SAMIA: Hello, Salaam, Shalom, Namaste, Sat Sri Akal, Aloha, Holah, Ciao, Bonjour, Buna, and Privet! It's really, really amazing to be with you. And you know what, I know, you'll be so happy you have joined us today, because we have a very special guest. And it's LuAnn Buechler... LuAnn is Business Coach, Master Trainer, and Transformational Speaker. That's so cool. Welcome to LuAnn…

LUANN: Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here.

SAMIA: Yes! And please LuAnn, tell us more about who you are and what you do…

LUANN: So I am a facilitator of a tool called the Passion Test that I use in my coaching, both life coaching and business coaching, to help people identify their top five passions, and set a course to living that in their life. In business, it speaks to creating your core values, and then creating culture based on your core values. And I know, you talk about making change fun and easy. And that's exactly what this process is… way more fun than strategic planning or business plans or things like that, right... And so we have fun and roll through it with ease, to help people shift their lives and live in joy and work in joy. Because we spend so much time at work…

SAMIA: Oh my gosh, that is so true. And I love that you have this approach. And, you know, I know that you actually have an amazing book coming out that's related to creating joy in the workplace. Can you tell me a bit more about that? 

LUANN: Right, so, Seven Tips To Creating Joy In The Workplace... To Create A Joyful Workplace… Excuse me… How To Engage Your Team And Increase Profits... And that's really the key, right, is engaging your team. And so when you have a set of core values that speaks to people's hearts, then they want to be a part of that, right. And so it's about finding that alignment between your employees, your teammates, whatever language you want to use, and the values of the company. And when those are aligned, we're all rowing in the same direction. And employees become more a part of the solution and offer creative ideas because they are fully engaged in the message from a heart space, right... It's got to be purposeful… passionate about what's going on, to fully engage. And when you do that, and everybody's working in the same direction, well, profits will go up…

SAMIA: Yes.

LUANN: ...just that simple... 

SAMIA: Yes. Indeed, indeed. So in the... I just love the idea of your book so much. Can you share some of the tips maybe that you're going to be sharing in your book? What's your number one tip?

LUANN: So, well, I think that we need to make sure that our teammates, employees, know that we care about them. And when we show them that we want to understand what they're passionate about, in their life, in their work, then they go, "Wow, they really care about me", right? So you need to take an action to show them that you care. And that's just one… helping them to identify their passions. But then once you do that, and you can show them alignment to your passions, core values, for the organization, then we create culture. And that's really the ultimate tip of the book is you need to create a culture where people want to come to work. Where they enjoy coming to work. And we all have to work. And so let's have fun at it, right... Back to your fun and easy tips for making change. Same idea…

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SAMIA: Indeed, you know, and I personally, you know... I have never been able to relate to the mindset of doing work or doing work in an environment or in a culture that isn't joyful and happy and aligned for me in terms of my values and purpose… because my happiness, my inner peace, has always been such a top priority for me that I just cannot fathom any other way of doing things…

LUANN: So interestingly enough, right... Studies show that only 20% of working individuals are working in their passions. The other 80% are doing what? They're going to work for the almighty paycheck... And they're kind of on autopilot. Like, the mindset is… I have to have money to operate in this society. And so I have to go to work. And I have to do this... And I, you know… So they're in this mindset of, “I have to”, instead of “I get to”…

SAMIA: Yes... 

LUANN: It's a big shift when you can find yourself and change the language to: I get to do this work... And I get paid for it... And isn't that awesome? Like, I love my work, and working with companies as a business coach. I'm always learning new things about other people's businesses. I'm watching them to create success. I'm watching their employees smile again... I mean, I just love my work. And so I get to work with people to help them create culture in their organizations. And I think that's where people think about how to get there. Like, are you... if you're always saying I have to, to myself, then something's wrong... 

SAMIA: Yeah. Yeah. 

