“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

​It's been a long time since I last posted here. I could make excuses or apologize for the silence. Or I could just update you on what's been going on in my world since my last post.

I left you at the Be Kind Festival in the beautiful Mount Washington Valley. It was a wonderful event with Random Acts of Kindness, a Free Hug Team, music, dance and variety of events throughout the weekend.

Right after the weekend, I jumped back into a busy classroom schedule for a few weeks and finished up my 2014-2015 academic schedule. In early June, I boarded a plane to join Jack Canfield and his training team to support his newest Train the Trainer graduates in their final week of training. The weeks I spend in the training room with Jack are always busy, and to be honest, I was looking forward to getting back to NH and spending some quiet time in the White Mountains, on the lake where I live while I finished my latest book project, which I was planning to release in the Fall of 2015.

As I stood in the buffet line on the last day of the event, lost in my thoughts of my favorite writing spot overlooking Mount Chocorua and the water behind my house, I realized someone was speaking to me. "Are you going to bring another team of kids to BTS in August?" Patty Aubery, the President of The Canfield Training Group was asking. My thoughts immediately went to our Breakthrough to Success experience in 2014. I brought team of 7 young people to the live event. The process involved in coordinating our team, making all the trip arrangements, raising the money and working with the kids' parents took a lot of time, energy and effort, but in the long run, that trip caused a ripple of events that literally rocked my world and the work I am doing to get the Success Principles into the classroom.  

In my head, I knew my answer, "No, Patty. It's way too much work to coordinate and I've got my own book project going on this summer." In my heart, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I knew ... from that deep down place that I've learned to override my head. I heard myself say, "I'd love to. It will take a lot of support to make it happen, but I'd love to."

Our conversation continued through the buffet line and by the time I sat down to eat, my mind was already making mental lists of what I needed to do to get the plan in motion. After lunch I made a call to Mikayla, my right hand woman, and the wheels were set in motion. I knew, without a doubt, that the Universe would help with the details and bring the right people together to join the team, to help with fundraising, and to support whatever else needed to be done. And so it did!

Sixty days later, 14 members of the Pathways to Success for Youth Team boarded a plane and headed to Scottsdale, Arizona to attend BTS. We put together an amazing team of 6 youth, 4 young adults and 4 adults with an amazing complement of skills sets who stand ready to take the next step toward implementing this amazing work in classrooms. What has happened since BTS and what is continuing to happen is a topic for another blog post. Let's just say that the kids got interviewed by Patty and there's a chance it might be on Super Soul Sunday on December 20th when Jack joins Oprah to talk about the Success Principles and the impact of this amazing work! You can read more about the Pathways project, the team and where we're headed at www.pathwaystosuccessforyouth.com

At the same time, book launch plans were beginning to come together for Success University for Women, a collaborative book project that started as an idea in the Fall of 2014 at another Canfield event and was set to launch on September 22, 2015. I joined Jan Fraser and Catherine Scheers, the cofounders of Success University for Women and played a major role in managing the book launch. 

At the end of our launch, our book exceeded all expectations and created a ripple of impact around the world that went well beyond our wildest dreams and continues to spread. Here are the stats:
#1 Hot New Release in Women & Business
#2 Best Seller in Women and Business
#13 Hot New Release in Business & Money
#96 in Top 100 New Book Releases
#389 in Books Sold on Amazon (out of literally millions of books)

What an amazing experience to partner with 24 women from 11 countries across 3 continents, both during the writing process and during the 48 hour international launch! There are no words and if there were, I was too tired to speak them!

Needless to say, I never got to spending my quiet summer days writing my next book ... but I am happy to say that when my heart says "yes" I go with it. My heart always leads me to places that my head, on it's own, has no way of fully comprehending. I took a few days off to rest and rejuvenate and spend some time with family by the ocean in Rhode Island.

Today, back home in NH, I woke up and my heart told me to get back to writing, so here I am. This first blog post will clear the way for the next one. And the next one will reveal a little more about my next book, how I was inspired to write it and what it's all about.

