Winning Strategies

1-2-3 Schedule AWAY! It is TIME...

The end of the year is here.  It is time to look at 2012 and schedule your personal time, vacation time, days off for the kids' birthdays, anniversarys and other important events.  If you do not schedule the events ahead of time, chances are that you will not have schedule availability to 'be there' when the event time comes up.

Vacations are easier to take if you have BOOKED the time off on your calendar.  Take a moment NOW to book some days off.  Enter the days into your schedule and think about what you could do with some of the time off.  DREAM a little.  Let your mind wander to places that you'd love to visit and possible ideas for adventures for 2012.

If you'd like to attend a sporting event for the high school, a college game, or a pro event- - - book a slot off on your calendar.  Even if the date doesn't end up being exactly right, it will remind you to book the event when the date comes along.

Those who fail to plan, plan to fail- you've heard the saying.  If you do not PLAN your days off, you will FAIL at getting the events scheduled.  So, PLAN a few events BEFORE the year even rolls around.  PLAN the events BEFORE 2012 even STARTS. 

My Eleven Favorite Things of 2011

It is that time again, the end of 2011, where I get to share my TOP eleven favorite things of 2011.  The components of this list score high scores for most memorable, most enjoyable, most beneficial, most helpful, and my favorite things of the year.

#1. Movie Courageous:  http://www.courageousthemovie.com/  Available on DVD January 17th, 2012, this movie moves hearts and minds, leaving the viewer moved into action, watching dads  step up and become courageous dads.

62% of mother's raising children alone are not getting support from the fathers.  It is a silent epidemic.

Watch the movie Courageous to enjoy a great story with a message of dedication, love and support for dads everywhere!

 

#2.  Duncan Hines Decadent Carrot Cake:  http://duncanhines.com/decadent-glazes  A complete delight to the tastebuds, Duncan Hines has created a decadent carrot cake (and a chocolate cake) that tastes good enough to challenge even the best chef's recipes.  This cake in a box and the drizzle frosting that accompanies it, creates for  the home bakers everwhere, a quick solution to amazing cakes at home.

They hit it out of the park with this one.  Thank you Duncan Hines!

 

#3.  RevitaLash:  http://www.revitalash.com/revitalash-products/revitalash-eyelash-conditioner

I am amazed by RevitaLash and it's ability to lengthen and thicken lashes.  I hesitated to believe that it would really work, but discovered within about 3 weeks it's extraordinary ability to lenghthen and thicken lashes.  I immediately bought a tube for my daughter and she experienced similar results.  Wow, great product, great results.

#4.  XOBNI:  Make your inbox smarter with Xobni.  http://www.xobni.com/download/outlook
I enjoy reading email on my desktop more now that I've downloaded Xobni.  I enjoy the ability to see pictures of the senders, and its ability to aggregate emails and track emails to/from the senders. 

#5.  Hulu Plus:  http://www.hulu.com/plus?src=sem-plus-google&cmp=205&gclid=CPrH-t3xoK0CFeJdTAodIwg0qw  Nothing makes traveling for work easier than access to Hulu Plus on the Ipad 1 or 2.  It allows access to television shows that you missed, allowing easy access on the go.  New wifi access on airplanes makes it possible to watch your favorite television shows on the airplane, even at 30,000 feet in the air. 

#6.  Logitech Keyboard for Ipad 2:  http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Keyboard-Case-iPad-2/dp/B00512W4Y2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1324942352&sr=8-3  I find my Ipad 2 much easier to take to meetings and use for note taking and work with a blue tooth keyboard.  I LOVE using a keyboard with the Ipad and it has enabled easy use for traveling without having to lug around my PC.

#7.  Jeb Blount's Women in Sales Webinars:  As much as I love www.salesgravy.com, I love Jeb Blount's Women in Sales Webinars even more.  He has put together a great collection of resources to equip women in sales.  Making them easily available from your desktop, you can learn inbetween loads of work on your desktop.  http://salesgravy.com/women_in_sales/

#8.  Renting Travel Videos/Television episodes on my Ipad:  Preparing for a vacation is sometimes better than taking the vacation itself.  But nothing has made preparation easier than the ability to search for television episodes of travel locations and download them on your ipad for viewing while traveling.  I am planning a trip to Machu Picchu and was amazed to find 3 separate television episodes on the location.  Each episode was about $1.99.  Great use of technology, and fantastic way to explore the location. 

#9.  Google Places:  I love Google Places.  http://www.google.com/places/  Not only does it allow you to get your businesses found on Google, but it also allows people to rate businesses.  It has made it easier to find small businesses and see ratings. 

#10.  Amazon's Top Listing:  I love Amazon's rankings and suggestions for books.  I don't think I'm tainted because my book hit the 'top' list, but I could be.  Thanks amazon for your Top Listings.  I love them!

#11.  Coffee on the go via Starbucks Via:  I fly around the country visiting clients as well as vacationing around the world.  http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/via  The new ready brew from Starbucks allows me to grab my favorite Starbucks coffee, while sitted at my desk at work, on an airplane, or even in a hotel room in Singapore.  Fabuloso.  Thank you Starbucks for making life so easy for someone to enjoy a cup of java.

As you embark upon 2012, take a moment to enjoy a few of my favorite things!  Happy New Year.

Christmas in Art

In 1375, Robert Campin painted this scene entitled 'The Nativity'.  The number of portraits of Christ's birth that have been painted over the years amaze me.  It was one of the amazing things I noticed while perusing the Louvre' in Paris several years ago. 

