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Life under military curfew in Sri Lanka has been one of the most intense things I've ever experienced. This episode gives you a peek into what it's been like being in a developing country during COVID, where we weren't even allowed to leave our homes.  Now that I'm coming out of the experience, I can look back and share, "Wow, that was some sh*t!!!"  This episode is dedicated to all the parents who are wrapping up a school year... you rock! Thanks for listening :) Hugs, Melissa PS: All my 2020 goals went out the window and are being rewritten--rewrite yours too with a Passion Planner from bit.ly/passionplan2019

At the end of each month, I sit down to assess how the month went, which is an exercise in my Passion Planner. But today as I reflected upon April, I was like, “Wow, that kinda blew!” While it's important to recognize what went well each month and decide what you may want to do differently going forth, it's also okay to completely toss out goals that just aren't working for you. Join me for a 2020 Do-Over, and consider participating in my live goal-setting sesh on Wednesday, May 6th at 6:30 AM Pac/9:30 AM Eastern/7:00 PM India via Zoom (email for deets: heygirl@melissamccloud.co) Hugs, melissa ___ Today's episode is brought to you by the Passion Planner, which you can check out at bit.ly/passionplan2019 Grab my free Supermom Survival Guide now with Quarantine Bonus! at https://www.MelissaMcCloud.co/

We’re all in a race for time (or, we were before we found ourselves stuck at home, perhaps…) and the disease of busy-ness and being overscheduled isn’t even relegated to the Western world anymore. (I should know, I live in South Asia!)  We are a slave to our overbooked schedules, our pursuit of success, other’s expectations, and our kids’ extracurriculars. We may do things because we think we should, then lose sleep over it, wake up early and/or stay up late in an attempt to accomplish them. The “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” philosophy costs us much more than, well, sleep! You’ve heard that we should aim for 8 hours of sleep. According to the CDC, the average American sleeps fewer than 7 hours a night, and almost half of us sleep fewer than six hours per night. In today's episode, I lay out the argument for sleep, which has been well-document and earnestly written about by Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post. Hugs, Melissa PS: Can you hear my family making a ruckus in the background? Geesh!

Your spouse isn’t more annoying than you thought. You’re just around them a LOT more! It’s not often that I discuss the same topic in two consecutive pods, but desperate times call for desperate measures.  If you are homebound with your family and learning to adjust to the new routines of being all together in a confined space, then you understand that it ain't all rainbows and unicorns...  And let’s get real: not all of our marriages are gonna make it! Listen in as we discuss why you're partner is sending you over the edge (and how to deal)! My free class on communication with your partner under stress is at www.HusbandWebinar.com ... check it out, I know you have the time. Hugs,  melissa  Grab my free Supermom Survival Guide at https://www.MelissaMcCloud.co/

I recently saw a post that said, "Nine months from now, there will be a baby boom."   But with all the time spent with our loved ones right now, I predict another outcome over the next year: divorce. This week marks 14 days on home isolation, and I was about to lose my mind last week as we were just getting started. This episode is how to keep your sanity, and your family unit, intact! For those struggling with their spouses during this time, check out my free class on how to communicate during a crisis at https://youtu.be/qWaUZwiqanM Hugs, melissa

Anyone else dealing with emotional eating this month? Many of us are practicing social distancing and adapting to our newly-homebound lifestyle, and it’s easy to find ourselves wandering into the kitchen looking for something to eat to take our minds off the mayhem.  Since I cut my teeth as a coach in health coaching, I know the emotional-eating (and drinking!) space well and would love to share how I help clients navigate these episodes...  Check out this timely pod to know how to not get carried away in times of stress (and it doesn't involve willpower, PHEW)!\ Grab my free Supermom Survival Guide at https://www.MelissaMcCloud.co/ Hugs, Melissa

