We had the good fortune of connecting with Tama Kieves and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tama, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I teach my clients and students that “Any choice is a risk, except the right one.” It’s natural to want safety, but there is a kind of “safe” that isn’t safe. There is no safety in denying who you are. My whole career is based on one huge risk I took, followed by many others. Having graduated from Harvard Law School, and on my way to making partner at a prestigious law firm, I felt empty and fulfilled. I’d always known there was “something more” in me. But I’d been afraid to trust my true desires, and leave law to write, as I’d dreamed. I feared failure. Finally, I asked myself: “If you’re this successful doing work you don’t love, what could you do with work you do love? I decided to answer that question with my life and follow my desires instead of deny them. Now I know I was put on this earth to champion visionary minds, creative souls, freedom junkies, maverick entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-agents, and anyone who is willing to rock their brilliance in this lifetime. For me it’s all about daring to live and work from inspiration instead of fear. We are more powerful than we know. And what I have learned is this: It’s a much bigger risk to deny who you are, than to follow your instinctive genius and love.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As I mentioned before I’m here to here to champion visionary minds, creative souls, freedom junkies, maverick entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-agents, and anyone who wants to live and work from inspiration instead of fear. The secret of my success and what I teach others…comes from listening to our inspired instincts rather than our habitual linear thinking. At this point, I have coached thousands worldwide to discover and thrive in the life, calling and businesses of their dreams.

I never planned on being a national expert, doing a TEDx talk, leading retreats in different parts of the world, becoming a thought leader. I was just trying to save my own life. After I graduated Harvard Law School, I moved out to Denver and accepted a position in major law firm. But each day, no matter how “successful,” my career seemed, I felt like I was dying inside. And when I finally left the practice of law, I yearned to find work that fed my soul and paid the bills. But when I was searching to find my calling, I couldn’t find the resources I craved. Many of the books I read offered “8 easy step” formulas. Or the experts all felt simplistic or plastic to me. I wanted someone who could be real and smart, (and preferably funny!) but not predictable. I wanted someone who could get beyond the cookie cutter approach to career advice and help me reshape my thinking, blow up limits and take me to the festival where anything was possible. So, I started to write the books I wished I could find on bookshelves.

I worked on my first book This Time I Dance! Creating the Work You Love for 12 years without a publisher, an agent or a contract. Part of me doubted myself all the way. But I trusted the yearning, the calling, my instincts. I knew I was writing something in a way that no one else had written about it. Finally, I put my own money into self-publishing the book. And within 4 months, I got an email that read: “Your Fairy Godmother Has Arrived.” It was an email from the Vice President of Marketing and Publicity for Random House who said, the book was the best book she’d ever read on finding your calling and following it. She got it to the President of Tarcher/Penguin Random House, one of the biggest NY publishers I’d always dreamed about. They bought the book, and kept the exact writing (which is unheard of in the publishing industry.) They have since bought every book I’ve written, 5 in total, at the moment.

My own journey is what fuels me to help others. I am so excited about the astonishing capacities in all of us. Our world needs our gifts and inspired powers now more than ever. Whether I’m speaking at an organization or leading a workshop or coaching session, I love working with dynamic intelligent successful individuals and opening their minds to an even higher potential of happiness and expression. Our desires aren’t frivolous. They’re imperative.

It all comes down to living from love instead of fear. And I know my success comes from continuously navigating that in my own life and sharing it honestly and passionately with others. (Oh, and by the way, I’m so excited…I’m offering some free coaching videos for others to create the work and life they love. They’re here: www.tamakieves.com/free-coaching-videos/

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d take them to South Pearl Street for some eclectic shopping, an Americano at Stella’s coffee house, dinner at Sushi Den or Uno Mas Taqueria. And on another night we’d go to the newly opened Tikka and Grill. And since I’m a Thai food addict, we’d also eat at Taste of Thailand or Thai Pot Café. Oh, and if they like Chinese Food, we’d have to do Peter’s Chinese Café. I’m from New York City, and I LOVE Peter’s Chinese food. We might also need to go to St Mark’s Coffee house to sit in one of the thrones. We’d check out the Botanic Gardens and do a Japanese Tea Ceremony. And naturally, we’d cruise the 16th Street Mall, Larimer Square, and Lo Do. We’d go hiking in Mt Falcon Park in Indian Hills, check out Red Rocks, and also hike in Evergreen or Boulder. In Boulder, we’d stop at the Dushanbe Tea House and eat at Chez Thuy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d give a shout to A Course in Miracles a book/spiritual path of listening to love instead of fear.

Website: https://tamakieves.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamakieves/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamakieves/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamakieves

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaKieves/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TamaKieves

Other: Email: connect@tamakieves.com

Image Credits
Jason Johnson

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