As you set out with family to enjoy the occasion, don't forget the reason for the season.  

Wishing you and yours a very happy and relaxing Christmas. 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Motivation, Inspiration, ACTION (Next Week)- - Pause a Bit Today

Feeling a little droopy?  If you were one of the seven dwarfs, what would your name be?  Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, or Dopey?  The holidays tend to keep us in a flurry of activities until we are ready to drop.  We hustle and bustle around, almost too busy to enjoy family, friends, and time together.

As you embark upon Christmas, stop for a moment to enjoy the season.  Pause to reflect on all that you have been blessed with.  Kiss those you love and say the things that are often left unsaid.  It is a difficult time to S-L-O-W down a bit, but try desperately to do JUST THAT!

If you can manage a few short breaks, a little PAUSE in your activity level, you will see the vivid color and warmth all around you.

Leave tomorrow for motivation, inspiration and action.  Take a little time today to pause, rest, and enjoy time with family and friends.  Merry Christmas!

Bring Thanksgiving into Christmas

The kids are home for Christmas break.  Yesterday I made my youngest watch 'It's a Wonderful Life'.  I love that movie.  How many times do we see the world through eyes that don't 'see', how many times do we judge our circumstances through minds that don't 'remember', and how many times do we allow ourselves to be sad when we have everything to be 'thankful' and satisfied for?  Too many times.  That is the answer.  Way too many times.

No matter where this holiday season finds you, take a moment to alter your perspective and appreciate the things that you don't 'see', the things you don't 'remember', and the things that you should be thankful for.

We have a way of remembering only the bad, and forgetting the good.  Make a concerted effort to focus on the things in your life that you have to be thankful for.

The list may be longer than you might think.  My list starts out like this:  electricity, toiletts, health, family, a roof over my head, a job, people that I love to work with, amazing friends, a great church home, beautiful children, car that runs, food to eat, parents that are still alive and doing well, neices and nephews, fun activities I get to engage in (writing books and speaking), an amazing husband, clothes, heat , flooring, ability to walk through the streets without walking through sewage, medical care, sunshine, trees, gorgeous grandchild, brother, and the list could go on and on and on.

Make your list! When everyone is scurrying around and preparing for Christmas, make a list of the things that you are thankful for.  In my mind, I can take myself back to the village in Africa that i wakled through.  I can see the hungry children, and the huts, I can smell the smells, and see the poverty.  I can feel the emotions of the people around me.  In my mind I can travel back to that small village in Africa and remind myself EXACTLY all the things we have to be thankful for. 

Bring Thanksgiving into your Christmas.  Remember your blessings.

 

The Wedding Day

The wedding day came and went. It was an amazing day. We had Heather's wedding at Piazza in the Village in Colleyville, Texas (http://www.piazzainthevillage.com/). The venue was fantastic. The church was a stone's throw away from the reception hall. There was more than one hall to choose from, and we choose the one that fit our needs perfectly.

The bride's suite has a television with a video that showed us the guests as they arrived.  We then had a chance to watch the grandparents and parents being seated, and watch the wedding party walk into the church.  It was a fun way to start off the event.

I had hired a makeup/hair artist, Juan,  to do Heather's hair and makeup as well as Mom & I's.  He was amazing. He created the most amazing hair/makeup for us- the best look I've ever seen.  It was surreal.

Heather's best friends since 3rd grade were there to stand up with her, Alex and Tara.  Here is their 'BEFORE' picture:

AND, here is their 'AFTER' picture:

We loved the hall.  Photos of the bride and groom were in frames around the room.  We enjoyed an amazing dinner, dancing, and fun. The DJ rocked the house, and we had a tremendous amount of fun.  Heather and Brian's friends were a blast, and they rocked the house with their dancing, singing and fun.

What an amazingly great day!  The bride looked amazing, as did the groom.  The wedding party was dressed to the nines, and all had a great time.  

Congratulations Brian & Heather!  Wishing you a great life together.  We love you.

Wedding Bliss

My little baby girl is getting married on Saturday.  It is hard to imagine that she has grown up to be a woman, and that it is time for her to start her life and begin to make a family of her own.

I remember being that age, in my early twenties, and all the hope and expectation that we had as we started off to start a life together.

Life sends you down a twisty curvy path of highs and lows, and I can only hope for them a fabulous future filled with love and family.

As we prepare for the big day, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of planning, details, and ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch on the day to come.  I wonder if there is ever another day in a couples life that they spend that much time planning.  I don't even think we plan that much for vacations that we take. 

I wish for the kids an amazing and fruitful life, filled with love, compassion, unending patience and persistence, and all that they have ever dreamed of their lives to be.

I Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

How Smart Women Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace

Want to know how to stand out? Want to stand apart from the crowd?

If you'd like to learn how to utilize your brand for greater success, you can listen to a taped SalesGravy sponsored branding webinar at https://sharpercontentwebinars.ilinc.com/perl/ilinc/lms/vc_launch.pl?activity_id=krvwbpy&user_id=   at your leisure.  Find a time that works for you, sit down, get comfortable, and listen to this webinar in the comfort of your cozy bed or home office.

I want to see you to succeed.  Let me know what steps you've taken along your branding journey.

To purchase an electronic copy of the book, you can find it on the Sales Gravy website:  http://www.salesgravy.com/shop/product.php?productid=16674&cat=0&page=2