LUANN: You know, and sometimes it's just a habit, you know... Like, parents, we love our children. But we might say something like, I have to pick my kids up from school. No, you get to pick your kids up from school. Lucky you… you have a car, you have beautiful children, and you get to leave work to go pick them up. You get to, you don't have to…

SAMIA: Yes. Oh, that is such an amazing point LuAnn... That's such an amazing point... You actually reminded me of this, like really amazing story... I mean, it's a real-life incident that occurred… not with me, but my coach was actually sharing the story with me, and he was making exactly this point. And actually, what was happening with that… my coach's client, another client, had come to him, because he was just really unhappy with various things going on in his life. And one of the things that he was really frustrated around was that he had to spend so much time driving in traffic to go drop and pick his kids from school. And this was like something that was just like, you know, he was… when the coach… when my coach asked him, "Okay, let's, let's take a concrete example of something that you find frustrating in your daily life." This was the example that he shared. And then my coach went through a process with him, to shift him out of his frustration. And, basically, at the end, this was the realization that you just shared with us, is exactly the realization that my coach led his client to, that no, you know what, it's like, truly, if you think from this perspective of… I get to choose to do this, and not only do I get to choose to do this, but I've chosen to do this because of the values that I hold, you know. And I could make a different choice. I could choose not to drive my kids to school and pick them up from there. But I choose to do that because I value their education. I value sending them to this particular school. I value their safety and taking them myself rather than having someone else do it… because there are all these other potential options available. But he chose, he chose because of his values, not to go for any of those other choices, but to take this option of driving his kids to this particular school, even though it was going to make more effort on his part in some ways. And, yeah…

LUANN: You make a really good additional point here... One that we speak off regularly in the Passion Test, and that is choice... We have choice. And remember that we have choice. We get into a pattern, a rut, on the hamster wheel, whatever you want to call it. And we're frustrated, frustrated, frustrated, frustrated… But we don't do anything to change it... Because people think that change is scary. Well, the reality is change is the only constant in our world, right? So I love that you speak about making it fun and easy... But first and foremost, we have to remember we have that choice. You don't need to stay in the old patterns if they are frustrating, anxious, cause you to be stressed out, depressed, or otherwise question your choices. And can I make another choice? So we say the key to living a passionate life is whenever you're faced with a choice, a decision, or an opportunity, consistently choose in favor of your passions... And people have just lost sight of that and are being pushed around by what they think they have to do, to fit into society, rather than making a choice of what they get to do.

SAMIA: Yes, and I guess it's like an issue of trust, you know, where you maybe need to have… work on having a little bit more trust in yourself, but also trust in the universe, your community, your family, etc, etc, that if and when you make that choice to follow your passion that you will be supported in that choice… that somehow or the other the support that you need to make that choice will show up in your life for you…

LUANN: Yeah, so trust in the universe is one set of words… I use that often... And faith… you know, that faith in your Creator that you will be provided for, right. And so whichever language you choose to use, that is exactly it… And you have to truly believe in that, right, to have the confidence sometimes to step out. But we in the Passion Test, we call it a simple, yet powerful process. Because it really is when we get down to it… Very simple... And then it gives you a really simple decision-making tool. These are the five passions I have, the way I choose to live my life, or what I want to create in my life, and then be reminded that in every decision that you make, every choice, every opportunity, to be in alignment with that. And what I find, and I say, when people get into their life's flow, everything comes easier. And so I find is exactly that, that when you step fully in to your passions, who you are designed to be, you watch things be provided for you… and you go, Wow, isn't this cool? Right… Like, things start to happen. I have a client right now. And she's just amazed what has been provided for her in the way of clients and opportunities ever since she stepped out of that old J-O-B she didn't like, and stepped fully into her business that she was kind of dabbling in before. And everything is coming to her that she needs to be successful. It's so awesome to watch…

