Tito's Wisdom

Were You Born to Teach?

2012-01-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

All my life, I never thought I was a teacher. I thought I didn't have the patience to teach students, since my idea of being a teacher meant I would be standing in front of 25 or more fifth graders all talking at once, and my brain would immediately begin to smoke from mentally trying to control my patience. Then I moved through life and learned that being a teacher was more than just the formal academic style of teaching; it actually meant I would pass along my knowledge and expertise to those who want it, need it or request it. Wow! How empowering to think I have something to teach another individual. I must say that I highly respect those who teach in formal setting, and my hat goes off to them.

When I realized this, my personal philosophy began to adjust, transform and expand. I made the effort to become conscious of when I was "teaching" and when I might be "learning." It wasn't long before I understood that I was easily and instantaneously flipping between these two roles without interruption. I knew then we all were born to teach, and our teaching careers begin with our first breaths. As we journey through life, our "student" and "teacher" selves are invoked based on the experience or situation we happen to find ourselves in and at which point one of these two energies becomes primary. I was able to discern when my teacher role kicked in, which was when I was being asked to share any knowledge I had to another individual and realized that when I was in "listening" mode my student self stepped forward.

My question to you is, do you believe you were born to teach? If so, what is your personal teaching philosophy? I've spoken about this topic in previous blog posts. But with this new year, the new vibration and the new energy, we're all being asked to step up our teaching games. I didn't quite believe by how much until recently when I was asked to partner with an amazing woman and collaborate on teaching courses. Within the next four weeks I not only will be passively invoking my teacher self but actually standing in front of a classroom teaching. My younger years perspective of teaching is becoming a reality. (Not that I will be teaching fifth graders, but I will be teaching adults. And no, that doesn't mean I'm smarter than a fifth grader!)

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New Year, New Goals

2012-01-05T12:00:00.001-08:00

Last year you took the leap and started your own business, or maybe you embraced your inner entrepreneur and set out to start your own business this year. Either way, you've been focusing on what it means to look to the future and set goals. This has been a hot topic with clients over the last month: looking to 2012 and going for it. Whatever "it" is, this is the year they want to step out and step up their game. The challenge, it seems, is knowing the limits, length and distance they (and you!) are willing and wanting to go to create the career of their (and your!) dreams.

Working for yourself, starting your own business provides a great amount of satisfaction; but it's a lot of work to get started. The underlying emotional fear that's holding you back may just be related to money. Do you have the financial means with which to start your own business? From where will the money come if you don't have savings from which to draw? Is your business idea good enough to convince other people to invest in you and your new business? These are all valid questions because it's important to know your own relationship with money, abundance and all things financial.

Your relationship money will definitely dictate how you will perceive the "value" of your idea as well as the "value" you personally bring to the business itself. On the upper level of consciousness you may believe you love money (Who doesn't?!) and the idea of being wealthy. But what has been holding you back until now to step into going after earning this type of wealth?

Your level of self-confidence (for one) and your ability to be honest with yourself (for another). Understanding your relationship with money requires more than just you looking at your past to learn how your spending habits have affected your ability to save or gaining the clarity of why you buy certain products and subscribe to specific services. Having the confidence to honestly admit your inner most thoughts regarding money is the space you want to visit during time of reflection or meditation.

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Happiest Time of the Year…Or Is It?

2011-12-09T18:56:00.001-08:00

We've all heard the Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams. Being that the holidays are in full swing, I'm sure it's one of many you'll hear over and over again, whether on the radio while you're driving or in the shopping mall looking for last-minute gifts. The song sticks with you, and you can't get it out of your head—even when you seem to be overstressed and in a bah humbug mood.

No judgment with regard to the mood, Christmas and the holiday season as a whole are stressful. It's also an emotionally challenging time for people. With the current economic situation it can be downright depressing, even for those who have a great deal for which to be grateful.

Depression hits us when we least expect it, and the holidays can trigger some deeply rooted emotions which we've yet to deal with, admit to or let go of. A few people have good external reasons to be depressed. Let me share an example: a true story that was shared with me this morning.

A family with four young children just used its savings to move from a two-bedroom apartment into a four-bedroom, two-bath apartment with the intention that they can provide a more comfortable living situation for the children. It's nothing extravagant and both parents are employed, so the leap of faith was taken.

The wife left to spend the last few days with her dying brother. She came home grateful for what she had, which wasn't much. But she had her children, husband and job. Within a week of returning and moving into their new apartment, both she and her husband lost their jobs. Now, just a few weeks before Christmas, they have no income and virtually no savings, and they're looking at not being able to make the rent at the first of the month.

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Holiday Spirit and Your Stress

2011-12-07T16:01:00.001-08:00

There is not a more stressful time than the holidays. And, well, I can't name one person who actually enjoys the stress associated with holidays. The stress of dealing with family, the politics that comes with buying the right gift—or worse, making the decision not to buy the gift at all! Let's not even mention the stress of dealing with other stressed out holiday shoppers all vying for the "last" of whatever is the hot ticket item.

Fortunately, in this age of technology the shopping is not so bad as it once was; with a few clicks of a mouse, you can purchase your much-needed item, have it shipped to you, and all that's left is the wrapping. I'll admit, I did a lot more online shopping this Christmas than for Christmases past, and I liked it.

The truth about stress is that a particular amount of stress or anxiety is healthy. As a Crisis Coach I deal with clients who are moving through not just this heightened holiday stress level that comes but once a year—which, by the way, we are more emotionally, physically and psychologically ready for than we might realize since we "know" about the upcoming stress and the triggers that get our blood boiling: triggers like line cutters, not getting the "good" parking spot, or missing the extra 20% discount by an hour.

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Be Paid Your Worth in 3 Easy Steps!

2011-12-04T23:34:00.001-08:00

Business is competitive. Period. You go into business to make money and be your own boss: to set your own schedule and work with only those clients who are in alignment with your philosophy.

Because of the high level of competitiveness, there is a chance in the beginning you are going to charge less than your closest competitors; and in the beginning, this is for most of you the best decision. You need to get the doors open and buyers in. But for how long do you continue to charge a fee that is a "steal"?

Yes, the economy isn't the greatest, and people still have their purse strings tightened. But those who are in need of your goods or services are ready to jump on board with you and invest the fees necessary. You know what sets you apart from your competitors, and the key to convincing a client or customer to choose you is what you offer that no one else does.

Ideally you want to charge a fee that can withstand whatever the current market will bear but still be considered a good deal. So what stops you from establishing a fair market value for your services and provide your knowledge for less than what it's worth? Simply stated: Your confidence is impacting your ability to be paid your worth!

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Are You Financially Balanced?

2011-12-01T12:41:00.001-08:00

Is your business growing? Or has it stagnated during these last few years due to the economic downturn? Like most of us who own their own business, going to the next level is always a big step: a step that takes more than just courage, optimism and a great concept.

It also takes money. Purse strings are tight, and to reach out and ask for financial help can be more than a little scary. The big question is what type of financial help you want—I mean, other than just asking for money. Are you open to giving up part ownership? What about paying interest on the money you receive?

The two means of financing available for your company are:

Debt Financing, which is when you borrow a set amount of money for a predetermined period of time and pay a predetermined interest; and
Equity Financing is receiving an injection of funding in exchange for an ownership stake. The percentage of ownership is based on the amount the investor is paying per share and how many shares he's purchasing.

But how do you determine which form of financing is right for you? Both of these financing options have advantages and disadvantages. Before we go any further, let me clearly state this: Your final decision, before doing anything, needs to be based on education and knowledge. Your specific business situation is unique to you and your financing options, no matter which path you choose. It is unique to you, and there are two professional resources you need to seek out and tap into before venturing into the wild world of financing. Those two resources are a CPA specializing in financial investment and associated tax laws, and a lawyer specializing in fundraising and associated state and federal business laws.

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Scuffling with Physical Success

2011-11-25T18:50:00.001-08:00

'Tis the holiday season, and it's a season of shopping, eating and celebrating. Most of us are taking advantage of the year-end discounts wherein stores are doing their best to lure us into their establishments with the hopes of dropping a few of our hard-earned dollars. We are celebrating the end of the year, which has hopefully been filled with great memories, wonderful successes and goal achievements.

The additional piece we are inundated with is eating. The holidays mean a time of splurging on the excess of sweets, cakes, home-cooked meals and beverages. If you're like me, then splurging means an extra visit to the gym or longer walks with dogs. I will admit that I do envy those fortunate individuals who are able to eat whatever they want, when they want, without adding on any or very little weight this season!

What keeps you motivated to stay healthy, eat and exercise during the holiday season? As you age your metabolism slows down, which means the level of calories we can consume is lower as you age—so you need to seriously increase you level of activity to offset the imbalance.

Have you formulated your list of motivators for what is going to keep you physically healthy this season? How about being able to achieve your business or career goals easier? Would becoming more financially abundant be a motivator?

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Steering Yourself to Victory

2011-11-23T15:06:00.001-08:00

The end of another year is just about to arrive, and you are most likely caught up with the excitement of the holidays, shopping and spending time with those you love. It's around now that you begin to set intentions and goals for the upcoming year.

In business you are establishing budgets, identifying sales goals, and trying to locate potential expenditures on which to cut back. In your personal life you're looking at your level of happiness with your work, where you are in life, what you might like to change about where you live, or (if you're like the majority of us) identifying personal health goals.

When we establish goals for ourselves personally or professionally, it can be overwhelming at times since we think we know ourselves and like to believe we can do more than what's realistic. This results in your being overconfident or unrealistically confident. When you become overconfident, as bold and brazen as it sounds, you're actually lacking a certain amount of confidence of a particular kind. I'm sure you're wondering what I mean when I refer to "kind of confidence."

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Holiday Mindset Melt-Down

2011-11-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

We're just a week away from the busiest shopping day of the year – Black Friday – and it's also the beginning of the most stressful time of year: the days between Thanksgiving and the kick off of the next year.

For most it means a time of family, friends and great fun, but for others it could mean something quite entirely different. Stress does funny things, but this time of year we're emotionally triggered by numerous types of events and easily fall into the pit of allowing ourselves to become victims.

Victim mentality is a common and hot topic these days, and it bodes well to play the victim role when we need an excuse for certain types of behavior, or we feel we need to be right and validated. Take a minute and think back over the last several months to see if any of these statements have been true for you:

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Confidence + Goodwill = Success

2011-11-16T12:55:00.001-08:00

Asking current clients for referrals can be difficult, but for moving forward it is an absolute necessity. What holds you back from asking? Your confidence: that's what! So how do you move through this confidence challenge? By looking back and identifying which of your clients had the greatest success. These individuals will be (and will continue to be) walking testimonials and advertisements for you and your business. Here are three tips to improve your business confidence and savvy while increasing your client base!

Take Stock & Boost Confidence
Your first priority is to gather all the positive feedback, comments and notes from current and previous clients you can find. Next, make a list and read through it a few times. Reading over your list of positive feedback will allow you to establish a mental and emotional connection based on positive thoughts and experiences. This allows you to reach out to each of these individuals more confidently. Asking for help is never easy, but when we make a positive emotional connection with those to whom we are reaching out, we can design a new thought pattern. With a new pattern in place, you create new beliefs—and your new beliefs increase your confidence level!

Using the positive comments from your clients in your communication, remind your clients of how much they appreciated what you have done for them. Then ask them for referrals to associates, family and friends who could use your services.

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Women, Business and Confidence

2011-11-13T17:01:00.001-08:00

Recently there has been quite a bit chatter in the news regarding women, business and women's inability to move ahead. A report recently on MSNBC cited the following two key elements for the reason: "Glass Walls" and confidence (specifically, a lack of confidence).

When I was watching these news broadcasts, the lack of confidence resonated with me, as I believe we've all had our confidence shaken and challenged more than once as well. Similarly, I connected with the reference to the Glass Walls. I never personally believed in the Glass Ceiling excuse, but I do see the truth within these newly identified walls.

What confines us behind these walls are the following three parts, as set out in the news broadcast:

Doing everything
Lack of network support
Thinking small

But I would like to add a fourth part: emotional trust.

