Become a Celebrity in Your Own Backyard

This past weekend, the kids and I went back home to visit my parents and go to the country agricultural fair. We prepared cookies, crafts, drawings, Lego, photography, and flowers to be entered into the bench show, all with anticipation of winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize. What a frenzy we were in! We had just met the deadline. Phew!

The event kicked off with a parade and good ole' candy tosses. Before the parade got started, I ran into someone I knew and we started to chat. After I was done visiting, my son turned to me and said,

"Mom, I think we should move to a small town.
Everyone knows each other; it is just like being a celebrity!"

Although, I do not plan on moving anytime soon, his comment spurred a whirlwind of thoughts in my head leading to this blog post. Brilliant!

To showcase your talents and abilities, why not start in your own backyard? Often, these are the people who know you or know of you but do not always know what you do or what skills you possess. When you start to bring this to people’s attention, they will take notice and also want to support your efforts. You may have heard of a campaign "Shop Local". The “Shop Local” Philosophy can start with you! Start advertising or writing articles for your community, whether it is in your local area, town, city, or province or state. Give back to your community by getting involved in a local charity or supporting fundraising efforts. People will get to know you and your work and the word will spread just like coming from a small town. You will be a celebrity in your own backyard!

When you start to branch out into the great big world, sky’s the limit! The backyard will be “the comfort zone or give you a safe feeling of home” and you will slowly and steadily begin to stretch into new areas and new beginnings.

No matter where you come from or where you head to, 

you can always look back to where you started and feel like a celebrity.

We won several prizes and the kids had a blast. My daughter came home with a Blue Ribbon for her age category. Great memories!


Share your story of getting known  and remembered in your community.

Stepping Out of Comfort into Glory

On vacation a couple weeks ago, I watched a movie called "Morning Glory" with Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, and Rachel McAdams. The morning show was at risk of being cut from prime time viewing and to be replaced with game shows and soap operas. The new executive producer was at risk of losing her job when she realized it was time to do something different. All of the people were doing the same thing that they had been doing for years. Not only did she have to step out of her comfort zone, she had to get others to do the same in order to save the show. Roller coaster rides, jumping out of planes, and even getting sprayed by a skunk were just a few of the adventures that started to make the rating rise. Stepping out into Glory!

How are you increasing your ratings in life and business? Are you stepping out of you comfort zone and trying new things? I am not saying you need to jump out of a plane or ride a rollercoaster. Just try something you really want to do. Try something new - be innovative. The "something" may be something you get nervous or excited about, like you did when you were a child. Fresh ideas awaken the world! Weigh the risks and take action! The thrill after you do will be amazing and just think of all the opportunities that may follow.

Action takers are unique and they are the ones who stand out from the crowd. Why? Because they are go-getters! Go-Getters are those people who not only set goals; they make plans to get things done. Are you the person people come to because of your ratings? Do you get things done? What are doing today to step out of your comfort and into glory?

How Great Is Your Will?

“Do or do not... there is no try.” - Yoda

The road to successful living comes with many choices and the willingness to participate in your life. Being a bystander in your life, does not allow you to share your light and energy with others. Those who choose to be a victim in their lives get left behind, while others who actively participate enjoy the journey to success and happiness because they are in control of where they want to go. According to Brainy Quote, willingness is "the quality or state of being willing; free choice or consent of the will; freedom from reluctance; readiness of the mind to do or forbear." Other will related definitions are: do, being, choice, will, and freedom. Do you use these words when you speak? Do you have a choice and the will for freedom?

Here are 10 questions to ask yourself on your journey to success:

1. 
   
   Am I willing to give first and expect nothing in return?
2. 
   
   Am I willing to ask for what I want?
3. 
   
   Am I willing to set goals and plan ways to get what I want?
4. 
   
   Am I willing to give up complaining, making excuses, and blaming others for not getting what I want and take 100% responsibility for my actions?
5. 
   
   Am I willing to say "no" to an opportunity based on my priorities knowing that bigger and better opportunities may come my way?
6. 
   
   Am I willing to step out of my comfort zone to experience all life has to offer me?
7. 
   
   Am I willing to fail in order to learn and move forward?
8. 
   
   Am I willing to persevere when the going gets tough?
9. 
   
   Am I willing to embrace change?
10. 
    
    Am I willing to take action?

When you are willing to go after what you want with conviction, you will inevitably get where you want to go and achieve what you want to achieve. You must be willing to do what it takes. How badly do you want what you say you want? What are some other questions you ask yourself about your "willingness" to participate in this exciting world called life?

"Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway. "

Robert Anthony

Stretch into Your Skin

It always amazes me how fear can interfere with what we want to do. A friend of mine called me today and said, "Debra, I did it, but I was scared and uncomfortable." I asked her what she was afraid of and she said she was afraid the answer to her ask would be "No". Guess what? The answer would still be no if you never asked for what you wanted. What if the answer was "Yes!" We tend get uncomfortable doing things we are not use to. I like to think of the discomfort as stretching into the skin you were meant to be in. It is when we get too comfortable that we must continously strive to stretch ourselves out of that comfort zone.

Have you ever noticed that when you ask for what you want, you get excited and nervous at the same time?  The excitement and nervousness can be put to great use in your learning curve. Take that enthusiasm and savor the moment. What does it feel like to see yourself hearing the "Yes"? Music to your ears I bet!

You can choose to hang onto your fears and your doubts or you can summon up the courage to go after what you really want in life. Too often, we catch ourselves looking for the approval from others instead of from ourselves. Fear and doubt may even numb you from taking action. When people try to talk you out of your dreams, they do so because of their own fears and doubts. It does not necessarily mean they do not believe you will succeed. It is important for you to believe in your dreams and for you to continue to take steps toward reaching your goals even if they are small ones. You will never be able to realize the full impact of the small steps you take until you reach your big destination.

Lead a fearless life!