Kategori: Setting goals

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From Icy Days to a Red-Hot Brand: How Ellisiv Built a Personal Brand with 155,000 Followers

“The most important thing is to be authentic – you are your personal brand.”
– Ellisiv, coach and influencer

How do you build a brand that people don’t just follow — but genuinely feel something for?

In the latest episode of The Talk by Mentorguru, I sit down with Ellisiv, a young and newly certified coach with a lifestyle that quite literally makes you stop and stare. She takes an outdoor ice bath — every single day — all year round. At the same time, she has built an Instagram account with over 155,000 followers, and is now a semifinalist for Personal Brand of the Year in the SHE network.

But this isn’t just an episode about cold plunges.
It’s an episode about courage, mental strength, and how to build a powerful brand by being unapologetically yourself.

It Started with Ice Baths – But Became So Much More

For Ellisiv, it all began with a simple decision: to do something that challenged both her body and her mind. Ice bathing became a daily ritual — and a metaphor for life itself.
To stand in discomfort.
To find strength in stillness.
To face yourself in the reflection of a frozen lake.

She started documenting her journey on Instagram — not to become an influencer, but to share real, unfiltered moments. And it clicked.

From Zero to 155,000 Followers – On Her Own Terms

Many people ask: How did you get so many followers?

Ellisiv doesn’t have a quick fix — she has something better: authenticity.
She never tried to be “liked.” She just chose to be herself. And in a world full of filters, that might be the most powerful thing you can be.

In the episode, she shares:

  • How she found her visual and verbal style
  • What actually works on Instagram
  • How she builds real connections with her audience
  • What happens behind the scenes when you go viral — and how it can take a toll

A Growing Brand – And a Grounded One

The fact that Ellisiv is now a semifinalist for Personal Brand of the Year is no coincidence. It’s the result of consistent work, the courage to show vulnerability, and the ability to stand firm in her values — even when social media storms blow hard.

We also talk about:

  • What it really means to be a personal brand — not just to have one
  • How to handle the pressure of always being «on»
  • Where to draw the line when it comes to sharing, privacy, and mental health

Advice for Anyone Building Their Own Brand

Toward the end of the episode, Ellisiv shares her best advice for coaches, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to grow their own platform:

✅ Get clear on what you truly stand for
✅ Share what feels real — not just what you think will sell
✅ Don’t be afraid to be weird, raw, or different — that’s where the magic lives
✅ Remember: a small, engaged community beats a big, indifferent one. Every time.

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From Fast Fashion to Conscious Living – A Conversation with Pia Paulsen aka Pia Fab

In this episode of The Talk – by Mentorguru, we meet a woman who hasn’t just designed clothes — she’s redesigned her entire life. Pia Paulsen, also known as Pia Fab, has transitioned from being a successful force in the commercial fashion industry to a trailblazer for sustainability, awareness, and radical personal responsibility.

This isn’t just a story about a career shift — it’s a powerful testimony to what happens when you dare to listen to your inner voice, take full ownership of your life, and carve out your own path.

A Creator With a Conscience

Pia studied at the French fashion school Esmod and launched her own studio — POLYESTER — before she had any real experience in the industry. As she puts it: “What could possibly go wrong?” The answer: everything. But that was also the start of a crucial journey.

Eventually, she found herself in the fast fashion machine, where the pace and pressure to produce stood in stark contrast to her values. One thing especially gnawed at her: copying others’ creative work, and the widespread greenwashing she saw in the industry. As her awareness grew, so did her need to break free.

Jumping Off the Hamster Wheel

Pia had climbed to the top as Head of Design, but meaning was missing. She jumped — without a backup plan.

After a period of deep reflection, further studies in sustainability, and hands-on work in textile sorting with Fretex, she found herself returning to a place where she could truly make a difference: the classroom.

Teacher and Mentor – On the Other Side of the Desk

Today, Pia teaches at Esmod — the very school where her journey began. She mentors final-year students, helping them not only with design skills, but also to find their voice, their inner drive, their creative soul.

“It’s not about shouting the loudest or being the weirdest. It’s about finding your own engine — when you do, you always know the answers, and you’ll always be able to shift gears when things get tough.”

She also teaches sustainability — not as a trend, but as a baseline for the future of fashion.

Confashion – Fashion With Purpose

Pia hasn’t stopped creating. She recently launched Confashion.no — a curated marketplace for Norwegian designers working with redesign and sustainable fashion. The goal? To make conscious fashion both visible and profitable.

