Personal Growth Archives - Nicole Comis Coaching

Having Faith When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

by Nicole Comis | Jan 18, 2026 | Beliefs, Mindset, Personal Growth

Until the last few years, my faith wasn’t something I talked about much, even with my closest friends.

It was deeply personal. Private. Something that developed over time, especially during challenging seasons when I was learning to trust God in ways I hadn’t before.

I was born and raised Catholic, and church was a big part of my life growing up. But as I moved into adulthood, I began to feel less aligned with the church’s views and grew more disconnected from religion itself.

For years, I felt like I was searching for a sense of belonging in my faith. A place where my values felt supported. Where everyone was welcome. Where faith was rooted in love, not fear or judgment.

If you’ve ever felt caught between what you were taught to believe and what your heart knows to be true, you’re not alone.

A Shift That Changed Everything

During my coach training program, my faith unexpectedly began to grow stronger than it ever had before.

Each month, we were encouraged to read books that expanded how we thought about different areas of life. During our spirituality month, one of the books was Conversations with God.

I read it in a day and a half. It addressed so many of the challenges I had struggled with around religion, and I couldn’t put it down.

For the first time, I was introduced to the idea that God isn’t separate from us—He is a part of us.

More than anything, it shifted how I saw my life. I began to understand that life isn’t happening to me, but for me and that every experience holds an opportunity for growth, learning, and expansion.

I realized that when I was trying to force an outcome or control how something unfolded, it meant it wasn’t meant for me.

My mind was blown.

Instead of living my life from a place of fear, I began practicing surrender. Trust. Believing that God was guiding me, even when I couldn’t see the full picture.

Letting Go of Labels

I stopped trying to define my faith with a label.

I no longer felt the need to decide whether I was Catholic, Christian, or anything else. What mattered most was trusting that God was guiding and supporting me, and believing He truly had my back.

That faith became my foundation.

Over time, it continued to deepen. Today, while I connect with Christianity, more than anything, my faith is in God. I trust that I’m supported. I believe that even when things feel uncertain, they are unfolding exactly as they are meant to.

Trust Over Certainty

Today, faith is one of the most important foundations in my life.

Not faith in the sense of rules or fitting into a specific box, but a strong belief that God is guiding me.

Trusting that life is happening for me, even when I can’t see how or why.

That belief has carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life, especially those times when things didn’t make sense. Moments when I worked hard and still watched things fall apart or unfold in ways I never wanted.

In those moments, my faith isn’t about certainty.

It’s about trust.

Trust that God is working in my favor, even when I don’t understand what’s happening or where it’s leading.

When Faith Was Put to the Test

There’s one season in particular that comes to mind when I think about having faith—not just when life doesn’t go as planned, but when it completely falls apart.

Almost two years ago, my business hit a breaking point.

For different reasons, all of my clients completed their contracts within a short period of time. Some were clients I had worked with for over six years. Suddenly, the business I had spent years building looked very different than it had just a month earlier.

I had only been in Georgia for a few years and didn’t yet have the deep relationships and business connections I had built over nearly three decades in Naperville. I didn’t have the same referral base, support system, or sense of community I was used to leaning on. And being so far away made it harder to maintain those relationships in the same way.

If I’m being honest, that season shook me. I came close to giving up.

And at the same time, I always knew in my heart that this is the work I’m meant to do in the world.

At my weakest point, I believe God showed up for me through my mom.

When I talked about getting a salaried job, she told me I couldn’t give up on my dreams.

That painful season asked me to practice what I believe.

To trust that God was guiding me, even when the plan didn’t make sense to me. To surrender control when every part of me wanted answers.

To believe that what was falling away was creating space for something better.

Looking back now, I can see that season didn’t break me.

It refined me and my business.

Finding Peace in a Noisy World

Another place my faith supports me is how I navigate what’s happening in the world—politically, socially, and globally.

There are so many things I don’t agree with. Things I don’t understand. Things that genuinely hurt my heart.

But I trust that God is working in ways I can’t always see. That there’s a bigger plan unfolding, even when the world feels heavy, divided, or devastating.

