How to Begin

Start Fresh. On Your Own Terms.

A short course for when you’re ready for something new – even if you’re not sure what it is yet.

You’ve done a lot. Built a career. Supported a family. Shown up for your community. And still, you feel something’s shifting. You’re ready to start fresh. Or start something.

Maybe it’s a project. Maybe it’s a new chapter. Maybe it’s understanding this feeling that won’t go away. This urge that’s there’s more to give, more to explore, more to become.

This is the course for that moment.

Clarity, Confidence
and a Nudge

okay, maybe more
like a push…

This course will help you BEGIN to ditch the doubt, take bold action, and finally do that exciting thing you’ve been overthinking in the shower… You’ll be equipped with:

The “Worthy
Goal” Framework

A process designed to help you identify your ideal goal: one thrilling, important, and daunting to YOU.

Practical Tools
& Exercises

That will guide you step by step in defining, committing, and taking action on your goal.

Accountability
& Support

That will keep you on
track so you don’t give up
when things get tough.

A Mindset
Shift

That will move you from
passive dreaming to
active doing.

Encouragement
to Think Bigger

That will challenge you to
step outside your comfort
zone and aim for something
truly meaningful.

Learner-Friendly
& Accessible

Bite-size videos, captions, transcripts, demos, and worksheets to make learning and action easy.

And, of course, a little bit of playfulness along the way –

because sometimes the best ideas come mid-swing.

I’M READY TO BEGIN

What You’ll Walk Away With

Hint: Big Wins & Aha Moments!

A Worthy Goal
A clear, meaningful focus or direction that’s truly worth your time, designed to help you filter out distractions and focus on what truly matters
The Right Direction
A practical roadmap for getting started — with manageable next steps that help you keep moving, even when things get messy
Motivation & Momentum
A deeper understanding of what motivates you (and what gets in your way) so you can build momentum that actually sticks
Supporting Frameworks
Tools to help you stay focused and avoid the usual traps of overwhelm, self-doubt, and second-guessing
Confidence & Connection
A renewed sense of energy and commitment — not from pushing harder, but from reconnecting with what really matters to you

This is Exactly What You’ll Get in Our Self-Paced Course:

bite-sized videos

where you are coached step-by-step through the How to Begin process (captioned and summarized, with downloadable transcripts and worksheets)

demo Coaching Sessions

where you can watch others work through their blocks and define their goals

Supportive Peer
comments

from others working through the course and Team MBS, all inside the community platform

Bonus Trainings

to help with common hurdles: How to manage overwhelm, How to handle self-doubt, How to ask for help

Stop waiting. Start doing.

All in for $247. That’s less than a week of procrastination

I’M READY TO BEGIN!

Want to learn more about Worthy Goals?

See me introduce this core concept that’s resonated with thousands of learners:

Here’s what people say

they really walk away with

I first needed to change old patterns of behavior

“I found How to Begin when I was entering my second half of life and was not ready to retire. I thought my focus would be a career change project, but How to Begin quickly helped me realize that I first needed to change old patterns of behavior that no longer fit the person I was growing into. My approach to myself, to learning, and to change has shifted. It’s been a real game changer for me.”

-Peter Howard

I got a massive return on investment!

“I joined How to Begin because it just felt like the right time to do something I’d always wanted to do and a price I couldn’t say no to. (Happy to report that I got a massive return on investment!) The structure provided a surprisingly strong and gentle way to focus on just doing the work without judgment, which meant I got started, gained momentum, and built the energy to continue!”

-Tylney

Everything has changed for the better since I took up How to Begin

I signed up for How to Begin when I was going through a life-changing shift – clearing my desk and my heart from work and a relationship that did not serve me, in order to pursue my passion. I knew I needed help, so when I heard about How to Begin I just went for it. This will sound like hyperbole, but everything has changed for the better since I took up How to Begin. Mind you, I was ready for transformation, but How to Begin gave me the tools to externalize that and take the first steps in making it happen.”

-Valerie Hickey

The course ignited my spark of an idea and turned it into a powerful long-burning flame

I loved the process found in the How to Begin course and I did each component. The more I moved through the course, the more excited I got about the clarity that came to me. How to Begin helped me get super clear about my Worthy Goal and set me up perfectly to proceed with my project. Now I am doing something wonderfully daunting, important and thrilling and I’m moving in a really clear direction. The course ignited my spark of an idea and turned it into a powerful long-burning flame.

-Julie Freedman Smith

I felt guided, supported, and cheered on the whole entire time.

I had two projects that I desperately wanted to pursue but my goals were so big and unclear it was too daunting. As a serial procrastinator, I was afraid to commit and fail. Then I found How to Begin. The course was structured in bite-sized pieces, which allowed me to commit and progress quite quickly. I felt guided, supported, and cheered on the whole entire time. By the end, both my goals were crystal clear. How to Begin has opened doors for me I didn’t even know existed. With Michael’s coaching, I went from being hesitant and feeling stuck (for years!) to finally showing up and moving forward. It’s been huge, honestly life-changing, and I’m so grateful I’ve found it.

-Uma Santini

People Get A Lot out of How to Begin

It’s been a real game changer for me

“I found How to Begin when I was entering my second half of life and was not ready to retire. I thought my focus would be a career change project, but How to Begin quickly helped me realize that I first needed to change old patterns of behavior that no longer fit the person I was growing into. My approach to myself, to learning, and to change has shifted. It’s been a real game changer for me.”

I got started, gained momentum, and built the energy to continue!