SAMIA: You know, I had a really cool experience just recently with one of my fellow coaches who is a friend, I mean... and actually, when I first met her, it was actually to interview her for this podcast. And I actually had made the approach. I saw her profile on Facebook. And I was like, oh, seems like a really interesting person to interview for the show. And so I approached her and, you know, I was like… I'd love to interview you etcetera. She got back to me and she was like, Oh, this is perfect timing Samia, I'm so happy you connected with me. I'm launching this new program of mine. And you know, it'd be great to come on your show and talk about it. And I was like, Oh, that's really cool... When's your program going to be launched? And I actually… normally, you know, it takes me a while to actually publish an episode before, you know, after I record it… but in her case, because, I mean, I loved her energy, I loved her enthusiasm. I was so inspired to help and support her in any way I could, I was like… you know what, I'll move things around on my publishing schedule, and do my best to publish her episode in good time to actually help you promote your episode. And then it also happened that I have, like, this marketing support group that I have actually started relatively recently, where, you know, we actually… I started it with the intention and purpose of creating a space where, you know, us coaches and trainers and healers, we can support each other in promoting our things when we need to. Because that can be like one of the challenges with business… and I was like, you know, we need to make it more fun and easy... And I was able to, like, also invite her to join that group. And then, you know, there's like a bunch of us who are all like, yeah, we'll help you promote your upcoming program, just in time for her launch to happen. And it was just like… she was so happy, I was happy, everyone in our group was so happy…

LUANN: Right, you know, that reminds me of the philosophy of the BNI organization, Business Network International. I'm a big part of that as well... And givers gain. If you give of yourself to help other peoples be successful, you will naturally gain in return. And it doesn't even mean direct reciprocity, right. It's just, it's good karma. And so I love that philosophy. I live by that. I've been with that organization for 20 years, and it's really the primary way I've grown my own business…

SAMIA: Yes, like referrals are so, so amazing, and valuable. And truly, I mean, when it comes to marketing, that's one of the tips for how to be marketing more fun and easy. And oh my gosh, you know, it's not… like, some people struggle to find, like the people who are willing to, you know, just put in that tiny bit of effort to, you know, be like, okay, yes, I'll put in a good word for you…

LUANN: Right... Yeah. So BNI just offered a structured way of doing that. But you know, then there's these situations to where we just met in another class and supporting each other, right. So, for me, it's a lifestyle... It's not… I will always live this way of being a givers… a giver… and givers gain. Because it's fun and easy.

SAMIA: I agree with you, I agree with you... And just like you are saying, LuAnn, I mean there's, I think, a lot of us, especially in this community that we're serving of changemakers, with this podcast… you know, many of us are just natural givers… we give, we give, we give... And I think one of the challenges we can run into is that we get… we're really awesome at giving. And we block ourselves at the same time from receiving... It's…

LUANN: ...we are terrible receivers... We are terrible receivers. It's something that I've had to really work on, you know. And it is a mindset, as you said, in the changemakers community. For some reason, we devalue ourselves and what we're giving to the world. And it takes some time to get past that. But we all can... And one of the simple ways to do that is to accept compliments. So I don't know about you, but I recall myself in the past history, and especially as a woman, and told to be humble, someone gave me a compliment and I was like.. "Oh, no, no, no. No big deal. It's all right. No, not really… you know… No! Say, “thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that”. Right. “Oh, that feels really good”. It's okay, because it does, right... And so that's another thing we teach as a part of the Passion Test work, is we create what we call markers... which are evidence of what it will look like when you're living that passion full out at a 10… so that when it happens you are ready to receive it and you acknowledge it as the gift that it is, right… and you go… So like one of my passions is to inspire others. So when somebody says to me, "Oh, LuAnn that really inspired me”, or, “that presentation was really inspiring"... I go, Oh, right… I own it in my heart, and I receive it... And then I feel the joy of it... So historically, I was pushing away that joy. And now I own it, and I receive it. So it is a thing to practice, and really learn to do well. But that's a simple way to start to practice… any compliment you get… say, thank you…

SAMIA: Yes, yes, yes… I love it. I love it… you just made me think of the days when I was working with one of my coaches. And this was exactly a practice that he made me do. Because I used to be so bad at receiving as well, in all kinds of forms, including compliments. I used to be so bad that not only did I, in words, be like, Oh, no, it's not a big deal, or whatever. But I actually didn't believe people that they were being honest in giving me a compliment... I thought they were just being nice and saying things that weren't actually a true reflection of my abilities and potential… like... I was not… I mean, I had some real issues with, like, my self-esteem and all of that kind of stuff. And, you know, this practice of, of just focusing on receiving… and like, my coach was like… you're not even allowed to say thank you when someone praises you. Because you just need to learn to accept, you know, and, and just smile and feel… focus on trying to feel the happiness… Now obviously we were doing that in the context of the training. Now when I receive compliments I'm like, “thank you”. And it's totally fine to do that... But during my training, he was like… No, you can't say anything, you just have to… just receive it, and you have to smile. And you cannot compliment back… Because that was my other cop-out, that I would, you know, instead of fully staying with, and just, you know, receiving the compliment for me, I would immediately... if I didn't, you know, say something like, "Oh, no, no, it's nothing"... my other cop-out would be to immediately turn the focus back on the other person… "and you are so amazing..."

