What Inner Work Can Shift in 10 Sessions

Tanya Cross on July 9, 2025

The inner work is what shifts when strategy alone cannot carry the weight, and most industry leaders know the difference even when they cannot name it.

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For the founder who feels like the weight does not lift.

There are moments in business when it is not about strategy or scaling. It is about feeling like you cannot breathe. Like you are carrying too much and have nowhere to put it down.

You are trying to show up, lead, build, make good decisions. But underneath that, you feel stuck in emotions you cannot shift. Grief, anxiety, frustration. And the quiet question underneath it all… will this feeling end?

When the Inner Work Begins

Back in 2016, I worked with a woman who felt this way.

She was not a founder yet. Not officially. But the seeds were there. She had lived through domestic violence. She was parenting a newborn on her own. Her self-worth was crumbling. The future felt uncertain. What she needed was not more strategy. It was deeper work.

She reached out because she wanted the pain to stop. She wanted to feel strong again. And more than that, she wanted to be clear on her purpose. She knew she was here for something more, but the weight of what she was carrying was blocking her from accessing it.

We worked together over ten sessions.

No hype. No band-aids. Just consistent, grounded, deeper work.

Layer by layer, she started to feel herself return. That is what the inner work looks like when it is given space. The emotions did not disappear, but they transformed. She started to feel grounded in her own worth again. She stood stronger. She no longer needed her ex or her fear to shape her next step.

From Healing to Building

And then she came back.

This time, not to heal. But to build.

She wanted to create a business. One that gave her flexibility. One that allowed her to support others who had walked a similar path. But the fears came too. Fear of not earning enough. Fear of not being valuable enough.

That is where the next chapter began.

She committed. She listened. She stayed close to the deeper work.

She started with mindset. She was parenting full-time. She still managed to match her pre-baby income. Then we layered in the business structure. She doubled that income. She built something lasting. The inner work had become the foundation.

Today, she runs a six-figure business. She chooses her hours. She works with aligned clients. She leads a Facebook group supporting over 300 local women navigating domestic violence recovery.

She has not built a business. She has built impact.

What Happens When You Choose the Inner Work

This is what happens when founders choose to do the inner work while building the outer structure.

It is not about ignoring the emotional weight. It is about transforming it so that you can lead with clarity.

You do not have to build from burnout or push through emotional blocks on your own.

When you are supported by the right tools, the right people, and the right space, you rise. Not with noise, but with quiet strength. That is what the inner work makes possible.

And when you rise, your business rises with you.

If you are carrying more than strategy can solve, this is the work that shifts it. Book a 45-minute Strategy Call and explore what ten sessions could open up for you.

To your brilliance,

Tanya Cross

Industry Leader Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Tanya Cross Consulting

The Power Of Being Held

Tanya Cross on June 11, 2025

The power of being held is not something most founders talk about, yet it is one of the most profound shifts available to anyone willing to stop bracing.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

As founders, we are often in our heads.

Solving problems. Running teams. Planning launches. Holding space for everyone else.

In fact, even our own healing becomes something to manage. Another item to analyse, understand, or fix.

However, what if healing is not something to work on?

What if it is something to allow?

A Lesson on the Camino

Back in 2016, I walked the Camino. I planned it as a reset, a break from the thinking mind.

Then one afternoon, I was walking alongside a man named Philippe, listening to an audiobook about healing the mother wound.

It described how insight or awareness does not resolve some wounds.

Words or recognition do not heal them either.

Instead, they heal when you feel them.

No fixing, no processing, simply feeling.

So I turned to Philippe and said something unusual.

There is an exercise in this book. It is not romantic. It is about letting someone hold you.

Would you hold me?

And he said, “I’ll ask my wife.”

Then the next day, he came back and said, ‘She said yes.’

And so, each evening, after our walks, he would hold me.

No fixing. No talking. No advice.

Just a quiet presence.

And as a result, something shifted in me. That is the power of being held.

A weight I did not even know I was carrying.

The Power of Being Held as a Founder

As founders, we carry so much.

In turn, we get used to bracing. To being the strong one. The capable one.

Yet under the surface, our nervous systems are often asking for softness.

Not solutions. Instead, presence.

In fact, that moment on the Camino reminded me of this.

And years later, when I was pregnant with my daughter, we were choosing names.

I said to Aaron, “What about Bonnie?”

And he said, “I love it.”

Bonnie was Philippe’s wife. The one who said yes. The one who gave permission for a simple act of kindness that I still carry with me.

What Happens When You Stop Bracing

Healing is not a breakthrough or a breakthrough strategy.

Rather, it is in the moment you let yourself soften.

To be held by something. Or someone.

To stop bracing.

To let your system catch up to your soul.

So if you are building something big right now, I invite you to ask:

What part of me is asking me to feel today?

Feel it. Do not fix it.

If part of you is asking you to feel rather than fix, that is a conversation worth having. Book a 45-minute Strategy Call and explore what the power of being held could shift for you.

To your brilliance,

Tanya Cross

Industry Leader Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Tanya Cross Consulting

The Slow Disconnection From Your Own Light

Tanya Cross on May 28, 2025

You Built It All. So Why Do You Still Feel Like a Fraud?

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

You have created a business. You have a reputation, results, and reach.

But instead of feeling settled, you are quietly second-guessing yourself.

There is a part of you that wonders when someone will figure it out.

Not because you are not qualified, but because a gap has opened between your growth and your self-perception.

This is impostor syndrome in founders.

And it often shows up not at the beginning, but when things are already working.

You might be shifting offers, redefining your role, or preparing to lead in a new way.

On the outside, the business is progressing.

On the inside, you feel the pull of uncertainty.

It sounds like:

• “I built this, but I do not feel like I deserve it.”

• “What if it was just timing or luck?”

• “Everyone else seems more confident than I do.”

If this is resonating, you are not alone.

And you are not doing it wrong.

You are simply at a moment where the next version of you is asking to be claimed.

Let us look at a few of the most common narratives I hear from founders and how to shift them.

“I am not the expert anymore.”

You used to feel sharp in your delivery.

Now you are expanding or shifting your message and feel unsure about how you are positioned.

Instead of owning your evolution, you keep measuring yourself against who you used to be.

Try this:

Let your voice reflect where you are now.

The work has changed.

So has your lens.

That does not make you less of an expert.

It makes you a more embodied one.

“Everyone else has more figured out than me.”

You see other founders scaling, building out teams, launching new things.

And even if you are proud of your own work, you find yourself wondering if you are falling behind.

The comparison kicks in.

And so does the contraction.

Try this:

When you notice the comparison, pause. Then look at what you admire.

If you are drawn to it, it likely reflects something already alive in you even if it is still emerging.

Use it as insight, not as a reason to shrink.

“I do not deserve to be here.”

This one is more than surface doubt.

It is a deeper sense that what you built may not last.

You wonder if people will still want what you offer when you stop pushing.

You are not sure if your presence alone is enough.

Try this:

Ask yourself: “What am I tying my worth to?”

Often, it is old definitions of success. Numbers. External validation. Output.

These stories served you when you were starting out.

Now, they need to be updated.

Impostor syndrome in founders is not about a lack of capability.

It is a misalignment between your inner identity and your outer leadership.

And it tends to appear when you are entering a new phase that requires more of your presence, not just your performance.

You do not need to prove yourself.

You need to meet yourself where you are.

You are already doing the work.

Now it is time to let it reflect who you truly are.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

Last year, I hit a wall

Tanya Cross on May 14, 2025

When the Work You Love Starts to Hurt

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Last year, I hit a wall.

After hours of back-to-back coaching sessions on Zoom, I felt it.

Eyes dry. Body locked. Creativity flat.

The work still mattered.

But something in me had shifted.

What once felt like flow now felt like fatigue.

Coaching has always been a kind of current for me.

Alive. Energising. Clear.

But suddenly, I could not feel it anymore.

The current had dried up.

My Body Woke Up. So Did My Business.

I felt movement in my body and momentum in my thinking.
Ideas landed. Conversations deepened.

Everything felt lighter.

I felt like myself again.

Not because I was doing less.

But because I was doing it differently.

Aligned with what my body and brain needed.

Sustainability Looks Different for Everyone

For me, it was a walking phone call.
For you, it might be a shorter workweek, longer breaks, more space in between meetings, or creative time blocked into your calendar.

It does not need to be a dramatic overhaul.

It only needs to be intentional.

Because your business should never cost you your body.

Your nervous system is not a resource to burn through.

And the way you feel in your work matters just as much as the work you are doing.

Build Around Your Life, Not Over It

As founders, we are taught to structure the business first and figure life out around the edges.

But what if we flipped that?

