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Photo Credit http://morguefile.com/creative/xenia

One of the interesting gifts my children received for Christmas was a mini theatre style popcorn popper from their grandparents.  It’s not full size like a theatre one, thank goodness!  It’s about twice the size of my coffee pot and has claimed it’s own permanent spot on my kitchen counter.

I am perfectly capable of making popcorn on my stove top in a pot.  Okay, more like 70% capable and 30% of the time I burn it and have to start again… oops.

Still I had to wonder why I should have an entire new appliance to cook one thing…  until we used it for the first time.  It’s easier than popcorn on the stove top and I haven’t burnt a batch (yet).  Plus, it’s cute with it’s bright red theatre vibe and it’s fun for the kids to watch the popcorn pop out of the kettle to fall into the tray below.

As I waited for popcorn to pop the other night I realized it illustrated a couple of marketing lessons. Continue Reading

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Photo Credit http://stockfresh.com/gallery/PixelsAway

With 2011 coming soon, I’ve been thinking about goals a lot lately.  How about you?

I’ve been trying to decide what goals are both realistic and a stretch for me.  There’s a fine line in there somewhere between setting a crazy impossible goal and setting a goal that will be challenging and exciting enough to pull me forward.

I found this quote that’s given me a lot to think about and might make you think, too:

An average person with average talent, ambition and education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear, focused goals. ~Brian Tracy

Here’s a great article on goal setting from Brian Tracy’s blog: http://www.briantracy.com/blog/general/planning-your-year/

Continue Reading

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Ever feel like you’re all dressed up and ready for the spotlight but don’t know how to get it to shine on you?

This isn’t my area of expertise (I like to hide behind my computer screen, thank you very much), but I can point you to some great ways to get visibility and share with you who I know that can help you even more…

Join the Ultimate Blog Challenge and then jump in and really participate.  Yes, I’ll keep plugging it because I know it can help you if you’re looking to get visibility for you blog!  Plus Michele & I put together all sorts of great resources this time including a teleseminar about getting more visibility and we want to support you, which we can only do if you sign up.

Be visible on social media and don’t be afraid to participate in the conversations.

Look for opportunities to comment on blogs, social media, articles, and where ever else it makes sense to add your two cents.  Guest blog, invite guest bloggers, and find your own opportunities!  It’s okay to ask for the “date” first when you run your own business.  Don’t sit at home and wait for the opportunities to come to you.

And, go sign up for Nancy’s newsletter at www.vivavisibility.com — she can tell you what to do next to get out there and dance in the spotlight.

P.S. This idea, all dressed up with no where to go, inspired by Sheila of http://www.newbielifeline.com/

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Photo Credit http://stockfresh.com/gallery/mantonino

Mystery of the day… is that a dog or a dinosaur?

Can you tell?  Or does the costume fool you?

How about you?  Are you doing what you’re meant to do and being authentically you?

As someone who’s spent much of her childhood hiding behind one mask or another… it’s not worth it and it doesn’t work. You’ll just be miserable trying to fit into whatever mold it is you’re trying to fit into.

Be you.  Whoever you are. Don’t let the voices in your head tell you you’re not good enough just like you are, or that that it’s wrong to share what you’re really good at.  And don’t let them stop you from working constantly to improve yourself and get better at what you are good at!  (And if you manage to get those voices to shut up, please share how.)

Stand up for yourself. Don’t try to breathe fire if you aren’t a dragon.  Don’t be pressured into commitments, projects, or anything else that isn’t the right time or right fit.  I know, easier said than done.

Just try every day to be a little more true to YOU. Leave the costume behind.  Because people will see through it anyway.  Don’t fake it.

But if you want to wear faerie wings, dress like a dinosaur, go sky diving or whatever else floats your boat–then go for it.  Just don’t do it to fit in or be like someone else.

Because you’re awesome just like you are.  And you can build your business around that.

P.S. This idea about authenticity inspired by Leanne of http://www.building-blocks-coaching.com/

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

Photo Credit http://stockfresh.com/gallery/solarseven

The video and thought this weekend are about the journey of life… finding happiness as we go along… and not focusing on the “destination” as success. It’s true in life and in building a business.

Don’t focus on “arriving” or being “discovered” or hitting the million dollar mark or whatever else your end goal might be. Goals are wonderful to have, but don’t get so focused on them that you don’t acknowledge the joys and accomplishments along the way–enjoy the path you walk to reach them.

Shifting your perspective so you enjoy the process of creating success makes it so much easier and less stressful. You’re not a failure if you haven’t reached your biggest goals yet. If you’re a step closer than you were yesterday, that’s success!

Celebrate every success, no matter how small, and no matter how many other things aren’t working yet or what other storms are surrounding you.

“Life’s not about waiting for the storms to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” ~Vivian Greene

As I was looking at quotes to include with this week’s inspirational video, I found a beautiful piece written by Shannon Spaunburg. If your life has felt difficult, challenging lately I encourage you to take a few minutes to read it: http://www.motivateus.com/stories/journey.htm

Oh, and here’s the video! Think about life as a journey while you watch.

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How do stories help you sell your product or services?

Listen to Nancy share about hub caps, eye patches and how to use your personality to boost your business.

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Photo Credit http://stockfresh.com/gallery/Misha

What difference could it make if you could put in just one degree more effort towards reaching your goals?

My challenge to you this week – throw 1% more passion and energy into your business and see what happens.  Stay up a little bit later or get up a little bit earlier.  Reach out to one more person and build a connection.  Spend that extra hour to get your new report done.  What can you do to push just a little more forward?

“When I was young, I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures.  So I did ten times more work.”  ~George Bernard Shaw

“Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts.  This is the secret of success.”  ~Swami Sivananda

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"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit." ~Mary Lou Retton

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This afternoon I talked with Life Coach Sheri Kaye Hoff of Life is Joyful about building successful business relationships online.

I thought I’d share the slideshow with you that I created to organize my thoughts as I was preparing.

Want the audio?  Just tell Coach Sheri where you’d like her to send access links and you can listen in on our conversation for the next 48 hours.  http://www.lifeisjoyful.org/telesummit.html

Reading time: 2 – 2 minutes

Photo Credit: http://stockfresh.com/gallery/kjpargeter

So last night we took the kids to the Planetarium’s show, “Life Without the Moon.”

After a walk through the night sky to identify constellations (which I admit, I can rarely find in the real sky… but they’re fascinating in a planetarium!) the presentation covered what would be different about life on Earth and popular culture if Earth had no moon.

Aside from missing moonlight, the lunar calendar and werewolves in folk lore, did you know Earth’s orbit and tilt would shift or that tides would be much less strong (the sun is responsible for a portion of the tidal pull but it’s mostly the moon)?

Without the moon constantly orbiting Earth: Continue Reading