I just heard from the hosting site, and there are only a few seats left!
Register now to reserve your space!

IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?

This course is designed for any woman who is committed to realizing her full potential: as a mother, a small business owner . . . and a human being. It doesn’t matter if you’re just getting started or if you’ve been running a successful (or not so successful—deep breath, we’ll fix that) business for years—nor does it matter what industry you’re in (AKA: it is NOT just for photographers). It’s not important if you’re single, if you’ve been married for a decade or if you’re a recent divorcée. You may be newly pregnant with your first child, or you may have so many children that you’ve recently lost count. If you are passionate about living your best life—making your greatest impact on your family and the world—this course is for you. Get ready to turn those big picture dreams into balancedengagingpassion-filled, and profitable realities.

STILL NOT CERTAIN THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions, The Breathe Intensive is definitely right for you.

Is there a gap between where you are now and where you truly want to be?

Are you unclear about where it is you truly want to be?

Are you overwhelmed by the constant balancing act of business and life?

Are you frustrated because you’re working your little heart out, but you just don’t seem to be achieving measurable or sustainable results?

Is your family suffering because they’re not receiving your best as you focus on keeping up with the never ending tasks of running a business?

Is your business suffering because you can’t seem to find the time or energy to devote to it while simultaneously giving your family everything they need/deserve?

Do you ever feel like you’ve lost sight of your TURE self among all the different roles you play?

Are you less happy with the state of your day to day life than you know you could/should be?

HOW LONG DOES THE CLASS RUN AND WHAT’S THE TIME COMMITMENT? 

The Breathe Intensive runs for 5 weeks.

Each monday, a new lesson will be delivered to our online classroom. Between lesson participation and homework assignments, and depending on the rhythm of each individual student, you can expect to spend approximately 3-4 hours per week “in class.”

CAN YOU GIVE ME MORE DETAILED PARTICIPATION INFORMATION SO I KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT? 

All participation and interaction will take place in a private online forum. (Registered students will receive instructions on how to access the forum a few days before class begins.)

On the first Monday of class, I will share Lesson 1 in the forum as well as e-mail it directly to every student. Throughout the week, as you read the lesson and work through the homework assignments, feel free to post thoughts/questions in the forum space. I will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussions, and I invite and encourage all class members to collaborate and work together to offer feedback and facilitate discussion as well! (Note: I will be accessible via the forum M-F only.)

Each week will follow the same pattern.

WILL I RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AS IT RELATES TO MY SPECIFIC LIFE/GOALS?

Short answer, YES, ABSOLUTELY! 

I am PASSIONATE about real human to human connection. Not only will I be working to get to know each of you through online forum discussions throughout the duration of the class, I’ll also be sending out a questionnaire a few days before class begins to help me get acquainted with the specific challenges and needs each individual student enrolled in the course. Remember, anything you share in this questionnaire will be held in the strictest of confidence.

I’ll also be hosting four live question and answer calls throughout the duration of our 5 weeks together! Questions may be emailed in advance or asked during the live call. NOTE: calls will be recorded and links provided for those who are unable to participate live. Call-in information will be provided within the forum and via email.

Calls are scheduled as follows:

Friday, April 11 from 10-11am PST

Friday, April 18 from 10-11am PST

Friday, May 2 from 10-11am PST

Friday, May 9 from 10-11am PST.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN TELL ME TO HELP ME MAKE THIS DECISION? 

Look, there are a million different “right” ways to “balance business and life,” but not every right way is the right way for you. I know, because I’ve been where you are. And in my desperation, I turned to mentors, I attended courses, I read books. . . all promising life changing results as it relates to living a balanced, successful, fulfilling life.  In the end, not a one delivered on their promises, because those cookie cutter systems and structures are NOT one size fits all!

Undeterred (in fact, more resolved than EVER to find a way to live the life of my dreams),  I turned inward. I turned down the volume on outside influences, got real, worked hard, and intentionally built—from the inside out—a BEAUTIFUL way of living, balancing and thriving that works perfectly for me (and my family too).

The Breathe Intensive was born of my desire to help guide others along as they do the work to build the intentional life of their dreams—on their own terms.

I am 100% committed to holding your hand and guiding you along as you go through the process of getting clear about what you want and developing a realistic, CUSTOMIZED map to get you from where you currently are, to where you are sincerely meant to be.