What if your business were built around how you want to feel, live, move, and show up?

What if your systems served your wellbeing instead of your survival?

What if your calendar supported your nervous system instead of pushing it to the edge?

Small Shifts Create Big Alignment

Sometimes the most powerful changes are not loud.

They do not come with a launch.

They come with a walk.

Or a pause.

Or a boundary.

Or a question.

What do I need to stay connected to myself while I build this?

If you are holding space for others, make sure you are also holding space for you.

Because this is not just about how you work.

It is about how you live.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

I Want It All (Still)

Tanya Cross on April 30, 2025

Can you really have it all?

let’s level up:

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Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Bonnie is six now.

Six years of cheeky smiles, tangled hair, little hands reaching for mine.

And five years since I began Maximum Growth.

I remember wondering how I could possibly hold all of it:

Running a business.

Consulting privately.

Being a Mum.

Being in a relationship.

Showing up for my friendships.

Looking after myself.

It wasn’t just how I would do it.

It was, “Can I actually hold all of this without something falling apart?”

Secretly, I Wanted It All

Not in the polished, airbrushed way.

But in the real, grounded, present way.

I didn’t want to sacrifice motherhood to lead.

Or silence my ambition to be present at bedtime.

I wanted to live fully inside my values — not rank them.

To be a mother.

A founder.

A student of life.

A woman building something real and meaningful.

Here’s What I’ve Learned

Wanting it all doesn’t mean doing it all.

It means letting go of perfect timelines.

Of what should be done by now.

Of what success has to look like.

If a launch takes 6 months longer because I prioritised my daughter, my health, or a friend in crisis, that’s not a delay.

That’s alignment.

It’s choosing to grow at a pace that honours the whole human I am and not just the part that performs.

Structure Creates Space

I don’t do “balance.”

But I do structure.

Because without it, everything blurs and I disappear into the noise.

So I block out space:

For work.

For movement.

For stillness.

For the people I love.

Because having it all isn’t about pushing harder or squeezing more in.

It’s about doing it with intention.

To the Founder Who Wants More Than Just a Business

Maybe you’re holding multiple identities too.

Builder. Leader. Partner. Parent. Friend. Caregiver.

And maybe there’s a voice inside that says, You have to choose.

That if you slow down for family, your business will suffer.

That if you rest, you’ll lose your edge.

That if you show up fully in one space, another will slip.

But what if the question isn’t, Can I have it all?

What if the real question is:

What does “all” even mean to me now?

And am I willing to shape my business and life around that even if it looks different from the norm?

So, Founder… Do You Still Believe You Can Have It All?

Not the hustle version.

Not the version that costs your peace.

But the version where you’re present in the life you’ve built.

The one where you stop splitting yourself in two just to keep the plates spinning.

If the answer is yes, then I’m walking this with you.

One aligned step at a time.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

The universe in me, sees the universe in you.

Tanya Cross on April 16, 2025

The YOUniverse: Remembering Who You Are in the Bigger Picture

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

As a founder, it’s easy to get caught in the rhythm of doing, building, leading, scaling, solving.

But there comes a moment, usually in a quieter season, where something deeper calls:

What am I really here for?

What story am I shaping, not just for my business, but for my life?

In the intricate dance of creation, you’re not just a leader.

You are a living thread in the greater fabric of existence.

The same atoms that make up your body — hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen — are the very same that once formed stars.

We don’t just live in the universe.

The universe lives in us.

You’re Not Separate from the Work — You Are the Work

Your growth isn’t just strategic — it’s spiritual.

Your legacy isn’t just built through results — it’s written in energy, presence, and alignment.

The concept of the YOUniverse reminds us that the work we do in the world is simply a mirror of who we are becoming.

And when we truly understand that, we stop chasing more and start creating from wholeness.

We move from proving to presence.

From hustling to honouring.

From separation to connection.

5 Principles of the YOUniverse for Founders

1. The Atomic Symphony

You are made of stardust. The story of the cosmos lives in your cells. You are more than a builder — you are a co-creator.

2. Reflections of Unity

The impact you make on others is not separate from who you are. Your leadership echoes the rhythms of how you live, love, and lead.

3. The Cosmic Connection

You don’t create in isolation. Every decision, every pivot, every expansion is part of a larger ripple — within your team, your clients, and the world.

4. Expanding Perspective

The more you see how connected it all is, the more intentional you become. Small choices shape entire trajectories — internally and externally.

5. Embracing Oneness

You are not just running a business. You are the universe expressing itself through form, through function, through your unique frequency.

This Season Is Asking for More of You — Not More From You

As you step into this next chapter, ask yourself:

What if your presence was the strategy?

What if your expansion was energetic first?

What if your deepest work was remembering who you already are?

The YOUniverse is already moving through you.

You don’t need to force it — just tune into it.

Lead from that place.

Create from that place.

Be that place.

Because the most magnetic, impactful version of you… is the one that’s fully aligned with what’s true.

The universe in me sees the universe in you.

And it’s ready for what you’re here to create next.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

Your energy isn’t missing

Tanya Cross on April 2, 2025

We would all like boundless energy, right?

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

But lately… you’re not feeling it.

You’ve exited the business. You thought this would feel better.
But instead of relief, there’s this strange flatness. You’re free—but you’re tired. Disillusioned. Low on energy, and unsure why.

Where exactly did all your drive go?

There was no change in your diet, no long sleepless nights. Nothing physical explains why you’re so drained.

But then—suddenly—something sparks. You have an idea. A meaningful insight. A moment of clarity.
And just like that, the energy returns.

You feel alive again. Awake.
People even tell you, “You look lighter.”

Where did that come from?

The Truth No One Tells You

You have a deep well of energy inside you. It doesn’t come from caffeine, from sleep, or from ticking off to-dos.

It comes from alignment.

From being open. From staying connected to what’s meaningful.

When you’re open your energy flows freely.

When you’re closed—emotionally guarded, mentally stuck—it gets blocked.

And that’s what post-exit burnout often is: an energetic block.

Not because you’re broken.

But because something deep inside is still unresolved, still protecting, still holding on.

You Don’t Need to Push Through

You need to open back up—gently, safely, wisely.

At Maximum Growth, we live by this:

“You are not bound to succeed—you are bound to live up to the light that is within you.”

That light is still there.

Your energy. Your joy. Your enthusiasm for life.

It’s not gone. It’s just waiting for you to let it flow again.

It’s Time to Heal the Emotional Residue

Come apply the Demartini Method to clear what’s unresolved, release the emotional charges, and restore your vitality from the inside out.

This isn’t about doing more.
It’s about being more open—to joy, to energy, to what’s next.

Because you didn’t exit your business to feel stuck in your own life.

So, let me ask you: Are you stopping your own flow?

With flowing love from my heart to yours,

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

Discovering Your Purpose: The Path to a Meaningful Life

Tanya Cross on March 19, 2025

Purpose is one of those tricky and sticky things that people struggle with for most of their lives.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

You’ve exited the business.

You have space, freedom, maybe even financial security.

But inside?

There’s a strange restlessness. A low hum of melancholy.

You’re no longer driven by pressure, but you’re also not pulled by purpose.

You might find yourself thinking:

“I have time and money—but no fire inside.”

This is more common than you think.

You’re not broken. You’re not ungrateful.

You’re just in-between identities, waiting to reconnect with meaning.

Where Did Your Fire Go?

That fire that once drove you—the sense of building something bigger than yourself—didn’t disappear.

It just got paused.

Or buried beneath the weight of the last chapter.

You were driven by a mission.

Now, without it, you’re floating.

And the question becomes: What’s worth committing to now?

Ancient Clues from Timeless Thinkers

You’re not the first to ask this question, and you won’t be the last.

Let’s take wisdom from those who walked this path long before us:

The Stoics believed purpose was aligning with nature and reason—trusting what is, and flowing with life’s natural rhythm.

Plato believed purpose was about seeking eternal truth—moving beyond appearances to something deeper, lasting, and real.

Aristotle believed purpose was found in eudaimonia—a flourishing life built on virtue, courage, and contribution.

And at the heart of all three?

Living in alignment with something greater than yourself.

Finding Your Next Purpose Isn’t a Rush Job

Rediscovering purpose post-exit is a process, not a performance.

It doesn’t come from filling time.

It comes from reconnecting to what makes you feel alive again.

Here are a few places to start:

1. Reconnect with what energises you.
What lights you up—even in small moments?

2. Rediscover your natural gifts.
What comes easily to you and still matters, even now?

3. Test and try with intention.
Purpose often reveals itself through doing, not just thinking.
Start small. See what clicks.

You didn’t exit your business to lose your sense of self.

