Everyday we make hundreds of decisions.
Do I wear the black skirt or jeans?
Should I clean the bathroom or can it wait another day?
I have a few extra hours...would my time best be spent marketing or spending time with my mom?
Yes, the last decision was one that I had to make today as I battled the winter storm this morning.
I could have gone home. I could have gone to the coffee shop and plugged into my marketing, researching and connecting online with a Biggby Butter Bear in one hand and my feet in front of the fireplace. I made a decision. My few hours free hours from "mom duty"were spent laughing with, sharing memories and emotions, and teaching a few social media tricks to my mom.
I love my mom.
As I daily see posts from friends and the news yelling loss, I am so glad that I made the decision to connect with my mom. I am so thankful that she is healthy, vibrant, and forever witty.
She always makes me feel special, and today, I have another memory to cherish.
Thanks, Mom!
Tomorrow, I will get back to business. Today, I made memories.
Did you ever wonder...where did the time go?
Has it really been THAT long?
How have I changed? Are my goals, dreams and my purpose still the same?
As you can see, it has been over three years since I have "blogged", connected and shared my
thoughts. To be truthful, I have felt like a drifter and in some ways, homeless, during that time.
I am tired of it. As I approach the wise old age of 50, I feel the urgency to leave a legacy bigger than me. To find joy through the discontent. To touch lives of those I may never meet. To hold close those who I would miss most. To create meaning in life so that I leave with a smile on my face and a celebration for those around me.
"Without purpose there will be no focus. Without a plan there will be no action. Without belief, there will be no success." -Kelly Wissink, first-cup-of coffee wisdom.
Wow! I find that often my Facebook posts are actually words of encouragement or frustration to myself. Thoughts expressed. Inspiration for action to be taken.
And yes, can you tell, I am in a season of discontent. I call it a season because I know, "this too shall pass". I am not praying for the pain and confusion to leave but praying that I may grow and get stronger, more focused and believe more through it. Pain is an inviation to grow.
Thank you, Lord, for this invitation. I joyfully accept and will bring focus, action and belief to achieve what you have in store for me. I am excited and can't wait for the surprise at the bottom of the box.
As I continue my journey towards vegetarianism it dawned on me how easy this transition has been. I didn't go "cold turkey" and turn my menu upside down, but each day made a conscious decision to do one small thing to change my health
and in turn, my journey has gone quickly.
What is it that you want to change in your business?
These small changes done over time can change your business, your vision and YOU in the future.
1. Read a book in your field, or one that will help you improve your mindset, for 15 minutes a day. Shoot for 10 pages a day.
2. Listen to an autobiography or biography of someone who inspires you. The number of books on CD are growing daily. Instead of listening to music on your way to your job or an appointment, pop in a CD and learn their secrets.
3. Get outside and take some time to breathe in the crisp winter air or the sea spray from the ocean and leave all of your work behind. Walk the dog. Go for a run, OUTSIDE, and step away from the stresses, deadlines and pressures that may be causing doubts and frustration in your business.
I believe in you! Remember, little changes done today will bring about BIG changes in the future.
Image by National Media Museum via Flickr
"Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to be always part of unanimity."-Christopher Morley
Reading five books a day to my kindergarten class eight years ago was about all of the reading I was able to squeeze in during the day. I realize now how important it is to feed my mind every day. It took a commitment to a new profession as well as the encouragement of mentors to find the books that would inspire me on my current journey.
Here are just a few. Pick one and make a decision to immerse yourself in one book a week until the new year and let me know how your life and your perspective has changed.
You can read my review and the reviews of others at Goodreads.com
The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success
The Game of Life and How to Play It
The Oracle's Secret: An Inspiring Fable About Achieving Your Dreams
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
I encourage you to subscribe to the FREE training videos, right on the website. There is a new 2-10 minute video each day, Monday-Friday.
Here are some other "If I...would you..." scenarios. Do you have any others to add?
Image via Wikipedia
If I had my choice, we would not own a TV. I have been overridden by a sport loving husband and three video game, movie loving, PBS watching munchkins. On nights when we snuggle together on the couch for movies, with freshly popped popcorn in hand, I am totally there and loving every minute of it. We do have quite a movie collection from the "Sound of Music", to "High School Musical 3". From “I Love Lucy” to “Zoom”. One of my favorites is Disney's, Wall-E.I have watched it a number of times but it was not until last week that I really heard this quote from the Captain, “I don’t want to survive, I want to live!”
What do you think of when you hear this?
Photo by Fellowship of the Rich
ArtPrize has brought out and brought
together a community to enjoy the talents of artists from as far away as New
York and as close as the city of Grand Rapids itself, and taught all of us to
laugh, think and embrace art in all shapes and sizes. Instead of the winners of this event being
chosen by those trained in art, it was those that appreciate art that were able
to vote and determine who won the first place prize of $250,000. Embracing social media, the organizers of
this walk around town event used the power of texting to allow viewers to give
a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to vote for each exhibit. The top 10 “thumbs up” recipients were in the
running
for the top money prizes.
ArtPrize itself was a great way to see various art forms as well as to
experience venues in Grand Rapids that I had never stepped foot in, until this
event. Many kudos go to the organizers
as well as the coffee shops and restaurants who often ran out of food feeding the
happy crowds that poured into their establishments.
So where am I going with this flowing review
of this event and how can it help you build your business?
On the day I attended Art Prize, my goal was to experience the chosen top
10. I accomplished that…in 3 hours. I was more than thrilled to meet a few of the
artists themselves as they were answering questions and milling with those that
were curious of or admirers of their work.
Is it a coincidence that the three artists whom I met also happened to be the
top prize earners for the event? I don’t think so. The Open Water no.24 by Ran Ortner , “Imagine That” by Tracy Van Duinen, and Portraits by Eric Daigh were all spectacular in their own way. Hearing about the inspiration behind the art
as well as how it was created, the time it took to create, and the challenges
along the way from the mouth of the artist gave the art life!
This is my point - Your
product is just a product until you breathe life into it with YOUR story. Would I have voted for any of these artists,
and their work had I not met them? No. It
was the handshake, the smiles, the STORY, that helped me to see beyond the art
to the life within.
Your story can give life to the product you offer and hope, laughter,
inspiration and fun to your “audience”, your customers and life to your
business.
Be available, be transparent, and share your passion, inspiration, challenges and story to create the business of your dreams. How does $250,000 sound to you?