My faith doesn’t mean I’m ignoring reality or pretending everything is fine.

It keeps me from living in constant fear or anger. It allows me to stay compassionate without being consumed by it. It helps me move through uncertainty without letting it run my life.

In a world that often feels loud and overwhelming, that faith has been a lifeline for my wellbeing.

It gives me peace.

Living From a Different Mindset

Because of that trust, I live differently now.

That mindset shift has been life-changing.

When things don’t go as planned, I no longer ask, “Why is this happening to me?”

I ask, “What am I meant to learn?”

This is also how I coach my clients—shifting the question from why something is happening to what it might be teaching them.

I trust that God is guiding me where I need to be, even when I don’t understand it yet. And sometimes, when I’m not paying attention, that guidance shows up as a pretty clear kick in the butt.

Listening When Something Is Out of Alignment

Looking back, I believe that’s exactly what happened a couple of years ago with my business. I was trained in the deeper subconscious work, but I hadn’t fully integrated it into my coaching practice because I was worried what people might think.

I wasn’t showing up in my power or aligned with what I know creates real transformation because of fear.

I realized, when I’m not living in alignment with my beliefs or values, something will shift…and it might not be pretty.

Faith as an Anchor

My faith keeps me grounded in the unknown. It helps me stay hopeful when things feel heavy. It allows me to keep moving forward during seasons that could easily make me give up.

There have been challenges, plenty of them. But over the last dozen years, my faith has been my strength.

Even when I can’t see the path clearly, I trust that everything is unfolding for the best.

And if you’re in a season where life feels challenging right now, this is your reminder that trust doesn’t require certainty—it’s rooted in faith.

If this resonated, take a moment to reflect on where you might be holding on too tightly right now, and what it could look like to trust instead.

And as always, if you need support, please reach out. I’m here.

Who Do You Want to Be in the World?

by Nicole Comis | Jan 13, 2026 | Mindset, Personal Growth

What Betty White Reflects About Living a Meaningful Life

Do you have a role model?

Maybe not someone you want to be exactly, or whose career or life you want to replicate, but someone who reflects how you want to show up in the world. How you want to be experienced by others, and how you want to live your life.

For me, that person is Betty White.

Not because I want to be an actress or famous.

Not because she lived a full, healthy, vibrant life until almost 100 years old.

And it’s not because she made a lot of money (although… that wouldn’t hurt).

It’s because of who she was as a human.

What It Means to Love Life

What stands out to me most is how she lived — how she showed up in the world.

Everything about her made it clear that she was genuinely in love with life and people.

She was playful and laughed easily. She didn’t take herself or life too seriously, but she was serious about the important things.

People who knew her often said the same things.

She made people feel seen.
She was witty and funny, but never mean. She laughed with people, never at them.
She treated everyone with the same warmth, kindness and respect, no matter who they were.

She experienced pain and disappointment like every other human and still chose optimism, humor, and gratitude. She didn’t let life harden her. And she didn’t let success or money change her heart.

If anything, it seemed to strengthen it.

There are very few people who make my heart smile the moment I see their face, but Betty White is one of them. When I see a picture of her or stumble on an old clip, I instantly smile. She was magnetic.

And it makes me reflect, not on what I want to have in my life, but on how I want to live it.

Who You Choose to Be

Because at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.

Not the titles.
Not the bank account.
Not the résumé.

But how we loved.
How we treated people.
How fully we lived.

She was a class act.
Classy.

I imagine, when Betty reflected on her life, she was thinking, “That was one hell of a ride!” And that’s what I want for myself, and for the people I care about…and for you.

Not just to make it through life.
But to truly enjoy it.

To laugh.
To love people unconditionally.
To lead with kindness and optimism instead of fear.
To be serious about the things that matter and let the rest be lighter.

Think about it…
Who do you want to be in the world?

What would it look like if you were in love with life?

The Hard Truth Every Woman in Business Needs to Hear

by Nicole Comis | Dec 4, 2025 | Confidence, Goals, Mindset, Personal Growth

So many ambitious women burn out without realizing it — here’s why it happens and what you can do to take your power back.

