Power of Play Amanda Klimak & Kelly Clements

Have you ever stopped to think about the fleeting nature of time, especially in relation to the years we have with our children? Join us on a heartfelt journey with Jim and Jamie Sheils, authors of 'The Family Board Meeting', as we explore their profound mantra - 'you only have 18 summers'. This poignant reminder of the finite nature of time serves as the foundation of our discussion, as we delve into the thrill of their book reaching number one on the Wall Street Journal, and the importance of cherishing every moment with our children, irrespective of the season.

Navigating parenting in a blended family can be a tricky ride, but the Sheils recount their journey with exceptional honesty and vulnerability, sharing their struggles, triumphs, and even the unexpected encounters with imposter syndrome. Through their narrative, they underline the significance of making intentional decisions and leaning on each other for support, vital ingredients to their success story as a blended family. This segment promises to be inspiring, enlightening, and above all, offers hope and practical solutions.

Kelly's conversation then steers towards their latest book '18 Summers', the successful podcast 'Family Board Meetings', and the survival guide to keeping a marriage strong while raising children. Alongside, the Shields also open up about their pro vita lifestyle and how it has positively influenced their family life. So buckle up for a conversation that is honest, insightful, and packed with invaluable parenting and family life lessons from the Shields' lived experiences.

Do you ever grapple with the urge to check your emails while sunbathing on a pristine sandy beach? Or struggle to resist the pull of work while you're supposed to be exploring a new city? We've been there, and we're here to share our experiences and solutions in this candid chat about the trials and tribulations of disconnecting from work while traveling. From a remote Lindblad Expedition on the National Geographic Orion in the Kimberly Region of Australia to the bumpy bus rides on the outskirts of bustling cities, we've seen and learned it all.

Using personal anecdotes and humorous misadventures, such as an accidental tour booking to the wrong city, travel specialist, Amanda Klimak, and Entrepreneur Coach, Kelly Clements shed light on the upsides of stepping away from work. You'll be surprised to learn how your absence could actually benefit your teams, instilling them with trust and independence! We also discuss the critical steps of prepping your team before you jet off, setting clear expectations, and returning to work recharged and ready to go. Get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and giving your work-life balance a much-needed boost. So, strap in, wave goodbye to your work worries, and let's hit the road together!

Ready to reignite your passion for play and travel? Buckle up as we, your hosts, Amanda Klimak and Kelly Clements, embark on a journey back into the exhilarating world of play through travel. 

We discuss the latest trends, the impact of COVID-19 and the upcoming rush of Chinese travelers hitting the global market. Amanda shares her insights on the changes in the industry, the rise in prices, and emphasizes the importance of planning ahead. With the future of travel looking busier than ever, we chat about the necessity of planning trips years in advance!

We also shed light on Kelly's newly published book, 'Grow Your Business Without Growing Apart.'   Moving on, we ponder over potential travel destinations, those that are blossoming, and others that might be overcrowded soon. We navigate the allure of alternative locations while promoting sustainable travel. Lastly, we tease you with a preview of our upcoming episodes, assuring you of engaging and insightful content. So, tune in to our lively conversation and let's fuel our joint enthusiasm for travel and the Power of Play once again!

On this episode of the Power of Play, Kelly and Amanda discuss the alarmist narrative, which leaves us in a swirl of confusion, judgment, and frustration.  Staying in a strong resistance to fear can cause many to be left in as much upset as those responding directly to the threat of the virus.  They discuss how negativity is negativity, suffering is suffering and fear is fear.

So this morning, after facing the facts of what is true today, Kelly and Amanda share their secret weapon: surrender.  They discuss things we can do while home for an extended period of time and ways that we can make the best out of a difficult situation.

Here are a few of their suggestions:
Nurture your familyEmbrace the forced, guilt-free emptiness on the calendar to more carefully pay attention to yourselfUse the time that would have been spent thrashing around at a million kids' events this weekend to get your house in orderReassess diets and ensure your food is safe, nourishing, and healingHunker down and use this season of Social Distancing as an opportunity for Familial ConnectingCircle the wagons with trusted friends and share resources and ideasUse the solitude to more deeply explore meditation and holistic healingView all the cancelations and closings as a gesture of communal protection rather than reacting to them as scare tactics and maniaGet out of the resistance to all of it and into ease, flow and continued healingNext to washing your hands, this feels like the best way to inoculate yourself from the virus and the maniaStay safe everyone and share what you are doing to nurture yourself, your mind, your family, your spirit and your business.

Kelly is joined today by Scott Largay, Director of Marketing for Largay Travel and the producer of the Power of Play podcast. Scott and Kelly are both highly seasoned travelers and today they are discussing how to preserve both personal care and personal relationships when business travel is a part of your life. 
Both Kelly and Scott stress the importance of creating a work/life balance while you are traveling. It is important to make room for personal time on your trips. Kelly recommends having specific rituals that bring consistency into your personal care on the road. These rituals allow you to ground yourself during a busy day and can improve your overall mood and well being. Scott explains the necessity of planning in advance to find time for these personal activities, even saying no to some events when you are able in order to find time for yourself. When you are planning, be clear on your intentions so you know who you need to connect with and when. 
Personal relationships can struggle when one person is always traveling. Scott and Kelly offer tips for a positive work/relationship balance when travel is a part of your job description. They recommend always finding time in your day to connect with your significant other. Even a short recap of your day can be a great way to stay connected. Find the right rhythm of communication that works for both of you. 
Social media plays a big role in our lives, especially in business travel. When posting to social media, Scott and Kelly recommend viewing your post from a personal and business perspective and be aware of how people in each aspect of your life may perceive the post. 
Check out Largay Travel at https://www.pleasegoaway.com/

Connect with Kelly
Email - kelly@theentreprenewer.com
Website - https://www.theentreprenewer.com
Complimentary Free Trip Planning Guide - https://www.theentreprenewer.com/free-resources/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EntreprenewHer/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_entreprenewer/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyclements/

Kelly is joined today by Paul Largay, co-owner and CEO of Largay Travel. Paul has over 40 years of industry experience and has created an amazing company culture at Largay. His title may say CEO, but he sees himself more as a culture creator and brand manager. Paul explains that great companies are the result of attracting and retaining great people; everyone that works at Largay has to be professional, honorable, and most of all, joyful. 
Kelly and Paul discuss the company culture at Largay Travel and how Paul is able to foster such a positive environment. He believes in trying to suppress hierarchy, that success is the fabric of everyone’s contributions. He sees Largay not really as a company, but a community of like-minded professionals who love to help people feel the joy that comes with travel. 
Many people focus so much on working hard that they forget the importance of playing hard. Paul explains his different rituals for keeping his life joyful, such as picking out what socks to wear and how such a simple action can set a positive tone for the rest of his day. People forget what makes them feel joy and Paul believes it is important to step back and remember your “oh my god” moments; those moments that defined our childhood and can redefine who we are as adults.
Having fun takes a serious plan. Kelly and Paul talk about what goes into prioritizing fun and making a serious, long-term plan for what fun experiences you want to have in life.
Check out Largay Travel at https://www.pleasegoaway.com/

Connect with Kelly
Email - kelly@theentreprenewer.com
Website - https://www.theentreprenewer.com
Complimentary Free Trip Planning Guide - https://www.theentreprenewer.com/free-resources/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EntreprenewHer/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_entreprenewer/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyclements/ 

Connect with Amanda
Email - amanda@largaytravel.com
Website - www.pleasegoaway.com
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute Travel Specialist Consultation - www.pleasegoaway.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pleasegoawaytravelcompany/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virtuosotraveladvisor/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-klimak/