The L Chronicles: Life, Love, Business, & Inspiration from Lisa Nicole Bell

You Could Learn A Lot From A 300 Pound Woman

2011-01-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked to direct a documentary on obesity. The subject of the documentary will go on a year long journey to lose 100 pounds. She currently weighs 301 pounds. She’s “metabolically healthy” which means that in spite of the weight, she doesn’t currently have heart disease, diabetes, cancer or any other diseases.

Still, she knows that being 300 pounds is unhealthy – she’s obese. And not only is she committed to losing the weight, she’s keeping herself accountable by having me, a team of producers, and an entire crew documenting the process.

I’ve had to spend quite a bit of time getting to know her and her struggles with her weight, and I have to tell you that I’ve been unbelievably inspired. She’s one of the bravest people I know. I can’t say that I would be willing to do what she’s doing…could you?

There are some important lessons I’ve learned from watching her and I’m sharing them with you today (and I’ll be giving you the behind the scenes scoop of the production once we’re shooting).

Believe in yourself.
She believes in herself and in her ability to do this. If she didn’t, all of this would be pointless. Do you believe in yourself? Maybe your challenge or addiction is something different – no matter what it is, your success starts with believing that you can do what you’ve committed to doing.

Seek out support.
She came to me a year ago and was very candid about her desire to lose weight. I put her in touch with an amazing celebrity trainer I know and she has continued to work with her. She’s lost 32 pounds so far and she’s toned up significantly. It’s been amazing to watch her mental strength improve as her physical strength improved. Who can you reach out to for support on your journey? Maybe it’s a family member or friend. Find a group of people who can and will support you as you grow.

Put your thoughts and plans on paper.
I thought I wrote a lot – this woman has got me beat! She has stacks and stacks of paper – information, plans, ideas, outlines – it’s amazing to see her level of dedication to sorting through the details of her plan. Where are your dreams and plans? Do you have a binder or notebook for them? Get it out of your head and on paper. Writing creates clarity and frees you to really explore an idea.

Maybe you’re not trying to lose 100 pounds…maybe you want to climb out of debt or start a business. Create an environment that supports your success and make it happen!

Stay tuned for updates on this project.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: What’s missing from your success process? What do you need to do to be completely supported and on task to succeed?

Inspired Action: Take a specific action that moves you closer to an important goal. Call that friend, write out that plan, get going. Nothing in life works unless you do.

The End of Shoulda Coulda Wouldas

2010-11-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

The year is almost over! On our last Inspired Living Coaching Call, I focused on the key things you need to do to finish the year with a BANG and start 2011 with momentum! The word for November is COMPLETION. What have you started this year that you haven't completed? What unfinished projects could help you create some forward motion in your life?

With so many distractions and demands on our time, it's easy to drift into a space of going from task to task and only putting out fires instead of intentionally seeing projects through to completion. This week, ponder completion - what areas of your life have a trail of unfinished projects and how you can change that? Did you get overwhelmed? Are you lacking in time or resources? During private sessions this month, I'll be spending time on this with you. If you want to schedule a special session to button up your open areas, email me.

Remember that completion is one of the benchmarks of success. Nobody remembers the people who never finished the great things they started. Your legacy will be tied to what you finish, not what you kind of sort of stumble through. Focus on completing things that are important and abandoning things that are not aligned with your goals.

Let's get it done, people! Make it an awesome week!

Inspired Living: Know YOU

2010-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years, I've grown to know myself intimately. I've become my own best friend - I've developed a deeper understanding of myself and my complexities which has allowed me to develop more empathy and understanding for other people.

This is, I've found, essential to resolving our anger issues with other people. I am not a grudge holder, but I won't deny having carried things from relationships that could have been released sooner. In hindsight, I realize that having unrealistic expectations of myself led to unrealistic expectations of others which contributed to attempts at expressing negative energy that never should have existed.

Do you know yourself? I mean, do you REALLY know yourself? Do you spend time alone daily? Do you spend time thinking about yourself? Do you ever step out of the scene of your own movie to see the shot and the action? Knowledge of self, the greats have told us, is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of others. I've found that most people are too frightened by what they might discover if they really took the time to know and address themselves...but this is the beginning of power.

Later.

L Chronicles: Failure - The Successful Person's Dirty Little Secret

2010-09-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Throughout my years as an entrepreneur, author, filmmaker, and life strategist, I've had the good fortune of being in the company of a lot of phenomenal people - from A list celebrities to government officials to highly respected entrepreneurs. I've been able to glean many important lessons and tidbits from them and I often share them as I speak or write.

In reading biographies, paying close attention to personal stories, and asking specific questions, I've discovered that every highly successful person I know has a dirty little secret to success - FAILURE. And beyond failure, deciding to pick up the pieces and keep going.

In the spirit of transparency, I have to share that I've had both successes and failures thus far in 2010. I pitched and sold some great stuff that went off without a hitch, I made more money than I did in 2009, I launched several cool Inspired Living things, I launched a charter group in Ecuador for Inspired Girls, and achieved some other great stuff. But on the flip side, I planned a national tour that dwindled before my eyes (although I'm realizing that that was a blessing in disguise for several reasons) and had to push some other things back.

Now, here's what's interesting: I was talking with a friend at lunch yesterday about this and she said, "Lisa, you know every successful person fails. That's just a part of the game as an entrepreneur." Well, yeah...but do people really get that?

For a period of time, I was hypersensitive to the opinions and ideas people held about me and my company. It used to be important to me to maintain a professional image and all of that. However, I realized that
a) a failure is an event, not a person
b) I cannot expect to be good at everything - there's a learning curve in life and business
c) In the words of Jay-Z, you can't be afraid to fail in search of perfection.

And so, I pondered my friend's words over raw vegan pizza as I fought back tears of happiness & gratitude. She didn't say anything particularly earth shattering that I didn't already know, but that's what friends - real friends - are for...to give you that reminder when you need it and to push you forward when you want to stall. And I happen to be a big mush when it comes to people in my inner circle.

Success, according to Rudyard Kipling, is failure turned inside out. I believe that. And as I pick up my own pieces, I insist on reminding myself that I've had a LOT more successes than failures this year, and I owe it to myself to learn the valuable lessons from the disappointment and then apply them going forward. And anyone who's decided to "write me off" because of it can sit back and watch me apply the lessons and succeed because one thing I have never lacked is persistence. I've said before that fragile friendships that can't withstand a disagreement or shakeup aren't friendships worth having and I'm now realizing that that extends to professional relationships too. Things happen. Theories fail. People evolve. The type of people I want around me, in business and life, understand this and don't run at the first sign of a challenge. After all, why let people ride the bandwagon once it's rolling if they didn't want to help push?