What would your life be like if you followed your heart ... even if your head tried to get in the way? Has there ever been a time when your head won over your heart? A time when you wished you hadn't listened to the head voices and followed your heart instead? Was there ever a time when you wished you knew how to turn down the head voices and get directly in touch with the wisdom of your heart?

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Our third Mount Washington Valley Be Kind Festival begins on Friday, June 5th and continues on Saturday, June 6th. As our Free Hug Team forms and plans to create  the labyrinth come together, I've been reflecting on the power of our first year and look forward to helping to create a ripple of kindness that goes well beyond our beautiful valley.

Perhaps you will able to join us in person at Schouler Park in June or perhaps you will choose to add a bit of kindness to your life by reflecting back with me here ...

A couple of weeks ago, in preparation for my winter to summer transition, I updated my Tolerations and Irritations List in my physical environment which includes my home office and living space. I spent some time prioritizing the list, chunking it down to actionable items and then taking action and getting things done! I already feel more clear, more focused and more productive ... all of which are a set up for success! 

As I prepped for class Sunday night, it felt good to work in my "new" environment. 

Yesterday, as I got into my car to head for class I realized that I forgot to add "clean car" to my Tolerations and Irritations List. Oh well ... another project for another day. Actually, this one might be worth hiring the kid next door to do it for me while I focus on the implementation of Pathways to Success in the fall.

Download your own Irritations and Tolerations Worksheet here. Then set your phone timer for 15 minutes, a half hour or an hour and get started! Keep in mind this is an ongoing and dynamic list. It can include little things that bug you, like a squeaky door or a crooked picture as well as larger things like the stains on the rug in the living room or clearing out the garage. Some things take 5 minutes and little to no money to handle. Other things may require hiring someone to do it for you.

It can also be fun to gather friends to help you for bigger projects. A friend of mine recently invited a bunch of girlfriends to a Pot Luck Strip Party. Wall paper stripping, that is! She was on a low budget and wanted to create inspired space as she moves into a new phase in her life. The girls had a blast and the room was done in no time.

Thanks to Jim Bunch and Jack Canfield for teaching me about the importance creating environments that inspire rather than expire me ... and for reminding me that it's okay to ask for help!


Trisha was personally trained and mentored by Jack Canfield in his Success Principles Train the Trainer program and currently serves as a facilitator at Jack's live events. Click here to learn more about her work.

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul® and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Yesterday was a pretty powerful day. It was as if the Universe was trying to get my attention ... and it did.

Today is my last day of April school vacation. Tomorrow I head full force into my spring teaching and travel schedule which promises to be a lot of fun but really full. 

I spent the better part of my winter on skis where I taught skiing and served as the Director of King Pine Ski and Snowboard School. I'm pretty passionate about skiing and even find myself on snow on most of my days off! But by the end of the winter, my home, car and physical body are in need of some serious rest and rejuvenation.

I spent most of it transitioning from winter to spring ... cleaning, changing over closets, putting gear away, watching old movies, clearing off my desk, sorting through old mail I never got to, upgrading my computer and thinking ahead to spring and summer. As the week draws to a close, I find myself feeling bad that I didn't get out and do more. 

I could have squeezed in a few more days on snow. I should have taken a few days to visit my parents in Florida ... or headed south to spend some time with my nephews in RI. Or I could have gone to that professional development conference. Or I should have written at least half of my next book by now. I wasted a whole week!

Yesterday, I ran into a ski buddy while I was out doing a couple of errands. She talked about what she had been up to. Taking some time to transition from winter to spring. Cleaning closets, putting gear away, catching up on laundry, thinking about what's next for spring and summer and taking care of the little things that got left behind over the winter. She told me that as much as she loves skiing, she loves taking the time in between seasons to slow down, settle in, take care of loose ends and reflect on what's next.

I realized that I was being pretty hard on myself. The truth is, I was doing exactly what I needed to do. Taking some time in between while preparing for my next great adventure. The truth is, most of what I've been doing this week is taking care of things I've been tolerating all winter. Little things that aren't very exciting, but, if I pay attention, drain my energy and distract me if they aren't taken care of.

