“On this health journey, I’m always looking for things that can help me stay on track with my super busy lifestyle. I LOVE this snack…. Sargento Cheese balanced breaks, and an avacado makes for a healthy, easy, fast lunch!”
Do you have the power to change it?
Next time you moan and complain about things you cannot control, next time you expect someone or something to be done for you or given to you, next time you are not grateful for the blessings you have, and next time you want TO QUIT on your self and your DREAMS remember this.
Get over it, pull up your boot straps, and thank GOD you have shoes on your feet and not bottles.
If something in your life is not going the perfect way you planned, then if you have the power to change it – do so! Do NOT talk about it, text about it, or think and dwell on it – that only attracts more of the same to you!
If you don’t have the power to change it, then tell God about it, or someone that does have the power – and then *leave it there*. If you don’t have the power, there is no reason for you to dwell on it.
If you do have the power to change it or do something about it – then DO IT! It is your life, it is up to YOU.
YOU CANNOT HELP SOMEONE ELSE UNTIL YOU FIRST ARE ABLE TO HELP YOURSELF!!!
Reflecting……People are what’s important
Reflecting…
I have noticed, I don’t have the desire as much to wander through the mall or the fancy stores to see what shiny new or pretty things that I may want.
When I was a younger, I wanted all the fun, glitzy and glamorous stuff. Fancy china, sterling silverware, a big house, nice car, pretty dresses and sparkly jewelry. Now granted, I still like many of those things, and those that know me well, know my style, girliy, shiny, sparkly, etc I love! lol But I forget why all I wanted them….. Maybe something to do with insecurities and/or the thoughts to “keep up with” our friends or society’s expectations.
Over the years I’ve lost that desire, and now I have no need to acquire things just for the sake of having them. I still absolutely love my *pretties*…..But moreso now my focus is to have a fun, comfortable, relaxing, enjoyable, homey place for people to gather and enjoy each other.
The focus is on the relationships, not all the stuff. I have decluttered a lot over the past few years, and I am still in decluttering mode, pretty majorly
The bottom line is that it’s always about the people. Family, friends, business associates that have become friends are what life is about. I can have all the money in the world, and I am very grateful and thankful for all that God has brought into my life and blessed me with, with my amazing clients that I help with web, graphics, marketing and all the other online space platforms, speaking engagements, people I coach, but if I don’t share love, respect and time with others, I have nothing.
So I’m reflecting on what’s really important to me. It’s always the people, and my goal every day is to show love, caring and compassion, and put more thought, time and energy into reinforcing those connections…….If we haven’t connected recently in person, or if not local, through skype or google hangout, for a one on one (just catch up and personal get to know each other hour) please reach out to me. 🙂
25 habits of highly successfully happy people
25 Habits of Highly Successfully Happy People
#1 They Forgive
Let bitterness go. Forget the wrong doings – Holding bitterness in will hurt you more in the end than the other person. It does nothing to them, it can literally kill you.
#2 They Laugh – enjoy each moment! Remember when you were a kid, and you laughed a lot? Get that child-like laughter back, don’t be so serious all the time.
#3 They Are Generous
MRI studies have actually shown that the act of giving triggers the same area of your brain as eating chocolate! So the next time you see someone struggling, offer to help. Even if it means giving them $ or helping them pay a bill or meal. You will be blessed more than they will, try it and you will see.
#4 They Breathe Deep
When we breathe deep – oxygen goes into our blood which causes our brain to release happy chemicals known as endorphins. Breath in deep through your nose, then out deep through your mouth, like *pah*, try it right now, just a few deep breaths. They say 10 deep breaths a day, can add many years onto your life!
#5 They Meditate, turn off the noise
The world is so fast paced. We many times automate our lives, and just do, because of habit. Learn to take a minimum of 10 minutes each day. No noises, no distractions. Just you and your habit of happiness.
#6 They Sleep
A rested brain is a happy brain. Getting 8 hours of sleep is best for your body, good rested sleep. If you can sleep till you wake up, that is the best thing, many can’t with jobs, etc, but make sure you are getting enough rested hours, and try atleast once a week to sleep till you wake up.
#7 They Stay Positive
Everyone faces things in life. There is always some sort of bright side, even in the worst of tragedy or adversity. I remember one day after I became a widow, I was having a *woe is me* day, and God allowed me to meet a lady who lost her husband and 4 of her 7 kids in a car wreck. That snapped me back into thankfulness right away) There is always someone who has it worse. Be thankful
#8 They Choose Their Friends Wisely
Friends and family both – Sometimes you don’t have a choice, but most times you do. Choose to be around people that are going to lift you up and push you to be better than you are.
#9 They Don’t Let Others Influence Their Emotions
Some people are the first person to get pissed off at work when someone does something wrong. Emotions in life can run high – learn to focus away from the negativity and stay in positivity – regardless of how others around you are behaving.
#10 They Spend Time Outside – Breathing fresh air
Fresh air – smell it, feel it, soak in the sunshine….feel the warmth, or the coolness of the slight breeze.
#11 They Dream – Have a child-like faith – you had big dreams when you were a child, where are they now?
#12 They Don’t Just Dream
Dreaming can be amazing – but putting your dreams into action and realizing them in life is amazing and lots of fun.
#13 They Love Themselves – First
Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.Many people think it is because you can’t help someone else, if you aren’t helping yourself – which is true. But also many times if you show someone else, what it is like to do it, then they won’t be afraid to do it (especially a child).
#14 They Have Pets
Pets are unconditional love. A joke says if a guy locks his wife in a trunk and a dog in a trunk, when he lets them out – who will show him unconditional love? haha it is a joke, don’t try it! But that is why many people have PTSD pets too – it is amazing how much they can help.
#15 They Outsource Their Weaknesses
Focus on your strengths and let someone else do the rest. Do yourself what you love, pay others to do what you are not as good at or simply don’t love to do. I can make much more money doing what I love, so why not let someone else, for example who loves to clean, and needs some extra money, do the cleaning once week, that I can do, but I don’t love to do?
#16 They Fire Their Boss
If you boss is a jerk – create an escape plan. It might mean getting a different job or starting your own business. Don’t allow people to treat you bad, you are important, you are worthy. Remember that. Work for someone (or yourself) that values you.
#17 They Exercise
It is healthy, it will help you feel better and look better. At one point I had to have a desk job and was working about 80 hours a week to cover bills, on top of that a lot of financial and emotional and spiritual stress, caused me to gain about 70 lbs. I started just a discipline of walking a couple miles each morning, I simply hated it when my alarm clock went off, I will admit it – it didn’t get better either. lol but I did it. And I always, always felt better after, all day long, and eventually the weight started coming off and I started feeling healthier.
#18 They Don’t Let Road Blocks get in the way
We will always come up against things – it is a part of life. Learn how to go around it, make a bridge, or plow right through it! But do it! No one became successful, without some obstacles.
#19 They Smile – See who you can make smile today! Smile anyway, even when you don’t feel like it, and you will automatically feel happier.
#20 They Help People
Because if you don’t, really what’s the point. Plus – Karma is real and she can be a real pain too. What you do comes back to you. You reap what you sew. No matter how you say it. The God who created the Universe, controls it and it is true.
#21 They Listen
When someone is talking to you, look into their eyes. Pay attention. Be present. Don’t allow other distractions. Mary Kay once said she stood in line one time to meet someone important, when she got up there, she felt him look past her at the line instead of focusing on her – he was not present. She chose to focus on people and make them feel important. That is one reason why her business is so successful as it is today.
#22 They are Nostalgic
Remember history. Remember old stories. Look through old photos. Reminisce. Cherish the memories. Cherish the moments.
#23 They Forget the Tech
Unplug. We live in a busy world! Turn off the noise. Put the phone up, turn off the tv, turn off the radio. Relax. Sometimes truly tech people, like me, I run several businesses, which all require *tech*…..when I can turn off all, just for a bit, it can be very relaxing and regenerating energy.
#24 They Love – love people, love animals, love things….treat every one and every thing the way you want to be treated.
#25 They Try
There is no Can’t. Can’t never tried. Can’t is a 4 letter word. You don’t know unless you try. Try it – you just might surprise yourself!
Get your Linked In SSI score – Be a better connector and influencer
Get your LinkedIn SSI score, and learn how to be a better connector influencer.
LinkedIn previously had the SSI (Social Selling Index Score) as a feature that people only had access to only if they were paying.
Where do you rank?
