I was taught that if you work hard, stay determined, and take action, you will figure out a way.
I thought I had been challenging myself to strive and become a better version of myself until I had to do a self-reflection exercise on My Why and Signature Presence in my coaching program. It was then, I discovered I had this underlying belief, “Now is not the time?”
When I was about 9 years old, our family experienced a life-changing tragedy. Alcohol was involved. A Vehicle was involved. Five people died. It was my first experience with death. Life was never the same.
The Christmas following the tragedy, I anxiously waited with anticipation in the bathroom to surprise a family member with a gift I have poured my heart and love into. In my heart, I thought my gift would make everything will be better.
I was proud of my gift.
I would come out of the bathroom say, “Are they here yet? Are they here yet?” And someone would say to me, “Debra, now is not the time to share your gifts!” I retreated into the bathroom once again, getting ready to jump out and say, “Surprise!” Minutes later, probably 2 or 3 actually, I stepped out eagerly asked, “Are they here yet? Are they here yet?” Again, I heard, “Debra, now is not the time to share your gifts!”
I retreated once more. Peeking through the bathroom door. The family member arrived and was quickly escorted to the dinner table. The evening continued on…I held back.
Life is too short to NOT follow through.
One of my greatest regrets…
To this day, I do not remember sharing my gift. Something I will never forget. It explains why I do what I do. We all have a golden thread that weaves through the events in our lives that leads us to who we are and where we are today.
I realized that I had strived to give my best in all that I did. I know I held back just a little bit – worried about the timing, people judging me or thinking I was bragging or saying, “Who do you think you are?”
I AM…Debra
I have knowledge, talents, skills, and abilities to share.
I AM…a gift.
Every person is a gift. The world needs every person to step into the potential and live their purpose.
YOU are a gift.
No one can bring the gifts to the table that you have but YOU.
It is my mission to help individuals, businesses, and organizations to challenge their beliefs and assumptions of what is possible, tap into their strengths and abilities, and navigate change in a positive powerful way.
You need to come from a place of curiosity, ask meaningful questions, and shift your mindset to see the opportunities; they are everywhere.
Fast forward to today, my philosophy is…
“NOW, is the right time! If not NOW, then when?”
I feel delivering our gifts are our responsibility to the world. We do not always know how to deliver our gifts to the world. I do know with perseverance, determination, and consistent action you will find a way.
Delivering gifts continued to be a theme in my life.
IF YOU BELIEVE IT, YOU WILL SEE IT
In 2007, I had decided to check off an item on my bucket list. It read, “Deliver shoeboxes to orphanages in Ukraine so I can see a child’s eyes light up with joy in receiving my gift.” My children were very young at the time and I did not think I would be making the trip any time soon. I was in church one Sunday and noticed in the church bulletin that there was a need at a local school that higher immigrant populations and lower income families. They needed help. Perhaps, they would like a shoebox filled with treasures and packed with love.
I contacted the Vice Principal. He mentioned that no one had committed to assisting their school at the time of my call and said, “YES!” He had shared with me that his mother was the person who helped with shipped the shoeboxes to Ukraine. I knew I was on the right track. Yet at the same time, I had no idea HOW to make it happen.
My new mantra became, “What do I need to do?”
You Do Not Need to Have Everything to Get Started
We started with nothing. I knew that no great success in life came from doing it alone. I reached out to family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintance for assistance. Sharing my vision of surprising an elementary school with shoeboxes packed with seven mandatory items: a granola bar, juice box, toothpaste, toothbrush, a winter hat and mitts, and a pair of socks and then topped off with everything from toy cars to dolls, to puzzles to tea sets, to hair accessories, to playing cards and much more. For some children, I learned that this gift may be the ONLY gift they received. I knew if we did not share our gifts, they would be without and not experience the surprise we were about to bestow.
The same thing happens in life. If we hold back on what we are capable of, others lives are not enriched by their experience with us nor are inspired to share what they are capable of. We become who we are through our experiences.
The gifts were hidden under tarps. Our team of elves were eager with anticipation. Santa hushed the children for the BIG REVEAL.