This course is designed to empower and guide you along as you build the life of your dreams—a life of intention, balance, meaning and success—in a way that is broad enough to include your loftiest of goals AND a concern for the ultimate (and most exquisite) well being of the people in your life who matter the very most!

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

I can promise you that if you show up with your whole heart and really do the work, together we will define exactly what you’re looking for in terms of business and family life and determine exactly how the two can work together to create the very most powerful ends possible!

The results? A more clearly defined end in mind, increased marketability and profitability, enhanced connection and satisfaction in business, and greater order, happiness, connection, purpose and fulfillment at home!

NOTE: THIS COURSE ISN’T FOR EVERYONE.

If you’re looking for a lecture, this is not the class for you.

This course will require you to step in and do the hard work (read “smart work”) to get exactly what it is you really want (and more often than not, something even better). It will require you to get in touch with your core, the deepest parts of the guts that make you who you really are. This course will require you to answer some tough questions and face some tough facts, and it may require you to change deeply seeded and limiting thought patterns that could be holding you back from living your full potential–as a mother, a wife, an individual and a small business owner. If you’re not willing to grab your life  by the horns, with your entire heart and soul, then this class probably isn’t for you. 

WHERE DO I SIGN UP?

You can register for The Breathe Intensive here, or simply copy and paste the following url into your web browser: http://www.thedefineschool.com/learn/breathe/

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Add to Cart” to be directed to the registration and payment window.

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN CLASS! 

IMAGE: SLOAN PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Gah! I cannot wait! The Breathe Intensive: making it work for mother entrepreneurs is FINALLY online! And it’s going to be AMAZING! 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

What: a 5 week online course for mother entrepreneurs.

When: class begins April 7.

Where/How: The beauty of this class is that you can read, watch, practice, and participate throughout the week whenever it is convenient for you—from any timezone, anywhere you have Internet access, at any time of the day or night. Most students should expect to spend an average of 3-4 hours per week “in class” and/or completing homework assignments.

Sign Up: Registration opens here March 24.

Note: Bookmark the registration page and mark your calendars! Unlike other online courses that simply open registration to an infinite number of participants, I’m limiting class size significantly to ensure I can give you the individualized attention you deserve. 

_______________________________ 

SYLLABUS

WEEK ONE: Cultivation: define the why. Clear clutter, cut fat, purge garbage, and deliberately map the course.

WEEK TWO: Curation Part I: examine existing patterns of work/life passion, purpose and profit and get clear about what’s working, what’s not, and why.

WEEK THREE: Curation Part II: examine the existing environment, support and structure of your work/life—establish your individual Rules of Engagement for balance and success.

WEEK FOUR: Initiation: focus, define and implement a practical and immediately actionable “how” that’s destined for sustainable success.

WEEK FIVE: The Power of YOU (alternate title: It’s Totes Buddha, Yo): stepping in to your authentic artistic voice, maintaining momentum, and achieving (and celebrating!) measurable results.

SCHEDULE

All participation and interaction for this class will take place in a private online forum. (Registered students will receive instructions on how to access the forum a few days before class begins.)

On the first Monday of class, I will share Lesson 1 in the class forum as well as e-mail it directly to every student. Throughout the week, as you read the lesson and work through the homework assignments, feel free to post thoughts/questions in the forum space. I will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussions, and I invites and encourages all class members to collaborate and work together to offer feedback and facilitate discussion as well! (Note: I will be accessible via the forum M-F only.)

Each week will follow the same pattern.

Q and A calls: because I believe real human to human connection is such a powerful thing, I’ll be facilitating 4 question and answer calls throughout the duration of our 5 weeks together. Questions may be emailed in advance or asked during the live call (calls will be recorded and links provided for those who are unable to participate live). Conference call in information will be provided within our class forum and via email, and calls are scheduled as follows:  Friday, April 11 from 10-11am PST | Friday, April 18 from 10-11am PST | Friday, May 2 from 10-11am PST | Friday, May 9 from 10-11am PST.

NOTE: As each group has it’s own unique dynamic, a few days before class begins, I will send out a simple questionnaire to help me get acquainted with the specific challenges and needs of the students enrolled in the course. Feel free to share as much or as little as you would like, or don’t fill out the questionnaire at all. This is your rodeo, partner! Remember, anything you share in this questionnaire will be held in the strictest of confidence.