LUANN: Totally true. Another form of deflecting, right... Yeah. Think about this in the context of workplaces... And first of all, oftentimes, employers fail to compliment their team, their employees, enough, right. And then if the employee is acting like you and I did historically, and brushing that off, well, they're not able to find the joy in the workplace, right, because they're deflecting it back... And so again, it would take some of that training, like you're talking about, inside the workplace, to learn to receive from each other, those compliments that give us joy and lift us up in the world. Yeah... And so you’ve been saying several times about different coaches that you have. And it brought to mind as well, that to me, everybody needs a coach from time to time in their life. And, you know, perhaps I'm only two steps ahead of the person behind me, but I have something to share with them. And they probably have something to share with someone, two steps behind them... But that's the way we work together to uplift humanity is by helping each other in that way. You know, and so whether it's coaching or collaborations, you know, I have some groups that I work with, which are more like collaborations of women supporting women. And again, we're all at different levels of our growth and strength in the world. And we hold each other in a safe space to be on our journey through those travels of development…

SAMIA: Indeed, indeed…

LUANN: They say that… we're now in 2023… I believe in 2024 is the beginning of the Age of Aquarius, which is all about collaboration and that the mindset is shifting from competition to collaboration. And I love that because that's, you know… collaboration is a strong word for me… that's where I want to be in the world, helping others…

SAMIA: Yes, I think I... that, that is my favorite place to be. And the value to hold… and the way to work is collaboration. Because, you know, it's truly like about creating a win-win, kind of a situation. So it's like, no one has to lose... I mean, we get so, I think, normalized into experiencing cultures of competition, that we don't realize it doesn't have to be that way. I mean, with competition, I mean, yes, there are some contexts within which, you know, you can have healthy competition and enjoy that sense of competition. And, and it helps uplift you when done in that kind of healthy context. But in most cases, you know, I don't think that's how we are actually experiencing competition in our societies. In most cases, it's like just this very, not-abundant mindset. It's a very scarcity mindset. It's very like… Oh, my God, for me to get ahead, someone else has to get left behind. And I want to get ahead. I must get ahead. And so I'm going to do what I must and step on other people, and step over other people, and disregard the well-being of other people, and maybe the planet, our environment...

LUANN: ...right…

SAMIA: ...you know, just move ahead at any cost… And I'm like, No, it doesn't have to be like that. Because even… like for me, like, even if that gives you success in a certain limited sense, it doesn't bring true happiness, it doesn't bring true peace… not only in the world but not to myself either. Not really…

LUANN: Yeah. Yeah. And do we have very wealthy people in the world that are very unhappy people? Absolutely... We all know that that's true. Right... And it's unfortunate that they get to that level, and find that that wasn't the answer to make them happy.

SAMIA: Yes…

LUANN: You know... And so I believe that when you step fully into the authentic self of who you are, and are honoring the passions inside, the gifts that you were given to share with the world, then the success follows that.

SAMIA: Yeah.

LUANN: And to what level of success that is, is different for all of us, right…

SAMIA: Yes.

LUANN: In fact, I think it was Earl Nightingale, who called success “the continued effort toward achieving your desired goal”... It's not even achieving the goal. Is that your contin... I didn't say it like he said it. But it's the same message, right? It's a constant movement towards a worthy goal… I think is what he says... And I love that, right.

SAMIA: Yeah.

LUANN: And so the other thing, though, that we do that puts us back is… right away that comparison to others comes in... Well, so and so over here is on the stage more than I am, making more money than I am, selling more books than I am... And then I just beat myself down.

SAMIA: Yeah.

LUANN: ...rather than realizing, I'm on my own journey, and it's a great journey…

SAMIA: Yeah.

LUANN: And just enjoy the journey along the way…

SAMIA: Yeah.

