Winning Strategies

Are You Safe? New Apps May Threaten Your Security

What if people knew EXACTLY where you were when you were out on the town.  That would be a little scarey, wouldn't it? Well, that is exactly what the app 'Girls Around Me' offers to any potential person that chooses to download it.

They can see where you've checked in and, in map formatted view, know EXACTLY where to find you.  I can't imagine that this is a safe way to 'hit the town'.  See article at

http://www.cultofmac.com/157641/this-creepy-app-isnt-just-stalking-women-without-their-knowledge-its-a-wake-up-call-about-facebook-privacy/?utm_campaign=spread-us?ref=linkedin

It gives the user everything they need to know about you.  Where you are, what you look like, your full name, and even what you like and don't like.  All a potential predator would have to do is go to your location, pretend to know you, mention key information about you from your facebook site, and potentially risk a threat to your security.

I agree with the writer of the article, and i quote, " This is an app you should download to teach the people you care about that privacy issues are real, that social networks like Facebook and Foursquare expose you and the ones you love, and that if you do not know exactly how much you are sharing, you are as easily preyed upon as if you were naked. I can think of no better way to get a person to realize that they should understand their Facebook privacy settings then pulling out this app."

Be careful ladies!  Danger lurking.

Women- A Winning Combination at Work

It isn't just because I'm a woman that I see the value of a diversified workforce. The statistics are clear. " Businesses with more women in senior positions MAKE MORE MONEY" (from Womeneconomics, page 9, paragraph 3). Women see things differently , and that variable view helps to round out the thinking and decisions for organizations. After all, statistics show that women make 80% of the buying decisions.  

Rather than confidently bringing value to your organizations and working to bring forth new ideas and innovative thinking- many of you are hiding in the shadows, afraid of bringing forth your insight and talent. You are doubtful about your abilities, and your lack of confidence is keeping you from your full potential. You keep your ideas quiet, and you are fearful of rejection or failure. This isn't just happening with women- even the men are writing in with this same 'confidence is keeping me from working to my full potential' problem.

Every great success story starts with a long trail of failures. One could surmise that you cannot reach a pinnacle of success without failures paving your path along the way. Why not launch off on a path, being true to yourself and 'risk' a little?  

Challenge yourself to push for new heights. Go ahead and introduce new ideas. Speak up about your thoughts. Dare to have a voice. You will be surprised at your results. You will find more satisfaction with your job.

One thing my co-workers wouldn't say about me is that i remain silent. My CEO would laugh if you asked him what i thought about this or that. He knows. He knows my position because I make it a point to share my perspective. I don't mind if the company
doesn't always take my position, but I am willing to weigh in.

I didn't always speak up. Actually, at my high school reunion, I learned that I was shy in high school (that is hard for my friends to imagine) (laugh). I use to hide in the shadows as many of you still do. I use to live in fear of someone rejecting my ideas, or the effects of turning down the wrong assignment or not staying late enough at the office.  

Now, my schedule is ruled by both my priorities and a strong personal desire to bring immense value to my employer. I'm not focused on the burden of what I MUST do, but I am focused on what tasks I can do to change the game and how I can bring the most value. Are you more focused on what someone thinks of you leaving early one day for a kids soccer game than the RESULTS of your efforts? Focus on results and all else will fall into place. Be willing to speak up, and take a few risks. Taking risks combined with a developed confidence will add up to a better you at work.

PS- go to your kids soccer game!!!

Start Something for a Boy or Girl Today

Ever thought that this may be a good time to start something?  Maybe a good time to start something BIG?  Ever considered becoming a BIG sister or BIG brother to a child that could use a little of your time and commitment?

Now may be the right time.  Watch these motivating stories online:  http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.7932445/k.8399/Start_Something_Web_Series.htm

 

 

It's not about you.  It is not about the work waiting for you on your desk, or the LONG list of TO DO's that you feel that you HAVE to get done.  That all adds up to a pile of wood, hay, and stubble.  It all erodes away.  Relationships that you invest in are really the only thing that stands the test of time, and lasts beyond rust, age, and changing fashions.

If you're reading this, there is a reason.  If you are feeling a 'tug' to volunteer or donate, do it.  Life is about what YOU DO and what you DON'T DO, not about what you thought you'd get around to.

Create a legacy that changes the world around you.  Years ago when I started my online encouraging website and blog, my motto was simply 'Encouraging Women to Change the World'.  As I begin to get more male readers, I changed it to 'Encouraging YOU to Change the World'.   Fast forward several years, and I felt led to change it to 'Encouraging YOU to change YOUR World and the world around you'.  So many were doing for others and suffering in their own lives.  Changing the world, I think, starts with your own world.  Once that is in order, you can reach out and touch the lives of those around you.

I encourage you to REACH out,  and TOUCH a life.  Work to invest yourself in someone that could forever be changed as a result.  At this moment, I'm praying that God will select a very special girl to be a part of my life, and someone that I can grow with and get to know.  I'm excited at the possibilities. 

May God encourage you to start something!

For more information, find Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization online:  http://www.bbbs.org
It is not too late to begin.

The Book is Done

At my doorstep recently was a small box from the publisher with three proofs for review (one for the editor, one for me, and one extra).
The final edits are done. It is an exhaustive process to complete a book. It involves an inordinate amount of time, effort, focus and energy. The process can be all -consuming.

I took 4 weeks off in June to focus on completion and attempted to draw the final curtain on it.

Whew- I now draw a huge breath of relief that we are moving past that step. The illustrations added a level of complexity to the process. There was much talk about dpi, image size, 'flatening' the image, ect ect.

Excitement rises as I prepare for a couple speaking events and book signings. I will have a book launch party in Dallas soon.

God is so good.

