Uncategorized Archives - Carmen Ohling, Keynote Speaker + Corporate Life and Leadership Training Coach

From Business as Usual to Bold Innovation: Reigniting Creativity in Leadership

by Carmen Ohling | Apr 3, 2025 | Uncategorized

I want to share a story from one of our favorite clients…

Year after year, this company hit its revenue targets. The leadership team was experienced, operations were efficient, and the business had a strong market presence. Yet, something was missing. The energy had dulled, the spark of innovation was gone, and decision-making had become stagnant.

When we met with the CEO, he put it plainly:

“We’re successful on paper, but our culture feels lifeless. The team looks to me for every decision instead of taking ownership. There’s no creativity, no innovation—just ‘business as usual.’ And as we prepare for major growth, I worry that our foundation isn’t strong enough to sustain it.”

This is a common challenge in companies that have scaled successfully but haven’t cultivated a culture that empowers leadership at all levels. Without creativity and vision, even high-achieving organizations can find themselves stuck in a cycle of stagnation—meeting goals but lacking the energy and adaptability needed for the next stage of growth.

Why Creativity Is the Key to Long-Term Success

Creativity isn’t just for marketing teams or product development. It’s the foundation of dynamic leadership. When leaders engage in creative thinking, they open the door to:

✅ Empowered Decision-Making – When creativity is encouraged, teams stop waiting for permission and start bringing solutions.

✅ Agility in Growth – Innovation isn’t just about big ideas; it’s about staying adaptable in an ever-changing market.

✅ Energized Culture – When creativity is woven into daily work, people feel more engaged, connected, and inspired.

The Shift: From Top-Down Decisions to a Culture of Innovation

For this CEO, the path forward wasn’t about doing more—it was about leading differently. Here’s how we helped them reignite creativity within their leadership team: ⤵️

1. Developed Personal Awareness & Growth

The first step was shifting the leadership mindset from reactive to intentional. The team had been operating in a space of fear-based decision-making—focused on minimizing risk rather than pursuing possibility. Through executive coaching and leadership training, they embraced above-the-line leadership, recognizing their personal patterns, unconscious biases, and resistance to change. Once leaders became aware of how their own mindsets influence company culture, they stepped into curiosity, collaboration, and ownership—paving the way for greater creativity and innovation.

2. Redefined Decision-Making

Instead of being the go-to problem solver, the CEO began asking more questions than giving answers. By shifting from command-and-control to coaching and collaboration, the leadership team began stepping into true ownership of their roles.

3. Created Space for New Ideas

Creativity doesn’t happen in over-scheduled, high-pressure environments. The company introduced dedicated innovation sessions where leaders could challenge assumptions, brainstorm freely, and explore new ways of thinking.

4. Encouraged Cross-Functional Collaboration

Breaking down silos allowed fresh perspectives to emerge. When teams that rarely worked together started sharing ideas, unexpected solutions surfaced—solutions that had been hidden in plain sight.

5. Reduced the Perceived Cost of Failure

One of the biggest creativity killers is the fear of getting it wrong. The leadership team had been operating under an unspoken expectation of always having the right answers and getting everything perfect the first time. This mindset kept them playing small.

To change that, they redefined failure as part of the learning process—not a reason for blame or hesitation. Leaders were encouraged to take calculated risks, test ideas in small ways, and share lessons from both successes and missteps. The result? More innovation, faster decision-making, and a stronger sense of ownership at every level.

6. Embraced Experimentation

Instead of waiting for the perfect strategy, they adopted a test-and-learn approach. Small pilot projects became the norm, and leaders were empowered to tweak, adjust, and refine based on real feedback rather than hypothetical concerns.

The Result: A Reignited, Future-Ready Culture

Within months, the shift was clear. Leaders no longer defaulted to the CEO for answers—they stepped up with solutions and innovation. Energy returned to the workplace. Strategic initiatives moved faster, and the company was better positioned to handle the next phase of expansion.

By prioritizing personal growth, stepping into above-the-line leadership, and removing the fear of failure, the organization unlocked a new level of creativity and innovation. The team didn’t just think differently—they acted differently. And that made all the difference.

Creativity was no longer an abstract concept. It became the driving force behind the company’s innovation and long-term success.

So, ask yourself: Is your leadership fueling creativity—or stifling it?

Because creativity isn’t just about ideas. It’s about action. And action is what drives lasting innovation.

“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.”

— Theodore Levitt

Want to learn more about how we can help you and your organization? Click HERE to tell us about your team, and let’s have a conversation.

Also—what city are you in? I might be nearby soon, and we could meet in person (my favorite), or you could join one of our invite-only CEO meetups.

Small Shifts Lead to Big Results

by Carmen Ohling | Mar 27, 2025 | Uncategorized

At 44, I’ve found myself thinking more and more about longevity. I’m not just talking about living a long life, but about living well—with energy, clarity, and the ability to show up as my best self each day.

As leaders and high performers, our dreams and goals are only achievable to the extent that our bodies can handle them. This is something that I’ve come to believe deeply, and it’s one of the core principles we embrace at the Amplified Life Company: You can only reach your dreams and goals to the level your body can take it.

In my own journey, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of what it means to push my limits—physically, emotionally, and mentally. But there’s something I’ve learned through the years: the more intentional and strategic I’ve been about my daily habits, the more I’ve been able to sustain high performance and show up for my family, my business, and my clients.

I want to share with you the habits that have been game-changers for me and the high performers I work with every day. If you’re ready to maximize your energy, clarity, and productivity, here’s a framework for you to try:

Morning: Own Your Day Before It Owns You

The way you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. When I was in the thick of building my business and juggling family responsibilities, I realized that if I didn’t create time for myself in the morning, I was essentially surrendering my day to the demands of others. You can’t lead at your best when you’re constantly reacting to everything around you.

Wake Up with Purpose: Give yourself time in the morning before the world starts making demands of you. Even if it’s just 10 minutes to sit, reflect, and set an intention for the day, this time grounds you and ensures you step into the day with purpose.

Move Your Body: For me, this is non-negotiable. Even 10 minutes of movement can shift your energy and prime your mind for focus. I’ve found that if I don’t get my body moving in the morning, I feel sluggish, distracted, and off-center for the rest of the day.

Nourish Yourself: A strong body fuels a strong mind. What you put in your body has a direct impact on how you show up in every area of your life. I prioritize high-quality nutrition to fuel my energy and mental clarity. And, when I’ve been traveling or under stress, I’ve learned the importance of finding food that nourishes, not depletes.

Set Your Intentions: Before diving into distractions, take a moment to ask: What’s the one thing that will move the needle today? Whether it’s a critical project or a conversation that will help you move forward, define your most important task so you’re clear about where to focus your energy.

Midday: Protect Your Focus & Energy

As the day moves on, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and grind. But high performers understand that productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things at the right time.

Time Block Deep Work: Carve out distraction-free time to tackle your most important projects. When I work with executives and leaders, I help them identify where their time is best spent and encourage them to create dedicated blocks of time for high-priority work.

Take Strategic Breaks: Success isn’t about grinding 24/7—it’s about being intentional with your energy. I’ve learned that stepping away from my desk to get fresh air, take a walk, or even do a short stretch helps me reset and come back with more focus and energy.

Connect with Purpose: Whether it’s a team meeting, a networking call, or checking in with your circle, make conversations meaningful. Every interaction has the potential to move your business forward, so I encourage clients to approach these moments with intention, knowing that they’re building relationships and creating opportunities.

Evening: Set Up Tomorrow’s Wins

High performers understand that recovery is just as important as effort. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

Wrap Up with Reflection: What can I celebrate today? What can I appreciate? What did I learn? This reflection isn’t about self-criticism—it’s about growth and impact. Take a moment to acknowledge what went well, recognize the lessons in what didn’t, and consider small adjustments that could make a greater difference. I use this time to ask myself, “How can I show up even bolder tomorrow to serve, lead, and significantly impact others?”

