We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Stidham and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I used to believe I had to work myself to the bone to be successful. There was always this constant voice in my ear whispering, “It’s not enough.” I was exhausted and depleted. I worked weekends and evenings. It was a challenge. My turning point for my life balance happened when I was taking my coach training. I very vividly remember a moment when we were talking about life balance, and I laughed and stated, “Balance is a myth.” I expected everyone would nod in agreement and move on. That’s not what happened. I quickly realized I had some false beliefs tied to my ideas of work life balance. It’s absolutely something you can experience in your life. Now, I do my best to not work on the weekends. I say no to things that don’t serve me. I practice rest and self-compassion. And I help my coaching clients do the same.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have my own coaching practice called Blueprint to Bloom where I help others be the architect of a life they love. My journey into coaching involved many stepping stones and a few leaps of faith. Anytime you go after a dream or passion, you will encounter challenges along the way… some are trickier to navigate than others. One of my biggest hurdles was leaving my job in dental sales to pursue coaching full time and open my own practice mid-pandemic.
Through the love and support of friends and family and some personal coaching for myself, I made the jump. I’m so glad I did because the world needs coaches now more than ever! I love supporting others as they pursue their dreams and navigate their own set of obstacles. I hold a calm and empathetic space while also asking challenging questions. One of my favorite tools to use with my clients is the enneagram. I have spent years studying its richness and depth. The enneagram is fabulous for identifying core fears and motivators which show up all the time as you are pursuing your dreams. As an enneagram specialist, I help my clients identify their enneagram type, then learn how to navigate stress, communication, self-care, and integration all based on that type. It’s quite profound. I also offer unique and interactive enneagram workshops throughout the year.
Right now, I am most excited about a training I recently completed that taught me practices which are proven to reduce and prevent many of the negative side effects of stress, such as scattered thoughts, feeling overwhelmed, fatigue, sleep disruption, anxiety, and burnout. This is something we all need since we experience energy depletion every day!
Clients regularly seek me out for my enneagram knowledge, strategic thinking skills, stress reduction techniques, and passion for holding a safe, empathetic space.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit me in Tucson, I would make sure to take her to the Desert Museum. All of the desert animals are so interesting to learn about and the drive through Saguaro National Park to get there is stunning. We would also make a stop at the San Xavier Mission for a little history and some tasty fry bread.
Since we will be taking advantage of the beautiful weather, I would suggest hiking the Honeybee Canyon Trail in Rancho Vistoso. It’s an easy walk and offers ample opportunities to capture breathtaking pictures of the mountains and saguaros.
One of my favorite spots for happy hour is Augstin Kitchen in the Mercado. After we enjoy a drink, we can walk around to the local shops and get some delicious treats from La Estrella Bakery. Then, we can catch the street car to explore downtown. For brunch, we will definitely be going to teaspoon for a bubble waffle and some savory crepes.
And finally, a trip to Tucson wouldn’t be complete without getting a sonoran hotdog from El Guero Canelo.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support and encouragement of Laurel Elders. She is the CEO and Founder of the Institute for Integrative Intelligence where I received my coach certification. She has believed in me and my ability since day one. I am so grateful she saw the coach inside of me and encouraged me to follow my heart.
Website: www.blueprinttobloom.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/blueprinttobloom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueprintToBloom
Image Credits
Michelle Owens with Artifact Photography Studio