A pro at aligning leaders to their purpose, Kelly Carthy is a personal transformation powerhouse. Here we speak to the coach, wellness practitioner and Noosa-based mama about her secret recipe for work/life balance, positive mindset hacks and top tips for start-up business entrepreneurs.  

Writer: Rebecca Walker, The Conscious Wordsmith

What is your personal definition of success?

To me, success is living life from a place where you are defining success from within. It is letting go of any definition that has been given to you and creating your own; One that allows you to feel a sense of fulfilment in each day, yet driven to create your future. 

What is the most empowering advice you’ve ever been given?

Your presence is more powerful than any words you speak.  

What’s the best parenting advice you’ve ever received?

Listen to your child. I created a rule when my first son was born that I would not read a book on how to parent, as no one has been a parent to my son before.

Worst parenting advice?

Sleep when your child sleeps. Any mum knows this sounds like such a wonderful idea however unless you are living in a world with 24-7 help and you don't have a business (like I did), it just adds to a sense of another thing you're not getting right.

Work/life balance. What’s the secret recipe?

Understanding that balance is dynamic. Creating a priority checkpoint to adjust your focus instead of living in a constant state of lack is important. One week of work might be a top priority if you have a project in completion that needs your focus. It is having the foresight to schedule space for family and time off once that deadline is met or the project is completed. It is also understanding that some weeks you will win at this game and others you won't. Having compassion for yourself when life is full is the greatest gift you can give yourself. 

Any tips for fellow ‘mumpreneurs’ when it come to juggling mumming and business life?

You are going to have weeks when you drop many balls. Own it and be ok with it because there is not one mum I know that is juggling business and parenthood who doesn't have those weeks. Be transparent with your life. If there has ever been a time to be authentically you it is the year when everyone has had an experience of the Zoom call when your kids run behind you naked and ask for Paw Patrol. I have had countless experiences of kids mixing into my business and it has only added to the permission slip for others to give themselves a break. Keep a sense of humour, take time out and don't beat yourself up when you lose it – we all do. 

Health and fitness are a big part of your lifestyle. How do you fit exercise into your busy schedule?

It is a priority and a non-negotiable.  It isn't a question of fitting exercise into my schedule it is about how my life is built and this is what I work with the women I coach to create, by building our lives from the inside out we get clarity on our values and how we thrive. 

I learnt the hard way that without practices that support me mentally, physically and emotionally in place everything else falls apart and I am not able to be who I want to be for my family or my business. Sometimes this looks like practicing yoga or meditation with a little person climbing all over me, or running early in the morning, the result of prioritising is always worth it. 

You seem like a glass-half-full kinda woman. Do you have any positive mindset hacks?

I am and it is a practice. My biggest hacks are simple:

1. Breathe. Your breath is your greatest resource to return to your centre (and it is FREE).
2. Your capacity to live well is only limited by your willingness to lead yourself. 

You have 2 sons. What message are you most passionate about passing onto the next generation?

There are so many messages that I want to pass onto my boys and I am aware how much they learn through osmosis. It makes me hyper aware of who I am with them. The greatest gift I can give them is to live by my own values and teach them to respect one another and appreciate the life that they live. We become who we spend the most time with so I am also passionate about surrounding my children with people who influence them in inspiring ways. We play a game called "I am so blessed because..." I started this at a time when life was really challenging and it allowed me to stay focused on everything that was going well and it has become a beautiful anchor that my son and I return to when we spend moments together. You are the creator of your world, make it a place you want to live, inside and out and lead by leaving trails of compassion and kindness wherever you go. You never know what someone else is going through, be kind. 

What advice do you have for women who are keen to launch a new biz but are too afraid to take the leap?

If fear is holding you back, ask yourself the simple question, ‘What could be possible if failure wasn't?’ There are many ways to start a business and they don't all involve quitting your day job, nor do they have to involve high-risk. Get clear on your why and imagine the impact your business will create. We often hold ourselves back because we can't see the vision clearly. At the end of the day, business in its simplicity is value exchange for solving a real problem. If your idea is solving a problem and you are able to connect with the people you are solving it for, you have a business. Go for it. 

What do you love most about living on the Sunshine Coast?

What don't I love?! I will never get over how infinitely beautiful it is here and how all I ever need for instant calm is to disappear into the National Park any day of the week. We’ve lived in Noosa for almost a decade and not one day goes by when I don't feel lucky to live. The fact that my boys get to ride their bikes to school, surf and play outside every day of the year is a dream I am so happy to be able to give my kids. 

If you’d like to connect with Kelly, head to her website www.kellycarthy.com follow her on insta @kelly_carthy or join her free Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/groups/theembodiedleadercommunity