Blog | Katy Tafoya

REVERB10: Friendship

By Katy | December 16, 2010

Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

I have been blessed with some amazing friends. Friends that I have tons in common with and friends that I have little in common with, yet still love and appreciate. And looking back over the year, I’ve had some amazing experiences with my friends (virtual and here in the “real world”).

I’d have to say though, the experience that touched me most this year came late in the year. In fact, it happened just last month in mid-November. And I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

One of my great entrepreneurial friends is the gorgeous and beyond fabulous, Teri Johnson from Flow in Harmony (she’s also participating in Reverb10, so check her out). There a many things that make Teri so fabulous – but sticking to the topic at hand – it’s her gift of intuition that brought about this year life changing event.

In November, I was on a call with her and we somehow got on the topic of focus and creativity. I mentioned to her (and her guides and peoples) that I’ve always been attracted to the concept of creativity and being creative, but that it never really seemed to fit.

She pointed out that being creative doesn’t just mean being artistic. If you take it one step back, it means to create, to design and to build. She went on to say that we create every day…in fact, some of us, literally CREATE the day we want to experience.

This was a revelation to me! I’m a huge believer in manifesting and creating the life I want. Which means…I AM CREATIVE!

This explained why I’d been so attracted to the word “create” and why I’d been saying in my nightly affirmations that “I am creative.”

Without Teri, and her intuition awesome team of peoples, I’m not so sure I would be where I am, closing out my year in a big way (did you hear about my upcoming FREE teleclass…Start the New Year Off Right: 5 Simple Steps to Make 2011 Your Most Successful Year!).

From the bottom of my heart, Teri, I thank you for your gift of friendship.

Okay, sappiness over…How has any one (or more) of your friendships touched your life this year?

This post is part of an online initiative called #Reverb10, where through daily prompts you reflect on the past year and design and manifest for the next. You can read all mine here and here and you can join me here.

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REVERB10: Appreciate

By Katy | December 14, 2010

Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

At the risk of sounding beyond trite, I’d that this year I learned to appreciate my husband more. You see, he’s not only my biggest supporter (and cheerleader), but he’s also quite the entrepreneurial inspiration.

In fact, I don’t think I’d be nearly the success that I am (or have the business that I do), if not for his poking and prodding. He’s the one that got me interested in blogging. He’s the one that typically introduces me to new technology (and the people in the know).

He saw my strengths – being a teacher and a coach – and recognized that I had a gift for explaining the new rules and tools of business to others and suggested I go in that direction. He helps me in so many ways each and every day.

Back in May, he was laid off from his full-time job (again). But being the smart guy he is, he saw it coming and moved forward to start his own business before the paperwork was even processed.

While this is a great opportunity for him (and for us), it’s also been one helluva stressful situation. He’s been working non-stop (and we’re talking some crazy ass hours) to bring in money. On top of his awesome website.

So while I always appreciated all he did (and does), now I appreciate it even more. Now I go out of my way to make things easier for him whenever and however I can.

If all things go as hoped this upcoming year, I will be the provider for our family…even if that means I have to get a job for the benefits and the regular salary.

What are you thankful for this year and how will that effect your 2011?

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REVERB10: Body Integration

By Katy | December 12, 2010

Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

I’m going to start this with a very sad, NO.

This year, I was sick. A lot. Every time I turned around I seemed to have a sinus infection. Or a bronchial infection. Or massive ear congestion. Or a combination of all of the above. I always seemed to tired and I constantly had ugly ass bags under my eyes.

This year I also got real tired of being sick. So much so that I had a little bit of a breakdown one day…ugly cry and all.

This year (in the early fall) I decided that I was going to work with my body and embrace a more holistic health care treatment. Together, my body and I were going to reprogram things and shake this damn dis-ease.

And I must say, there’s been a massive improvement. I’m still seem to be a little congested (in my ears – drives me nuts), but I feel so much better. And the best part, my husband caught himself a pretty nasty cold and I was able to not catch it!

So one of my bold goals for 2011 is to be healthy. To embrace healthy. To know that I am healthy and I can create healthy whenever and where ever. And knowing that, I will have a more integrated mind/body experience.

What about you…has 2010 been an integrated, mind/body kind of year for you?

REVERB10: Wisdom

By Katy | December 10, 2010

Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

By far, I’d have to say that the wisest decision I made this year was to take myself and my business more seriously.

For too long, I wasted time and energy telling myself that I knew what I was doing and how to do it…all. I didn’t need help – I was a smart gal, I had all the resources.

But it turns out, until I had someone to sit down with me and show me how to create my systems I was just spinning my wheels. And until I had someone teach me that the true secret to getting stuff done was having accountability, I was just wasting my time, pretending I was busy.

