Category — Personal Growth

Your client calls.

She wants you to participate as a panelist at an event that she is putting together.

You want to accommodate your client, but you aren’t sure that the target audience is a match that will make it worth your time.

What do you do?

Scenarios like this are common in the entrepreneurial world.  Being prepared to give answers quickly is essential.  However, making decisions can be challenging when you are busy living your daily life, especially if you are under pressure to give an answer within a short period of time.

One of the best things you can do as an entrepreneur is to really do some of the inner work to understand who you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are and what makes you unique.  Make a list of these traits and put it into your business plan so you can build a team around you that supports your vision and fills in the gaps where you need a lift.

Another way to truly understand yourself is to get in touch with your core values.  These are your inner compass that you filter the world through.  Your values are also the foundation for your goals and your vision.  Without a clear understanding of your goals and values, it is nearly impossible to make a good decision (unless you have super power intuition).

Don’t worry, building this foundation won’t take years.  This work can take as little as 15 minutes to complete.  Simply make a list of each item, ask for help from close friends and family if need be and commit to doing the work.  If you need more guidance, enter your name and email address in the top right-hand side of this page and you will be sent some workbooks that will guide you through the process.

And now… Your 3 Point Decision Making Checklist:

1.  Check in with your gut.  How does this project, task, meeting, person, place or activity make you feel?  Excitement or joy is always a good thing.  Sadness or exasperation is not desirable and is a good clue as to what choice should be made.  Fear is not bad, it is usually an indication of impending growth.  Listen to your intuition.  It will never steer you wrong.

2.  Does this choice align with your values and goals?  If a project, task, meeting, person, place or activity does not align with your core values, you will ultimately find dissatisfaction in a decision that allows it. This is why it is so vital that you have a deep understanding of what your values are.

3.  Will this decision bring you closer to your ultimate personal, family and entrepreneurial vision?  When making any decisions, it is always important to consider how the choice will affect all aspects of your life.  Does this decision give you a boost in your professional life while taking a big chunk out of your time with loved ones?  Remember that no matter how much money something makes you, if you lose your partner or your family in the process, it will never be worth it.  Always consider the BIG picture!

Do you have any thoughts about decision making that you would like to share?  Feel free to comment! Thanks so much for your input!

John Serpa is a talented writer who I enjoy connecting with on social media.  When he offered to write a guest post for the Work Smart Lifestyle blog, I was delighted to be able to share his work with you. 

In the post below, he asks you to think about what you choose in this new year, as we embark on so much change in the world. 

I am a big believer in asking questions and pondering the possibilities, so with John’s lead, this post will help you to ask yourself some big questions.  Please leave your thoughts in the comments at the end of the post so that we may continue the dialogue about what we choose in this moment of change.  I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

Thank you.

-Britt

Flashback <<<<
Rice University, September 12, 1962. Where were you on that date? I wouldn’t be born until four more years would pass and yet it was then, that John F. Kennedy would deliver a message so powerful, it would inspire millions of people and change the course of history. What was it about?

Putting a human being on the moon.

This two minute clip above captures his speech in its finest moments.

So…as a guest blogger on Britt Michaelian’s Work Smart Lifestyle Blog, why talk about this.
Because our nation is at a turning point.
Like many of you, I’ve grown dismayed and disgusted with the political landscape. Mud-slinging and the constant barrage of ‘blame-game antics’ does not solve problems or foster innovation. Hence, it’s time for a makeover from a new breed of change-agents that see the unseen and seek one thing—to change the world by uniting people.

It’s why I follow Britt Michaelian on Twitter and read her blog. What she says and does—links the hearts and minds of individuals. That my friends, is the catalyst needed to turn our economy around.

The salient truth is that that when we attempt to build a legacy and enact change on the shifting sand of rhetoric, it won’t survive the onslaught of social, economic, and political waves that crash against its jetty. Furthermore, the latest technology, a rich legacy, and a pile of cash aren’t enough to hold back the raging surf. Rather, dynamic and dream-weaver leaders are the pylons that’ll keep it intact.

