In honor of the launch of our podcast interview with Francis Cholle, we are giving away two signed copied of his brand-new book, Squircle: A New Way to Think for a New World!
This contest will begin on July 1st at 12 AM EST and end on July 10th at 12 AM EST! See the various ways you can enter below and come back once a day to increase your chances of winning!
Remember to keep up the Positive Forward Motion!
In honor of the launch of our podcast interview with Jerry Yudelson, we are giving away two signed copied of his brand-new book, The Godfather of Green: An Eco-Spiritual Memoir!
This contest will begin on April 22nd at 12 AM EST and end on April 30th at 12 AM EST! See the various ways you can enter below and come back once a day to increase your chances of winning!
Remember to keep up the Positive Forward Motion!
“Keep Calm and Carry On” is a popular slogan found on many things from t-shirts to mugs. It reminds us to keep persistent and continue with Positive Forward Motion especially in times of challenge and adversity.
I was curious about the origin of this phrase, so I did a little digging and discovered it was created during another very difficult time in history when people needed a morale boost. To learn more, listen to my latest podcast episode “Keep Calm and Carry On”.
Now more than ever is a great time to keep this mantra “ Keep Calm and Carry On” in mind, as we are being faced with a new challenge.
Many of us are sent home to work, schools are closed, businesses are changing how they operate or are closed, and essential businesses like hospitals and grocery stores are being overloaded.
This means that a lot of us are going to be spending more time than ever before at home either alone, or with our partners and families. At first this can seem great! However, the idea of it lasting for several weeks or even months is stressful.
Many of us are thinking: “How am I going to entertain myself? How are we going to entertain the kids? This is going to drive me crazy!”
It is important to focus on the Positive reasons we are all practicing Social Distancing and Self Isolation.
While it can certainly be stressful, there are many things that we can do to ease the tension and make the most of it!
Make time to organize that shelf, drawer, closet, etc. that you have been needing to clean! Think of 2 things you can clean today and get started!
Not sure where to start? Check out Marie Kondo on YouTube or Netflix.
Enjoy your time at home by having fun with your family playing board games or learning new skills together. Hold a family meeting and list things to do and learn, such as baking bread or learning a new language!
If you are home alone, try connecting virtually with a friend or family member.
With many of us staying inside and potentially having much less social interaction than we are used to, it is important to take care of yourself and your mental health.
A great way to do this is to practice self-care! For those who struggle with mental health, self-care is incredibly important, so here are a few ideas:
Write a letter to someone, write a letter to your future self, start journaling! Journaling is incredibly beneficial to mental, emotional, and physical health!
Here are a few journaling prompts to help you get started:
Have pictures you have been needing to scan into your computer or scrapbook? Use this downtime to organize them so that you can look back on them fondly in the future. Here are some of my favorite pictures I recently rediscovered while going through my own pictures, including one of my mom with Kenny Rogers!
Use this time to catch up on reading or listening to books on audio. Sit around with your family and do story time! Did you know that Audible is currently offering free children’s books? Learn more here: Audible free for kids.
Have you heard of “Netflix Party”, “MetaStream”, or even “Discord”? All of these programs are ways that you can stream a virtual movie night to have fun with friends while social distancing!
There is no harm in going outside so long as you keep a distance from other people, so go for a walk, hike, or run!
Want to stay inside? Follow an online guided workout from home! What have you always wanted to try? Yoga, Zumba, Country Dancing?
Search YouTube for these things, there are so many fantastic creators making guided workout videos so you can get moving in the privacy of your own home!
Here are a few YouTube channels I recommend:
Did you know that tons of amazing museums, zoos, and musical artists are live streaming? That’s right! Here are a few recommendations:
Stay informed, but don’t let the news consume you! Set 15-minute intervals 3 times a day max! This will allow you to stay informed but not overwhelmed.
For more ideas on how to spend your time at home and discover the origin of “Keep Calm and Carry On”, listen to my latest Positive Forward Motion podcast episode by clicking here!
As always, I am wishing you and your family health, positivity, and happiness both personally and professionally.
While the world has slowed down, continue to finds ways to Keep up the Positive Forward Motion!
“Happiness is an inside job” William Arthur Ward
What if work could be the place we all looked forward to going on Monday? The majority of our days are spent on the job, so why not enjoy it!
