Episode 89: The Power of Taking Opportunities When They Arise

Life can have so many twists and turns and when the Universe comes knocking are you ready to receive? Most people don’t notice those small whispers of desire and miss out on opportunities that could be life changing. 

In this week’s episode I share my own story on how one of my childhood dreams is coming to fruition in my adult life. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How childhood dreams show up in adulthood.
• Why you should trust what others see in you, that you don’t.
• Why receiving is key to your ultimate success and happiness.
• Make sure you listen when the Universe whispers.

Most often change comes in small doses rather than big experiences and you need to be ready for it when it tries to grab your attention. Schedule your Discovery Call with me today so I can teach you how to slow down and listen – so you and soar!

Hey friend! I’ve created a new training and companion workbook for you that will help you ditch those limiting beliefs that keep you stuck and create the confidence you crave. It’s 22 minutes of pure gold that moves you to the next level of success in your career or business. Go to my website, barbarachurchill.com and click the START HERE tab in the upper right hand corner. Enter your name and email and you’ll have instant access to this life-changing information. It’s that simple!

Transcript

Hey friends! Good to spend time with you again this week. I want to dive right in because I have to share what is going on in my world and how it ties into today’s podcast. I’m talking about making things happen for yourself rather than waiting for them to show up. To stop listening to that critical, judgy voice inside your head or even the voice of others. They don’t know what you’re capable of when you believe anything is possible. Trust me on this.

Since I was a little girl, I have loved fashion, jewelry and played dress up any chance I got. I used to help my mother get dressed for an evening out, helping her choose what jewelry to wear that would go with the dress she chose.  It was such fun! Then I would pay very close attention to all my favorite movie stars to see what they were wearing at all the awards shows. The Red Carpet part was my favorite! Oh, and old movie stars  like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren – they oozed style and grace. One of my favorite movies to this day is “My Fair Lady” with Audrey Hepburn. That black and white dress she wore to the horse races! Gahhhh! SO amazing! 

So fast forward to last summer. I attended an event hosted by a coach whose program I was in and there was a photographer hired to capture the event. On the first full day I noticed she kept taking my picture – in a group or asked me to join a group. She even came up to me at my table and asked to snap a quick picture as I ate breakfast. Um, really? So, I just went along, hoping I didn’t have anything in my teeth.

Later that day, she came up to me and told me I should be modeling, that companies were looking for women my age and that I’d be great. OK – what did she just say? I responded with my usual brush off of the compliment, saying something like, “thank you, that’s very kind”. But the way she said it made me continue to think about it for the rest of the weekend.

So when I got back home, I decided to reach out to her to see if she was serious. Now – let’s stop there for a second. Of course, she was serious. She had nothing to gain by just saying it, right? But that’s what my brain does – questions the sincerity of the comment. I DM’d her on Instagram and she responded right away with a resounding yes and five voice messages on what I needed to do next, who I should reach out to for representation and what kind of photos to get.

While I was surprised by her enthusiasm, I didn’t blow it off. Something inside me told me to move forward with this. She’s a professional, she knows her stuff. Let’s explore.

So, I spoke with a photographer friend of mine, shared what happened so far and was met with the same amount of zeal with the addition of “you should also do commercials because you’re natural on TV and have a lot of energy.” I took it as another sign to move forward. I booked a photo shoot with her, chose the proofs and sent them to a local modeling agency here in Minneapolis. Within a few days, I received an email congratulating me on being represented. What. Is. Happening.

After being put forward for a few things and not getting them, I got a call back for a commercial for a large retailer. And you know what? I got the gig! The week this podcast episode airs, I will be filming that commercial. I will also be doing a photo shoot for a local women’s clothing boutique. They requested me through my agency. Modeling and commercials. I never would have thought at this time of my life that would be something I’m doing. 

Why am I telling you all this? Because many women come to me with their dreams and goals, but they're stuck because of the initial rejections, minor setbacks and self-doubt. And the common thread in their stories is a moment of hesitation, a pause where doubt creeps in and completely stalls their journey. Or they listen to the naysayers in their life. Overthinking and self-doubt are silent dream killers, and we've all been there asking ourselves, what if I fail? These doubts create a paralyzing fear that stops us from taking the steps needed to achieve our goals. We put our dreams on the back burner in the name of being “realistic”.

We start arguing against our own dreams. The what ifs become roadblocks to our success, leading us down a path of inaction and ultimately a lot of regret and pain. It's painful to watch your dreams die because of your own self. The way to move past these blocks is a shift in mindset, replacing your doubts with devotion and determination. So, what if instead of asking, what if I fail? We ask, what if I succeed? What if this goes well? This small shift can be transformative. It's about embracing a no matter what attitude and pushing through the fear no matter how long it takes. I've experienced this shift personally, and it's been a game changer in both my personal and professional life. Being a model has never been a goal of mine, but a fun thing to daydream about. All my life I dreamt of wearing beautiful clothes, being styled, having my hair and make-up done professionally -and it is all happening! I trusted that all these things were put in my path and I needed to explore them to see what would happen.

One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is the ability to get curious and ask - asking for the opportunity, a sale, a raise, or guidance isn't just about just getting what you want. It's about opening doors to new possibilities and expanding your definition of who you are. It's about acknowledging our worth and inviting others to recognize it. Too often the support we need is just one ask away, but we hold ourselves back due to fear of rejection, appearing too needy. Screw that! 

Think of it this way. Life's not gym class where you're waiting to be picked for the team. Because I was never picked. I was the last to be picked kid. Life is more like a buffet. You get up and serve yourself what you want. When you ask for something, you step up to the plate. Literally. You're not just hanging around hoping somebody will notice how amazing you are. Asking for something also means you realize you're worth it. It's like looking in the mirror and saying, Hey, I'm freakin’ brilliant and I do deserve this. Whether you're asking for more money at work or pitching your awesome idea, it's about acknowledging that you bring something very valuable to the table.

 There's something magical about curiosity, exploring and asking. The moment you open yourself up to them, you're inviting people to see you in a whole new light and consider the possibilities that you bring and who knows what sort of exciting paths can open up! You start asking and suddenly you inspire others to do the same. By stepping up, you're showing others it's okay to reach for what they want too. And so yes, asking means putting yourself out there, which can feel awkward, but this kind of vulnerability is actually a superpower. It connects you with others and shows that you're human. Not every ask is going to land you a win, but that's no reason to stop trying.

I have no idea where this will lead. I’m having so much fun living in what’s possible, being open to what’s coming. I know I’m on this path for a reason – which at this moment is unclear – and I’m OK with that. I’m choosing myself and I want you to do the same. Get off the sidelines and dive into the game. It's recognizing your worth and not being shy to let the world know. So, the next time an opportunity presents itself and you find that you're hesitating, wondering whether to make an ask, just go for it. You're not just asking for something, you're opening a door to new adventures, connections, and who knows what else. And most importantly, you're choosing yourself.

Alright my friends, what kinds of opportunities will you create for yourself? Let me know, OK? And by all means, if you need support as you begin this journey, schedule your Discovery Call with me today. I’ve got you!

Until next time, remember:

I believe in you.