Our primal nature is to seek out others and share in community. This necessitates a cadre of organizational leaders who obliterate dogma and choose the following:

Choose to grant empathy and attentiveness to everyone.

Choose to pump human minds with stimuli that improves our influence and ability to solve problems.

Choose to remove the stagnant waiting room organizational cultures, and usher in the fever-pitched biome of a jazzy sports bar.

Choose to create motivational moments.

Choose to ensure mechanisms are in place so that everyone can become involved and be active contributors, and not passive observers.

Choose to listen and ask questions of everyone, especially the people on the margins (those not popular, the ones ignored because they don’t meet the criteria of the “in” crowd).

Choose to transform their surroundings by linking the hearts and minds of people toward a “Call to Action.”

Choose to take the role of a dream-weaver.

A bold challenge? Yes.

But here’s the takeaway. There’s a tectonic shift afoot within social and economic frameworks around the globe. Barriers that stood cemented in place for centuries are crashing down, becoming relics of a time since past. Therefore, let’s sandblast bravado off the walls of organizations and replace it with—unity.

The surprising truth is we’re all fashioned to link our minds in ways we never deemed possible. And as the sun rises on this new year, I leave you with this profound axiom.

Becoming a vanguard leader means tapping into the deep reservoir of the human minds around you to promote the exchange of information and experience. If we do this, we’ll—with certainty—find ourselves basking in the vision that John F. Kennedy spoke so eloquently of.

Not because it is easy—but because it is hard.

So…what will you choose?

About the Author:

John Serpa is a public speaker and author. His first book, LiNK: The Fascinating Ways Our Minds Connect, will be released in late January. www.johnserpa.com.

mo·jo/ˈmōˌjō/

Whether you are a parent or not, there will be times in your life when your mojo is off.  One of the best ways to get back in touch with what really gets you excited is to have a list of the things that you have loved experiencing throughout your life.

In this episode of Mommy to Mommy TV, Kimberley Clayton Blaine shares what she does to get her mojo back while I talk about how I believe that women (especially women entrepreneurs) need to connect with other women in order to truly feel on top of the world.  Of course it is important to network with men as well, but there is a different connection that women have with one another that I believe empowers us.

Every day, we have the chance to start fresh with new ideas, new inspirations and new experiences.  Every week, we have the potential to do something important with our time, to do something that moves us forward toward our ultimate goals in life.  When our mojo is feeling off, our dreams can seem out of touch, so it is essential to know at least a few things that get us back in touch with our passions.

Where do you get your magic power?

I get in touch with my mojo from things like: the ocean, painting, writing, being with my family and friends, fashion (especially shoes), exploring uncharted territory and from being with people who are following their dreams and passions. I also find that as hard as it is to get myself to the gym, I feel incredibly inspired after a hard work out.

To make sure that my mojo is never too far from reach, I have hired a trainer twice a week to ensure that I get at least two good work outs in.  I get to look at the ocean every day because our home overlooks the Pacific.  I write this blog and engage in social media (and I have a book in the works) that allow me to write regularly.  My family and friends are always at the top of my priority list.  I have partnered with inspiring women in Social Media Girlfriends and in other networking groups to make sure I am surrounded by people who are taking action and living the life they dream of.

And despite all of this, still there are days when my mojo is off. 

So, having a list of things that inspire me and committing to grow this list every day is how I keep my  mojo in check.  How about you?  Do you find inspiration in moving your body?  In creating art?  In being with children?  While being in nature?

Where is your mojo?

What is it that gives you such a charge that you feel like you could finally…  write that book, run those laps, speak to that audience, pick up the phone and make that call, or do whatever it is that you know you need to do to live the life you want to live?

Have you made your list yet?  Please leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments and have an inspired day, FULL of mojo!