LUANN: Can I tell you a quick story?

SAMIA: Yeah.

LUANN: So I do a lot of personal development work, right... And seminars, and professional development, all the time, where I spend a lot of my time... And one day I'm driving home, I had a five-hour drive home from the last seminar I had been at. And in my head, my thoughts are like, well, did you get it yet LuAnn? Like, do you know what's going on in the world? Have you reached that point of enlightenment? you know… And literally, I started laughing out loud because another voice in my head said… Luann when you reach the level of enlightenment, you're leaving this planet and you're going somewhere else... So what's the hurry? I'm like, that's it. Like, this is just part of my journey to constantly be inquiring, and learning more about our beautiful world and the magic therein, right? And that's just who I'll be till the day I die, constantly exploring and learning more. And enjoy that journey. So when you find that for yourself… goes back to my statement early, earlier… when you get connected to your life's flow, everything feels easier…

SAMIA: Yes.

LUANN: Right... And you want it easy and fun... All about fun…

SAMIA: Yes. Oh, my God. And, you know, this brings me back to something that you mentioned earlier... and I don't know if we stressed this enough, in terms of the brilliance of what you said, that, you know, it's like… of course, I want to do work that I love, and I want to do it in an environment that I love. And so in that context, it's like, especially if I'm the boss… like many of our listeners are, you know, solopreneurs, or small business owners, and they're in positions where, you know, they are leading teams, or they aspire, they're aspiring and working towards that point where they're creating their teams, and they will be leaders. And to remember that, that, you know, we need to think about creating these joyful cultures, not just for ourselves, but also for our teams... I think that's such a brilliant insight that you bring LuAnn.

LUANN: And you just described my perfect client… solopreneurs working for themselves, or working on a build a team. These are the people that I work with, and love to work with... Because what happens is, they get stuck in the tasks, the daily duties that need to be done. And they... and they often fail to move forward. Like they have this vision in their head. But the days keep churning out task after task after task... And they feel like they're being run by the business, instead of them running the business, right... And so I help them sort of step out and look back and go… okay… and look forward… what do I want to create? …and help them to take that journey with confidence. And then they fall in love again with their work. I remember one of my clients came to me, he's a plumber. And he was working all by himself for years. And he's like, "I don't, I don't think I love my work anymore. And it's really hard to get out of bed in the morning, and go do it again. But it's my business. And I need to figure this out." Right. And so we got him back into the heart space of why he loves what he does, and he kept sharing the story with me of wanting to build a team. And now a few years later, he's got a team of three people. He's hiring on another one. And he's moving this whole big picture forward. And he loves what he does again.

SAMIA: Yeah…

LUANN: And is proud of what he does…

SAMIA: Yeah…

LUANN: Which is another feeling we all want to have, right. Yeah, so I love helping those solopreneurs and small entrepreneurs. It's my favorite niche…

SAMIA: I love it. I love it. You know, and I think…. I'm so glad that you do that LuAnn. Because I think this is… like, when we talk about making things more fun and easy for solopreneurs and small business people, this is one of the most important things we can do is, you know, to transition from, you know, just all about me, me, me… me working, doing everything, to starting to expand and bring more people into our workspace and work life and creating those teams… And it doesn't like always start with, "Oh, I'm able to just hire somebody." But you know, there are steps you can take and eventually get to that point where you're about to, you know, hire the help that you need. But even in the meantime, there's… you can start to build that team around you in different ways… and you know, creating definitely that culture of joyful workplace helps with that. Because, like, I know, I've experienced this in my own work, like, people want to work with me, and they're happy to contribute. I have to keep reminding my assistant, who's working with me now… I'm like, it's the end of the workday, wrap up, don't work overtime... Because she keeps, you know, she's like so happy doing the work…

LUANN: Yeah, she's having fun... Yeah, having fun…

SAMIA: She keeps putting in all this extra time and stuff. And I really appreciate that. And at the same time, you know, I know, like for me, one of our values is, as a company, as a culture, is, you know, having that balance of not just always being work, work, work, work… but there's other parts of our lives that we need to pay attention to. And so I'm trying to do that for myself. And/but what I love for myself, I want to love for my, all my people as well. And so, you know, when I see my assistant putting in all that extra time, I'm like, don't do that, don't work overtime…

