Category Archives: Your Exclamation Point: What You’re Known For And Remembered By

Your Hidden Gift Of 2020

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Oh my goodness.

The surreal, the heartache, the sadness, the weirdness… the EVERYTHING that is 2020 will soon be behind us.

Or will it??

I’ve been trying hard to succinctly capture the essence of it all… and what I keep coming back to is asking this:

What is the HIDDEN GIFT we are to come away with from it all?

Some days, I feel angry that so much of this year was lost for so many good people.

Today, I’m trying to believe this more-compelling-each-day optimistic feeling:

There is a 2020 silver lining for us each to discover for ourselves!

One bold thing I know for sure:

I do not want to squander this gift I see:

The (forced?) Opportunity to CHANGE.

Have you discovered YOUR HIDDEN GIFT of 2020?

Before you jump into feeling you need to BE any certain way in 2021 – or need to DO any particular thing in 2021 – I hope you’ll sit right here for a minute… and think about:

WHAT IS THE GREAT GIFT OF 2020 THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO SQUANDER?

If you’d like, share yours in the comments below…

You’ll inspire in ways you may never know when you do.

Thank You for being here… and for reading and sharing… I so appreciate you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS.

Till next time,

KEEP BECOMING TOTALLY YOU

And I will, too.

Ann Tatarelli Ulrich

TotallyTATARELLI.com

©1993-2021 Ann T. Ulrich

BOLDERSHIP™ The Modern Way To Reinvent Yourself

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Hello Friends!

Hang in there. 2020 is ALMOST behind us.

It wasn’t pretty – pretty ugly is more like it. We’ve made it so far and when we reach 2021, there won’t be any sudden pivot to whatever life becomes post-pandemic. It’s here for awhile, and we are going to need to keep adjusting – and reinventing – accordingly.

I am SO ready to kick 2020 to the curb. SO ready to create 2021. You, too?

Which leads me to today’s post.

The newest speaking and wingwoman offering at TOTALLY TATARELLI.

If you’ve been a subscriber for awhile (thank you!) you might see this as I do… reinvention is not a new topic around here… it is the ultimate intersection of EVERYTHING I’ve been about championing in myself and others over all these years. Welcome…

BOLDERSHIP™ : THE MODERN WAY TO REINVENT YOURSELF

THANK YOU to those who already – or may in the new year – recommend, refer and/or hire me as your WingWoman, your Discreet Confidence Builder, your Host and your Inspirational Speaker. I am thrilled to be working with you:

Women at every level of work. Women at every stage of life.

One thing I know for sure:

REINVENTION IS EVERYDAY LIFE… IT’S. ALL. LIFE!

Curious: How have you reinvented yourself in this unprecedented year? If you’d like, please comment below. You’ll inspire in ways you may never know. Thank You!

That’s it for now.

Stay Safe. Stay Sane. Keep Becoming Totally YOU! And I will, too.

As always,

Ready when you are.

Ann Tatarelli Ulrich – TOTALLY TATARELLI: WingWoman For Women – Discreet Confidence Builder – Confidence Makeovers – Host & Inspirational Speaker

© 1993-2021 Ann Tatarelli Ulrich | Instagram and IGTV: @Ann.Tatarelli | Twitter: @AnnTatarelli

Please Don’t Spare Us The Details

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“I’ll spare you the details.”

“Long story short.”

“Story for another day.”

And here we are… women self-stifling, not sharing our stories.

And we wonder why we start feeling invisible?

Please don’t spare us the details. 

We want to hear your stories. We want to know you. The real you.

Not the you who trains herself to be the best listener… shielding herself while earning a pass from the effort it takes to let others in.

Life IS stories.

So maybe today’s just not the day – or maybe these aren’t the people.

Fair enough. 

For some reason this wanted to be written today…

I’m considering this my note to self as I crave getting together with friends again… outside under pretty umbrellas on breezy patios again… after this still-surreal season of creepy covid carefulness.

Let’s not spare each other the details, k?

Real conversation is sexy.

Just like you.

KEEP BECOMING TOTALLY YOU,

And I will, too.

Ann Tatarelli Ulrich

WingWoman for Women – Confidence Makeovers – Inspirational Speaker – Advancing Confident Women

Photo: My favorite red umbrella on our deck at Treehouse… where for the first time ever, I arrived in April… and haven’t gone back home all Summer.

© 1993-2020 Ann T. Ulrich ANNULRICH.COM

3 BOLD Ways To Bring Your Best With Zest In Everyday Work & Life!

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photo-120Have you ever thought about how the energy you bring impacts everyday situations in your Work and Life?

