I'm happy to share with you that I've launched two new national projects that I'm very excited about, all around Women and Success. After researching and writing my first book, Breakdown Breakthrough, which explores how to overcome the 12 hidden crises women face today, I'm thrilled to be kicking it up a notch to identify the keys to phenomenal success in women today.

As you know, I believe that women and men are remarkably different in fundamental ways that make both groups indispensable in their collaborative and complementary efforts to move our world forward. In my current focus, I'm highlighting specifically what women are bringing to this world in a highly successful, empowered, and inspirational way that lights the path for all women wanting to achieve fantastic success and make a lasting contribution to their world, no matter how big or small.

Towards this end, I'm launching a new research/book project on Women Succeeding Abundantly, and already have some fabulous interviews lined up, including Shama Kabani and Becky Stockbridge - winners of Business Week's America's Top 25 Young Entrepreneurs; Janet Hanson, Founder of 85 Broads; Marsh Engle, CEO of Envision Network, and Marilyn Smith, CIO of Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In this project, I aim to research and present the keys to women's tremendous success across many generations and backgrounds, to discover the underlying principles of women's success that will inform and educate women around the globe.

Further, I'm embarking on hosting my own radio show with World Talk Radio, tentatively titled Women Changing the World: One Voice at a Time, which is slated to begin in mid January. The show will be a weekly, hour-long format, and feature exciting interviews with women who, through their passions, energy, spirit, and deep commitment to making a difference, are changing the world for the better, one voice at a time.

If you have any suggestions, ideas, or recommendations for women to interview in the above projects, I'd love to hear! Please feel free to write me at . I'd be most grateful for any thoughts and suggestions you have.

Further, we're now on the lookout for some great sponsors for the radio show - organizations, non-profits, groups and individuals who wish to support a program that inspires and uplifts women, and contributes to our understanding of ways women are creating fantastic success -- in our nation's workforce, and in our world. Please let me know if your organization or women's group would consider serving as a sponsor, or write me for more info.

Finally, for Five Ways to Power Up and Get What You Want, see the article below.

Thank you for all of your ongoing help and support! It's a joy to be connected with such amazingly inspirational men and women. I look forward to connecting with you soon, on social media, in person, or otherwise!

Best wishes to you,

Kathy

P.S. - Please forward this to anyone women you know who may be interested in these projects. And please follow news of this work on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and subscribe to my blog. Thanks!

By Kathy Caprino

Here's a quick rundown on five tactics for gaining more strength and power in your life and work, beginning today:

1) Do the inner work you have to do
I've had more than a few folks tell me lately that they really don't want to do the deep re-evaluation and exploration work necessary to create more success and fulfillment. In essence, they want it done for them or given to them. My view - that just ain't gonna happen (and why would you want it to)?

Tip: Do the inner and outer work necessary to 1) figure out what you really want, 2) figure out the best way to get it, 3) figure out what you need to shift and change to get it, and 4) determine what you'll give up to have it. Then go get it.

2) Learn from others
In many of my seminars and talks to women, there are frequently one or two individuals who come up to me afterwards and share with me that they didn't want to hear the views or experiences of others - they just wanted to focus on their own issues/problems. But being teachable and understanding that we're all alike in vital ways and can learn from others, is an essential ingredient to power and success. Let connection feed you, not drain you.

Tip: Let go of your inner narcissist. Stop focusing exclusively on yourself. Start connecting - listening to and learning from others, and find a role model. There's a wealth of wisdom, knowledge and perspective out there for you to benefit from.

3) Stop thinking "making great money means soul-sucking misery"
If I hear one more time, "Yeah, Kathy, this career fulfillment stuff is nice, but I've got to pay the mortgage," I'm going to spit. Of course we have to pay our bills and stay afloat, but when are folks going to realize that paying your bills DOESN'T inherently, inevitably mean sacrificing your soul to do it, and being miserable.

We think it does because we've gone down such a long path of telling ourselves that lie our entire lives - that making great money equals soul-crushing work. Making the money you truly need doesn't mean you have to get sick, depressed, lose yourself, hate yourself, and sacrifice everything that means anything to you, just so you can pay your mortgage.

Tip: Figure out the new path you desperately long to take, and begin step-by-step to create it, with money-making and meeting your needs as a key goal. No more excuses. Trust me...it's not too late.

4) Focus on "essence" first, then on "form"
When you simply don't know what you want to do with your career, first focus on "essence" -- the traits and qualities of what you want to bring forward. Then (and only then) figure out the best "form" of it for your life. An example: let's say you adore baking and always have, and you hate your corporate job. You might be thinking, "All I want to do is quit this job, and start baking cookies for a living. I think I'd love that!"

To that, I'd say, "OK, that's a great start, but let's explore this fully, and get to the heart of what it means for you." Making a living as a baker (for instance) can be excruciatingly difficult. Most folks who own their own shops or businesses say, "Do this only if you can't NOT do it!" So before you jump into what new job/career that you've been fantasizing about, figure out if it's something you truly can't live without doing and if you're suited to a life of it.

If after researching it, you realize you're not compelled to launch a cookie shop or bake for a living, then figure out what you do want to bring forward - and create a plan to do it.

What are the inner qualities, traits (the essence) of the thing you long for - what do you think this thing will give your life that you don't have now? Ask yourself, "What does baking (or singing, or skiing, or painting, etc.) give to me?" Your answers might be that baking brings you: the joy of creating something delicious and beautiful, the reward of developing new recipes, dedicated physical focus that's also meditative and relaxing, the excitement of being praised for your fabulous creations, being your own boss, etc.

After you know specifically what baking (or the thing you're fantasizing about) gives you, then see if you can bring forward any parts of that "essence" into your current life/career. If not, then start evaluating and researching what that might mean for you in terms of changing your job/career to embrace more of the essence of what you long for.

Tip: Explore what lights you up, what gives you passion, and why. They determine if there are any ways you can bring those endeavors forward in your life today, without a wholesale reinvention, if possible.

5) Get Tough - Power Up Your Boundaries
To get what you want in life and be successful, you have to be strong and confident. You must protect yourself from all those who would suck your energy dry, use you, take advantage of you, make you feel guilty for not doing more than you should for others, and diminish you. You can't have a powerful life if you're giving over all your power to others (including your children, spouse, boss, employer, friends, relatives, etc.).

Tip: Think about where you feel exhausted, angry, depressed, resentful, and start there. To whom do you need to say "no" and why aren't you saying it? It's time to say more "No!" to others, and more "Yes!" to yourself, and time to speak up. Just do it.

Question for the day: In what ways do you struggle in terms of feeling powerful and confident? And what have you done to successfully increase your power in areas where it's shaky?

Share your views and experiences on the Ellia blog!