Own Your Power

So, it’s been a freakin’ Movie Marathon at the Brown’s for the holidays. My husband, Hasan and I can be total movie buffs and watch DVDs back to back until our eyes are poppin’ out. Well, only on special occasions of course. I wouldn’t advise you do that often.

This weekend aside from the action, blood and gore (his favorites), and comedies, I finally saw the Bucket List (guess it was a comedy/drama). It had two of my favorite actors, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.

I have to admit, I was never really that anxious to watch it when it came out last year. It just seemed like a corny movie only my parents would want to see. Well, I was wrong. It was really moved by it. Okay, moved is an understatement. Towards the end, I had quivering lips and a waterfall of tears. SOMEBODY PASS ME A TISSUE!!! I know I’m such a wuss!

I was so inspired to set even more goals for myself on the many things I want to do before I go up to that great big Starbucks in the sky. (What? Your Heaven isn’t a Starbucks?) LOL I’m here right now, I know it’s so sad. Anyhow, I digress. I’m thinking that New Year’s resolutions are pretty cool….well a~hem, when you can stick to them.

However, I think I’m going to take it a notch up and work on my “Bucket list” for the rest of my life. Not just what I want to do for one year. Since tomorrow isn’t promised, I won’t go crazy and make a list of 200 things, however, I want to make a list of at least 100 things that I MUST do before I go.

So, are you up for the challenge? I’d love for you guys to join me. I’ve started a board in the Own Your Power Community for us to add our ideas. I think we can just add ideas as they come. Join us, it can be fun and we’ll be able to inspire each other. I’m thinking… I’m thinking…so many things I want to do! See ya in there..You don’t have to wait until you have your 50 or 100, just post as they come to you. It’s a great “me time” exercise to spend time reflecting on your life. You might already have a lot of things checked off your list, so add a few more.

Check out this article that will give you good tips on how to get started…

Come on over to our message board and post your own ideas. It’s free to join our fam.

Have a wonderful rest of your holiday!

Simone

Check out this cool article from our expert of the week….

Todd Goodwin, MS, CH
Certified Consulting Hypnotist
The Miami Hypnosis Center

As a hypnotist and a former nutritionist, I have a unique perspective when it comes to achieving lasting weight loss. I have found that there are three fundamental truths:

1. Most diets fail most of the time.
2. The only way to succeed is to adopt healthy behaviors that are sustainable.
3. You can’t avoid numbers 1 and 2.

If you agree, then you also realize that any short-term diet programs are a waste of time and money and might even be unhealthy. The same goes for most medical interventions, including surgery or drugs. Shortcuts simply don’t work in the long run, because they fail to address the habitual behaviors that determine your body weight.

The only reliable approach is to change your attitudes, beliefs, and emotions as they relate to food and physical activity, preferably by working with a coach or trainer of some kind. A few people are able to get all they need from a book, but for most people, you’ll need to have ongoing interaction with a real human who will guide you and hold you accountable.

Should you consult a nutritionist or a hypnotist?

A nutritionist is an excellent choice if you just need to learn how to make better food choices and you can stick with the plan. Unfortunately, if you’ve ever found it difficult to stay motivated to exercise or eat healthy, you’re like most people who need more than an intellectual understanding of nutrition to change your habits and preferences.

You’re probably familiar with the Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” The point of this proverb is that a person who learns skills becomes self-sufficient. There’s only one problem: What if the man doesn’t like to eat fish?

You might laugh, but it’s true. If he doesn’t like fish, it doesn’t matter how much you teach him about fishing. He won’t do it unless he forces himself, because it’s either too much effort or it isn’t enjoyable. Sound familiar? The same is true with changing eating habits or exercising. Ask any nutritionist who has worked with overweight clients how frustrating it is to provide the knowledge and see no progress. Of course, if you’re the person who wants to change, it’s even more frustrating for you.

If you know what to do, why don’t you do what you know?

It has been said that knowledge is power, but when it comes to behavioral change, knowledge is only potential power. Without action, knowledge is worthless. And it’s much easier to take action when you enjoy doing it.

Our emotions drive our behavior, and uncomfortable emotions can lead us to eat too much or choose unhealthy foods. It can feel like there’s a part of you that seems to block your progress or sabotage your success. That’s why you may not do what you know you need to do to fix your problem. The good news is that hypnosis is one tool that can help.

The real truth about hypnosis

The term “hypnosis” tends to provoke reactions that range from excitement and curiosity to skepticism and fear. Unfortunately, many people have false beliefs about hypnosis, based on what they’ve seen on TV or in nightclubs. Is it mind control, sleep, magic, or some psychic power? Nope, those are all myths. Some think a hypnotist can make them reveal secrets or that they will be unaware of what happens during the hypnosis process. This is also untrue. When I conduct a free initial screening with a prospective client, I take a few moments to explain what hypnosis really is to eliminate any misconceptions. With this new understanding, people tend to shift from fear or skepticism to curiosity and excitement pretty quickly.