 _______________________________

IMAGE: SLOAN PHOTOGRAPHERS 

A Quick History

The moment The Breathe Intensive was conceived, I knew the most logical format would be an online course. It is, after all, a curriculum developed for mother entrepreneurs—the irony of requiring time away from family and work in order to learn to better manage family and work was not lost on me. However, I maintained, and still do, that sometimes you have to take a few steps back in order to take leaps and bounds forward. Plus, I feared that the intimate nature of Breathe would be lost in an online community.

However, after Breathe officially launched in 2011, week after week, month after month and year after year I fielded dozens upon dozens—if not hundreds—of requests for an online variation of the intensive. I haven’t turned a deaf ear to these requests. I’ve spent the last couple of years sincerely considering how to make this work in a way that would preserve the integrity of the material—no, the integrity of the entire Breathe experience—while simultaneously allowing participation by those who are desperate to attend yet find it (during this particular stage of life) logistically impossible to do so.

Long story short, we’re finally there, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!  In fact, now that I’ve done the work to convert the material to an online format, I’m seeing all the ways this will be an even BETTER Breathe experience than ever before!

I can’t wait to see you in class!!!!

Good morning. Good night.

“You look awful!”

He steps in to get a better look.

“Like, (perplexed pause), you look like you are about to die!”

He leans in even closer.

But before he can find a way to further articulate his horror, we both burst into side-splitting laughter.

“This is what I need him for,” I think, as I look down and realize that I’m still in my pajamas at 7:30. . . PM.

There is a pile of wrappers that used to contain the canister full of dinner mints that have sustained me all day long.

This was . . . a day. Ya know? And if I’m being totally honest, I’ll say that I have a lot of days like this. I’m not the mom who wakes up and has her make-up on before she gets the kids out of bed in the morning. I’ll never be that mom. I wish I were that mom. But guess what? Reality: I’m lucky if I get my make up on before our semi-annual family photo session, forget the drop off line at school. And that’s ok with me. (Sort of. . . . Well, most of the time. OK. A good percentage of the time. Like say, 35%.)

On days when I’m feeling particularly spread thin and frazzled, I remind myself that I’m a part of something. Something that matters. In fact, I’m a part of a lot of somethings that matter, and I get to live them out every day, with my entire soul. That means something to me. It really does. So yes, I’m still in the stars and stripes that I put on at 10:30pm . . . yesterday. And no, I’m not ashamed (I’m a little ashamed) to be admitting that out loud. (Actually, you know what? I did it on purpose. It makes going to bed again a cinch.)

______________________________

Dear, sweet, strong, brave, bat-freaking-crazy, zombie face Natalie,

Every day, as you break up fist fights between your children, stop and look at them (but not for too long, or there will be blood). Stop and really look at them, and remember that they are yours. You made them. And you get to keep them, forever. That’s a something to be proud of. 

As you look at the pile of dishes that is stinking up not only the kitchen but is sneaking it’s way into your living space as well, remember, you survived on dinner mints today because you wanted to, not because you didn’t have enough food to eat. You have a kitchen full of dishes and a pantry full of food to put on them. Why you chose to subsist on dinner mints is a mystery of the free world. But every girl needs to keep a little mystery in her life. So, good on ya! This is all a something to feel very grateful for. 

When your husband tells you you look like the walking dead, wrap your arms tight around his neck, because if it weren’t for him, you would drive yourself right into the ground with how hard you work every day, and you know it. His love and hilarity are the solitary reasons you stay sane and keep your head square upon your shoulders. That is a something to cry tears of joy about.

When you are starting to doubt the wisdom of your 3 month long email strike as you see unanswered messages spilling out the front door and onto the neighbor’s lawn, remember— each one of those emails (except the stupid ones from Living Social and K-Mart) represents one of God’s children that you get the absolute honor of loving on for a few measly minutes of your big bad day. That is a something you need to appreciate as a gift. That is a something you need to remember to love.

When you are losing your mind trying to coordinate all the logistics of your crazy-beautiful life, just look around at all the SPECTACULAR people who are constantly rising up to help, to encourage, to support and to sustain your efforts. YOUR life is FILLED TO OVERFLOWING with not only somethings but someones who love you fiercely. . .far more than you deserve.

 

Above: Discussing Metta (loving kindness) Meditation with Mom after a particularly hard night.