You exited so you could find a new version of it.

This time, built from the inside out.

Here’s to living up to the light within you,

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

I’ve been really sad post partnership exit

Tanya Cross on March 5, 2025

Life is a series of transformations.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

It calls us to honour what’s true, evolve with integrity, and embrace the changes that come with living in alignment.

Recently, my business partner Justin and I made the decision to part ways—not through conflict, but through clarity. This decision comes from a deep respect for each other’s path and a commitment to what is most authentic for us both.

Justin’s journey is leading him toward more time with family, and I fully honour that. Sometimes, growth means letting go—not because it failed, but because it fulfilled what it came to do.

Not all partnerships are meant to last forever. Some are meant to teach us, shape us, and then release us. And that’s okay.

This shift has reminded me that real growth often asks us to surrender what once fit, but no longer feels right. If we cling too tightly to the familiar, we risk stagnation.

Some people walk beside us for a season. Others for a lifetime. The wisdom is knowing when to hold on—and when to let go.

For me, this has been a deeply personal process. A shedding. A returning.

It’s taken me inward—past the expectations, the structure, the shared plans—and back into myself. It’s asked me to let go of what I thought it had to be, and trust the unfolding of what’s meant to come next.

There have been tears. Long walks. Quiet moments. Sadness for the dream we once shared.

But also stillness.

Because when something falls away and it’s still right, you know it’s truth calling you forward.

Through this, one thing has become clearer than ever:

I love mindset work. I love the Demartini Method. I love coaching.

That fire still burns.

My focus has been on business but my love is the mind behind it all. The personal insights. The deep shifts. The moments that ripple into everything else.

That’s what lights me up.

So, while the form of business may shift, the mission remains clear:

To serve. To coach. To walk with others as they rediscover their fire and realign with who they truly are.

We honour bold decisions. Justin’s choice to step away is just that, a decision that aligns with him, one I deeply respect.

Justin, thank you for being part of this chapter. For challenging, creating, and dreaming alongside me. For the impact you’ve made on this business and this journey.

With love and oodles of gratitude,

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

Your Voids Are Driving You

Tanya Cross on February 19, 2025

What Feels Missing Might Be What Matters Most

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

In the pursuit of building, scaling, and eventually exiting a business, many founders overlook one of the most powerful forces shaping their life and leadership: their voids.

A void is a perceived lack—something that feels like it’s missing. Not in theory, but in your real, lived experience.

And while most people try to hide or ignore these gaps, your voids are actually pointing you toward what you value most.

Why This Matters During Exit

When you’re leading a company, your purpose is often clear. You’re creating. You’re solving. You’re serving.

But in the silence that follows an exit—or even in the lead-up—you may feel something stirring:
A subtle emptiness. A restlessness. A question like:

“What now?”

That feeling?
It’s often a void rising to the surface—asking to be acknowledged.

Your Voids Shape Your Values

Voids are not weaknesses. They are the birthplace of your highest values and most meaningful vision.

A void of stability might lead you to value financial independence.

A void of support might lead you to value leadership and mentorship.

A void of belonging might fuel your desire to build community.

A void of meaning might lead you to seek purpose beyond success.

This is why two founders can exit the same type of business, and go in completely different directions.
Because their voids—and therefore their values—are unique.

What’s Your Void Whispering Now?

As you prepare to exit or reflect on what’s next you may notice a rising desire for:

Freedom (perhaps driven by a past sense of restriction)

Recognition (from a past lack of being seen)

Rest (from years of pressure and chaos)

Legacy (from a fear of being forgotten)

The key is not to judge it. But to listen.

Because your voids aren’t pointing to what you lack—they’re pointing to what you’re here to fulfill.

Vision, Values & the Next Chapter

Your vision post-exit isn’t just about building the next thing.
It’s about honouring who you’ve become and what you’re still being called toward.

When you know the voids that drive your values, you don’t create just for productivity’s sake.
You create from alignment, clarity, and inner authority.

That’s where real purpose lives.

So, Founder…

If you’ve made the decision to exit but feel an internal tension you can’t quite name—
If you’re wondering what you’re supposed to do next, or why you’re not feeling how you thought you would—

It might be time to get curious about your voids.

Because the very thing you feel is missing… might be exactly where your next chapter begins.

With grounded inspiration,

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

Holding the Vision

Tanya Cross on February 11, 2025

Lately in my one-on-one sessions, a quiet theme has been surfacing — founders seeking alignment with their next vision.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

They’re asking important questions:

Am I building forward in a way that still feels like me?

Am I acting from clarity — or clinging to what used to feel like success?

It got me thinking…

There’s a rare kind of leader — a founder with vision.

Not just a strategic vision for the business, but a deeper one.

One that comes from a place of alignment, not ego.

One that reflects who they’re becoming, not just what they’re building.

This kind of vision isn’t a checklist.

It’s not about chasing one more win.

It’s about truth.

It’s about congruence.

But even the clearest vision can stall when the founder gets stuck on when it needs to happen — and what it must look like.

The Identity Behind the Vision

Seneca once wrote:

“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”

Many founders I work with aren’t struggling because their vision is too big — but because they’re still trying to shape it from their old identity.

They want certainty. A fixed timeline. Proof that it’s working.

But the truth is, this season isn’t about control.
It’s about trust.

It’s about letting the new vision reflect back to you who you are now — not who you were when you first started this business.

What If Vision Is a Mirror?

The most powerful visions don’t come from pressure. They come from presence.

They ask us to get honest about what’s truly within our control:

• Our values

• Our clarity

• Our actions

Not the timeline.

Not the outcome.

What trips up many visionary founders is the belief that things should happen faster. That they should already be “there.”

But letting go of the timeline often creates space for something more authentic — and more aligned — to unfold.

The Paradox of Vision

To lead through transition, you have to live in the paradox:

• Hold the vision tightly, but release the need to control it.

• Care deeply, but don’t grip it out of fear.

The most grounded founders I know are the ones who trust the work that’s unseen just as much as what’s visible.

Like a tree with deep roots, they know the season may shift, but growth still happens.

From Force to Power

Force burns out even the most brilliant leaders.

Power sustains.

Founders who trust the process move with intention, not urgency.

They understand that time compounds. That clarity deepens. That purpose unfolds.

They don’t need to prove their vision — they just need to keep walking toward it with integrity.

Legacy Isn’t Rushed

If you’re in a season of redefining success, questioning your role, or wondering what’s next — you’re not behind. You’re on the edge of something new.

Your job isn’t to force the outcome.

It’s to keep aligning with who you are becoming, and let that lead what you create next.

Hold the vision.

Let go of the timeline.

And know that you’re building something that will last — because it started with who you really are.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

Your future depends on this

Tanya Cross on February 5, 2025

As a founder, the decisions you make don’t just shape your business — they shape who you’re becoming.

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Every choice, from what you commit to next, to what you walk away from, becomes part of your personal legacy.

It’s not just about business strategy — it’s about identity.

And yet, in transitional seasons — after an exit, during a restructure, or while redefining direction — decision-making can feel heavier than usual.

You’re no stranger to making bold moves. But now, with more visibility, more responsibility, or more at stake, hesitation creeps in.

Why It Feels So Hard Right Now

The truth is, founders often carry a weight that isn’t visible to others.

There’s pressure to choose the right next move — as if one wrong decision might unravel everything that’s been built.

But indecision is a decision. And it carries its own cost — delayed growth, diluted energy, and a slow erosion of confidence.

It’s not that you don’t know what you want.

It’s that success has changed the game.

The impact is bigger.

So is the fear of getting it wrong.

And when you’ve spent years building based on feedback, results, and outcomes, it’s easy to start outsourcing your clarity — letting trends, mentors, or outside voices speak louder than your own.

But your greatest leadership comes when you return to your own alignment.

You Already Know What to Do

Clarity isn’t found in more input. It’s found in quieting the noise long enough to hear what’s already true for you.

The strongest decisions aren’t perfect.

They’re authentic.

They’re made by leaders who know who they are — and are willing to keep choosing what aligns with that, even when it’s hard.

Sometimes, it’s not the fear of failure that holds us back.

It’s the fear of success.

Of being seen.

Of carrying more.

Of owning the next level of leadership you’ve actually already grown into.

Every Decision Builds the Future

As you move through this next chapter, big or small — every decision is a vote for the future you’re choosing to create.

Each one refines your vision.

Each one builds trust in yourself.

Each one tells your team, your clients, and your future self:

I’m here. I’m clear. And I’m leading forward.

No decision is final.

No outcome is absolute.

They’re all just steps on the path.

So, what decision are you ready to make today?

The future of what you build next doesn’t depend on perfection.

