Transcript
Speaker: Welcome to Mamas Who Lead, a podcast where the essence of motherhood meets the spirit of leadership. I'm Laura Carafino, former Department of Defense contractor, now full -time network marketer, coach, and a mom to five incredible children.
Speaker: Alongside being a proud military spouse, I'm journeying through the highs and lows of transitioning from a structured career to building a flourishing business from the ground up, all while navigating the beautiful chaos of family life. In this podcast, we dive into the stories of women who exemplify resilience, leadership, and the unyielding power of motherhood.
Speaker: From insightful conversations with top income earners and network marketing to heart to heart discussions with leaders who are reshaping industries, Mamas Who Lead is here to inspire, educate, and empower you to weave leadership into the fabric of your everyday life.
Speaker: Whether you're at the beginning of your leadership journey or looking to pivot your career or seeking ways to balance your professional growth with family life, this is the place for you. Together, we'll explore the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of women who lead with purpose, passion, and a little bit of mom magic. So grab your headphones and let's embark on this journey together. Welcome to Mamas Who Lead.
Speaker: Welcome back to Mama's Who Lead. I'm your host, Laura Carafino, and today's episode is all about embracing change, something I've become intimately familiar with through throughout my journey from a department defense contractor to a full -time network marketer and coach. Change is a constant companion in both motherhood and leadership. It challenges us, but it also offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and transformation.
Speaker: In this episode titled Embracing Change, the MAMA Leaders Guide to Pivoting with Purpose. We're diving deep into how to navigate the seas of change with grace, determination, and strategic thinking, whether it's a career shift, a new family dynamic, or a personal evolution. Change is inevitable. But how we respond to it can redefine our paths and propel us forward.
Speaker: So the heart of embracing change. Think of change as the tide.
Speaker: know, it comes in waves. Some are gentle and predictable, while others are sudden and overwhelming. Just as the ocean's tides are driven by forces beyond our control, so too are the changes in our lives. But like seasoned sailors, we can learn to navigate these waters, adjust our sails and chart a course towards our desired destination. Now, I have to admit this last year, I have been in a
Speaker: It has been a season of change and I have learned a lot during this last year after I resigned from my last network marketing company to embody this new season of growth and it wasn't easy. When you're used to something and something that was
Speaker: Now, you're going to hear many, many times on this podcast how much I love network marketing and what it can do and what it can do for people. You know, when people fully work that business and that business model, it is powerful. It is life changing. You know, it fostered a community that
Speaker: I would thrive in. I loved that community aspect. I met people that I never would have otherwise, and it just propelled me forward in this season that it helped me grow into the person that I am today. I have spoken on stages. I have given many leadership retreats. I have held
Speaker: mastermind events, coached with the top of the top. And it's all because I took a chance with network marketing. Now, not everyone, not all of us, mama leaders are obviously in network marketing. There is a vast array of mama leaders in all industries and career fields out there. And this podcast is aimed at helping all the mamas who are leaders.
Speaker: whatever industry that you are in. So, you know, when it goes back to this embracing this, having, I guess, the heart of embracing change, you know, there are a couple of things that I have learned over this past year and some actual advice that I would love to share with you. So one first is acknowledge the change.
Speaker: And I know you're like, well, I know it's changing. I just left or let's use my example. I just resigned from a seven -figure income to pursue a new path.
Speaker: Now, you would think that would be obvious when those checks aren't coming in anymore, right? You have to recognize and accept that change is happening. Yes, you've made that decision. Now it's time to move forward with that. Now, it can be very, very hard. And for me, that was the case. And I'm still navigating those treacherous waters right now. Right now, I'm kind of seeing
Speaker: the end of the storm, you know, I'm starting, you know, we've passed through the eye and now we're coming out the other side. And so we know that the other side is going to have the rainbows and it's going to be the end of the storm, right? So the biggest thing is, you know, like I said, acknowledging that there is change and it's a big one, right? So denial only delays an inevitable need to adapt. Let me say that again.
Speaker: denial only delays the inevitable need to adapt. So what that means is acknowledging is the first step in taking control and is acknowledging that there's change, right? And that's the first step in taking control of how you respond to this change. So I, to give you a little bit
Speaker: how it affected me, how I didn't acknowledge the change, or I acknowledge the change, but I just can't believe it's happening. Like, oh my goodness, this is really happening. I couldn't move forward. I was so used to looking back and like kind of frozen. I don't know what, for those of you that are listening, what your faith is. But for me, I am a Christian and
Speaker: I read a lot of the Bible, obviously, and one of the very impactful stories that I always kind of go back to is thinking about is the story of Lot's wife. It has to do with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Basically, the angels came in and told Lot and his family that they need to leave. However, do not look back.
