they kind of glide effortlessly. There are definitely a different feeling to drive… and I wasn’t sure if I could adjust.

Chris ended up deciding to buy it, and I am SO glad he pulled decision-making rank on me.

I have fallen head-over-heels in love with it. So has Chris.

The fuel consumption is INSANELY CHEAP.

It saves us thousands of dollars a year in fuel.

Why the fuck isn’t everyone driving them?

We laugh everytime we drive it at how much driving range we have before we have to fuel up again.

Our other car is a mini-van, which is not a Hybrid or electric. There isn’t much in that size range that is.

Our plans are to keep the mini-van for the next 10 years or so (we don’t change cars very often), and hopefully by that time there will be more electric and hybrid cars on the market, especially in the 4WD category.

Plus… that Camry Hybrid is fast and powerful. It takes off faster from traffic lights than nearly every car out there – considerably so. I’m not really a speed demon or car-lover by any stretch of the imagination, but gosh it rocks to drive.

Hybrid + electric cars FOREVERRRRRR!

So, I got my first facial last year. And it ROCKED.MY.WORLD.

Since I was a teenager, I’ve always had rough skin around my jawline and over my nose. I’d tried exfoliating scrubs, but they helped very minimally. At my first facial though, they used a facial brush over me and it made my skin feel like a baby’s (non-shitty) bum! I naively thought it was something that only beauty therapists had… like it was expensive salon equipment or something.

I went to a few other beauty therapists for facials, and none of them had it, and none of them could make my face feel smooth again. I was addicted to the smooth feeling, so I went on an online hunt and discovered facial brushes!

They have gotten super popular, and are pretty cheap. I got one with a larger body brush and pumice stone attachments in addition to the smaller face brush. When it arrived in the mail I tried it out gingerly and quickly got obsessed. It leaves my skin glowing and feeling so very clean and smooth!

Even Chris loves getting a facial with it (don’t tell him I told you that… mwahahahahahaha)… it’s like a face massage and a cleanse all at once.

I’ve also used the pumice stone attachment on Chris’ dry heels and it’s worked a bloody TREAT.

Word of warning: being a typical obsessive Scorpio, I totally overdid my first effort… I brushed for so hard and so long that my face was sore for days. I was pretty sure I took half my nose off with it. Now I strictly follow the guidelines to only do it for 60 seconds. HA!

I’d heard a few mentions about Who Gives A Crap toilet paper before I jumped on board.

I’d heard from the outset that it was:

eco-friendly toilet paper made from bamboo/recycled materials
philanthropic – it supported a range of charities.

I definitely expected it to be more hassle than it was worth, and that it would be too pricey/annoying to do.

I looked into it further and realised it was actually a huge saving – almost 50% cheaper than store bought toilet paper, and it came with free shipping. I signed up as a subscription thinking I would cancel when me or Chris hated it, but we both thought it was super cool. And it’s ended up being super awesome to just get a big box of toilet paper turn up when they know you’re running low. (You sign up according to how many people you have in your house, and they seem to have their timing ratio pretty brilliant. Plus you can change the timing if you need.)

Anyways, we are a rabid fan. It’s so super cool!

A win on the wallet, a win on the environment, and a win for charity!

So, I’m not a fan of cooking. I mean, I used to do it just because it needed doing. And Chris shared the job with me. But mostly, it was something that was a total chore. And we didn’t always eat as healthily as we wanted, and when things got busy, we’d order takeaway.

I decided to just give it a go without telling Chris – just order some meals and see what it was like. He’s definitely the more risk adverse of us and finds it harder to give new things a go.

Once it arrived though, we were in seventh heaven! We are now devotees and have been using them ever since. They taste so much better than frozen meals, and they are much healthier. It’s freed up so much time – we don’t have to cook, and we don’t have to meal plan, and we don’t have to do much grocery shopping anymore, and we don’t need to run to the shops to get food. We just have a bunch of healthy food in the fridge. BOO YAH!

It also had some happy consequences we didn’t realise it would have:

It evened out our energy levels… we no longer had energy crashes in the afternoon when we didn’t plan out meals and either ate breakfast late or bought takeaway for lunch. I also started having so much more energy that I actually WANTED to do exercise (!!!!!)

And we both started shedding weight without changing anything else in our diet. It’s been about 8 weeks, and I’ve lost about 5kgs.