The first three are obvious in their definitions, but the fourth—emotional trust—may not be so obvious since it also contains a few elements of its own. Being part of the human race means we're emotional beings; we use our emotions to learn, experience and grow. As women we embrace our emotions on an even greater and deeper level, resulting in our having a larger emotional investment in all that we do. When our emotional investment causes us pain or we experience negative backlash, our emotional trust is challenged and we become more cautious regarding where we place this trust in the future.

All our decisions are based on where we stand emotionally with regard to...

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Postivity Tools for Your Business

2011-11-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

Separating what is happening in your personal life from your business life and vise-versa is difficult during the best of times. Working through times of challenge or crisis can make keeping the two separate nearly impossible. We all agree that your outlook in life doesn't need to be positive 100% of the time, nor do any of your family, business associates and friends expect you to be "up" all the time. When you're confronted with challenges that look bigger than life itself, having a few tools in your emotional balancing kit will allow you to dance through the challenge with a feeling of balance and grace instead of stumbling.

Several reports show meditation supports a healthy standard of living, and it's considered one of the best habits to decrease stress. When our worry is reduced or handled effectively, our outlook on life improves. This, in turn, results in an upward spiral in all areas of your life. Individuals practicing meditation on a recurring basis understand how meditation directly supports their ability to improve their mind's tricks, resulting in a more peaceful, calm and focused point of view.

Basically, the human mind is the key to reducing pressure. With the aid of meditation we're able to feel calmer and more relaxed while experiencing increased clarity, better mental focus and a boost in a sense of harmony. As we meditate our amount of random feelings diminishes, as will our attachment to those feelings and identification with them. This is because we're generally not conscious of all the mental goings-on in which we're engaged. Like with any inspiring method in which we engage ourselves, our ability to allow ourselves to "just be" emerges when our inner artist flourishes. Our ability to create from nothing is a knack with which we're all born but only a few permit themselves to embrace. When we allow our authentic selves to step ahead and bask in the glow, our outlook effortlessly improves. With an optimistic outlook we're able to step into action through the most complicated of times and crisis situations.

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Where Your Truth Goes, Your Confidence Follows

2011-11-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

So you now know how confident you are, right? I mean, when ranking yourself regarding your confidence level, you were truthful, right? Oh, you mean you stretched the truth a little? Oh well, that’s okay because we all do it: stretch the truth, I mean. But if you can’t be honest with yourself, then with whom can you be honest? Knowing your truth is the second critical piece to being confident. The first was realizing that all your actions and reactions to life's events and decisions impacted your confidence level. Truth is what empowers you to step out of your comfort zone confidently and take the actions or steps necessary in life.

In the first part of this three-part series you were introduced to your two main life accounts into which all your actions, decisions and experiences are either made deposits into or taken from as withdrawals from your integrity and confidence accounts. Remember that both these accounts affect your level of success in your career, your relationships, and your overall personal wellness.

Your confidence level will dictate how you handle and manage your stress. Some stress is important in life, but extreme stress can be hazardous. Your goal is to be able to handle yourself regarding decision-making during times of crisis as well as you do during normal circumstances. With a lower confidence level it becomes more difficult for you to make effective decisions.

Examples of normal stress or daily triggers of your stress might be balancing your checkbook, creating employee schedules at work, or arranging a food drive for the local food bank. While moving through these situations, your physical, emotional and mental bodies are working according to plan. There may be emotions you experience such as frustration due to trying to coordinate others' schedules and availability, but these frustrations are easily worked through and released. There are no residual emotions floating around; in other words, you've let them go and moved on.

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Emotional Crisis? Emotional Infidelity

2011-11-01T20:44:00.001-07:00

When we hear the expression "infidelity" in reference to a relationship, we frequently don't even think about anything outside of a physical interaction. But emotional cheating can be as damaging to a relationship as unfaithfulness. The difficulty, though, is that unlike infidelity, emotional infidelity isn't simple to catch, confirm or even admit! Very often the majority of people aren't even conscious of the fact that they are cheating on their partner emotionally.

Emotional cheating typically starts when one develops an emotional bond with a person of the opposite sex and begins sharing more with that person then with his or her partner. These relationships may or may not lead to physical intimacy; in either of the two cases, the existing relationship of the cheater suffers.

In the majority of cases, emotional cheating begins as an innocent friendship but develops into a "more than friends" relationship without the physical intimacy. It therefore results in being simple for people to convince themselves and others that they only share a special friendship and nothing else. A person might even equate it to the sharing of information or time with that of two best friends.

With the age of technology and the ease of "meeting" new people and connecting with "old friends," it's easy to figure how sometimes people develop meaningful emotional bonds with their online acquaintances. It's this kind of emotional infidelity that's even more difficult to identify and admit. The clandestine nature of these relationships, along with the benefit of mystery the World Wide Web provides, makes the dynamic of emotional infidelity even more complex.

So how do you know whether you're cheating on your companion emotionally? The following are a few of the biggest tell-tale signs:

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What's Your Confidence Level?

2011-10-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

If someone were to ask you to state how confident you are, what would be your response? Ten? So very confident that you easily articulate your point of view, present ideas as required, make decisions swiftly without a lot of second guessing? Or zero? You have no confidence at all since you believe others have desire to hear thoughts and you are hesitant, can't make a decision without wanting to know at least three people's opinions. Or is it somewhere in between?

I was shocked to learn recently there is a crisis in self-belief running rampant among women these days: not just professionally, but in their personal lives as well. Women, it seems, are missing the self-confidence to articulate or offer up their two cents or receive acknowledgment for a job well done.

Sounding at all familiar? At first the thought seemed foreign to me, but then I started looking around at the ladies in my life and I realized that yes, the truth of the matter is that a good number of my conversations with friends and associates indicate they lack the confidence to move out and into doing more than just merely existing in their lives. Wow!

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Money Talks; Everything Else Walks

2011-10-27T00:25:00.000-07:00

Recently in a conversation with an associate, we were discussing venture capital opportunities of the past and how we both have invested more than just money but also our time, dedication and expertise; and for a few of those investments we've wound up with some beautiful-looking ownership certificates that have no cash value but make great wall paper. When it comes to having the desire to move your business up in the world, expertise is nice but money is what ultimately pays the bills for those direct and hard costs associated with running your business. For individuals to invest their cold cash into your business, they need to believe that what they're investing in will provide a return, and their belief is ultimately based on your own belief, the trust you have in yourself and your business idea.

You possess an impressive business plan, you've worked on your business design, and you've finished a feasibility assessment that indicates your business has the makings for making huge money. Great! The only thing stopping you from taking the leap is your need of raising money.

In this economy, finding individuals to invest in a small business isn't the easiest thing. But don't lose hope; they are out there, and yes, they are willing. These individuals are best known as "Venture Capitalists" or "Angel Investors." Basically, VCs impart fiscal backing to a company or firm that is in its early stages but nevertheless exhibits high potential in terms of forthcoming growth and profitability: exactly where you seem to be finding yourself. Their goal? To make larger-than-typical profits (i.e., stock market investments) on their investments. Don't fool yourself: VCs are fully aware that a number of these types of investment projects can and will end up losing money. However, VCs recognize that great earnings from some of their projects will more than compensate for their losses along the way. Venture Capitalists are receptive to taking high-level risks when other people may not be.

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Your Health, Your Business

2011-10-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

We've all heard the sayings "Money can't buy happiness" and "Money isn't everything." Today you will discover how, even though these perspectives regarding money may be true on one level, they certainly aren't true on all levels of our lives. Money or financial wellness will and does provide the means for having a foundation supportive of the other four key areas of your life being in balance, which ultimately impacts your health, relationships, spirituality and overall personal wellness.

In my line of work I see a lot of individuals who are self-employed and take active steps in ensuring they're doing right by both their businesses and themselves. They not only understand but embrace the philosophy that what affects one area of their lives will and does affect another. They also realize that when they are healthy, they actually end up positively affecting their bottom line financially.

Not quite sure how this all fits together? That's okay, because most people have a hard time grasping it as well when they allow themselves to see from a new perspective.

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Love Your Children? Hate the Chaos?

2011-10-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong. I love my children – immensely, unconditionally – and would not trade, give away or accept any other option that might be presented to me. But (and this is BIG "but") I hate the chaos that came with being a mother. Before having children, I adhered to a daily ritual of getting a coffee in the morning, sitting down to write my three pages of "stress dump," and then 20 minutes of meditation focusing on being centered and having a proactive day.

I truly thought I would be able to keep some (if not all) of this ritual in place once my son, who is now three, was born. But reality set in quite quickly, and it took me almost 10 months to find my groove again. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it, but I did. Then in May 2011 I gave birth to my daughter, and the groove I was able to find is once again changing.

Chaotic? Yes. Manageable? Yes. What did it take? Three simple steps (Remember Coach Karen's three simple steps to managing chaos and emergency life situations is I.C.E.) and a lot of self-patience!

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So You Think You're Confident?

2011-10-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

Self-confidence is what empowers you to take action in periods that are difficult and down right scary. Confidence is created over time as well as through experience. The big question is, "Do you still get butterflies when you are about to take action?" If your answer is no, then you need to ask yourself if you truthfully believe you hold the desire and feel deserving of what the outcome of your actions will be. One of your greatest inhibitors with regard to being confident that I've experienced with clientele is they try hard to create and work toward the life they desire, but their self-worth and the value they possess of themselves stands in their way toward reaching it.

So yes! Your self-confidence impacts your self-worth. And yes, your self-worth impacts your self-confidence. The opinion of life in general is that we have a tendency to magnetize what we believe we are worthy of receiving. Consequently, self-worth is one of the most important elements of how we go about escalating our self-confidence; that is, you need to possess belief in your own skills, abilities and most notably, you need to consider yourself truly deserving of the outcome you desire.

You can picture all you want, make yourself feel good, concentrate on encouraging emotions, etc. But unless you sincerely like yourself for who you are and think with every thread of your fiber you deserve to get the best out of life, you might not be able to improve your self-confidence, which in turn brings about good fortune, friends, love or success.

So here are a few questions to ask yourself in order to find out if your view of self stands in your own way to success:

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Coaching and Your Business

2011-10-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

As a small business coach, I work with different types of clients – both individuals and companies. Some individuals work for somebody else but hold the desire to begin their own company, while others have been in business for a few years yet seek to move their business to the next level. A growing pattern in both small and large corporations is the human resources division acknowledging the importance of coaching for personnel, which in turn supports a more powerful bottom line for the company. Before hiring a corporate coach for you, your business and your staff, it would be advantageous to have an understanding or an appreciation of a few simple corporate coaching concepts and techniques. The familiarity of how coaching works and what it can help you achieve will make it simpler and easier for you. These are:

a) Select the appropriate coaching model
b) Communicate effectively with your coach
c) Get maximum returns on your investment (on hiring a coach)

Coaching Objectives
Coaching essentially works on three tiers and in a corporate setting can often meld with the roles of consultancy. The first level or tier is performance, the second is behavior, and the third or outer layer is solution. The following provides a brief description of each layer.

Performance Your coach will observe as well as study your sales and profit levels, employee productivity, business financials, and your senior management team or leadership team. Depending on your business situation, your coach may end up making suggestions and offering new perspectives to enrich your profitability from its current levels. To make certain the coach stays in a coaching role and does not fall into a consultant's function, it is imperative that your senior management team is on board with the styles of brainstorming for solutions communication that will take place. Performance transitions into reviewing your guidelines of effectiveness to make certain the staff is empowered to be as efficient as possible. Keep in mind, employees can be only as successful as the tools they're given, and your business's guidelines and processes are vital to their success.

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Mentoring: Encouraging Success

2011-10-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

Once you establish your own company, we have a tendency to look at our previous experience and how it has encouraged your employee's success – to notice what worked and what didn't. One of the essentials of a flourishing business is the openness to share your wisdom and enthusiasm of doing what you love with others. One of the easiest ways is to create a mentoring program. Mentoring doesn't always mean you are "grooming' new employees for their rise in the corporation; it also means mentoring students toward gaining much-desired skills in the work place.

I would like to share with you a few of the advantages of how establishing a mentoring program can encourage your small business to be even more successful while also touching on how setting up a mentoring program in a small- to medium-sized organization can help you develop your human resources and use these resources in the most efficient manner possible.

To begin, let's identify the key advantages of mentoring programs.