When it comes to success and happiness, bringing your best – with Zest – can become THE key differentiator – the One BOLD Thing – that sets you apart!

Do you ever think of the value of the energy you bring as, you know, where’s the *expertise* in that?

I used to. Not any more!

A very cool thing happened for me while speaking to inspire The BOLD! Factor®: Branding Your Best *!* With Confidence leading a client’s group to discover, develop and deliver exactly what you bring that sets you apart – so you can create more success:

I discovered the one thing that has set me apart my entire career (and it can set YOU apart, too!)  yet I’m not sure I ever realized the massive value of this ONE attribute: 

Energy.

Authentic. Real. Positive. Zestful Energy! 

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Here are a few ways I hold myself accountable for keeping my own brand of positive energy alive to set myself apart – and YES, these can work for you, and no doubt they already do!

3 BOLD WAYS TO BRING YOUR BEST WITH ZEST IN EVERYDAY WORK & LIFE!

1.  OWN IT. 

Success? It’s Up To You. Happiness? It’s Up To You. Bringing Your Best With Zest? It’s Up To YOU!

Want to build, maximize and sustain positive energy?

Hold yourself accountable for how you show up. Not just for the big stuff in life – and not just for the big meetings at work. Show Up in everyday work and life owning the energy you bring – taking responsibility for your impact – and you’ll never need to make another excuse when things don’t go your way.

Keeping it real: No one is on top of their game in every situation, every day. Relax. This is not about standing out in an obnoxious way. This is about bringing your best attitude, your own high expectation, and holding yourself accountable for what happens as a result. 

Not feeling your best? There are times rescheduling is smarter than dragging yourself thru it. And there will be times you’ll need to look in the mirror and remind yourself; Success? It’s Up To ME. And on that down day you pick an outfit that looks a whole lot better than you feel and get out there…

Show Up & Own It. And just like that you’re back on track, on top of your game!

2.  JETTISON WHAT YOU KNOW NO LONGER WORKS.

Ouch. I know. Jettisoning. It’s tough.

What exactly does it mean to jettison?

At The BOLD! Factor, I describe jettisoning as “eliminating what you already know no longer works”.

And yes, it’s tough.

And you know what’s tougher?

Living a life filled with commitments, situations, and/or people that no longer fit. UGH. I feel like I gained a few pounds of dead weight just thinking of carrying around all that non-essential baggage.

Keeping it real: There will always be work you must do, commitments you must keep, situations you must deal with, and people you must interact with. Get over it. That’s Life! Change what you can and the rest? That’s another discussion for another day.

It takes courage to jettison.

It take confidence to jettison with compassion.

You already know what works – it’s up to you to take action and let the rest go.

3.  BE A ROOKIE AGAIN.

Early in my career, I rose from Rookie to Executive in an industry where at first glance I didn’t seem to belong. It didn’t happen overnight – it took me 13 years to accomplish.

What kept my energy high and my success alive? Continually challenging myself in new situations. Yes, fear and all.

When it comes to Success & Happiness, experiencing a powerful jolt of Rookie-ism is good for us all!

Rookie has become one of my favorite words. And favorite roles.

Keeping it real: When it comes to sustaining positive energy, not everything we’re passionate about needs to become the work we do. In fact, I’m becoming more a *LOVE YOUR WORK* rather than *DO WORK YOU LOVE* because turning your passion into your work can render your passion, well, Poof! Evaporated! Has that ever happened to you? I digress… I get emails inviting me to pay big bucks for Rookie.com related domain names. No thank you, altho I do own a serious-hobby-level collection of domain names, TheBOLDFactor.com and AnnUlrich.com work for me ;)

Feeling accomplished?

The more accomplished we feel, the more we need to find or create a way to be a Rookie at something again – starting right where you’re at.

The Zest of being a Rookie again soon outweighs the angst of all that suddenly-unfamiliar territory.

When becoming a Rookie again is *their* choice for you (job loss, etc) and not your choice, what to do? Own it! See it as an opportunity to create success in a whole new way.

Let being a Rookie again help you be a better individual and a better leader – as you learn new, gain fresh perspective, build curiosity, embrace new situations and navigate unchartered territory in unfamiliar environments… with courage and confidence.

Being a Rookie again keeps us mindful, with empathy for others who face new, unexpected and challenging situations in everyday work and life.

Facing a Rookie challenge? Don’t get stressed out! Stress makes you old. What if being a Rookie again became YOUR secret weapon for feeling forever young! 

