The Power of Focus for Women – An Interview With Best-Selling Author Fran Hewitt

Posted on 11. Nov, 2009 by Natalie in Business Resources, Entrepreneurs

Fran is passionate about helping women change their lives for the better.

Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Fran Hewitt is an author, workshop facilitator and inspirational speaker.

Fran Hewitt

Fran’s first publication` The Power of Focus for Women: How to live the life you really want‘ is an international bestseller and is currently available in eight other languages.

Fran also happens to be the mother of my friend Andrew Hewitt, an inspiring young entrepreneur. I met him earlier this year in Costa Rica on an entrepreneurs `Livin Large’ vacation he organized that had a profound effect on me that I wrote about here.

On a recent conference call to wish Andrew Happy Birthday, while we waited for him to come on the line, I was joking around and being silly and then realized, that I was in fact in the `phone’ presence of both Fran and her husband Les Hewitt. Les is also a renowned author of several best-selling books including The Power of Focus, and one of the top performance coaches and business speakers in North America.

Luckily my Kiwi jokes were memorable enough that in a follow up email by Andrew to Fran about my passion for WomanzWorld and how great it would be to feature her book, she generously agreed to an interview.

Despite being in the middle of writing another book, Fran delivered some remarkable answers to my questions on her bestselling book, The Power of Focus for Women.

WomanzWorld: What was the motivation to write this book: The Power of Focus for Women?

Fran Hewitt: After more than 25 years in the self-development industry and having first-hand experience of facilitating breakthrough workshops for women I was honored to get the chance to write this book.

The Publisher of the first Power of Focus book was interested in a book for women and I knew I had more than enough experience and wisdom to write a practical “how to” book to help women everywhere. It was a pressure- filled and exhilarating process as I had a deadline of less than 4 months to write it.

What are the key insights your book provides to women?

Each of the 8 chapters are written as focusing strategies selected to impact women in the areas of life were they are challenged the most. This isn’t a book teaching women how to focus as it is a book helping women to focus on how to live the life they really want.

Women who are ready for change and wanting to build a deeper awareness of themselves and life will find this book a great resource. It is full of practical and easy to implement strategies, encompassing a wide range of topics.

These include work life balance, setting boundaries, and letting go of the burdens of guilt, resentment and perfectionism. This book is easy to read and has action steps at the end of each chapter to help the reader implement what they have learned.

What are the most important takeaways readers will gain?

We live in a complex world of too much information and not enough common sense. Women operate on two speeds – fast and faster with little or no time to focus on themselves. This book will help them focus on what it is they really want and need, it’s like their roadmap to the future.

Written with humor and heart you will laugh, cry and learn that life doesn’t need to be so complicated. The stories and the wisdom shared in The Power of Focus for Women will stay with you long after you’ve put the book down.

Can you tell us about a woman who found their focus after reading your book and doing the exercises?

I am touched by the wonderful testimonials I have received from all over the world. The book has been translated into eight languages so far and I receive emails from as far away as Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Despite living in very different cultures the readers comment that as women we are more alike than different.

Of all the emails I receive the ones that touch me the most are the ones that say, “This book has changed my life.” Many women relate to the personal stories and connect to the book in a very intimate way. They feel encouraged to make changes in their own lives and I am sometimes in awe at their breakthrough decisions.

How have you achieved focus and success in your life?

I struggled with low self-esteem through the early years of my life and for many years I believed I wasn’t good enough to be successful at anything, I was very wrong. With the support of a wonderful husband and a decision to challenge my limiting beliefs my life is proof that anything is possible, I never gave up on myself.

The Power of Focus for Women has been a phenomenal success world -wide and I am awed and humbled that I could reach so many women. I believe with a clear focus and a commitment to never stop working on yourself anything is possible. If I can do it anyone can.

What’s your key advice for female entrepreneurs in today’s world?

Really know who your market is. Be specific and clear about the niche you are targeting.
Surround yourself with the right people.
Set boundaries between your work and home life.

Note from Natalie: I highly recommend you read and work through. I’ve found it so incredibly powerful. Luckily we have a signed copy of Fran’s book to give away to one lucky reader who comments below. Also read reviews on Fran’s book from readers here

Check out  Winning in a Man’s World: Advice for Women Who Want to Succeed and The Inherent Advantages of Being a Female Entrepreneur

• Winning in a Man’s World, Advice for Women Who Want to Succeed
• Forum For Women Entrepreneurs is on a Mission

Tags: Fran Hewitt & Les Hewitt, Personal Tools for Success, The Power of Focus For Women: How to live the life you really want