Random Rant 26

I LOATHE traffic! Where does it originate? Why is it on the road? Why are we in a complete STOP when the speed limit it over sixty-five? Why do we go full speed and THEN stop, really?!  <-- (insert a spiritual, economical, educational, or motivationally empowering phrase here)

Life Gem #223

You have to pay for what you want when you're incapable of producing #LifeGem

Don't get so bent out of shape or uneasy about that statement either. Everyone has talents and things that they're better at than others. Maybe it's because that's not your interest, or maybe it's because you don't have the time to practice the skill. Perhaps you don't have the specific training required for producing and there's a deficit in your capability for the time or to pay for the training. Either way, that's why there are specific groups of individuals that make a living and support themselves profiting from your deficits. Pay them! Get the job done and get it done well! 

Tales of a 5th grade teacher

Teacher: Class, what do omnivores eat?

5th grader: Pregnant ladies

Teacher: blank stare

Move Out of YOUR Way!

I was holding a conversation with my sister today over lunch campaigning for her, if you will, about putting thoughts into action! Everybody, at some point, yes! Even me; needs a push....okay, maybe a hard shove, to get busy moving into action. 

If you have an idea, a thought of your purpose, or a goal that you've been sitting on for days, months, years...get to it! Get out of your own way and stop stunting your growth. What are you really waiting on? 

This vision board party I just attended this past weekend was a fantastic opportunity to gather people, at this event all women, together whom are like-minded (business savvy or interested in establishing goals) I like to call them: SMART goals. We create SMART goals within my school district. That's how I picked up the phrase. SMART goals are Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely! It's perfect. 

(Aside) When creating vision boards the appropriate, or more productive way to carve out your board, is to think about what you want to achieve and then envision everything it will take to achieve that goal and incorporate that into creating your vision board. Remember; there is no vision without a plan and there is no plan without ACTION. Just something to consider when attaining your goals for the near and dear future. You can't desire something and expect for it to fall into your lap. Life just doesn't work that way. You can desire something and begin to work for it (often times very minimal work) and receive it but faith without works is dead.

My think on the matter is: if you have a vision for yourself don't waste time contemplating the pitfalls or all the reasons why you shouldn't or can't. If the vision is attainable and realistic set up some measureable and specific guidelines and then get a timeline together. Set mini-goals within your large-scale vision, if that's required, but don't blur your vision with unnecessary obstacles! This is 2015! This is YOUR year! Success is available to everyone but few will be brave enough to do the WORK that it takes to get there. As the saying goes, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Think on these things. Rome wasn't built in a day. It's a matter of space, time, and opportunity for you to accomplish everything you imagine so live the life YOU imagine! Don't wait on someone else to build your vision because then you work for them. Build your own empire!

Best of Luck and Abundant Blessings!

Branding 101

Branding 101 You must KNOW your target audience! Advertise, market, and cater to them. Supporters will support but target audience will BUY!

You'll save time, energy, money, and feelings if you rely solely on your target audience. 

Who is your target audience? 

Prospective consumers. They need your product, good, or service. They can use it, and not because they should or could, but because it's a REQUIREMENT or prerequisite to what they need and want. 

What's the difference between your target audience and supporters? 

Supporters are usually family, friends, people that just like or believe in you. They don't have a need or want for your services they just want to encourage you and support you on your journey. They'll purchase one. They may even purchase some to gift to others that they feel are more your target audience, but you shouldn't expect them the responsibility to continually purchase the same packaging or be repeat customers to the same product or service because they really don't use it, need, or want it. That's not to be mean. You just have to understand; what you're offering to them is not a requirement or prerequisite to their life unlike the target audience member that'll probably call you to get more of what you're offering. 

Don't discount your supporters! They WILL supply you with an innumerable amount of target audience members that you otherwise couldn't have gotten. They support your vision and you need to be grateful for them!

Hope this helps alleviate some nuances at the start of this year for us business owners, prospective business owners, or dreamers waiting to wake up and make it happen!

You're welcome :-)

2015

We're coming into a new year!!!! What I've noticed most, as I see post, are the reminders of all the tragedies surrounding the end of the year. 2014 was not a bad year! Each year brings about both triumphs and trials but if you were to really look back over it (maybe it wasn't your best year to date) but it wasn't as bad as some of the posts I've been seeing. 

As we approach the new year I see a ton of growth resolutions and change resolutions. I also see some negatives responses to others' will to change. Instead of harping on how idiotic I think anyone is for negatively downing a person's desire or will to change (even if that's the resolution every year- it's theirs to do) I'm going to resolve that you take your surface-level resolution "to change" a step further and determine what all it will take to successfully complete your resolutions. I'll challenging you to complete the sentence with a complete thought. "In 2015, I'm going to change by _______________________." 

What are you willing to do?

How long will it take? Mind you some resolutions are as quick as batting our eyelashes while others may take the entire year. Either way: set a timeline. 

What do you need to let go of? ...and don't just say, "negativity" Place a value on it. Instead, complete the thought by saying, "I need to let go of negative thoughts by replacing each one with a positive reminder that I can do it."

Don't just say, "I'm getting a new car or a new job."

What are you going to do to get it? So instead replace that surface resolution with, " This year I will save each week  $100 to put down for the down payment on my new truck." 

Or

"This year, I'm updating my resume and sending it to two companies each week until I get an interview."

Make positive contributions to your resolutions. As always, be realistic! A resolution is not some wish granted by some mythical blue genie. A resolution is what you are going to do. When making these vision boards, glue down both the end product, as well as, what it'll take to get there. Write it down on the back if you need to, record yourself so that you're obligated to fulfill the resolution. A goal means nothing without a plan of action! 

Many blessings to you on your endeavors for 2015!! 

Holiday Scrooge

A holiday Scrooge is one whose main concern is money and profit and they despise everything to do with Christmas or other holidays. If and when you're dating a Scrooge; here are 10 guidelines for getting through the holidays with them:

1. Share everything with them anyway

2. Care or show concern no matter what

3. Buy it in spite of their attitude

4. Sing louder, but stay on key

5. Wear it anyway and smile

6. Do it regardless

7. Give more willingly

8. Watch it with or without them and play it loud and proud

9. Invite, invite, invite and go, go, go

10. Spend it up and enjoy no matter what