So, all positive changes all round!

We order from Youfoodz Canberra and Youfoodz is available in most Australian major cities.

And I’ve written before about these, but:

Cleaners are still the greatest thing ever
Nannies are still the greatest thing ever.

If you’re a mum business owner or a mum or a business owner… get onto it babe. You don’t have to be a superwoman. You don’t have to do it all. You absolutely CAN give yourself the support you need to thrive.

What’s more, you and your family will be better for it.

Hope this was helpful!

Let’s keep talking about ways we can support ourselves even more, and the good things we discover.

Sending you so much love and joy,

A Walk Down Market Lane…

Hola goddesses,

I’m still beaming over here with gratitude, hope + excitement after our time together at the Shining Academy Retreat in Canberra.

It was so magical to be with so many like-minded souls under one roof and I can’t thank the participants enough.

One super magical aspect of the retreat was to see the market stalls set-up with so many shining products! Participants were able to set up a stall to promote their products – FUNNNNNNNNN!

While I wish one day we could ALLLLLLLLLLL meet together in Hippyville, I thought it might be fun to give you a sneak peek.

Here’s Your Virtual Market Stall Tour!

Now, imagine you’re in the land down under, the summer is winding down, there’s a nice warm sun shining with a slight breeze and birds chirping (aka it’s not hot as fuck like it normally is)

You walk outside and you see a little market of sorts. Nothing too crazy. Just perfect. Along with the song of birds + laughter of participants, you may also hear some “that’s what she said” jokes as you stroll along (admittedly, that was probably coming from me way down at the end of the stalls where Granto and I did book signings. No, I can’t stop. Yes, it’s a condition. No, I’m not getting it healed.)

(See Grant’s face? That’s the face of OH FOR GOD’S SAKE SHE IS STILL USING THAT JOKE)

Anyway, I digress… which is VERY surprising. I NEVER do that!

Before I start to talk about squirrels and other shiny things…

Lemme share the gorgeous market stalls with you!

First Stop… Luna Bird!

Luna Bird is an uber talented artist of jewellery, toys and gifts! Along with paper opals like the ones shown above, she also enamels, solders and makes little mushrooms out of clay and preserve them in mini necklace domes!

Sonya, my Operations Manager even snagged this RAD MUSHROOM ring for herself!!

And then there’s the lovely Indira…

Indira Hnatiuk of Sacred Health Centre was offering quick laser acupuncture memory boosts, online courses, audios and high performance coaching session vouchers!

Check her out for natural ways to feel great!

Next on this bonza afternoon is Natalie Crowe…

Natalie of Natalie Crowe Designs Crystals set up shop with her vibrant crystals, chakra trees, jewelry and gorgeous gifts, OH MY!

Natalie is also a talented web designer and founder of Natalie Crowe Designs.

Strolling right on over to Victoria Yuen’s set-up…

Victoria Yuen of Victoria’s Place Online, a health and wellness business that focusses on yoga, meditation and mindfulness offered her book, “Will You Come To Bed With Me? Creating Mindful Moments With Your Family”, yoga card decks and more!

Look! It’s Ashley Fiona!

Ashley Fiona is a ceramic artist and a porcelain specialist who creates ashkeepers, handmade wares and even wearable treasures! She lives and works from her studio on the Central Coast, New South Wales.

She even made me THIS FUCKING CUPPPPP OMMMMMG

I dealt with receiving it suuuuuper gracefully and calmly:

But seriously though… FUCKING UNICORN CUP??? HOW WAS I NOT MEANT TO LOSE MY SHIT?

Ooh look how fun + cute this next stall is!

Fan of My Little Pony? Look no further! Pinipy set up shop offering posters, postcards, badges, totes, jewellery and more! These were designed by a gorgeous teenager!

And last, but most definitely not least is artist, Brenda Mangalore!

Brenda Mangalore creates fine art, abstract paintings, greeting cards and typographic doodle drawings + paintings. SOOOOOOO gorgeous + FUN!

What a fabulous afternoon stroll through the market!

Thank you to all the retreat goers and market stall participants! It was so great meeting you all + seeing your amazing work up close and personal!

HUGE love + appreciation,

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Top 1% of Blog Posts Of All Time

Dearest ones,

I’m taking a look back over the past 12 years of blogging/2,000 blog posts/nearly one million words written and sharing with you my 20 most popular blog posts of all time.

