Have you ever felt like you're living life on autopilot, chasing success but missing out on what truly matters? I recently spoke with Cathy Christen, a remarkable entrepreneur and life design expert, who shared her transformative journey from workaholic to intentional living advocate.
Cathy's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes life's most challenging moments can become catalysts for profound change and personal growth.
The Wake-Up Call
At 23, Cathy was laser-focused on building her business and breaking financial records. However, a devastating loss shook her world and forced her to reevaluate everything:
"My best friend, who is my cousin, or was my cousin, is still wherever he is up there. We grew up as twins. We were two months apart. We did everything together, everything we could... And he was taken unexpectedly."
This tragic event became Cathy's pivotal "life shift" moment. It compelled her to pause and ask herself:
If I'm gone tomorrow, what really matters?
What do I want my life to look like in 10 years?
Am I living each day with intention and joy?
Designing a Life of Intention
Cathy's journey of self-discovery led her to embrace several key principles:
1. Prioritize what truly matters
She realized the importance of making time for relationships, personal growth, and experiences that bring genuine fulfillment. This meant setting boundaries and sometimes saying no to professional opportunities that didn't align with her values.
2. Seek guidance and accountability
Cathy emphasizes the value of mentors and coaches:
"There was a little bit of letting go, of pride, of, like, I can do this on my own. I got this... to going, you know what? They've crushed it. They've got a track record. They know what to do, and they're going to help shorten my learning curve."
3. Nurture all aspects of energy
Cathy discovered that true vitality comes from balancing four key areas:
Physical energy (nutrition, sleep, exercise)
Emotional energy (relationships, joy-inducing activities)
Mental energy (focus, time management)
Spiritual energy (meditation, prayer, connection to something greater)
4. Create a clear vision
One powerful exercise Cathy uses with clients is imagining their life as a movie:
"Watching the movie and it's like you're watching a reel and you're like, what are you celebrating? Like, who are you with? What do you do? What does your day look like?"
This visualization helps clarify priorities and guides decision-making in both personal and professional spheres.
The Ripple Effect of Intentional Living
By consciously designing her life, Cathy not only found greater fulfillment but also positively impacted those around her. She now helps others do the same, creating a ripple effect of intentional living and joy.
A Challenge for You
As we reflect on Cathy's inspiring journey, I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself:
What would the "movie" of your ideal life look like?
Are your daily actions aligned with that vision?
What small step can you take today to live with more intention?
Remember, it's never too late to start designing a life that truly lights you up. As Cathy beautifully puts it:
"You can start making everything count from here on out... I want to live a life that's full of more joy. I want to live my life by design. I want to stop being on autopilot on everyone else's expectations and really think about what lights me up and what makes me shine to my fullest."
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I'd love to hear your thoughts. What resonated most with you from Cathy's story? Share in the comments below!
To learn more about Cathy Christen and her work on intentional living, visit cathychristen.com.
Connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at matt@thelifeshiftpodcast.com .