The truth is that hypnosis is a natural state of relaxed, focused awareness that facilitates your learning process. A hypnotist helps you access this powerful state of mind where you can more easily make the positive changes that you want to make. If you want to be hypnotized, you can be. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that you experience hypnosis many times everyday, maybe when driving or immersed in an enjoyable task. Sometimes it happens if you eat while watching TV, which can lead to overeating (“Where did all those chips go?”).

A “mental cleanse”

Despite the hundreds of diets, medications, “cleanses,” and other ways that our society has complicated or tried to shortcut the task of losing weight, it’s pretty straightforward. It all comes down to eating and exercising the way we were designed as humans, while managing our emotional state. It really is that simple.

The goal of a hypnotist is to help you make a clear decision about what you want to achieve (become fit and healthy), help you dissolve any resistance to change, and teach you how to motivate yourself to do exactly what you haven’t wanted to do (eat healthy foods and exercise) in order to reach your goal. With some motivational coaching using hypnosis, you can learn to use the power of your mind to learn to enjoy doing what you need to do to succeed. As you gradually change your attitudes, beliefs, and emotions to those that support you, it becomes much easier for you to accomplish what you want.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AND GET THE SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR OWN YOUR POWER FRIENDS!

Achieve Lasting Weight Loss with a “Mental Cleanse” http://www.miamihypnosis.net/Mental_Cleanses.html

I’m so proud of Daniell! I met her at one of my Give ‘n Take Network events in Miami this past July. Everyone there was touched by her ambition and drive. After speaking with her, you can tell that she is a rising star on the move. It is so inspiring to see young girls going after their dream and have so much vision. At only 21 years old, she’s on her way to creating a television show for children about the ocean and its amazing creatures. Her company is called The Big Blue & You Foundation. Find out why she LOVES what she does!

What’s your main service?

To educate and inspire youth to become stewards of the Earth and ocean through fun and interactive media and outreach.

How long have you been in business?

Brand spankin’ new!

What does your business do?

The Big Blue & You Foundation uses multiple forms of media and outreach to provide scientifically-sound information to youth regarding the human impacts on the natural world and vice-versa.

Any interesting facts you can share about your industry?

Since children are the future, we must take responsibility to teach them the information they should know about the planet they are about to inherit. Children are a unique audience growing up in an extremely media-based society. This provides a special opportunity for this organization to reach out to them through numerous multi-media outlets.

Most popular problem you help people solve?

In a time when there are many questions about the health of our planet, the purpose of this organization is to help provide information to the next generation about how they can contribute to saving this planet in peril.

What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?

I knew from a very young age that I was not meant to work in Corporate America simply because I felt that my creativity would be somewhat stifled in that kind of environment. After watching countless relatives and friends work within the corporate world, I was certain that it was not for me. As an independent thinker, I would rather create my own business to prevent feeling limited and promote the pursuit of my dreams.

How do you stay motivated? What drives you?

I am driven by my faith in God. I seek strength, courage and wisdom through prayer and reading my bible. I also have an incredible family support system that has kept me afloat even in my hardest days. They are my number-one fans and continue to cheer me on as I walk on this journey to success.

What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around?

Submitting a video to the ROXY ‘Follow Your Heart’ Tour competition.

What’s a unique talent that you have that might surprise us?

I am a quilter.

Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine?

Winning $10,000 from the ROXY ‘Follow Your Heart’ Tour Competition that provided a base for me to jumpstart my organization to empower young people to take a stand for the environment.

What’s in your cd player/ipod right now?

Rachel Lampa, WOW Gospel, and Chris Brown

If you would like to contact The Big Blue and You for more information call Thinkking Media at (305) 772-2223 or e-mail info@thinkkingmedia.com.
Love what you do? Email us and you might be featured soon!

I’m getting old. I only moderated one panel and I feel pooped. ~sigh as I sip a hot chocolate at the crack house that’s Starbucks for the uninformed about my habit~ Well, now that I think about it, I moderated a panel and then sold some books (Jack of All Trades, Master of None) and talked, and talked, and talked, with a lot of new friends at my display table. Ah..that might be why I’m tired. For those who know me, you know I love to talk. LOL I love meeting new and interesting people and I must say it was a nice mix of interesting folks today. From fashion, film, and music. I love meeting artists!

Today was the The Florida Entertainment Summit and if felt good being in that energy of up and coming artists. I used to be in the music industry a good decade ago working for RCA Records, so I haven’t been around that crowd as much. You can see the eagerness, the excitement, and yes..the hustle was strong. Everyone had a CD, DVD or press kit, ready to give it out to even for little old me. I can’t get you a record deal, but I love free music. LOL

I hosted the Marketing and Social Networking panel and learned so much today. The panelist included Trent Partridge, Internet Marketer who is one of my newest friends. (He was one of the people I was talking with for a long time. He has a lot to say too. LOL) I’ll definitely be showcasing here and on radio show. He’s a walking encyclopedia on Internet Marketing and has loads of ebooks for sale so check him out!

Jeffery Sass, VP of Business Development of myxer.com was full of good tips on mobil marketing and podcasting. Fence, CEO from Fifth Lane Music Publishing and Rick Edwards, Dir of Marketing for Makaveli Branded (Tupac’s Clothing line) brought to the table record label and artists expertise. It was good to hear more about what goes on behind the scenes to build up an artist’s brand online.

I learned a lot from all of these guys, as I’m sure the audience did as well. My favorite tips that I learned were..

Twitter isn’t as stupid as I thought: Okay I’ll admit it. I was not really “getting” the big excitement over twitter. Also most social networking sites with that annoying, ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW’ FILL IN. Yes, I do it sometimes and yes, I have seen it work. But, I usually keep it strickly business. For instance, I’ve had some new members join my online community, because I twittered about it. However..folks, please spare me the details of how many times you’ve changed your kid’s diaper, when you’re doing laundry, watching Hero’s, or if you just got your nails done. I’m shocked when I read some of those things…Do people really care? I don’t. LOL ~evil laugh~

Oh well, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jeff shared that it’s great to let your audience/fans know a little bit about what your up to. It helps them feel connected to you, etc. However, you can be more strategic in what you tweet. (I love how there a verb for this. LOL I feel hip getting the lingo.)

Anyhooooo…Jeff shared that a you can tweet about a project your working on, a cool event, a blog post, or even ask for help on something. He gave a cool example about the search feature which ~shame on me~ didn’t even know existed. You have to scroll down on twitter.com and find it. He’s in the web mobile industry and said once he went to the search feature to see who was posting about mobile marketing. A list of people came up and he was able to help one person and gain a new client as well. WHO KNEW? Try it out…search your company name or your name as well.

Another key tip that Rick and Trent shared was how Myspace is great, however we all know you can’t get emails via myspace.com and the bulletin feature isn’t getting as much attention as it did maybe say…two years ago. So, the key is to make friends and ask for email addresses. Or better yet, have a contest or incentive (free downloads: mp3, ebook or report) and invite people over to your NING.com community. In order to win or participate in anything related to artist they need to join that community.

Now the beauty of Ning is that as the administrator YOU have total control. You can access ALL of the emails of your members. Sweet eh? As I always say, your LIST IS GOLD. Once you build your online audience, get to know them with the questions you ask on their profile pages, have surveys, highlight them in member profiles, have contests, and ignite the spirit of community and get them connecting! <shameless plug> Of course, if you haven’t joined the Own Your Power community, you don’t know what your missing, connect with our power network of ambitious small business owners</shameless plug>

Thanks again for Elora Mason and Mason and Associates for inviting me to be apart of this dynamic panel. I’m fired up and ready to improve some of my own online marketing and social networking..and yes, even start tweetin’ a bit more. (did I say that right?) LOL

Well, go ahead and ADD ME!

Own Your Power!

Simone

Are you still trying to…

Cram more into your day?

Get more done in less time?

Be more productive and feel less stressed?

If so, you are not alone. According to a recent survey…

Less than 30% of Americans get 8 hours sleep

61% of American women do not know how to relax

71% of American consumers feel empty

The pace and pressures of life have escalated so much that many people feel they are losing control. Relentless demands at work and nonstop concerns at home leave many of us feeling overwhelmed and very unfocused. Yet the expectation is that we will find a way to keep thriving amidst all of the changes.

Thriving amidst change requires clarity, focus and directed action. Clarity enables you to zero in on what is most important. Focus keeps your goals in clear view so you can stay on target and achieve them faster and easier. Action builds momentum in moving you forward in the right direction.

Since focus takes you from clarity to action, here are 3 sure fire ways to harness your focus power:

1. Focus on your 3 most important priorities

–Identify who and what you need to get the job done

–Determine how best to access the resources required

–Set reasonable time frames to complete the work right

–Develop a feasible game plan, review and update it daily

2. Spend 80% of your time on high-payoff activities

–Take the action that yields the highest return on results

3. Track progress, leverage lessons learned, and CELEBRATE success

–What adjustments will keep or get things back on track?

And remember…you can use focus power to propel yourself and your business into a compelling future.

www.simplythebestcoaching.com