“It’s not enough to have a great product without great distribution. Confashion is the missing link.”

She challenges an industry that produces over 100 billion garments annually — enough to give every person on Earth 12 new items a year.

“We could clothe the entire global population for the next 50 years without producing a single new item — if we just took better care of what we already have.”

Taking 100% Responsibility – and Borrowing Belief When You Need It

One of the most powerful moments in the conversation is about ownership — the honest, raw kind of ownership we all need to take.

“I am my only problem — and I am also the only solution.”

When you take radical responsibility, you stop blaming your boss, your upbringing, or society. You start building. But Pia is also honest about what that process feels like — and how important support is along the way.

“I’ve had coaches and mentors who gave me brutally honest feedback. And sometimes, when I didn’t believe in myself, I borrowed their belief in me. That’s one of the greatest gifts a mentor can offer.”

A truth that hits deep for anyone working in growth, coaching or education.

So How Do You Actually Take Back Control?

We asked Pia what advice she’d give to someone feeling stuck:

“Follow the joy. That’s where your direction is.”

She speaks about slowing down to reconnect with yourself, using journaling and meditation as tools to hear your inner guidance. Then? Set a goal. A big one. One you don’t know how to reach — yet. Because just starting the journey will get you moving again.

Pia’s Top Three Steps to Reclaim Your Life:

  1. Slow down. You can’t feel anything if you’re always rushing.
  2. Turn inward. The answer isn’t out there — it’s within you.
  3. Set a joyful, daring goal. Even if it feels impossible, start walking.

The Bottom Line – Be You, Not Perfect

If Pia could tell her younger self one thing?

“You don’t have to be perfect. Be Pia — that’s interesting and unique. Authenticity is the most attractive and meaningful thing there is!”

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Personal vs. Professional Growth: Do You Have to Choose?

Finding the perfect balance between personal and professional growth is a topic that everyone seems to be obsessed with. The internet is full of advice on how to achieve «work-life balance» like it’s some magical formula that, once discovered, will solve all your problems.

But here’s the real question: Is balance really the goal? Or is it just an illusion that’s holding you back?

In this blog post, we’re going to break down:

  • Why chasing balance can be a trap
  • How to combine personal and professional growth without burning out
  • The role of holistic health in building a sustainable lifestyle
  • Practical tips for managing your time to create a more fulfilling life

The Myth of Balance – Why It Can Hold You Back

Let’s be honest: Life is not about achieving perfect balance. It’s about making constant adjustments to stay on course. Think of a tightrope walker – they’re never in perfect balance, but they keep moving forward by continuously readjusting.

🔹 According to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, people who dive deep into focused work are far more productive and satisfied than those who try to balance everything evenly.

🔹 Research from Harvard Business Review reveals that the most satisfied individuals are not the ones with perfect balance, but those who have clear priorities and live in alignment with them.

🔹 The Flow Theory by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi shows that we’re happiest when we’re fully engaged in a meaningful task – not when we’re trying to do everything at once.

So, what’s the takeaway?

Balance might actually be stopping you from achieving real growth. Instead of constantly chasing an elusive equilibrium, it’s more productive to focus on intensity and prioritization.

How to Combine Personal and Professional Growth Without Burning Out

If balance is a myth, then what’s the alternative? The answer is strategic growth. Here are some proven strategies:

1️⃣ Growth Stacking – Maximizing Your Time

Growth Stacking is about combining different growth activities simultaneously. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing things smarter.

Examples:

  • Listening to podcasts while working out.
  • Reflecting on your goals while drinking your morning coffee.
  • Turning casual conversations into learning opportunities.

Why it works: It saves time, increases efficiency, and accelerates progress by stacking multiple areas of growth together.

2️⃣ Non-Negotiables – Set Your Boundaries

If you don’t set boundaries, you’ll end up trying to be everything to everyone. Create clear rules for when you’re “on” and when you’re “off.”

Examples:

  • No work emails after 6 PM.
  • Keeping your mornings free from social media.
  • Setting non-negotiable blocks of time for personal projects or family.

3️⃣ The Sprint Model – Intensity Over Balance

Forget about balancing everything perfectly. Instead, focus intensely for short bursts. The Sprint Model encourages you to work in 12-week cycles with clearly defined goals.