1. Get to know your coworkers
Getting up to go work every day is more enjoyable when you have a friend to relate to. Cohabitating with strangers 40-60 hours a week doesn’t sound very interesting right? Get to know the people you share an office with. Ask them to join you on a coffee break or out to lunch. You may have a lot in common, you picked the same career after all.
2. Be a problem solver
Offer help or advice if it’s appropriate. Taking a moment away from your own responsibilities to help someone else. Who doesn’t love a team player? Seizing a momentary break to help a coworker can help you to stand out from the crowd in your workplace.
3. Ask for a change
If you’re burnt out or feeling not particularly excited about what you’re doing, ask for a change! Switching up your tasks or even switching desks can help you be more excited to go to work. Unhappiness can stem from boredom so ask for more responsibility or more training!
4. Take a nap
Taking a snooze on the job probably sounds impractical to you but studies show that napping is beneficial at any age! Spend a few moments of your lunch resting your mind and body with a quick nap or quiet meditation. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a 20-30-minute nap daily for adults to improve short term alertness and mood.
5. Don’t be complicated
Enjoy the little things. Finding happiness doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Harvard Professor Shawn Achor explains that 90% of happiness is determined not by external factors but by the way our brain processes the external world around us. The simple ability to see stress as a challenge and not a threat, has a significant influence on happiness.
The secret to happiness at work isn’t much of a secret at all. You and you alone decide how happy you choose to be.
Keep up the Positive Forward Motion!
“Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home… it’s your responsibility to love it, or change it.”
Chuck Palahniuk
“Some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost.” Erol Ozan
I’m a wandering soul. When I was a kid the songs that spoke to my soul were tunes about hitting the road, taking off into the unknown and heading west. After three long summers of hard work and saving, on my 17th birthday, I bought a brand-new Camaro. You can guess what happened next, I took my first cross country road trip just like my heroes. I found myself lost in Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run driving on the open road, that’s where I learned that being alone wasn’t lonely at all.
Even now I crave adventure, I need solitude to feel whole again. This past year I traveled to Hawaii for 10 days by myself. Those who know me well were not surprised that I chose to go solo. Getting lost, especially in nature, helps me reconnect and find myself. In the past I would over explain why I wanted to travel alone. I always felt guilty. This resulted in me developing burn out, I was not being honest with myself.
In between being a free-spirited kid and an adventurous middle-aged woman, I lost myself. So, I did the only rational thing one should do… I lost myself even more so I could find myself again.
Taking a solo trip isn’t for the light hearted but I promise you that the growth you will experience will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Remember to embark on your journey with an open mind and heart, don’t be closed off to the experience.
“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.” Paulo Coelho
Pick a destination you’ve always wanted to see and go! Life is short so start checking places off your bucket list right now. If traveling alone makes you uncomfortable, it’s okay to start small. Try a weekend getaway by yourself to reflect and recharge. But the key to finding new things about yourself is to not have any distractions, immerse yourself into your journey and be present in the moment.
Write down how you’re feeling, things you notice that you may not have before, anything that will help your mind come back to the destination long after you’ve gone home. I love to reread my journals from adventuring, it really helps me to bring the feeling of joy and peace that I found in solitude. If you’re artistic, drawing in a sketch book or taking photographs is a great alternative to writing.
UNPLUG
It’s tempting to browse the internet, check in on friends on Instagram or answer work emails. Especially when were alone. This kind of behavior has become a default setting, most of us aren’t even aware were reaching down to check our phones. Avoid technology and tune in to your own consciousness. I cannot stress this enough, put down your phone.
One of the things I enjoy most when I’m traveling alone is throwing out the itinerary. I always find the most unique places when I let go of a plan and see where the day takes me! Try ignoring your watch and be open to experiencing something organic and spontaneous. Maybe you’ll find something new and special while you’re out there getting lost.
Growing up in rural New Jersey I spent a lot of my childhood outside. My happiest memories were created exploring the woods surrounding my house. There’s no better place to find serenity and peace like the great outdoors. Take a moment to reconnect with your inner child, go feel the grass between your toes and the sunshine on your face. You’ll be amazed how mother nature can renew your spirit.