Then it happened…
The school gym burst at the seams with excitement and joy. The children were sorting through everything in the boxes. The children’s eye lit up just as I had imagined. There wasn’t a dry eye to be found among the adults in the room. It was simply amazing.
What started from nothing left an impact on our hearts. I learned that you can make what you think about become a reality. We need to trust the process.
The following year, I called the school and asked, “Can we do it again?” The Vice Principal said, “Sure, we have one ask. Can you feed us?” Immediately, I envisioned a child with big bright brown eyes looking up at me with a raised plate that said, “FEED ME”. In my mind, I thought, “I have NEVER done anything like this before. I do not know HOW. I will figure it out!”
The Spirit of Christmas Pancake Breakfast and Shoebox campaign was born. It has become an annual family tradition for all involved. It all began because I said YES to something on my bucket list. I took action.
Nothing in life happens until you take action.
Stop getting in your own way. You do not need to feel overwhelmed and confused about what direction to take or get caught up in the HOW.
You do not need to have all the resources to get started. You do not need to do it alone.
You can become a better version of yourself. You do not need to hold back any longer – we are waiting for you to step up!
Let me be your trusted guide!
Together -we will figure it out!
Now I work with individuals, businesses, and organizations asking thought provoking questions, sharing powerful stories, and having meaningful conversations that make a difference in creating what they only thought was a dream.
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER IT
If you think someone will hand it to you, you will be waiting a very long time.
No one is going to hand it to you.
Get crystal clear on what it is you want. Make a list. Decide. Set goals. Make a plan. Take Action.
You can adjust the course as you go.
If you keep waiting, you can be missing out on opportunities.
PROFESSIONAL BIO
Debra Kasowski, the charismatic host of the positive, thought-provoking podcast, The Millionaire Woman Show, is committed to enriching the leadership potential of her countless, devoted clients, essentially guiding them to go within to uncover their vast inner resources, so, by capitalizing on their true personal power, they can achieve the measurable success they desire in business, and in life.
In today’s world of impersonal electronic communication, this award winning, three-time bestselling author, speaker and Certified Executive Coach wisely places the emphasis back on effective people skills, such as the posing of questions that promote insight and interaction, and the productive channeling of emotional energy towards problem solving; both key strategies to promote superlative performance, and enhanced productivity.
After graduating with distinction, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta, Debra spent many years as a clinical manager exceling in leadership development, before founding Debra Kasowski International, a world-class training and consulting venture focused on helping aspiring business owners and solopreneurs develop the winning “success habits” that transform human potential into sustainable profits.
Passionate, herself, about continually expanding beyond the boundaries of her own comfort zone, Debra, a dedicated wife, mother and avid philanthropist, has successfully finished two Olympic distance triathlons, while adding to her already impressive credentials with certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Appreciative Inquiry.
Clearly, if you’re a business owner motivated to move beyond the mediocre, an entrepreneur inspired to forge on to the forefront with a proven plan of action, there’s no doubt that the indomitable Debra Kasowski is your solution.
SPECIALTIES
Sifting through the distractions and gaining clarity to identify true wants and needs
Getting people unstuck and out of their own way
Challenging assumptions and stopping you from jumping to conclusion
Busting through fears and self-doubt holding you back from what you want to achieve
Building action plans and implementing those plans to get results
Creating vivid vision with a tangible plan to make it a reality
Cultivating curiosity by asking crafted questions that make decision making easy
Understanding how your emotions impact your relationships, leadership style, and business results and what you can do about it. (Emotional Intelligence – EQ 2.0)
Appreciating your best experiences to design the impossible future you want – making it possible and a reality! (Appreciative Inquiry)
Develop leaders to become the best version of themselves and lead others to do the same.
Empowering people to reclaim their power by mastering thy self
Designing a work and life balance you were jealous of others for having
Increasing productivity and performance with breakthrough strategies that develop high performing individuals and teams
Boosting your bottom-line by utilizing and leveraging strengths within you and your team and the resources around you