Why it works: It creates urgency, boosts productivity, and helps you avoid burnout by alternating periods of hard work with intentional rest.

Holistic Health – Building a Foundation for Growth

You can’t build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation. Holistic health isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a solid base for sustainable growth.

Key Areas to Focus On:

  1. Physical Health: Exercise, sleep, nutrition. It’s non-negotiable.
  2. Mental Health: Mindfulness, reflection, and digital detox.
  3. Social Health: Quality relationships over quantity.
  4. Emotional Health: Finding purpose and meaning in what you do.

Time Management Tips for a More Fulfilling Life

If you want to grow in multiple areas, you need to own your time. Here’s how:

  1. Conscious Time Management: Create weekly schedules that include blocks for work, rest, learning, and social activities.
  2. Invest in Yourself: Never stop learning. Personal growth fuels professional growth and vice versa.
  3. Set Clear Goals: What do you want to achieve over the next 12 weeks? Break it down and tackle it with laser focus.

Conclusion: Prioritization Over Balance

Balance is a nice idea, but it’s not what drives growth. Instead of striving for an unrealistic ideal, focus on intensity, priority, and strategic growth. When you stop trying to make everything even, you start making real progress.

So, here’s my challenge for you: What will you prioritize today? And how will you combine your personal and professional growth to get there?

Leave a comment below or share your thoughts on social media. I’d love to hear how you’re tackling this challenge!

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SoMe strategy plan

I have been struggling for how to reach my audience and wondering if it’s important to have as many followers as possible or what.

The first thing they all say is that you have to start by understanding who you’re audience are and optimizing your profile to appeal directly to them. Ok, but when you have private people, businesses, schools/universities it’s not that easy.

And then they say that I should have a focus on creating high-quality, consistent content and actively engage with your followers through comments and user-generated content. Well I am doing my best here…

So I did something that many recommend, I asked IA, and wow what an answer. I was kind of blown away…

In seconds I had Defind my goals and objectives, had an audience analysis, content strategy/pillar, a posting schedule, a hashtag strategy and an engagement strategy. So I promise to do it and become better, also in here in my blog.

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Getting your best year in 2024

If you are like me you are using the time in the end of a year to prepare making your next year even better.

So starting a new year with the intention of making it your best year ever involves a combination of reflection, goal-setting, and intentional action. Here’s five steps to help you get started:

  1. Reflect on the Past Year:
    Take some time to reflect on the previous year. What were your achievements, challenges, and lessons learned? Understanding your past can help you make informed decisions for the future.
  2. Set Clear Goals:
    Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the year. Break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks to make progress more achievable.
  3. Develop Positive Habits:
    Identify habits that contribute to your well-being and success. Establish a routine that incorporates these habits into your daily life. Consistency is key in forming new, positive habits
  4. Develop Healthy Habits:
    Consider adopting habits that contribute to your overall well-being. This could include regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and mindfulness practices. Healthy habits provide a strong foundation for achieving your goals.
  5. Take Action:
    The most important step is to take action. Start working on your goals today, even if it’s with small steps. Consistent action is key to making progress and turning your aspirations into reality.

Remember, making it your best year ever is a process, not an overnight achievement. Stay committed, stay positive, and stay focused on your goals. Celebrate the small victories along the way, and keep moving forward.

And good luck for 2024

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Why should I manifest?

It looks like one of the popular buzz word for the time being is MANIFESTING, but what does it mean and should I try it?

Manifesting is the practice of focusing your thoughts, beliefs, and intentions on a specific outcome or desire in order to bring it into your reality. The idea behind manifesting is that by aligning your thoughts and emotions with what you want to achieve or receive, you can attract and manifest those desires into your life.

There are different approaches to manifesting, but the underlying principle is based on the belief in the power of thoughts and the law of attraction. The law of attraction suggests that like attracts like, meaning that positive thoughts and emotions can attract positive experiences and outcomes.

By consciously directing your thoughts, visualizing your goals, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can increase the likelihood of achieving what you desire. The process often involves setting clear intentions, affirming positive statements, practicing gratitude, and taking inspired actions towards your goals.

It’s important to note that while manifesting can be a powerful tool for personal growth and goal achievement, it is not a magical solution or guarantee of instant results. It requires consistent effort, belief in oneself, and a willingness to take action in alignment with your intentions.