It depends on your willingness to move from clarity.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches’ Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)

The Coaches’ Coach (TCC)

Maximum Growth

The Invisible Habit: How People Pleasing Becomes Second Nature

Tanya Cross on January 28, 2025

It doesn’t start with a crisis.

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It starts with something small.

A quiet “yes” when you really meant no.

A polite nod when your instincts said to push back.

And just like that, the pattern begins.

People-Pleasing in a Founder’s World

For many founders, people-pleasing isn’t loud or obvious — it’s woven into the way they lead.
It’s being the one who makes things work. Who smooths over tension. Who takes on a little extra because it feels easier than saying no.

And in the early days, it may have helped. It built trust. It kept relationships strong.
But over time, it becomes something else:
A quiet erosion of self.
A slow disconnection from what you actually want — and what your leadership really needs.

Where This Pattern Begins

This tendency to over-give or over-accommodate often isn’t about weakness.
It’s about survival.
It’s a strategy we learned early — reading the room, softening our truth, keeping others comfortable.

And while that kept us safe back then… it keeps us stuck now.

You find yourself:
• Taking on more than you want to carry
• Avoiding hard conversations because you don’t want to disappoint
• Being known as the “easy one,” the “reliable one,” even when it’s wearing you thin

It gets praised.
You get told you’re a great leader, a team player, someone who’s calm and dependable.

But underneath? There’s often resentment. Frustration. A deep fatigue that no time off seems to solve.

When Your Leadership Needs Boundaries

The truth is: your leadership doesn’t need you to say yes to everything.
It needs you to be honest. To be aligned. To be full — not depleted.

The more you disconnect from what’s true for you, the more your decisions — and your energy — become about managing others instead of leading forward.

Reclaiming your voice in leadership starts with one shift:
Noticing when you’re saying yes out of habit, instead of intention.

It’s Not a Flaw — It’s a Learned Response

People-pleasing isn’t a character flaw. It’s a coping strategy.
One that likely helped you succeed — until now.

But leadership, especially in the later chapters of building or exiting a business, asks for something deeper.
It asks for truth.

It asks you to come back to your own values, your own energy, your own yes.

And say no — clearly and without guilt — when something doesn’t serve you anymore.

Unlearning Takes Practice

This next season isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what’s yours to do.

What’s aligned.
What restores you.
What reflects who you are now — not just who you had to be in order to succeed.

If you’ve felt like your leadership has drifted away from your centre, this is your moment to return.

Not with force.
But with clarity.

Life — and business — is about unlearning and relearning.
And you get to lead in a way that feels like you.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Strategic Leadership Alignment: Moving from Pressure to Presence

Tanya Cross on January 24, 2025

Strategic Leadership Alignment: Moving from Pressure to Presence

For many founders, responsibility becomes more than a functional action; it becomes a core identity. In the pursuit of Strategic Leadership Alignment, it is essential to recognise when a strong sense of care evolves into a relentless burden of over-carrying. It starts with a commitment to doing right by your team and community. However, over time, that responsibility can quietly shift from leading with clarity to leading from a place of constant internal pressure.

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The Hidden Barriers to Authentic Business Growth

I recently worked with a founder whose sense of responsibility stretched across every vertical of their life—from family dynamics to high-stakes business operations. They were the singular point of reliance. Consequently, underneath their capable exterior was a constant hum of psychological pressure. They feared that if they let go, the entire structure would collapse. This kind of over-functioning often stems from early patterns where being “easy to count on” earned stability.

Therefore, we must identify where these survival strategies are now holding you back from Authentic Business Growth. When responsibility becomes a measure of your worth, it creates a relentless cycle of fixing and managing. You carry more, but you also begin to disappear from your own strategic vision.

Reclaiming Space Through Strategic Leadership Alignment

This work is not about dropping your professional standards. Instead, it is about asking critical questions to ensure Strategic Leadership Alignment:

What is truly mine to hold, and what belongs to my executive team?
Where am I over-functioning out of a habit of fear?
Who am I when I lead from presence rather than performance-based pressure?

Setting boundaries does not make you less capable; it makes you a centered leader who leads with trust instead of tension. By unhooking from what you no longer need to carry, you create the operational space required for true expansion.

To your strategic growth, Tanya Cross

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

What Will Your Next Quarter Of A Century Story Be?

Tanya Cross on January 15, 2025

Last night, I saw Hamilton with a friend.
(It’s no secret I love a good stage show.)

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But this one landed differently.

There’s a line that stayed with me long after the curtain closed:

“How do you want others to tell your story when you’re gone?”

It’s the kind of question that doesn’t just linger.
It moves you.

Not because it’s dramatic — but because it’s honest.
Because whether we say it out loud or not, many of us are asking the same thing:
What am I really creating with the life I’ve been given?

For the Founder at a Crossroads

As we step into a new year — and not just any year, but the start of a new quarter-century — it’s worth pausing.

Twenty-five years is a long time to build.
And if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve spent much of that time in motion.
Growing something. Leading something. Becoming someone.

But maybe now, the question isn’t what have I built?
It’s what story do I want to shape from here?

What story will your next 25 years tell — and will it reflect who you really are now?

Looking Back, Then Forward

Twenty-five years ago, I was standing at a crossroads.
Stay where it’s safe, or follow the pull of something unknown.

I chose the leap.

That choice didn’t come with a clear plan or guarantee.
But it came from something deeper — a knowing.
And every part of my journey since, including building MG, has come from that one decision:
To live in alignment.

Not with someone else’s idea of success.
But with my own truth.

What About You?

Maybe you’re standing in a similar space now.
You’ve built well. You’ve led well.
But you’re feeling the edge of something new.

And while it’s easy to get swept up in goals and plans — this isn’t about resolutions.

This is about revelation.
About slowing down enough to hear the questions that matter.

What truly moves the needle in your life and leadership?
What can you release to create space for what actually matters now?
What decisions are calling you to lead from clarity instead of habit?

Legacy Isn’t Someday. It’s Now.

Legacy isn’t something you leave behind.
It’s something you shape as you go.

With every choice.
Every conversation.
Every time you decide to return to what’s real for you.

This season — this year — is an opening.

To plant something aligned.
To act from your values.
To lead in a way that feels like home.

So ask yourself honestly:
What story do you want this next season to tell?

And what decision would a founder aligned with that story make today?

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

How can I help you?

Tanya Cross on December 18, 2024

Where Are You Holding Back? (And What Could Happen If You Stopped?)

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in business, leadership and life.

Let me ask you something — and I’d love your honest answer:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your business right now?

It’s a deceptively simple question.
But the response often holds more than just a number — it holds a story.
A story of growth… and sometimes of hesitation.

And if you’re a founder reading this, I want you to know:
I see the weight that comes with building something meaningful.
I also see how easy it is to stall — not because you don’t care,
but because you care so much that it all has to be just right before you move.

The Real Reasons You Might Feel Stuck

There was a time when I found myself doing exactly that.
• Delaying launches because they weren’t “perfect”
• Staying quiet out of fear of being misunderstood
• Hiding behind over-editing, tweaking, and second-guessing
• Waiting to invest until I felt more “ready”
• Holding myself to impossible standards because success had to look a certain way

The business was there.
But my belief in it — and in myself — hadn’t caught up.

And that’s often where founders stall:
Not in lack of skill or vision…
But in the quiet tension between wanting more and fearing what it will ask of you.

Perfection is a Distraction

Founders are natural visionaries.
We see what’s possible.
But that same gift can turn into pressure — pressure to execute perfectly, to scale quickly, to lead flawlessly.

And so we delay.
We overwork.
We stay in motion but don’t really move.

But here’s the truth:
Clarity comes from action, not the other way around.
You don’t need to feel confident before you show up.
You build confidence by showing up.

What Shifted Everything for Me

It wasn’t a funnel.
Or a big launch.
Or a rebrand.

It was the decision to treat my work like it mattered.
To act as though I believed in myself, even before I fully did.
To choose movement over perfection.

And it changed everything.
Because when you lead from belief, you become magnetic.
You stop performing and start building something sustainable, something real, something truly aligned.

Your Business Isn’t a Hobby, It’s a Reflection of You

If you treat your business like a side project, it will behave like one.
But when you treat it as the platform for your legacy — it begins to grow roots.

And not just financially.
But in how it gives you back your time, your energy, your freedom.

Things like:
• Making your own schedule
• Saying yes to therapy, rest, and actual joy
• Creating from a place of integrity, not pressure
• Spending time with people you love because you’ve built the space to

This is the real reward of alignment.
Not just the income.
But the inner space to live the way you’ve always wanted to.

So, Founder… What’s Your Number?