As women — especially ambitious women building businesses — there’s something almost all of us struggle with… and many don’t even realize it until we burn out.

We’re amazing at giving, serving, showing up, and getting things done. But we’re not always great at making ourselves a priority.

A couple of conversations over the last few weeks reminded me just how common this is — and how much it impacts the women I coach, the women in my community, and honestly… the woman I used to be.

The Hidden Struggle So Many Women in Business Face

Almost every ambitious woman I know has struggled with:

setting boundaries
saying no
prioritizing themselves
letting their business run their life

We jump the second a client needs something — even when it costs us the time we intentionally set aside for our health, our relationships, or simply enjoying life.

We become the last thing on our own priority list… when we actually need to be the very first.

You’ve probably heard it before…
“You can’t fill from an empty cup.”
Well… it’s true.

Why This Happens (and No One Talks About It)

Most ambitious women were raised to believe that success comes from sacrificing themselves — putting others first, staying available, being reliable, being strong.

That conditioning runs deep.

And it’s what leads us to over-work, over-give, and ignore the warning signs our body is sending us.

The “Giver” Personality (and Why It Can Be Dangerous)

I was talking with a client recently who gives, and gives, and gives — and hardly receives. She pours into everyone and everything around her.

Eventually, the well runs dry.

And for many women, this happens slowly… until they can’t ignore it anymore.

Unfortunately, this isn’t rare.
It’s normal.

Back in my mortgage days, my work took priority over my entire life.

My business always came first. Always.

I once had a client call me in the middle of the night — she woke me out of a sound sleep, and I freaking answered.

I was constantly worried about the next paycheck, and I let that dictate everything about how I lived, how I worked, and even how I felt.

Fast-forward…
I burned out my adrenals.
(But that’s a story for another time.)

The Truth No One Talks About Enough

When our businesses (or anything outside of us) start running our lives, we give up our power.
We lose control of the life we actually want to be living.

The truth is, you deserve to prioritize taking care of yourself.

Not someday.
Not when “things slow down.”
Not when you hit a career milestone.
Not after everyone else’s needs are met.

Right now.

Your health and well-being are the foundation of everything you do… and everything you don’t do.

And if you’ve been putting yourself last, please know:

You’re not failing.
There is nothing wrong with you.
You’re human.

It’s just time for something to shift…

The good news is… you have the power to change, if you choose.

Let me ask you something:

Where in your life are you giving more than you’re receiving?

Even noticing your answer is a powerful first step.

If This Hit Home for You…

If something in this post made you pause or think, “that’s me,” you deserve to put yourself on the priority list.

And if you’re ready for things to be different — and want support as you create a more aligned, balanced life — I’m here.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

I’d love to help you create a life and business that supports you and the future you want to create.

Click here to schedule a free 20-minute connection call!

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From Fear to Confidence: The Truth About Your Comfort Zone

by Nicole Comis | Apr 14, 2025 | Comfort Zone, Confidence

Our comfort zone gets a bad rap, doesn’t it?

You’ve probably heard it before…

“Great things never come from comfort zones.”
“Comfort is the enemy of progress.”
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

But here’s the thing…

Your comfort zone isn’t a bad place. It’s where you feel peace, safety, joy, fulfillment—all the amazing feelings in life.

But “comfortable” doesn’t mean happy.

I experienced this personally!

After the housing market crash, I stayed in the mortgage business for five years—miserable but comfortable. I knew what I was going to get—it was predictable. Even though I wasn’t happy, I stayed because it was comfortable. It’s what I knew.

And that kept me stuck and afraid to make a change.

If we live in our comfort zone 24/7, we stop growing. We stop evolving.

But we don’t want to live outside our comfort zone either! That’s a whole lot of anxiety and fear—a heart attack waiting to happen.

It’s not about living outside your comfort zone–it’s about stretching it!

Here’s where the magic happens:

Take steps outside your comfort zone in service of your BIG goals and dreams—
then go back to what’s comfortable.

And over time?

Your comfort zone expands.

Those things that once seemed scary don’t feel so scary anymore.
What once felt terrifying eventually becomes totally comfortable.
What once felt impossible becomes something you’re proud of.

And trust me, I get it—it’s freaking scary!

I used to be terrified of public speaking!

Just the idea of being called on to speak in front of a group made my stomach turn. My face would turn bright red. Not to mention the sweating!

Even saying my name at a networking event scared the crap out of me!

But little by little, I stretched myself.

First, I practiced introducing myself at a table of ten people.
Then, I worked on delivering my elevator pitch.
Next, 10-minute presentations to my networking group—and I won’t lie, the first few, I flew through it at super speed like I was the Tasmanian Devil.

Eventually, I started welcoming 100 women to the monthly Women In Business Breakfast.

I just kept saying yes to opportunities that made me uncomfortable–in service of my bigger goal, which was to be comfortable speaking in front of a large audience.

I practiced. I stretched. Over and over.

And several years later, I found myself standing in front of 340 people—completely comfortable and confident—delivering a one-hour presentation I wrote on creating authentic happiness.

Now?

I get paid to speak. I lead workshops. I speak for hours. And I love it.

What once caused so much anxiety is now something I enjoy most.

That didn’t happen overnight.
But it did happen!
Not because I “lived outside my comfort zone” but because I expanded it.

What’s one area of your life that you want to grow—and what’s one small step you could take today to stretch toward it?

Are you done playing it safe at the cost of your happiness?

Whether it’s building confidence, speaking up more, or finally going after that dream you’ve been avoiding—you don’t have to do it alone.

Book a free 45-minute coaching call, and let’s explore what’s waiting for you just outside your comfort zone!

Are You Living Life Like a Road Trip Without a Destination?

by Nicole Comis | Mar 4, 2025 | Goals, Values, Vision

Can you imagine going on a road trip without a destination in mind? Deciding at each light which direction to go—should you turn left or right? You’d likely go in circles or get lost.

Yet, that’s exactly how so many people live their lives—on autopilot, making decisions based on what’s right in front of them without a clear vision for the future.

Years later, they look around and wonder, “How did I end up here?”—so far from their BIG goals and dreams, feeling stuck in a place they never intentionally chose.

The truth is, life doesn’t just happen to you. Every choice either moves you closer to the life you want or further away from it. But without a clear vision, how can you possibly know which direction to take?

Your Vision and Values Are Your Roadmap

Being clear on your vision and values is like setting out on a road trip with a destination in mind and a GPS guiding your way. With a clear path, every turn becomes intentional. Even if you hit a detour, you’ll know how to reroute and stay on track.

Your vision—what you want for your career, relationships, health, and personal growth—acts as your destination.
Your values—what matters most to you—serve as your internal compass.

Together, they guide your decisions and ensure that each choice aligns with what truly fulfills you.

Without this clarity, it’s easy to make decisions based on habit, convenience, or pressure rather than intention. That’s when years pass, and you wake up realizing you’ve built a life that doesn’t actually feel like yours.

Living With Intention

When you take the time to get clear on your vision and values, decision-making becomes easier. Instead of reacting to circumstances or making random choices, you start asking:

Does this align with my vision and values?
Will this decision bring me closer to the life I want to live?

It’s a powerful shift!

No more settling for “good enough” when you’re meant for more.
No more waking up years later wondering how you got so off track.
It means living with intention and making choices that align with what truly matters to you.

It’s Time to Take the Wheel

If life has felt like an aimless road trip, now is the time to change. You get to decide where you’re headed.

You get to create a life that excites you—one that aligns with your deepest values and biggest dreams.

So… where do you want to go?

Are Your Fears Preventing You From Living an Awesome Life?!?

by Nicole Comis | Oct 29, 2019 | Mindset, Personal Growth

Public speaking. Networking. Applying for a new job. Asking for a promotion or raise. Starting a business. Sharing your feelings.

Do any of these freak you out a little? It’s totally normal if they do, they’re some of the most common fears. But if you take time to dig a little deeper, you’ll discover that these “fears” are just symptoms of your more significant fears. You know, the shit that paralyzes you from moving forward on your BIG goals and dreams: fear of rejection, failure, shame, judgment, abandonment…

These fears are powerful! They limit you and your vision by creating blinders to what is possible. They keep you small and prevent you from achieving the things you want in life.

We all have fear. Hell, we’re human. But when we acknowledge our fears and practice taking action in spite of them, these fears lose their power over us, and the inner critic inside our head begins to settle down.

Take the time to understand our fears and where they came from.

All of our fears, big or small, come from our limiting beliefs. These beliefs were developed during our childhood, typically before we were even 8 years old. Our parents, teachers, religion, culture, friends, peers, media, our circumstances…everything and everyone in our environment helped create our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. And as we grew older, we collected more and more evidence that these beliefs were the truth.

When you were young, think of how many times someone said, “don’t talk to strangers!” Although it kept you safe as a kid, it might have also created a belief that the world is dangerous, and we can’t trust people we don’t know. As adults, that message might have created a fear around networking or dating.

Believe it or not, I used to be terrified of public speaking. I’m talking the pit in your stomach, sweaty palms, feeling like I’m going to throw up kinda fear! It was so bad that when I was in the mortgage business, I talked my boss into doing all of my presentations for me. The thought of standing in front of the room with dozens of eyes looking at me brought me back to my childhood when the teacher would call on me, and I didn’t know the answer. That’s when I developed a limiting belief that I wasn’t very smart, ultimately leading to fears of rejection, judgment, and failure.

The thing is, I totally knew my shit and was one of the best in the business at the time. But our limiting beliefs have this crazy ability to mess with our heads.

My favorite definition of fear is, “an upsetting emotion caused by a real or imagined threat of danger or pain.” Did you catch that? Fear is caused by a real or imagined threat of danger or pain. So, although fear can protect us from real danger, it also can get in the way because of the stories we create in our minds!

In my workshops, I share a story about a farmer who spent his life terrified of a huge monster. He was so obsessed with building walls to protect himself and was so consumed by his fear that he ended up pushing away his family and friends. It wasn’t until his pain and sadness became worse than his fear that he finally decided to go face to face with the monster. And guess what? He discovered the monster was much smaller than he imagined him to be.

Shining a spotlight on your fears and limiting beliefs will allow you to take actions outside of your comfort zone…in spite of your fears.

Remember that public speaking fear I mentioned earlier? Once I created awareness of my fears and limiting beliefs and got clear on my commitments and BIG goals, I was able to take baby steps outside of my comfort zone in spite of my fear. I practiced stretching myself. I started attending more networking events so I could practice giving my elevator speech. I gave mini-presentations on my business to my leads group. I accepted positions where I was responsible for running meetings. I committed to getting up in front of a room of nearly 100 women to welcome them to the Women in Business Breakfast each month for an entire year! My confidence grew, and my fears and limiting beliefs were no longer holding me back. Now, I speak as part of my business!

I think of all the times my fears stopped me from achieving the things I wanted in my life. What are your fears preventing you from having in your life? A fulfilling career? A successful business? New clients? A loving, committed, and healthy relationship?

You get to decide if you’re going to let your fears stand in the way of you achieving your BIG goals and dreams. But if you shine a spotlight on your fears, limiting beliefs, behaviors, and survival mechanisms—the crap that’s been holding you back—you can discover the courage to go after all the things you want in life!

Nicole Comis, Certified Life & Executive Coach, helps business owners and other career-driven professionals achieve their BIG career goals while integrating more balance into their lives. She partners with her clients to gain clarity on what they want their future to look like, face their fears, identify obstacles holding them back, and create a plan to help them achieve BIG, stretchy goals that are outside of their comfort zone. Her coaching practice incorporates her client’s whole life, not just their career, leading to a more balanced, productive, healthy, and happy life. Nicole is a graduate and certified coach from the Accomplishment Coaching Coaches Training Program and is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Nicole’s high-energy, judgment-free, fun, no-BS approach helps men and women live a more balanced life with a career they love, fulfilling relationships, a healthy well-being, and killer confidence!

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