Lead Like A Queen Coaching and Consulting, LLC

Tag: blog

  • Transformative Coaching and Mentorship for Women Leaders by Coach Donna Marie

    Transformative Coaching and Mentorship for Women Leaders by Coach Donna Marie

    Coach Donna Marie provides leadership and financial coaching. Angie R. was a satisfied coaching client who provided a detailed testimonial. Read on to learn more.

    Coach Donna Marie is the founder of Lead Like A Queen Coaching and Consulting, LLC, and the writer of this blog at LeadLikeAQueen.com. She is a 2021 Master of Arts graduate of Liberty University’s Executive Leadership program (MA-EL). She also obtained her coaching certification in Spiritual Leadership and Financial Coaching through the American Association of Christian Counseling in 2022 via Liberty University. To get in touch with Coach Donna Marie and stay updated, visit CoachDonnaMarie.com.

    CoachDonnaMarie.com

    As a life and leadership coach, I am very focused on supporting leaders, specifically women leaders, whose lives, businesses, or careers have been interrupted by trauma or crisis. Despite these traumatic disruptions and interruptions, I want them to be inspired to know that they can still go after their big goals. I love to support these women beyond just inspiring them, so I provide mentorship and coaching to help them discover their purpose, set their goals, and stay motivated throughout the journey until they attain their goals.

    I help them through my free public podcast, Plant Your Seeds of Transformation, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and most podcast platforms. I also help by providing an online mentorship group to facilitate their ongoing learning in an affordable way beyond the free podcast episodes. When they’re ready to invest in coaching, I also offer valuable coaching services that give them a supportive framework for taking consistent action over time while going after their goals.

    It is a great honor and a pleasure to share my journey through my writing and podcasting to help inspire and inform other women leaders. If you want to read or hear more about me, stay plugged into this business blog by subscribing here, or check out my new coachdonnamarie.com blog where I share more recent updates. And if you would like some insight into my coaching work, read on for a client testimonial below.

    New Testimonial from Angie R.

    Screen Capture From Coach Donna Marie’s Financial
    Coaching Session with Angie R.

    Angie R came to me for financial coaching*, and this is what she shared about her experience. (Her answers are paraphrased for conciseness.)

    • What did you get out of your session with Coach Donna Marie?
      • You showed me that I already have some of this knowledge and understanding inside of me to help me manage my finances better. For the things I need more help with, I realize that I need to tap into my local community for what is already here and that is accessible and affordable for me, instead of assuming that I cannot afford more help. Your suggestions for local and online resources were helpful, and I will look into those now that I am aware of them.
    • How would you rate your 90-minute session?
      • 10 out of 10
    • Any other feedback?
      • I felt that 90 minutes was not enough time, but I understand that I need to tap into the resources around me in my community for additional help over time.

    *Disclaimer: This was a complimentary financial coaching session for this client to support her after she posted a cry for help on the NextDoor App and many community members, including Coach Donna Marie, came to her aid.

    How Can You Get Help from Coach Donna Marie?

    Based on your needs, use one of the buttons or links below to listen to or watch her podcast, sign up for mentorship, register for coaching, or to request a free call to talk with Coach Donna Marie.

    Hear/Watch Podcast
    Get Mentorship
    Register for Coaching
    Ask for A Free Call
  • Slow Simmer for Summer

    Slow Simmer for Summer

    What if slow was a superpower instead of a weakness? In our current fast-paced world, slow is seen as never good enough. But can you think of times when slowly planning and progressing has been best to make you and what’s important to you better in the long run? Read this article and use the journal prompts to help you plan your summer. – Coach Donna Marie

    MY SLOW SIMMER SUMMER 

    I am using this summer to slowly simmer all of my creative juices. If you’re a cook or a foodie, you know that only good things come from slowly simmering your food. All the flavors in the dish seep all the way through every bite when you let it just cook down on the lowest setting and slowly. This is what I’m doing to myself and my creativity for this summer. The goal is that when I’m ready to launch season 5 of the Plant Your Seeds of Transformation podcast in the late summer or early fall, every single interaction or piece of content will be absolutely delicious for my audience and clients. 

    WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS? 

    Summertime can be a great time for families to focus more on family time without the normal daily distractions or weekly interruptions created by the school year. For many workers and business owners, summertime can offer more opportunities to get away for a retreat where you can rest, reflect, and be refreshed. 

    Journal Prompts to Help You Plan Your Summer

    What is your most important summer goal, and what will you put on your calendar and in your budget for it? Pick one or more of the following journal prompts to start planning your own slow summer with something that is realistic and attainable for you at this time of year. 

    • Rest: Schedule dedicated downtime for relaxation and self-care. 
      • Date and Time ________ Budget $______ 
    • Reflect: Set aside time to ponder your experiences and insights. 
      • Date and Time ________ Budget $______ 
    • Refresh & Renew: Plan activities that rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. 
      • Date and Time ________ Budget $______ 

    MY SUMMER PRIORITIES 

    I will share mine with you. I need more rest because my now more mature body (including my brain) is going through a major transition and experiencing things I have never experienced before. So, I am making more rest my top priority. This includes getting more help from a sleep doctor so I can sleep better. Unfortunately, a hefty co-pay is attached to this, but I am worth the time and the money needed to make my sleep better. 

    As I rest more, I am also reflecting more. I am learning more about myself than I ever have before. I agree with what my wise father used to say: as I get older, I realize just how much I do not know. I am grateful to have behavioral health support which is helping me become more compassionate and gentler with myself during this self-discovery process. I am also grateful that I have the time and resources needed to stay consistent with managing my mental wellness. 

    As I get more rest and reflect more, I am definitely being refreshed and renewed. My commitment to loving myself and taking better care of myself is definitely paying off, over time. There are no instant results here, but I have peace and joy in this journey. I am truly grateful and willing to be patient with my process. 

    PROTECT YOUR SUMMER PLANS 

    If you’re committing to do similar things for yourself during your summer, I hope that you are setting good boundaries around your plans so that you don’t allow anyone (or anything) to disrupt these plans. This is something that was hard for me in the past, but I am becoming better at setting and keeping my boundaries so that I can take better care of myself. If this is an ongoing struggle for you, you deserve support so you can learn and improve your boundary management. Listen to one of my podcast episodes where I discuss the topic of boundary-setting and let me know what information you found to be most helpful. 

    • Who Helps the Caregivers: God and Good Boundaries – article link 
    • Relationship Between Trauma Recovery and Good Boundaries – article link 
    • What Can Black Women Do To Listen To Their Hearts, Set Boundaries, and Get Unstuck – article link 

    Your summer has potential for immense power because there is power in planning and setting up sturdy boundaries that can support you for the rest of the year. Even when progress seems gradual, remember that each small step toward better self-care is a victory. During this warmer and brighter season, reflect on your journey. What specific small shifts can you make? What moments of rest, reflection, and renewal will you intentionally weave into your days (and your budget)? Put it on your calendar, and save money for it as part of your boundary management.

    Share Your Insights: I’d love to hear from you. Reach out and let me know how this article has resonated with you. Maybe you will make your own summer plan to nourish your spirit, fuel your growth, and bring joy to your days.

    As you think about this and prepare to plan, please remember that progress can be slow over time. It doesn’t have to be instant or fast. It is most important that whatever you do is intentional. Here’s to a summer of taking small purposeful steps! 

  • What Makes Me Nervous? Remote Work is H.A.R.D.

    What Makes Me Nervous? Remote Work is H.A.R.D.

    Daily writing prompt
    What makes you nervous?
    View all responses

    Why Am I Continuing to Be a Remote Work Entrepreneur Despite It Being H.A.R.D.?

    Even though entrepreneurship as a remote worker scares me and makes me nervous, I am continuing to do it anyway because:

    • The success is mine all mine, just as much as any failure or hardship is mine when it happens.
    • My personal and professional growth has been accelerated by the constant challenges I face – facing my fears breeds growth. That’s very personally satisfying for me.
    • I am constantly learning and growing, and as a naturally curious person (aka a nerd), this is ideal for me mentally.
    • My time is mine all mine, sort of, I have a bit more flexibility than I would have as a new person in a new job.
    • I love being supportive as a coach/mentor to new agents and seeing their transformation and growth as they overcome their own fears and go after their goals. Honestly, this was one of my goals before I ever started this work, so fulfilling the goal of being a coach/mentor has been a win for me.

    Why does remote work entrepreneurship make me nervous?

    Remote Work Entrepreneurship is H.A.R.D. Everything falls on your own shoulders, both the good and the bad, the success and the failure. You are responsible for

    List of Responsibilities for an Entrepreneur:

    • license, registration, or certification: if you do not remember to register, to renew, to re-certify, or whatever’s required for your business structure or contract, then your business could be in jeopardy
    • taxes: no one pays your taxes for you but you, and if you don’t pay now, you’ll pay a lot more later
    • invoicing: to make sure you actually get paid by your clients you have to do the work to submit the invoices to them in a timely manner
    • assets, equipment, and inventory: you have to make sure everything you need to keep the business up and running is taken care of or purchased in a timely manner to meet business needs
    • insurance: you have to make sure your business is protected in case of disaster or crime
    • bills: if you don’t pay them, they won’t get paid, and then your business could suffer and/or be shut down

    Are you interested in a more detailed list of my actual bills, taxes, expenses, and other responsibilities as I continue my journey with a micro-small business as an Independent LiveOps agent? If you want to give me quick feedback, use this survey to give me feedback:

  • UPDATED: Content to Support Remote Workers

    UPDATED: Content to Support Remote Workers

    LeadLikeAQueen.com/support-remote-workers

    UPDATE: The link for the free download has been updated, scroll down, see the menu bar area, or click here.

    I am Coach Donna Marie. I am a remote worker who opted-in for a more flexible schedule and the ability to make a legitimate income from the same home office where I spent years working on my masters degree during the pandemic. After graduating with a Masters of Art in Executive Leadership, I was interviewing for positions for a few months when I found out about remote work that seemed to be a good opportunity for me.

    ABOUT THE PODCAST AND UPCOMING EPISODES

    Did you know that I am the host of the Plant Your Seeds of Transformation podcast? In previous seasons, we covered topics targeted towards women leaders who are recovering from trauma and crisis. These ranged from recognizing toxic perfectionism, to getting rid of money mistake shame, to managing grief during the holidays. During our upcoming 5th season, we’ll have more episodes just for remote workers (potentially in late summer or early fall of 2024). To listen to the Plant Your Seeds of Transformation podcast, go to PlantYourSeeds.show or search for it most podcast platforms.

    Grief Series: Get Practical Tips to Help Navigate Trauma or Crisis

    REMOTE WORKERS DESERVE MORE SUPPORT

    I am committing to providing content just for remote workers in this upcoming season because I am well aware they don’t always get as much support as their in-office counterparts. But remote workers work just as hard, if not harder, and deserve to be well supported, too. One thing that I am making available to help remote workers is a free download with business tips. You can see the link in the menu for this blog or use the link below.

    FREE DOWNLOAD – BUSINESS TIPS FOR REMOTE WORKERS, CLICK HERE.

    WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT REMOTE WORK?

    As I plan for this upcoming season, I would love to have input from you on questions you would like for me to address about remote work. For instance, are you curious which remote work platforms are available that are legitimate, legal opportunities? Do you want to know if it is a business (i.e., 1099-NEC tax form) or if it is a real job (i.e., w-2 tax form)? (If you want to email me, use my contact page – click here.)

    I know for sure there are specific questions that I asked before I got started in my remote work. I’ll be publishing additional content about this (e.g. types of questions to ask before starting remote work) on my medium blog soon. If you follow me on Medium and join my newsletter there, then you’ll receive updates when new articles are posted. I posted a list of past articles about remote work below, also.

    This blog, the podcast, and the medium blog are all produced by Lead Like A Queen Coaching and Consulting, LLC.

    Why do you use Medium? “I love Medium. I started reading the articles there because they have a very diverse mix of writers and topics. The topics can range from financial and business tips to cold case stories and beyond. I am a naturally curious person, so my Medium reading list continues to grow so that I’ll remember to go back and read articles over time.

    I also started using their audio feature so I could keep reading hands-free. And then I started becoming friends with other Medium writers, many of whom are remote workers or digital nomads.

    I am a member on Medium because the ad-free reading experience is truly excellent, as compared to other blog or news websites where I have to dodge ads from the start to the finish of the article.

    If you’d like to join Medium, use my profile link (click here) to check it out.”

    ~ Donna Marie Johnson

    PREVIOUS ARTICLES ABOUT REMOTE WORK

    My medium blog already has some content about remote work. Here’s a hyperlinked list of some of those articles, which you’ll be able to read (or listen to) without any advertisements if you have a medium membership. The first article I posted below is available to you for free, my friend.:

    Even though this is cute, it’s just his work break, I hope. Being able to focus while working from home is crucial. Would you like some tips to help you focus better when working from home?

    LOOKING FOR COACHING OR MENTORING WHILE PURSUING REMOTE WORK?

    The podcast and the articles I am writing all provide some level of help for you as you pursue remote work, and as you navigate trauma or crisis as a leader. And do you also need or want additional support, such as mentorship or coaching to help you achieve your goals for your remote work? If so, use the links below to check out my current programs: