Dear Melissa,

Catching flakes! It is snowing beautifully as I write this. That is so very rare for Atlanta and I do miss it. There is nothing as peaceful as big flakes drifting down and coating the world (as far as I can see) in a glorious blanket of snowy quietness. Yes, of course, the grocery store was crowded with native Southerners fearing they might get shut in by the snow (never going to happen!) And while easy to navigate if you know what you're doing, few here do, so the roads are treacherous. Staying in makes sense!

Beachside Business! Ironically, by the time you receive this, I'll be in Sarasota as I am the featured keynote speaker for two days at the Home and Design Expo. I must be in good company as the last speaker was Princess Diana's former Butler!

Live Well and By Design,

MG

Stopping to Smell the Roses

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." ~ Andy Warhol This is courtesy of artist Rhett Amick www.afloweradayworld.com. He has a free service that provides a uniquely artistically photographed flower and inspirational quote. It is really a beautiful way to start every day!

Budget vs. Investment

Whenever I am asked for my budget, whether it is in business for a marketing plan or advertising opportunity, or personally for a trip planned or party to throw, I balk. You see budget implies “limitation” and since I live an unlimited life that goes completely counter to my values. This same reaction occurs with most individuals. We don't want to: a) admit that we have a limitation or b) share that limitation with anyone else. However when asked what I am willing to invest, I become much more open and willing to discuss exactly that, an investment.

In business, I guarantee you will find greater success when you replace the word budget in your client conversations with the word investment . After all aren't your services or product providing a valuable ROI? Budgets are simply for line item expenses, no return. An investment is not a line item and doesn't have to rely on fitting into a budget! It offers a valuable return on investment that can be calculated and measured.

Finding Your True Voice

As a member of the National Speaker's Association I was attending the outstanding monthly meetings and taking in all of the priceless recommendations, advice, and suggestions for building both my platform and my speaking business. I had to stop! I was getting overwhelmed with the wealth of ideas, the myriad of methods, and the examples to follow. I had to call a time out to find my own voice.

Often we get caught up in organizations we belong to for business, networking opportunities, and even keeping up with industry reading but don't find ourselves getting ahead. It is because we are so busy learning, we forget to determine which strategies (and all is never the answer) are the best for us, and that implementation is critical to real success.

Surely you know one of those lifelong students amongst your friends? You know the one with the string of initials following their name, garnering every possible degree and certification but in the meantime never really putting any of it to fruitful real practice. Beware of falling into that trap. It isn't what we know that matters, but what we do with it that makes the real difference.

There is NO SECRET!

Yes, I have seen the movie more than once, but what bothers me is that when someone looks at me and says that something I am sharing is from The Secret, my first thought is that there is NO Secret! Instead each one of us harbors within us our own best kept Secret and it is up to each of us to discover our own Secret and share it with the world.

Unfortunately instead, many individuals seem to be running around thinking about what they want, but not taking action to get there. Thought without action is fruitless. All the positive thinking in the world isn't worth a darn if you aren't taking positive action. Any action is better than no action even if isn't entirely the right action, it is still movement. This also follows the theory of Ready, Fire, Aim that urges you to act even before you know precisely what you are going for. This has pros and cons, but does beat staying home and wishing and hoping!

Dan Janal’s PR Leads

I've been really impressed with Dan Janal's PR Leads service. It is easy, cost effective, and I am getting reporters calling regularly for quotes and more. The beauty is that I can select my topics of choice and change or finesse these at any time; I can also establish how often I want to get the leads. Right now, I am receiving them twice a day. He includes with the monthly subscription great daily tips for making the most of the service and PR in general. For an investment of $99/month it is more cost effective than hiring a PR firm!

The Birthday Link

Whenever you feel frustrated or overwhelmed or just want a quick grin and giggle check out the Birthday Calculator. It is a fun bit of personal trivia that includes all sorts of entertaining tidbits about your birthday, your personality, your astrological sign, celebrities with your birthday and more.