As we near the end of 2011 and take this time to enjoy making memories with our friends and family, we can’t help but look back on the year we are wrapping up and forward into the year we are about to embark on.  With so much going on in the world and many people struggling with homelessness, joblessness and not enough money for food, it is essential that we look to the many blessings that we do have in our lives.   Hug your loved ones, tell them that they matter.  Smile as much as you can and share your smile with those you pass throughout your day.  Love is contagious and it is a gift that costs nothing and gives so much.

The world is going through a time of massive growth and change right now, so it is critical that we don’t give up on our dreams or goals, but that we see this is the test of our strength and perseverance.  2012 will be an important year for us all to believe in our own power and to gain confidence in who we are and how we make the world a better place.  Challenges will come, expect them and embrace them as they mold you into a stronger, more resilient person.

“We choose to go…not because [it is] easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to measure and organize the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.” – John F. Kennedy

Most importantly, be grateful for this life and everything that it brings.  You were put on this earth at this time for a reason, because you were meant to bring your skills, talents, strengths, beliefs and unique differences to the party.  Take care of your body and your mental and spiritual health, for it is the vessel through which you experience life.  Celebrate, respect and share your life with others and allow them to celebrate their gifts and talents with you.  Give back and help others to get what they want out of life.

Step into the shoes of the wonderful person you were born to be and walk in your greatness, knowing that there is no one on earth like you and the cool thing about that is that no one can take your brilliance away from you (unless you choose to let them). 

Empower others to join you as you commit to being the best person you can be in 2012 and for the rest of your days. 

Thank you so much for reading the Work Smart Lifestyle blog and for supporting my vision of helping you to live the lifestyle of your dreams.  Dream big as you step into 2012 and don’t forget to express gratitude for every blessing that comes your way.  I wish you a beautiful holiday season and an incredibly happy and fulfilling 2012! I appreciate you and I hope that this post inspires you to smile, laugh and dance through life with the knowledge that you matter.

Much Love,

Britt

That’s me.  In the boardroom.  But it took me a long time to get there and I didn’t get there alone.

Hopefully after reading this post, it won’t take you as long!

Yes, I made some mistakes a long the way, but I learned from them, so maybe they weren’t mistakes after all..

A few years ago, I remember thinking that successful people were like celebrities who were somehow “above” me.  What I didn’t realize was that they were no more important or better than me, they had just worked hard to get where they were.

There were times when I would send them emails or Facebook messages to try to get them to bite on an idea that I had to somehow help them (which would in turn help me).  I wanted to skip ahead to their level and I truly thought that I could, if one of them would just see the potential that I had… we could do something BIG.

Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

One person who responded to me in the beginning was Julie Aigner Clark, the founder of Baby Einstein.  I am so grateful to her.

At the time, I was producing a child safety video and had plans to produce a series (which I scrapped, but that’s another story).  Julie was a HUGE inspiration for me because I had babies who were watching the Baby Einstein series and the concept was genius.  So, I reached out to her in an effort to see if she had any advice or wanted to somehow mentor me.  She had just sold her business to Disney for $30 million and I wasn’t sure what I could offer her in exchange for her time.  After a few emails, she fell silent.  So, I carried on with the thrill of having connected with one of my role models.  I didn’t let it deter me from moving ahead.

Maybe one day in the future we would connect again…

Being the creative networker that I am, I continued to come up with ideas and reach out to people.  As I did this, my business and my goals changed.  At the time, I was in a business coaching mastermind group with two mentors who I will be forever grateful to (Alexis Neely and Dave Dee).  They knew that I had bigger plans than the business that I was developing, so they pushed me to ask myself questions that I never would have asked myself.  After evaluating my progress and passion for my current business, I transitioned from child safety (an area with an extreme level of liability and low revenue potential for a boot-strapper like myself) to business coaching for moms.

