That One Big Break!

Are you wondering whether or not you should look into a crystal ball or shake some dice in Vegas? Are you comparing yourself to others and thinking why can't I have what they have? Are you sitting on your porch swing waiting for someone to come to your door step to tell you it is your time to be a star? If you said yes to any of these, you might want to splash some cold water on your face to refresh yourself.

Your lucky break does not have to come from shaking a pair of dice or learning about your future. The reason you do not have what someone else has is because what was achieved was meant for them in their way and not yours. However, if you admire what another has, you should be inspired to know that you can aspire to have great things in your life too. Little do you know, this overnight success you have been comparing yourself to has been a work in progress for some time now. Their consistent efforts and persistent attitude helped them get to where they are today. Learn from them. Study them. Get to know them as a person. Ask them about how they got started. You might be surprised. Your new connection could also lead you to others you must meet. As the saying goes, you shouldn't wait for success to come to you, "you need to swim out to meet it."

Create your big break! Increase Your Odds of Success...

1. Tell everyone you know about your dreams, ambitions, and goals.

2. Ask them if they know someone you should meet in their network and request a virtual introduction. There are on average about 250 people in each person's network.

3. Connect with the person you were introduced to with a 15 minute phone call. Remember people do business with people they know, like, and trust. Be real.

4. Be specific. People naturally want to help people but they cannot help you if you do not ask or if you do not know what to ask for.

5. Think about how you can help others by connecting them with your network or circle of influence.

Make big plans for yourself by setting goals and breaking them down into manageable pieces. They are the "breaks" that make the difference. Take action with each piece. Each action helps you take another action step. Before you know if, your goal will be attained.
What "big break" have you been waiting for? What is it that you can do today to help someone with their "big break"?

“Cherish the journey; the destination is where it all comes together.”

– Debra Kasowski

For Your Eyes Only

It is interesting to me that a woman can be so confident one moment and then have her confidence plummet to the ground when someone puts her down or squashers her dreams. Why? Women are the heart of the world. We feel and give so much to others. What I realized more than anything is that these confident women have taken a step back allowed those individuals to define who they are. They hear "It cannot be done or it is not possible to do this if you only do it part-time." This is tragic and we need to embrace each other and remind each other that we can reach for our dreams. Another person cannot define your reality. One person in the whole world does not equal your truth. It may not occur as fast as you want depending on your circumstance but if your dream is meant to be; it shall be at the right time and place for you. You are more powerful than you know. Your kind word, smile, or action can change the world.

Stand tall. The gift and talents you possess cannot be shared by anyone else but you. Do not rob the world of your gifts and talents for the world is waiting. You are the missing piece of the puzzle. Sometimes you need to tunnel vision you dreams to block out the doubters and naysayers. These dream squashers have not pursued their dreams with the passion and tenacity you have. They are scared not that you will achieve your dream but they may lose you in the process. Be not afraid. They will lose you by not allowing you to chase your dream. Remind them that they can share in your dream with their love and support.

Be confident and brave. Summon the courage you have and take action toward your dream. The momentum you create leads to success. You only fail when you fail to take action. Your dream is for your eyes only but it must be shared with the people you know, like, and trust so you can get the support you need.

Define who you are not by a dictionary or by another person's perspective but through your own eyes. The definition of you is for your eyes only!

How do you define who you are?

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?

Showing Up Trumps Where You Place

We were out of the house before 7am on a snow blown morning. My daughter was going to her first Junior Lifeguard competition. She was excited as she raced to the pool. Her enthusiasm was fantastic, even though she had expressed being a tad of nervous. Aren't we all a bit like that when we try something new? Some people even have fear. There can be a whole range of emotions. I believe this gives us our competitive edge. Enthusiasm, nervous energy, and practice channelled with focus offers peak performance.

As the events progressed, she became frustrated because she did not place as she had hoped. I listened attentively. Here was an opportune time for a lesson. When we try things for the first time, we cannot expect perfection. We need to strive for excellence by giving our best efforts. What matters most is that we "show up". How many people had the opportunity to compete? How many people actually did compete? You see, we all have opportunities that come our way but it is the choice to take action on those opportunities that makes the difference.


I went on to ask her if she had learned what she could do to improve her performance. She started to rattle off a list of things. If we reflect and review our performance, we can improve our game plan and our performance. It is important to learn from our lessons but far greater importance to look at our progress. Look at where you have come in the past year and how much you have grown as a person. Celebrate - You "showed up" and you are amazing!
I am proud of my daughter for "showing up", her accomplishments, and letting me share this lesson with you.

• Show Up

• Aim for Excellence, Not Perfection

• Give Your Best

• Reflect & Review

• Learn the Lesson

• Look at Your Progress

• Celebrate

We can be our own worst critic. Remember if you "show up", you have already gone further than those who chose not to. Showing Up Trumps All!

Are You Ready to Get Your Head in the Game?

Leave Your Footprint in the Sand

When your leave a footprint, you leave a reminder, an imprint to others that you were there. People buy from and surround themselves with people they know, like, and trust. How can they get to know you if you do not leave your footprint in their mind or even their heart?