Reduced Learning Curve

When an organization establishes a mentoring program, it can prove to be individually one of the most important resources for employees in their initial learning phase or the new hire period. When a member of staff is transferred or promoted to a new department, having an adviser supports a less-demanding or stressful work environment.

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What Is Your Crown Jewel for Success?

2011-09-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

In the world of business there are limitations or restrictions of which you need to be aware when you want to achieve goals and ultimately succeed. There are some things that just, well, fall into place without compromise. Curious what restrictions need to be in place for you to succeed? Great! What about not compromising? Wondering what's not up for compromise?

For one, your attitude! Your attitude needs to be in what your crown jewels are encased, much like Queen Elizabeth’s crown is made of gold; your success crown is made of attitude, allowing you to show off the jewels within you. With a positive attitude, a little self-discipline and a certain level of knowledge, you're empowered to make sound decisions along your journey to success even when a challenge might raise its pretty little head. Your attitude can not be compromised by anyone but you. You are in complete control of your attitude, and being in control of your attitude means your limitations are set by you and only you.

In a previous article I talked about why your foundation for success needs to be built not just on stone but must also include sand to allow for flexibility and growth. Knowing where your foundation is enables you to then focus on identifying your crown jewel and gaining clarity on the steps it takes to achieve your goals. Your crown will, of course, have more than one jewel held within it but jewels (or, here, skills) that need to be on display for others to notice.

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Achieving Goals: 5 Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Odds of Success

2011-09-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

A goal is a target on which you aim your focus and put your time and effort into the process of achieving. There are five steps essential in guiding you toward achieving and realizing your goals. Achieving a goal can take longer and require more commitment than you realize or might imagine. Self-empowerment and motivation are great tools for you to use, and they are two tools you can use as ingredients to steer yourself toward creating your vision, which will lead you to your target.

Some people believe that when they fail in achieving a goal, it ends the existence of their goal. But this is not true at all. Failing to achieve a goal provides you the opportunity to go back to the drawing board to redefine it and refuel the spirit of your motivation.

The first step you can take to improve your odds of succeeding and achieving your goal is not to allow failure to enter into your description or definition of success. Instead, replace the term "failure" with the idea and feelings associated with the term "reset": meaning, you did not fail at achieving your goal, but instead you need to simply reset the goal you had. Where you are today is not where you were when you initially established the goal. The growth you've achieved means that resetting your goal today makes it that much more achievable.

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Organize Your Business

2011-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

The task of filing paperwork is often the most hated and avoided in any office. The same is true about our email inbox! The good news is that it's not so hard as many people think to establish and maintain your filing when you have a system.

If you start your day by sitting at your cluttered desk or an inbox filled with unanswered emails, you set yourself up for an increased level of stress and lack of productivity from the beginning of your day. For most people (ourselves included), our personal lives are already filled with enough stress; adding to it doesn't motivate us to get busy on our list of to-dos. You deserve to start your day refreshed and confident so you can be productive and make progress on completing your tasks.

An organized workspace—both physical and virtual—will give you confidence and a sense of empowerment, whereas a cluttered desk or inbox can make you feel lethargic and confused and will zap your creative energy!

So now you may wonder how a pile of disorganized paper can cause stress. The simple answer is not just procrastination; these pieces of paper and unanswered emails are actually deferred decisions. Each piece of paper or email in the stack is a reminder of something you need to support, which will inevitably stress you each time you see. If you do nothing, then that small molehill of paper you’ve create will grow into mountains of stress, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain where to start.

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Choice Is Motivation

2011-09-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

We hear the term "empowerment" a lot these days. For those who need a reminder, empowerment refers to liberty and our ability to achieve what we desire. Motivation, on the other hand, is that what keeps your spirit and enthusiasm high. Your need for self-empowerment or self-motivation in life comes from within. Motivation gives you something to which to look forward, and it makes everything seem attainable – even those goals that may seem impossible.

Mainly what motivates you is the dream of having a better life, career, family or love. Acquiring self-motivation can be a difficult process to start, but it ultimately all comes down to making a choice. Your decision to choose an appropriate motivational tool can be more difficult than you might think.

Personal motivation is a very important skill in this day and age, especially when we have so many distractions to pull us away from tasks at hand. When you can maintain your focus on the tasks at hand, you will begin to see you journey take great, positive strides toward the success you seek. I've talked about and given ideas in previous blog posts regarding your focus, but how do you stay motivated when some days are filled with challenges? Feeling empowered is important, but being a self-starter – a person who can pick herself up and jump right back in – is the foundation of staying motivated.

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Leadership and Marketing

2011-09-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

As a leader, main man, top dog or any other pet name you can think of for yourself when referring to your role as decision maker, there will be times you will be faced with when to refocus, redefine or repurpose the financial resources of your organization depending on the challenges you may be facing. Change is all around you, and keeping a steady course during those times is a challenge all in itself. One of the common areas that most entrepreneurs will immediately look at cutting is the area of marketing. As an entrepreneur your budgets (if you follow one) are not normally as flush as those of Fortune 500 companies. As a result, your ability to refocus or repurpose resources becomes a lot more stressful and difficult to do.

We’ve heard of the different types of marketing, and it can be very confusing. I'd like to support you in reducing your stress regarding marketing; there are amazing marketing coaches out there who can support you in creating a full marketing plan, outlining what is specific to you and your organization. But today let's bring your focus back to the basics so when you decide to hire that coach or consultant, you have an idea of what marketing means to you and your business.

So what is marketing, or a marketing budget, and why do you need one? Simply put, marketing is defined as the process used to determine which products or services are of interest to your clients and outlines the strategies best used in the sales, communication and development of new business. Okay, that wasn't so simple; but basically, it means matching your product or service with your client. The budget piece is the estimated cost of running these programs and projects. The "why" is basically all about transparency and empowering you to stay focused and moving forward in the right direction with each decision you make regarding spreading the word about your wonderful products.

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Hocus Pocus, Let There Be Focus

2011-08-27T00:39:00.000-07:00

Life is full of roles, responsibilities and consequences; therefore, being able to stay focused is important when seeking balance in any overwhelming experiences life decides to throw at you. Success in life is nothing without being able to share it with others, and having the ability to focus will allow you to stay present when working and playing with others. In life there are believed to be three states of focus in which you can be engaged: 1) being in focus; 2) lacking focus; and 3) being focus obsessed.

The benefits of being focused in life could almost be considered unlimited. One benefit is the confidence you feel, and with increased confidence you're given the ability to step out of your comfort zone and make improved decisions. With improved decision-making capacity, you are able to find purpose in your life, have the passion to take on life’s stresses as they come your way, and ultimately improve your overall well-being. So simply putting focus first helps you live life to the fullest and allows you to experience the best in everything you do.

Life is short, as they say, and there's no time to be wasted being unfocused. But how do you stay focused or engaged? For some staying focused on tasks and current situations can prove difficult, and doing so thus takes practice to improve. A great tip for learning to increase your ability to stay focused involves giving yourself a reward for meeting "being present" goals. For one week keep track of how well you stay focused on tasks. For example, say you need to write a blog that is 500 words in length. Look at the clock when you sit down to begin writing. Note the moment your focus wavers from this task, and look at the clock to note the time. When you're able to refocus on the task at hand, note the time again.

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Surviving Reality: Compassionate Competition

2011-08-26T13:17:00.001-07:00

To a lot of people, the word competition is ugly and holds a negative connotation. When we think of the word competition, we often think of professional sports, athletes, Survivor the reality show, "others" on the dating scene, or the younger generation entering the workforce who may just beat us out for the next big promotion. But in reality competition can be what empowers us to be more than just a survivor and the reason we flourish and succeed. We can amp up the level we achieve by embracing compassion within our actions during times of competition.

Compassion isn't just for the strong, educated or well read; it's for everyone, and our success can be easier when it's not built on the shoulders of those we pass over but rather on our supportive interactions with our competitors. By encouraging them to do more, be better and go for the gold, we in turn become stronger. When you look toward wanting a more successful professional life, you normally envision yourself climbing the Corporate Ladder—which means you need to put up with certain elements in the work environment to get to the next rung. And as I've mentioned in past articles such as "What's Your Edge?" that there are many things you can do to ensure you have an edge. But we encounter competition in many different areas of our lives, and it's important to understand that how you embrace your competitor in one sector will reinforce how you interact in another.

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A Stone Foundation Supports Your Success

2011-08-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

As we look around at others in our lives, we often wonder what it took for certain individuals to succeed: how they made it so far, so quickly or what motivated them to keep going even when times were difficult. There are many qualities that make a great leader or support you in becoming one; there are unlimited opportunities for you to experience and gain the skills you need to become successful in life, but one of the elements people often overlook is their foundation. Examining the foundation on which your life is built is not about going back and pointing the finger at our childhood. It's about looking forward to your ultimate goal and asking yourself what it takes to get there to achieve and manifest your goal.

We all know the building parable "Is your house built on sand or stone?" When it comes to achieving success, understanding that your experience and academic portfolios are the building materials you use to build your life house means it's important to ask which pieces of your experience are stone and which pieces are sand. While moving through life, our foundation needs to actually be comprised of both elements, for science reminds us that sand is actually very small stones.

In life flexibility is critical to our learning and adopting new information, allowing us to mold and bend when necessary and stand firm in our beliefs and values. Using me as an example, people often wonder why I would choose to make certain decision in life; and for the most part, my decisions were based on following my heart and my desire while staying true to my dreams and values. When first embarking on the new role of coach, I did the exercise most of us have done when deciding to take a turn in our careers and wrote down how my life experiences (both professional and academic) supported this turn. When looking back to even my teenage years working at a boat marina, my work experience has always ultimately supported either directly or indirectly my recent life decisions.

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Entrepreneurs: Motivated Procrastinators?

2011-08-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

It may sound like an oxymoron, but entrepreneurs can be the best at two things: procrastination and motivation! Entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs for the simple reasons they are passionate about what they are doing, get a thrill or high from stepping out into the unknown, have a higher level of tolerance for risk, and love to start projects. As an entrepreneur, you started your business because you were passionate about the product or service you were providing, and you were motivated by the energy of potential change and sharing your passion.

In business you always have to be moving and in action not only to become successful but to gain your initial foothold in the market place. It takes an even larger commitment to become an "influencer" in your business or industry and ultimately become an expert. So why are there only a few entrepreneurial businesses that truly "make" it? Procrastination!

As an entrepreneur, you are in charge of your own business and hold the desire to make it the market. You know there are few qualities you need not just to possess but have processes put into place to help keep you moving as you build your business. You will find thousands of articles, books, blogs, tweets and posts to help you, but a key quality I see missing in all of this is awareness. It's your awareness that will keep you moving and in action when procrastination hits – and it will!

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What’s Your Edge?

2011-08-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

For all those who strive to be successful in their professional lives, whether they work for a corporation or they are an entrepreneur, there are a few things they (or should I say you) definitely need to have in order to achieve and keep their edge.

Having a vision is critical to being able to climb the corporate ladder. Your vision is what will allow you to stay motivated while working toward achieving the goals you've set for yourself. Goal-setting isn't always easy, as there is an art behind it that involves knowing how to set realistic and achievable goals while also managing your time and energy as you spend time completing the necessary actions to meet your milestones along the way that ultimately lead you right into the hands of success.

Knowing your vision and taking action to make it a reality takes more than just yourself. You need a support network that will act not just as cheerleaders to help keep you motivated but also to be the "naysayers" and play devil’s advocate. These elements, when combined, create a recipe for success. In order for you to earn the promotion to the next rung, you need something we call respect. Respect is a two-way street. Not only do you need to hold respect for those to whom you report, but those who report to you and those on the same level must do the same.

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Employee Motivation: A Secret Society?

2011-08-10T22:44:00.001-07:00

Motivation is a key ingredient to success. This is not a news flash by any means, and all managers and good leaders embrace some degree of motivational program for their employees; whether they do this consciously or subconsciously, they all do it. Motivation is not some secret society either, but the secret to motivation is the "what" behind it. So what is the "what" anyway?

It's a great question and one that every great leader seeks to answer—although the answer is never the same twice! So that is what makes motivation part of a secret society, remembering and understanding the same employee will have different motivators at different times of her life? And yes, different times can be as often as yearly, monthly or even daily. This is the "what" behind keeping your employees motivated and feeling empowered.