Where are you feeling stretched?
Where are you still waiting for things to be “ready”?
What would happen if you took the next step before everything was perfect?

This isn’t about pushing.
It’s about choosing.

The life and business you want aren’t built all at once, they’re shaped moment by moment, choice by choice.

Let’s talk about what’s next for you.
Not from pressure.
From purpose.

You’ve come this far.
Let’s go further, with intention, clarity, and the space to grow into your next season.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Put these in place now

Tanya Cross on December 11, 2024

Founder, It’s Time to Put Your Boundaries in Place

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

We’re coming up to the end of the year.
And maybe, just maybe, you’re feeling it.

The pull to pause.
The longing to exhale.
The need to step back from the weight of decisions, expectations, and everyone else’s urgency.

But here’s what tends to happen:
A client wants something last minute.
A team member needs you.
There’s one more deal to close.
One more fire to put out.

And because you care deeply, you say yes.
Again.

But just because you can carry it doesn’t mean you should.

Your Leadership Doesn’t Have to Come at the Cost of Yourself

As founders, we often confuse being available with being effective.
We equate service with self-sacrifice.
We think boundaries are for when things are calmer, when we’ve earned the right to rest.

But here’s the truth:
If you don’t define your boundaries, your business will define them for you.
And the more successful you become, the more people will need from you.

It’s not wrong to be needed.
But if you don’t set the edges, it becomes too easy to overextend, and too hard to find yourself inside your own life.

Where Is It Time to Draw the Line?

Boundaries aren’t walls.
They’re the agreements you make with yourself about what protects your energy, your values, and your vision.

They look like:
• Being clear about when you’re on and when you’re not
• Saying no to requests that don’t honour your capacity
• Protecting your calendar without guilt
• Letting your team or clients know in advance when you’re offline
• Trusting that the business can breathe without your constant presence

Boundaries aren’t a sign of weakness.
They’re a mark of leadership.

You’re Not Wrong for Wanting a Break

This isn’t about checking out.
It’s about checking in, with yourself.

It’s asking:

What do I need to recover, reflect, and return clear?
What agreements do I want to make with my time and energy this season?
Where am I saying yes to keep the peace, even when I’m quietly falling apart?

When you honour your needs, you show others how to do the same.
When you rest, you lead from fullness, not fumes.

And when that “urgent” call comes on December 28th, you’ll know what to say.

Clarity Creates Confidence

So here’s what I want you to know:
• It’s okay to take a break.
• It’s okay to set limits.
• It’s okay to let people know ahead of time.
• And it’s more than okay to not explain yourself when the time comes.

Your business doesn’t thrive because you’re constantly available.
It thrives because you’re aligned.

Boundaries make that possible.

Not someday.

Now.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Stop using pain to push you

Tanya Cross on December 4, 2024

Do You Really Need a Breakdown to Have a Breakthrough?

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Let me ask you something real:
Are you tired of needing a problem to finally get moving?

It’s a pattern I know well.
And if you’re a founder who’s built your business by pushing through crisis, chances are, you know it too.

The moment something breaks down…
The money dips.
The relationship strains.
The system fails.
That’s when you take action.

You rise.
You rebuild.
You solve.

And sure, it works.
Until it doesn’t.

The Fire Isn’t the Only Way to Grow

There was a time I believed I had to be in the thick of the fire to lead.
Like my story wouldn’t be valid unless it came with scars.

Financial pressure.
Family breakdowns.
Health crises.

I used to think these were necessary parts of the journey, the fuel I needed to show up.

And in some ways, they did shape me.
But at some point, I had to ask:

Am I growing because I want to, or only when I have to?
Do I know how to expand from vision, not just from survival?

Because waiting for pain to push you is a high-cost strategy.

From Reactive Growth to Vision-Driven Leadership

Most founders are conditioned to move through stress.
It’s why we’re good in a crisis.
But staying in that reactive mode constantly solving, fixing, pushing eventually wears you out.

It creates an internal culture where nothing shifts unless it breaks.
Where you associate progress with pressure.
And growth becomes a response to discomfort, not a commitment to purpose.

But there’s another way.
A quieter, more powerful way.

One that doesn’t wait for pain to call the shots.

What If Growth Didn’t Come From Suffering?

Real expansion doesn’t need a disaster to justify it.

You can:
• Launch because you desire to, not because you’re desperate
• Delegate because you value your energy, not because you’re drowning
• Evolve because it’s time, not because something failed

This isn’t about bypassing pain.
It’s about not needing it to be your only driver.

Growth through purpose lasts longer.
It feels better.
And it keeps you in the seat of your own leadership.

The Shift: Pain-Inspired vs. Purpose-Aligned

Pain will move you, no question.
It’s the wake-up call that forces us to act.

But if you only grow through crisis, life will keep serving you one.

What if instead, you learned to create from alignment?

That’s what I call self-concordant growth.
Where your goals reflect who you truly are.
Where action comes from clarity, not chaos.
Where the “why” behind your work is bigger than just fixing a problem.

You Don’t Have to Earn the Next Level Through Struggle

The founder you’re becoming doesn’t need breakdowns to breakthrough.

They need:
• A clear relationship with what they value
• A vision bigger than whatever fire is burning
• The courage to grow without a push from pain

You can evolve without falling apart first.
You can create without crisis.
You can lead without burning out.

So Ask Yourself…

Right now, am I acting from vision or reacting to pain?

And if it’s the latter, what would it look like to shift?

You don’t have to throw out the past.
You’ve built strength through fire.
But your next level may not require flames — just presence, clarity, and the willingness to choose growth without needing permission from pain.

You’re allowed to move forward even when everything’s fine.

That’s what visionaries do.

Tanya “Do The Work” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Why do you keep learning?

Tanya Cross on November 27, 2024

Is Your Learning Leading You Somewhere or Just Keeping You Busy?

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Let’s talk about something I see often with founders.

A full folder of programs.
Courses still sitting in inboxes.
Tabs open with masterclasses, eBooks, worksheets.

You love to learn.
But deep down, there’s a quiet question:

“Is all of this actually moving me forward?”

You’re not alone in that.

Why Are You Really Learning?

Learning is powerful.
But only when it’s intentional.

Some founders learn because they’re deeply curious.
Some learn to stay ahead.
Some learn because they’re building something real and need tools.

But others?
They learn because it feels productive, even when it’s actually a delay tactic.
Or because it soothes the discomfort of not feeling ready.
Or because it’s safer to stay in prep mode than to risk being seen.

None of this is wrong.
But it’s worth noticing.

Your Growth Isn’t in the Course, It’s in the Application

You don’t get results from consuming.
You get results from integrating.

It’s not about how many trainings you’ve completed.

It’s about how often you stop, reflect, and ask:

• Why am I learning this?
• What am I going to do with it?
• What outcome do I want it to create?

When you know your reason, you give your learning direction.
You start measuring success not just in certificates but in clarity, confidence, and traction.

The Learn and Earn Cycle (And How Founders Use It Differently)

Here’s the pattern I teach my clients:
Learn, Apply, Earn, Reinvest.

It’s not linear. It’s a cycle.
And when you use it intentionally, it becomes one of your most powerful tools.

You:

• Take in something new
• Apply it, even messily
• Refine it through lived experience
• Earn from it, whether financially or energetically
• Then reinvest in what will elevate you next

That is the loop that sustains real momentum, not just motion.

What’s Fueling Your Learning Right Now?

Let’s get honest for a second.
Some of us learn to prove our worth.
Some to avoid stillness.
Some because the discomfort of not knowing feels like failure.

But when you name what’s underneath, you reclaim your power.

If your learning is driven by fear or pressure, it will wear you out.
If it’s rooted in alignment and clarity, it will expand you.

And that is where the real return lives.

You Don’t Need Another Course, You Need to Know Why

Before you open another module or buy another download, ask:
• Am I learning to move forward or to avoid discomfort?
• Do I know what I’ll do with this knowledge?
• Am I measuring my growth based on what matters to me?

You don’t need to learn more.
You need to learn with purpose.

Learn Less. Apply More. Move Forward.

This season, let your learning be lean.
Let it be aligned.
Let it be something that fuels your actual expansion, not just your content library.

Because as a founder, your real power isn’t in what you know.
It’s in what you do with what you know.

Tanya “growth learner” x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

The paradox is real

Tanya Cross on November 20, 2024

The Vulnerability Paradox in Leadership

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As a founder, you are often expected to lead with strength, clarity, and vision.
To hold it together.
To have it together.

Whether you’re building a team, guiding clients, or shaping a brand, the pressure to embody what you teach is real.