It's true that some of our most valuable lessons come from failures because I'm certain there's no way I could have learned so much from a success.

The takeaway:
Failure & success are 2 sides of the same coin. If you fear failure, you'll never have success.

Some lessons can be learned from watching & learning from others...some are yours to bear.

Contingency plans are a leader's best friend.

The people who belong in your space do more than "get you" or want to be a part of your vision - they support you & the process of creating the vision. They demonstrate a certain loyalty, not just to you, but to the outcome that the vision produces.

Next time you see someone who appears to make everything turn to gold, remember their dirty little secret and keep pushing.

Later.

Inspired Living - How To Make Positive Thinking Work

2010-09-28T17:25:00.000-07:00

Ok so you’ve heard all of the stuff about “thinking positive” and “just seeing it in your mind” but if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that I believe in things that are practical and things that work. In speaking to groups, reading letters from radio listeners, and talking with people who are into personal development, I’m finding that a lot of people are disillusioned by this whole positive thinking thing. Some people are confused about how it works, and others have simply gone about it the wrong way. Today, I’m sharing some insight on this to empower you to choose thoughts that reflect what you want to create in your life and to do so in a meaningful way, unfluffy way.

Positive thinking is important. I have yet to meet a successful person who wasn’t a positive thinker. But if positive thinking is so important, why is it that some people have exceptional success while others continue to lag behind and struggle?

1. Not accepting the present.

You may be a positive person who is actually in denial about reality. You may wave the banner of optimism, but you haven’t actually accepted what’s in front of you.

2. Obsessing over the past.

The past is OVER! You no longer have control over it, and it really shouldn’t be given control over you.

3. Attempting to control the future.

The future is not here yet – it sounds obvious but how many times have you obsessed over something that hasn’t happened or wasn’t even close? The best thing we can do for the future is set powerful, clear intentions for it, take actions for it, and then stay in the present moment.

The secret to making positive thinking work is to release the past, accept the present, and intend the future. Your past is done and gone – to dwell on it is to allow it to be a part of your future. It’s important to mine the past for lessons and then release it – you can’t steal third base with your foot on second!

After releasing the past, we have to accept the present. Admitting where you are isn’t being negative – it’s empowering yourself to take meaningful action. You can’t get directions to your destiny if you don’t know where you currently are.

Intending your future means being crystal clear about what you want to see happen in your life. To operate this way is to stop responding as things come up and to start being a catalyst for forward motion. The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Thoughts become things – we are able to manifest amazing outcomes when we can control our thoughts. Today, choose only thoughts that empower your past, present, and future.

The L Chronicles: Stranded

2010-09-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

[Note: This is a personal blog. Some of them are not personal - they empower you. Some of them are personal - they empower me. This one is very, very personal. Enjoy.]

Today, I went to CVS to pick up a couple of items. I've got a head full of natural waves, coils, and curls, and so, I'm addicted to the hair care isle of any department or drug store.

My natural hair is a "thing" for me...one that I explained here when I discussed what it meant to me to have natural hair.

I had just left a meeting with a member of the Inspired Girls advisory board and we started the conversation with, "Girl, you are working those curls...how you doin?" because that's just how we talk. In a land of waist length weaves and Beyonce dye jobs, we stand out in all of our natural glory.

As I stood on the hair isle in CVS, eyeing how overpriced their Neutrogena products are, I overheard a woman say, "Well, I'm not sure about this...for your hair...I mean...with the type of hair you have. I don't know about that, so let's go with this." I glanced up to see who was talking and more importantly to see who the comment was for and I saw a Caucasian woman who appeared to be in her 60s talking to a young girl who appeared to be black. The girl had gorgeous, thick natural hair...and of course, the white woman had straight hair (it was short and grey). The look on the girl's face was a blend of confusion with disappointment.

Instantly my heart sank. I just stood there, staring, and then quickly looked away to not seem obvious. My chest got tight, and I quickly walked off.

As I stood in front of the paper towels with tears in my eyes, I tried to understand what was going on with me. Was this PMS or was I feeling some kind of way about what I had just heard? I realized it was the latter and I felt compelled to go back over and say something, anything, to make it better somehow.

But what would I say without seeming like a pushy, militant black woman? Of course, my braidout was fluffed to perfection and my curls were defined so I would appear to be a reasonable adviser on the matter but still...I'd be sticking my nose where I wasn't invited.

I went back and forth with myself and finally decided to go over...I got back to the hair isle and they were gone. I went to the front and checked out and left the store with tears streaming down my face.

Perhaps I'm way too sensitive when it comes to this hair stuff, but for some of us, it's deeper than hair. It's about our identity and feeling beautiful and swimming upstream in a straight haired culture.

I sat in the car for a minute and realized that I was so bothered because I, as a grown woman, spent years realizing that I had to remove the kinks from my mind, not my hair. It took a shift in my consciousness for me to understand that I'm gorgeous through and through and that untamed curls or a silky press do not change that. Perhaps I was projecting my past issues onto this girl, but I had the feeling that there weren't any natural haired black women around to tell her how beautiful her hair is and to show her how to care for it properly. I would imagine that her white caregiver was overwhelmed and confused with where to begin with her thick, coily hair.

As I sat in my car, I closed my eyes and said a prayer for the girl. I prayed that light, love, and peace would surround her...that even if she grew up facing the typical ups and downs of life, she'd never feel less beautiful because of her hair. I prayed that she would look in the mirror and see beauty tangled in her strands and that her hair would be a source of pride and distinction.

I drove off wishing that level of liberation for every woman. I know that chemicals are mere style choices for some, but for many, they're unconsciously wrapped up in a system that's telling them they're not light enough, thin enough or pretty enough so they buy the weaves, the creams, and the clothes, hoping to make some invisible and unattainable cut.

I'm happy to say that I'm liberated from allowing my hair to define me, and I can't help but want the same freedom for every other woman - white, black, or other.

The lesson? Say what you want to say. You don't know whose life can be blessed & transformed by you simply stating your truth. Next time, I'll politely state mine. What I say is my responsibility; how people respond is theirs.

Later.

Bless The Bills!

2010-09-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

BILLS!

We’ve all got them but most of us hate them. But what if we decided to take a different perspective to our bills?

Have you ever considered that your bills are actually a blessing? Think for a moment about what a bill is an indication of…a product, credit, or service extended to you in exchange for your payment. With this in mind, a bill is a reflection of you receiving something.

Think about what it’d be like if you had no bills. Your life is free of any payment for any products or services. You live without the perceived headache of mailing checks or pointing and clicking online to pay your bills. But along with that leisurely convenience, you don’t have lights, credit, a car, a home, water, internet, or cable. Suddenly, the bills don’t seem so bad, right?

