When the old version of success no longer fits

I almost didn’t write this today…

Alice and I just got back from seven days in Sedona, AZ. If you’ve not ever been, I’d highly encourage you to go there. It’s a pretty magical and special place. It’s known as “Red Rock Country,” and for me, it’s always been a place of spiritual healing and energy work. I’ve traveled here when my life and relationship fell apart back in 2012. The guides I worked with helped me come back to myself. 

So after so much loss, change, and identity shifting, going back to Sedona felt like part of my healing journey. And coming home late Monday after being away for a week was hard. Not just the usual stuff of unpacking, laundry, and getting back into the groove. It was coming back into my life and trying to figure out who I am now in my work, my business, and this next chapter.

A conversation I had yesterday with a wonderful friend and guide, Scott, inspired me to write this. He’s so good at reflecting things back to me, especially when I’m too close to see the bigger picture. And he’s been incredibly helpful as I move through this new phase of my life and work.

He’s been guiding me through the transition of my business and helping me see that it’s time for my work to finally catch up with who I am now.

Maybe you’ve been in this place too, where something in your life or business is changing faster than your words can keep up.

Not the shiny “new chapter” kind of change. The awkward kind.

The kind where people still know you for one thing, and you can feel something deeper trying to come through.

This year is my 40th year in my sales and marketing career. Which is kind of scary, honestly. And with all the changes in my life, it was time to look at some of my old identities. I’m the launch expert. The marketing strategist. And the one who sees your whole business and can tell you where it needs fixing. I can do that in my sleep.

Yet, it’s just not what gets me up in the morning anymore. I’ve been doing a lot of deeper work with a few select women, and this honestly is where I want to make the most impact with the time I have left on this planet.

Marketing has gotten me this far. It gave me structure, language, and proof. Yet the deeper work I’ve done is on mindset, story, beliefs, and patterns that keep us safe and stuck. This is my truth, and everything in my work and life is shifting.               

Have you ever experienced this before? Maybe you’ve outgrown your work, shifted your focus, or feel trapped in a version of success you no longer want. 

This is where Scott brought in the idea of the lighthouse. And I love this metaphor because a lighthouse doesn’t chase. It stands where it is and sends out a clear signal. 

So here’s my lighthouse signal “what I do” that I’m practicing right now. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s getting closer:

“You know how you seem to have it all together on the outside, the trappings of success, but inside, you’re struggling to get to the next level in business or life…

What I do is take you on a private, soulful coaching journey to uncover the hidden beliefs that stop the flow of money, hinder leadership, and stall business, so you can make clearer decisions, trust yourself more deeply, and create the next level of success in business and life”

I’m sharing this with you because maybe the next level in your business doesn’t need more pushing, proving, fixing, or another strategy. It may just need you to see what old belief or pattern is still running the show.

And if you want to go deeper and look at your own business or life for a moment…

Ask yourself: 

• What do I keep blaming on strategy, timing, team, money, or the market?
• What old belief might actually be underneath it?
• What is this pattern costing me in energy, money, freedom, voice, or peace?
• What would change if I trusted myself more?

The next step in my work is to interview 20 women for the book (Working title: When the Mind Gets Too Loud).  I’m writing about uncovering old stories, hidden patterns, and the things that keep successful women from reaching their next level. 

I want to understand what successful women are really carrying beneath the surface, especially the old stories and hidden patterns no one sees because they look so capable from the outside.

So if you’re a successful woman founder, executive, or business owner and this resonates, leave me a comment. Or if you know someone who looks successful on the outside but, inside, she can feel something old still running the show, please send her my way.

I’m beginning these conversations for the book and this next body of work, and I’d be honored to listen.

Hands at your back.
Always,
Xox
Shannon

Weekly Photos:

1. Welcome to the red rocks of Sedona. Of course, whenever I come here, I always find heart-shaped rocks everywhere in the canyons. 🙂
2. And if you like crows and know anything about them, they are mystical birds and are everywhere in Sedona, even on our deck. In many traditions, they symbolize transformation, intelligence, and spiritual transition.
3. Here are Alice and I with our favorite pink dog. Whenever we come here, we always try to get a picture. This is our 4th time in Sedona. We got married here 7 years ago.
4. I lucked out with this sunset photo from our condo. I just love the amazing colors of the rocks and the sky here at all hours.
5. Here’s one of the trails we went on. I often like to take pics from behind so you can see the perspective that I see. The expansiveness of the rocks, the trail, and the amazing views.
6. Loved the sky this day, and all the clouds, and of course, we need a picture of the I open and in for all the rocks, adventures, and spiritual guidance.
7. Our first hike in Sedona was the Hiline Trail, which offers amazing views of Cathedral Rock. It’s one of the most crowded hikes to get up there. So we take the alternative route with more expansive views. And this pic on my old iPhone 13 came out much better than I thought. 🙂 Love the blue skies here at 4k above sea level.

P.S.S. Personal Invitation – You know your work matters, and maybe something in you shuts down the minute it’s time to get the word out there about what you do. I want you to know that you’re not lazy, inconsistent, or lacking discipline. You’re brilliant at what you do. And you’re too close to it. That’s where I can come in and guide you in focusing on your mindset, messaging, and marketing. They all work together to create your successful business. Interested in discovering more? Leave a comment or click this page to send me a message.

P.S. S.S. Whenever You’re Ready: Here are 3 Ways I can make an impact on creating greater success in your business using marketing that’s aligned with your mission and values without feeling like you’re selling your soul.

1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

2. Love Books as I Do? – I’m always reviewing the best nonfiction books – Where Buddha Meets Business.

3. Get my proven 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. It gives you the framework you need to implement authentic and connected marketing using online customer experiences and launching your products, services, or courses. It will help you create greater success.

It’s a simple system, especially if you love to read like me. There’s no video or audio. Plus, you get my proven templates, tools, and worksheets, all with tremendous value. And I’m pricing it incredibly low so it can be more accessible to more people. 🙂

Did someone forward this to you? If so, get this eNewsletter regularly with my compliments by clicking this link. And if you’re in the mood to share, simply send this URL to others: https://www.soulfulmarketingsystem.com/soulful-marketing-enewsletter.

I appreciate your sharing. Thank you!

Some legalese: Copyright © 2026 SoulfulMarketing.com All rights reserved. SoulfulMarketing.com is a division of McCaffery Communications LLC. All rights reserved. You may forward this to others. Yet, no reproducing, republishing in any other form or by any other means without written permission.

Let’s Connect on Social Media!
Facebook

Instagram