It’s like the personal trainer with a toned body or the interior designer with a flawless home.
The assumption is that your life should reflect your work.

But what if it doesn’t?
What if, behind the scenes, you’re navigating doubt, fatigue, or your own growth edge?

This is the vulnerability paradox.
You are leading others toward truth and alignment, while wondering if you’re allowed to show up in your own mess.

The Mask of Perfection is a Heavy One

In leadership, there is often an unspoken belief that strength means control.
That confidence means certainty.
That you are supposed to be the one who knows, the one who holds space, the one who does not flinch.

But hiding what is real creates more tension.
It separates you from the very thing that makes your leadership powerful: your humanity.

The pressure to be perfect can become a quiet prison.
One that disconnects you from support, keeps you isolated, and erodes the integrity of your voice.

Your Humanity is Not a Liability

Vulnerability is not weakness.
It is not a lack of competence.
It is the path back to connection.

In my own life, I remember the exact moment the mask cracked.
It was confronting.
And also freeing.

I realised that the fear of being seen was keeping me from being known.
And that my impact did not require perfection.
It required presence.

Finding the Balance Between Truth and Trust

You don’t need to spill everything.
You don’t need to perform your struggle.
But you also don’t need to hide.

Your people can feel the difference between curated leadership and embodied truth.

When you allow space for your vulnerability, you create space for theirs too.
That is where trust lives.
Not in having it all figured out, but in being real with what you are figuring out now.

Leadership Can Be Lonely Without Safe Spaces

Many founders find themselves in this in-between space.
You are holding others, but not sure who is holding you.

Your team looks to you.
Your clients look to you.
Your community looks to you.

And it can leave you wondering where you get to lay it down.

This is why having your own container matters.
Whether it is peer mentorship, supervision, or a coach who sees the real you.

Spaces where you are not the leader, but the human.
Not the one solving, but the one processing.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Power and Vulnerability

Both can live in you.
At the same time.

You can be confident and confused.
Solid and shifting.
Held and still learning to hold yourself.

The idea that you must hide your humanness to lead well is a lie.
In truth, it is your humanness that makes your leadership matter.

The Paradox That Sets You Free

Here is what I know.

The more you embrace your vulnerability, the more you actualise your potential.
Not because everything becomes easy.
But because nothing is hidden.

You stop wasting energy trying to hold a version of you that is not needed.

You let people feel the real you.
And that is where trust, clarity, and expansion begin.

You are not alone in this.
And you were never meant to carry it all without being seen.

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Are You Solving Problems the Hard Way?

Tanya Cross on November 12, 2024

What If the Answer Has Been There All Along?

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Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Have you ever found yourself deep in a business problem, working harder, thinking more hours or more effort will fix it?

What if the real solution is not about working more but seeing differently?

Let’s take a moment and look at something simple.

You want to know
80 percent of 10 = 8
But you can flip it:
10 percent of 80 = 8

Same answer, different way in.
It feels lighter. More direct. Less tangled.

That is the power of shifting perspective.
And it applies to more than just numbers.

Your Challenges Might Be Simpler Than You Think

Most founders are natural problem solvers.
You hold a lot. You think fast. You carry responsibility well.

But with that can come a habit of working through force.
More effort. More action. More trying.

Sometimes that works. But not always.
Especially when the problem isn’t lack of action, but lack of clarity.

It is not about being bad at business.
Just like it is not about being bad at math.

You might just be missing the simple way through.

What Are You Avoiding Because It Feels Too Hard?

We all do it.
Avoiding the spreadsheet. Putting off the hard conversation.
Delaying the decision. Saying we are “not ready yet.”

But usually, what feels hard is just unfamiliar.

And what is unfamiliar becomes easier once we have a better tool, a better lens, or someone beside us helping us shift how we see.

Most Problems Are Not Solved by More Effort

They are solved by seeing the real pattern underneath.
They are solved when someone holds up a mirror and says,
“What if we look at this a different way?”

That one moment of clarity changes everything.
What felt overwhelming becomes actionable.
What felt confusing becomes clear.

The Role of the Right Guide

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself as a founder is a space to reflect.
Not just to talk about the issue, but to be shown another route you hadn’t seen yet.

Sometimes the best support is not someone who gives you the answer, but someone who gives you a better question.

You don’t have to be the one who knows everything.
You just have to be the one willing to look.

This Is Not About Doing More

It is about doing differently.
Shifting from effort to insight.
From stuck to forward.
From foggy to clear.

And sometimes, all it takes is one shift in how you look at a thing for the whole picture to change.

If you’ve been circling the same business challenge, maybe it is time to stop pressing harder and start asking what else is possible.

Because ease is not found by avoiding the problem.
It is found by seeing it in a new light.

And that changes everything.

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Do you have the courage?

Tanya Cross on November 12, 2024

One of my favourite aspects of the Demartini Method and its application is the idea that “you don’t see the world as it is, but as you are.”

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This speaks to the deeply subjective nature of perception.

Everyone interprets the world through their own lens—shaped by their experiences, values, and beliefs.

This got me thinking…

In relationships, this dynamic becomes even more pronounced: we tend to see others not as they truly are but as reflections of ourselves.

We unconsciously project our own perspectives, values, and expectations onto others.

This happens because we assume that what we appreciate, value, and find meaningful must also resonate with them in the same way.

But here’s the challenge: no one is a perfect exact mirror of us.

Each individual carries their own set of experiences, values, and ways of navigating life. Even when we find common ground, expecting others to align perfectly with our worldview creates friction.

Misalignment is almost inevitable when we assume that others should think, act, and care just as we do.

Yet, so many people fall into this trap:

The business owner who expects their team to work as tirelessly as they do.
The manager who assumes everyone is motivated by the same incentives.
The parent who expects their children to embrace the same values they grew up with.
The friend who assumes that giving advice is the best way to show care.

This tendency becomes particularly noticeable in emotional relationships.

If we value certain expressions of affection or communication, we might expect others to do the same, assuming that our way of expressing love should naturally resonate with them.

But relationships are nuanced, and people express intimacy in ways shaped by their unique life experiences.

No one thinks or feels exactly the same as we do.

Yet, we often wish they would.

We project assumptions onto them, expecting them to meet our unspoken expectations.

This creates a gap between what we hope for and what is real. And it’s in that gap that discord impacts our interactions.

“You don’t see the world as it is, but as you are.”

This is the paradox of the work…

The world, and especially the people in it, reflects back parts of ourselves.

When we embrace this truth, we begin to see relationships differently—not as mirrors that should perfectly reflect us, but as opportunities to understand and appreciate the beauty in our differences.

With this work, it’s not absolute. “You don’t see the world as it is, but as you are.” does not apply to every situation in every moment.

Sometimes, it’s not about making others align with who we are—it’s about understanding them as they are.

“True connection begins not with seeing others through our lens, but with the courage to understand them through theirs.”

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Avoid the Halloween Panic

Tanya Cross on October 30, 2024

Do you welcome trick-or-treaters with a big bowl of candy, or do you switch off the lights and hope nobody knocks?

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If you’re in the second group, you’re not alone. We had a neighbour—let’s call her June—who wasn’t a fan of unexpected visitors. It didn’t matter if it was Halloween or just another Tuesday; any surprise knock at the door made her uncomfortable.

The same thing happens in business. When a refund request or complaint shows up out of the blue, it can throw you off balance. Those moments have a way of catching you off guard, leaving you scrambling for a response.

So, how do you handle these “trick-or-treat” moments in your business?

5 Ways to Handle Refunds, Complaints, and Conflict

1. Stay Calm—It’s Part of the Game

Cancelations, refunds, and complaints are part of running a business. Sometimes, they feel personal, but they’re not. Not every upset member is a troublemaker—some are simply passionate or frustrated. The key is to separate genuine feedback from disruptive behaviour.

2. Remove Major Issues Quickly

If someone crosses the line with harassing or inappropriate behaviour, don’t hesitate to remove them immediately. Look at your mindset, do the work. Your community needs clear boundaries, and it’s okay to enforce them. Make sure you have strong guidelines in place before issues arise, so everyone knows what behaviour won’t be tolerated (yes – it’s ok to do the work and kick someone out).

3. Be Ready for Payment Disputes
Payment issues are bound to happen, often due to misunderstandings. When they do, try reaching out directly to the member to resolve the problem first. A quick conversation can often prevent things from escalating further. You’re not running a friendship business – it’s a business.

4. Make Canceling Painless
If a member wants to cancel, make it easy for them. The smoother the process, the better their impression of your business—even if they’re leaving. Sometimes, people return down the road if their departure is handled respectfully and professionally.

