Let's finish what we started!
Does this sound familiar?
You had a vision for yourself, a different future that you invested time, money and energy in.
You were excited, passionate and building momentum. You found supportive teachers and peers. Doing this for yourself felt within reach.
Then, life happened.
You keep telling yourself you’ll get back to it once things are less hectic.
But you’re reminded almost daily of what you turned away from.
You almost don’t want to log into LinkedIn, afraid you’ll see others sharing the new job, client or business they launched because of the training you dropped. The excitement and passion has turned into defeat and guilt.
When you’ve made a big investment in training and education to change your life it’s so hard to to feel it slipping away.
But, what if you had a realistic idea of what you need to do every week to bring this goal back to life?
Imagine no longer being alone on this path, with a cheering section every step of the way.
Picture what it will feel like to plant your personal flag of victory on this summit.
Achieving significant goals has nothing to do with willpower
You’ve tried putting it on your to-do list, and it always falls to the bottom.
You’ve tried powering through with sheer willpower and determination only to burn out.
You’ve tried going back through the training — or into your studio or writing room — only to quit in overwhelm when you realize how much you have to relearn.
That’s because you’re missing the key ingredients.
And willpower ain’t one of them.
The three hidden sinkholes that will suck you in
I’ve been able to work with hundreds of smart, competent people over the years. It’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve seen and heard it all.
1. The biggest myth: Willpower is all you need
The biggest myth that defeats people before they start is that all you need is sheer willpower and determination to power through.
I say BS. Neither will work for a long haul and allow you to stay sane and healthy.
2. The biggest mistake: Being a lone ranger
The biggest mistake I see competent adults make is trying to make a significant life change alone, whether that’s intensive online training and education to learn a more lucrative skill set, starting a side hustle or launching a creative project.
While it’s true that one determined soul can change the world, millennia of human history shows people thrive in communities.
3. The biggest misconception: Time is all you need
The biggest misconception I’ve encountered is the false belief that more time is the solution. Invariably, any free time gets claimed by other commitments if it does appear.
Let's change that together
If you’re reading this you probably know me from my years as senior instructor and coach at SmartBlogger. I’ve moved on and am deep into building my own personal digital enterprise (or two or three) with the aid of several experienced mentors.
This journey has given me an in-your-face experience of how difficult and slow it is to make a major life pivot starting something from scratch, in a way I never fully appreciated before.
Here's what my approach looks like now
What I’ve learned without question – after several projects that never quite got traction in the past – is what is helping me build momentum this time.
Clarity, consistent action and accountability in a supportive group who are on the same path are the keys to entrepreneurial success today.
After looking around I realized that while accountability groups are common, they are also expensive and soulless, more about checking tasks off a list as fast as possible – a reflection of the hustle culture that taints the online world today.
So I decided to create a different experience using not only my skills and experience, but my empathy-based, soul-centered philosophy.
How to get stuff done consistently
Clarity: Radical, unflinching clarity about where you are, where you want to go and what it will take to get there.
Consistency: There’s always more going on behind-the-scenes of supposed “overnight wonders” than meets the eye. The tortoise still always wins in the long-haul race.
Accountability: “Just do it” has its place. But everything doesn’t have to be a marathon or sprint to move forward.
A Support Circle: Life is challenging. Breaking out of the status quo, when everyone would prefer you stay the same, is easier when you’re surrounded by support.
Stop letting yourself – and your goal – be pulled through the mud
Here’s the thing: Taking on a big project like learning a new skill set or launching a side-hustle is like a tug-of-war.
You’re on one side of the rope, alone, trying to pull your big important goal across the finish line.
On the other end of the rope is your friendly competition — your partner, kids, job, elderly parents, well-meaning friends and volunteer commitments.
You dig your heels in and resist the constant pull on your time, attention and energy. You gain a little ground and your project starts to take shape. You dig in deeper.
They take up the slack and pull at you harder. Deadlines, appointments, hassles.
It’s all you can do to resist. You hang on, for a long time.
And then your energy is gone.
They pull you over.
Your goal – that project, the new skill set that will expand your career options, the side hustle that will create freedom — is left in the mud.
If only you had help. If only you had a group on your side, at your back, pulling with you.