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photo-84YOUR TURN: 

How will you / How did you bring your best energy today?

And when you did…

What happened as a result?!

DO ONE BOLD THING.™  Bring Your Best With Zest & Set Yourself Apart!

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©1993-2015  Ann Ulrich, Owning It! at THE BOLD! FACTOR®

Want more BOLD *!* inspiration like this?  Subscribe: AnnUlrich.com & Let’s Connect:  LinkedIn.com/in/AnnUlrich  Twitter.com/AnnUlrichBOLD  

PHOTO: GLASS SCULPTURE ARTIST CREDIT: Dale Chihuly. I loved taking pictures to capture scenes I come across in everyday life that in some way inspire me, and I love sharing them here with you. I came across this STUNNING floor to ceiling glass sculpture in the art museum when David and I took a weekend trip to Milwaukee. Oh my, this colorful ZEST-filled art surely inspires!

We Need You To Come ALIVE! Right Where You’re At

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photo-84

WE NEED YOU TO COME ALIVE! Right Where You’re At

Figure out what makes you Come ALIVE!
Do more of that. Be more of that.

Come ALIVE right where you’re at!
Now… not maybe, not later.
Here… not when you get, you know, there.

When you do, you inspire us to Come ALIVE too!

Your Success?
Your Happiness?
In Your Career, Your Business, Your Life?
It’s ALL Up To YOU!

Are you surrounding yourself with people who are as ALIVE! as you want to be?

DO ONE BOLD THING:  Promise yourself you won’t Sleepwalk thru another moment of this fleeting hour… another hour of this great day… or another day of your precious life.

Go BOLDly. Confidently. Success? Happiness? It’s Up To YOU! Own It.

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© 1993-2014  Ann Ulrich, THE BOLD! FACTOR® Catalyst, Strategist, Leader, Keynote Speaker & Mentor: “Navigating Success With Confidence! Self-Empowerment For Emerging Leaders & Motivated Professionals.” Subscribe to receive blog posts at:  AnnUlrich.com

PHOTO:  Title card in my 2-in-1 Inspired Action! Success Card Set: DO ONE BOLD THING.™ and SHIFT YOUR OLD TO BOLD!™ I lead thought-provoking table discussions with these cards, which feature favorites from my trademark strategies shared in BOLD… as round table topics in my interactive Keynotes, and in-depth strategy conversations.

Barbra Streisand’s BOLDest Of All

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photo-8I was looking forward to a great night’s sleep after fun holiday travels for Thanksgiving and before our big family wedding tonite…

And yet there I was, glued to the TV until 3am last night, captivated by Barbra Steisand’s stunning video concert, Back In Brooklyn.

A big fan of A Star Is Born, I later tried to replicate her tricky-nimble vocals of Queen Bee in our Summer rock band while getting that out of my system…

And I still love singing her passionate Lullaby For Myself, which drives my husband David nuts every time I do (if you know the lyrics, you’ll get why in our 34 years of marriage, well, he’s just never been a fan of that one ;)

I don’t watch much TV and especially not in the middle of the night… so what was it about this concert that pulled me in?

Her range is noticeably huskier now, which in a way makes her performance richer – still gigantic, enormous, powerful, soul-soaring, sky’s-the-limit-shattering range as ever…

And yet that’s not where her power lies…

The essence of Barbra Streisand comes alive in her quietest moments, where she takes all that big talent, her massive voice, her powerful wow, and laser-focuses it…

Drawing her own stark contrast… shifting on a dime to quiet… in an up close and personal kinda way… delicate, breathtakingly so, as tho singing and speaking only. to. you.

In her quietest moments, her voice, her impact… can be her richest of all.

Just as your Quiet Confidence can indeed be… your BOLDest of all.

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® 1993-2013  Ann Ulrich  THE BOLD! FACTOR®   BEST BOLD U™   AnnUlrich.com

PHOTO:  This purple bowl of red spoons are a favorite in our kitchen – they hang out next to a favorite soup cookbook authored by my friend, Paulette Mitchell. I am grateful every Thanksgiving (every day!) to have been so smart all these years to stay out of the kitchen, and instead sing the praises of my when-he-has-time hobby chef husband David ;)

3 Ways Your Quiet Confidence Inspires Contagious Excellence

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photo-24Your quiet confidence and quiet leadership can be BOLDest of all. 

I was blown away the first time a smart professional told me she didn’t think of herself as a leader because she was not charismatic and not extroverted. She felt those were pre-requisites for being a great leader. Or in fact, for leading at all.