Unplug & Recharge: High performance isn’t just about action—it’s about recovery. Protect your rest so you can show up strong tomorrow. I used to stay up late working, thinking that I could push through exhaustion. But I’ve learned that a rested body and mind are essential to sustained success. Now, I prioritize sleep and time away from screens, ensuring I have the energy to face the next day with clarity and focus.

Consistency Over Perfection

The key to building daily habits that work for you isn’t perfection—it’s consistency. Your habits don’t have to be complicated or elaborate, but they do have to be intentional. Small, consistent actions over time create the foundation for long-term success.

At the Amplified Life Company, we help executives and leaders at all levels step into their fullest potential using a holistic coaching approach. We focus on high performance and conscious leadership, helping our clients align their personal and professional lives so they can lead with purpose, power, and clarity.

Our philosophy is simple: When you take care of your body, mind, and spirit, everything else falls into place.

One of my clients, a successful CEO who had been struggling with burnout, decided to implement some of these daily habits. After just a few months, not only did his energy levels improve, but his leadership style became more grounded and focused. He began to delegate more effectively, allowing his team to shine, and his business saw substantial growth.

This is the power of intentional, consistent habits. When you show up for yourself every day, you show up better for everyone around you—your team, your clients, your family, and most importantly, for yourself.

What’s One Shift You Can Make Today?

I challenge you to think about one habit you can change today that will help you show up stronger tomorrow. Whether it’s setting clear intentions, moving your body, or prioritizing your rest, the key is taking that first step.

I’d love to hear what’s working for you and what shifts you’re making in your own daily routine. Let’s keep this conversation going, because when high performers like you step into your full potential, the impact you can create is limitless.

You’ve got this. Let’s amplify your life and leadership—one intentional habit at a time. Connect with us HERE.

From Busy to Impactful: Leading with Clarity, Not Chaos

by Carmen Ohling | Mar 20, 2025 | Uncategorized

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” – Rumi

For 16 years, I worked in corporate leadership within the financial industry. I was constantly on—the emails, the phone calls, the endless to-do list. I was overworked, underappreciated, and often resentful. I spent my days in meetings and my nights catching up on the work that actually mattered—strategy, innovation, team development, and client experience.

I thought I was being productive because I was always doing. But in reality, we were barely hitting our goals. It felt like we were running uphill, always pushing, never flowing. Instead of truly leading, I was stuck in the cycle of busyness—mistaking movement for progress.

Then, in the spring of 2008, I picked up The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. One concept hit me hard: the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)—80% of results come from just 20% of efforts.

Let me be honest, while at the time I never worked only four hours a week, the shift in perspective changed everything!

The Leadership Trap: Busy vs. Effective

Many executives fall into the trap of constant motion—believing that productivity is about how much they do, not the impact of their work. But real leadership is about focusing on the 20% that moves the business forward.

One major unaddressed problem? Our nervous systems are stuck in constant activation.

When we operate from urgency, we live in a stress cycle—staying in a low-level fight-or-flight mode. This drains creativity, clouds decision-making, and leads to burnout.

And here’s the hidden fear that keeps leaders trapped:

“If I slow down, will people think I’m not doing enough?”

The truth? The most effective leaders don’t do more—they do what matters most.

5 Ways to Shift from Busyness to Focused Leadership

1. Identify Your 20%: What Truly Moves the Needle?

Ask yourself:

What are the critical tasks that only I can do?

What activities drive the biggest results for my business or team?

What work excites me, fuels my energy, and aligns with my vision?

Prioritize those—and delegate, automate, or eliminate the rest.

2. Reset Your Nervous System: Move from Reactivity to Intentionality

Start your day by setting priorities—before checking emails.
Take deep, intentional breaths throughout the day to signal safety to your nervous system.
Block focused work time on your calendar—treat it like a meeting with your future success.

3. Stop Overworking to “Prove” Your Worth

Overworking doesn’t equal effectiveness. Impact comes from clarity, not exhaustion.
Set boundaries—if you say yes to everything, you dilute your effectiveness.
Measure real results, not hours worked—what actually moved the business forward?