Manifesting can be seen as a way to tap into your own inner potential and create a mindset that is conducive to achieving your desired outcomes. It can help you clarify your goals, develop a positive attitude, and stay focused on your aspirations.

Photo: From «The chic life» run by Diana, click on the picture and go straight to the page for more about manifesting and Laws of attraction.

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Success Takes Time and Hard Work—Follow These 5 Steps to Stick With It to the End

We live in an immediate gratification kind of society and why should the idea of being successful be any different?

There are people who really do have a spark. They get a great idea and decide to go for it. But they ultimately fail, only because they do not stick with it long enough for their endeavor to succeed—they did not see it through to the end.

 As a blogger and a writer, I have personally learned that success takes time, hard work, and just plain stick-to-it-ness. Have you ever noticed on the web that there are a lot of dead blogs out there (according to the International Bloggers Association, approximately 95 percent are in the blog graveyard along with their deceased Twitter feeds and Facebook pages. It is kind of sad, really. All of these blogs started with excitement. They started with purposeful energy. Now they are just gone. The million dollar question is this: How do you stick with it (whatever “it” is) long enough to succeed? These five steps can help you cross the finish line of this marathon—and you will see your idea through.

  1. Find the passion.

Embark on this project only if you are passionate about it, because it’s passion that energizes you for the long-haul. If not, you will inevitably tire of it and probably will not stay with it.

  1. Know your “why.”

Why are you doing this? For me, writing in my journal helps clarify why it is important to me. Ask yourself, how will your idea impact your life? Your career? How will it help others? Your family?

  1. Write out a plan.

The best intentions can get lost if we don’t have a roadmap to follow. Write out a business plan for your idea that includes tangible action steps. Make them specific. Give them a timeframe.

  1. Make it a daily habit.

Sometimes to make our big plans and dreams come true, we have to fit them into whatever else we have going on in our lives. You have to find a way to incorporate this plan into your daily life so that it becomes as routine as brushing your teeth.

  1. Stick with it.

Have the big picture in mind. What are you aspiring to do? Don’t let anything or anybody discourage you. Just do it. Eventually, if you keep the end goal in mind, you will get there. You really will! And when you do, it will be so worth it.

“The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground.” –Author Unknown

 

This article is shortened down, but originally from Debra DiPietro which is a 2015 SUCCESS BlogStars winner, nominated and voted upon as one of the most influential self-development writers and bloggers on the web for her blog, The Warm Milk Journal. 

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‘Dreams Are for Losers’

Shonda Rhimes (https://no.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shonda_Rhimes And http://wifey.tv/video/shonda-rhimes-dreams-are-for-losers/ ) hold this speech for the Dartmouth University grads and for me this is a strange thing to say. Yes I can agree if dream is all you do, but if you then put a plan to it… She also says that while you are busy dreaming the successful people are busy doing… Well sorry Shonda Rhimes, but I think the successful people also have dreamed it first and then they do… 
 I am a dreamer, and I thought to myself that it is a stupid thing to be. Look around, life is terrible and people are terrible and dreaming is naive and dumb. It’s easy to question the things you are when someone else put a question mark on what you believe in.

But then I remembered that speech «I have a dream» by Martin Luther King,that guy wasn’t naive and dumb—far from it. And he didn’t just talk. He did stuff to try to make his dream come true. And the speaking of the dream, the vision, it infused a lot of other people with energy and hope to act and keep on acting, especially when things were terrible.

I identify myself as a dreamer. But to me, a dreamer is also a doer, a doer also a dreamer. I think that by the very nature of doing something with all your heart and hustle, there is an underlying belief there that what you’re doing matters, that it will propel you somewhere, even if you don’t know or ever dreamed of where. I don’t think dreamers have to know where they’re going either. How can you ever really know?

What you call yourself, what moves you, whether it’s a dream or simply the task of the day, doesn’t really matter, at least not to me.

To me what matters is you using your gifts to their fullest, sharing your art, creating your thing, being your kindest self, and allowing it to grow outside yourself, to seep into the life of someone else, to make it a little better.

Because if you dream of being a writer, you should write. The rest is unknowable, and though you can’t always create the exact outcome you intend, what I’ve learned is you do create a special kind of potential, possibility and growth—a kind that will not exist unless you do your dream. Unless you try. Every day. Even when it feels like it’s going nowhere.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t seem to help but say yes to that.

This is based on an article from the Success Magazine and Isa Adney, read the whole article here: Dreams are for Loosers