It’s funny where life takes you, but this blog post isn’t about me.  It isn’t about my journey, but it is about what I have learned in terms of how to get to the decision makers and make your pitch.  In the process of starting, building and selling businesses and writing several books and screenplays over the past few years, I have learned how to get to the top level decision makers, how to get them to listen and how to completely turn them off.  I have also learned that it’s not about me, it’s about we.  You alone are never the reason something happens, it’s always a group effort.  So, be humble.

Here are 7 tips to get you in front of the decision makers:

1. Don’t be needy.  Get your ducks in a row and make a list of at least 20 prospects who NEED you before you pitch a thing.  Then, gather with your business partner, your mom, your best friend (whoever you can assemble), pitch to them and get feedback.
2. Know what you have to offer, the value that it will bring to others and how it is BETTER than any other offering out there.
3. Have a killer Keynote or Powerpoint presentation that is no longer than 10 slides and explains why you will make them lots of money.  Leave a flash drive with your presentation and contact info at every pitch meeting.
4. Be professional in every way.  Be on time. Dress with your best foot forward.  Smell good.  Give your pitch and leave time for them to ask questions.  LISTEN to what they need and then follow up with a proposal that knocks their socks off.
5. Follow up without being annoying.  Send a thank you email within 24 hours of pitch and include a link to an article from a major news source that supports the need for your services.
6. Remind yourself that you don’t need them, they need you.  This is part of knowing your value.  Know it inside and out!
7. Be genuinely grateful for every opportunity.  Check your ego at the door.  Show that you are willing to do the hard work and learn, but you are also there to help.  Nothing that you create will be done without the help of others.  So, if it is your virtual assistant, your business partner, your spouse or someone else, express gratitude at every step along the way!

Social media has really changed the level of access that we have with decision makers and role models, but the same rules apply.  We are all still people and no one is more important than anyone else.  We are all trying to do the best we can in life and some of us are more dedicated to a vision than others.  Remember that you may not be able to see what is around the corner, but if you keep moving forward and reaching goals, you will amaze yourself!

If you follow these principles as you build your brand, you will be ten steps ahead of your competition and you will enjoy the process.  Now, do you have any ideas that I have not included in this list?  Leave them in the comments and THANK YOU for being here!

Every once in a while, I like to put the spotlight on people who are making a difference.  This post is my way of saying thank you while sharing some brilliant people with you who you may not have connected with yet.

Here are 10 men who are helping others to reach their goals, find resources and feel great everyday on social media.  This list could easily have been in the hundreds with all of the amazing go0givers on social media, but I wanted to keep it to 10 men (for now) so that you have an opportunity to connect with each of these great guys.  Obviously there are PLENTY more who could (and should) have been included here, so please leave your additions in the comments.  And if you are a great guy who is helping others via social media, by all means, don’t be shy!

Okay, here goes…

10 Men Who Make a Difference on Social Media:

@BrianMoran is one of those guys who can keep you engaged with his clever sense of humor and his incredible knowledge of small business.  When he passes by in my friends stream, I am certain to find nuggets of wisdom and a cool dose of wit.  Brian and I connected through Twitter and I have always been impressed with his passion for small business and his knowledge of facts.  He’s one of those who sprinkles lines from books and authors names throughout conversation to support his ideas.  Love that!

@BruceSallan is an easy-going and inspiring dad who is the real deal when it comes to social media.  As the host of #dadchat on Thursdays at 6pm PST and The Bruce Sallan Show, Bruce is guaranteed to give you some excellent words of fatherly wisdom while letting you know that he cares.  An all around great guy with a fantastic sense of humor.

@KenScheer is a ray of sunshine who is always there to help and inspire you.  As one of the leading cave men at#smmancave, Ken is a great networker and friend.  He is a big believer in gluten-free eating and sustainable living, so if you are looking for some green inspiration, Ken is your man!

@Paul_Steele is the Bald Hiker – can you tell from his pic? His tweets range from cool quotes that make you think to photos of his many adventures in mountain climbing to conversations about travels.  Paul is always positive and conversational on social media while sharing an interesting point of view.  The thing I like most about Paul is that he gets his audience to think GLOBAL.  And these days… it’s all about being global!

@Jkcallas tweets with an accent.  Can you hear it? He speaks in person the same way and with the same silly sense of humor.  He is fabulous.  Really.  Jure is passionate about the law (try mentioning Klout to him on Twitter and see what he has to say) and he is extremely knowledgeable about how social media works from a numbers standpoint.  @DabneyPorte and I call him the Stat Man because he understands social media statistics like no other human being on the planet. Say hello to Jure and you are likely to get a “Hello, Dahling” tweet right back!

@EarthXplorer You know, I just love his avatar.  Don’t you?  He looks like someone who is always having fun.  And on top of that, his name is JD.  Does it stand for “Just Dance?   Whatever it is… it’s gotta be cool.  If you read his ‘About Me’ on the Earthxplorer website, he talks about his 3 loves: travel, video production and helping others.  Cool again.  Right?  Then, when you read his Twitter stream, you just get a super positive vibe.  Besides that, he is really great with RTs, cool links and overall inspiration.  So, if you are looking for an absolutely talented content curator- for the traveler in all of us- JD’s your man.

@RobCairns is a total sweetheart who always supports his followers. If you want a social media friend who will greet you with a smile and a friendly hello, Rob is the guy you want to introduce yourself to.  He just makes the world a better place by being Rob.

@2morrowknight is an advocate for important causes as community manager for See Your Impact.  In addition, Sean is a Huffington Post social media contributor and an all around good guy.  Sean is always looking to help others on social media and is a great supporter of anything positive.

@BobWarren has an uncanny ability to know exactly the moment when you need a friendly shout out or just a hello and a wish for a happy day.  He always pops into your stream and magically makes you smile.  Follow him.  Introduce yourself and see what I mean.  On top of being an awesome Twitter friend, Bob shares great information for anyone who is looking for a job or for help with the resume.  We all know someone who would benefit from an intro to Bob, right?

@LeadToday was one of the first people I started following on Twitter whose stream was like candy.  I couldn’t get enough of the leadership quotes, tips, thoughts and fun facts.  Steve Keating knows how to make tweets fun and informative, but he also is sure to thank each and every person who RTs while engaging in conversation often, like a true leader.

So, now that I have shared 10 men on social media who are making a difference… who would you like to add to this list?

Sometimes running a business is the easy part.  When it comes to great gifts for team members, fellow business partners, clients, spouses or kids, many of us freeze up and wait until the last minute to buy something that we can slap a bow on and give with a wink. 

This year, I have created a list of 7 Fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas under $100 with varying prices so that YOU, the busy entrepreneur can give all of your gifts with a smile of confidence and get back to doing the work that you love.  Shopping is fun, but it can also be time consuming if you don’t know exactly what you want to get.

Remember, sometimes when we shop for others, we find things that we want for ourselves, which is perfectly fine! (As long as you wrap it with a big bow and put it under the tree until December 25!)

Okay, here we go…

1. For the sophisticated laptop owner:

I saw a woman carrying one of these at Starbucks this morning and had to ask her what it was.  I just thought it was a cool looking book, but when I found out it was a laptop case for a MacBook Pro, I couldn’t help but follow up with a joyous, “Where can I get one?!”  She was thrilled to share that it was a fab find from Twelve South and I am happy to report that it is $79-$99!  BTW, they have a version for the MacBook Air for $79! Woohoo!

2. For the Instagram Lover:

This is so fun, I can’t stand it!  We now live in a world that is full of social media platforms and applications.  Some of us tend to get a little silly about certain apps like Instagram because it makes our pics look so very COOL.  If your business partner, assistant, spouse or hairdresser is wild about photography and has an Instagram account, these Instagram prints will make the perfect gift!  They have introductory pricing on these beauties at Canvas Pop right now, $29.95 each!