All the newly-initiated homeschooling moms, please raise your hands! The coronavirus crisis is enough to put anyone over the edge... We don’t know what the next month will look like, how many new cases we will have, or if we have enough toilet paper to last a home quarantine… And it’s the “not knowing” that is so tough for me. I bet the uncertainty of the entire coronavirus situation is unsettling for you, too. In this podcast you'll understand why the current COVID-19 climate is so challenging, and what you can do to manage your state. Grab my free Supermom Survival Guide at https://www.MelissaMcCloud.co/ Hugs, Melissa

At the beginning of the year, I asked The Trophies what they wanted to focus on.  “Health & Fitness” was overwhelmingly one of the top topics of interest, and how can I deny my past? For over 16 years I’ve worked as a wellness coach, so this is in my wheelhouse! But instead of sending another diet culture message to the group (which is the last thing you need to hear!) I am going to put my own spin on the topic… Coming off of FOCUS FEBRUARY, where we learned how to “do more by doing less”, I am having the Trophies choose just one thing they want to narrow in on that will have the biggest impact on their health and fitness.  My intention is not to help The Trophies lose weight; it is to help these wonderful women set a goal and see it through to completion.   Hugs,  melissa  www.MelissaMcCloud.co

Procrastination chips away at our self-esteem and prevents us from being our best... and it affects us all!  Even the best of us suffer from delaying action, whether it's due to overthinking, analysis paralysis, or just laziness. When you procrastinate, you waste time that you could be investing in something meaningful.  If you can learn to overcome this fierce enemy, you'll feel so much better about yourself, you will be able to increase your effectiveness, and take the steps you need to achieve your goals, dreams, and desires.  Muah, Melissa ___ Today's episode is brought to you by the Passion Planner, which you can check out at bit.ly/passionplan2019

My "Mom in the Hot Seat!" Series continues with Robin Meckley, a "mentor mom" of mine whom I've known for the past 16 years.  She has an incredible relationship with her husband and two 20-something boys.   In this Podcast, Robin talks about what she would have done differently as a mom, how she spoke to her kids about sex, how she built intimacy with her husband after having babies, how she instilled religion at home, and how Empty Nest life is way different than she expected it to be!  Younger moms won't want to miss this episode...! Hugs, Melissa ___ Today's episode is brought to you by the Passion Planner, which you can check out at bit.ly/passionplan2019

We all know good communication is the foundation for a great relationship, but who teaches us "Communication for a Modern Marriage 101"? You and your partner won't be on the same page until you learn to communicate effectively, and in this video I share some tips to get you started... Thank you to Passion Planner for sponsoring this pod!  Check out my favorite panner-come-goal-setter-come goal-achiever at bit.ly/passionplan2019 Muah! ~melissa

Do these questions make you break into a cold sweat: “What were you born to do?” “Do you know your life’s purpose?” “Are you making your life count?” I have to agree: living with PASSION and PURPOSE can feel like a bit *much*. And for those of you who don’t know what you were “born to do” it can also feel depressing! Kinda like, “How did you make it this long without knowing what you’re supposed to be doing with your ONE life!!?!?!” In this pod, I help you reframe "life's purpose" and discover what lights you up! ____ Today's episode is brought to you by the Passion Planner, which you can check out at bit.ly/passionplan2019

Matana Jacobs of HopeToRecharge.com is on a mission to erase the stigma around mental health.   This is a noble cause for anyone, but the fact that she's doing it as a supportive spouse to her business-owner husband, around her five children (count 'em, 1-2-3-4-FIVE!), as a globetrotter who spends much of her time on the road, AND as a multi-passionate entrepreneur herself is BEYOND AMAZING! Hear how she does it in today's episode, which includes her own journey battling depression and top tips and take-aways for moms everywhere. ___ Today's episode is brought to you by the Passion Planner, which you can check out at bit.ly/passionplan2019