People want to get to know you, so BE REAL - BE YOURSELF. They want the full meal deal - not an imposter. They were attracted to your qualities and character. When you try to be someone you are not, you rob the world of the person you are. We often think that if I just had this car or if I have more money, they would think more of me. Sadly, this is often not the case. What matters most is how you feel about you - on the inside. You may have heard the saying "Confidence is Sexy!" Confidence attracts people to you; and, confidence is empowering. People want to be around people who are energetic and have enthusiasm for life. They want to expereince what you have to offer.

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." ~Judy Garland

SHARE A PIECE OF YOURSELF. Let people sample who you are. Build relationships with others. Give the people you meet value - a referral, tip, technique, or an idea that might be benefit them. You will receive more than you may expect in return. Take time to teach others, as you have had many teachers that helped you get where you are today. List the ways you can help others and start doing some of them toda

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." Buddha

FOLLOW-UP WITH THE PEOPLE YOU MEET. You do not want the winds of time to bring a tide to the shore to wash away your footprint. Follow-up with  the people you meet so you are on top of their mind and your footprint etched in the sand.

“Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down.”   Proverb

TAKE ACTION...TAKE THE FIRST STEP IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Compound & Interest

In the last couple months, I have become addicted to SUCCESS Magazine. So much so, I started using a yellow highlighter for the main points that speak to me. This past month was full of resources and articles about Innovation.

Darren Hardy, SUCCESS Magazine Publisher and Editorial Director, wrote an article about his book "The Compound Effect". Every step you take no matter how big or small leads to success with smart choices. Individuals limit themselves when they think that they are not smart enough to accomplish their goals. If you think creatively to overcome obstacles and work harder and smarter, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Every step you take has value, whether, it was a lesson or a challenge. The question is, "Are you willing to take the challenge?"

It made me realize that in this world where people are searching for instant gratification that they can also get instant "deflation". Deflation of their spirit and motivation if they do not get immediate results. You have probably heard the phrase "Everyone needs to start somewhere." Yes, they do. Success also depends on sustainability. Are we there for instant gratification or long lasting satisfaction?

Key Qualities of Success:

1. Perseverance - The drive to keep going when the going gets tough. The tough look for solutions.
2. Consistency - Do something everyday that gets you one step closer to your big dream.
3. Never Give Up Attitude - This is where innovation comes to play. You continuously look for new ways to succeed. You realize that more opportunities will come your way even if one door closed.
4. Disciplined - Sometimes there will be sacrifices to make in order to reach your dream or goal. You need to keep current, research, and practice your craft or talent.
5. Serve Others -When you help others on their journey to success, others will help you. Success is inevitable.

Get creative when looking at the obstacles that appear on your life's journey. Refine your "qualities of success". Plant seeds of ideas that will reap a great harvest, when your efforts compound and get interest of those around you.
What are your qualities of success?

Stay True to Your #1 Resource

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -Anais Nin
 Surround Yourself with Successful Like-Minded Individuals. Create relationships and a circle of friends that support you. It is so important to be around people who think the same way as you. It is invigorating to share ideas, stories, and thoughts with these individuals. You may lose a few friends along the way because they do not carry the same mindset as you. At first, this may be disheartening but the question you have to ask is, "Do you wish to move forward and be around people who support you and wish you well or do you want to stay stuck doing the same things you have always done? Surround yourself  with people supprot you and want you to grow as a person. Make new friends. Get to know people who have the qualities you admire or who have accomplished what you wish to accomplish. Ask them out for a coffee or lunch. You may even ask them if they would mentor you. These are the people who challenge you to grow and assist you in reaching your goals.

Who is your mentor? Who can help you take your career and life to the next level?

Your Circle of Influence

Who is in your circle of influence?Are they family, friends, colleagues, or business acquaintances? Do they support your goals and desires? 

Surround Yourself with Successful Like-Minded Individuals. Create relationships and a circle of friends that support you. It is so important to be around people who think the same way as you. It is invigorating to share ideas, stories, and thoughts with these individuals. You may lose a few friends along the way because they do not carry the same mindset as you. At first, this may be disheartening but the question you have to ask is, "Do you wish to move forward and be around people who support you and wish you well or do you want to stay stuck doing the same things you have always done?" Make new friends. Get to know people who have the qualities you admire or who have accomplished what you wish to accomplish. Ask them out for a coffee or lunch. You may even ask them if they would mentor you. These are the people who challenge you to grow and assist you in reaching your goals.

Millionaire Mom - Million Dollar Advice Under Your Nose

Are you inspired and committed to make things happen? Do you need a mentor to point you in the right direction?  I had the great opportunity of connecting with Millionaire Mom, Joyce Bone, www.millionairemom.com. The tagline says it all "Because Every Mom is Worth a Million". As mompreneurs, we are often juggling many different tasks and duties everything from shuttling kids to baseball practice to climbing mountains of laundry while running a business. We are ambitious, dedicated, and motivated to achieving big dreams. Joyce Bone's recent blog http://millionairemomsblog.com/ sends a great message - there are mentors right under your nose. Are you taking advantage of it? All you have to do is ask. Look at what  the successful women around you are doing - going after what you want, does not mean you have to go it alone!