I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve sworn (more on that here) and this blog has been somewhat of a form of therapy for me.

There’s freebies, there’s life stuff, there’s business, there’s big deep soul sharings as well…

It’s been a true honour sharing it with you… this job is really my favourite thing ever… and I hope we can share another 12 years and 2000 blog posts together. It’s been a joy… and such a blessing. I’m so grateful for your support, friendship, kinship and encouragement.

When I started 12 years ago, it was just that fun hobby thing I did at night and on weekends. I was 21 and me and Mr Dawson had just moved to Canberra and it was really a time of play and exploration and learning how to be an adult. I worked in the public service and explored all the rest of my passions and studied part-time. I started blogging just before I found women’s circles and before we adopted Charlie puppy.

Me and Charlie in ye olden days of blogging…

And now we are married, have two kids, adopted another doggy… we’ve moved all over the countryside… and this blog and company has been both me and my husband’s job for nearly six years.

I’ve met so many beautiful souls, had so many adventures and mostly just felt soaring joy at the very opportunity to be able to write and share and create and help. That’s all I could ever ask for or want. Ever, ever, everrrrrrrr.

So… here’s the top 1% of my last 2000 blog posts my loves!

And here’s to sharing 2000 more!

Freebies

Free Mega Colouring Book! 100+ Pages Of Creativity, Mermaids, Unicorns + Colouring Magic

So… gift time!

I now present to you….

A 100+ page colouring book chockablock full of inspiration for you to colour!

These 100+ pages will keep you going for MONTHS I reckon!!! As well as giving you some beautiful art to put on your walls + in your journals.

Grab your coloured pencils and enjoy!

Free Poster & Colouring Page: Brené Brown’s 10 Guideposts For Wholehearted Living

I recently read my very first Brené Brown book – The Gifts of Imperfection.

I’m always so reluctant to jump on popular book bandwagon – but lemme say… there’s a reason her books are so popular.

I had so many AHA! moments + wanted a poster to remind myself of the 10 guideposts for whole hearted living. I couldn’t find one, so I made one.

And of course – I had to share it along with you! I was pretty sure ya’ll would be Brené lovers too!

The Project Finisher Ebook: How To Finish Your Projects & Get Them Out Into The World

I made this for some private coaching clients to help them get their creative projects finished a few years ago… Which they promptly devoured, giggled over + made miracles with.

And I just discovered it again and thought:

OMG WOTTTTT MORE PEOPLE NEED THIS! I NEED TO GIVE THIS OUT!!!!

So here we are my loves.

It’s The Project Finisher Ebook: How To Finish Your Projects + Get Them Out Into The World.

Official Secretive Title: “The Cowgirl’s Guide To Riding Wild Donkeys.”

Snag it now!

Things You Need To Thrive (A Printable Worksheet)

It’s so deeply important that we get to know what makes us thrive and remind ourselves of this,

often.

So, to help… I made a fun free printable poster/worksheet for you.

Fill it out. Pop her on your wall. And send me a pic when you are done!

Download here!

Business

How To Sell Your Artworks As Prints Online!

Wondering how to sell your artworks as prints online? I’ve got a buttload of experience in this one.

Follow these four steps for success!

How To Not Be A Social Media Trainwreck

This is the story of two small businesses selling handmade stuff online. And how they used social media differently, with great affect.

This is a true story – the one me + my team saw unfold before our eyes.

One story is one of those wonder stories – of social media done so beautifully it wins for everyone involved. (Holy Flaps)

The other – a bit of a dramatic-filled trainwreck – that still leaves us with a sour taste in our mouths to this day.

Me and my team talk about it often.

The lessons we learned from seeing it play out.

And the very different outcomes it made.

It illustrates so beautifully the do’s + don’t’s of social media.

I wanted to share it with you here to inspire you + help you find your own shining success story in social media that looks more beautiful than trainwreck-ish.

A Short List Of Things I Struggle With Even As A (Somewhat Successful) Entrepreneur

Ya think I’ve got it all worked out?

Think that once you get over a certain point in your business, it all gets EASY?

And that no buttons get pressed, nothing needs fixing, it’s all lollipops/sunshine/unicorns FOREVS?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Sorry.

I don’t mean to break your illusions.

