Two weeks ago, I had the honor of moderating expert panelists at the PrivSec Global Conference on the topic of The Cybersecurity Workforce, Knowledge and Skill Gaps.

The panel included: the CEO of a fast-growing threat intelligence company; the President of an organization uniting minority cybersecurity executives; the CEO of a global cyber-education company; and the co-founder of a growth strategist training company. These impressive panelists had united to address a pressing issue -  the workforce gap for cybersecurity talent in a post-pandemic period. They unanimously agreed that the global COVID-19 pandemic has had dramatic implications for working practices and talent management,  disrupting normal supply-and-demand markets for labor and forcing a mass migration of the workplace to the digital arena.

During the panel we had some agreements and a few disagreements around this topic. Sit back and enjoy the recap if you were one of the lucky ones to attend...

What is your definition of success and failure?

A few days ago I was on a special LIVE episode with the guys at The Digital Technopreneur, and we discussed the topic of Defining Success and Failure. 

Many people see success and failure as opposites.  But success can depend on context, maybe from an observer or a belief system that you have picked up along the way. Perhaps as a child, you were taught that success meant getting straight As. Or perhaps getting a promotion at work meant that you were successful? But can you truly have success without failure? And is failure really as negative as we make it seem?

Zig Ziglar talks about defining success in his book “Born to Win.” He argues that success cannot be defined in one sentence but instead comprised of many things.  I must say, I agree.

For me... have had some major successes:

• Having three beautiful happy and healthy adult children when I was told I would not be...

We all have that favorite pair of pants or jeans, right?

Well, I put my jeans on the other day and I could barely get them zipped. What the heck is going on??

“BLAME IT ON THE BLOAT” came over the speaker while I was catching up on The Bulletproof Podcasts. Dr Izabbella Wentz, a clinical pharmacist was talking gut disorders like Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (real sexy topics, I know).

This episode spoke about the health benefits of celery juice - I know, I made the same face this first time I heard it. But, when I heard all the perks, I was pretty much sold. Celery juice is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, doesn't spike your blood sugar, and can aid with digestion. 

Long story short…celery juice is great for digestion and can help banish bloating which is just what I need to solve my jean which is what I need to fix...

Have you ever wanted to run away? Did you come back or are you still on the loose?

It wasn’t until one night, after having three kids, while coming to the realization that I was never “in love” with my now ex-husband, did I sit in a dark room, listening to my third colic child crying, hoping and praying he would not wake up the older two, did I actually plan to run away.

But as I thought of the other times I had run away, how far I had gotten, and the awful rude awakening when I had to go back home ---- there had to be another way.

After realizing the car was not in my name, the credit cards were not mine, I had no cash of my own - Did I decide running away was not an option. (HOWEVER, running toward a new, improved future was the way to go).

I was TIRED of being compressed into a life of smallness, fear and lack.

Six years later - I decided not to run away anymore. Instead, I run TOWARDS a new future filled with big dreams, owning a successful business, extreme...

I was close to $600,000 US in debt, survived a turbulent 5-year divorce and no job (I had been a stay at home mom for 17 years). At this point two of my children were teenagers; angry and hurt ones at that and a 7-year-old who had a lot of health issues. Ready to throw up the white flag and feeling like I was on a sinking ship, I received a life preserver, in the form of a scholarship to an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) course with MindBridge. I jumped at the opportunity, (primarily in the hopes it would help me deal with my teenagers!)

It ended up changing the trajectory of my life! After completing the course, I knew immediately it was something I had been searching for, and I knew that I wanted to help others. Almost three years later, two jobs, enough tears released to fill an ocean, I am coaching and never happier. Once my clients make the shift into moving forward with their dreams, goals etc., I become elated.

Coaching is rewarding for me as I am able to help many...

In Kindergarten after the Pledge of Allegiance, Mrs. Therrington had each student stand in front of a full-length mirror and recite “I am beautiful”, or “I am handsome” staring at the reflection. If you looked down, you continued until you could say it with a smile and like you meant it, looking straight into the eyes looking back at you.

On my walk yesterday, I noted the joys of people out on a chilly but sunny day. The children laughing and crying, dogs barking, the birds performing their free concert, the hum of a few boats heading out to sea, were all so joyous. As I write this, we are still under a “Stay at Home Advisory” due to Covid 19, hence the noises outside of the solitude are all so welcome. However, the one common noise I did not enjoy was the negative talk from many of the adults passing by regarding weight they have gained, how they look horrible without hair color, waxing, facials, Botox, and such. I am guilty as well.

Until...

Have you ever found yourself feeling like the best alternative to the day would be wrapped in a straight jacket, hiding in the closet sucking your thumb? Damn Straight. I've felt this way MANY times, however, I am claustrophobic, so I had to come up with other options. BACK TO THERAPY...

Where I was made to relive the painful experience and figure out why? Are you kidding? It was painful enough the first time… NEXT…. Be an emotional vampire to my friends…I worked hard getting my fabulous group of women I call my tribe…they are my foundation! NEXT AGAIN… Drinking the problem away; I am much too vain; control and I are really close! FINALLY... I found a coach, a couple of mentors and began creating my life in a way that kept me learning, growing, enjoying my friends and family, starting a business helping others and experience life for all it offers. A few new jackets hanging in the closet that I rock on occasion, no fasteners necessary or...

More than a year with this virus and masks are becoming mandatory...AGAIN. I will not get on my 'soapbox" but I see no one mandating exercise or boosting our immune systems and banning fast food due to obesity. I feel each person gets to select the masks they want to wear; however, we all have free will and consequences to our decisions and or limiting beliefs. 

Now back to the "masks" I want to share with you.  I am one who loves to dress up. Masquerade balls are a blast, they are elegant with a touch of mystery. Halloween on the other hand is one of those celebrations I have never much enjoyed. Ok, If I am being real, it freaks me out with the costumes and the masks. Trick or Treat? I will take the treat every time. There are several other masks but the other prevalent mask that people wear that may not be realized as a mask is the Personality Mask.

Each February, in the theme of Mardis Gras, I present a challenge to groups of participants who are seeking their true...

As I continue to grow R2RLife from a practice to a business, I realized how important it was to build a team.

One of my mentors, John Assaraf, taught me a great lesson that I have embraced and implemented in my life. Here it is… do none of what you hate, less of what you tolerate to leave room for what you love and execute to your full potential. Thus, I needed to establish a team to do the things I could not do.

I started with marketing and social media. I adore Kristen, who talks me off the ledge frequently, when she takes all the material I hand over, organizes the bundle and then creates content pleasing to the eye. After months of trying to create a website…. yes, all the website builders that say in just a few hours, you can be up and operating with our easy system…NOT ME! I reached out to Wendy (web designer) and Doreen (brand strategist) who made the magic come to life. Next up, my coaches…yes, coaches have coaches! Lauren and Abbey pull me...