LUANN: Yeah, so we're, so that… you reminded me… going back to collaboration, it's the choice that I made… rather than hiring a team of people to work sort of, for me, I said, I want to surround myself with people who are experts in areas that I am not…

SAMIA: Yeah…

LUANN: Right... And so instead I look at everything as a collaboration. So I have a collaboration with a virtual assistant, who serves many other business owners as well. I have an accountant, right, and I have a technology, the computer guy, you know… and so I have all these people that I collaborate with, supporting them growing their business, and they're supporting me in growing mine, and helping me with my procedures and systems... So that I don't deal with employee taxes, employee benefits, any of that... And so that's another way, you know, depending on your profession, to get the support you need, and everybody wins, right. We’re creating an everybody wins situation. They're getting to grow their businesses while helping me grow mine.

SAMIA: Yes, thank you for highlighting that… that possible way of building your team and having a team and what that can look like... I actually learned that… I've been implementing that model myself. I mean, I now have one full-time virtual assistant working with me. But I have other team members who are not like on my payroll, but I still consider them invaluable parts of my team. And I learned that way of doing things from another one of my coaches. And she, like, so brilliant, I love her. You know, and she's like such a smart business person also, because she showed me that… again, like, you don't have to just blindly copy the way other people are doing things… and like most… She was like, you know, I don't want a lot of overhead. I don't want to, you know, like, even create a business where I'm paying a huge amount of, like, you know, overhead, kind of, like, where you're paying rent and you're paying, like, utilities, this and that… and all of that… you know… because you have created a fancy physical office and all of that. But instead, you create a different kind of business model, where it’s much more lean and clean and, you know… And everything that you then save from not spending on this kind of overhead, you can reinvest in growing your business in other ways, you know, and helping, helping yourself more by, you know… you get to pay ourselves more, you get to pay our employees or the people that you work with more when you work with them, you know... And so, like that for me was just such a brilliant reframe and, you know, sort of like, oh, it's like... this is... You know because I had been prone to thinking that I wouldn't have a successful business… like I was… my definition of success, of having a successful business was like, I have to have, like, a physical location where I have a proper office and, you know, with all of this stuff, and only then, you know, will I be a professional, proper business and all of that. But she, like, totally blew all of those misconceptions, I will say, for me… and now I'm like, Yeah, you know what, I don't want to do things that way...

LUANN: Right, totally. And I just was reminded of that, even stepping back, before I was able to hire those individuals to support me with their expertise, my accountant at the time had said, LuAnn you need a board of advisors… get a group of people that you can bounce ideas off, again, in different areas where you're not the expert, and get their feedback and their input. And I think that, if we think about that, we all have the opportunity to do that in our circle of influences… of people that would step up and just brainstorm with you and give you feedback on your ideas. So you're not paying anybody yet. But you've got some outset... because we get lost in the monkey mind of our head, right... And often putting down our own ideas that, unfortunately, from our negative thoughts… but there's an opportunity there to start with a just a different lower-level investment, if you will, to get some advisors around you. I have a client who's advisors… he runs a martial art academy, Martial Arts Academy... and he has his mother-in-law, who is a strong businesswoman. His wife's an attorney. His brother-in-law has trained in martial arts. And so he uses them as his board of advisors because they have different perspectives... And so there you go… it doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't have to be far-fetched reaching, you know… just look right around you. And often it goes back to that we fail to ask for help… little thing as well, right... Look around you… who loves you, and would love to see you be successful, that has different perspectives than you… and invite them into a conversation, to share your ideas and get feedback in a safe space.