Speaker: And this is the, you know, the epitome of kind of what you're doing when you're going through this, you know, this change and you're pivoting. And, you know, you've made that decision that you need to go into a new direction, or maybe you're not making the decision, the decision was made for you, and you have to pivot.
Speaker: You don't want to look back because you're not going that direction anymore. Nothing good lies in the past like you are moving forward. You take those seasons, those lessons learned and you know maybe it was a beautiful moment in your time in your life and you'll cherish those memories but don't look back.
Speaker: So in the story of Lot's wife, she turned into a pillar of salt because she did not listen and she looked back. And so that's where we get kind of stuck is we're not acknowledging that change. We're not wanting to move forward. So we need to acknowledge that acknowledging the change. That's the first step. Okay.
Speaker: And then you'll be able to control how you respond to it. Okay, next you want to assess your values and goals. When everything's in flux, your values and long term goals can like serve as your compass, right? You always like every time I, you know, start someone you in the business, I want to sit down with them have a discussion, have them physically write down their
Speaker: goals, their values, why they're doing this business or why they're pursuing whatever they're pursuing. You know, what is their goals out of this? What is their values, right?
Speaker: And it is very, very important that you write these down because you're going to reassess them, reevaluate them, continuously looking at them. Ideally, you're looking at them every day. In a later episode, we'll probably talk about vision boards and manifestation and stuff like that.
Speaker: Having your goals visually somewhere you can see them every single day, it will keep you focused and centered on where you're moving and you're moving forward, right? So after you evaluate what your values and long -term goals can, this is your compass, okay? They will guide your decisions and ensure that your pivot aligns with who you are and where you want to go.
Speaker: So I had a vision and idea where I was going, but because I couldn't acknowledge that scary change that I'm going through, like I can't believe I did that, it's taken me a much longer process to get through this pivot and this change. So first, you know, acknowledge a change and assess your values and goals, right?
Speaker: The third thing is seek support. Oh my goodness, yes, please. You know, just as a ship needs a crew, we need our tribe. We need our mama leaders together, right? We need us all to lean together, lean on your network of fellow mamas, mentors, and friends. You know, we need to be able to share our fears, seek advice, and let their strength bolster yours.
Speaker: I know for me personally as I've went through this season changed my entire career from when I went to being a stay -at -home mom after being a successful career woman within the Department of Defense
Speaker: it was a big adjustment for me. And I craved that community, that network, that tribe. And so if you're going through some type of pivot or change in your life, seek out others, you know, others that, you know, your friends, church family, co -workers that you may have worked with, mom's groups, our community here at Mama's Who Lead,
Speaker: whatever you may do, seek out your tribe because they and lean on them because you're going to need it, you know, as you're going through the season and it can be a season when change changes not always easy and you don't have to go at it alone. Okay, and number four is
Speaker: Seeking. Oops, not seeking. Developing a flexible plan. Yes. So when you're pivoting, nothing is what it was, right? You need to embrace a mindset of flexibility. Your first plan might not withstand the storm.
Speaker: But with resilience and adaptability, you can devise new strategies to keep you moving forward. Okay, so I'm going to go back to how I just, you know, a year ago, left something I loved so very, very much, the community that I built. I had it one time, I think it was 146 ,000 on my team at one point, and
Speaker: and developed this amazing community. Like I said earlier, we did masterminds, retreats. We'd go on incentive trips together. It was so much fun. Weekly Zoom meetings, phone calls. These women are in that few men or my bestest friends.
