Take Back Your Life: Diane Rolston

Diane Rolston left the life of the 9-5 employee and simultaneously became an entrepreneur and mother. She considers herself an expert in work/life balance, prioritizing, and getting things done! As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), she serves women who face obstacles and gives them tools to jump forward, providing them with clarity, confidence, and manageable steps to get them into action.

Through Diane’s coaching, Keynotes, workshops and her ‘DynamicWomenInAction.com’ community, she continues to empower individuals, expand their mindset and encourages each one of them to find ‘Clarity, Confidence and take Action’. Diane’s clients say, “She’s a positive person who constantly challenges your limits and helps you keep growing”. www.dianerolston.com

What events led up to you deciding to take back your life?

After leaving my job, I was happily running my own coaching and workshop business. By doing the work I love combined with the freedom of choice every day, I felt that I had already taken back my life.

At the same time, I had also become a new mother. It was an amazing time. Everyone was impressed that I was still ‘able to do it all’. Publicly, I continued to do a great job. Privately, it was another matter. Life became overwhelming.

I had too much to do and no time. My expectations of myself were too high! I was trying to be perfect; a successful business owner, a supermom. I was failing.

Was there a significant event or moment that made you realize you needed to make a change? What was it?

I had scheduled to coach a client at 5:00 p.m. My husband was to be home to babysit. He was delayed. Ten minutes prior to the session’s start time, I decided to still take the call. I didn’t want to let my client down. So I put my daughter in her crib hoping she’d sleep, but she didn’t.

I got on the phone to coach my client and could hear baby cries from the room next door. I was distracted by the baby and my need for my husband to arrive home.

The call ended. The baby was still crying. As I rushed in to scoop her up, I felt like a crappy mom and a crappy coach. Both baby and mama were crying tears of frustration.

My “Moment of Clarity” © came as I held her. I would never do this again. I pledged to design my life first, and fit my business inside of it. I would always honour my priorities. I’d be honest about my limitations. I’d give up being a perfectionist.

Was there a first step of action when you decided to take back your life? What was it?

I made some big changes that day. The first step, and the most powerful, was to trade in “success” for “satisfaction”. I gained clarity about how I wanted my life and business to look. I made a commitment to put my priorities first. I started saying ‘no’ a lot more, created boundaries on how I worked, asked for more help, and hired people to support me. I created a success team. This freed me up for bigger projects. Best of all? I spent more time with my family.

Since you took back your life, how have things changed for you?

My business has been growing and my reach expanding. I am building deeper relationships and utilizing my core competencies more frequently. Life flows so much more smoothly! I’m connecting with people in a deeper way because I’ve been showing my vulnerability rather than just my strength.

Now I’ve had a second child, created a community of women entrepreneurs called ‘Dynamic Women in Action’® and now book clients around time with my family. This has led to me being a finalist in the 2014 Leading Moms Award.

I’m in no way perfect. My house isn’t always clean. I forget things. I don’t get to read as often as I would like. But now I don’t beat myself up. I have control over my choices. I don’t hold guilt or judge myself for it.

After all my life learning, I created a program called, ‘Perfectly Balanced’©. The name pokes fun at the unrealistic expectations society places on us. The objective of the program is to help people to design an ideal life where they can live according to their priorities, needs and wants. The ultimate goal is to feel a sense of balance that is perfect for each one of us!

What would you say to anyone who finds themselves in the situation you were in?

I recommend people ask themselves these questions:

1. What are you currently doing that makes you happy?

What else do you want to do?

2. What are your values?

Which ones do you want to honor more?

3. What are your top 3 priorities?

What needs to happen to give them more attention?

4. What do you need to say “no” to?

If you’re going to say “yes”, what do you then have to say “no” to?

What does ‘Fully Alive’ mean to you?

Putting the real and raw you out there. I like to call it playing FULL OUT. Having permission to live in the true sense of you: with all of your passions, loves, values, skills and quirks. To do what you have only dreamt of TODAY in all areas of your life not just the ones that make you money or that others are pushing you to be good in!

To live your version of success NOW (without having to wait for it)!

To stop doing things, saying things and thinking things to please others.

AND to say yes to opportunities that unleash your spirit, grow yourself and keep you on purpose.

Favourite Inspirational Quote

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”  Bernice Johnson Reagon

Connect with Diane 

Take Back Your Life Month

Last year, I declared May 16th ‘Take Back Your Life’ Day, because that’s the day that I took back my life from that evil beast, Cancer. It’s so important to me that this year I’m declaring the whole month of May ‘Take Back Your Life’. Every Tuesday and Friday this month, be inspired by stories of everyday people who have transformed their lives. These are people who converted a moment of struggle into a moment of strength and revolution! (Read more here.) Check back here to read their stories & share your own on social media! #TakeBackYourLife