Our bills are a reflection of our blessings. This week, I encourage you to begin to see your bills as an opportunity for you keep money circulating in our economy. After all, money is energetic and needs to flow. Contrary to popular belief, hoarding money selfishly does not lead to wealth – it leads to a stoppage of the flow of resources necessary for ourselves, our family, and our communities to thrive.

Each time you assume a new responsibility, focus on what you’re receiving. Remember that when you spend money, you have the power and the choice to make a wise investment. If you consistently regret spending money, it may be time to reevaluate how and why you’re spending. Remember that money gives you the ability to choose how you express the abundance that already exists in your life. Consider your bills an extension of that expression.

New Inspired Living Series: What Inspires You?

2010-09-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

I travel quite a bite for work and play and in having conversations with people - in airports, on shuttles, at events, etc, I've learned some fascinating things. I was inspired to start a new series called "What Inspires You?" - it asks the question and then allows my interviewee to share. You'd be surprised what inspires some people.

Check out my first installment of this series with Pastor Jerry Fritz of Martha's Vineyard - he had an awesome story!

L Chronicles: Becoming A Leader's Leader

2010-09-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

I had an interesting epiphany this week. Amidst the throes of change, unexpected twists and turns, and even some disappointment, I uncovered a valuable lesson about leadership.

Last year, I decided to really start scaling my company's operations and one of the ways I have gone about doing that is team building. It's been a fascinating learning process, and I do feel much more competent as a leader. That confidence didn't come without some mistakes, but I firmly believe in the value of experience.

I was faced with several decisions throughout the week - all of which involved people other than me, seen and unseen. As I analyzed the options and attempted to look at every angle, I took a step back to consider what the situation may look like through the eyes of the people affected. I attempted to balance the greater good for all involved with any personal issues I had. I found myself wanting to make decisions based on my personal logic versus the logic of the many stakeholders who are affected by my choices. I took the responsibility of not necessarily doing what was easiest or most comfortable.

On a recent Inspired Living Coaching Call, I talked to the members about leadership and how important it is to remember that as a leader, you're responsible, to varying degrees, for other people. Your interests have to become a smaller piece of a bigger puzzle and your choices have to reflect that.

As I sat pondering each of my choices after the fact, I realized that I had grown as a leader in my ability to have uncomfortable conversations and do uncomfortable things. Then I realized that among my team building goals was to groom leaders, not followers. I want my team members to be empowered - to be confident in their decision making abilities and to be able to make the tough call - even when their emotions are on an obstacle course trying to do it.

And I realized that in order to groom this ideal leader, I have to be that person first and lead myself. I have to develop the mental toughness and emotional tenacity necessary to separate personal feelings from any business at hand and then be able to exemplify that with my team.

I certainly don't profess to have all the answers, and I respect my growth as a learning process that comes with its share of mistakes and challenges. But I'll continue to push onward and upward, evolving as a leader's leader as I go.

Later.

Stop Managing Your Time - Start Managing Yourself

2010-09-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

STOP HITTING THE SNOOZE BUTTON ON YOUR LIFE!
Time – it’s one of the most precious things we have and yet we often use it so carelessly. Take a moment to consider how you spend your time – are you using it wisely or are you spending time on busy work that isn’t truly productive?

I’ll let you in on a little secret: there’s no such thing as time management. I know, that’s crazy talk, right? Here’s the deal: time is an elusive, always changing thing – you can’t really manage it. What you can manage is yourself. Most people assume that because they’re semi-successful or have goals that everything will magically fall into place. Not so. Think about how your life would change if you had 2 additional hours in every day to spend as you pleased. What would you do with that time? What if I told you that you could get that time?

Most of us are misusing and abusing our time like an old pair of gym shoes. We lack respect for our time so it slips away quietly until we realize that we never seem to have enough of it. I’ve always considered myself a “productive” person, but I recently came to the realization that e-mail is a huge time sap for me. Every time my Blackberry’s little red light was flashing, I immediately picked it up to see what was incoming. This compulsive habit was distracting and draining my time. I’ve decided to limit my e-mail usage to three times per day: first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon, and just before bed. There are few e-mails that I’ll receive that will be so urgent that they cannot wait (unless it’s Zappos announcing that new Stuart Weitzman pumps came in). What is your time sap? Is it the phone? Do you look up after an unexpected phone call and wonder where the time went? Maybe your time sap is Facebook, long lunches, or poor planning. Whatever it is, get a handle on it and you’ll have more time for the things that are important to you.

Here are more tips for maximizing your time:

Map out the day on paper before you begin. Planning the day’s activities is a great way to improve efficiency. Time is often wasted wandering aimlessly from one activity to the next. Setting an intention for the day is a powerful way to get clear on your purpose and be sure that your activities are productive, not just busy. Plan 60% of your day then leave 20% for unanticipated developments and 20% for a buffer.

Make lists. Lists are a productive person's friend. Think about the amount of energy you spend trying to remember a grocery list or trying to remember to send an email, feed the dog, and grab your phone before you rush out the door. A list frees up your mental energy to be used on something more important. Use lists as miniature assistants that keep you on track and remind you of the details.

Budget time with people. Networking is important. We need to create and maintain relationships with people. As you begin to assess how you’re spending your time, think about the return on the investment of spending time with certain people. In his book, The Slight Edge, Jeff Olson noted that there are people you should spend 2 minutes with and others you should spend 2 hours with. The key is to know who is who. Be honest with yourself about whether you are growing, flourishing, and expanding in the presence of those you spend your time with and make adjustments accordingly.

Get organized. Are you spending hours and hours trying to find things? Organization is essential to moving quickly from task to task. Clear the clutter from your home, car, and office, and not only will you be thinking more clearly, you’ll observe that it’s easier to find things. Form the habit of putting things in their proper place once you’re done using them.

Freeing up time in your schedule means more time to do the things you love and spend time with your favorite people. Remember that your time, like your body, is a gift. Unlike money, once we spend our time, we can’t get it back so always spend wisely.

My secret weapon for dealing with FEAR

2010-08-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of people stuck – stuck in bad relationships, stuck in crappy jobs, stuck in cities they hate. And yet they sit idle while the days, months, and years roll on. I was speaking to a group of women several months ago, and I asked for a show of hands of people who were happy. Only 40% of the hands in the room went up. Then I asked one of the women who didn’t raise her hand why she wasn’t happy. Her reply? “I’m not making enough money.” I was fascinated with her answer for 2 reasons: 1) Money isn’t her issue. I knew it and I think she did too. 2) I had a feeling that she wasn’t doing anything to address the so-called cause of her unhappiness.