4. Communicate Your Value Clearly

When you start leading differently, others may not immediately see the impact. Be intentional about sharing wins, progress, and insights. This isn’t about justification—it’s about leadership presence.

5. Trust the Process: More Isn’t Better, Better Is Better

Doing more doesn’t make you a better leader. Making the right moves does. Focus on high-impact work, manage your energy wisely, and own your space as a strategic leader. The results will speak for themselves.

You don’t need to prove your value by staying busy. You prove it by leading with clarity, focus, and intention.

Isn’t it time you stepped out of the reactive cycle and into the work that truly matters—you’ll not only achieve more but also lead with greater peace, power, and presence.

Believe me, if I can do it, so can you- and I assure you it will make a significant impact in not only your business but your life and energy as well!!

Want to learn more? Let’s connect.

My hope for all leaders….

by Carmen Ohling | Mar 13, 2025 | Uncategorized

As leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in past successes, familiar rhythms, and the way things have always been done.

But what if the vision you’ve been holding for your life and business is still too small?

I hope you allow your leadership to be bigger than you ever imagined. I hope you let your work embody more beauty, impact, and meaning than you thought possible.

I hope you don’t get trapped by outdated strategies or old ways of thinking simply because they feel safe.

Growth requires shedding what no longer fits. Don’t cling to what you’ve outgrown just because it’s comfortable.

Everything you lose in this process isn’t a loss—it’s making space for something greater. Your potential isn’t capped by what others believe is possible. It’s defined by your willingness to expand beyond what you once imagined.

Most of all, I hope you recognize the light when it finds you—that moment of clarity, the bold idea, the opportunity disguised as a challenge. Let yourself step into more than you ever thought you could.

This is how you amplify your life and leadership. This is how you build something extraordinary.

What’s one area where you’re ready to break through what you once thought was your limit?

If you’re curious, let’s talk.

The 4 Hardest (and Most Effective) Strategies to Master Self-Discipline

by Carmen Ohling | Mar 6, 2025 | Uncategorized

Everyone wants self-discipline—until they realize how uncomfortable it is. That’s because self-discipline isn’t about motivation or willpower. It’s about doing what’s necessary especially when you don’t feel like it.

At The Amplified Life Company, we don’t believe in fluff. We believe in strategies that push you beyond your comfort zone and force you to level up. So if you’re ready for real discipline—the kind that creates undeniable results—start here.

1. Take a Cold Plunge (Or Do Something That Sucks) Every Morning

Seriously. Before you even start your day, do something physically or mentally challenging—something that forces you to override your natural resistance. A cold plunge, a 5-minute ice-cold shower, or an intense workout before checking your phone. Why? Because self-discipline is a muscle, and discomfort is the gym. If you train yourself to handle discomfort first thing in the morning, you’re telling your brain: I control my actions, not my emotions.

Most people won’t do this. But that’s why most people don’t have the discipline they want.

2. Delay Gratification Like a Game

Want to check social media? Wait 10 minutes. Want coffee? Earn it by finishing a task first. Hungry? Push your first meal back an hour. The ability to delay gratification is one of the strongest predictors of success, yet most people give in instantly to every craving and impulse.

Try this: Make a list of your daily indulgences—scrolling, snacking, Netflix, caffeine. Then set a rule: I can have it, but only after I’ve completed something difficult. You’ll be shocked at how much more productive and focused you become.

3. Make and Keep One Impossible Promise to Yourself

Most people break promises to themselves constantly—hitting snooze, skipping workouts, pushing deadlines. And every time you do, you train yourself to believe your own excuses.

Pick one thing that feels almost impossible—like waking up at 4:30 AM for a month, writing 500 words every day, hitting your daily sales call numbers, or crushing a workout at the gym six days a week. Then do it. No matter what. Even if you’re exhausted. Even if you don’t feel like it. Because when you prove to yourself that your word is law, everything changes.