Introducing: Onward Circle Accountability Coaching
The Onward Circle includes:
- Four weekly, 1-hour meetings a month on Zoom
- A structured meeting format so everyone is heard and supported
- A small committed circle of only 3-4 members
- Accountability feedback on the week’s top goal
- A monthly review and reset
Here's why the Onward Circle works
A group can be anything. But a circle of people is different. It’s intentional and carries commitment, to the group intent as well as each other.
Onward Circle members will commit to focusing on their goals — personal, professional, side-hustle or creative — doing the work, showing up and taking radical responsibility for their actions without self judgment or criticism.
As part of fully being present, Circle members commit to hearing and honoring everyone’s journey, however it’s going for them.
The Circle Call and your pre-call preparation will take about two hours a week. You’ll be expected to have reviewed last week’s goals, what worked, what didn’t and why and prepare your goals for the upcoming week.
Why this is a three-month commitment
The Onward Circle will start with an orientation circle the first week of October, which gives us three months to make significant progress in our lives and projects. Slow and steady. One goal, one task, one week at a time.
If you join the Onward Circle you’re making a three-month commitment to show up for yourself and to show up to witness and share the growth of the Circle members. If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it a million times: Hearing what other people are doing and experiencing is energizing and inspiring.
We need reminders we’re not alone on this journey.
We need kindred spirits to witness what we’re creating and contributing.
We need structure to manage the demands on our lives.
The Onward Circle is designed to bring those things to you.
If you commit to adding your energy to the Circle you also commit to not breaking the Circle. Each member’s commitment and presence energizes the Circle and everyone in it. The Circle energy will feel palpable quickly and help sustain your momentum during the week.
Members are expected to make all efforts to attend weekly.
That may mean rearranging schedules and appointments. That may mean joining a call from the car or the road occasionally.
If missing a Circle Call is unavoidable members are still held accountable to post their goals in the online community so the Circle energy is unbroken.
So…if you’re thinking of joining to check it out and refund if you don’t like it, don’t. Either you’re in or you’re not.
How the Onward Circle honors your individual path
All the adults I’ve worked with have fascinating backstories. Everyone has traveled different and intriguing paths to get to where they are today. So I’ve designed the program for maximum flexibility while retaining the vital, core energy.
It all starts with you and what you want to do with the rest of 2023.
When you decide to join, I’ll send you a couple worksheets to fill out before you schedule a bonus 1-hour coaching call.
Worksheet #1: Outline your current status
- Your goal
- Your intention
- What you think you need to do
- Why this is a priority in your life now
- What you’ve already done toward this goal
- Where you are right now and how you feel about it
Worksheet #2: Your Onward Wheel will help you rate your satisfaction with eight key areas of your life.
- It’s a simple diagram and handy visual tool to capture this moment in your life. We’ll update the wheel monthly to give ourselves visual reinforcement of the changes we’re making.
During your one-hour coaching session we’ll have a frank discussion about chronic obstacles in your life such as avoidance and procrastination that have stopped you in the past.
We’ll evaluate together whether your goal is reasonable and we’ll talk about areas of your wheel and how they might hold you back. We’ll talk about 1-3 habits, routines, practices or rituals you think you’ll need to stay on track with your intention for the six-month Circle.
If you decide after this coaching session that the Onward Circle is not a fit for you, I’ll happily refund your money no questions asked.
Please note: This coaching session is not in any way, shape or form a sales call. I will not attempt to persuade or sell you if this is not a fit. You and I will know if this is a fit or not.
My personal intent for the Onward Circle
I see my role in the Onward Circle as:
- Holding a circle – a cone – of energy to boost us all
- Reinforcing the importance of consistency and accountability
- Providing a safe, supportive space during a wild time on the planet
- Helping you recognize and focus your energy in the direction you want
- Creating the energetic and digital space for the Circle to anchor and provide stability and structure for the group and the calls
Because reaching your goal is not just your top priority – it’s mine, too
From previous experience in circles of various kinds, I expect the energy of the Onward Circle to coalesce quickly. It feels like it could continue for a long time with members committed to showing up to do their best work alongside others.
Two types of support
Onward Circle: Weekly accountability in a small private group
I’m convinced that the ability to consistently work on long-term projects and goals hinges on having a supportive group (or coach) that gently but unflinchingly holds you accountable on a regular schedule. A condition of membership is that you’re expected to show up and take action.