I came off the stage and said, “If you can’t be happy where you are, you will not be happy where you’re going. Happiness is not a destination or ideal – it’s a decision and a state of being.” She replied with, “Wow….yeah, you’re right.” Then I said, “Why aren’t you making more money?” She explained that she had grown up poor and it had just “always been that way” for her. Rather than ask a series of profound questions, I cut to the chase, “You’ve never had much money so you assume that you’re a helpless victim to lack and limitation and that money is something other people are meant to have but not you. Are you living in fear of never having enough? And is that informing the choices you make?” The room fell quiet. As we all sat watching her, tears began to stream down her face and she nodded. I did more work with her on clearing her blocks, but as I returned to the stage, I made a point about fear.

Here’s the reality: We only experience 2 emotions: fear and love. Every other emotion we experience is rooted in these two emotions. With that being the case, when we find ourselves stuck, it’s because something other than our perceived issue is in the way, and more often than not it’s fear (or hate, bitterness, resentment, sadness, depression, listlessness, confusion – all manifestations of fear).

So how can you address fear in a powerful way? I mean, fear is something we deal with often, especially living this Inspired Life. You’re constantly stretching and growing and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Next time you feel anxiety creeping in, use my FEAR acronym to help you remove the block.

F- Face it. Fear is a small thing with a big shadow. Have you ever had a situation where you were hyping something up in your mind and then when it happened, you realized it was a bunch of hype over nothing? Most of the things we fear eIther never happen or never have the effect we believe they will. Take your power back by running toward the things you fear and facing them head on.

E-Evaluate. Evaluate your thought process and test your assumptions. Fear is often the result of not monitoring our thoughts and assumptions closely enough to realize they’re false. Take an objective look at your situation and the thing you fear – is your fear truly justified? What if the worst happens? What if the best happens? Mentally prepare and then release the emotion that’s not serving you.

A-Act. Take action! Don’t allow fear to mutate in your mind. After you face and evaluate your fear, determine the best action to address it and get in motion. Action is fear-repellant!

R-Reframe. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Reframe your attitude and perspective on the situation you’re facing, and remember that while you can’t always control the outcome of a situation, you can always control your attitude and your response. Decide that you’ll maintain a positive attitude and watch your situation reflect your decision.

Fear doesn’t have to be a big bad monster that keeps you stuck and going in circles. Use FEAR as a stepping stone to your personal growth.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Write about a situation you’re currently facing that has you fearful or uncertain. Use FEAR to sort out how you can address the situation and eliminate fear.

Inspired Action: Apply the action steps in FEAR and kick fear in the butt once and for all!

For the Ladies: Conquering Superwoman Syndrome

2010-08-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

So there you are – you’ve got 73 new emails, a phone that won’t stop ringing, a 2 pm deadline at the office, and you’re in the middle of the nastiest breakup in history. This is officially a meltdown. You fight back tears, but you know that you’ve reached your limit and something must change.

If you’ve ever been in this type of situation, you know how it feels to be facing Superwoman Syndrome – that nagging feeling of not being enough because you can’t be, do, and have it all at once while looking like Beyonce’, making money like Oprah, and dropping knowledge like Maya Angelou. I’ve spoken to women all over the world who have dealt with this and yet we all feel so alone – as if every other chick on the planet is making it all work effortlessly while we fail miserably. This feeling of needing to do it all and be it all usually starts in our teens and follows us into womanhood. We don’t even realize it until we have some type of breakdown or until we look up and realize that we’ve been so busy running on life’s treadmill in our Louboutin stilettos that we’ve forgotten that we’re human beings who require mental and emotional nourishment to be our best.

We have all heard the instructions of the airline attendant reminding us to put on our own oxygen masks before helping anyone else with theirs. And so it is in your life. No matter how many unchecked items there are on your to do list or how much your best friend needs you to bail her out (for the third time this week), you have to be happy, healthy, and filled up in order to show up at your best in your life. Think about it: how often have you felt guilty and selfish for saying no or for simply taking time away for yourself? Your personal success and happiness is the beginning of the success you create in every area of your life. This means fostering a mindset that encourages self-love, rest, pampering, and indulgences. In order to truly be an empowered woman who experiences feminine success, you have to get comfortable saying no to the good so you can say yes to the great. There’s nothing wrong with delegating a task to someone else or delaying a commitment for the sake of maintaining your own mental, emotional, and physical health. You can even encourage yourself by saying "I am caring for myself so that I am better able to care for others" or “The investment with the highest return is the investment in myself” or some other mantra that will encourage you. It also helps to remember that self-care doesn’t have to be composed of massively time-consuming acts. In fact, the best prescription for taking care of yourself is probably small, daily rituals; for example, taking one half-hour for yourself at the beginning and end of the day to meditate or journal or spending some time at the end of the day alone in a warm bath or relaxing on your patio.

Whatever you decide, make it a daily ritual to feed your spirit before putting on your Superwoman cape. You’ll find yourself more balanced and ready to handle the day. The oxygen you need is all around you; sometimes you just need to be reminded to breathe.

The D word that nobody uses enough

2010-08-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Discipline.

This is my word of the week.

In my office, I have this cool little white board. I have dry erase markers and every week, there's a word that I value that I put on the board. As I work, I see this word and it becomes a sort of mental soccer ball that I play with throughout the day. For the whole week, I am centering my loose thoughts on this word or concept.

This week's word is discipline, and as I was writing the Monday Motivation to the members of the Inspired Living Community, I realized that discipline is an overlooked word in lifestyle, business, and personal success. We hear about persistence and the importance of "going hard" no matter what, but how often are we reminded that success is largely a matter of personal responsibility?

I know discipline isn't as glamorous as the other words thrown around in inspirational quotes, but I don't know a single successful person who isn't disciplined in one or many ways. Without discipline, you find yourself never really finishing what you start because you slack off of the habits necessary to make major headway.

Sometimes we look at the success and accomplishments of others and marvel at what they've done. From Olympic athletes to billionaire moguls, we want to know the secret.

It's not smarts - we've seen some not so bright people who've managed to achieve success. It's not connections - we've seen people who were nobodies make names for themselves. It's not education or money or stunning good looks - it's the vision to do something meaningful, the choice to be excellent and have excellent things, and then the discipline to remain focused and see that intention through until the end.

In what areas of your life are you lacking discipline? The most important things you need to do are easy to do and easy not to do. It would be easy for you to drink water, exercise, read, work on your business, or invest in your relationships today, right? It'd also be just as easy to do the opposite. The difference is discipline. Get clear about what results you want to create and then distill the necessary actions down to 1-2 simple, powerful habits that can get you there when done consistently. There are no magic pills and potions - discipline and consistency is how you achieve anything worth while.