5. Embrace Feedback (Even When It Hurts – in your perception)
Negative feedback can sting, but it’s often an opportunity in disguise. If you notice the same issues being raised repeatedly, it’s a sign that something might need adjusting. Proactively gather feedback from members to stay ahead and continuously improve their experience.

Setting Boundaries

We had a session in Maximum Growth Academy a few weeks ago on a boundary setting. It helps to see what you are willing and what you are not willing to accept in business.

Handling refunds, complaints, or conflicts isn’t fun, but having solid processes and clear boundaries makes all the difference.

With the systems in place, you can handle issues smoothly and keep your community thriving—without the stress of unexpected “trick-or-treat” surprises.

When things don’t go as planned, just remember: the best businesses aren’t the ones without problems—they’re the ones that handle problems well.

With love and sprinkles of spiders,

Tanya “Scary” Cross.

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

The key to sustainable growth

Tanya Cross on October 24, 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the increasing demands of business, personal life, and our own inner expectations.

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Smash through growth ceilings,
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in business, leadership and life.

Many service business owners find themselves caught in a cycle of constant activity, pushing forward with ambition yet losing sight of the deeper purpose that once drove them.

But what if the key to unlocking sustainable growth in your business lies not in doing more but aligning more deeply with who you are?

Let’s explore why alignment matters, how it affects your business, and what you can do to bring more alignment into your daily life.

Alignment is, at its core, the process of connecting who you are with what you do.

When you’re aligned, your actions are in harmony with your values, purpose, and vision.

Alignment isn’t just about professional success—it’s about finding a flow that merges personal fulfillment with business growth.

Many service business owners find themselves disconnected from this alignment.

They might be working hard and achieving external success, but inside, something feels off.

That “something” is often a misalignment between their inner world and their outer world.

Without alignment, even the best business strategies can fall flat.

When you’re not aligned with your work, you’re more likely to feel drained, frustrated, and disconnected.

You may find yourself questioning your path, wondering why success feels hollow.

Misalignment can lead to burnout, which often manifests as emotional exhaustion, lack of motivation, or even health issues.

As a leader, people look to you for guidance. But if you’re out of sync with yourself, it’s hard to inspire others.

Authenticity stems from alignment, and when you’re clear on who you are, others naturally resonate with your message.

Business challenges often reflect personal ones. If you’re not aligned, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking external problems need external solutions. But in reality, sustainable growth happens when you shift internally first.

The journey toward alignment begins with self-awareness—taking time to reflect on what truly matters to you.

This involves reconnecting with the purpose and values that inspired you to start your business in the first place.

When you understand the deeper “why” behind your actions, you can make decisions that are in harmony with both your personal and professional life.

Alignment allows you to focus on what is essential, reducing unnecessary stress and creating more meaningful momentum.

When you’re aligned, your business becomes an authentic extension of who you are, and this authenticity draws in the right opportunities, clients, and partnerships.

Instead of chasing success, you attract it naturally by staying true to yourself.

People are inspired by leaders who embody their message, and alignment equips you to lead from a place of integrity, which creates deeper trust, influence and authority with those around you.

It’s not about doing more but about doing what matters most.

When your inner and outer worlds are in sync, that’s the key to sustainable growth.

How aligned are you?

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Does your profit have this one thing?

Tanya Cross on October 16, 2024

In the world of service-based businesses, success is often measured by the bottom line—how much profit you’re making.

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Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

But for those truly driven by a purpose, the journey is about much more than just numbers.

It’s about maximising profit while also fulfilling a deeper mission and unlocking the full potential of your business and yourself.

Profit is essential for any business, but it’s not just about making money for the sake of it.

We aren’t selling our souls for money, nor at the other end of the spectrum and giving away our service for free.

For service business owners, profit is a resource that enables you to do more, serve more, and reach more people.

When you view profit through this lens, it becomes a tool for growth and expansion.

Your profit has a purpose.

To maximise profit with purpose, you want to make sure you have a goal for the profit you make.

Make meaning with your money.

Every business has a reason for being, but service businesses are often rooted in a desire to make a difference.

That is why I love working with service-based business owners who have a big heart.

Whether you’re providing coaching or another form of service, your work likely stems from a calling to do what you do.

I know I have it. I can’t deny it.

And I couldn’t stop serving now even if everything was taken from me. I’d find another way to serve.

I know you have that in you, too.

Keeping your purpose front and centre of your mind ensures that your actions are aligned with your mission, and it helps you make decisions that are not only profitable but also meaningful.

This helps to then build a business you love and not one you want to burn to the ground.

So, how do you unlock your full potential in a business that isn’t just about the dollars through the door?

💡 It requires more than just hard work, blood, sweat and tears.

💡 It requires self-awareness and a willingness to grow.

💡 It’s about realising that the only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself.

Another critical aspect of unlocking your potential is surrounding yourself with the right support system.

This could be in the form of mentors, coaches, or a community of like-minded business owners.

Having people who believe in you and your mission can provide the encouragement and guidance you need to push past obstacles and reach new heights.

I know that on my journey, what I have been able to do has been because of the people I have put in my corner.

The ultimate goal, I think anyway, is to create a synergy between profit, purpose, and potential.

While profit is the lifeblood of any business, purpose provides direction and meaning, and potential represents the boundless opportunities for growth and impact.

When profit, purpose, and potential are in balance, your business becomes more than just a source of income—it becomes a powerful force for making a difference in humanity, and you are growing and evolving along the way.

That’s why in my private coaching, I focus on empowering service business owners to maximise profit, fulfil their purpose, and unlock their full potential.

This synergy of profit, purpose and potential creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond your immediate sphere of influence.

You’re not only achieving financial success, but you’re also making a lasting impact on your clients, your community, and the world.

Your life’s mission is to discover your purpose and pour your heart and soul into bringing it to life.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

The real thing

Tanya Cross on October 9, 2024

You’ve had success.

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

You’ve won clients and earned referrals.

But lately, it feels like things have slowed down.

New leads aren’t coming in as easily, your inbox is nearly empty, and your phone stays silent.

You need more clients, and you need them now.

But despite all the tools, technologies, and courses you’ve invested in, nothing seems to be bringing in leads or generating the profit you want.

You feel stuck, out of options.

It’s getting closer and closer to the end of the year.

You want it all.

Family. Finances. Thriving health and business.

Yes. You can make a real impact, build a legacy, and create the life you’ve always dreamed of.

You can have it all – whatever ‘it’ is to you.

Live your life not by default but by design.

It just takes the right positioning, the right messaging, and the right support.

But too often, we try to figure it all out on our own.

Not realising the cost of not seeking help sooner.

And I’m here to help you step into your spotlight.

With decades of hands-on business experience and insights from working with entrepreneurs, business owners, and high-profile leaders worldwide, my job is to empower service business owners to maximise profit, fulfil their purpose, and unlock their full potential.

To get clarity on their mission and take bold action towards it.

But I don’t just tell people how to do it.

I do it. I live the work I share.

I know my lane, I know my niche, and I have my own IP that I share with clients.

Over the years, I have secured multiple 6-figure contracts with clients. I have helped transform over 30,000 people’s lives.

And you….

You have the potential to unleash your brilliance.

Certainty is your secret sauce.

More certainty in your service, your offer, your IP, all of it.

But all that happens when you are in alignment with your inner and outer world.

With certainty brings alignment. Alignment brings certainty.

Most people want to make money. But why we do what we do goes beyond just making money.

It’s about growing your business, stepping out of the shadows, and chasing what you truly want. And in alignment with who you are.

It’s about inspiring influence and impact. And in a way, you get paid to be you.

If you’re ready to receive the recognition you deserve, build the business you love and make an inspiring impact, let’s connect.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Have you stalled?

Tanya Cross on October 2, 2024

You’ve demonstrated your expertise and delivered exceptional results.

let’s level up:

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Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

You’ve taken the leap to building your own business, but now you find yourself feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

Growth has stalled, or perhaps your competition is gaining ground.

Even though your clients value your work, your business isn’t expanding as you’d hoped. You’ve tried everything to create the impact you crave—yet nothing seems to work.

Was starting your business all those years ago worth it?

Without a doubt.

The fact that you’ve come this far speaks volumes.

Having worked with countless business owners and top leaders, I’ve built, sold, and rebuilt companies, and I recognise potential when I see it.

My inspiration is helping service business owners amplify their influence in their industry.

You possess the knowledge, and I’m here to help you fully own it.

With a focused approach and a drive for bold action, I listen intently to craft a strategy that delivers the results you’re after.

This isn’t about creating a business that fits someone else’s mould; it’s about what works for you. This is personal.

To unlock sales, refine your intellectual property, establish your authority, and secure your market position, you must advocate for what truly serves you.