I was absolutely honored to meet Roz Savage and interview her for my Positive Forward Motion Podcast (Click Here To Listen). Roz’s book , Stop Drifting and Start Rowing, is about her incredible journey across 3 oceans all by herself. Roz worked in an office for most of her adult career when she realized she didn’t love what she was doing. She quit her job and became the first woman in history to row solo across 3 oceans! She traveled 15,000 miles by herself… rowing in a boat… with no motor. Every single time I reread Roz’s story I’m jumping for joy and longing to leave it all behind and travel again. Roz found who she really wanted to be by taking a solo journey into the unknown. She is an amazing example that you don’t know the incredible things you’re capable of until you find the courage to get out there and try.
More of my favorite reads about solo travel adventures…
Do You Have What It Takes?
I’ve always been a big fan of the word “grit”. I love the way it sounds when I say it, the word just brings to mind someone who isn’t afraid to get out there and get their hands dirty.
The embodiment of grit is what I’m all about. I’d like to think I’m gritty because I’ve always been willing to do what it takes to succeed and persevere. Sometimes I wonder if I was born with grit or if i learned how to be gritty.
Thinking back to my early years, I always had a strong drive and desire to push myself. I remember being a kid and thinking, “if other people can do it, so can I”. I was also very fortunate to have supportive parents that would encourage me to work hard for the things I wanted in life.
What comes to mind when you hear the word grit? What do you think it takes to be successful?
Talent
Yes, talent is important. We all need a bit of talent but not as much as you think.
Talent is given the most weight in society, we admire people who were born with natural abilities and assume they simply happen upon success. Talented people still have to work hard to become skilled at their gifts.
Natural talent is great but its only one part of the equation. You might have all the talent in the world but if you don’t master your skill or make the effort how will you show the world what you can do? Is talent really that important?
Successful people who appear to have natural talent didn’t get there by just being born with an ability, they got out there put in the work.
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” Stephen King
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ABOUT FINDING YOUR GIFT
Courage
Standing up to your fears takes courage, don’t let worry overpower you. Do you have the guts to get out there?
Fear of failure will stop you in your tracks if you let it, having courage to try something new can open up new doors!
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” Paulo Coelho
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ABOUT COURAGE
Discipline
How would you rate your self-control?
In the pursuit of your goals, do you have the will to say no to distractions?
Having weaknesses is a normal part of life, discipline is acknowledging those weaknesses and having a plan to deal with them.
Successful people understand that when it comes to discipline, a setback does not mean stop. “Failure” is a time to yield and slowdown. Become more aware of your surroundings, find how to adjust and keep on moving forward!
“Work hard. Through determination and self-focus and discipline, you can accomplish anything.” Kimberly Guilfoyle
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ABOUT WILLPOWER
Passion
Why are you pursuing your dream? Is it because it’s what YOU want? Do you really love what you do?
When you get up in the morning, are you excited to hit the pavement and get going?
Finding the energy to pursue your dreams comes from feeling that spark of passion! Tirelessly working to achieve your goal is much more enjoyable if you have passion for your dream.
Believe in your work, appreciate and admire the effort you put in!
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” Oprah Winfrey
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ABOUT LOVE
And most importantly…
GRIT
It’s all about staying with it, can you stick it out for the long term?
When the road gets tough do you stick with it or give up? Having grit means being resilient through the difficult times.
Pursuing what you’re passionate about, no matter the cost.
Reaching success doesn’t happen overnight. Grit means being tough and also having patience. People with grit understand that success takes time and giving up is NOT AN OPTION.
Grit is the most important key to success. Follow through and put the work in. Without grit you won’t make it far enough to share your greatness with the world.
“Grit is that ‘extra something’ that separates the most successful people from the rest. It’s the passion, perseverance, and stamina that we must channel in order to stick with our dreams until they become a reality.”-Travis Bradberry
WANT TO HEAR A STORY ABOUT TRUE GRIT? LISTEN TO MY INTERVIEW WITH THE IRON NUN
University of Pennsylvania professor Angela Lee Duckworth has an incredible Ted Talk on grit, she has spent her career studying the benefits of being “gritty” and how it contributes to success.
“Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”-Angela Lee Duckworth
GRIT TED TALK WITH PROFESSOR DUCKWORTH
Many years ago, when I was in middle school, a good friend confided in me that she was having a tough time living at home. She described how she hated going home to her parents and how she was experiencing abuse and neglect. My house was warm and loving so my heart broke for her. I wasn’t sure how I could help. She thought running away was a good idea and I didn’t talk her out of it. I agreed to keep her secret so no one would find her. In my mind the right 
thing to do was to protect my friend from the pain she was feeling at home.