When I got home, I signed into Facebook and was floored by what I saw on my feed. Elaine, a friend and colleague from my old life in RI, had lost her battle with breast cancer. She passed just around the time I was talking with my ski buddy about transition between seasons.

Elaine and I weren't very close. We enjoyed working together over thirty years ago and had only recently reconnected on Facebook. However the news of her death hit me hard. As my tears flowed, I got up and walked outside for some fresh air. The sun was setting. The sunset was powerful. 

As I looked out, I had a vision of Elaine transitioning. I saw a her tired body go through the darkness and her beautiful spirit emerge through the bright light of the sunset and reflect it's beauty back to the earth.

If there is a heaven, I know she is there now ... light and free of the burdens of her last season on earth ...well on her way to her next great adventure.

In life, as in death, we all will go through periods of transition. These in between places are not always honored or allowed. We often keep going, keep pushing, keep trying to achieve. And we get drained.

Today, I am reminded to slow down, seize each moment and honor the quiet, the stilness and sometimes mundane routine. Those in between places and spaces that lead us through the transition and on to our next adventure.

Rest in peace, Elaine ... and thank you for sharing your transition and helping me embrace my own.

There's a flurry of activity amongst the Pathways to Success Youth Team as we prepare to head west to begin training with Jack Canfield at Breakthrough to Success on August 10th.

A few days ago, we spent the afternoon making lists and checking them twice as we prepare for two fundraising events that will be coming up over the next couple of weeks while continuing to spread the word about our crowd funding campaign. And it seems that everywhere I go, I am fielding questions and having conversations about this amazing project that is gaining lots of momentum.

In the midst of the flurry, I sat back and found myself reflecting on the origin of the project ...

It was Friday, August 14, 2010. We were coming to the end of an amazing week in the training room. My head was spinning with ideas and possibilities. Jack Canfield was wrapping up the session at his Breakthrough to Success event. He spoke about his dream to bring his Success Principles work to young people, his roots as a high school history teacher and why he thought the work was so important. He talked about his yearlong Success Principles Train the Trainer program. In an instant, I knew I had to participate and that I was somehow connected to his vision.

As Jack spoke, I had vision of my own. It was like a movie trailer, flashing pictures of me across the screen. I was on stage with a microphone speaking to a large audience. I was in front of classrooms of middle, high school and college students, looking into their eyes and seeing their aha moments as they began to understand the power of their subconscious mind and heart in pursuing their dreams. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as I was being introduced by the host of the teacher's conference I was speaking at. I could feel the heat of the TV camera lights as I was promoting this amazing work on television talk shows.

Jack was so right! Kids need his work. As an educator working in the fields of both teen pregnancy and dropout prevention I could certainly see the application of Jack's principles. During the entire week of BTS, instead of socializing with other attendees after our daily session, I hurried back to my room and wrote new lesson plans for my fall health classes and designed a training for my colleagues incorporating the Success Principles I had been learning all week.

The most ironic thing was that I had originally attended Breakthrough to Success as part of my exit strategy ... to help me figure out the next steps in my career transition ... moving from my classroom/nonprofit gig to a more lucrative career back in the corporate world with the corporate paycheck.

Fortunately, Jack's work is all about finding your passion and purpose, clarifying your vision, breaking through fears, blocks and self-limiting beliefs, harnessing the power of the subconscious mind and heart to support our dreams, taking planned and inspired action, setting goals, masterminding and accountability partnerships. The truth is, my passion was working with kids and the adults that serve them. The corporate paycheck was just a carrot ... a distraction from what I now knew I was meant to do.

As the session ended, as if carried by something way beyond me, I got up out of my chair and walked up to the stage. Before I knew it I was standing in front of Jack, face to face, eye to eye, as I heard the words coming out of my mouth. "Hi Jack, my name is Trisha and I am going to be the one to help bring the Success Principles to young people across the country." 