The truth is,

I don’t have it all together.

Nobody does.

Click here for more!

How To Create A Wildly Prosperous 15 Hour Workweek

I get asked this question a lot. So you know what dat means…

Time for an article about it.

El questiono in question:

Is it really possible to have a six figure business and not work full time hours?

What about in the beginning when you first start out?

Here’s my story…

Quick But Life-Changing Tip That Will Grow Your Business

I wanted to share with you a quick but important tip to grow your business…

Guidance that I’ve used to grow my own multi-million dollar a year company and has held me in good stead.

Just a few minutes long so short, sweet + potent.

Dive in to get a business tip that can change your trajectory now right here!

Life

The Unworthy Worthy Mother

The truth of parenting is I absolutely do not enjoy parenting every single minute of every single day, and I think it is downright bullshit and so harmful when any person claims to or tells you should to.

I love my children deeply and ferociously. I would choose them again.

I was born to be their mother. And still, it is hard.

Come on over here to read more.

The Aspie Goddess

On realizing I’ve got Asperger’s…AND why it’s perfectly bloody wonderful by me.

Read more!

On Trolls, Vulnerability, + Speaking Your Truth Anyway

I’m so used to being an open book.

I’m so used to being vulnerable.

And yet… I don’t feel like I am as much anymore.

I used to feel completely safe with sharing things on the internet, ya know?

That was before.

Before I discovered that some people have so much sadness inside them that they delight in other people’s sadnesses or struggles.

Some people call ’em trolls or haters. I try and think of ’em more as lost.

It’s harder for me to be vulnerable when I know that a tiny, tiny percentage of readers will not be kind with that vulnerability.

More here…

Grant Writes

What’s Leonie Really Like?

When you write a post about your boss – you really want to say nice things, right?

But, if you’ve been around Leonie and I at all, you might already know we make it a practice to be radically honest. Well, let me restate that – she makes it a practice to be radically honest and I’m just surfing along uncovered in her wake. Frankly, while I love the effects of this trait, often it scares me to death.

I’m going to set that aside and give you an inside look at what it’s like to work with Leonie. Leonie, who asked me to write this post, but won’t publish it unless she thinks it’s really an honest look, so here it goes…

You Can’t Do It All At Once

Another guest post from Grant Andrew, our Chief Operations Officer. I always get the grins when I see a new draft blog post of his has pinged into my inbox. I love the messages that come through him. And it’s such a delight to creatively collaborate with him + illustrate his words.

Enjoy it here!

The Secret Sauce To Making Really Big Goals Happen

Work.

We use that word in many ways. Work can be a simple task, work can be a monumental effort. Work can be something you do yourself, or it can take an army of workers to accomplish it.

What great thing will you plan today? What next step will you take? What Donkey will you ride on your way to the summit of your most important work?

Read more here.

Why You Need Systems Even In Your Creative Business

Lily has a little business. Always the creative type, this year, a friend told Lily about Leonie. Lily now finds herself at her little desk, flipping through the pages of the 2016 Shining Biz Planner.

It almost seemed like too much, tasking her tiny business with a whole volume of goals and commitments. It was too concrete, in a way.

Turning the color-splashed pages of the her Workbook, she stumbles on a word that seems foreign to her hand-drawn, each-one-different world. “Systems” it said. . Something in Lily recoiled. Hers was a systems-free world. She had left systems for one-of-a-kind. She competed with systems.

Maybe you’re like Lily. You’ve found a niche of un-system in a systems world. You’re a throwback from a different era and you like it that way. Your clients like it that way. It’s working for you.

Or is it? Click here to read why you actually need systems (even for your creative business!)

Workbooks

Fun Ideas To Creatively Pimp Your 2016 Planners!

One thing that’s been super fun to see pop up this year is people getting creative + innovative with how they customise their 2016 goals workbooks, to do list pads + weekly diary-planner to be perfect for their life!

The 2016 workbookers Facebook group is busy + thriving with brilliant ideas + shining souls… so inspiring to see and be a part of! Make sure you join it… it really is incredibly motivating!

Nab some tips here!

Attention All Workbookers! Your Guide On How To Start & Run A Workbook Group Is Hereeee!

Goal setting + accomplishing your biggest hopes and dreams isn’t always an easy feat. Life gets in the way. You get sick, work gets hectic, unexpected expenses come up.

