Spaghetti on the Wall: Organizing Life's Messy Ideas with Kristan Swan

Have you ever noticed how certain words lose their meaning when we hear them too often? Kristan Swan calls these "wallpaper words" – terms like success, gratitude, and grace that become background noise rather than powerful concepts that guide our lives. 

In our conversation, Kristan reveals how reclaiming these definitions for ourselves is the first step toward authentic living and sustainable business practices.

Kristan Swan shares her journey from landscape design to business coaching, revealing how childhood transitions shaped her ability to navigate different environments and recognize the "rules of engagement" in new situations.

• Reflecting on "wallpaper words" like success and grace that have lost meaning through overuse

• Exploring the importance of defining success for yourself rather than adopting cultural definitions tied to financial achievement

• Discovering your "spiritual autobiography" through reflective writing prompts that examine life turning points

• Using journaling as a tool for discernment without judgment to recognize patterns in decision-making

• Learning to say "may I get back to you on that" to create space between requests and responses

• Building self-knowledge leads to self-trust, which creates confidence and joy

• Understanding your decision-making style helps you operate with integrity and "do less harm

Where to find Kristan

Website: https://kristanswan.com/

Substack - https://substack.com/@kristanswan

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristanbrowne/

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I’m Carol Clegg, your host, an accountability coach and curious conversationalist inviting guests from a wide range of backgrounds to share insights on how they live, think, and navigate change.

If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you.

If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle  a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle

For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 90-day Accountability Package, designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum.

You can learn more at carolclegg.com

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