3. For The Ambitious Woman With Big Dreams:

We all like to make wishes and follow dreams.  Sometimes gifts remind us to dream bigger and believe that our wishes can come true.  This special necklace is a great stocking stuffer or just a simple gift that will make anyone feel special while encouraging dreams (and it’s only $26).

4. For the Note Taker:

This thing is ridiculous.  For $99, you are pretty much guaranteed that your gift will be talked about for at least a week. Seriously though, the Livescribe Smart Pen records everything that is written and can be replayed, translated and organized when used with a special notepad.  For anyone who takes notes during meetings or who wants to stay on top of their thoughts, this pen is amazing.  Here is a video that explains more.  It rocks, right?

5. For the Go-Giver:

Let’s face it, our world needs help.  The holidays are a great time to give to others in need and what better gift to give than the ability to make an impact in the world?  See Your Impact offers Impact Cards that allow you to purchase a gift card between $15-$100 that can be redeemed to benefit any of the charity partners that work with See Your Impact.  The website has a page that allows you to choose what cause you want your donation to help and the beauty is that they let you see how your donation impacted someone’s life.  That’s a pretty great gift to give to anyone and so many receive as a result.  This one makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift!  Don’t you think?

6. For the Man, Woman or Child Who Has Everything:

Everyone loves a sleek remote control car, right?  It brings out the kid in us and makes us feel young again.  But how cool is it that THIS remote control is a Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari that you can control with your iPhone, iTouch or iPad?!  And it is only $79.  I don’t know who will love this more, my kids or my husband!

7. For the Big Thinker:

“We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.” – Steve Jobs

Big thinkers like to know what other big thinkers think or thought, right?  So, what better gift to give someone who wants to change the world than a biography of someone who DID change the world?  Steve Jobs was a legend, an icon and many more things that will be talked about for generations to come and this book will help inspire much thought and action.  How do you give the gift of big thinking inspiration?  Give this book!

Now, let’s hear what you think about gift ideas.  Do you like these suggestions?  Do you have more to add to the list?  Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true.” 

Every year around this time, I start thinking about the goals that I set for my personal, family and professional life and how close I came to reaching them.  I also create a plan for goals for the upcoming year.

“Your dreams come true when you act to turn them into realities.”

In this video, you will see four steps to get you thinking about your goals and how to achieve them in 2012.  And if you are looking for a place to find support in this endeavor, of course I am happy to help.

Step 1:  Clear the clutter in your physical, emotional and professional worlds.

Step 2: Get clear on what you want to achieve and why it is important to you and the world around you.

Step 3: Build a network of people online and off who support your vision (and whose vision you support).

Step 4: Take massive action (start by listing out what your goals are what you will do every month and week to move toward your vision).

Writing your goals and dreams down is the first step to making them a reality.  So, I invite you to write down one of your goals for 2012 and one action step that you will take toward your goal in the comments.  Thank you for believing in the beauty of your dreams!

“If you want to leave your footprints on the sands of time, be sure you’re wearing work shoes.” – Unknown

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the premiere of More Business of Being Born, a fantastic documentary series about birthing options executive produced by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein.  When I arrived at the premiere, Ricki was outside, smiling happily and shaking hands with attendees.

I remembered a tweet of hers from earlier in the day where she said she had been dancing for 4 or 5 hours and I was in awe of how hard this woman works. She and her dance partner, Derek Hough often receive the highest scores on Dancing with the Stars, which means they are dancing like crazy all day, for many days in a row.  On top of that, Ricki is raising 2 boys, promoting #MBOBB (More Business of Being Born) and getting ready to launch the new Ricki Lake Show.  This woman works HARD and because of this, she is amazing, inspiring… powerful!

Success doesn’t fall into your lap.  It is a choice.