Focus on developing discipline this week and honoring your commitments to be, do, and have the best. No matter how hungry you are for success, you have to have a plan - and even if you have the best plan in the world, it means nothing if you don't have the discipline to execute the plan. Discipline is the secret to success.

Since you read this far, I'm willing to let you borrow discipline as your word this week too. I'm disciplined with eating veggies so I'm going to go enjoy some cabbage.

Later.

The 4 Reasons Your Last Relationship Failed

2010-08-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

Between weddings, scandals, affairs, and meldowns, 2010 has been an interesting year for relationships. Just days ago, we watched as singer Fantasia was admitted to the hospital for an overdose of aspirin and sleeping pills days after defending accusations that she was responsible for the demise of Antwaun Cook's marriage via an affair and sex tape.

It's been a hot summer - I personally have watched several couples breakup, and I've seen mudslinging, blame, and anger galore. Amidst the chaos, I sat thinking about relationships and why they end...how complicated and messy they can be and how little responsibility we want to take when they fall apart.

I have always loved Iyanla Vanzant's In The Meantime - a great primer for anyone facing relationship changes. She examines the many reasons relationships end, and in pondering the recent trends I've observed, I've narrowed the failures down to 4 causes that manifest themselves in a variety of ways.

1. You didn’t have clarity about something at the onset (who you are, what you want, what you’re about, who he is, what he’s about, what he wants). How many times have we gone into relationships hoping to find ourselves or to have the other person define us? Relationships are not places for discovering identity - they're places for fully expressing who you've already chosen to be. If you go into a relationship not knowing who you are, there's a good chance you'll find yourself doing things you object to at some point. Clarity is an important part of partnering in an authentic way.

2. You did not tell the truth or the truth was not told to you. We can only take responsibility for ourselves, but oftentimes, we start relationships on lies because we're afraid to operate in our truth or we don't want to continue in the discomfort of being alone. We lie to ourselves hoping that if we repeat something long enough, it will somehow become the truth. It never works. When we lie to ourselves, we only make it difficult for us to trust anyone and believe in anything. The truth is the only foundation for building a healthy, functional relationship.

3. You settled or did not show up in the relationship in an authentic way. At some point in many relationships, we see the red flashing lights and hear the sirens. We learn, through observation or intuition, that the situation has taken a wrong turn and that our partnership is slowly become a slippery slope to destruction instead of a ladder to our destiny. Rather than bail and preserve ourselves, we persist, hoping against hope that we can change the other person, the relationship, or ourselves enough to save the union. We know we deserve better, but we stay until the pain of staying exceeds the pain of leaving.

4. You operated from fear. Fear is the greatest single producer of irrational and self-destructive choices. When we reflect on the bad decisions we've made in life, it's usually easy to see that the choice was not made from a place of power and love. The act of attempting to avoid some perceived negative consequence or uncomfortable experience clouds our judgment and shifts our awareness from love to fear.

Consciously choosing to enter relationships honestly and authentically can eliminate many of the traps that keep us stuck. Remembering to always come from love empowers us to always make choices that reflect our highest selves. Happy Partnering!

Later.

Where is your abundance?

2010-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

This week is about ABUNDANCE. I want you to shift your mindset this week about abundance and what it means to you. Stop saying "If I had this..." or "I wish that..." or "Too bad that I can't..." Instead, replace those things with "What I do have is...", "What I can do is..." or "I'm going to..."

The POWER that you possess is unlimited, and you have the ability to choose whether your life continuously moves forward or lags behind. How? By giving up any excuses and using what you have, where you are, to get what you want. Many of the things that were reasons when you were a child are now excuses - but you have to possess a certain level of awareness to eliminate those trains of thought that are not serving you.

Here's a paradigm shifting exercise: Sit down and make a list of everything you have more than enough of - whether it's macaroni, shoes, or friends - keep going until you absolutely can't think of anything else. Then consider that the things you have in abundance could just as easily be things you lack. Consider that you created the reality you're experiencing, and because you have abundance in several areas, you possess the power necessary to replicate abundance in other areas of your life.

Decide today that nothing and no one will stop you from having overflow in your life. Stop settling for good enough and start commanding excellence in every area of your life. Remember that it starts with you and the choices you make - choose abundance and choose to live your INSPIRED LIFE!

Until next time, be inspired!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

2010-08-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

God does not rescue you from a burning building so you can seek shelter in it's charred remains. For a better future, release the past.-Alfred Edmond Jr

This quote was posted on Twitter a few days ago, and it hit home with a thought I had been having for several weeks.

As a lifestyle expert and “Inspiration Icon”, I spend my days inspiring people – whether writing books, hosting my radio show, producing films, or creating personal development tools and events. The interesting thing about this entrepreneurial/leadership lifestyle is that I’ve had to constantly work on being authentic – being sure that who I was behind the scenes is congruent with the leader showing up on TV, radio, print, etc.

I recently had a situation in my life erupt into a burning building. The unfortunate part about it was that God sent appropriate warnings before things started to burn. You know, it started with a :::sniff, sniff::: Do you smell something burning? Then it graduated to Boy, it sure is hot in here. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by roaring flames, and I was looking for a way out while also trying to understand and process how this had managed to happen.

The crazy thing about questionable situations or burning buildings is that sometimes we grow attached to our problems and challenges. In spite of being intellectually and physically able to address our issues and move to higher, safer ground, we somehow believe that the ability to put the fire out is tied to our identity and self-worth. Instead of smelling the smoke and leaving, we wait for evidence of a fire. And instead of racing down the stairwell when we feel the temperature rising, we assure ourselves that it’s just a little fire and that we can put it out if we’re good enough, smart enough, loving enough, whatever enough.

So, we wait. Like the frog in water that is dead by the time it realizes the temperature has risen to a fatal temperature, we stay hoping, thinking, surmising that we will be immune to the looming destruction.

After making an emergency exit from my burning building, I looked back woefully, feeling sad and uncertain, wishing the fire had never happened. And in a moment of despair, I considered running back into the building – charred remains and all – hoping against hope that I could rebuild it magically…hoping it was all an illusion and the fire never really happened.

Today, as I reflect on the quote, I am reminded of how important it is to always be saying no to the good so you can yes to the great. I’m passing this on to everyone in the Inspired Living Community because we all face this challenge at one time or another.

The lessons…
-Your identity and self-worth are not attached to destruction. The Divine Plan for your life does not require you to engage in self-destructive patterns in order to rise to your destiny.

-Buildings burn because of a spark – something that causes combustion. Trace the fire back to its origin, and insist on learning a meaningful lesson that can make you more effective in the future.

-Sometimes it’s best to leave things in their broken state and walk away instead of hurting yourself trying to put them back together.