Later that evening when our parents found out she had gone missing, they interrogated me about where she could be. I explained to them that I knew she ran away but I wasn’t going to tell anyone where she was hiding. My parents were furious, how could I disobey them and keep her secret? What if she got herself in trouble or worse hurt? I was confused, I felt in my gut I was doing what was right. I made a promise to my friend and I was keeping it.
To make a long story short, I was the one that ended up in big trouble. Even though I was grounded for an entire month, I was satisfied that I had made the right decision at the time. Now that I’m a mom, I completely understand why my parents were upset. Is the right choice always black and white, or is there a grey area in certain situations? How do we know when to do what’s right if there’s no rules or what’s right isn’t most popular with the majority? Doing the right thing isn’t easy or clear cut but sticking to what you believe in is.
Having trouble finding what path to take when your faced with a choice that tests your strength and character? Listen and trust your gut. If it feels wrong and icky…DON’T DO IT. Our subconscious does a pretty wonderful job communicating to our body what doesn’t feel right.
“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.”
Abraham Lincoln
What classifies someone as honest? In history there are figures that we have identified as having unwavering integrity in every aspect of their lives and career. No one in history better personifies this than “Honest Abe Lincoln”. As a lawyer and politician, Abraham Lincoln held positions that people consider to be dishonest due to the desire to win over the public. How did he acquire the honest nickname?
As the story goes it began when Lincoln worked as a clerk in a general store. After realizing he shortchanged a customer by a few cents, Lincoln closed down the store to return the few pennies across town. Over the span of his career he consistently chose a firm stance according to his values and morals, even in the face of great opposition. He took a strong position on slavery based on his belief that it was immoral and wrong, even when his views were so unpopular it started a civil war. It takes great courage to stand up for what you feel is right.
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”
Abraham Lincoln
Honesty with others is important. More importantly, be honest with yourself. Will you recognize when you are about to make a
poor decision or lie to others? Possessing integrity means doing the right thing at all times, especially when others aren’t looking. When there isn’t a clear path laid out for you, do you have enough self-awareness to make the right choice? All relationships are built on a foundation of trust. Being honest with yourself and transparent with others is the foundation for a healthy relationship in your personal and professional life.
Would you describe yourself as someone who does the right thing… sometimes, most of the time or all the time no matter the cost?
“It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.”
Abraham Lincoln
Inspiration is all around us. It may feel as if there is a greater power working through you, something bigger than yourself. It’s hard to explain, it’s a feeling. A flash of brilliance that manifests from within. Inspiration seems to be a wild force that isn’t tame or controlled. I love the feeling so much that I challenge myself to find new ways to capture inspiration.
“When inspiration doesn’t come to me, I go halfway to meet it” -Sigmund Freud
One Sunday morning I decided to try a yoga class in my local park, it was drizzling lightly but nothing I wasn’t used to being an east coast girl. When I arrived, the yoga instructor explained the class was canceled and we should turn around and change our plans. In that moment I was still feeling like I needed my exercise fix and decided to do some yoga by myself. I knew enough to get me through a few minutes without following an instructor so I laid down my mat on the lawn and started practicing. After a few minutes some other “yogis” began to join me and we all took turns leading the group. There were about 6 people that stayed to enjoy an impromptu rainy yoga session. We all agreed that we gained some confidence and inspiration from guiding ourselves! Every person that participated stayed to talk, exchange names and ideas. One gentleman went to his car to grab some vegetables to share from his garden. Not only was I inspired by the kindness and openness of the people who stayed but that they were all receptive to the experience and enjoyed stretching in the light warm rain on a happy Sunday morning together.
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” Vincent van Gogh
What type of environment brings you inspiration? Do you find that a quiet day at a spa or meditating in a safe place brings you the spark of light you need? Or do you need more excitement to bring on feelings of creativity like skydiving or trying a new hobby. However you find inspiration, make sure it sends shivers down your spine or gives you goosebumps in the best of ways.
You may find it’s easiest to feel inspired when everything is going great, but how you choose to cope when things don’t go your way can also impact your inspiration and motivation. Rather than shutting down or giving up, find the good in the failure. If you were to interview the most successful people on earth, they all have failure stories to share but the difference is they didn’t give up. They learned from those setbacks. Failure is natural, finding the insight and inspiration to try again is what makes us happy and successful.