It’s just SO easy to put those goals on the back burner and well, give up. Been there, done that.

We all need + deserve support.

We decided to create a fabulous, free guide to help you create your own workbook group!

Grab yours here!

My 2016 Word Of The Year Painting!

This year as I was filling out the workbooks I decided I wanted to do one of the extension activities in it…to make an artwork for my Word of the Year.

I’ve done this before a couple of times before when I’ve been called.

This year I decided to do another painting to hang in my office. It’s so helpful to have a big painting to remind me of my word of the year.

For my word of the year and to check out my artwork project, click here!

Want to be someone who actually achieves their goals this year? This 1 tip can make all the difference…

Let’s talk GOALS for a moment, shall we? The fact is this – the vast majority of us will end this year no different than how we began it. Our dreams still tiny seeds that have not taken root. And that makes me bloody sad.

Goal-getting + dream-birthing is a LEARNED skill. A pragmatic practice that all too often is not shared, discussed, understood or worked at. And yet it’s the skills that make all the difference.

So, if you really want your dreams to come true, here’s your three step formula to success!

I hope you found my guide to be a handy one that you’ll bookmark forevs.

Big ole looooooove,

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FREE TRAINING! 10 Lessons From Building A Million Dollar Business!

Hola lovebugs!

Well, well, well, lookie here what I have for you today…

The savvy business lecture that has people wetting themselves with gigglesnorts and tears…

…My live keynote presentation recorded at the Cairns Business Women’s Club (worth $79!) for FREE!

It’s:

super heartfelt
pretty ding dang funny (I have to say!!! :D)
piles a bunch of practical lessons that I really think any woman who wants to create success in her life + business should take heed of.

You will learn:






How I built a million dollar business (as a kooky, artsy hippy no less!)
The number one thing you should invest in to grow your business
What work is essential for YOU to be executing and what to outsource
The success secret behind many of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and thought leaders
How to connect to your deepest why
How to be courageously YOUnique + keep your you-ness wherever you go!

 

It’s also about how to create success + happiness in business + life on YOUR terms in the way that delights YOU and your soul. You don’t have to make it look like anyone else’s.

Watch – or listen – and get the tips that will help YOU, now.

What Others Are Saying…

“This was hugely entertaining, and wonderfully inspiring. Thank you so much, Leonie!” – Becky S.

“This was very high energy and downright inspiring. Leonie made the distant idea of ‘someday being a successful business owner’ feel much more possible and real and immediate and powerful.” – Tanya K

“I really loved the video! Interesting, informative and humorous!” – Joy F

“Very entertaining and a good reminder of what I need to do to get to where I want to go.” – Marie F

“Pure gold.” – Rosie S.

“Awesomest speech ever!” – Emma B.

“Pure Leonie! I laughed out loud and immensely enjoyed it.” – Heloise

Get your free 1 hour video now!
So, Why Learn From Me?

I’m a:

best-selling author
CEO of a $2m a year company
Australian Business Woman of the Year top 6 finalist
Ausmumpreneur of the Year Award top 6 finalist.

Head on over now and grab your FREE business training (valued at $79!)

Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Big love,

Want More Business Building Resources?

If you’re ready to take your business + life  to the next level The Shining Biz + Life Academy is the place to be! 

25 Random Things About Me

Hey party people,

I’ve been blogging for three thousand centuries now.

Well… like… 12 years.

Which is basically the same thing.

And sometimes I really yearn for ye olden days of ridiculous blogging that had no reason to exist except to share and connect.

This year I’m going to be creatively extending myself… reinvigorating myself… trying new things (and old things) to keep things fresh and fun and fabulous.

So, in that spirit, I’m doing something that was allllllllllll the rage back in 2006.

Leonie circa 2006

25 Random Things About Me!

1. I just got a perm. I’d never had one before and I thought it would be funny. I’m pretty relaxed about making changes to my physical appearance – I’ve died my hair wild and purple, have had an eyebrow ring and have a tattoo that doesn’t get covered up. Anywaysies, I’ve tried it, and I’m not a fan. My hair is barely more curly than it used to be. Plus it hurts and stiiiiiinks and is a generally excruciating process to have. WHY DID NO ONE EVER TELL ME THIS? Probably every person from the 80’s, ever. #lessonlearned

2. I wish I was as addicted to reading books as I am addicted to reading my iPhone. #workingonit

3. My old boss/still my darling gal pal Lile has banned me from drinking alcohol when we go out dancing. Not for the reason you think though. She says I get boring and quiet and liable to fall asleep somewhere. My behaviour is more drunken and ridiculous when I’m stone cold sober. #boooooyahhhhhhhhh

4. I think I would make an excellent writer of erotic short fiction. Maybe even erotic fan fiction. I would write erotic fan fiction over whatever I was particularly obsessed about at that point. Like Doc Martin.