You know those friends that you can sit and chat with for hours and time just FLIES?   That's who Wendy Hutchinson is for me :) She and I met in a biz networking group in Houston, TX and we connected right away.  She's been a "mommy mentor" to me ever since, and I so admire the relationships she has with her two 20-something sons and her husband of over 30 years.   When I polled my clients, I found that almost 90% of you are married moms, so what better way to get a perspective on parenting and marriage than someone who's "been there, done that"!?   Wendy was raised in a Catholic, Asian household, so you can imagine the pressure that was on her to fit into a box and be a success.  She shares about a spiritual shift she had that enabled her to break away from her family's expectations, and begin to parent the heart-centered way she felt was right.  She was so gracious to let me pick her brain, share what she wished she'd done differently, and show the mommies with younger children the light at the end of the tunnel! Take a listen, share with your mommy friends who are breaking their backs being perfectionists, and go find Wendy at http://AlineaLifeCoaching.com/ Muah, Melissa Grab my free Supermom Survival Guide at https://www.MelissaMcCloud.co/

A dream board is a visual representation of your goals, displayed in an area where you see it daily.  The idea is that you look at your goals often to make them a reality...  Sounds like wishful thinking?   Olympians have been doing it for decades, and even Oprah encourages you to make a vision board!  In this episode, I discuss the science behind vision boards and teach you how to make one that WORKS.  I use my dream board in conjunction with my Passion Planner which you can check out at bit.ly/passionplan2019 Muah,   Melissa Please sign up for my weekly newsletter if you want to learn more: https://forms.aweber.com/form/01/892873401.htm 

Well that was gutsy! But it's true... If you've been following along, I had you do the "Wheel of Life" (a five-minute exercise from episode 15 that helps you take stock of where you are in life) and then discover your personal core values (from episode 16), which is a code of conduct, a standard of living, and what you stand for. Assuming you've done the pre-work, goal setting becomes simple, because you know what's important to you and what you want to make happen! Furthermore, you come up with goals that are easier to stick with, because they are so meaningful. So grab a pen and paper and let's get cracking... As always, you are invited to connect with me at https://www.melissamccloud.co/  Hugs, melissa

What do you stand for? What's important to you? Most people will never take the time to discover their core values, and are living a life based on what they think "sounds good" or they "should" be doing. Discover your personal core values in this week's pod! You'll want to grab a journal or pen-and-paper as you brainstorm your personal code of conduct. I talk about the Passion Planner in this week's pod, which you can see here (and get a coupon!) bit.ly/passionplan2019 As always, ladies are invited to connect with me at https://www.melissamccloud.co/ Hugs, melissa

Who is chomping at the bit to tackle New Year's Resolutions? WHOA! 🐎🐎 don't be like most people who get all excited to "lose weight"/"get out of debt"/"find a new job"/"meet your soulmate"/"insert your desire here" without doing the important work *first*... (We've all had great goals in past Januaries, that were pretty much forgotten by February, right??!) My "Wheel of Life" check-in is a short-and-sweet exercise that helps you take stock of what's important to you, and where you are in each of those areas. This way, you can deliberately set up 2020 with clear, valuable goals... that you won't lose steam on three weeks from now (when most people give up on their resolutions, by the way...)! As offered in the podcast, email me for the document at HeyGirl@MelissaMcCloud.co to complete this exercise, and put "Wheel of Life" doc in the subject line. Hugs, Melissa www.MelissaMcCloud.co

You know the line from "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" that goes: "and mom and dad can't wait for school to start again" ?? That's what this is about! The holidays can easily get us turned around, due to our schedule being hijacked, all the magic we want to make happen for our kids, and even the fact that there is less sunlight! Tune in to find out how to manage holiday anxiety, and join the real conversation over at MelissaMcCloud.co

Before you start declaring what your New Year's Resolutions are for 2020, you'll want to take the time to review 2019. Unless we look at what went great, where we fell short, and identify what we learned from it all, we're bound to repeat it! In this pod I walk you through some questions to thoughtfully answer as you get complete with not just 2019, but the end of a decade. Join me over in The Trophies at www.TheTrophies.co for the real conversation! And check out my fave planner at bit.ly/passionplan2019 Hugs,  melissa  www.MelissaMcCloud.co