Try this: Print out a calendar, hang it where you’ll see it every day, and physically mark off each day you complete the task. Seeing that streak build-up is powerful—it creates momentum, reinforces your identity as someone who follows through, and makes you less likely to break the chain.

4. Starve Your Weaknesses (Literally and Figuratively)

Identify the things that make you weak—the distractions, temptations, and comfort traps that kill your momentum. Then eliminate them entirely.

If social media is a problem, delete the apps on weekdays.
If sugar makes you sluggish, cut it out for 30 days.
If TV steals your evenings, unplug it and put the remote in a drawer.

Will this be annoying? Yes. Will you want to quit? Also yes. That’s the point. Discipline means making hard choices before you need to. The fewer temptations in your environment, the easier it is to stay focused.

The Hard Truth About Discipline

If this list makes you uncomfortable, good. That means it’s working. Discipline isn’t about making life easier—it’s about making yourself stronger. And the fastest way to break through mental resistance is to face it head-on.

So, what’s your first move? Are you willing to start your day with an ice bath? Delay that dopamine hit? Keep a promise that feels impossible?

Self-discipline isn’t built in theory—it’s built in action. Pick one of these four strategies and commit. The version of you that’s waiting on the other side? They’ll thank you.

Cultivate Restraint to Build Unshakable Trust and Confidence in Your Leadership

by Carmen Ohling | Feb 27, 2025 | Uncategorized

In the past, I spoke without restraint…

I interrupted, thinking I was adding value—only to leave the other person feeling unheard and unimportant.
I made a rushed decision that cost our organization thousands of dollars.
I said yes to a good opportunity, but it was unaligned with our vision—pulling us away from our true goals.
I clung so tightly to being right that I unknowingly limited myself from new connections and opportunities.
I reacted emotionally to a challenge instead of responding with clarity—and lost trust in the process.
I overcommitted, thinking it was leadership, when in reality, it was avoidance.

Can you relate?

Now, imagine this instead…

What if you truly listened—not just to respond, but to understand?
What if you embraced curiosity instead of clinging to the need to be right?
What if you stepped out of the spotlight and found wisdom in quiet observation?
What if you gave yourself permission to say no, instead of defaulting to yes?
What if, before making any decision, you paused and asked for guidance?
What if you took three deep breaths before slipping into the same patterns that keep pulling you away from your bigger vision?

What if restraint became your greatest leadership advantage?

The most powerful leaders don’t react—they respond with intention, clarity, and conviction. They create space between stimulus and action, ensuring that every decision strengthens trust, confidence, and impact.

Lead with restraint. Watch how everything changes.

What Is Restraint?

Restraint isn’t about holding back—it’s about leading with wisdom. It’s about creating space to observe, listen, and discern before taking action. When practiced intentionally, restraint builds trust, strengthens relationships, and leads to more thoughtful, effective leadership.

Restraint can be defined as the practice of being devoted to richly experiencing each moment through the wisdom of present attention, strong patience, and the disciplined daily alignment of each thought, word, and action with one’s highest self and deepest character.

Yet, in leadership, we often choose to hold back for the wrong reasons—what we call withholding or failing to speak with true candor.

Three Reasons Leaders Hold Back

(That Have Nothing to Do With Restraint):

1️. Fear – Fear of conflict, rejection, or being perceived as too bold or disruptive.
2️. Control – Believing that by keeping information to ourselves, we maintain power or influence.
3️. Avoidance – Dodging discomfort, difficult conversations, the fear of adding more to your never-ending to-do list, or the responsibility that comes with speaking the truth.

The Right Kind of Restraint

Restraint isn’t about silence, avoidance, or control—it’s about leading with wisdom, clarity, and alignment to your highest self.

Before you act, consider this:

Restraint before relating.
Restraint before revealing.
Restraint before recommending.
Restraint before reacting.
Restraint before redirecting.
Restraint before rejecting.
Restraint before resolution.

The greatest leaders know when to pause, when to speak, and when to wait.

Restraint isn’t weakness—it’s mastery.

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