5. My husband and I used to work together at my very first job. One day I had to help payroll fold payslips and I saw my husband’s full name. I knew we would get married as soon as I saw it. I don’t want to share it here for his privacy, but I think it is the most perfect combination of poetic and sexy dreamboat.

6. As I get older (I’m only 33, but STILL) I think I am becoming:

more compassionate

more truthful

more okay with all my feelings

AND

more cynical

more judgmental

more cranky.

I love the first three parts of course. I don’t know if I quite want to become the last three though. I don’t know if the last three are the result of having some truly shitty years in the last 5 years or simply because I have very young children.

I’ll let you know.

7. About seven months ago, I injured my foot quite badly in a VERY athletic way. It was a Friday night and I’d just had a bowl of ice-cream on the couch. I decided to get myself another bowl. My left foot was asleep and as I stood up I managed to bend my foot in half. It hurt like a mother fucker and I fell to the floor. I was sure it was broken, but we had no one to look after the sleeping kids so we could get to hospital. We called an emergency health phoneline, and the nurse over the phone diagnosed it as a bad sprain. I went to a doctor a few days later to confirm, and he also thought it was a bad sprain and didn’t order x-rays. He believed my hypermobility has helped my foot fold over without breaking anything. Ewwww. Seven months on, I’m still having trouble walking. I’ve gone through a round of Bowen Therapy which helped immensely but didn’t fix it completely. I’m onto a month of osteopathy now. After this, if it still isn’t fixed, we’ll get imaging done. I’ve never had a foot injury before. Can I just say… theyyyyyyy succccccccccccccccck. I haven’t been able to use my treadmill desk since the first day. BOOO! Fingers crossed I can get this baby resolved. #leonieswonkybody

8. When Grant and Jen were here I was showing them my art journals that I play in each week.

And Grant said:

“Huh! So… this is all creative work that aren’t for anything except for yourself? Fascinating!”

And it got me to thinking how all artists and creatives (and people) need that. We need creative side projects that aren’t for anybody except for us.

I get all dried up without them.

9. I find it really hard to stop working sometimes most of the time almost always. I didn’t used to be that way when I just had a job but owning my own business makes me hyper aware that there is always something more to be done. So I have to give myself strong rules and tell other people to enforce them on me.

Here’s a helpful meme Erin uses when she sees me working when I shouldn’t be:

10. I am stalling out at 10 because I’m sure I’ve already told you everything about me. Is that possible?

11. I have a very inappropriate sense of humour.

12. I do not apologise for that.

13. I also don’t apologise for swearing like a motherfucker.

14. Our wedding song was Ronan Keating’s “When You Say Nothing At All.” My husband refused to decide on a song in advance and so I surprised him with that special number which I knew he hated (and I loved). We laughed and laughed and laughed the whole way through. He has the best wheezing giggle in the world.

15. I’m 5’10 and used to think I was super tall for a chick. But I’m noticing that younger chicks tend to be even taller. It’s amazing! I so wanted to reach 6′ and love that there are other chicks doing it now.

16. I’d give up sugar but that would be giving up a very big source of joy and pleasure in my life. #nope

17. I’m writing a blog post about my darling doggy that just passed away. I don’t know if I’ve caught it in time though. I hope so. I really hope to carve out more concentrated bursts of creative time over the next year. Sometimes I feel like I’m just managing the business. I think most CEOs get into that place fairly regularly. I gotta keep pulling back and out. #thatswhatshesaid

18. That’s What She Said really is the greatest addendum to any sentence.

19. I’m feeling overwhelmed right now because I have a lot of books on the go. I prefer to just monofocus on one and complete. I’m reading “Million Dollar Women” by Julia Pimsleur, “At Home” by Bill Bryson, “How To Love” by Thich Nhat Hanh and re-reading “If You Have To Cry, Go Outside” by Kelly Cutrone. I’m also wading through a year’s worth of magazine subscriptions of SUCCESS and Collective magazines because I am the worst magazine subscriber in the world and can never keep on top of it.