SAMIA: Yes. And you know, I can't tell you how many times I've seen this where, again, if you have that joyful attitude yourself, and you create that joyful culture in your workplace, and you’re mission, mission-led, mission-driven… purpose and passion-led and driven… like people want to help you and support you, because they can feel that passion, that energy, that joy, and they want to connect to that. I mean, I can give examples of so many amazing organizations that I'm personally connected with, where... For example, one of the orgs that I'm on the advisory council for, it's called The Guiboard Center. It's an interfaith organization in Los Angeles. And they're… like, when they got started, there were like two people, you know, who like partners, like… and they're really partners in terms of they were like married, and they're like, you know, partners in life... And they had this commitment, this idea, this vision, to establish an organization that would help promote interfaith harmony in Los Angeles... And so they started the organization, just two of them... They didn't have tons of money or anything of that sort. But what… one of the first things that they did was to create an advisory board. And they pulled… they were able to inspire like this amazing group of people to join their advisory board, even though they had very little money, and all of that, when they first started… but because of their passion, their inspiration, their vision... And I joined the advisory board like, a few years ago, I think it was like maybe three-four years ago... At this point, they're still relatively small… like, they only have a staff of like maybe two, three people, even now… but they're doing amazing work and amazing things. And I was inspired to join their advisory board because I wanted to do what I could to help and support their mission, you know… and so I have, you know, just given hours and hours of my time doing this or that for them when I could, and when I was asked, you know, for various things that they needed… and I was like, Oh, I can help with that, you know. I'll use my connection and help you get this space so you can hold this event that you want to hold, and the space will be completely free because, you know, I was hooking them up through my connections… Or when they needed a speaker, you know, I've like referred to so many of my connections to go and speak at various events for them for free... And, you know, things like that. So an advisory board, wow, that can be a really powerful way of getting access to so much resources and help and support that you need and doesn't have to cost you anything…

LUANN: Yeah, man. And what you said, I’m going to summarize a little bit, is… passion, purpose, and your vision, is what will attract people to you…

SAMIA: Yes…

LUANN: If they are in alignment with those things, then they will come… and whether that's volunteers, employees, advisors, clients, paying clients… all of the above… when you're sharing from your heart your passions, your purpose for what you're doing, and the vision for where you want to go, then you attract those people aligned with you into your universe, if you will, right. And so I say to people… be an attractor, not a tractor, right? We don't want to go… historically when we went out to promote ourselves, you know, we dump all over people, run all over people. And it goes back to that competition, right... Stepping over people or mowing them down to get ahead. No. We can be in attractor instead of a tractor, and attract people into our lives that are aligned with our values. And so, even me, as one solopreneur, individual coach, work for myself, right, I still have surrounded myself with a community of people who love the concepts I share. And so they want to hang out with me and they show up at retreats and they show up at adventures I create. I do these transformational tracks into the wilderness. And because they just want to hang out, because they're like-minded. That's the attraction... Right? And so I want everybody out there to really think about that. Because it makes it fun and easy to attract people in when you voice your passions, your purpose, and your vision for what you're doing in this world.

SAMIA: Yes. And do it with joy…

LUANN: And do it with joy…

SAMIA: Yes.

LUANN: We were meant to enjoy this life. I like to break down words, right… Enjoy is spelled e-n-j-o-y. But it's really in-joy your life…

SAMIA: Yes…

LUANN: Be in-joy…

SAMIA: Yes…

LUANN: And in-joy is another choice. Right?

SAMIA: Ah, yes…

LUANN: Then choose joy…

SAMIA: Yes. Oh my gosh, LuAnn... We can keep talking forever and we’re running out of time. Oh, man…

LUANN: It's been a fun though. It's been really fun…

SAMIA: Yes. Thank you so much. Thank you so much LuAnn. It's really been fun. Do you have any last thoughts for right now?

SAMIA: Choose joy. Choose joy. And if I can help anybody out there, you can go to my website, LuAnnB.com. There's a free session off of that. I do a Business Acceleration assessment, where no investment on your part, it's a conversation to see if I can give you any tips to help you improve your joy in life. Whether you're a solopreneur or you have a workplace that you want to improve, I would love to chat with you, so take advantage of that. And this has really been great. Thanks so much for the opportunity…

SAMIA: Indeed... And for my last words, I will just re-emphasize and remind all of our listeners… please make sure you check the show notes because we will drop LuAnn's links in there so you can connect with her whenever you feel ready and inspired to get that help and support that you need, to create that more joyful workplace for yourself. And yeah, please do that, and do that sooner than later... Because, you know, it's like why put your happiness on hold and your joy on hold and your passion on hold? Yeah... Until we connect next time, I just wish you lots and lot's of peace and joy... :)

LUANN: Nice.