Meet Ivette Flower | Certified Leadership & Positive Intelligence Coach

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

Hi Ivette, how has your work-life balance changed over time?

I don’t believe in work-life balance. That statement gives the illusion that work and personal life should somehow be equal. I believe in a good work-life flow that corresponds with different seasons of life.

When my three children were babies, I decided to be a stay-at-home parent. During that season, I barely had time to take a shower, let alone feel like life was “balanced.” Since I valued being home with my kids, it was all worth it. When the youngest transitioned to full-time kindergarten, I decided to work part-time so I could contribute financially to our family and still be involved with school activities. That season of life allowed me to get out of the house and pursue my previous career as a top-producing sales executive in the trade show industry.

After a few years, I started to build my client base, and suddenly, I realized that my work-life flow was out of control. I had so much going on that I couldn’t even remember simple words like “keys.” It took some time to realize that I wasn’t living in my values, and felt overwhelmed by the “busyness” of doing. After evaluating which clients accounted for 80% of my business and making my health a priority, I found my flow again.

I’ve learned to honor my top three values every day, which are my well-being, my relationships with my family, friends, and clients, and being intentional with my time.

As a Leadership Coach, I help my clients find that ease of work-life flow. When they feel burnout by work or their personal life, they may not be doing enough of the things that make them feel alive. That’s an important realization. They learn to think of work-life quality versus quantity. Living in their values helps them have more ease and flow, even when different seasons of life and work get hectic.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

After 20+ years of sales experience mainly in the pharmaceutical and trade show industry, I decided to leave corporate America. I earned my coaching certification with the International Coaching Federation as a Leadership Coach, and I am also a Positive Intelligence Coach. What helps me stand out from other coaches is that I was a student first.

After experiencing burnout, and not remembering simple words due to my chaotic work life, I had to make my health a priority. I know what it feels like to rush from one thing to the next and constantly feel stressed and anxious. I understand the difference between being a high achiever and an overachiever because I was both!

Once my mindset shifted from stress to intention, I was able to continue earning a six-figure income, while working part-time. I was able to have some much-needed calm and focus on what mattered most. I love what I do because I get to support and witness my client’s growth. Many get more done in 12 weeks than most do in 12 months. 

Lessons Learned

It doesn’t matter how “together” someone appears on the outside, we all have insecurities from time to time. As Dr. Shirzad, author of the New York Times bestseller Positive Intelligence says, “We all have saboteurs.” I have learned how to quiet that inner critic by first becoming aware of her lies and giving her a name. I call her Judge Judy.

Secondly, I understand her modus operandi. She’s pretending to be helpful and keep me from failure or disappointment. I have learned to acknowledge her when she arises, and to be strategic in my next steps by asking myself the following questions when I feel insecure:

-What resources can I tap into?

-What skills do I need to feel more confident?

-What action would someone who is successful in this role take?

The inner critic doesn’t serve any of us. We must be clear-headed and laser-focused to move forward one small step at a time. I am no longer afraid of making mistakes because it’s how we all learn and thrive!

My Brand

In a 2021 Indeed survey of 1,500 full time workers, 52% of respondents reported suffering from burnout. Not only is this statistic alarming, but it’s up 9% from 2020. Therefore, I find my work as a Leadership Coach to be both important and rewarding.

I work with high-achieving business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales executives who want to improve mental fitness, and increase productivity so they can achieve their version of success and avoid burnout. Many of my clients get more done in 12 weeks than most do in 12 months. I provide the space, science-based tools, and motivation so they can be laser-focused and reach their goals. Many of my clients work with me to focus on important areas of life like:

• Creating a strategic plan 
• Streamlining processes and project timelines
• Growing sales
• Boosting performance
• Improving well-being
• Strengthening relationships
• Increasing productivity
• Improving stress management
• Strengthening mental fitness

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

That’s easy my bestie, Stephanie, visited this summer. We had an amazing time playing tourists in Colorado. We took our daughters to Babe’s Tea Room in Denver. They have the best mimosa, gluten-free sandwiches, and delicious desserts. The front entrance is Instagram worthy.

Next, I took them to Paradise Cove in Guffey where the youngest of the girls was the only one brave enough to jump from the 10’ cliff. The two-mile hike was beautiful. The highlight of my best friend’s visit was when we went to the B&GC Speak Easy in the Halcyon Hotel in Cherry Creek. We stepped into a dark alley and went into the basement where we enjoyed cocktails and had a fun night out. Of course, we didn’t have to go out to be silly and have fun, but I am glad Colorado has great food and activities for entertaining friends. I really enjoyed these activities because they allowed me to live in my values which are fun, adventure, physical well-being, and having great quality time with those I love.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Besides my supportive husband, children and parents, Barbara Brooks from Second Act Women and Guadalupe Hirt from Mind Speak PR deserve a shoutout! They encouraged me from the very beginning in starting my business and has supported me with resources and an awesome community of 40/50 + women who are finding their second act in life. It’s an incredible feeling to be encouraged by women who have so much knowledge and wisdom, and truly want to see each other succeed.

I am thankful to Dawn K. for recommending me to be featured in Shoutout Colorado and to my awesome coaches who have helped me find the clarity to move forward.

Website: https://iflowersolutions.mykajabi.com/

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

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1pr9c17InnLLGiX4ziDSg

Image Credits
Rick Janson