Speaker: when I left, I did go to another company in the network marketing industry. And I thought that was where I was supposed, I was being led. And like I said, I'm a woman of faith. And I believe that God was leading me in that direction. Everything just made sense. It felt right. I was very comfortable with my decision. It was scary. Um,
Speaker: And I made that transition. It was super hard. And the road was not easy. I thought things were supposed to be one way, ended up not being the way that it was shared with me. And that is OK. I had to develop another plan and be flexible. And so with that, I ended up
Speaker: you know, realizing that God, I think, is leading me into actually a different direction. And they used, he used this other company to get me away from where I was. And so it's just a pivot within a pivot. And even though I was still with that, and I'm still actually technically with the company that I went to, but I started focusing more on my vision of mamasu lead and how to bring this to fruition. And
Speaker: This is what I'm supposed to do. This community that I'm building now, this podcast, and I have a vision of so many more things to come with Mamas Who Lead, and I cannot wait to share with you all of the exciting things that's going to happen. I know what's going to happen. That's the plan that's been put in my heart. And so, yes, my plan did not work out how it originally
Speaker: planned but I had to have a flexible mindset and It was very very hard. It was not easy. There was a lot of a Lot of frustration a lot of anger. I hate to even say that and And just kind of growing through my emotions and trying to find out Ari. I know I meant for this I know I'm meant to do something amazing. I am meant for more and
Speaker: as Mary had mentioned in our season two episode of the podcast made for more.
Speaker: You know, I know that I'm made for more. I know that I'm made to make an impact and I have done it and I've impacted people's lives. And that just lights me up. And I know if you're listening to this, you are made for more. You, if you're going through the season of change or this pivot in your life, you know,
Speaker: Be flexible. And the last actionable advice I can give you is to celebrate your small wins. Celebrate every step you take in this new direction is an achievement. Even if it doesn't seem like everything is going your way, maybe you're not making the money you thought you were going to make.
Speaker: It's still, it's a new direction, so celebrate it, okay? Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Like, you woke up today and had your coffee, or you made your bed today. Celebrate that. You know, when you're going through this season, you can't go through a lot of emotional feelings. Sometimes, I know I have dealt with spouts of
Speaker: bouts of depression and it's hard and trying to make sure you're talking to somebody through this and that, you know, reach out to reach out to me even reach out to our mamas who lead community and find a partner find your tribe that you can navigate this this rough waters that you may be currently going through.
Speaker: And no matter how small that the victories are, celebrate them. The small wins, please celebrate them. These victories are beacons of light in times of uncertainty, and you need them. Let me share you a story about a tree that thrives in changing conditions.
Speaker: Now, this is actually my favorite tree. I think they're just whimsical. They're just beautiful. And that is the willow tree. Okay, the willow tree does not resist the wind, right? It bends with it and in doing so demonstrates incredible strength and resilience. My parents actually had at one time
Speaker: We had I think like eight or ten willow treats in their backyard and it was just they're so big and beautiful and to see when the storms come through and the wind which is blowing it looks like they're gonna blow over but they don't they just perk right back up you know when the storm is over.
Speaker: and so it just bends with it and you know it they demonstrate this incredible strength and resilience just like you okay so like that willow tree you know we can learn to bend without breaking and that's the key to embrace the winds of change as opportunities grow and learn
Speaker: And I love the saying, what we go through, we grow through, and makes us stronger. So everything we're going through right now is just setting us up for something so much better. I want you to believe that you are made for so much more.
Speaker: And there is an abundance of blessings that is coming your way. So change, especially when unexpected can feel daunting, believe me, I know. But within it lies the potential for growth, innovation, and new beginnings. By embracing change with an open heart and a strategic mind, we can pivot with purpose and continue to lead with confidence and courage.
Speaker: Thank you for joining me today on Mamas Who Lead. Remember, change is not the end of the story. It's the beginning of a new chapter. So as mama leaders, we have the strength, the wisdom and the creativity to navigate these changes and emerge stronger and more focused on the other side. So until next time, keep leading with love, resilience and a willingness to embrace the tides of change.
Speaker: You've been listening to Mama's Who We Eat with Laura Carapino. Thank you for joining us on this journey today. Each episode, each story, and every piece of advice we share is a step towards building a community of empowered, resilient, and inspiring
Speaker: Mama Leaders, just like you. Remember, leadership isn't just about the title or the workplace. It's about how we navigate our lives, uplift those around us, and pave the way for future generations. As we close today's episode, I encourage you to carry forward the insights and inspiration you've gained. Apply them to your life, share them with your tribe, and continue to lead with heart and purpose.
Speaker: For more empowering stories, strategies, and support, make sure you subscribe to Mamas Who Lead on your favorite podcast platform. And don't forget to follow some social media for behind the scenes content, community discussions, and much more. Until we meet again, keep embracing your unique journey of leadership and motherhood. You are capable, you are powerful, and you are exactly where you're meant to be. Lead on, mamas.