Check HERE to calculate your score:
Click HERE to connect with me and build your network.
The Score Breakdown:
The Social Selling Index is broken down into 4 components:
1) Establish Your Professional Brand – Complete your profile with the customer in mind. Become a thought-leader by publishing meaningful posts.
2) Find the right People – Identify better prospects in
less time using efficient search and research tools.
3) Engage with Insights – Discover and share conversation-worthy updates to create and grow relationships.
4) Build Relationships – Strengthen your network by connecting and establishing trust with decision makers.
TIPS
Have a professional profile shot (doesn’t have to cost a lot or anything, but just you, and professional, decent background)
Your profile should show your accolades and the potential you’d bring to a prospective employer.
SSI is a score that measures how well each person utilizes proper social selling practices. You can measure your progress, as well as see the links between your social selling and your performance. It shows how well you have implemented best selling skills practices into your social media strategies on LinkedIn. Once your profile is complete, the more you connect with other decision makers, share great content, and connect with potential prospects, your SSI numbers will likely rise.
In essence, the more you are engaged with social relationship marketing and social selling, the better your results will be.
LinkedIn’s algorithms look at profile completeness when determining your score. Prospective clients many times will look at your score as well. Many times before people buy from you, do business with you, or even contact you or connect with you – they check you out on social media.
You must establish yourself as an expert in your field. It doesn’t mean spending a lot of money, always, but business does take some time and money! But you want to post educational and useable content that helps enrich your followers and guide them to why you are good at what you do, and why they should trust you and believe in what you do.
Posting your experiences and accomplishments is a great way to start. Posting useful and relevant updates, educational, spiritual (if you choose to incorporate this into your business), effective information will reinforce your professional brand. Your prospective clients will turn to you when they need assistance, and your SSI score will shoot up as well.
When you’re viewing people and looking for 2nd or 3rd-degree connections, the right kind will help you to create warm introductions with productive prospects and leads. Use the advanced search features on LinkedIn to give you even better results.
Always look at who has viewed your profile and make sure to engage with them, if appropriate.
Always look for specifically influencers and decision makers – you want to connect yourself with senior level executives—people who can make waves for you when the time comes. Connections with many people is always great, but those who have influence over many others, can help you in business even more.
Think of what interests you, share that, on your wall, in groups that are relevant to your interests…..as you do, many of your prospects and prospective clients that have those same interests, will see you more as an expert, and also help connect you even more with the right people on LinkedIn. Remember to be consistent and share good and educational material.
Building trust in relationship marketing is key to your success. You can enhance your relationship marketing in many ways, texting, phone calls, social media connecting and posting, in person, and sending to keep in touch through the real mail. This will in turn also help you in referrals….instead of asking for them, deserve them – show your connections why you deserve their referrals.
When it comes down to it – it is all about knowing the right people. Don’t just accept everyone that asks. Your SSI score looks at how you are connected with others as well, and how each of you relate to each other. It also looks at when others accept you or not, if you have a lower acceptance rate, your SSI may suffer.
It is also always best to reach out as much as possible. When someone sends me a request, I look at their profile before accepting, to see if I might think that they would be a good fit. I do not randomly accept everyone. Then I send them a message, asking them WHY they want to connect with me. The thing is – you want to add value, but you want others to add value to you as well. Don’t just merely think in the numbers of how many I can have, and how many possible sales that might be. You want the right people, and the right sales.
Guiltless Spaghetti
Guiltless Spaghetti
Ingredients
1lb Ground Turkey
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small package of fresh sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 medium onion, diced (optional)
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Garlic Powder (use as much desired)
2 cans no salt diced tomatoes
1 large Spaghetti Squash
Pepper to taste
Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut spaghetti squash in 4 pieces. Remove all the seeds and strings from the inside. Place on pan and lightly rub olive oil on top. Sprinkle pepper on top. Place in oven for 15-20mins.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add ground turkey and spices. Continue to cook until done. Add canned tomatoes and continue to simmer. Split meat mixture into 4 servings when finished cooking.
After squash is finished cooking, pull strands apart from rind w a fork. Each piece is 1 serving.
Combine 1 serving of spaghetti squash w 1 serving of spaghetti meat and top w 1-2tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Go ahead and prepare the remaining 3 servings as well. Place in fridge for GRAB N GO!