#67 | Level Up Your Career With Amberly Lago

Can you believe there’s less than 90 days left until 2022?! Many of us still have goals we want to accomplish and need an extra push to get us over the hump. Look no further than this week’s Coffee with Kim guest, Amberly Lago, for inspiration. 

After surviving a tragic motorcycle accident she dedicated her life to helping others get motivated, disciplined, and drive results to have the life of their dreams. During our conversation, she shared her personal keys to resilience, how to find wise counsel for your journey, and learning when to grit it out versus giving yourself some grace. 

Celebrating Small Victories (6:11)

In 2018, Amberly endured 34 surgeries, was diagnosed with an incurable nerve disease, and had a one percent chance of saving her leg from amputation after being hit by an SUV. How in the world did she get through it all you ask? By celebrating the small victories.

“As I healed, I was able to stand for seconds at a time, then I was able to use crutches, then get from the hospital bed to the bathroom on my own. If you get caught on the hamster wheel of reaching your big goals and you don’t stop to be in the moment for even the smallest successes you can burn out,” she says.

Counsel vs Opinions (15:52)

Equally as important as celebrating your journey is who you bring along the way. 

Amberly says it’s important to get wise counsel, not just opinions. “Counsel is advice from people who have accomplished what you want to. Opinions are from those who haven’t,” she shared. (Tweet this!)

Wise counsel will encourage you to believe in yourself and share resources to reach your goals. Opinions will feed into what you lack and can deter you from what you want to accomplish.

Building a Following From Nothing (20:04)

Amberly went from not having a computer to growing her Instagram following to 150,000 people organically! Here’s her advice on building a following from scratch:

• Prioritize the platforms where your message is best received
• Create connections 
• Offer value

Pro tip: Never buy followers. You’ll have poor engagement and when it’s time to launch a product or program it may not be successful.

Recognizing When You Need Grit vs Grace (24:33)

Sometimes we must muscle our way through and do one more push up or stay up one hour later, but Amberly teaches that rest is just as important.

After going septic and almost losing her life, she learned to recognize when she needs grit versus grace. Now her strategy to be more resilient includes quiet time and using the calm app.

Her key to resilience is remembering rest is not a luxury but a necessity.

Entrepreneurship & Boundaries (28:55)

Over the past 18 months work-life boundaries have gone out the window. 

Amberly says as entrepreneurs we must teach ourselves and others reestablish them. That means creating rules to stick to no matter what.

“Making simple changes like sticking to your office hours, creating healthy routines, and having designated spaces for work time and family time can make all the difference,” she added.

Advice On Being a Beginner (39:39)

Today, Amberly travels the country as a keynote speaker teaching others about motivation and resilience, but her first gig was only five minutes long! I was curious to know what advice she’d give beginners or someone with a fresh start in their career. 

“Show up early, be kind, always do your best, provide value, be grateful. Whether I was a barista, a life guard, or scrubbing toilets, I showed up this way. Having a great attitude is key. You never know where it will take you or who is watching,” she shared. 

Because of this mindset, the same company that initially gave her five minutes went on to book her for keynote speeches year after year.

49:03 Speed Round (42:52)

• What is something you’ve started using or doing lately that you love? The Pink Drink from Plexus
• What’s the best gift you’ve given yourself in the last year? Coaching sessions with Mitch Matthews
• What’s the next thing you’re hoping to learn? How to get more organized on my electronics and learning more about LinkedIn from Kim Kaupe (psst you can too by grabbing my download here)
• What are your favorite social media accounts to follow? Trent Shelton, Brendon Burchard, Brooke Hemingway
• Homework: Text ‘GRIT’ to 818-214-7378 to receive Amberly’s PACER Playbook that helps you tap into your superpower of resilience

Next Week:

Richard Fowler believes sharing our values publicly as individuals and organizations is essential for changing the world. As someone who’s always been a bit shy about sharing controversial material I’m curious how he advises big organizations to do so. Join us and bring lots of questions with, I know I will!

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Want To Learn 1 on 1 with Me?: I’m passionate about making YOU stand out at work. After a 45 minute training, Avery (aka my newest shining star) implemented my tactics and got a new job making $60k MORE than the last. Want some of that secret sauce for yourself? Check out more here. 

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