20. Maybe everyone is like that. Maybe I’m just hard on myself about it. As Brené Brown says… “I thought it was just me, but it wasn’t.”

21. I have become a diehard Brené fan after years of resisting. I’m convinced that every person on the planet would be greatly serviced by reading/listening/doing her work. I was even talking to Sone on the phone this morning and we were talking about ways we can incorporate it into our company culture.

22. I just got a delivery. Chris answered the door and handed it to me as I lay on the couch. It was a package of Rebecca Solnit books from Hiro Boga, my dear mentor. And it amazed me that me and Hiro didn’t even have to get off the couch to send books across the world to each other. It felt like she’d just delivered me a box of love.

23. I love books. I love Hiro. I love a lot of things and people. I tell people I love them a lot. I tell people I love them when I hang up the phone. I tell my accountants I love them. I tell my staff I love them. I’ve micro-considered not living life like this, but thought “Nah, fuck that.” I’d rather be a living geyser of love.

24. I felt like I was tinkering out at number 10 here, but I’m getting a fresh breath of energy now. I think I could go on for further. Maybe that’s the whole point of creative extension… to go into the familiar, boring places… and feel like there is no more room to go… and to keep pushing anyway… until you break into a new space, a new realm. That’s fucking cool.

25. I gave up cooking food a few months ago and ordered a meal delivery service instead. It is blowing my damn mind and it’s made the world of difference to me and my family. I can’t even talk about how much I love it. Who would have thought… I don’t actually have to do EVERYTHING… I can just do the things I elect to do instead?

So hope that this was in some way of interest or use.

Either way… I’m glad I did it.

I think I might just do some more things just for me, just for fun, for no other reason but to create and share.

Back to the beautiful, radical roots of blogging.

Have a glorious day sweet soul.

All my love,

Leonie’s Scrapbook: shining retreat time!!

Hola baberoonies,

We’re back with my usual scrapbook of photos + ramblings from the past couple of weeks.

It’s been a crazy FABULOUS time!

Between Grantacular and his lovely wife Jenny visiting us here in Australia, hosting our live Shining Academy conference in Canberra and connecting with so many gorgeous goddesses, I am so damn full of love.

Let me take you on a play by play of how the past coupla weeks have gone downnnnn!!!!

Granto, my brotha from anotha motha, has arrived!!!!

Can’t stop laughing or looking at it in sheer terror. Our social media manager Erin did a face swap on me and Grantacular. Awful. Hilarious. Atrocious. But so funny. It’s been such a rad day!!!

How to do a work retreat: lay in the backyard all afternoon with the Americans drinking beer and eating icypoles. #nailingit

We took the kids to the park and pushed them on the swings. Granto seems to be fitting right into the Australian way of life.

The gift basket I made up for Grant and Jen for their arrival… Tim Tams, Vegemite, beer coolers, books and massage vouchers.

Happy families!!!! Me and Grant have been trolloping all over the countryside with our families eating and getting sunburnt and laughing.

Our “It’s Midnight, We Really Need to Shut Up And Go To Bed” faces.

We sent the boys to the music store on their own. They were kind of excited.

When the boys were at the music store, the girls went for tea and cake. #priorities

It was Grant’s birfday! We took him to San Churros to celebrate and stuffed our faces with chocolate and churros and rolled out of their in a coma!

They came from the same pod, but they ain’t the same. The wild one and the sensitive one. They teach each other so much.

I’ve turned him into an Australian.

We went to go back the last piece of our management puzzle… my darling Sone! LDI MANAGEMENT TEAM ALL TOGETHER AT LAST. I love you Grant and Sone and feel so lucky to work with you two!!!

And then we got right to work. Beffy is our new Admin Assistant.

Mapping shit out for the year ahead veryyyyyy sexuallllllyyyy

Me & Sone talking accounting shit in da backyard fannnnncyyyyyyyyy ladiezzzz

This is what I look like when I am doing conference planning. #warriorgoddess

Off to pick up conference handouts!!!! We crammed a bunch of illustration and planning to get these done in time!

