Do you believe you're smart? Talented? Creative? What happens when your intelligence or talents or creativity are put to the test, and don't make the grade? Do you focus on what you can learn from the situation? (This is the answer we know we should give, but deep down inside is that really our reaction? Or do you question whether you're really smart or talented or skilled? - That's the one that often comes up instead!) In this episode, we dig into some research on fixed vs. growth mindsets, and...
Feb 27, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 4
We behave according to who we believe we are. So who do you believe you are? Powerful? Adaptable? Scatterbrained? Never good enough? In this episode, we dig down into the many layers of our identities, and explore our beliefs about ourselves. Why, you ask? Because our self beliefs shape how we interact with our work, our dance, and our relationships, both professional and personal. Our beliefs can propel us forward, or hold us back. It's our choice! (p.s. My cat, Loki, decided to make a cameo in...
Feb 10, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 3
"I'm unhappy but I'm comfortable with it." Sound familiar? This the Siren Call of Complacent Despair, and it keeps us stagnant, sitting alone on our little island of I Guess This Is Good Enough. But it's not good enough, dear listeners, and in this episode we're exploring a new way to think about developing our careers and our dance - the Development Odyssey. This odyssey is going to take us far beyond what a traditional career or skill development plan would. Don't have an actual development pl...
Jan 27, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome to 2021! Let's kick off this year by setting some GOALS! In this episode, we discuss 3 key aspects to setting goals that are actually going to get you where you want to go ( yes yes, isn't that what they all say? ) But if you don't pay attention to these 3 points, your goals will remain more like wishes than reality, your Vision Board more like a Disappointment Board. And we don't want that. If you want a much deeper look into goal setting and habit forming, I strongly recommend Atomic H...
Jan 13, 2021•18 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Yeah, we might be ready to just say Good Riddance to 2020, but let's take a little time to learn what we can from this bizarre year. Pull out your notebooks or journals, a pen, and a beverage of your choice, and prepare yourself for a virtual coaching session with me! We'll take our time reflecting on the past year in this episode, both the ups and downs, and you can pause as much as needed to write out your thoughts and ideas. If you like this episode, please let me know, so I can do more of th...
Dec 24, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Today we're discussing self care, but not the heavily marketed, commodified, Buy-Expensive-Luxuries version of it. Please don't pummel me with fancy scented candles! (Unless they're lemongrass scented). This episode reveals a much broader, truer way of caring for ourselves, so that we can be the most vibrant, powerful, and authentic versions of ourselves that we can. Yes, pampering ourselves is a part of caring for ourselves, it's just definitely NOT the whole package. So light a candle (or don'...
Dec 09, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 10
(Note: this episode discusses some topics that may be borderline challenging for younger ears to understand, including examples of common biases in the world and our dance community. Parents, you may want to listen when the kiddos aren't around.) Our brains are efficient, squishy little machines that can do amazing things! But they can also go on autopilot and default to thinking processes that reinforce stereotypes that can hold us back from living in an equitable world where everyone can thriv...
Nov 18, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Does the idea of a 'Gratitude Practice' make your eyebrow pop up in cynicism? When you think of practicing gratitude, do you immediately think of tedious meditation? Does "feeling grateful" feel a bit arrogant or self-centered to you? Well, dear listeners, it doesn't have to be that way! Trust me, I'm not a meditation person, but even I've found ways to bring more gratitude into everyday life. Here are some key points from this episode: Gratitude doesn't require religious/spiritual faith. Really...
Nov 11, 2020•31 min
Often when we think of change, we think of "We're at Point A, Next We'll Be at Point B." But making changes successfully isn't so much about the logistics - it's about the mental and emotional transitions that we go through as we transition from Point A to Point B. When a change pops up in your life, do you get mad? Sad? Grumpy? Anxious? What's your Default Change Reaction? In this episode we talk about the 3 transitional phases we go through during changes, and ways to manage our behaviors so w...
Nov 03, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 7
It's the spooky season and this episode is Filled With Fear ! No, it's not scary (I promise!), but we are going to chat about how we can use our fears productively. Fear is there to help us - it keeps us safe and makes us alert to possible dangers, but sometimes gets so big and so all-encompassing that it holds us back in our lives, our dance, and our careers. In this episode we explore: The Benefits of Fear Three ways Fear can go haywire and control us too much How Fear can show up in our lives...
Oct 29, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Like learning new dance movements, being an effective coach or mentor requires focused skills practice and a learning mindset. In our last episode, we discussed ways for learners to make the most of 1:1 coaching or mentoring time. Today's episode focuses on the other side of the relationship, with some best practices from the world of corporate coaching & mentoring, to help you make the most of that precious 1:1 time with your learner. We'll dig into: Effective Goal Setting , with drill down...
Oct 21, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Does the thought of working individually with a dance coach or a work mentor terrify you? There's a BIG reason why, and it's probably not what you think! If you want to get the most out of 1:1 time with your dance teacher or a work-life mentor, this episode will give you some great tips to maximize your time together, and make the relationship (and your private sessions) a whole lot easier! Subscribe today to be notified of new episodes as soon as they pop up! www.bellydancealchemy.org...
Oct 02, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 4
This episode is all about an insidious type of Perfectionism that I like to call PerFAKEtionism. Want to know what this means, and whether it affects you? And more, how can we effectively manage our PerFAKEtionism so we can get out of our own way? Take a listen! www.bellydancealchemy.org
Oct 01, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Think all perfectionism is the same? Not so, my lovelies! In this episode we learn about the 3 types of perfectionism and how they impact our work, dance, and relationships. We'll also discuss some ways to rein in the beast of our perfectionistic thoughts and behaviors. Let's try them out! www.bellydancealchemy.org
Oct 01, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to Belly Dance Alchemy! This mini-episode will give you a quick overview of what this podcast is all about. Belly Dance Alchemy is a captivating blend of the best elements of career & professional development and the magic of belly dance. Life is too short for a day job that doesn't make us feel motivated or fulfilled, or a dance life that doesn't make us feel empowered! I'm Kelli Nottingham, and this podcast brings together the learnings from my professional training & developme...
Oct 01, 2020•5 min