Now that you're a part of this secret motivational society and you’ve been let into the inner sanctum, you're reading this and still thinking, "What? That isn't a news flash, either!" And yes, you would be right—but the news flash is the remembering that translates into engaging in some form of communication with your employees regularly to ensure you're in the know of what their current motivator is or might be. Regular communication is the real secret ingredient to realizing your success as a great motivational leader.

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Business Leadership: Leading with Social Responsibility

2011-08-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

Over the last several years that I've been working with business owners, entrepreneurs and those seeking to begin their own businesses, there seems to have been an underlying theme revolving around leadership. I recently wrote an article ("The Meaning and Essence of Business Leadership") and thought it would be beneficial to continue this topic with the focus on Social Responsibility. We know leaders are not made; nor are they "born," even though there are individuals who seem to exude all the necessary qualities that make a great leader and are therefore are referred to "born leaders." But what is this sought-after set of skills and abilities that makes you a great leader, and do you possess the desire to become a great leader? If you are asking yourself these questions (as well as can you do if you want to acquire these leadership skills not just from a business perspective but possibly from a personal one), read on.

The first quality is respect; individuals can easily look up to and respect you as a leader if you respect them. Their respect will be based on your ability to communicate easily and compassionately your expectations of them. This is the second quality of a great leader: being a compassionate communicator. Within your mutual respect, your communication style will be inspiring. Those whom you lead will feel empowered by you to step out and up into their reaching for their goals—one of which will be to "please" you and to live up to your expectations. So the third quality is being able to inspire those who follow you. Now that we’ve covered three qualities that support being a great leader, let’s look at what might be another quality on which we often focus and talk about less but is nevertheless equally (if not more) important; that is, business leadership is based on social responsiveness.

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The Secret Weapons of a Good Business Leader

2011-07-29T19:05:00.001-07:00

"The very core of leadership is that you need to have vision. You can’t blow a hesitant trumpet." This is what well-known scholar Theodore M. Hesburgh said about leadership. Leadership is a very desirable attribute among successful people no matter what type of business they are in. And if you talk about business, then leadership is a must for carrying out your tasks effectively. Thus, every successful entrepreneur embraces some leadership quality within herself.

But the reality is that being a leader is not that easy. Everyone is not a leader; in fact, we cannot be leaders if there are no followers. Many people believe leadership as such is a human trait that is possibly related to genetics—that people inherit their leadership skills by birth. Leaders possess some unique qualities that allow them to easily motivate others. Let’s take a few minutes to review the different qualities or skills good leaders possess.

First, as a leader you need to have a unique ideology. If you look at the great business leaders such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Sam Walton, you will find each of them has their own ideology that allows them to step out and up, easily reaching such a top position. Thus, the very first component of leadership is having a unique ideology. Begin thinking about what makes you unique as an individual and how this translates into your being or becoming the great leader you want to be.

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The Meaning and Essence of Leadership in Business

2011-07-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Change is the only unchanging features in this changing world. Everything surrounding us changes with the passage of time to be in line with modernization. The ongoing business environment is no exception when it comes to this trend. Modern business is on a triumphant march through tracking changes via hard work from the most efficient business leaders.

Effective leaders adopt strategies and techniques to try to win or take the lead in the competitive market, which is ultimately a game of "survival of the fittest." In both good and bad times, there is always a need for quality leadership. The success of a business or an industry is mostly dependent on the leaders it gets or inherits. The successful implementation of desired leadership techniques is crucial for meeting the changing demands in business. The mystique of leadership in and of itself makes it one of the most widely debated, studied and sought-after commodities in business.

The Meaning of Leadership

Leadership is the social process of influencing the behaviors of others without posing any threats of violence. It is a process of influencing the thoughts, attitudes and behaviors of others by setting a direction that helps visualize what they can hope to achieve or what lies ahead for them. It's the capability of getting other people to do something significant through harnessing their efforts jointly.

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Plan, Action and Achieve

2011-07-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

When the objectives we set are large or complex, we often need a plan of some sort to ensure we reach them. However, planning is just half of the story: you also need to take action. Before implementation of any plan, it's useful to check where you are both physically and mentally. Achieving our success is based on our "whole" being fully present and accountable, and that means making sure both bodies are not only on board but have the capability to do the work necessary.

Take a few moments to take another look at your plan. Look at the activities that make up the plan, the feasibility of them, and the overall timeline. Then ask yourself the question: "Am I ready for this challenge mentally? Physically?"

If the answers are yes to both, then try asking yourself these questions:

"Am I ready to let go of or put on hold certain areas of my life so I can continue this challenge?"

"If I am not ready now, when will be I ready?"

"What do I need to in order to have the right mental perspective and physical support?"

"Do I need outside help?"

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Healthy, Glowing Skin and Your Confidence

2011-07-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Something for which we all strive yet so few achieve and even fewer keep: a good skin care regimen. Oh yes, there are times we look in the mirror and think "Wow! Not a blemish!" or "Eek, not now!" The second, of course, always happens before a big event or special intimate dinner, whereas the first may come on any given day, giving us a reason to smile and a more confident bounce in our step.

As teenagers we all faced a time dealing with acne, and as adults there are those who continue to deal with this challenge. The longer or more often we face this challenge, the more often our confidence is shaken. We can manage this confidence shaker by using over-the-counter acne or blemish creams; when more serious situations are present, we can solicit the aid of medical doctors for prescription-strength solutions.

When it comes to stepping into action or making decisions with regard to moving forward toward our goals and dreams, our confidence is the fuel to our follow-through. Our self-worth is the spark plug that allows our passion to be ignited by the fuel of our confidence. If one of these is not topped up and running smoothly, our decision quality is affected—as is our ability to succeed.

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Activity and Our Well-Being

2011-07-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

What do these people have in common?

A three-year-old girl running awkwardly to her mother across the lawn while smiling.
A housewife, age 43, trotting in the park with her colorful running shoes.
A skinny boy of 15 trying to keep up with the pack in a cross-country race, hoping to be part of the team.
A 29-year-old teacher who walks to the starting line with his wife, two children and a picnic basket and welcomes his opponents with great pleasure.
Far behind the front riders, soundly defeated, a solitary rider gives the maximum, excited because he is beating his personal best.
A nuclear physicist, 39 years old, passing the finish line and trotting to 36th place, quite pleased with himself.

In the first description the young girl is running for the pure joy of moving. She can be compared to a young dog chasing a ball or a foal galloping in a pasture. This pleasure from the kinesthetic sensation of speed, power and natural freedom is wild and intrinsic. Her motivation is being present in the moment and embracing the joy of freedom and movement.

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Going the Distance

2011-07-01T14:35:00.001-07:00

I saw a video on YouTube and realized it was a perfect way to illustrate a resource I’ve been wanting to share with my readers. The video features two self-made multimillionaires asking self-help guru and motivational speaker Tony Robbins why some people follow through while others don’t.

Robbins points out to the two men (John Reese and Frank Kern) that asking yourself two questions can help you identify where you are and where you’re going, which will crystallize your understanding of where you currently stand. The guru says that asking "What excites me?" and "What pisses you off" can be tremendously effective in helping you determine what you do and do not want out of your current situation.

Further, Robbins explains that while some people get where they intend to be, those who don’t usually fail for reasons other than a lack of resources or ability. Rather, they fail to follow through because they’re not "afraid enough" of not reaching their full potential, don’t have a driving hunger to success, or haven't given themselves permission to get out of their comfort zones. He points out that when your back is against the wall, you're more likely to do whatever it takes to prove yourself and succeed.

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Adopting Healthy Eating Habits

2011-06-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

Eating healthy is critical whether your goal is weight loss, fitness or a healthier lifestyle in general. However, you don’t have to meticulously count calories or starve yourself to be healthy; rather, you need to provide your body with ample nourishment. While junk food and sugary treats might present challenges and temptations, adopting correct eating ideas and strategies will help make healthy eating a natural habit.

Below is an overview of basic tips and suggestions to help you stay fit and eat healthy.

Learn to Love Your Veggies Include as many vegetables in your diet as you possibly can. In addition to vegetables being packed with more nutrients and fewer fats and calories than meat-based dishes, vegetarian foods also offer a lot of variety and can be a real treat for the taste buds.

Get Creative with Fruits Fruits have natural sugar and can quell a sweet tooth. But if the sucrose from the fruit alone is not enough, add a little honey to sweeten it further. The sweetness from these choices is healthier than refined sugars, and the natural sugars in fruit and honey have far fewer calories.

Eat the Rainbow If you’re concerned about whether or not you’re eating enough from each of the food groups, try seeing each meal as a rainbow. What colors are missing? What colors are present? Are you eating many colors, or do you tend to focus on just one? If your plate usually looks like a multi-colored painting, then you’re likely consuming the minerals, vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

Drink Water or Fresh Juice with Crushed Ice Instead of Fizzy Beverages Although this may sound too easy to be worthwhile, it does have legitimate merit. Crushed ice gives water a slightly fizzy texture that can meet your need for carbonation. If you drink a lot of sodas because of their sweetness, add fresh juices to your water and crushed ice.

Employ Positive Affirmations If you have a problem with willpower and find it difficult to stick with your plan to eat healthy, consider reciting positive affirmations every day to help make eating healthy a natural instinct. Although this may sound too simple to be realistically effective, the truth is that the simplicity of the act is where the power lies. Perhaps the example that follows will illuminate this concept for you.

If someone tells you day in and day out that you are unattractive, over time you will begin to believe that assessment. Similarly, if you tell yourself that you’re ugly over and over again, you will begin to feel ugly regardless of how physically appealing you may actually be. Positive affirmations function the same way, in that telling yourself over and over that you enjoy being a healthy eater will cause you to embrace and believe this statement over time.

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Sussing Out Your Sixth Sense

2011-06-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

What we commonly refer to as our "sixth sense" goes by many different names: gut feeling, inner voice, instinct, intuition, subconscious. Regardless of which term you prefer to use, this sixth sense is not some magical or mystical power that only a few people are blessed enough to possess; rather, it is as common and natural as the other five senses we automatically accept as being valid and real because of our experience.

Theories about Intuition

One of the most common ways in which people "explain" intuition is to relate it to the scientific understanding of energy. For instance, we know from the Law of Conservation of Energy that energy can be neither created nor destroyed; as such, everything that exists in the universe is energy in some form. Moving to a more metaphysical understanding of this concept, we can see that all human interaction – whether physical or mental – is essentially interaction between and among different energies. In this way we can sense the energy that surrounds us with our bodies as well as the energy of every situation we visualize with our minds – and THAT is how our sixth sense manifests. An awareness of the reactions of either/and our bodies or minds – no matter how subtle – to those we meet and the situations in which we find ourselves can lead to an accurate understanding and interpretation of the meaning of these reactions.

Others describe this sixth sense as our ability to tap into "universal knowledge." Similarly to those who subscribe to the aforementioned energy concept, those who embrace the concept of universal knowledge in relation to the sixth sense believe it allows us to access the past, present and future knowledge of the all-knowing Universe that is not bound by constraints like linear time. In this sense we are all able to make more appropriate or advantageous life decisions because we're all blessed with some degree of this sixth sense; as such, our primary goal should be to master the interpretation of the simultaneously subtle-yet-obvious cues of intuition.

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The Law of Attraction and Building New Relationships

2011-06-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

While it's undeniable that being in a loving relationship can be incredibly fulfilling and full of positives, it's also undeniable that finding relationships like that can be difficult. We've all experienced the defeated and heartbreaking feeling of rejection or an otherwise failed relationship, and most would agree the risks of these unpleasant experiences are worth it if it means finding real love and joyous fulfillment. That said, it's this end point that it can take an entire lifetime for some of us to reach.

While some might claim that finding love boils down to fate and being in the right place at the right time, others would argue that we exercise some control over what – and whom – we attract into our lives. If you're in the second camp like I am, you understand that your thoughts and actions determine your fate. Whether you call it the Law of Attraction or fate or something else, these are the factors at work in finding fulfilling relationships.

