We were lucky to catch up with Laetitia Andrac recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laetitia, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
My journey to confidence and self-esteem has been a transformative process. Initially, I often sought external validation for my achievements. However, I’ve learned that true confidence comes from within. A significant part of my growth involved leaning into my vision and trusting myself. For instance, embracing the role of a ‘Sacred CEO’ (a concept I carved and explain in my best-selling book: Light It) meant stepping up and trusting my own energy and vision.
I’ve also realized the importance of intuition in decision-making. Rather than relying on external strategies, I learned to trust my gut feelings and inner voice. This approach helped me step into my power as a leader. Another key aspect was acknowledging and overcoming fears, understanding that these feelings are part of the journey toward finding my light and building a sustainable business.
Belonging to a like-minded community has sustained my motivation and helped me achieve my vision. It’s about transforming your individual journey into a shared one. Lastly, committing to my vision, even in the face of challenges, has been crucial. This commitment means facing fears, leaning into trust, and believing in the possibility of seeing my wildest dreams come true.
It’s about trusting yourself, leveraging your intuition, embracing community support, and being willing to face and overcome challenges. All these elements have been instrumental in developing my confidence and self-esteem.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Absolutely. My journey to where I am today began with a realization: being perpetually busy isn’t the same as being effective. This epiphany came after experiencing burnout in strategy consulting. I knew then that I needed to change my path. After my wedding, my partner and I decided to start afresh in Australia, where I connected with my intuition for the first time in a long while.
In 2015, I transitioned into a corporate role that gave me the space and time to explore my true calling. This was a turning point, as I experimented with different business ideas on the side, eventually leading to the creation of my current consulting company, Essential Shift.
My professional focus crystallized following a personal tragedy – the loss of a friend to cancer. This event propelled me to share my insights on self-care and prevention of burnout, particularly for leaders and entrepreneurs. As a result, I started Essential Shift in 2021, where I serve as an energetics and strategy business mentor, or as my clients affectionately call me, a ‘business doula.’
I’m passionate about helping entrepreneurs, especially women, to prevent burnout and connect with their true selves. My approach uniquely blends ancient wisdom with corporate strategy, creating a niche that speaks directly to women’s experiences.
Currently, my vision for Essential Shift is ambitious yet clear. I aim to impact one million women by 2032, fostering an environment where they can grow their businesses without the fear of burnout. This vision stems from my own experiences and the lessons I learned along the way. Each failure and trial was a step closer to finding clarity and connecting with my true vision.
On a related note, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve authored a book titled ‘Light It – How to Trust your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business,’ which was released at the end of 2023. The book is available worldwide in various formats, including paperback, ebook, and audiobook. It encapsulates my journey and the lessons I’ve learned about trusting your intuition in business and personal growth.
I’m passionate about reaching more people with this message, and I’m offering an array of free content for those who purchase the book. My aim is for readers to not only enjoy the book but also gain practical insights and tools to apply in their own lives and businesses. I believe ‘Light It’ can be a catalyst for change for many, helping them to navigate their paths with confidence and clarity.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, three key qualities that were most impactful are:
1. Embracing Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: The path to success often involves trial and error, iteration, and small steps. It’s important to be patient and see mistakes not as setbacks, but as essential learning opportunities. This mindset helps in building resilience and continuously improving.
2. Leveraging Intuition and Strategy: Balancing intuition with strategic thinking has been crucial. Intuition provides a unique, inner guidance, while strategy offers a structured approach to achieving goals. This combination enables a more holistic and effective way of running a business.
3. Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to adapt and be flexible in the face of challenges is vital. Business and personal growth are cyclical processes that require constant evolution and a willingness to embrace change.
For those early in their journey, my advice would be:
1. Learn from Every Experience: Don’t shy away from challenges or mistakes. Instead, view them as valuable lessons. Reflect on these experiences to gain insights that will guide your future decisions.
2. Balance Intuition with Planning: Trust your gut feelings, but also develop a clear strategic plan. This balance will help you navigate complex situations more effectively.
3. Stay Flexible and Open-Minded: The business landscape is ever-changing. Be ready to pivot and adapt your strategies as needed. Staying open to new ideas and approaches is key to long-term success and growth.
Developing these qualities takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and stay committed to your growth journey. Remember, every step you take is a step towards mastering these skills.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was introducing me to meditation and the cycle of nature from a very young age. I learned meditation when I was as young as five years old and had the opportunity to travel and live in diverse countries like Brazil, Senegal, and India, where I absorbed ancient spiritual wisdom. This early exposure to different cultures and spiritual practices deeply influenced my understanding of the world and myself.
However, there was a period in my life where I lost touch with these teachings. I deviated from the lifestyle I was raised in, leading to a phase of disconnection from my spiritual rituals and intuition. It took a burnout for me to realize the need to reconnect with my light, intuition, and myself.
I was raised in a family that was deeply connected with the seasons, the moon cycle, and energy. My father, aunt, and grandparents educated me about intuition, energy healing, and the connection with the cycles of nature. We would engage in activities like hiking, harvesting wild mushrooms in deep forests, and swimming in the open sea. These experiences grounded me in a profound understanding of nature’s rhythms and their influence on our lives.
For those early in their journey, I would advise embracing these aspects of life:
– Explore Meditation and Mindfulness: Start with simple meditation practices. This can help in developing a deeper connection with oneself and enhance intuition.
– Connect with Nature: Regularly spend time in nature. Activities like hiking, gardening, or just being in natural settings can help in aligning with the natural cycles and rhythms.
– Learn from Different Cultures: If possible, travel or learn about different cultures and their spiritual practices. This broadens perspectives and deepens understanding of the world.
These practices can significantly influence personal and professional growth by fostering a deep sense of connection, balance, and understanding of the world around us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.essentialshift.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essential.shift/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialshift.co
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laetitiaandrac
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2JVwng4qHFu-Ojs7pTPEg
- Other: Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/essential-shift