Avoidance of fear and things we dislike is only human. Our brains have wiring to seek pleasure and avoid pain. However, this avoidance can harm the person you want to be, the goals you want to achieve, and the relationships you want to establish. And there's the ever-present pressure to have it all "figured out."

What stands between you and those things you want? Is it fear, shame, or simply feeling unworthy?

To make new choices and create change in our lives, we must understand the obstacles that get in our way and how to conquer them. It means having courage and vulnerability. Many people will lock in on what they believe is right and stay the course, but it is much more common to feel unsure or try several paths before developing a sense of what is right. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness; it is the bridge between your fears and what you truly want.

The Daring Way™ workshop through Bauman Consulting Group in Loveland, Ohio, helps you build the bridge. It helps participants recognize they are worthy of love and belonging no matter their path. It teaches us to acknowledge and utilize the power we have within ourselves.

The Daring Way™ is an empirically based training and certification program for helping professionals, based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.* The work focuses on courage-building, shame resilience, and uncovering the power of vulnerability. The methodology is designed for individuals, couples, families, and groups.

The Daring Way™ workshop is for those who feel like they are not living their lives fully. Maybe they are afraid to present themselves with worries, such as an interview for their dream job, a crucial conversation with their partner, confronting life after a divorce, or a challenging relationship with a family member.

It is hard to show up for the scary things because we are afraid of what will happen if we fail or fall short of expectations. So, we avoid and then avoid some more. Then, as we get closer to the event, we start anticipating our negative self-talk voice: “Who do you think you are? Why do you think you'll be successful? Don't even try; you are sure to mess it up.”

The Daring Way™ gives us a method for working through issues that hold us back from accomplishing hard things, professionally and personally. Contact Bauman Consulting Group today to reserve your spot for one of our upcoming workshops at info@baumanconsultinggroup.com. Mention this article for 20% off the registration fee.

*The Daring Way - Brené Brown. https://brenebrown.com/thedaringway

Podcasts have become a favorite medium for business professionals to enjoy insightful content while on the go. The portable, on-demand format allows you to listen on your commute, while you exercise, as you work, or while completing household tasks. There are so many excellent podcasts available on a wide variety of topics – but if you are a woman in the workplace, we’d like to recommend 7 essential podcasts to add to your listening queue. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, serving at a not-for-profit, engaged in public sector work, or working in a for-profit business, these podcasts all offer fantastic advice and insights to help you grow professionally (and in some cases personally as well!).

Courage and Clarity – hosted by Steph Crowder. In each episode, Steph interviews successful female entrepreneurs who took the leap to chase their own dreams and start their own businesses. Each interview is broken into two components. The first focuses on courage or the bravery that led the individual to make the leap. The second focuses on clarity the actual how behind the leap. Listen as each outstanding woman offers words of encouragement and tips for success that can guide us all moving forward.
Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso – hosted by Sophia Amoruso (CEO and founder of Girlboss) and Neha Gandhi (editor in chief and COO of Girlboss). In this podcast, you’ll find honest conversations with women at the top – those who have achieved success in their given field. They share insights on how they built their career, the challenges they have navigated, and lessons they have learned along the way. Prepare to be inspired and energized!
She Did It Her Way – hosted by Amanda Boleyn. Each week Amanda offers business tips and interviews with women who have successfully left their 9-5 and launched their own businesses. But you don’t have to be an entrepreneur to benefit from these conversations – you can apply many of these ideas to your work no matter the structure.
Studio 78: Branding, Productivity, & Business Tips for Creative Women – hosted by Nache Snow. This podcast is geared towards women who work in the creative fields and provides guidance for those looking to launch their own business or create a side hustle. Again, much of these tips can be applied within the organization that you work in, so don’t hesitate to listen if you’re not an entrepreneur!
Support is Sexy – hosted by Elayne Fluker. Elayne uses her journalistic skills to offer business insights, inspiration, and practical tips for women seeking to build their professional lives to their fullest. She focuses her approach on building a network of supportive individuals to create a community of encouragement and knowledge. Elayne assures her listeners that you can have it all, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Women at Work – hosted by Harvard Business Review Editors Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo, and Nicole Torres. This podcast is devoted to the struggles that women face in the workplace around gender discrimination and how to navigate these challenges. They tackle some of the toughest issues that women encounter in the workplace in a positive and pragmatic way. They interview experts, share stories from their own career experiences, and offer practical advice for overcoming these difficulties. It’s a must listen for all women in the workplace.
Women on the Rise – hosted by Lara Dalch. In this business podcast, Lara offers listeners a holistic view of success. She focuses on the idea that women succeed and thrive when they approach success through a more balanced approach focusing on health, stress, time management, happiness, productivity, and more. She busts myths around perfection and encourages listeners to create their own vision of success – both personally and professionally.

Take some time to download and subscribe to these fantastic podcasts. And, while you’re at it, head over to the websites for each of these to find great articles, downloads, and content. Invest in yourself today so you can create your own success.