And so it began! I spent the next couple of years attending more trainings while I began to expand the Success Principles in all aspects of my work with kids, families and youth service professionals. In 2012 I piloted a 2 week curriculum in the classroom as well as in a peer education training program. I incorporated participant feedback and expanded the vision to include online programs, retreats and special populations in addition to implementing in nationwide classrooms.

So much is happening right now and I'll have lots more to report about collaboration with stakeholders, funders, partners and supporters over the next few months. But for now, I just keep taking the next right step towards my vision; a vision that has led me to amazing work, with an amazing team and a wonderful opportunity to be mentored by Jack and his team so I can, in turn, support young people in living their full potential.

The next right step is to develop and train a group of young people to help me spread the vision. The group is called the Pathways to Success Youth Team.

I hope you will consider supporting this work and my youth  team as we begin the journey to Arizona and get the training we need to begin expanding what we've been doing in NH and reach out to young people across the country.

Check out what we're up to and how you can help at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pathways-to-success-youth-project/x/7319305

If you're in the Conway, NH area or are up for a roadtrip, join us at our live events that promise to be fun and entertaining!

Wow! It's been quite awhile since I've posted. There is so much going on it's been hard to keep up and still maintain the balance and inner peace that keeps me at my best!

Long story kind of short here's my most recent adventure that is taking flight and has the potential to change to world ... and impact lots and lots of young people along the way!

Over the years of working with teens, I've noticed that limiting beliefs and lack of clarity around passion, purpose, life vision and goals often lead to lack of motivation, decreased academic engagement and increased risk behavior and life changing consequences, including substance use and unintended pregnancy.

When i was first introduced to Jack's work at his live Breakthrough to Success event in August 2010, I was at a crossroads in my life and considering a career change. I knew what it was like to earn a good paycheck in the business world and was tired of struggling to make ends meet in the nonprofit sector. I loved my work, but didn't see how I could continue.

But after the first day of the event, instead of outlining my own blueprint for success, I found myself going back to my hotel room after a long day in the training room, unable to sleep, inspired and enthusiastically writing new curriculum for my fall classes and incorporating Jack's success principles into my existing lesson plans. This continued for the entire seven days of the event! I knew in my  heart and soul that I was onto something and I knew that young people needed to experience this work! And I had forgotten all about my original motivation for attending BTS. 

Passion clearly took over and there was no turning back!

Jack Canfield has been teaching the principles outlined in his book, Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, to adults interested in personal development, leadership development and business success for many years and participants have been getting profound results; increased income, more satisfying relationships, more love and joy. And in the short time I was in session with Jack I was clear about some things in my own life that needed to change. 

But it was bigger than that!

Why aren't we teaching these principles to our young people, I wondered. On the final day of the event, I knew I was not alone. In his closing remarks, Jack stated his desire to get back to his roots, back to the classroom and young people with his success principles work. My heart pounded as I approached him after he closed and heard myself introduce myself and tell him that I would be helping him with his desire! His response was, "I look forward to that."

I went home and immediately began teaching the principles into my health classes. In 2011/2012, I  implemented a pilot curriculum in middle and high school health classrooms as well as in my clinic's peer education training program.

In 2013/2014, I developed a larger vision to bring this work across the United States and beyond. The Canfield Training Group recently endorsed the vision and discussions with Jack and his CEO about next steps are in the works. The curriculum is currently being expanded and fine tuned for classroom and online use and collaboration with key stakeholders on state, regional and national levels in process. 

With a thumbs up from likes of Jack Canfield, world renowned bestselling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, his President and CEO, Patty Aubery and a couple of other big names that are soon to be announced, we mean business!

The next immediate step is training a team of young people to help bring it nationwide by beginning to train teachers, youth service providers, parents and youth leaders in the model.

Here's what you can do to help! 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pathways-to-success-youth-project/x/7319305

The Impact

Here's what Trisha says about this project ...