But first, you need clarity on what that looks like—and that’s where I come in.

Once we have that clarity, I’ll guide you with energy and enthusiasm through all the critical decisions and next steps that drive results.

With expertise in making the complex manageable, I’ll support – and sometimes give you tough love for you in achieving long-term scalability and financial success so you can create the future you envision on your terms—without the risk of burnout.

I believe in this reality because I see more potential in my clients than they often see in themselves.

If someone tells me something can’t be done, I’ll find a way.

That’s who I’ve been, going against the grain, wrapped in a love to serve. Inspired by my Dad’s influence on me to have my own business and Mum’s deep love of doing meaningful work, I bring all that and more to the table.

My dedication and deep commitment to you achieving your goals light me up.

Your story. Your journey. Your transformation. Is why I do what I do.

Ready to break through and step into the next chapter of your business and life?

Let’s make it happen together.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Whirlwind of the past 3.5 years

Tanya Cross on September 24, 2024

I’ve been reflecting on the whirlwind of the past 3.5 years and what a journey it’s been.

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During this time, I started a second business, bought two investment properties, navigated the end of a long-term relationship, and became a single mum.

I also sold a portion of one company, entered into a business partnership, and handled a major direction change in that business—all while continuing to grow my consulting business.

Oh, and did I mention I was raising a toddler who’s now in the first year of school?

Looking back, these weren’t just personal changes, and they happened during one of the most globally stressful periods in recent memory.

The financial challenges we face as individuals can be difficult enough, but when you compound them with global crises or a recession, the stress can be overwhelming.

This kind of stress isn’t simply additive—it’s amplified.

Personal stressors blend with larger global issues, and suddenly, the weight feels much heavier.

Financial difficulties, for example, activate the brain’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response, flooding us with cortisol and adrenaline.

This is a natural reaction to immediate threats, but when paired with global uncertainties like a pandemic or economic downturn, the stress response can go into overdrive. Oh, you feel that in your body.

We saw this clearly in 2020 when people across the world became more anxious, isolated, and unsure of their futures. The global nature of those challenges created an unprecedented sense of uncertainty and helplessness, making existing financial stress feel insurmountable.

It’s not just a matter of facing double the stress. Research in psychology and behavioural economics shows that financial stress impairs our decision-making and problem-solving abilities, creating a vicious cycle.

A study published in Psychological Science found that financial insecurity can cause a cognitive load that leads to poor financial choices, which only increases the stress.

Those who were already under financial strain experienced heightened anxiety and depression when a global crisis hit, especially if they felt powerless over their personal or global circumstances.

Beyond the psychological toll, amplified stress can take a serious hit on a person’s identity and sense of self-worth, especially if you wrap your self-worth up in money.

Financial struggles often challenge how we see ourselves, questioning our competence and worth. When this stress is compounded by global events, it can lead to feelings of helplessness, loss of motivation, and declining mental health.

Erikson’s stages of development tell us that maintaining a sense of control and purpose is vital, particularly for younger people still forming their identities.

Global crises, when combined with personal stress, can disrupt this process, leading to confusion, frustration, and an overwhelming loss of direction.

This amplification of stress—where personal financial struggles and global challenges combine—is not just a psychological theory.

It’s a very real experience many of us have felt. And it will likely happen again in some other way in our lifetime.

Acknowledging the root causes of stress, or the problem under the problem, can help to have a deeper understanding of stress and how to manage it.

Because anything that goes through stress has the potential to grow.

If we can navigate the complexities of life, business, and self with resilience, we unlock the possibility for deeper growth and success.

This is especially true for service business owners, who often face unique stresses and pressures.

By empowering yourself to manage stress, you can no longer play with your stress but unlock your full potential.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

What’s your two things?

Tanya Cross on September 16, 2024

Last weekend, in a training session with over 400 participants, we were split into small groups and tasked with creating a business in just eight minutes—name, concept, and strategy for commercialisation.

let’s level up:

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again and again to new heights
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I suggested an idea, and the group loved it. When it was time for the room to vote (and we couldn’t vote for our own), they cheered and whistled for it.

It wasn’t just a validation of the idea but a reminder of why I love coaching: the ability to spark insights that lead to real change.

Business isn’t just about tactics or numbers; it isn’t about chasing success for its own sake.

It’s about creating value that resonates with the heart and needs of those you serve.

When you see the potential in others and help them shift their perspectives, it becomes clear that they can raise their prices with confidence, package their unique expertise, and take their clients on a journey toward meaningful outcomes.

The moment in the room sharing the idea reminded me of my roots—how I learned the values that shape the way I work today.

Growing up, I’d come home from school and see my dad at the dining table, meticulously balancing his books and writing checks.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand the depth of what he was teaching me, but he was silently showing me the discipline, focus, and perseverance required to build a meaningful business.

On the other hand, my mum instilled in me the power of service and spirituality. I still remember her waking up at 4 a.m. every morning to pray, her dedication unwavering.

Now in her mid-80s, she remains devoted, continuing to inspire me with the values she’s lived by her entire life.

These two pillars—business and service—are central to who I am. For me, business is more than just a profession; it’s my spiritual path. It’s where I’m energized, where I’m inspired, and where I create my biggest impact on the world.

Circling back to that room of 400 people.

When we focus on serving others and meeting their true needs, the market naturally opens up.

The ability to help people is always there—you just have to find the right need to connect with them.

By aligning with what people are genuinely hungry for, we create solutions that light them up and make a lasting difference.

This is the real power of business: it’s not just about who, we are, what we do, but how we connect with those we serve.

So, I ask you—what are your two things (or three) that drive you? What are the needs you can meet? What solutions can you offer that will create meaningful change for those around you?

When you find those answers, you unlock not just the potential of your business but the path to truly lasting impact.

With fire and grace,

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Embrace This Edge And You’ll Go Far

Tanya Cross on September 10, 2024

With 15 years of working with leaders and business owners, the one common statement I hear from all of them is this…

let’s level up:

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Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

I have known since I was young that I am different.

The feeling of being different, of not quite fitting in with those around them.

Whether it was a feeling inside, a knowing they had a different or unique perspective on the world, there was an early experience of feeling out of place.

This was the seed of their future impact and influence.

These future leaders often found themselves standing apart from their peers.

I used to wear a jumper in the middle of summer in Melbourne. I stopped drinking at 18 when everyone else started drinking.

I wanted to go against the crowd.

One client who’s a mover and shaker in their industry was the kid who asked too many questions in class, challenging the teacher with ideas that went beyond what was being taught.

For many, and maybe this is for you too, there is this sense of difference that wasn’t always comfortable.

Being different can be isolating, especially during childhood and teen years when the pressure to conform is strong.

We want to fit in, to be like everyone else, to avoid standing out in a way that might attract unwanted attention or even judgment.

But for those who felt this feeling of being different would later go on to achieve something great, this feeling of not quite fitting in was a sign of something deeper—a unique perspective or a different way of thinking that, if nurtured, would become a powerful superpower.

Let’s face it, feeling different can be both a burden and a blessing.

On one hand, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, self-doubt, and a desire to hide one’s true self in order to fit in.

On the other hand, this very difference is often the source of one’s greatest strengths.

The discomfort of not fitting in forces individuals to develop a strong sense of identity.

And during your teen years, that is what you are doing, forming your identity, your individuality.

Embrace your uniqueness rather than trying to suppress it because you are to tap into your potential.

For instance, let’s go into the minds of someone else (and see if some of their thinking will stick – or at the very least, we can model and scaffold the greatest for ourselves).

Consider the story of Steve Jobs. As a child, Jobs was known for being a bit of a misfit. He was interested about technology and design, but he wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with. He had a different way of thinking and conflicting with others.

But instead of trying to fit in, Jobs leaned into his difference. He embraced his unconventional ideas and used them to create products that were not just functional but beautiful and user-friendly. His ability to think differently—his refusal to accept the status quo—was a key factor in his success as the co-founder of Apple.

Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s early life was marked by challenges and a sense of being different. Growing up in poverty, experiencing abuse, and struggling with self-esteem issues, Winfrey could have easily been overwhelmed by her circumstances. But instead of letting these experiences define her in a negative way, she used them as fuel for her future success. She has the ability to connect with people on a deep level and that was what she shared with the world.

Being different is not a weakness to be hidden but a strength to be cultivated.

The very traits that set these leaders apart from others in their youth became the source of their greatness in adulthood.

The leaders who have made the greatest impact on the world are those who were not afraid to be different.

They were the ones who, as children, felt like they didn’t quite fit in but who later realised that this very difference is your secret edge.

Let your differences help you reach your potential.

With love,

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth