by AnnSheybani | May 26, 2014 | change, Confidence, Courage, dealing with criticism, expectations, Fearless Living, free will, identity, Life, life transitions, limiting beliefs, Motivation, purpose, reinvention, risk, role model, route finding, Self-Esteem, tenacity, voice, William McRaven
I love this time of year. All those motivating commencement speeches cropping up on the Internet. I can’t remember a single word that was said when I graduated with my B.S. in 1985. I do, however, remember the commencement speech at Harvard when I received my...
by AnnSheybani | May 19, 2014 | adventure, Atul Gawande, coaching, Iran, Ireland, mistakes, Reading, risk, route finding
My girlfriend is planning her first trip to Ireland. She’s bringing her teenaged kids along with her. She’s purchased the plane tickets, reserved the rental car, now it’s dawning on her that she’s going to have to shell out a lot more money than she’d planned on....
by AnnSheybani | May 12, 2014 | Alcoholic rules, Anne Lamott, Authenticity, connection, Courage, criticism, Cultural Issues, culture shock, dealing with criticism, grace, Honesty, identity, Iran, mistakes, Motivation, risk, Self-acceptance, sex, voice, vulnerability, Writing
This week I was asked an interview question that really got me thinking: “Much of your writing is deeply personal and provocative; some of it seems almost intended to shock. Is there a cost for being so forthright?” A lot of us who choose to write memoir or personal...
by AnnSheybani | Feb 2, 2014 | adventure, coaching, Confidence, Courage, perfectionism, risk, The Imposter Syndrome, Writing
I ran this post a year or two back. I decided it was time to bring it back after seeing this “issue” come up in a number of coaching sessions. Listen, people, you will never feel ready. There will always be more work to do. Preparation is great,...
by AnnSheybani | Nov 18, 2013 | Alcoholic rules, Authenticity, Boundaries, coaching, Codependency, Confidence, confrontation, Courage, expectations, Fearless Living, grace, guilt, Honesty, identity, Intimacy, Life, life transitions, limiting beliefs, manipulation, mistakes, nice girl complex, people pleasing, perfectionism, rage, reinvention, risk, Self love, voice, vulnerability, Writing
You get to change your mind You get to make mistakes You get to vacillate You get to take your own sweet time You get to be angry, or hurt, or sad You get to say no You get to take care of your needs You get to disagree You get to speak your mind You get to be direct...
by AnnSheybani | Oct 21, 2013 | Authenticity, Betrayal, confrontation, connection, Courage, Cultural Issues, death, divorce, guilt, Honesty, husband, identity, Intimacy, Iran, Life, marriage, mixed marriages, risk, Self love, tension, voice
The summer I came back to the States, the fall I chose never to go back to Iran, I told myself that if I could just get away from my husband’s family, just gain a little control, then all my troubles would magically disappear. I understood that if I refused to go...