Attracting Fulfilling Relationships

It's likely you were drawn to this article either because you're dissatisfied with the state of your current relationship or because you experienced a significant heartbreak in the past. Regardless of from which perspective you’re coming, the first thing you'll have to do is wipe your slate clean in order to attract into your life the love you deserve. It doesn't take a relationship expert to realize that dwelling on past betrayal and hurt isn't helpful but instead makes it more difficult for you to move on to something positive. Comparing potential romantic interests with a past lover simply brings the past into the present and prevents you from exploring the potential of new relationships.

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Finding Guidance

2011-06-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

Regardless of their personal belief systems (spiritual focus, formalized religion, or a combination thereof), people tend to like the comfort of feeling connected to those beings that support us from the other side, whether we believe "the other side" to be an alternate universe, a heavenly realm, etc. One reason people find this so comforting is that they like knowing that something greater than themselves is available for them from which they can seek or receive guidance and clarity. I maintain that our angels (or guides, if you prefer) constantly surround us, always at the ready to gently guide us toward happier and better lives if we are willing to ask for their help. We can communicate with these guides in any of several ways, including those listed below.

Oracle Cards

Most divination and many bookstores carry angel and divine guidance cards with the rest of their merchandise. Oracle cards typically have about 50 cards in a deck that are full of words of compassion and wisdom. To properly read and benefit from oracle cards, first calm yourself with an effective mind training exercise, then silently offer a prayer of gratitude to your angels before requesting their help. Shuffle the deck a few times because spreading the cards on a clean table and selecting one card.

Although on the surface drawing oracle cards can seem like an entirely random way to seek guidance from your angels, the reality of the situation is that the "magic" of this process lies in its randomness. Selecting a particular card over all the others in the deck enables your angels to direct you to choose the right one rather than leaving it up to a matter of coincidence or chance.

Seek Help and Wait

For people who find it difficult to keep faith, simply choosing to seek help and wait can be the best way to getting guidance. When you find you could use a little nudge of guidance...

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How Your Past Can Lead to Obesity

2011-06-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

Obesity is blamed on many things related to our physical health: food cravings, metabolism rate, thyroid issues, lack of exercise, binge eating, etc. Yet examining obesity from a psychological perspective reveals that there’s far more to obesity than just the physical causes and effects.

A healthy diet and exercise would be sufficient means for an obese person to get down to a healthy weight if obesity were a physical problem only, yet this those two tactics alone rarely are enough for obese people to lose down to and maintain a healthy weight. In addition to diet and exercise, obese people must also remove from their psyche the reasons behind their unmanageable food cravings.

While we may not be able to recall the specific experiences or details of our childhood that played significant roles in influencing the adults we have become, there’s no denying that childhood is an incredibly impressionable time in our lives. Although people who experience psychological or physical trauma in their childhood’s often try to block them out of their consciousness as they mature, the truth is that the subconscious never forgets. In fact, traumatic childhood experiences often stay buried within our subconscious and influence our behavior long into adulthood. Further, our childhood fears and traumas can manifest as the desire to binge or make unhealthy dietary choices once we’re adults.

Because children interpret what happens to them differently due to their lack of comprehension, maturity, and life experience, their perspective of what happens to them figures significantly into how their perceptions manifest. For instance, those who suffered sexual abuse at a young age often develop deep-rooted fears and insecurities in their subconscious, which in turn manifest as a desire to become and/or stay obese in a subconscious attempt to be less attractive or desirable and thereby fend off any future abuse. In this sense, obesity can make a person feel safer and more secure since they shield them from unwanted attention.

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Embracing Change

2011-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took our son for his first official haircut when he was 15 months old. The trauma of the event was not significant, but the energy exchange during the event was decidedly intense. My son went from sitting on my lap and enjoying the process while my husband entertained him to the opposite end of the spectrum, screaming and struggling to be let down. As you can imagine, it was an emotional roller coaster for all three of us.

For several months I’d been hearing from various "experts" on the issue things like, "He needs a big boy haircut!" or "I love his hair; the curls are adorable," or "She’s precious! Oh, sorry! He’s so beautiful I just assumed he was a girl." Geez! So despite the fact that I loved my son’s hair longer with curls peeking out from under the cap, I knew it really was time for a haircut. Still, something inside me desperately desired to keep my son as a baby for as long as I possibly could. The haircut was representative of the first apron string to be cut.

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Negative Body Image Issues

2011-06-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Both emotional specialists and psychologists generally agree that eating disorders are generally rooted in negative body image. When this happens, sufferers usually see distorted body images when they gaze in a mirror – and as such, feel "fat" or otherwise imperfect regardless of whether these terms accurately describe the structure of their physical bodies.

Negative body images can manifest from one or more of the following factors:

Negative Conditioning Our parents' and family members' attitudes toward food and concepts of beauty can significantly factor in our body image. For example, parents who emphasize the importance of outer appearance or who obsessively count calories may have children who retain or develop similar attitudes that can potentially result in negative body image.

Negative Thinking If you have low self-esteem and therefore constantly hound yourself about your appearance or give undue importance to other’s opinions, you can develop a negative body image over time.

Unrealistic Ideals Movies, articles, advertisements and other media propaganda often promote perfection as being attainable – which, of course, it is not. Aggressive marketing techniques seek to create unrealistic aspirations regarding beauty ideals for profit. Children and teens are particularly susceptible to these techniques and can therefore develop negative body image issues due to their desire to conform to media "norms."

Overcoming Negative Body Image

You will have to affect a dramatic change in your self-perception to successfully build a healthier body image. I'll readily admit that negative attitudes firmly entrench themselves in the subconscious over time...

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Your Aura's Energy

2011-06-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

Energy is a word from which most people draw the definition of electricity, gas or some other form of power to produce movement or change. In the context in which we use it here, these definitions really aren't that far off from how practitioners like me would describe or explain energy. But what is an aura, you ask? Simply put, your aura is the space surrounding your physical being; it extends outward and upward and is approximately the length of your arms. You might refer to your aura as your own personal airspace, and you are the flight commander with regard to what gets in and what doesn’t.

We all understand as humans that we are walking energy sources. The heat we produce keeps us warm when the air is cool, and the sweat we produce when the air is too warm functions similarly. Our metabolism is a form of energy that uses the food we consume as its fuel, and we carry a certain amount of electricity in our bodies. The electricity can affect our heart rates, breathing rates and CranioSacral rhythms. Add electricity from an outside source – you know, when you shuffle your socked feet on the carpet and "zap" your friend or sibling — and a few things can occur: your heart can actually stop or go out of normal rhythm. More likely, however, nothing at all will happen except your friend becomes focused on getting you back.

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Revisiting the Seven Habits

2011-06-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

It’s been almost a decade since I read the infamous self-help book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey, but it’s such a helpful tool that it came as no real surprise when I recently felt compelled to re-read it. As I did so, I found myself wondering if I had addressed or implemented the particular habit introduced in each new chapter. By the time I finished those chapters, I was delighted to find that I had, in fact, embraced them since my initial reading of the book. Of course, I had also adapted the suggestions or guidelines in the book concerning the habits to tailor them to my own unique needs and experiences. This discovery reminded me that we each determine our own level of success.

Covey encourages readers of his best seller, which has sold 15 million-plus copies in almost 40 languages since its first printing in 1991, to embrace the seven habits he outlines so they can implement them in their own lives to increase their success or effectiveness as well as become more satisfied with their accomplishments at the end of an established time frame. I think that almost all people can benefit tremendously from Covey’s book, whether it be in their personal life, professional life, or both. Indeed, reading and expanding your awareness of new trends, thoughts, and perspectives is an important part of embracing a life-long approach to learning.

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Adjusting Your Emotions

2011-05-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

"A couple of months ago things were so stressful at work that everyone – including me – was tense all the time. By the time I got home I was completely drained and wanted nothing more than go straight to bed."

Does the above scenario sound at least a little familiar? Can you identify with the premise if not the specific situation? If so, how long was it before your mood lifted? Did you have a serious talk with yourself, trying to convince yourself to focus on something – anything – else? Consider the last you found yourself really angry or down. When you think back on it, do you recall that your emotions slowed you down or perhaps even crippled you emotionally for days or weeks?

People always want to know if there’s a quick fix to resetting your emotional state, and the answer is yes in most cases. I know that when you’re upset it can feel like an additional challenge or effort to think happier thoughts, feel love, or experience joy. And if you can’t do those things, you often find that you end up attracting more of the same.

In 2005 the terrific book Ask and It Is Given introduced the idea of "moving up your emotional scale." The Emotional Scale, developed by authors Esther and Jerry Hicks, invites you to:

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Meeting Needs with NVC

2011-05-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

There’s no one on the planet who hasn’t been in a situation wherein tempers and/or emotions escalated – perhaps even dramatically – due to miscommunication or poor communication. When this has happened in your own life, you’ve likely looked back on it afterwards and wondered how things got so out of control. You might even have tried to determine who was to blame fr the bad communication , or perhaps you ended up pursuing avenues of explanation that resulted in self-doubt or justifications for the communication mishap and resulting behavior.

A colleague introduced me to three levels of communication that have served as a reminder that I shouldn’t automatically accept everything I hear at face value. Given that I’d had a lifetime of communication by the time the colleague pointed this out, it’s ironic that this idea actually sounded like a new piece of information to me. The three levels of communication explain even further why we shouldn’t accept everything we hear at face value. Those levels are:

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Attitudes that Don't Foster Success

2011-05-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

Success is attainable for those who seek it with both their thoughts and their actions. Unfortunately, people tend to give significantly more attention to their actions, not remembering that their thoughts and attitudes can dramatically impact their failure and success. Too often the negative messages we hear while we’re growing up and our overall conditioning further contribute to anti-success attitudes. For example, you likely have a negative attitude toward success if you repeatedly encountered the following types of messages while growing up:

Don’t expect too much; you’ll just be disappointed in the end.

You’re not good enough to deserve good things.

Life is about dealing with problems.

People are out to pull you down with them, not pick you up.

Your capabilities are limited.

When you don’t expect anything good from a situation, you’re being practical.

“Optimism” is just another word for wishful thinking.

While these specific messages might seem harsh, peers and parents often unwittingly pass them along via their own attitudes and actions. For instance, constantly comparing one sibling to another can make one feel as though she can’t measure up or has only limited talents and abilities. Beliefs like this breed low self-esteem and ultimately result in failure.

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Measuring Motivation

2011-04-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

When it comes to finding motivation to achieve our goals, there are some of us who just naturally have it—and then there are others who struggle to locate and embrace it. As a person who is always highly motivated, I do find there are certain days when I wonder to where my motivation has disappeared. It's on these days I question if there is a way to actually measure my motivation levels in comparison to others days, outside of knowing I feel more or less motivated.

We know that motivation is the fuel that supports people to take actions necessary for them to achieve their goals. When people have a strong desire to take action or are willing to take chances, think outside the box or blaze their own path, we recognize they have a strong sense of being motivated. Yet when an individual has a less-than-strong inner desire to take action and makes little or no progress in his life, we know these people as slackers or lacking motivation.

Outside of these two perspectives, is there another way to learn how to measure motivation? Simply put: yes. This is done by actually looking at and recognizing the type or quality of action steps highly motivated individuals take versus those who lack motivation to reach their goals.

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Earth Day 2011 and Questions that Arise

2011-04-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

All over the US and Canada there are millions of people celebrating Earth Day, and I often wonder what this day really means to people. For me Earth Day is a reminder to be kind to Mother Earth and remember that as much as we have renewable resources, it doesn’t mean we have unlimited resources.

Our household does what we can to reduce, reuse and recycle, but I know we could likely be doing more. But how much more? And how much is realistic? As a Motivational and Empowerment Coach, I work with my clients to learn and find balance within their lives—to be honest with what they can do to achieve the life they desire.

Looking at how my family embraces the love of nature and wanting to do more to support Mother Earth, I am always asking myself, "How much more can we honestly do without it backfiring so that we ultimately use more resources or become more wasteful?" Between recycling and composting, growing our own vegetables, making single car trips instead of multiple car trips, riding our bikes in the summer, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and using low wattage light bulbs, it’s hard to identify where we could make more changes so the experience feels natural.

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Powerful Questions

2011-04-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

When we journey through life in a state of consciousness that is more awake and more aware, we begin to see the power behind the questions we ask. When we are able to ask not just the right questions but powerful questions, we open ourselves to achieving greater results and success.

I remember before becoming a mother how I would chuckle at friends who would get caught in circular conversations with their toddlers: you know, the “But why?” to every answer they provided. As I have become more aware, I realized the power behind the toddler’s intention. Children are like sponges and want to learn and soak up every piece of knowledge they can and by asking a “why” question to succeed in drawing out more information from the individual with whom they are engaged while remaining unsatisfied with the response, hence prompting the “but why” circular conversation. Now as adults we are able to ask more appropriate questions that draw out the exact knowledge we yearn to receive. We move beyond the “why” to the land of “how” and “what” questions.

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Surviving vs. Thriving: Can You Spot the Difference?

2011-04-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

We hear the buzz word “thrive” all over media outlets these days, but can you spot the difference in your own life between when you’re thriving and just surviving? One medical organization has been embracing the buzz word “thrive” for the last two or three years, and every time I hear or see its commercials, it definitely gives me goose bumps. The power behind thriving can move obstacles and challenges like giant earth movers clearing debris in a disaster area: quickly, efficiently and with great results.

What prevents us from moving from survival mode into truly thriving? There are organizations and individuals that are excelling at what they’re doing even in this challenging economic time. So how do they do it? What motivates them to continuously move forward and step into or stay in action?

Before answering, let’s take a look at an exam¬ple of what it means to be just surviving versus thriving in an area of our lives to which we all can relate: our physical wellness.

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A Teacher’s Philosophy

2011-04-10T16:54:00.001-07:00

Part of my own personal philosophy is that we carry the energy of both “student” and “teacher” within us, and depending on the experience or situation in which we find ourselves, one of these two energies becomes primary. We invoke our inner teacher when we have the need to pass along our knowledge, wisdom or a gold nugget to another; and when it is our time to listen, learn and embrace new information, our student self steps forward.

So the one question that yearns to be answered is, “What is my teaching philosophy?” Not sure? A great place to begin is to honestly acknowledge you have something of worth to pass along to another. Then begin to remind yourself of all the amazing ideas and experiences you have collected throughout your life while bringing in the perspective of a teacher. Begin to ask yourself what type of student might need to learn what you have to offer.

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Business and Your Education

2011-04-06T18:39:00.001-07:00

There isn’t a child in the world who hasn’t been asked the question, “So what do you want to be when you grow up?” And depending on their personal situation, external influences and experiences, their answer will change by the day. As we enter high school we become clearer about what drives us, fuels our spirit and motivates us to do better. The clock is ticking to choose a path for our lives, our careers and our futures. Entering college and choosing to complete your academic journey with a business degree always seems most desirable when we are looking to go into business for ourselves, climb the corporate ladder or just not sure about where we might be headed in life but still want to keep the most options open to ourselves. But as a small business owner, how does the integration of an individual’s educational focus and training impact her success—or does it?

There are those who believe if a student wants to succeed in the business world, then receiving an education in business is where she needs to begin her career. Her education in any subject matter will ultimately support her…

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Human Resource Management

2011-03-30T16:45:00.001-07:00

Every organization has a human resource department of its own. Regardless of the number of employees or members of an organization, the organization survives—and thrives—because of the capabilities and performance of its people. As a small business owner you may not have an official HR Department, but as the owner of the company you are ultimately responsible; you may not even have employees. Neither of these situations releases you of the necessity of thinking and organizing your company’s activities to ensure the policies and procedures you implement along the way support your success.

Human Resource Management (HRM) implements and manages recruitment, training, career and organizational development initiatives within an organization. The aim of HRM is to maximize the production of an organization by maximizing the effectiveness of its employees while simultaneously improving the work life of employees and treating employees as integral resources. As a small business owner with no employees, are you scratching your head as to how this is even applicable to you? HRM focuses on promoting personal development, employee satisfaction and compliance with employment-related laws. Still confused? Good. The purpose behind this article is to help you understand as a one-person-shop how HRM is critical to your overall success. Following are a few perspectives normally used by HRM and how they translate into small business.

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Five Steps to Improve Your Spiritual Health

2011-03-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

What does the term “spiritual health” mean? We all have our own perspective of what both “spiritual” and “health” mean in a general sense, but when we talk about spiritual health we define it as “a sense of wholeness.” For example, when we feel sick, we have two options: either we get better and recovered, or we don’t and complete our life cycle by finishing the connection with anything living. Some believe Spiritual Health is an art of healing: the ultimate medicine, a remedy that cures your inner sight as well as your spirit. There are those who believe it also provides you with the capacity of loving yourself unconditionally and reconnects you to your talents and gifts, which helps in feeling fulfilled with your life.

A healthy “spirit” does take a little extra effort, as it becomes a daily priority to embrace. In the beginning it is on your “to-do” list, but after a while it becomes second nature and a habit that for the most part you begin to do subconsciously. But what does that mean? Well, each day you will need to give spirit a top-level priority to do such actions as thinking positively or focusing on your successes and not your so-called failures. And your next question is most likely “Really? That simple, eh?” And my response in most instances is a simple yes. But it is not without effort and time before your perspective will shift to see it being just this simple.

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Basic Steps to Starting Your Own Business

2011-03-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

Got that entrepreneurial ability and spirit? You aren't alone. No matter if you are young, dynamic and enthusiastic or if you have been working at your J.O.B. for 20 years, motivated and willing to take a leap of faith—if you have an idea, concept or inspiration to go into business for yourself, then you are ready to set up your own business.

What will set you apart from others? Your thirst for success, your desire to bring your passion to life, and the dream of being your own boss. Learning to minimize your risks while getting to know your new industry and competitors is going to be one of your keys to success. People will tell you to be sure you get experience before you start, but the reality of the entrepreneur is you can acquire a certain amount of experience along the way as well as certain skill sets. What you need to have in your hip pocket from the get-go is self-belief along with trust in your concept and how it will impact your target market.

What I would like to share with you is the five basic steps that can help you more effectively kick-start your new business career:

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Can Eyes See Beyond the World?

2011-03-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Over the last several years I always have wondered about, toyed with and believed in our extrasensory perception in relation to my own personal views versus those individuals close to me as well as people in general. We know and read in the media both science and philosophy continuously grow and expand in the advancement of understanding human life. Today most if not all scientists and philosophers agree on the fact a human’s investigation of the world is limited. With saying this the intention is not to belittle humanity’s capability but to point out humanity is basically like a newborn who only feels, says, acts and receives that which comes from the world around him: his experiences. In all our scientific investigations, we are limited by our five senses. The result is any inventions created or those built in the future will be no exception and do not escape the limitations of our five senses. They merely widen the boundaries we associate with our senses. But does it truly end there, or is there a very real possibility that science one day will consider extrasensory perception as a legitimate part of the investigation process?

I realize how difficult it is or basically the impossibility that we struggle with being able to imagine or identify what our senses lack. Namely, what other additional sense we need in order to recognize the true reality around us, and is “my” reality going to be the same as “Jane Doe’s” reality? Do those who have not embraced the idea of a sixth sense or believe in its validity feel no lack for this, as we feel no lack of a sixth finger on our hands? That for which we feel no lack can never be something to which we would come to request, right? Therefore, all the investigations of our world are only according to our five senses, and thus we cannot begin to see, feel or understand what is beyond these five senses. These are the limitations of our conceptions. Following along this line of thought, if our imagination is the product of our five senses and the experiences that form them, how is it possible for us to ever imagine any object or creature that does not resemble that which is familiar to us from our five senses?

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Health Coaching?

2011-03-16T15:33:00.001-07:00

Coaching is one of the fastest growing industries. Recently an associate of mine quipped, “Yeah, the economy takes a downward turn and suddenly everyone is a coach of this, that or another.” At first I was taken aback, but then after some thought I realized that from one perspective that statement has some truth behind it. Over the last few weeks I made a conscious effort to keep an eye for how many coach-type emails, advertisements, etc., came my way. Let’s just say I stopped keeping count, which gave me cause for concern—especially when it comes to one particular area of coaching: Health Coaching.

We are given one body this lifetime, and to put the longevity and wellness of it in the hands of an individual who is not properly trained can be scary. Further, there is no real regulatory body overseeing the coaching industry. Yes, we have the International Coaching Federation and the International Association of Coaches that most certified coaches register themselves through, but I know that having a niche such as health coaching means there doesn’t seem to be any real criteria around how to discern a true health coach and one who went through a weekend crash course certification. Let’s take a few minutes to at least give you a few guidelines to look for when considering partnering with a health coach.

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Perfect Moment Monday: A Husband’s Insight

2011-03-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

My Perfect Moment for this week relates to being grateful for my husband. As a business owner, mom and wife, there are many things that weigh on our minds. At times it is easy to allow self-doubt to drain us, to divert our attention from the main reason why we make certain decisions.

The story begins when I was wide awake early one morning and my husband’s alarm clock went off. He asked why was I awake, and I said that I had been up with our son about an hour ago and couldn’t fall back to sleep. He immediately asked me what was I thinking about, and when I shared with him my over thinking a business situation, his response was, “I’d rather you be sleeping than worrying about that. No sleep and you’ll be no good to anyone!

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Attracting What You Don’t Want?

2011-03-11T15:26:00.001-08:00

Let’s begin at the beginning regarding the Law of Attraction: like attracts like. It is pretty much that simple, but for some we question all the “bad” or “ugly” in our lives and think, “I can’t possibly be attracting or wanting this in my life!” And for the most part, you would be right. On a conscious level we don’t call or request bad things to happen to us, but on a deeper, subconscious, soul level there may be a part of you that indeed called these experiences forward. The key then becomes asking the question, “Can your mind or thinking override this calling forward of negative experiences?” And the answer is yes, but and there is a big but here: you need to be fully active in your desires of what you are attracting. So, if you feel the Law of Attraction has not been working for you and you have been attracting things you do not want, chances are one of the following road blocks has been blocking your progress – all of which are on a subconscious level.

Wanting versus Believing
If you want something but do not truly believe you deserve it, the Universe will not be able to bring it to you. For instance, let’s say you want a happy and fulfilling relationship but suffer from low self-esteem/self-worth issues. You may not be able to attract the same into your life. It is important to understand that for the Law of Attraction to work, your beliefs and wants must not contradict each other—meaning that just because you say it is so does not make it so. Bringing your beliefs into alignment with your wants means you need to assess, address and accept. Assess your experiences from the past; address each situation from a learning perspective and accept the new perspective or lesson learned into your current belief system today.

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Perfect Moment Monday: A Bun in the Oven

2011-03-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week happened at 4:20 p.m. on Sat., March 5. There are really no words to describe this particular perfect moment, so I’ll let the video do the talking for me.

As some of you know, I am expecting our second child—a baby girl—and she is set to arrive on or around May 10. I am pleased to share with you our 3D/4D ultrasound that was done this past Saturday. It was the first time our son, who will be three in April, got to see and “meet” his new sister.

To see the video, please go here.

Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,

Karen

Time: How It Does Fly!

2011-03-06T23:46:00.000-08:00

Over the last few weeks I've begun to notice how quickly my son, who will turn three in April, has been developing and moving forward with his life’s journey, especially as my husband and I try to prepare him for the impending birth of a sister.

I realize he is the measure and the reminder that time does not stand still; no matter what we do, the clock continues to tick. We know we cannot turn back the hands of time, nor can we stop the sand from running through the hourglass. But we all feel the need to buy into the idea or notion that it is still possible, one way or another, right? Admit it. The commercials for those cosmetics for fading age spots have hit a nerve at some point. I know they have for me, and at the age of 39 I was still getting carded when buying alcohol at the liquor store! Which, by the way, I don’t mind one bit.

What if we just began to choose to live in the present? You know, like just focus on this exact moment. What does it mean? What does it hold for us? Am I learning something at this time? Or am I teaching someone a new nugget of wisdom?

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The Art of Meditation

2011-03-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Meditation an art? Well, in a sense, yes, meditation is an art. Just as with sketching, painting or drawing, meditation requires a certain amount of creative skill. We know meditation to be a practice or technique that those just starting out normally need the support of focusing on things such as a candle, their breath, a flower or a sound when they are unable to hold their concentration. It is when we take meditation to the next level we begin to embrace the creative element and artist essence of meditation.