-When you are ushered out of a burning building, do not return to the scene of the crime. You are not meant to stay in the “remains” or “aftermath” – you deserve healthy, vibrant, good things that perpetuate light and joy.

-Our capacity for growth is dictated by our decisions to release anything that does not align with who we’re becoming and claim those things that do.

If you smell anything burning in your life, address it now and if necessary, get out. When you face a situation fearlessly, there is no situation to face.

Until next time, be inspired!

Lisa

Book Review: Transformations by Renee Wiggings

2010-07-29T20:39:00.001-07:00

Renee Wiggins, author and nutritional consultant, recently sent her book to me for review. She was a featured guest on my radio show several weeks back, and since then I've been looking forward to reading Transformations.

The book proved to be ideal for someone who needs easy to digest, daily inspiring messages to help them through a trying time. The layout is simple yet profound and offers the reader words of encouragement and the type of motivational messages that we all need in the midst of any transformation.

On Inspired Life Radio, Renee and I discussed how simple and advantageous change can be and how transformations are things we must willingly step into. Anyone who finds themselves in the midst of a change will find Transformations to be a helpful ally on their journey.

Purchase the book here.

Later!

Are you keeping your inspiration close?

2010-07-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

I shot this in Marina del Rey after a fun boat ride out in the Pacific Ocean...ok, ok...it was choppy that day and a little scary...but fun and inspiring still. The video was actually shot in the pier because the water outside of it was crazy. Anyway, this is all about keeping your inspiration close and discovering what stirs your imagination and sparks your creativity. Enjoy!

The Science of A Happy Marriage

2010-07-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

**This is an interesting article I stumbled across today and I'm sharing it here because it's brilliant, and I've personally seen these dynamics at work in my own relationships. Read on & use this to strengthen your relationships!**

Hiding Beneath the Surface

Can a married couple be too close for their own good? Can intimacy lead a couple to break up? New brain science shows us that it can. If couples have not mastered the changing stages of marriage, breakup is possible, and often predictable because the human brain dictates a series of natural responses during the life of a relationship. How we handle those stages can make or break a marriage.

For 20 years I have been studying how women's and men's brains affect marriage, from the first blush of romance all the way through to lifelong partnership. Understanding the behavioral differences involved can be the key to making love last a lifetime.

Stage 1: Romance

When two lovers come together, their brains begin to "fall in love." The couple's pheromones -- chemical signals that work through our senses -- are very high, so when they smell each other or look into each other's eyes, their separate male and female minds become like one. High levels of oxytocin, a bonding hormone, may hide irritating behaviors from each other. But "lovers' bliss" ultimately ends, and a new biological stage of the relationship begins.

Stage 2: Disillusionment

After a few months or even a year, our hormones and brain chemistry begin to change, and our "thinking" brain -- the cerebral cortex -- may notice that our partner is flawed. We feel anger toward each other, irritation, even fear at times. If we married our partner during the Romance stage, we might, in Stage 2, begin to have second thoughts.

Perhaps the wife starts wondering, "What could he be thinking?" as he lies on the couch watching TV instead of doting on her. She feels rejected, especially since he no longer tells her what he's feeling when he feels it.

He can't understand why she's become critical of him about little things. They've been together a few years; they may have a child by now. What else could she want? He feels he's doing something wrong, but can't figure out how to fix it.

The brain chemicals that took over during the early stages of courtship and romance have dissipated, as if a rug was pulled out from under love. How easy it is to think there's now something wrong with ourselves or our partner. How easy to say, "He/she is not the person I married."

But this confusing place is a normal stage, a chemical letdown in both their brains. It's also a necessary next step in helping two very different brain systems come together for life.

Stage 3: Power Struggle

Two people who experience Disillusionment will usually initiate Power Struggle. They will counter the invisible chemical letdown by trying to change each other back to who they were -- or thought they were -- in the Romance stage. A man and a woman who are in love and struggling in this way will have the added difficulty (and ammunition) of being neurally "different" -- for the male and female brains think, act, behave and even love quite uniquely.

This is a painful time. But couples who are locked in Power Struggle don't realize their brain differences can actually be the key to long-term marriage.

After Romance ebbs, the man may want more independent activities, the woman more contact with friends. While this tendency has a foundation in learned behaviors and gender roles, hormones like testosterone and estrogen support these differences.

What's the impact of this on marriage? Well, one of the main reasons we pick at each other mercilessly during the Power Struggle stage is our differing attitudes toward marital independence. Not surprisingly, first marriages that end in divorce last an average of seven to eight years -- the very time we are trying to "change" the other person.

Yet nature does not allow us to turn back the chemical and neural clock. Nature keeps moving forward in the life cycle. A new stage of marital love awaits when the couple can finally discover each other, both as lovers and as men and women. It will require one or both to awaken to something that has been hiding beneath the surface.
Intimate Separateness

Stage 4: Awakening

What many couples don't understand is that before drifting apart, there is an earlier step that goes unnoticed. In Romance, Disillusionment and Power Struggle, the man and woman become too close, erasing one another's individuality. A man might see his wife's emotionality, need to communicate, desire for sensual romance, even attitude toward housework as a waste of time. She might see her husband's habits, hobbies, preoccupation with work, and need for independence as dangerous or selfish. In Stage 4, the couple awaken to the realization that they've been too close to each other in unhealthy ways and must now psychologically separate. This separation does not mean divorce -- it means understanding. In this new stage, the thinking brain overrides emotional responses that could cause conflict and a feeling of grief over their lost romance.

A man might step back and say nothing when he sees his wife doing something that irritates -- he just mentally steps around it. A woman might supportively say, "I get what that's about now," when he does something equally irritating to her.

Ultimately men realize that women are right: A relationship is most likely doomed if there isn't enough togetherness. But men are right, too: It is most likely in serious trouble if there is not enough independence.

When we are too far away from each other, that amazing love we knew at the beginning will die. Yet when we are so close that one person will not allow the other to be himself or herself, the marriage can't survive. Understanding the strengths of male and female chemistry is the key to success.

Stage 5: Long-Term Marriage

The balance between the prototypical male and female ways of relating is a balanced state of love I call Intimate Separateness. The Power Struggle of Stage 3 dissipates, and strategies of mature love that nurture both intimacy and separateness take over. Couples live together, raise children, love and are loved, but not because they've become the same as each other -- in fact, because they've learned to be happily different.

