Productivity and Goal Setting Are Achievable for Everyone... I've written and spoken on these topics in great detail over the years, but the truth is that productivity and goal setting go hand in hand. Here, I'm sharing my thoughts, ideas, and strategies on productivity and goal setting for writers and entrepreneurs because I believe our needs are quite different from those who identify in different ways. The Ivy Lee Method is a simple productivity technique that dates back to the early 20th … [Read more...]
Optimism As a Way of Living
Optimism as a way of living is currently in vogue. And it's true that optimism sets people apart from one another. Okay, I'll admit it... I'm optimistic most of the time. Throughout my life I've been called "Pollyanna" and most recently someone referred to me as being panglossian, which I had to look up. But what about the majority of people: Is this a common trait and state of mind? The good news is that studies by psychologists reveal that the majority of people are primarily optimistic. … [Read more...]
Don’t Overthink It… It’s Just Sunglasses
On Overthinking Your Life Experience... Every few months I find myself making the four-hour trek from my home in southern California over to Las Vegas. Sometimes I go there to speak at or to attend someone's marketing event, for years it was twice a year it's to host my own Weekend Marketer Workshop (I moved it to Manhattan Beach, California several years ago), and once in a while, it's just to see a show and enjoy some time away from my business with friends, family members, or even by … [Read more...]
Inspired Actions and Focus: The Secret to Life!
The Secret to Life... the Life You Want and Deserve... is Inspired Actions If you heard me say that inspired actions and focus lead to powerful results, would you believe me? I want you to think about how you feel about your life and the work you do. Is it a joyous experience, or are there times when you feel like you'd prefer to create a brand new life for yourself? In my case, I made the conscious decision in 2005 to spend a year preparing to resign from my job as a classroom teacher … [Read more...]
Dancing Beneath the Hunter’s Moon
Reflections... on dancing beneath the Hunter's Moon I hope you were able to see the gorgeous "Hunter's Moon" in the night's sky at the end of October. It will still be visible tonight, depending on where you are in the world. I learned to love moon lore from my friend, colleague, and co-author Geoff Hoff. We met in an online group in 2008, and the following year he came to Las Vegas to cheer me on as I participated in and won the "Better Your Best" contest that came with a 25K cash prize. … [Read more...]
Protecting Your Brain At All Times
Protecting Your Brain is Worthwhile... You're taking care of your brain, right? Of course you are. After all, we don’t do the ‘bad’ things which we know will hurt our brains. We avoid the use of drugs. We don’t use alcohol in excess. You’re even a little more aware of what smoking does to brain cells and make efforts not to experience the effects of smoke and nicotine on our own bodies, even secondhand, so you must be protecting your brain. Overall, it looks like we’re doing everything … [Read more...]
Based in Fear, Not in Truth
Becoming a successful entrepreneur and writer did not feel like it was in the cards for me. But I was approaching 50 and ready to take one last shot. I wanted more in my life, to know what it would be like to achieve success and enjoy the confidence and independence that comes with that. But I was based in fear, not in truth and holding myself back. Early on in my life I could smell fear, because I'd been raised by my mother and she was fearful of almost every thing and every one she … [Read more...]
Know, Like, and Trust Factor Builds Your Business
Why You Can't Afford to Ignore the "Know, Like, and Trust" Factor As a business owner, carving out a distinctive niche for your business might seem like an epic task. Yet, the essence of a thriving business boils down to a principle as old as commerce itself - building relationships based on knowledge, affection, and trust - better known as the Know, Like, Trust Factor. This fundamental concept, known as the Know, Like, Trust Factor, isn't just a trendy buzzword; it's the cornerstone of … [Read more...]
Playing the Matrix in Your Business
Playing the Matrix in Your Business Will Make All the Difference When you think of playing the matrix, what comes up for you? I am immediately taken back to 1999 and the film of the same name. This was the first installment in the Matrix film series, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss,and more, and depicts a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside the Matrix, a simulated reality that intelligent machines have created to distract humans while … [Read more...]
The Eye of the Storm
Did you know that the eye of a storm is the calmest place to be? I've been through several hurricanes, most notably Hurricane Andrew in South Florida in August of 1992 and most recently Hurricane Hilary in August of 2023 in Southern California. While we expect the worst and hope for the best in these situations, the truth is that once we pass through it the skies clear and it's smooth sailing once again. When I made the conscious decision in 2005 to make a one-year plan to resign from my … [Read more...]