Scientific studies have shown prayer or meditation supports a healthy lifestyle, and it is considered one of the best ways to reduce stress. Those practicing meditation on a regular basis know firsthand how meditation supports our ability to ease our minds’ activities, resulting in a more peaceful, calm and focused perspective. Basically, the human mind is the key to removing stress. With the help of meditation we feel calmer and more relaxed while gaining clarity and improved mental focus, which causes an increase in a sense of peace. As we meditate the number of random thoughts occurring diminishes, as does our attachment to those thoughts and our identification with them. This is because we are usually not aware of all the mental activity we are engaged in. As with any creative process in which we engage the ability to allow ourselves to just be is when our inner artist flourishes. Our ability to create from nothing is a skill with which we are all born, but only a few enable themselves to embrace it.

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A Face We All Know and Like: Mark Zuckerberg

2011-03-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

This month’s influential individual focus is Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, who was Named TIME’s Person of 2010. Need I say anymore? There isn’t a day, hour or minute that passes where something regarding Facebook doesn’t appear in mainstream media.

Amongst an elite few hundreds, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest of the world’s billionaires. When we think of ourselves at the age of 27, how we cannot be amazed at his genius and influence? Zuckerberg is different from those who inherited their billions because he started his own business and built it from ground up to reach the peak. If you’ve not seen the movie The Social Network, then I recommend it just for the sheer joy of watching how Facebook came to be. Well, and of course a few good laughs along the way.

Facebook’s founder was born on May 14, 1984, as Mark Elliot Zuckerberg. This shy and reserved child has an unparalleled brilliance, and according to Forbes magazine Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in the world for 2008 and the 35th richest person in the USA. Mark’s early years were…

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Employee Training and Development

2011-03-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

Employee development training is an essential part of the success of any company. Implementing specifically designed training programs to assist employees in keeping updated (as an example, with current technology) is part of any sound employee training program. It is also important for employers to identify those employees who have the ability to grow within the company and develop their skill sets to fill critical roles that will open in the future – also known as succession planning.

However, it is one thing to acknowledge employee training as vital and quite another to invest the time in developing a comprehensive training program into an already busy schedule.

A few preliminary steps a business owner or leader needs to take are identifying what needs or skills are required for each key position and understanding that the training ultimately enhances your business opportunities. A complete skills analysis to determine the real need for employee training will take care of this preliminary step. As a follow up, you will need to make sure the training opportunity you are providing will address the challenge you are targeting to solve and is, in fact, a basic training issue.

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Perfect Moment Monday: Down with the Sickness

2011-02-28T16:23:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week …

…is difficult to pinpoint. One rises to the top so the one glowing the brightest while looking back over the week was the moment when I made the decision to take a not just one sick day but three last week.

Nobody enjoys being sick. I know I certainly don’t like the sniffles, headaches, moodiness, congestion, etc. But last week both my toddler and I were sick with a cold. His was bad enough to keep him home from preschool for three days. These three days meant that I also was being asked to balance work with family. But half way through his first day home I was blessed with his cold when the symptoms began. I think they’re finally beginning to subside.

The perfect moment was about not just prioritizing my own health and family over work but being able to honestly acknowledge how much I enjoyed the one-on-one time with my son. Was I stressed about not working and…

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Fitness and the Working Mom

2011-02-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

Is what seems the impossible really possible?

We are inundated with fitness tips – the quick fix, the fast track, the best diet pill – and metabolism boosters, and the hot subject lines keep on rolling. But how effective are they, and for those moms who work full or part time, how do you fit it in while keeping any sanity about yourself?

Difficult? Yes! Impossible? No! Challenging? Yes! Impractical? No!

We can banter about what excuses override the benefits till the cows come home. But in the end, it all boils down to how important being physically healthy is to you personally. This doesn’t mean being an example to other mothers or your children but rather to yourself. You’re your mental health and your longevity of life as well as the quality of life you are living.

Prioritizing physical exercise (even 15 minutes three times a week) can seem absolutely impossible to those working mothers who also act as a roller coaster behind their children all day. It doesn’t mean the fitness isn’t important to them; it shows us they put a higher value on their children than their own well-being. The fitness tips they read are not necessarily wrong; they are just not right for them. One of the challenges that exists among the mothers who have a completely scheduled calendar is that they forget to put in time for themselves BEFORE scheduling their children’s hectic schedules. It isn’t even that these moms don’t want to change their routine. Even if the changes are highly beneficial to them, they just don’t see the value in themselves great enough to make physical exercise a priority.

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Skills of a Successful Entrepreneur

2011-02-23T15:35:00.000-08:00

So you want to go into business for yourself, do you? Well, there are a few skills every successful entrepreneur needs to either have himself or the resources (both monetary and human) available to him. We are not all born to entrepreneurship; and even if we grow up in an entrepreneurial family setting, we still need to have a certain amount of drive and basic skills to achieve success.

It is a given that successful entrepreneurs need to begin their journey of being in business for themselves with a certain degree of courage combined with the ability to plan before entering into the business world—let alone meet or exceed the challenges they will face. The following are eight basic skills you need to achieve success as an entrepreneur.

#1: Value

The first and the foremost skill before embarking into business for yourself is to ensure you will be providing value: value to customers, the industry, vendors as well as to yourself. Once you enter the business world, you will face tremendous challenges and a new competitor at every turn. It is important to try to discover new ideas of promotions and do what others are not providing to your target market. It will be important to work hard to maintain your value on a scale that is equal to or greater than your competitors.

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Perfect Moment Monday: Precious Post

2011-02-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week …

…was receiving a spontaneous card in the mail from a friend who is also a client.

I enjoy getting the mail, as it always seems like Christmas morning. You know there will be a little of this and a little of that, but you just never know when there will be that surprise gift—wrapped in just ordinary paper, no special bow or ribbon to set it apart. But when you open it, the gift is larger than the box in which it was put. The power of love contained in the gift turned a simple gratitude card from a friend into the best moment of the week and is certainly in the running for the best moment of the month!

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Decoding the “Moon Diet”

2011-02-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

Over a year ago I made the decision to replace the term “diet” with the term “fuel plan” for the simple reason that there is so much negativity associated with the word diet that it becomes difficult for you, me or anyone to get past the idea that a diet can actually be healthy. When we refer to our nutritional habits and choices as a fuel plan, we bring in the energy of support. When we eat we support our physical body and our health. We need fuel for our bodies to move, grow, heal and thrive. I’d like to focus today on looking at one fad diet – and yes, I am using the word “diet” here because again it is truly a “fad” and not anything that is sustainable for the long haul: the Moon Diet. This diet or program is believed to help in weight loss. It involves following a 24-hour liquid fuel plan in sync with the moon phases.

As most of you know, I personally support the power of the moon and her phases, believing we are able to call upon this supportive energy to support our personal growth and well-being. But I stop when we are asking our physical bodies to take “hit” for our egos. To be fair, though, knowing about the program can help empower you to make wise choices when it comes to proper nutrition.

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Your Money Personality

2011-02-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

Does prosperity have anything to do with your “money personality”? Apparently, yes! Your money personality defines your attitude toward money, and that essentially determines your financial behavior – making decisions regarding putting funds into savings for another a day, into retirement, spending on necessities versus desired purchases. Knowing your money personality as a small business owner can help you identify and overcome any potential losses that could negatively impact your ability to succeed in business.

Over the course of time, I’ve learned there are four basic types of money personalities. The following is a list of the most common personality types as well as the typical behavior patterns associated with them.

Money Hoarders These are people who do not like taking risks with their investments. They prefer to keep their money locked in a savings account and tend to be small spenders.

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Perfect Moment Monday: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

2011-02-14T14:37:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week …

…was having my husband arrive home safe and sound from a 10-day business trip.

I consider myself fortunate, as he could be traveling a lot more than he has been. As safe as traveling is these days, when his flight is delayed or canceled due to airplane issues I can’t help but get butterflies in my stomach. So when he arrived safely Friday evening—albeit seven hours late—both my son and I couldn’t have been happier.

Today is Valentine’s Day. Well, I got the best valentine a few days early…

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The Dreaded Double Chin

2011-02-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

The dreaded double chin is an “Ack!” moment we’ve all encountered at one point or another when we look pictures. It doesn’t matter how physically fit we might be, because the camera angle, how we are sitting, where we are looking, etc., can herald its appearance. Most of us know the trick of sticking our chins out to make our necklines look thinner, but in the end the perfect “candid” shot this trick is not option. So what might be able to help offset the Dreaded Double Chin?

Spot exercising is a difficult thing to achieve, especially if you are not doing any aerobic exercises. But it is recognized that we can support certain areas by exercising those muscles regularly. We also need to remember obesity and hereditary are the two main causes of chin fat that give us the double chin. While not much can be done about genetic factors, if obesity is the reason, you may find the following facial exercises useful to help reduce the amount of fat stored in your neckline.

The first is one we’ve been introduced to before: head rotations. Rotate your head from side to side five…

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Bach Flower Essences

2011-02-10T17:38:00.000-08:00

Part of my practice includes the use of supportive elements such as Flower Essences. My personal preference is Perelandra flower essences, but that doesn’t mean one of the leaders in the industry, Bach, is no less effective or valuable to the user. It is because of this I wanted to share with you some information regarding Bach Flower Essences specifically. Each of us is unique and therefore needs to know that what works for one may or may not work for another. We each have the power of choice, and I’d like to empower you to choose which flower essence supplier is best for you.

Due to the popularity of Bach, Flower Essence Therapy is commonly known or referred to as Bach Flower Therapy (after its founder Dr. Edward Bach). The therapy involves the use of essences of 38 healing herbs to treat physical and mental ailments.

According to flower essence therapy philosophy, physical and mental illnesses are the result of energy imbalances in our body. These imbalances could be the result of trauma or emotional hurt, disassociation from our life purpose, emotional disconnect, etc.

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A Look into Business Psychologists

2011-02-09T15:17:00.000-08:00

Choosing the right career path is becoming a bigger than life challenge–not only for those in the midst of completing their education, but also for those who are seeking a greater challenge in life or who have the desire to switch careers. Nevertheless, there are jobs that are still quite in demand, and there are many articles and blogs dedicated to highlighting the most sought-after careers as well as the ones that are the fastest growing.

One such career choice that has little focus is business psychology. Not everyone has heard of this, nor do they have any idea what a business psychologist does. Essentially, a business psychologist focuses on maximizing the primary asset of a company: its people. This is achieved by recognizing the impact behavioral issues have on the bottom line of any enterprise and creating the most synergistic balance through education, information and teamwork.

Business psychology operates at four different levels.

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Doctor Brian Weiss

2011-02-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

Are our souls indeed immortal? Do we really live many lives? Is our life on earth a part of the journey of the soul toward absolution? Are the memories of our past lives really buried somewhere within the recesses of our subconscious mind? Can those cellular memories actually be the source of our current life problems?

Dr. Brian Weiss, a noted psychiatrist and the most well-known proponent of past life regression therapy, has been addressing these and several similar questions through his books and seminars. He has also treated and cured several of his patients using Past Life Regression Therapy.

His journey started when one his patients, Catherine, started recalling her past life memories during an age regression session. Predictably, his first reaction was skepticism; however, when Catherine started channeling messages from his dead son and told him things only he and his wife knew, Weiss couldn’t help but be intrigued. With Catherine’s permission, he continued her treatment using regression techniques. She recalled several other memories of her past lives that had left an imprint on her psyche, and within a few months of starting the treatment…

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Protecting a Business Idea

2011-02-03T17:46:00.000-08:00

You’ve got the next big business solution – congratulations! How do you know someone, even with the best of intention, doesn’t share it with another who decides to take it and run with it? Or you want to share the idea with a few friends to get their feedback on its value, potential or viability but still want to protect what you’ve created. These are a few questions we are often asked by clients because they want to know how to protect their ideas.

The best way and most secure way, of course, is to keep the idea to yourself. But seriously, it is a sincere recommendation since most often people talk about their ideas to brag, brainstorm, and make themselves feel as if they are adding to discussions—which in the end can hurt you and your potential business idea. And to be honest, these are not good or even great reasons to disclose information you want kept confidential. However, barring total secrecy, having a Confidentiality Agreement can help protect your ideas. But what if you don’t have a Confidentiality Agreement in place or want to put one into place? The following will be helpful as a guide to making your way through the sea of opportunity.

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Energy Drinks: Cons Outweigh the Pros

2011-01-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

Energy drinks have become extremely popular among the young, and why not? After all, they promise increased mental alertness, better physical performance and a general feel-good effect! The problem, however, is that unless these drinks are consumed carefully and in moderation, the negative side effects start outweighing their benefits.

On their own, energy drinks usually don’t cause any harm (provided you pay attention to the health warnings printed on them) unless they are consumed excessively or mixed with other ingredients.

Excessive Consumption
The first question obviously is how do you define excessive consumption? Generally, two or three drinks a day are considered excessive—even more so if one has a sedentary lifestyle. The following is a list of some of the most common side effects of excessive consumption.

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Understanding Intrapreneurship

2011-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

Not everyone is fortunate enough to give wings to her entrepreneurial pursuits due to lack of capital and other resources. The concept of “intrapreneurship” comes to the rescue of such individuals. Intrapreneurship is basically practicing entrepreneurship within the confines of an organization. Intrapreneurship works well for various reasons—the foremost being that unlike entrepreneurial ventures, there is no substantial risk involved. Intrapreneurs are employed by an organization for a fixed remuneration and are involved with generating new ideas and converting them into profitable ventures with financial support and other help from the organization.

Difference between Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship
There are certain similarities and differences between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Like an entrepreneur, even an intrapreneur exhibits characteristics such as independence, conviction, vision, passion to fulfil his dreams, etc. Entrepreneurs make their own decisions, whereas…

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Perfect Moment Monday: Thanking Employees

2011-01-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week included the company of some wonderful friends and watching my husband be a shining example of what makes not just a good leader but a great leader. Every year my husband likes to acknowledge those who work for him. He realizes that saying “thank you” throughout the year means a lot to motivating his employees, but he chooses to show them by inviting them over to our home for dinner twice a year. For some individuals this seems like he is going over the top to show his gratitude and that it is a lot to ask of me to host with him. In reality, I fully support this show of gratitude and really enjoy socializing with these individuals.

This past Saturday was for those who report directly to him and was a celebration of 2010: the successes, the challenges, the laughs and the frustrations. My husband, Jerry, puts a lot of thought into the evening; the gift bags they each receive are meant for not just the employee but are meant to be shared with their supporting spouses. Jerry recognizes that for his employees to truly give their all at work, their spouses or partners play key roles and therefore are not just invited but are part of his decision regarding the theme of the gift bag. This year we did “martini” themed gift bags. The idea was to provide each of his employees the opportunity to celebrate one evening with their partners a successful day.

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Law of Attraction and Attracting the Right Clients

2011-01-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

All of us involved in either running our own businesses or who work in a field that requires any type of selling know the importance of attracting or bringing forward not just clients but the right client. The right clients are those individuals who need/want your product or service and are ready to invest.

The Law of Attraction has several practical applications. Once you are well-versed in its theoretical aspects, it isn’t difficult to apply it to various real life situations. In this instance of attracting the right clients, you want to do that so you can derive greater satisfaction from your work and generate more profits. The underlying key to successfully using the Law of Attraction is your being clear in what your client likes and feels as well as what motivates her to step into the action of investing with you, today.

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Managing Employee Turnover

2011-01-19T17:15:00.000-08:00

Employee turnover is a huge concern in certain industries and is one of the main reasons for sleepless nights among managers. Turnover is simply the superficial problem; the crux of the problem is much deeper. What really needs to be studied and analyzed is the reason behind the high turnover rate of an organization. There can be various reasons that may induce employees to switch jobs: lucrative offers by other companies, long working hours, stress at work, inadequate training and development, fewer growth opportunities, etc.

Understanding Employee Turnover
A high turnover rate obviously has serious side effects such as increased expenditures and efforts in hiring and training as well as a greater risk of information leakage.

As we have already discussed, there can be several reasons for a high turnover rate; the most alarming ones are what are commonly called “dysfunctional turnovers.” These refer to cases wherein talented and hardworking employees decide to leave the organization.

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Crystal Therapy: Choosing and Managing Crystals

2011-01-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

To follow up on the blog posted back in June 2010 entitled “Crystal Therapy: Just the Basics,” I wanted to share with you the following supportive elements when it comes to continuing to learn to use and work with crystals in your daily life. We need to remember that crystals are not static or inert rocks; rather, they vibrate with natural energy that is believed to have great healing potential. However, in order to properly harness the energy of crystals, it is important not only to pick the right ones but you also to know how to cleanse and maintain them.

Choosing Crystals
In crystal therapy, stones are placed either on the body or kept in a room so their energy can be used to heal various physical and mental ailments. You need to keep these two factors in mind while choosing your crystals.

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The Pros and Cons of Running a Small Business

2011-01-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that when it comes to business, each business and industry ultimately has its own language of sorts. The term “small business” is no different. It holds different meanings in different countries depending on each country’s criteria for classifying a business as “small.” Convenience stores, accountants, hair salons, restaurants, lawyers, small scale manufacturing: they all fall under the category of small businesses. Small businesses can, in general terms, be defined as private enterprises with limited number of employees and relatively low turnover.

Advantages of Running a Small Business
Small businesses have certain advantages to capitalize on, such as low investment, which also means low risks. As a small business owner, you are the boss and therefore accountable for the decisions you make; further, you’re not answerable to anybody. This sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? It can also be daunting and overwhelming at the best of times.

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Perfect Moment Monday: Confronting Communication Challenges

2011-01-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week …

…was by far the gratitude I felt when a woman with whom I was having lunch hired me to consult with her on organizing and structuring her business to include investors willing to participate in the vision she holds pertaining to education.

The lunch was actually the first time I met her in person, and the purpose was to strategize for an upcoming presentation at which we would be co-presenting. We know each other only by name through a common friend who is organizing the event for her own clients. Living in the space of gratitude never ceases to amaze me. Truly embracing this space is definitely challenging at the best of times, knowing that trust in one’s self is the foundation upon which gratitude stands—but the rewards are tremendous.

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Depression and Pregnancy

2011-01-07T15:46:00.000-08:00

A lot of women experience symptoms of depression in varying degrees during their pregnancy. In fact, according to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, around 10% of pregnant women tend to suffer from major depression and around 20% experience some symptoms of depression during their pregnancy. While under normal circumstances anti-depressants may be prescribed to people suffering from depression, there is a chance that prescribing the same to pregnant women may affect the health of the child adversely.

The following non-invasive therapies are therefore considered more suitable for treating depression in pregnant women.

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Training and Development Benefits and Techniques

2011-01-05T15:25:00.000-08:00

Training and developing human assets are among the most important responsibilities of any HR department. After all, it is essential for an organization to adapt itself to the ever-changing business scenario if it wants to grow and expand in the long run.

Apart from this obvious benefit, there are several other goals that good training and development practices can help an organization achieve. The following are a few of the benefits.

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Vince Lombardi

2011-01-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

I enjoy quite a few activities and was active as a child and teenage with sports such as baseball, track, figure skating and volleyball, to name a few. I was definitely a tom boy, as they say. In college when completing my degree in Health and Fitness, it was part of our academic requirement to learn the rules and social impact of all the major sports in both Canada and the United States. In one of my anatomy classes, I choose to write a paper on the instances of neck injuries leading to paralysis or partial paralysis in the game of football. It was in my research for this paper I was introduced to a very inspirational man I and most sports enthusiast know: Vince Lombardi.

Lombardi’s quotes and inspirations are profound in more than just a sporting application; most of the following quotes can be embraced by business professionals and students alike. Here are a few of my favorites.

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Perfect Moment Monday: Baby of Mine

2011-01-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week …

...was spending 45 minutes with an ultrasound technician and my husband while she measured, zoomed in, zoomed out, and moved the wand around my abdomen, trying to keep up with the very active 21-week-old baby growing beautifully in my uterus. Needless to say, there were many perfect moments. But to name just a few: 1) watching and hearing the heart beat steadily at 130 beats per minute; 2) watching the baby flip, roll, kick and wave; and 3) finding out we will be welcoming a sister for our 2 ½-year-old son in May 2011!

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Breakfast: Kick Start Your Day

2010-12-31T16:03:00.000-08:00

You must have heard that a good, healthy breakfast in the morning can keep you alert and active throughout the day. Children do better in school and our physical health improves as well, as it is a great way to start the day in a state of nurturing ourselves in a positive manner. But the vital question that begs to be asked is, “What exactly does this healthy breakfast consist of?” The following are some tried and tested suggestions.

Balance between fats, protein and carbohydrates is critical, so when choosing what to eat ensure your breakfast does not contain more than one element from among oil, sweets and fats—especially if you are trying to lose weight. When choosing a fat element, stick to nuts, almonds, flaxseeds or other food containing Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids also carry EFA that can help improve your mental alertness and even IQ.

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Debt v. Equity Financing

2010-12-29T15:56:00.000-08:00

When entrepreneurs begin to think about either going into business for themselves or taking their business to the next level, the financial and money concerns become the main challenge to address and/or overcome.

Debt and equity are the two main financing options from which most businesses can choose. Debt financing in simple terms means borrowing funds for the business for a fixed period of time at an interest rate pre-determined at the time of borrowing. Equity financing, on the other hand, refers to the capital raised for a company by selling common stock to individual or institutional investors. It leads to sharing of ownership in the business, depending on the amount invested. The following is a brief introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of both debt financing and equity financing.

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EFT and the Law of Attraction

2010-12-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

We have discussed previously how our limiting beliefs and emotional blocks prevent the law of attraction from working. Getting these beliefs and blocks out of our system, however, is something with which most of us get stuck. If you are in a similar situation as well, you may find EFT useful.

EFT, or Emotional Freedom Technique, is a simple yet effective healing process that can help you release negative beliefs and blocks from your system. The philosophy behind EFT is that our bodies contain pathways through which the life force energy flows; negative emotions create blocks in these pathways, thus interfering with free flow of the life force energy. EFT involves tapping on these pathways while focusing on the negative beliefs we want to release. I know this exercise sounds too simplistic to be effective, but it has managed to produce amazing results for many people who have tried it.

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Plant Growth and Moon Phases

2010-12-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

Even though as I am writing this we are nearing the end of the year, it is the time at which most gardeners begin to think about the upcoming year and what seeds they would like to plant in early spring. There are many cultures in different parts of the world that share common beliefs about the effect of moon phases on the growth of plants. Farmers in several remote rural areas still swear by moon phases. It is believed that the moon’s gravitational force, lunar light as well as the zodiac sign that the moon is in all play a crucial role in plant development.

To support that inner gardener in you, here are few of those lunar gardening/planting beliefs to help you prepare for your spring planting.

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Tai Chi and Your Health

2010-12-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

Tai Chi is a popular form of exercise based on the principles of martial arts. I personally do not practice Tai Chi, but I have always been intrigued by it. It has been recommended by a few health consultants for me to pick up, but like most people it is finding the time and energy to find space in my calendar. I hope one day to bring it up on my priority list. In my reading and interest level, I thought it would be interesting to share what I do know about Tai Chi with you in hopes that maybe through my writing and sharing I may one day get closer to embracing this practice.

What I have learned is that Tai Chi combines breathing and relaxation techniques with low-impact physical movements. Its roots can be traced to both the ancient Indian practice of yoga and a martial arts-like technique practiced by the Taoist monk Chang Sang Feng in ancient China.

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Human Resources: Employee Engagement

2010-12-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

Employees are the key differentiating factor in any organisation. After all, they are often the ones who are instrumental in giving an organization an edge over its competitors. It is therefore essential for HR departments to ensure employees stay fully committed and motivated while performing their responsibilities; in other words, they must use effective Employee Engagement strategies.

Five Categories of Employee Engagement
Employee Engagement is a measure of how emotionally attached employees are to their organization and how passionate they are about their job and responsibilities. According to HR Anexi’s survey, employees tend to fall into one of the following five categories in terms of their engagement.

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Perfect Moment Monday: Season of Joy

2010-12-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

My Perfect Moment for this week …

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I am not sure if it is all the glittery lights hanging from roof tops, the increased level of “happiness” in people, or the idea of buying and wrapping gifts to give to loved ones and those who’ve made a difference. This past week was filled with moments of purely enjoying the season of giving.

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