To Foster Intimacy

* A happy couple in a happy marriage develop bonding rituals, like date nights, family dinners, talking on the phone or e-mailing when one of them is traveling. These rituals become the pillars that hold up the marriage. Every moment of the relationship does not have to be intimate -- the husband and wife know that the bonding rituals will sustain the power of love when life gets busy and stressful.
* They practice kindness and politeness with each other in at least 95 percent of their interactions. There is perhaps no one who deserves better treatment than one's spouse, but when we're locked in Power Struggle, we think our partner should be our constant object of stress ventilation. The frontal lobes are really doing their mature job when we realize how a good marriage depends on kindness.
* They resolve arguments rather than letting things fester. Sure, they get angry and argue, but they make sure to apologize for meanness, and solve their conflicts. When needed, they get help from friends, extended family or professionals.

To Protect Separateness

* They appreciate each other's eccentricities and differences, especially as woman and man. Perhaps he hogs the remote control when they watch TV. Instead of reacting, she chuckles. Or perhaps she wants to talk about her feelings with him; he understands how important this is to her as a woman and takes the time to listen.
* They develop different sets of friends, generally female for her and male for him, and encourage each other in these friendships. Over the years they may find that even while their spouse is their best friend, they are still getting much of their emotional needs met through others.
* They allow each other different marital domains. If a special project, a hobby or sport, a way of socializing is very important to one, the other helps promote that. This way, each partner has a personal place, a time, an activity which brings meaning and power.

There's tremendous value in knowing that your feelings toward one another are likely to change over time and that change is normal. Your brain chemistry plays a role, and there's no point in fighting it. Instead, let biology guide you toward understanding, and natural, long-term love. After all, human beings are creatures of nature, and nature is very wise indeed.

Vitamin N - the ultimate success nutrient

2010-07-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Vitamin N

I’m so excited to tell you about this revolutionary new vitamin that can change your life!

It’s Vitamin No – the vitamin that gives you the stamina to overcome obstacles and stay positive. What if I told you that the word “no” was a vitamin? It can be! In fact, for the Inspired Lifer like you, it should be.

Think about how many times you’ve heard no or been rejected for one reason or another – it usually stings or feels bad and sometimes it can be devastating. But here’s the deal: You’re on an upward spiral toward your destiny – your destiny, though, is not a destination – it’s a journey and an evolution. On your path of growth, expansion, and forward motion, you’ll hear a certain number of “no”s. It’s inevitable – every amazing feat has been shunned by small minds before it was accepted as the brilliance it truly is. Think of how things like the light bulb, the car, and the television started. They were all considered to be “silly” and people said they’d never work. And now, we take these inventions for granted.

Reframing the concept of being rejected creates power. You are on a divine path – one that no one can disturb or interrupt. If something good is being taken from you, it’s only because something great is going to replace it. With that understanding, the word “no” is a vitamin that merely indicates “not this one” or “not now” instead of “You’re not good enough”, “You can’t do it” or “You’re a failure.”

This week, whenever you hear “no”, remember that it’s a vitamin that’s nourishing your courage and empowering you to fully own the big “yes” that’s on its way.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Write about what you’ll do next time you hear “no” instead of choosing sadness, frustration, or anger.

Inspired Action: Put the systems and structures in place for you to be instantly inspired next time you hear “no”. Move your vision board to a more visible place, print your favorite article or post an inspiring quote where you can see it. Set yourself up for a positive frame of mind and remember that Vitamin N is extra healthy for you!

The Inspired Living Challenge is BACK!!!

2010-07-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

WOO HOO!

The Inspired Living Challenge is BACK for 2010 - it's 30 days of inspiring challenges to empower and stretch you. We cover it all - nutrition, spirituality, mindset, relationships, and more. You do NOT want to miss this - people from all over the world will be participating in this challenge and transforming their lives.

Check out this video and go sign up here!

Don't Down The Noise!!!

2010-07-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had an unexplained hunch? It seemed like an internal urge to do something – or not do something – and even though you couldn’t explain it, you knew for sure it was there. Have you had a mental flash of an image or idea? It seemed to come out of nowhere, but it was vivid and clear.

Those things are function of your intuition which is a part of your spiritual faculties. Your ability to clearly discern your intuition has everything to do with your level of “internal noise”. What is internal noise? Internal noise is excessive mental and emotional clutter – thoughts, ideas, fears, to do lists, etc. It’s all the stuff that’s scattered around in your mind and spirit. Imagine being a room that had a 3 televisions playing 3 different movies, 2 radios tuned to 2 different stations, a desktop computer playing an audio file, a laptop computer downloading information, a landline phone ringing, and a cell phone receiving text messages. Dizzying, right? Imagine a small, still voice trying to communicate something amidst all of that chaos. How could you possibly hear anything over all of that commotion? You couldn’t. And that’s what it’s like inside of you when there’s internal noise.

When God is speaking through your intuition, it’s in a small still voice or a flash of inspiration. If you’re internally noisy, you can’t hear it and you miss life-changing moments. How many times have we said something like, “I should have followed my mind” or “Something told me not to do that”. That’s intuition – gently guiding us to where we should be but never forcing us to take the enlightened path.

Today, I challenge you to turn down the internal noise and create a tranquil inner space for your intuition to be loud and clear. Here are some easy ways you can turn the internal noise down:

-Meditate. Even if it’s just 5 minutes in the morning, spend some time in stillness before you begin the day. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and gently clear away any thoughts to just focus on being present. Then slowly begin to see yourself in an ideal space of happiness, love, and abundance.

-Journal. Journaling gets it all out so spend some time writing about the things that are loudest in your inner space. Whether it’s a troubled relationship or a lingering problem, write about it honestly and thoroughly. Release it on the page and allow yourself to be open to the solution.

-Change your environment. Getting away – whether it’s a walk around the block or a week in another country – can inspire clarity and inner quiet. New surroundings require that we be totally present and observant of ourselves and our surroundings, thereby pushing the mute button on inner noise and inviting revelation and creativity.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Write about a situation in your life when you followed a “hunch” and had a wonderful outcome. Write about other ways following your intuition can empower you.

Inspired Action: Listen! Listen to God’s voice and act on what you hear. Don’t let grass grow under your intuitive leads – take action right away!

Wonder Woman Wednesday

2010-07-07T09:28:00.001-07:00

Hey guys!

I'm Honey Magazine's Wonder Woman today! Check out the link: http://www.honeymag.com/2010/lifestyle/wonder-woman-wednesdays-lisa-nicole-bell/

Enjoy!

Your life is your CHOICE

2010-06-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Your life is your choice.

How often have we felt helpless in the face of everything that seems to hold us back? The past, the present, money, relationships, weight, appearance, self-esteem, education, connections – we can come up with so many reasons for why we aren’t successful.

The power to transcend all of that and become who you were meant to be lies within you and the choices you make. Ultimately, you assign meaning to your circumstances; they don’t assign meaning to you. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve been through, you can start today and make your life an expression of possibility, fulfillment, success, and love.

