A Sabbatical Unfolds

When people hear I am on sabbatical for the next 7 months, they envision me lying on the beach or lounging around the house in my pajamas.  After all, the dictionary definition of “sabbatical” is “a period of rest that recurs in regular cycles.” 

For some people, just hanging out may seem like a luxury.  But not me…I am Renaissance Girl. 

To me, a period of rest means the chance to put aside my real job and have the time to explore all the things I haven’t found time to do in the past few years.

Success Secrets: Change Your Beliefs, Change Your Life

Do you have what it takes to become a millionaire?  Do you know the most important thoughts and habits of  “the millionaire mind”?

Long before the best-selling book and video The Secret,  enterprising men and women have been trying to understand the success secrets of the rich and famous.  In fact, the Law of Attraction draws on the research of some pioneering thinkers who have given us clear directions for creating wealth.

Are you cut out to be a successful entrepreneur?

You can see yourself as an entrepreneur, setting your own hours, being your own boss, enjoying the freedom of being self employed. And you can just imagine what life will be like once you’re a big success and pulling in all that cash.

But hang on. Before you run to the car showroom and test drive your dream car, let me ask you something: Are you cut out to be an entrepreneur? Do you really have what it takes to get rich?

Recession or Rebooting?

Enjoy this interesting video from A BraveHeart View!

How to Recondition Your Nonconscious Mind

We now know that The Secret oversimplified the process underlying the Law of Attraction.  It is not enough to simply set a conscious intention to attract what you desire.

John Assaraf has spent a lifetime studying how the human mind works,  and how successful people use their minds to attract wealth.  In The Answer, he explains why controlling your conscious mind will never produce the results you are seeking.

The Law of Attraction: Creating a Belief System for Success

Since time immemorial, people have been searching for the keys to success.  You have probably heard of Napoleon Hill, who made his fortune in the early 1900’s by studying the habits of the most successful men in America.  His best-selling book, Think and Grow Rich, has inspired hundreds (if not thousands) of personal development coaches and motivational speakers who have become millionaires in their own right by sharing the lessons of success.

Amazingly, the strategies  advocated by Hill have changed little over the years.  They include having a clear vision of what you want to achieve, single-minded focus, a process of repetition to communicate the vision to your subconscious mind, and commitment to action that is congruent with the vision.

Get inspired! CNN hero Alfa Demmelash helps people achieve the American Dream

Alfa Demmelash grew up on less than a dollar a day against the backdrop of torture and murder in Ethiopia. Today, she is living the American dream and helping others do the same.

Alfa started a nonprofit, Rising Tide Capital, where small business owners, including women, minorities and other underserved populations, learn the skills they need to be successful.

Watch this amazing video of small business owners describing how Alfa has helped them grow their businesses.

In the next video, Alfa tells her own story of escaping Ethiopia to pursue the American Dream.

Alfa is a shining example of passion in action. I hope you enjoyed her story as much as I did. Special thanks to my sister-in-law, Lynn Morin,for sharing this amazing story with me.

Marketing Strategies and Models for Entrepreneurs

When you think of marketing, what comes to mind?  Chances are the first thing that popped into your head was advertising:  print ads in magazines or newspapers…tv commercials…pop-up ads on the Google search engine.

They may be entertaining, they may be informative, or they may be just plain annoying…but there is no denying, advertising plays an important part in getting products or services in front of their target audiences.

However, a good marketing campaign goes way beyond advertising. 

Branding Your Products or Services

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “brand names”?  I immediately see the golden arches of McDonald’s, the red and silver Coca Cola can, and the Olympic torch.

What do all of these great brands have in common?  They create an impression that you are getting something special or unique, something you can trust when you purchase their brand.

Major corporations know the power of branding, and they invest tons of money to create and maintain their brands.  So how can the little guy compete?

Creating The Brand of You

As a small business owner, what is the most important thing you can do to attract loyal customers?

It goes without saying that you have to offer an excellent product or service, one that stands out from the rest.

In the old days, that might have been enough to create a lasting customer list.  But the days of brand loyalty are gone.  With so many consumer choices, and so much new information available every day, you have to give people a reason to stay with you and not try out the latest fad.