My incredible management team at our planning retreat… General Manager Grant Andrew + Operations Manager Sonya Forrest! I’m so lucky to work with such passionate, devoted, smart people!

Darling husband took some photos of the LDI management team before they headed off to start setting up our Shining Biz conference.  Love that I get to work with these two magical, spirited dynamos to make miracles happen!

Sone, Grant and Jen just left to head to our conference venue and meet up with other staff flying in and start getting ready for this weekend’s two day Academy conference. I have total FOMO that they will have fun without me, but also know I need to rest up so I am beaming with energy on Saturday and Sunday. It’s been a big, intense, wonderful time having them all here staying with us… Trying to find creative ways to meet the needs of seven people.

I know not many business owners would have in-house at-home planning meetings with staff and their spouses. What can I say, I like to go intimate and deep! I’ve learned so much and feel very lucky to work with and learn with Grant and Sone. We’ve talked and laughed and ate. I’ve fallen over from laughing and I’ve cried and I’ve felt proud and I’ve seen places where I still want to grow too. This whole dang thing is the greatest spiritual journey of all.

WE ARE SOOOOOOO EXCITED TO BE TEACHING ON THE WEEKEND!!!

Me and some of my beautiful team setting up our Shining Academy conference at The Abbey, Canberra. What a beautiful, sacred venue!!!!

Doing sound checks on stage at The Abbey and waiting to meet our 100 Academy members who have flown in from all over the globe for this!!

It’s ON! #shiningacademy #canberra #retreat

Sonya and TamTam! Our Team Unicorn helpers extraordinaires!

Our shining group! Surrounded by about 100 gorgeous souls and a massive organ.

Melissa Prince leading us in #meditation!!

Our favourite money expert and mama of 1.6 kids! – Denise Duffield-Thomas!

Q&A time with Denise!

What a gorgeous event space at The Abbey!

The fabulous @tracy_lee_photography + her photography skillz!

Introducing our brand new program – the 6i Success System!

Q&A story time!

I feel so very lucky… Months ago when we decided to do a Shining Academy conference in Canberra, I had a dream that Kerry Rowett and Denise Duffield-Thomas would speak at it. They are both so much a part of our Shining Family… We refer to both of their works so much.

When I asked them, they leapt at it which I was so grateful for. I love that we got to hang out together like we do it all the time IRL. They are such brilliant, talented souls and I love them dearly.

Somebody said to me, “Leonie… You’re like Taylor Swift. You’ve got your own Girl Squad!” And I leapt up and down with joy as I realised it is true. I know such good people. And I love that I got to cuddle the fuck out of them this weekend.

We like to Hug Sandwich our fans.

Doing a dramatic re-enactment of something I like to call “Drowning God”. I guess you had to be there. It made sense at the time.

Sometimes I make people vertical spoon with me.

The registration goddesses at the Shining Academy conference fully fucking profeshunal. These turquoise angels made our conference the most exquisitely run thang I’ve ever been blessed to be a part of. Thank you Sone & Tam!!!

An honour to have publishing sensation Cheralyn Darcey in our tribe, so grateful that we can help her share her work even more with the world (not that she really needs it, she is so brilliant). She is an incredibly talented author, artist & oracle card creator whose career has exploded in the last 18 months. We will be interviewing her for the Academy very soon so we can learn even more of her incredible story. Go check out her inspired work… She is totally a real life fairy!!!!

Phew!

So… Grant and I are now both on a week’s holiday to recover before we connect up again for a week to create even more new courses for the Academy. And then he’ll head back to the US and we’ll sob. I can’t even think about that right now! It’s been so glorious having my brother from another mother IRL!

Some things I wanted to share before I sign off:

YES – the event was professionally recorded. We will be giving the full 2 days worth of conference workshops to our Academy members as an additional bonus. I know a lot of teachers end up selling conference recordings like this for $1-2k. We prefer just to keep on delighting and over-delivering for our Academy members. If you ain’t one, you should be!
NO – I am not doing a world tour. Mama ain’t got no time fo dat. If you want to come see me live, save your shekkels to come to Canberra, Australia next year.
I’ll be writing up a big blog post about how to run a 2 day conference, all the details and goss in there. Hope that will be helpful.

Okay, my team are reminding me I am supposed to be on holidays this week… shittttttttttt…

Okay… love you all long time!!!

Big love,

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