New Book Now Available!

Now available!  Click here to order.

To read excerpts, click here.

Next Exciting Book Signing, click here.

Below are recordings from radio interviews.

V

To hear my October 22 interview with Fran McMillan, click the show name:    The Frantastic and Friends Talk Show

v

Intentional Woman – Host LaShawn McCrary- Discussion of Defining Moment (click play icon)

V

Intentional Woman – Host: LaShawn McCrary (click play icon)

Review of Your Life in 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today we will be bombarded with ”year-in-review” TV specials and segments.  Whenever I watch them, I find myself revisiting my own life and asking “what would be in my year-end program?”  I pose that same question to you.  What images, words, and feelings come to your mind when you think about last year?  What experiences stand out from others?

As you consider the question, your answers can be in the form of thoughts, writings, or pictures. The “thought form” is fully examining what happened in your life last year … the good, the bad, the ugly, and the awesome! Make a mental note of it so you can remember it later.

Expectation Drives Realization

He who does not expect a million readers, should not write a line.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe -   (1749 – 1832)

According to Goethe’s quote, if we are not planning to do something in a big way, we shouldn’t do it at all.  This idea is very challenging for many of us because many times we have been taught not to expect big successes in life.  So we make comments like: “I’m going to write this little book” or “start this little business.”  We apply for jobs that we can easily get even though they are not the ones we truly want.  We believe that if we lower our expectations then we can avoid the disappointment of failure and increase our chances of success.  But what we are really doing is setting a limit on what we will achieve.

Be Open To All Types of Learning

“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can – there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”   -Sarah Caldwell -

One of my biggest regrets is not being open-minded enough to learn to play golf.  I had many chances to do so.

When I was an analyst and a category manager at Clairol, I would attend the company’s national sales meeting at least once a year. It was a 3 or 4 day event with numerous business sessions, starting early in the morning and ending in the evening. To provide time for employees to get to know each other better, there was always an afternoon set aside for company-sponsored recreational activities, including golf and golf lessons.

Snow Day Activity

If you are in someplace else where you are snowed in, I hope your lights are still on and you have stocked up on your favorite foods.  What are you going to do once you have OD’ed on the news reports of what’s closed, what roadways are blocked, and what to do in case of a power outage?  Why don’t you spend time making serious plans for this year by writing out your goals?

Along with your goals, you can also think about the following:

The unexamined life is not worth living.

I was first introduced to the above quote by Socrates years ago when I was taking a philosophy class in college.  It has stayed in my mind ever since that time.

Today (January 1^st), we will be bombarded with TV specials with their “year in review” shows and segments.  Whenever I watch them, I always find myself revisiting my own life and asking “what would be in my ‘year-in-review’ program?”  I pose that same question to you …. “What would your year-in-review be like?”  What images, words, and feelings come to your mind?  What experiences stand out from the others?

Exciting Quotes and A Great Insight From the Movie Eat, Pray, Love

Earlier this month I went to see the movie Eat, Pray, Love with Bobbie, a good friend of mine.  Afterwards we discussed the film over dinner.  I always think doing that is like having a delicious dessert about a great meal.  Bobbie and I talked about Liz (the main character) being confused about her life,  forgiving herself for leaving her husband, discovering her spiritual connection, and eventually finding new love.  Our discussion reminded me that several times during the movie, I found myself thinking “great quote … I hope I remember it”.  So once I got home, I searched the Internet and found a list of the inspiring lines from the movies.  Click here to read them.

The Wisdom of Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents & Others

Last Sunday I spent time with my mother.  At 84 years old she is still very independent and loves to talk.

As my mother has done on many occasions, she shared with me some of her words of wisdom.  Many of them have made their way into my book.  If you are like me, things told to you by your mother, father, grandparents or other relatives may have seemed silly or trivial at the time.  However, during our lives many of their insights have served us well.  I remember being told:

• Think before you speak.
• Just because someone jumps off a bridge, doesn’t mean you need to follow them.

Vision Board Poll

I placed a poll about vision boards on my LinkedIn Page.  It would be great if you participated in it because I am interested in your answers and getting as many responses as possible.  Please click here to take it.
Many thanks!

My Life & My Stories – Your Life & Your Stories

A few weeks ago I had a great conversation with my editor, Steve Cohn.  He felt I needed to a few more personal stories to some sections of my book.  So I went through the manuscript chapter-by-chapter and identified where stories would help explain the insights and ideas I had.

It was quite an experience for me to relive many joy-filled times like exciting vacations with family and friends; unexpected surprises; great promotions; interesting endeavors I had pursued; meeting the person I thought would be “Mr. Forever” again and again;  celebrating friend’s weddings, baby births, new homes, promotions, etc.