“I joined How to Begin because it just felt like the right time to do something I’d always wanted to do and a price I couldn’t say no to. (Happy to report that I got a massive return on investment!) The structure provided a surprisingly strong and gentle way to focus on just doing the work without judgment, which meant I got started, gained momentum, and built the energy to continue!”

Everything has changed for the better since I took up How to Begin.

“I signed up for How to Begin when I was going through a life-changing shift – clearing my desk and my heart from work and a relationship that did not serve me, in order to pursue my passion. I knew I needed help, so when I heard about How to Begin I just went for it. This will sound like hyperbole, but everything has changed for the better since I took up How to Begin. Mind you, I was ready for transformation, but How to Begin gave me the tools to externalize that and take the first steps in making it happen.”

I’m moving in a really clear direction

I loved the process found in the How to Begin course and I did each component. The more I moved through the course, the more excited I got about the clarity that came to me. How to Begin helped me get super clear about my Worthy Goal and set me up perfectly to proceed with my project. Now I am doing something wonderfully daunting, important and thrilling and I’m moving in a really clear direction. The course ignited my spark of an idea and turned it into a powerful long-burning flame.

You can take it at your own pace

“The course is designed into bite-sized chunks, so you can take it at your own pace and really reflect and make it your own.”

A test kitchen for my next chapter

“How to Begin was like a test kitchen for my next chapter.”

How to Begin helped me figure it out

“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I knew I was ready for something different. How to Begin helped me figure it out.”

I felt guided, supported, and cheered on the whole entire time

I had two projects that I desperately wanted to pursue but my goals were so big and unclear it was too daunting. As a serial procrastinator, I was afraid to commit and fail. Then I found How to Begin. The course was structured in bite-sized pieces, which allowed me to commit and progress quite quickly. I felt guided, supported, and cheered on the whole entire time. By the end, both my goals were crystal clear. How to Begin has opened doors for me I didn’t even know existed. With Michael’s coaching, I went from being hesitant and feeling stuck (for years!) to finally showing up and moving forward. It’s been huge, honestly life-changing, and I’m so grateful I’ve found it.

An objective, step-by-step process that anyone can do

“The How to Begin course makes taking on a new project an objective, step-by-step process that anyone can do.”

I loved the process

“I loved the process found in the How to Begin course and I did each component. The more I moved through the course, the more excited I got about the clarity that came to me.”

It kept me from getting stuck in my head

“The How to Begin course was like a test kitchen and laboratory to bring my ideas to life – it kept me from getting stuck in my head and provided the scaffolding for doing the work.”

Michael’s teaching encouraged me to believe in myself

“Michael’s teaching encouraged me to believe in myself while challenging me to get specific and make sure I was pursuing something I truly wanted.”

This course was built for you if

+ You’re in transition

between careers, stepping into retirement, or just sensing that the old way of doing things no longer fits.

+ You’re a lifelong learner

curious about what’s next and wanting to approach it with clarity and intention.

+ You’re a coach

who’s great at supporting others — and looking for a fresh process to support yourself (and maybe your clients too).

+ You’re a creative or builder

with a project calling your name. You want help carving out space, sharpening your focus, and getting it going.

+ You’ve spent years putting others first

raising a family, leading a team, supporting a partner — and now that it’s your turn, you’re wondering: what do I want?

FAQs

How much time will I need to devote to this course?

This course is entirely self-paced, can be purchased at any time, and purchasing gives you lifetime access; so you can devote as much or as little time as works for you and your schedule. You can also return to it as often as you like. Many return anytime they are starting something! The core content of 37 bite sized videos takes 3h total. Then there are a few hours of bonus demo sessions and a few hours of bonus trainings – you take what’s useful and leave the rest!

How does the course differ from the How to Begin book?

A few key differences are different format (Michael coaching you through all the exercises), access to a community that will travel alongside you, access to Team MBS support, bonus content that you can’t get anywhere else and an energy boost!

“I preordered and completed the exercises in the How to Begin book as soon as I got it, but I seemed to stall after I was done. So I decided to sign up for the course. I am so motivated by the extra boost these videos and the comments from others (and Team MBS!) are adding to the process. It is allowing me to clarify my actions as I begin (again!). Thank you for this!”
~ Kimberlee Johnson

What if I pay for it and realize it’s not for me?

If you purchase and then decide it’s really not for you, reach out to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to make it right 🙂

What kinds of people most benefit from this course? How do I know it’s for me?

This course was built for you if …

You’re in transition — between careers, stepping into retirement, or just sensing that the old way of doing things no longer fits.

“This course is perfect for anyone going through transition—retirement, empty nesting, career changes—and wondering what’s next.” — Peter Howard
You’re a lifelong learner, curious about what’s next and wanting to approach it with clarity and intention.
You’re a coach who’s great at supporting others — and looking for a fresh process to support yourself (and maybe your clients too).

“The course structure and stories helped me deepen my coaching toolkit while reflecting on my own next chapter.” — Rennea
You’re a creative or builder with a project calling your name. You want help carving out space, sharpening your focus, and getting it going.

“The structure of looking at real and imagined resistance, and not judging myself for either, was so helpful.” — Andrea
You’ve spent years putting others first — raising a family, leading a team, supporting a partner — and now that it’s your turn, you’re wondering: what do I want?

This is a beautiful place to

Begin Again

Let me coach you — step by step — through a process to help you:

Reconnect to what matters to you now
Choose a true-to-you focus or direction (we call it a Worthy Goal)
Take the first steps — with less stuckness and more momentum

You can use it once, to make an important discovery or shift. Or you can return to it again and again —- every time you’re reinventing yourself, starting something new, or figuring out what’s next.

I’M READY TO BEGIN AGAIN!

the course