 

 At the end of a long day of hustling like your life depended on it, when your 10 year old asks you to come and not only listen to him practice his drums, but sing vocals for him as well (WHAT?!), remember, migraines.are.awesome. (That’s not a something. It’s just torture, by the way. But it is evidence of a life full of love and belonging. . . and THAT is a something you could never live without.)

And when you didn’t get dinner on the table, and your house is nearing disaster status, and your laundry is taking over the bathroom, and said bathroom smells like number one, and you are exhausted on a cellular level, and despite going a million miles an hour—all.day.long—you really aren’t sure what you even accomplished . . . remember, you have opposable thumbs, and that is neat.

Hang in there, sister. Your life is beautiful.

xo,

Self

PS Want to join me in an upcoming something that I’m incredibly proud to be a part of? Come see me and two of my most treasured and respected friends (Tamara Lackey and Jen Bebb) in Brooklyn, Nashville or LA for a day of encouragement, straight talk and practical, sustainable application that is sure to get you from where you are now (10:45pm in yesterday’s pajamas?), to where you truly want to be (10:45 pm in yesterday’s pajamas, but eating ice cream too??).

All joking aside*, this event is not to be missed. Find (real) information here: What If Conference | The Day Camps.

*Note: this is my last scheduled speaking engagement of 2013.

Breathe is coming to Vegas, and just in time for WPPI!

What is Breathe?

Breathe is an intensive designed to empower wives and/or moms with the tools they need to achieve success in business while also achieving balance, order, harmony, and success on the home front. 2012 is your year to achieve your professional goals without sacrificing your personal and family values!

After 2 sold out pilot workshops in 2011, I’ve modified the format and lengthened the time slot by 2 full hours! I can’t wait to launch the new and improved workshop format in Las Vegas on February 18th!

Read the complete promotional piece here.

Is Breathe right for you?

Check out these sample profiles.

How many people can attend?

In order to provide the best experience possible for all participants, the Las Vegas intensive size will be limited to 15.

Do I have to be a photographer to attend Breathe?

Absolutely not. None of the material covered in the workshop is industry specific.

Additional questions?

Email questions to aloha{at}natalienortonblog{dot}com, however with Christmas right around the corner, don’t expect an immediate response.

To Register:

Reserve your space by registering for The Breathe Intensive here. Both 2011 intensives sold out quickly; seats will go fast. Register today to reserve your space!  See you in Vegas!

NO more entries will be accepted. Winner(s) will be announced at appx 12pm HST.

The revolution continues, and I want YOUR family, YOUR business, YOU to be a part of it.

Back in February, high above all the noise and rumpus that is Las Vegas, NV, I found myself in a quiet  room, filled with the most exceptional group of women I have ever met. These women KNOW that happy families don’t just happen; they are MADE. This group of women understands that every single choice they make as mothers, is a significant one. These women have changed the course of my life, and continue to do so each and every day. They’ve put in the smart, focused, and intentional work, and every one of them will tell you that their lives, families, businesses, SELVES are better because of it. I’m so thankful for their examples that inspire me to step into my own life, business and family with more resolve, passion and joy! Some of them won scholarships for nursing, others mastered new specialties, etc.

No matter where you are in your business and life, if you are a mother and an entrepreneur, this workshop is for you. If you’re willing to put in the smart work, The Breathe Intensive WILL revolutionize your life from the ground up!

I’m dying to see you in Phoenix! I know you’re dying to be there too, because you know that the only other Breathe Intensive currently on the books for 2011, will be on an island waaaaaay out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean! Mainlanders, this is your last chance!

I’m giving away not one, but TWO seats to The Breathe Intensive in Phoenix on May 20th!

To enter:

1. Comment below and tell me why you want to come to Breathe. You don’t have to say much, just make sure it’s completely and totally transparent and comes from the deepest corner of your heart.
2. Tweet, Facebook, blog, Tumble the news about the giveaway. Shout it from the rooftops if you must (here is the direct link to this post), because if your friend enters and wins, guess what? They get to bring YOU along as their guest!
3. All entries must be received in the comment section below by no later than Friday, May 6th at 9:00 am Hawaii Standard Time.

Winners will be announced Friday, May 6th. (Or you may secure your seat by registering now, here.)

Good luck!

I CANNOT WAIT to see you in Phoenix!

xx,

Me