November 13, 2014
Caroline Lindsay, Resolve Retreats
At a Glance
Bio The path that led her to this point
My whole life has been about learning and teaching.
I started my career as a school teacher and from there have had many a varied role.
I became a manager for a registered training organisation, then general manager in a manufacturing company and from there moved into corporate leadership development.
Certainly a winding pathway.
I was married very young and we had two fab girls together. But I found myself alone after nearly 30 years of marriage. It was out of the blue.
Life can sometimes knock you sideways and I desperately looked for a gorgeous place to go and take some time to heal, be nurtured and guided on how to get through divorce and thrive.
I needed someone to listen, to pray with me and tell me of the possible pathway forward.
I searched everywhere but couldn't find anything online.
I was so incredibly scared about the future and didn't know who on earth I was anymore. I had been with this man from 18 to 48 years old and I just couldn't imagine how to do life without him.
So I got desperate enough to do something radical (for me). I decided to stare fear down and do what I was most afraid of - being alone!
I sold the house, quit cubicle nation and traveled the world by myself for 6 months.
New York, Barcelona, Venice, Lucerne, Cartegena......I pretty much went everywhere I wanted to go and discovered some amazing places along the way. Ever heard of Funchal? Neither had I but it's now my new favourite place ever.
It was during this time that I realised I could be the answer to the gap I had found.
I could learn to heal and teach others.
Why not? Resolve Retreats was developed in response to that gap.
I am a daughter, sister to three, mother to two, aunty to many, lover of luxury locations and all things fun.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
Without doubt, my greatest achievement has been conquering my fear of being alone and pushing through despair and trauma to create a business which is designed to be an absolute haven for women in emotional turmoil.
I'm kind of proud of that.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Every step along my way my biggest challenge has been my own internal resistance.
Call it lack of confidence, call it fear.....it's the same thing. That feeling of deep anxiety that you'll not succeed and you'll be rejected and ashamed.
I've absolutely learned to shut that voice down now - even when it occasionally tries to whisper in my ear.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
If someone ever gets through life without a regret I'd say they'd be lying. So I've learned how to calm my inner panic and fear. I've learned that there is not much which can really stop us if we are determined. I've learned not to live by how I feel.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
Leadership lessons from the bible - and anything John Maxwell. His ability to tell a leadership story and draw out amazing principles is unsurpassed.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
I have a personal hero in Walt Disney.
He saw the impossible, was able to cast such a compelling vision that other people bought in and then stuck with his dream despite mountainous odds.
He loved kids, was full of fun and has deep desire to tap into the good in all of us. What vision and tenacity!
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Generic advice is always hard so any advice I give would be about self-management.
It would be to hold yourself in high regard, settle the issue of lack of confidence quickly and be ok with getting a "no". It can make you bolder.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I decided to get serious about making the rest of my life the very best of my life.
I made the choice and now I'm sticking to the choice every single day! I want to get to the end of my life and go "Woohoo.....I really did it!"
Visit
WEBSITE
Tweet
Like