As I sat in that movie theater watching #MBOBB, I was touched by the many stories of the birthing experiences that Melissa Joan Hart, Cindy Crawford, Alyson Hannigan, Christie Turlington, Gisele Bundchen, Alanis Morissette and a few others shared.  Birth is an experience like no other that involves an incredible amount of focus, love, power and strength.  At the same time, as I witnessed these amazing women, I couldn’t help but think about business in relation to the birthing process.

From the moment an entrepreneurial idea is conceived, it must be nurtured and cultivated and finally birthed into the world with thoughtful consideration.  We have many choices to birth our businesses and in this process, we can choose to educate and prepare ourselves or just go with the flow (or a combination of both).  In the end… some things are out of our control, but the ultimate outcome is a result of our hard work, focus and dedication, combined with some element of destiny.

Business is not easy and neither is child birth, but it is incredibly rewarding.  So, how do we stay focused on the mission at hand without getting sidetracked by things like morning sickness, an aching back, a social media troll, delays in production or legal challenges?

The key is to remember your WHY. Visualize what it will look and feel like to achieve your end goal. 

Do you want to raise a happy and healthy baby/business?  Is your goal to eventually sell your business, so it can grow into an even better and more powerful brand or do you want to sustain it indefinitely?  What do you plan to do when the business is sold?  Will you donate money to charity?  Will you send your children to college?  Will you relax in a tropical paradise with your significant other?  Will you write a book about it and keep on going?  What is your WHY?  Write it down, print it out, post it everywhere you will see and remember it every single day.

If we want to dance all day until we are bruised and bleeding, only to slip into a beautiful dress to promote our next baby…  while incubating another dream (like Ricki Lake), we have to be willing to go the distance.  We have to be willing to put up with the bumps and stumbles in order to make it to the rainbow and realize our dreams.  Success doesn’t just fall into our laps because if it did, we wouldn’t appreciate it.  We would simply take it for granted.  Even parents who adopt babies have to jump through hoops in order to hold that baby in their arms. Right?

So, now I want to ask you this… Are you doing everything you can to prepare yourself for success?  Do you know your why?  Do you have role models to follow (like Ricki Lake) who can inspire you to keep on going (with a smile on your face) when times get tough and days are long?  Are you so in touch with your dreams and your goals that even the “ring of fire” can’t keep you from pushing ahead?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

(BTW, the ladies in the pic above are some fabulous Social Media Girlfriends who love to support Ricki Lake, another Social Media Girlfriend!  From the left: Jane Graves, Lori Moreno, Jeryl Jagoda, Lynn Gosselin, Jodi Okun and myself. Dabney Porte joined us in spirit on the paper!)

Birthdays are for giving, right? 

Well, in this video… there are 3 wishes or gifts that I have for you.

I don’t often get too personal on my blog, but today I want to share some things with you because that is how we build our relationship.  I am 38 years old today and I am very grateful for the life that I have.  My husband and my daughters are my most favorite people on the planet (although my mom, dad and sister- and her family are right up there too!) and I get to laugh with and hug them every day.

Although my mom was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago and we have had our ups and downs, we have been able to celebrate her life and she knows without a doubt that she is loved.  We are all blessed to know her and every day is a gift to be in her presence.

We all have our challenges in life, but the goal is to keep a smile on and embrace those challenges as opportunities.

Every morning, I get to look out at the ocean from my bedroom, kitchen and living room windows each morning and appreciate the beauty of the ocean and the sun.  It never gets old. Life is good.

I am so very grateful for the many friends who have come into my life.  Some have stayed, some come in and out of my life and others have gone their own way.  I love you all.

So, thank you for stopping by and celebrating life with me.  Thank you for your messages on social media, I appreciate every one of them!  And I wish you an amazing day. If you haven’t already watched it, please enjoy the video I made for you.

Thanks again for being here and for making the world a better place.