About Cynthia

As an empowerment expert I work with hundreds of boomer women each year helping them to identify “what’s next” in their lives and create action plans to make their vision a reality. I do this through the What’s Next 7-Step Empowerment System I developed, which I share at transformational retreats and other engagements.

What I love about the work I do is empowering women to reveal their authentic selves, acknowledge strength they didn’t even know they have and gain greater self awareness and then to witness these women igniting their potential, becoming happier with themselves and seeing clearly how they can build a bridge from where they are to where they want to go.

I was trained by Jack Canfield, author of the #1 bestseller Chicken Soup for the Soul series and she served as one of his assistants at the sold out Breakthrough to Success seminar. Other important influences in my life and my work were Dale Carnegie and Steven Covey. For years I have taught, and continue to teach, Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People at Columbia University and University of Bridgeport.

I take daily mini-retreats; walking on the beach, enjoying quiet time to reflect, pampering myself at spas, participating in retreats on luxury cruise liners, and experiencing local retreats. I cannot imagine life without the benefits I have discovered during retreats. They have been one of the most important main threads in my very busy life.

My mantra is “easily, effortlessly and joyfully.” If I encounter situations or opportunities that do not make me feel this way, I don’t engage. Freedom is my top value, so I’ve created a life that provides me with the ability to use my gifts in a way that is fulfilling and meaningful and allows me time to nurture myself. So, not only do I empower women, but I can also show them how to live a life that runs easily, effortlessly and joyfully.

It’s important to create the life you want. I wanted free vacations, so I barter my talents as a teacher/researcher and give lectures on cruise ships in exchange for free cruises for my companion and me. You can do similar things for yourself.

Time Magazine included me in their lead article, “Women in Mid-life Crisis, Bring it On,” which has helped me to understand how many women need help during this important transitional time in their lives.

My life is easy, effortless and joyful, but it was not always this way.

Forty years ago I arrived in the United States with no money, no career guidance and no resources, but I had a BIG DREAM - to get the best education that this country had to offer. I had no idea how that was going to happen however I was willing to do whatever was necessary to achieve my DREAM.

Working in a pen factory inserting the ink in ball point pens, cleaning houses, filing documents for an insurance company, waiting tables in a convalescent home were some of the jobs I took to get through college.

Many obstacles stood in my way and I often felt overwhelmed but I always saw the light at the end of that tunnel - the fulfillment of my dream. Some of the obstacles included a divorce after 12 years, very little money to support three children, being a single mother, low self-esteem, excessive weight gain, etc.

I believe that I was able to overcome the challenges in my life through my outlook and the discipline I developed through studying piano since I was seven years old. I even used my musical talent to get into college in the U.S., which can be challenging for foreign students. Through persistence, hard work, and constantly working on my personal development, I put myself through school and achieved my dream of earning the highest degree in my career field and putting all three of my daughters through college. My first daughter is an attorney, my second daughter a freelance surface design artist, and my third daughter is a teacher.

My pivotal moment occurred when I was 45 years old and I had been working in the education system for 20 years. When I applied for the position of assistant principal and it went to a white male who was less qualified than me I fought it and got the job. This experience made me feel like I was breaking down the doors for civil rights. I was relieved that I secured the job and I knew it was going to be a tough job and I prepared myself spiritually and through personal development so I could handle whatever came my way. My boss had given me everything to set me up to fail, but I worked extra hard and succeeded. All the personal development courses I had taken helped me greatly.

After 30 years of working in the education system, I left to “refire my life,” which I did by writing three books, creating my What’s Next 7-Step Empowerment System, and the cruise seminars which I develop around the fascinating destinations we visit and personal development topics.

I am still in the process of fulfilling my destiny to reach out and help other women fulfill their DREAMS by removing their dreams from the back burner to put them on the front burner of their lives so that they too could rediscover a life of passion, peace, clarity and happiness.

I am confident that my experiences will prove to be valuable resources for you. The strategies I implemented worked for me and have been working for all the people I come in contact with through coaching, workshops, retreats, and keynote speeches.

I enjoy my life in Connecticut and am grateful for my divine assignment and the time I get to spend with my children and two grandchildren who spend each summer with me.

Professional Experience

Cynthia is a life coach and educator with over 30 years experience in an educational institution. She has taught at all levels of schooling from Kindergarten to University. Cynthia has honed her skills as a coach in her various roles over the past 25 years, coaching students, parents and teachers.

For more information contact

Dr. Cynthia Barnett
P.O. Box 702
Norwalk, CT 06854
203-855-9714