Ah, I smiled. Our conversation ended with a smile on her face too, as she saw for the first time how her inner strength, her quiet confidence *can be BOLDest of all*.  

Since that conversation years ago, when speaking or leading inspired team retreats I often include a segment I created on Valuing Others’ Expressions Of BOLDness.

In reflecting inward, and ultimately broadening our peripheral view to others, we begin to see the beauty in how we each bring BOLD differently… positively impacting our own success, as we create more success (and have more fun!)… individually and together.

3 Ways Your Quiet Confidence & Leadership Can Be BOLDest Of All, Inspiring Contagious Excellence! 

1.  When you step back to shine the spotlight on others, you inspire others forward. 

Be sure you don’t step so far back as to slip under the radar or become invisible. We need to see you. In shifting the spotlight, you’re offering others the opportunity to get known for – and remember by – their positive impact. Inspired by You. You’ve just magnified the impact of your positive leadership by inspiring another to lead, and in turn, inspiring the leader in others they lead…

2.  When you listen closely as you typically and beautifully do, people know you care.

When people know you care about them, they begin to trust that you also care about what matters to them. Imagine the possibilities! Your quiet confidence in listening to others – with genuine interest – can shift the frustration, malaise or disengagement in your team by inspiring them to start tuning in to each other, creating contagious excellence – and new success – as you build a team of people who actually care. About each other as team, customers, clients, community… translating beyond work to home, families, friends…

3.  When you speak, people want to hear what you have to say.

Your quiet confidence is shared in less words. Your select messages inspire what’s needed in this situation, meeting or conversation. The example you set can inspire and build a team of people willing to share their point of view, encouraging others to share theirs, too. Allowing people the opportunity to courageously build new confidence as they practice, develop and share their own points of view… whether quiet or not so quiet… is a gift that lasts a lifetime, contagiously rippling waves of excellence as new success. 

Do you consider yourself a Quiet leader?

Do you bring your BOLD by leading Quietly?

Here’s an important last (or first?!) step for you:

Do One BOLD Thing.

OWN YOUR SUCCESS WITH CONFIDENCE. 

It’s Up To YOU!

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© 1993-2017  Ann Ulrich   AnnUlrich.com

PHOTO:   While keynote speaking in Taiwan, after my sincere effort yet seriously-lackluster results learning to speak Mandarin Chinese, I was rendered helpless on stage if not for the calm confidence of kind Taiwanese Translators. This is when and where I envisioned creating my speaking business, back in 1990, in their year of the Horse. If you’ve been to our condo, you may think I love horses… what I really love is the vision that was born in me in that one experience of a lifetime, in the year of the Horse. And maybe being a Taurus gave me the guts to actually make it happen.

Inspired By The U.S. Open: When Under Stress, We Forget The Simple Things

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photo-72Did you watch the U.S. Open on Father’s Day?

David and I enjoyed a sunny Sunday afternoon date on our deck cheering Phil Mickelson on to his would-be so-deserved first U.S. Open win.

Alas, Phil retains his spot as THE classiest U.S. Open second-place winner. Again. Darn.

While focused on Phil, it was actually a quick comment made on Saturday by Golf Channel host and Hall of Fame golfer, Colin Montgomerie that caught my attention and stuck:

“When under stress, we forget the simple things.”

The simple things – getting back to basics – can be a smart way to do business – an inspired way to live!

Next time you want to earn trust, get remembered, make the sale, win the win, be selected, land your next Success… or maybe just have things come a little easier when it all starts feeling more like a setback than soaring…

Get back to basics.

One Of My Favorite Ways To *Get Your BOLD On… By Getting Your BOLD Back!*™ Creating Success By Getting Back To Basics:

LET OTHERS IN.

You got where you are with the help of others who know you, learned about you or experienced you in action, and now trust you.

In the race to success, have you stopped letting others get to know the real you?

Let others in so they can discover too, just how great you are.

Next time you’re in a conversation, posting a social media update, positioning your business, or delivering a critical message… listen carefully to the conversation underway, understand what’s happening around you, and add to it by letting others know something that lets them in, to get to know you in a keep-it-real genuine way.

I’ve seen huge shifts when leaders I’ve worked with toss their piles of slides and statistics and share a personal story instead. Now what you say matters. Because you matter. You just became real. And relatable. Someone worth listening to. Tell us more.

Now we know you’re not selling us… or telling us… or repelling us.

You’re inviting us in.

When it comes to creating or re-igniting success… building your brand – building business – and building a life you love…

Let others in so they can discover too, just how great you are.

It’s Up To YOU!

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© 1993-2017   Ann Ulrich   AnnUlrich.com

Photo:  Ah well, rather than simply sitting idle again this Summer, apparently my golf clubs (golf cubs?) struck up a new friendship at the lake!

The Risk In Bringing Uncalibrated Passion

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IMG_1621To live the life you want… to commit to your dreams… takes Passion.

BRAVO those who bring Passion in a positive-impact way:

Lighting up new smile-inducing possibility! inspiring Passion in others! creating new success together! while passing it on…

As one who admits in her Bio: *I wear my Passion on my sleeve and when I have no sleeve I wear my Passion on my arm* ... 

In my speaking and writing, I’m sharing this lesson I’ve learned the hard way:

Your Passion Must Be Calibrated.

Uncalibrated Passion puts you and others at risk of experiencing and contagiously spreading a sudden and unexpected, potentially-devastating downward spiral, spelled:

S-U-F-F-O-C-A-T-I-O-N.

To lead and love life, don’t risk success and happiness by playing it safe. Don’t stop being Passionate – your Passion makes you come Alive!

Besides, watered-down Passion risks flatlining……..

To bring your Passion effectively: Calibrate accordingly.

So how can you keep Passion alive while Calibrating accordingly?

GO BOLDly! with your eyes, heart and mind – and your peripheral view – wide open.

Mindful of people and aware of situations… caring about what’s happening around you… seeing and feeling… helps keep you calibrating beautifully.

Bring your Passion. Light us up. Make things happen!

How will you bring your Passion?

It’s Up To YOU!

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© 1993-2017  Ann Ulrich  AnnUlrich.com

Photo:  Ah, The BOLD Exclamation Point! All those school years, I was marked down on papers for incessantly over-using it. Years later, when I launched my own business, l claimed it as my Logo, happily over-using it ever since, as my reminder and commitment to keep leading & living passionately *!*

Let Props Of Your Life Keep You Real

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Let Props Of Your Life Keep You Real?  Yes. That.

photo-65Here’s a pic from a recent Keynote, speaking to 400.

Here’s a better close-up: photo-68

Oh and about those props, here ya go:photo-66

Every prop is a *favorite or humorous thing* representing a BOLD Nugget I weave into real-life stories to help make The BOLD! Factor strategies come to life… and stick.

Leaving a few props untouched is a purposeful BOLD strategy representing the need to leave room in our work and life for Curiosity and Uncertainty.

My favorite prop is, well, I can’t name a favorite. Lots more where these came from and I love them all. The Crazy Orange Pillow makes me smile so I’m adding it to Red as my next BOLD color. The pillow represents Imperfection, and the importance of not waiting for things to be Perfect. Go. Do. Be. Now. You’re Amazing Just As You Are!

I don’t even like that word: Perfect. So I add an o! calling it Perfecto! with an Italian smile, having nothing to do with being that ever-elusive, stress-inducing, energy-wasting, when-you-achieve-it-what-happens-then-that-you-can’t-achieve-by-being-happy-being-less-than-perfect… ugh that word: Perfect. 

The value of real-life Props came to life for me years ago when my husband David asked me to please go buy him a Yellow Paisley Tie. What?! (please, as in just do it, don’t ask ;) I knew he couldn’t stand yellow paisley. And tho he wears suits, he rarely wears ties… I’ll save the Yellow Paisley Tie story for my next presentation. And I’ll include it in my book.

(OK, that bugs me when people leave us hanging to wait/find something in their book. I won’t delete this, but I will not make a practice of repeating things that drive me nutz. Every time I speak I get to NOT do the stuff some keynote speakers do that, yes, drive me nutz. Don’t get me started… I’ll walk that talk instead of talking that talk, by simply being Real.)

If you remember the Imperfect of The Crazy Orange Pillow then this post has served its purpose. 

With my 52 BOLD strategies growing now beyond 100 as I write my book… I won’t be packing props for keynotes when I travel. I’ll find another way to bring the stories to life. And help make them stick. For you.

Why Props?

Because Props Of Your Life Keep You Real. And now more than ever… real people crave people who are willing to be REAL.

What Props are you packing from your Adventures called Real Life?

Perfect.

I mean, Perfecto!

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© 1993-2013 Ann Ulrich  THE BOLD! FACTOR®   AnnUlrich.com

Photos: I love taking pictures for my blog, hard to do when I’m speaking, so thank you to Gary, the amazing sound guy at CSOM who caught these. He even found a way to tuck the mic battery pack under my hair so no cords to tangle, no bulges I didn’t need. Cool!