Sent with Xobni Mobile - http://xobni.com/mobile

Sent via BlackBerry by AT

A Stellar Gift Idea

Life gets busy and I consistently work to find out-of-the box ideas to save time and still maintain my personal motto - 'put people and their needs ahead of work needs'.

A few years ago I discovered a company called Conrad Creative. Jenny Conrad created a personalized gift basket design and delivery service that puts the 'I care' back into gifts of all types. She wanted to create a business that gave her flexibility to be a mom and still create a revenue stream.

Her breast cancer kit is a big hit with cancer patients. Designed by breast cancer survivors, it has a heartfelt message delivered with a smile "Be Brave and Fight Like a Girl". When others are sending flowers- send a gift that touches their heart.

Jenny creates custom baskets to fit the receivers individual taste and situation. Life has gotten to busy for everyone. I love brightening someone's day. Think about calling Jenny when you have a gifting need.

You can find her on the web at : http://www.conradcreative.com/

Join the ATW Dallas September 8, 2011: Come Hear Colleen Barrett speak on Leading with Luv

ATW Dallas 2011 Executive Leadership Forum

Learn how you can start leading with luv, wherever you are!

Please join the ATW on Thursday , September 8, 2011 to hear

 
Colleen Barrett
 President Emeritus
Southwest Airlines

To register, click here:  http://www.dfwatw.org/UpcomingEvents.html

 

The Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire

I had the opportunity to spend 2 days in Los Angeles, consulting for Dina Bar-EL of the Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire.  She is an amazingly brilliant designer that gained significant popularity in 2004 and 2005 when Kate Hudson wore one of her dress designs in the movie, 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'.  Since  Kate graced the movie set in the stunning yellow satin dress, Dina has been blessed with a growing business, and a brand that is now known world-wide  www.DinaBarEL.com. Her and I became friends after a chance encounter in the first class cabin on American airlines from LAX to Dallas in 2007. 

While I was in LA, we worked on a business plan and further refining her brand.  It is always refreshing to step across varying verticals, realizing the proliferation of similiarities that varying industries possess.

From my desk I could see beautiful dresses, recently designed by  Dina Bar-EL.  Her dresses are known for their fit, the elegant fabrics that she uses to create them, and the beautiful designs.

The dresses are breathtaking. You've surely seen one of her dresses, as Hollywood has a love affair with the Dina Bar-El dresses.  

Her dresses have been worn by Fergi, Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, Byonce', the Pussy Cat Dolls, Rihanna, Tara Reid, Geena Davis, Holly Robinson Peete, Tyra Banks, Penelope Cruz, Carmen Electra, Mary J Blige- - and the list goes on and on and on. 

We started the second day out with breakfast with Won-G (www.won-g.com).  Won-G is a Haitian  born rapper, entrepeneuer, businesman and philanthropist.  He is a breath of fresh air, very different from most of the stars that you may meet in Beverly Hills.  He has started a blue jean company called Sovage Jeans (www.sovagedenim.com) that has kicked off to a superb start. 

 
Michael Williams, Bethany Willams, Won-G, and Dina Bar-EL

Here the 'breakfast club' (grin) meets to strategize over egg whites and toast.  God is good.

When Everything Falls Apart

Sometimes everything just doesn't go your way.  Sometimes life throws you a curve ball that you weren't expecting and you fall, plummeting to the bottom of a deep, dark, and lonely place.  How will you react to this obstacle- this circumstance that you've found yourself in?  This was the topic of our message today.   (See podcasts archived at http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/lake-pointe-church-audio-podcast/id344248663)

Watch this amazing video about Elliot :http://youtu.be/th6Njr-qkq0

We have a choice.   Our choice is not that we get to choose the struggles that we find ourselves surrounded by in life, but a choice as to how we will react to and deal with those struggles.  Our struggles define us.  They make us who we are.  I am defined by the many struggles that I've been through.  I'm who I am, and I do what I do because of my scoliosis, because of Jeff's death, because of struggling as a single mother, and because I struggled to advance in male dominated corporations.  It defined me.  Your struggles will define you.  They will make you into a person capable of understanding others.

I survived my struggles with my faith and belief system.  Listen to this amazing 'voice of an angel' for a lift:  http://youtu.be/PJbDndYSInU

May your troubles be bearable, and your struggles be quickly overcome.  I'm pulling for you.

All That We Have to Be Thankful For

I glance at the front page of the Wall Street Journal and I'm struck by the heart wrenching stories of the women in Afghanistan that are willing to light themselves on fire- hoping to escape a life of abuse, forced marriage, and dire circumstances.

Have you ever touched a hot stove and experienced the pain of a burn while smelling the horrible smell of burnt flesh? Can you imagine the pain of having your whole body on fire? Can you imagine purposefully lighting your whole body on fire? My heart is saddened by the realization of what these women are facing.

Are you taking your freedom and blessings for granted? Give thanks today for all that you have, all the freedoms you enjoy, and the respect and choices that you enjoy.

ABC World News Exclusive: The Secret Shelters That Protect Afghan Women

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Afghanistan/abused-women-afghanistan-helped-secret-shelters/story?id=10074409

You Benefit from My Struggles

You may not know it, but if you've ever read the blog, been encouraged by the blog or the website, or met with me for coaching or personal development--then you have benefited from the life changing effects that struggles have had on me. I'm passionate about helping others because I've struggled. I want to raise awareness of the struggles women face in climbing the ladder because it was a difficult and arduous climb for me. I want to help you succeed because many people aided me along my path and I want to do the same for you.

The struggles you've faced have given you an individual perspective that molds you into who you are. It helps you to change a life. My struggles (and there have been many) have moved me to action. They have made me who I am. They have uniquely positioned me to give and give and give even when I don't see the impact or the end result. It is bigger than us.

It is about what we can do to change the world- one person/impact at a time.