Looking back, over the past couple of years, I wasted a lot…a lot of time, a lot of energy and worse still, a lot of money (that one is painful to admit). If I knew then, what I know now, I could have not only had an well-established business by now, but more importantly, I could have helped a lot of people.

Lucky for me (and for my clients), knowing that I’m exactly where I should be (and also realizing that I was exactly where I should be even then), means I can totally and 100% relate to that feeling of frustration that my clients are going through. That knowing that you should be doing so much more, helping people (and be successful at what you’re doing) that seems to get overshadowed by the doubt and fear that lives within yourself.

So yes, the wisest decision I’ve made this year is to invest in myself and my business. To take myself seriously, to get my own accountability and systems in place. Which means, I’m better prepared to help my clients to do the very same thing.

Quite wise indeed!

What was your wisest decision this year?

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REVERB10: Beautifully Different

By Katy | December 8, 2010

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

What makes me different? Hmm…wasn’t really expecting this kind of topic. I was pretty much looking forward to all my Reverb10 reflections being business-related and not quite so personal.

I can say that since my 30′s , I haven’t really struggled with self-esteem or confidence issues (something I was just discussing last night with Susan from Escape Hatcher and Melanie from Your Mom Uses WordPress). That doesn’t mean I love all of me, 100% of the time. But I means I don’t doubt myself quite so much.

So let’s see…what makes me beautifully different and I’ll say it…unique?

I have an amazing energy (or so I’ve been told). This means different things to different people. Which of curse means I can attract a very odd mix of people (that were attracted by said energy)…those that are very spiritual and relate to me on that level…and those that must see or feel that same energy and have no idea why they’re attracted to it, but they just are (and are usually loud,negative and uncertain in who they are). For as long as I can remember, I’ve had random strangers tell me their deepest, darkest secrets and problems. This can freak some of my friends out, but they eventually get used to it.

I love to help people. No really, I’m the type of person that will drive out of my way to the nearest gas station to let them know that I passed someone pulled over on the side of the dark road that might need help (but I wasn’t going to stop, as a women alone, in the middle of nowhere on a dark road). I’ll also make time in my day to help you learn how to use the latest, the greatest, the newest tool or website that I just know will make your life easier.

I’m one helluva cheerleader. I’m the kind of person you want on your team (or as a friend) because I will woohoo! and way to go! ya every step of the way. I will also push you to do the job and be the success that I know you can be. And I’m not afraid to share my own lessons and mistakes or look like a fool while giving my support.

I fully believe that everything happens for a reason. And that we’re exactly where we should be, living the life we are meant to live. But at the same time, I also believe at any time we can decide to create the very life we’ve always wanted…and know that, that too is exactly where we should be.

And on a totally superficial level…I’ve got some great hair! It didn’t always look as good (or as curly) as it now looks, but I can always remember liking (and being quite proud of) it. I’ve always gotten compliments on it. It’s a very thick and healthy head of hair that’s a fab brunette color with some red highlights (or at least, it used to be before the grey and the coloring took over). It can pretty much take any style – though I tend to always wear it curly) and doesn’t require much product to get it to behave or to do what you want it to do. It loves to hang out in a ponytail and rarely requires much work. And I think my favorite part…it can go months without needing a haircut!

Of course, now I can’t help but wonder…what makes you beautifully different than anyone else?

REVERB10: Make

By Katy | December 6, 2010

What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

At first glance, I knew exactly what the last thing I made was. I just finished creating a Welcome Packet for my 2011 clients. But then I thought that while I might have spent a couple hours both writing and designing the various pages in the packet itself, that that wasn’t quite right.

Then I thought, well, I made dinner last night. But really, when you come down to it, I just reheated something from Trader Joe’s. So I’m thinking that didn’t really count either. I’m feeling that it needs to be something more creative.

But I did bake a carrot cake on Thanksgiving. And that felt kinda creative. I mean, I made it from scratch, so that’s got to count for something, right? And I sure made one helluva mess in the process. But still…not really feeling baking a cake as my “make”.

On the other hand, right before I left for Albuquerque in November, I decided that I needed a cover or case for my Kindle so I could protect it while it was thrown in my purse. And yes, you guessed it…I made it from scratch!!

I headed out to Michael’s to pick up some grey felt, some teal embroidery thread, a fun button and some fabric glue. A couple hours later, I had an imperfect (but quite pretty), fold over case for my Kindle. It totally does the job…until I either buy a real Kindle case or someone buys one for me (it’s Christmastime, it could happen!).

As for the next project where I’d like to actually make something…I’m thinking of trying my hand at creating a fabric headboard and making some curtains (well, more like sheers) for my office. I’ll add it to my Master ToDo list, but I can’t say I’ll be getting on that any time soon as it’s just not a priority for me right now.

What about you, what have you made recently?