A Conversation with Thought Leader & Business Coach Marie Forleo

Wf1: Women today are extremely challenged with the task of balancing their lives. In your expert opinion, how do we as women address these challenges daily?

Marie: We need to reclaim our power and realize that we’re in charge of our time, our happiness, and our inner peace. No one else. And remember that balance is a relative term. It means something different to every woman and what it means for you will change over your lifetime. The secret is to figure out what success and happiness really looks like and feels like for you. Be brave. Look inside. Disconnect from technology so you can reconnect with yourself. Listen to your heart. Get clear on what’s most important to you and make the choice, everyday, to live life on your terms, not anyone else’s.

Wf1: At Women For One we encourage women to share their most cherished experiences and life lessons. In your work, what tools have led you to sharing your experiences and truth with your community, clients and the world?

Marie: When I started my business in my early 20s, I felt alone, misunderstood, and out of place. I was trying hard to live up to some idealized version of what I thought a successful business woman should be — how she should talk, write, dress, and think. It was exhausting, not to mention it got me nowhere in terms of results. Once I stopped trying to be someone I wasn’t and, as trite as is sounds, allowed myself “do me” (i.e. be a complex, multipassionate, opinionated, loving, cheeky, playful, and driven woman), things began to come together. I started to earn more money and the reach of my work in the world expanded. The more women I met along the way, the more I realized how many of us feel a disconnect between who we are and the work we do. The great news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, the more we can bring our full selves to the table, the more we’ll be able to express our highest creative potential in a way that’s satisfying, profitable, and relevant. In terms of the tools I use to share my experiences with our community — it’s a combination of the written word, spoken word, video work, and imagery.

Wf1: How do you define the word authenticity or truth in your life and your world? Who are your models of authenticity?

Marie: My friend Amanda and I talked about this topic recently and she described it to me this way, “There is absolutely no difference between the person I’ve known you to be for the past six years and the person I see on MarieTV.” I don’t have a specific role model, I just do my best to be as transparent, congruent and as honest as possible – in business and life. We all know the truth by the way it feels, and I do my best to express who I am on a daily basis.

Wf1: What is the best piece of advice you were ever given and why?

Marie: My mom taught me to always listen that small voice within. She told me it would never steer me wrong — and she was right! Whether you call it intuition or a gut instinct, we each have a natural knowing; an inner source of wisdom that’s available 24/7 to help guide us and support us on our path.

Wf1: Can you tell us about your online program B-School and how it supports women and their businesses?

Marie: B-School is an 8 week, interactive video-based training program that teaches smart, effective online marketing strategies to business owners who want more sales and impact from their online presence. It’s designed to turn your business into a force for good that fuels higher profits and your higher purpose. It’s helped thousands of women start and grow their companies so that they could support themselves and their families and finally do work that is both purposeful and profitable. It’s given women freedom to travel and explore, the tools to connect with a global audience and the confidence pursue their highest creative dreams.

Wf1: What is one piece of wisdom that you would most like to share with our community?

Marie: You matter. Your ideas matter. Your point of view matters. And if you don’t express it and work every day to share your unique gifts, the world has lost something truly irreplaceable.