I get out there and do things that inspire me every single week so I can write it down or record a podcast to share with you. Sometimes I have writer’s block or can’t think of the right way to get my message out to the world. Luckily, we live in a world FULL OF INSPIRATION and beauty just waiting for you to notice. My passion is communicating and my inspiration is YOU. Thank you for the continued support.
CLICK HERE to listen to my INSPIRATION PODCAST please subscribe, rate and review!
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. And in that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lives our growth and our freedom” – Viktor Frankl
Our world isn’t slowing down anytime soon, we are an over stimulated society. Do you ever find yourself searching for a moment of quiet? You have the power to press the pause button and discover that the old saying is true, silence is golden. Using the power of the pause will improve your communication skills both personally and professionally.
When I was in my early 20’s living in Texas I tried working in sales. I assumed because I loved talking to anyone and everyone, I would be an instant success! Unfortunately, I bombed…BIG TIME. It wasn’t until I read every sales training book I could get my hands on that I realized my enthusiasm and over excitement for selling was actually getting in my way. I wasn’t taking the time to truly listen to my customers. Applying the power of the pause opened the door so I could have the success I longed for.
need to practice active listening. Don’t just hurry up with a response until you have really heard what was said. Instead pause ask a question based on what they just said. They will feel more respected and satisfied with the conversation.
before you hit send. If you need to express your emotions, free write your thoughts on a word document. Wait 30 minutes to re-read it and revise if needed. You may realize that you don’t even need to send it after all.
Do not underestimate how powerful a good pause can be. Seize the moment and genuinely take in what is happening around you. Apply my seven easy steps and hit your own pause button! CLICK HERE to listen to my Power of the Pause podcast episode
I’ve always had a difficult time slowing down my brain. I feel as if I’m running a mental marathon day and night. When I lay down for sleep, I’m bombarded with thoughts of unanswered emails, training ideas and new podcast topics. I’m not usually one to make resolutions but I desperately needed some more Zen in my day to day. This year I made a promise to myself that I would make a conscious effort to live a more present and mindful life.
Keeping with my theme for the new year I enjoyed the opportunity to join local Southern California women in attending the annual UCLA women’s health conference in Thousand Oaks. The topic was resiliency and mental health. One of the incredible speakers focused on the health benefits of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is being in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness allows us to make better decisions by being calmer and more aware of our emotions and the surrounding environment. Mindfulness is usually associated with meditation practices but incorporating a moment of mindfulness into the day is a perfect way to insert peace and clarity into ordinary tasks.
Harvard University conducted a study and noticed that on average our mind wanders 47% of the time. That’s half of our conscious life wasting precious time and energy drifting off somewhere else. Thinking too often about what happened in the past or worrying about things that may never happen at all. Harvard found that the people they observed recorded being the happiest when they engaged in activities that required them to be fully present in the moment like exercising or having a conversation.
“Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.”
Sylvia Boorstein
Just like muscles you work out at the gym, our brain requires exercise to achieve optimum health. Did you know that practicing mindfulness can actually change the neuroplasticity of your brain? Over an 8 week study the gray matter located in the hippocampus, which is responsible for emotions, problem solving and planning increased in the brains of those who practiced mindfulness daily. Incredibly the amygdala, the area of the brain associated with stress and fear, decreased in size. Mindfulness works. PERIOD. All of the research ends with the same result, those who became more aware of their actions, emotions and environment became less stressed, slept better and found more joy in daily tasks.
Before you make excuses that there isn’t time to work on practicing mindfulness, you can find contentment just where you are. Look for little opportunities to be more mindful and carry that feeling of peace throughout your day. We all have to start somewhere, an easy way to improve mindfulness is to remember the S.T.O.P method.
Stop and pause
Take a breath
Observe
Proceed
When it feels like life is moving fast and you feel out of control, take a moment to stop and refocus where you are in the present moment. Have appreciation for what is. Another idea to incorporate mindfulness is to take a moment out of your day to focus on your breathing. You can do this anywhere at any time. Taking a deep breath can infuse peace and calmness into a stressful day especially if you don’t have time to take a longer break.
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Take a deep breath…what do you observe around you? Slowly become aware of sounds, smells, even take notice of how your feet feel in your shoes. Silence your thoughts, don’t think about what’s going to happen tomorrow or what went on yesterday. Pay attention to the present moment with curiosity and openness. Let go of judgement or expectations and allow yourself to just be.
“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”
Mother Teresa