The Onward Circle is designed to be an accountability support group. You’ll meet four times a month for a structured hour to review last week’s goal progress and set your goals for the coming week. The intent is to keep your attention highly focused on the steps you’re taking with a weekly check-in with feedback. Not every week will look or feel the same and not every week will feel like progress. Presence and consistency are what count.
Need additional coaching now and then?
Onward Circle Coaching: Flexible and customizable
I recognize not everyone feels they need ongoing coaching but may need a bit of guidance now and then.
Sometimes you want a little help, but sometimes you need a lot.
Members of the Onward Circle will have the option to purchase a “bank” of 1:1 coaching time with me in 2-hour blocks that can be used when and how you prefer or need personal guidance — a 15-minute quick chat, a 30-minute call or a 45-60 minute coaching call.
If you realize later in the year that you do need additional coaching time you can purchase additional 2-hour blocks of time.
What will it be?
If you’re still thinking you’ll get back to working on your goal some day, on your own, let’s be honest. How’s that been working for you?
Here’s what typically happens: Unless you find a new path, a new approach, you’ll lose your attainable goals and dreams in someday promises that never happen.
Isn’t it time you made your goal – your vision – your priority?
I’ve worked with hundreds of competent but frustrated adults. Until this past year I couldn’t completely understand why they couldn’t do what they knew they should do. I’ve found an approach that works for me and other entrepreneurial spirits.
Here’s a flexible — and fun — solution.
Last day to enroll is October 4.
Join me.
Onward!
Marsha
FAQs
I have the ability with small groups to schedule on a weekday evening, likely Wednesday or Thursday, and the weekend, likely Saturday. We’ll take a poll of the members to find the day and time that works.
Yes. They will be available online.
If more than 4 enroll I’ll create multiple circles.
Each week Circle members will be expected to list up to five tasks for the week, some larger and some smaller. In the call you’ll review the prior week and tell us:
- If you were able to carry your primary goal or task forward
- How you feel about how you showed up during the week regardless of the outcome
- A lesson you didn’t expect
Then you’ll highlight your top goal for the upcoming week and tell us:
- Why it’s a priority now
- How you will move it forward
- When you expect to work on it
Communities where members feel safe, supported and heard have mutual agreements.
In the Onward Circle we’re in agreement that:
- Words and language carry energy, whether we’re speaking about ourselves, the past, the future or others.
- Our Onward Circle language does not contain any “shoulds, have to’s or oughts,” any self-deprecating comments, self-shaming or blaming, no beating yourself up, judgment, criticism or condemnation.
- We also don’t use the word “win” when describing your previous week because that automatically means not winning is losing or failing, which creates unconscious self-judgment and blame. The intent here is to do the work that matters to us consistently and all weeks won’t look the same.
- Circle members strive to ask questions first before making statements about what others have said, using language like, “What I’m hearing you say…”
- When commenting on other Circle members stories or goals, we use language centered around:
- Why you appreciate their story or goal
- Resources you can share
- Contacts or connections you can share
- Ways you can support or assist
- Questions to deepen your understanding
- Requests for clarification
- Support and encouragement
I see the Onward Circle and The Unplugged Club as complementary.
A large component of The Unplugged Club will be designed around accountability systems, rituals and mechanisms to break ingrained digital habits.
This is similar to what we’ll be working with in the Onward Circle to help us break hidden beliefs of scarcity, dispel the fear of showing up for ourselves to plant our flag and re-evaluate habits that no longer serve us.
With both programs I’ll be bringing in Nature as our partner and ally using techniques I’m learning as a nature-connected coach when appropriate.
Having built and managed several online communities I know what a challenge they are to build and get people involved. On the other hand I’m intrigued by the concept of time-limited online accountability and sharing groups and how they can function best to help people.
Because when you think about it, it would seem logical that the Unplugged Club would eventually have an online community, since it’s a club, right? That was part of my plan, but that is contrary to the mission of The Unplugged Club, which is to spend less time “hanging out” on screens.
I will create dedicated coaching slots on several days throughout the week after the Circle meeting days and times are established.
Yes, you will be able to sign up for recurring payments using a credit or debit card.
Because the entire foundation of the Circle is based on each individual’s consistent presence, we can work together to pause your membership if you encounter an unexpected life situation that prevents you from being active.