"This project is soooooo exciting! Did you know that studies indicate that 50% of adults in the US don't enjoy their work. Imagine a world where everyone was in line with their passion and life purpose; their reason for being here on the planet. This work has the potential to accomplish that ideal in our youth.

Jack's success principles provide a framework to help students take 100% responsibility for their thoughts, words and actions and reframe limiting beliefs and habits that don't serve them in achieving ultimate success and fulfillment. 

This work helps to improve academic engagement, enhance motivation, support students in connecting with their unique purpose and their vision of personal success and so they can reach their fullest potential. 

I see huge application in reducing unintended pregnancy, enhancing academic success, and reducing substance use in teens by giving them the tools to eliminate limiting beliefs as they learn to harness the power of their subconscious mind to supercharge the achievement of their goals and clear the way to taking the action that will get them wherever they want to go and achieve whatever they want to achieve.

At the same time, Jack's Success Principles teach practical tools, skills and mindset necessary for entrepreneurial success, which are critical to prepare students for the workplaces and job market they will face as they transition from school to career."

Click here to learn more about Trisha and what she's up to.

Click here to learn more about Jack's Breakthrough to Success event! We'd love to have you join us!

by Jack Canfield

Are you ready to make 2014 your best year yet?

It’s easy to start the new year full of enthusiasm and optimism. But to maintain your momentum through the year, you need to set powerful, crystal-clear goals.

The first step to getting what you want out of life is to decide exactly what you want.

What do you want to accomplish? 
What do you want to experience? 
What do you want to acquire?
Who do you want to be?

One of primary reasons most people don’t get what they want is that they aren’t clear about what they want. Others will recognize what they’d like to have, but when they can’t see how it’s possible to get what they want, and they dismiss their desires as foolish and unattainable.

Don’t sabotage yourself this way!  

After decades of research into how the human brain works, scientists now know that for our brains to figure out how to get what we want, we must first decide what we want. Once we lock-in our desires, our mind and the universe can step in to help make our dreams a reality.

Dream Big
We start the process by getting clear about what we want. So, what do you want? To create a balanced and successful life, write down a minimum of 3 goals in each of the following 7 areas:

Financial Goals
Career/Business Goals
Free Time/Family Time 
Health/Appearance Goals 
Relationship Goals
Personal Growth 
Making a Difference

If you have more goals than this, don’t limit yourself – write them down! On the other hand, if writing down 21 goals seems like a lot, remember that we can have a mix of long- and short-term goals. For example, in the financial area, you may have a short-term goal of paying off a $5,000 credit card balance, as well as a long-term goal of amassing a net worth of $5 million dollars. You want to keep both goals present in your mind, even though you’ll be working more actively on the short-term goal first.

Stretch Yourself
When setting our goals, it’s important to include a few that will make us stretch and grow to achieve them. These might be learning a new skill or trying something that is uncomfortable and maybe a little frightening, such as public speaking. It also helps to set a breakthrough goal that would represent a quantum leap. Examples of breakthrough goals include publishing a book, starting a business, getting on Oprah, winning a gold medal at the Olympics, or getting elected president of your industry association.

Material goals are important, but the ultimate goal is to become a master at life. In the long run, the greatest benefit we receive from pursuing our dreams is not the outer trappings of fulfilling the dream, but who we become in the process.

The outer symbols of success can all be easily lost. Houses burn down, companies go bankrupt, relationships end, cars get old, bodies age and fame wanes, but who you are, what you have learned, and the new skills you have developed never go away. These are the true prizes of success. Motivational philosopher Jim Rohn advises that “You should set a goal big enough that in the process of achieving it, you become someone worth becoming.”

Turn Your Dreams Into Goals and Objectives
Once you are clear about what you want, write them down and turn each item into a measurable objective. Measurable means measurable in space and time – how much and by when.

For instance, if you were to tell me that you wanted more money, I might pull out a dollar and give it to you. You would probably protest, saying “No, I meant a lot more money, like $20,000!” But there is no way I’d know how you’d define “more money” unless you tell me, right?

