Member Profile: Joanna Lindenbaum

Joanna Lindenbaum, founder of Soulful Coaching for Busy Women, believes women can find personal happiness and career success by activating the tools we're already carrying around with us but not yet employing. She recently spoke with Urban Girl Squad about how she helps women build their businesses and improve personal relationships.

UGS: What do your clients tend to struggle with most when they first start working with you and using the Women Wisdom Success Principles? [Editor's Note: These are the ten keys to Joanna's coaching method. Inspirational at first glance, Joanna is certain to help women pair them with concrete actions so they can achieve their goals.]

Women often come to me feeling really overwhelmed, exhausted, and drained. They're overworking but feeling like they're not getting anything done. So we start with the practical--scheduling and prioritizing. Then we move on to what's holding them back--fear of success or failure, lack of confidence, or not having a clear vision.

UGS: Can you elaborate on "the fear of success?" You don't often hear about that in New York!

Women often receive messages from an early age that it's bad to surpass what others--family, peers--have achieved because we'll be isolated or people will keep wanting more from us.

UGS: Time management is a hot-button issue for many Urban Girl Squad members. Can you share a few quick ways that we can get a better sense of control over our time?

First, clarify your priorities. Schedule time for the most important things first, and then once you set your schedule, honor those commitments as if you were having lunch with the President!

When you have a task, break it down into baby steps and then schedule each step so that you find the entire task less overwhelming.

UGS: Breaks from the city every now and again are probably good for busy women's souls. When you feel like getting out of the city, where do you go?

I love going to the Berkshires, especially Lenox, MA, and just spending time in the small shops, antiquing, and in nature. I love going anywhere near the ocean. Storm King, which is a great sculpture park near the Catskills, is great for a daytrip.

UGS: How did you first learn about Urban Girl Squad?

I met Amanda at an entrepreneurial event, and we had an immediate connection. I love the Urban Girl Squad story and Amanda's energy. I'm so impressed by Urban Girl Squad's scope and ability to create fun and inspiring opportunities for women, which intersects with what my business does.

UGS: As a wedding officiant, what's your most important word of advice for any bride-to-be's out there?

I believe that something magical happens during the ceremony. You enter as two separate people and walk away as a unit. I tell couples to let their ceremonies be about them. It's beautiful to take on rituals that reflect your culture and heritage, but let the personality of your relationship help you create new rituals in a personalized ceremony that really reflects you and your values.

UGS: What are your personal and professional goals for 2010?

Personally, I've labeled 2010 as the year of extreme self-care-- yoga, massages, acupuncture, and yummy, organic, healthy food. I have a two-year-old daughter, and it's so important as a mom to remember to take time to nurture yourself.

My biggest business goal is to have my message of the Women Wisdom Success Principles reach and touch as many women as possible and create amazing shifts and forward movements for women. I also want to continue to bring my Women's Intuitive Leadership Program to more and more women.

Interested in seeing how you can benefit from Soulful Coaching for Busy Women? Check out Joanna's free e-course.