Similarly, your boss, your friends, your spouse, your brain, God, and the Universe can’t figure out what you want unless you tell them specifically what it is. What exactly do you want and when do you want it by?

Your Goals Impact Others
As soon as you commit to a big dream and really go after it, your subconscious creative mind will come up with big ideas to make it happen. You’ll start attracting the people, resources, and opportunities you need into your life to make your dream come true. Big dreams not only inspire you, they compel others to want to play big, too.

You’ll also discover that when your dreams include service to others – that is, accomplishing something that contributes to others – it accelerates the accomplishment of that goal. People want to be part of something that contributes and makes a difference.

Work on Your Goals Daily
To keep your subconscious mind focused on what you want, read your list of goals everyday. For an even more powerful approach, close your eyes and focus on each goal and ask yourself, "What is one thing I could do today to move toward the achievement of this goal?" Write down your answers and take those actions.

As the old joke goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Steady progress in bite-sized chunks puts even the most audacious goals into reach.

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul® and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get FREE success tips from Jack Canfield 

Join me for a 3 day retreat designed to help you connect with your passion and purpose, clarify your vision and develop goals, an action plan and effective strategies for achieving your dreams! 


Visit www.trishajacobson.com for details

I've come to a place in  my life where I believe there are 2 simple questions that can quickly lead me to new insights and guide me to the next right step. 

The questions, which have become the mainstay of my personal growth, no matter what's happening to me, within me, or around me, were discovered in my work with Jack Canfield and are always on the tip of my tongue. I never wrote them down ... I know them by heart. Or at least I thought I did.

The problem is I'm human and sometimes, when I'm stressed, overwhelmed, or off track, my brain gets sidetracked and my subconscious mind takes over my life and puts me in thought patterns and cycles that make it difficult to practice what I know works! 

This has been one of those weeks. And when I realized that my brain had been derailed and my thoughts were not supporting my ideal life, I seached for the questions to help me get back on track ...

And they were gone! I couldn't, for the life of me, remember them. I had been using them on a daily basis in my own life and in my coaching and training practice for a really long time ... and they were gone.

Hmmmm ... once again, the power of the brain and our subconscious mind to take control and lead us down a less than desirable path became evident.

A week and I couldn't remember those two simple questions. A week of procrastination, lack of productivity and motivation, perhaps a bit of fear about a project I'm working on and some sadness related to a situation with one of the families I'm working with.

Yesterday, I was coaching a young person through a rather challenging and emotional situation. There was frustration, tears and even a few swear words ... and then the questions came. I heard myself asking them slowly, one at a time, while she reflected on her response.

What if it's all perfect just the way it is to support your growth?

And then ...

What opportunity is there in this situation for you to learn and grow? 

Just two questions ... so simple yet so powerful ... leading us to our next action. When I ask myself these questions or process them with someone I trust, I am clear about what I need to do next to keep my eye on my goals, clear my blocks and identify the next right action step.

And while she wiped away her tears and searched for her answers, I quickly typed the questions into the notes section of my iPhone so that when I needed to ask myself those questions, my iPhone would take over for the subconscious brain patterns that no longer serve me. 

Gotta love our brains, our technology and our opportunity to help each other learn, grow and be our best selves!  And, for myself, I appreciate that I can help young people get clear and find their inner magic ... while they help me take full advantage of my technology!


Check out my new live event ... a 3 day retreat intensive.

This is my favorite event to facilitate!!! I love watching people connect to their inner magic and discover their next steps to creating the life of their dreams!

 New Year, New You 2014
Pathways to Passion, Purpose & Prosperity


2 for 1 Holiday special for a limited time! Check it out and sign up today.

Announcing my new live 3 day retreat ... feel free to share!


New Year, New You 2014

Forget about making more of those New Year's Resolutions 
that rarely come to be! 

IT'S TIME ... 

to learn some solid principles, tools and processes that will launch you way beyond those old resolutions as you discover your unique magic and unlock your potential to live your life with PASSION, PURPOSE & PROSPERITY! 

2 for 1 Holiday Gift Special for a limited time!

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