Preparation is a demonstration of faith because true faith is revealed through action. We’ve heard about the countless visualization techniques out there, but the most revealing demonstration of faith is whether you’re prepared to receive what you say you want. What do you believe to be true about your life? Is there tangible evidence of that belief? Let’s say you ordered a sofa today and it was scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. How would you prepare? You’d move the old sofa out, right? You’d clear out the tables and lamps so that the movers could bring the sofa straight through the door and into the space you had set aside for it. You’d want to be sure you were home so the movers could get in to make the delivery. You would be ready. Are you ready for what you want to receive in your life? Your blessings are on the way, but are you ready? Are you in the right place to receive your blessings? Your destiny is racing towards you just as quickly as you’re racing towards it! Have you done the preparation for your blessings to come flowing easily and quickly into your life? Remember that we don’t get what we want; we get what we prepare for.

Keep your inspiration close. What really inspires you? What makes you feel completely alive? What makes your spirit sing? Even the most successful people will tell you that they’ve had tough days or even tough years. We’ve all been through seasons that tested the very essence of our spirit and left us wondering whether we were on the right path. But you’re here, and you’re still moving forward. Discover what inspires and awakens you and keep it close. When you feel sad, drained, angry, or frustrated, turn to those things, people, places, and ideas to keep you focused and positive.

Take consistent action. Now is the time. Think about it: Everything that happened yesterday is in the past. It’s over and done with and can’t be reclaimed. And the future isn’t here yet – it hasn’t happened so your only power over it is limited to a present intention. That means that all you truly have is NOW. And what are you doing with your now? Memories are better than regrets – memories are nothing more than a series of really great “now”s – invest your mental and emotional energy into the now and begin to see now as the greatest gift to be, do, and have the abundance life has to offer. When you catch yourself worrying, ask yourself, "What am I avoiding now by using up this moment with worry?" Then take specific action.
Your life is your choice; choose wisely.

2010-06-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Since you’re an Inspired Lifer, I want you to live forever. Really I do. I think people who are showing up in the world, making meaningful contributions, and playing a BIG game should be around for as long as possible so they can continue to impact the world in a positive way. But alas, forever young is but a fantasy…but that doesn’t mean that you can’t slow down or even reverse the aging process.

You may be aware that the Inspired Living Challenge is on the horizon (7/7 is the official date we’ll get going!) and if you participated last year, you probably remember what I had to say about sugar. Welp, I’m saying it again.

SUGAR is your body’s worst enemy. Now if a murderer or thief wanted to come and hang out at your home, you’d probably object. Consider sugar the murderer and thief – it’s been caught stealing a youthful appearances and it’s been convicted of murdering health.

There are an infinite number of “healthy” lifestyle choices you could make – cutting out alcohol, exercising more often, cutting out red meat (and eventually I’ll address all of these – exciting huh?) but if you had to make only one choice, eliminating processed sugar would be a lifesaving choice.

So you’re probably going, “Yeah ok, Lisa, it sounds great now, but it won’t be quite as inspiring when I’m starving and just want to grab a candy bar.” You’re right. And that’s why I’m supplying the tips below to help you over the hump. It’s also why I’m sharing these 76 reasons sugar ruins your health…because you can’t have too much motivation.

-Eat 4-6 small meals during the day. Craving sugar and binging often comes from a dip in energy levels, but consuming refined sugar causes a spike in insulin levels which speeds up aging, inside and out.

- Drink water help curb sugar cravings. You’d be surprised how much a little water will do for you. Sometimes we’re reaching for sugar because we really want a snack and water is filling and energizing.

-Find alternatives to your usual sugary treats. If you’re a cookie monster, seek out natural, honey sweetened cookies to replace your Oreos. If you’re a candy connoisseur (I sympathize with you because I used to be addicted – been clean since 2007!), find organic fruit snacks and natural candy that contains simple fruit juices. It’s next to impossible to break a bad habit without replacing it with a good one so set yourself up for success by finding your alternatives first, then making the switch.

-Before reaching for sugar, try eating protein or having a small meal. If you crave something sweet, try fruit! It's called nature's candy for good reason. Pause periodically to ponder the good choice you're making for your health!

And if all else fails, read this list. Like I said, you’re an Inspired Lifer and you know that health is a fundamental principle to living well. So, get off the white stuff and turn back the clock!

Are you unmoved by appearances?

2010-06-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

I recently had a situation come up that fascinated me. I thought I wanted one thing – I had prepared for this thing and put all of my ducks in a row. And, for some reason, it all fell apart. I didn’t get what I wanted. Rather than spend time being disappointed, I moved on, trusting that the perfect thing was on its way. A week later, a tremendous opportunity presented itself, and that thing has panned out beautifully.

I share that story with you to preface today’s e-zine topic and the topic of an upcoming Inspiration Note (not familiar with Inspiration Notes? Click here to view previous notes on Youtube): Being Unmoved By Appearances.

In a previous e-zine, I talked about the importance of faith – the necessity of believe in yourself, your dreams, and God as you ascend to the heights of your destiny. The challenge is that trusting in the invisible is such a tremendous mental and emotional leap for most of us. However, the truth of having faith is that when you choose to be unmoved by appearances, appearances move.

What new ways can you exercise your faith? In what areas of your life is a lack of faith holding you back from making the choices you need to back?

When you exercise faith to see the invisible, you prepare yourself to SEE the invisible.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: List 2 areas of your life that need a new demonstration of faith. Write about the choices you would make and actions you would take if you had complete faith that everything was working in your favor.

Inspired Action: EXERCISE that faith! Take specific actions this week that will power you toward an even more Inspired Life! You create your reality every day with your believes and choices so choose power!

76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

2010-06-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

76 Additional Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

In addition to throwing off your body's homeostasis and wreaking havoc on your metabolic processes, excess sugar has a number of other significant consequences.

Nancy Appleton, PhD, author of the book Lick the Sugar Habit[5], contributed an extensive list of the many ways sugar can ruin your health from a vast number of medical journals and other scientific publications.

1. Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.[6] [7]
2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in your body: causes chromium and copper deficiencies and interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.[8] [9] [10] [11]
3. Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.[12] [13]
4. Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol.[14] [15] [16] [17]
5. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function.[18]
6. Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]
7. Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.[26] [27]
8. Sugar can weaken eyesight.[28] 1
9. Sugar can cause many problems with the gastrointestinal tract including: an acidic digestive tract, indigestion, malabsorption in patients with functional bowel disease, increased risk of Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.[29] [30] [31] [32] [33]
10. Sugar can cause premature aging.[34] In fact, the single most important factor that accelerates aging is insulin, which is triggered by sugar. 1
11. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.[35]
12. Sugar can cause your saliva to become acidic, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.[36] [37] [38]
13. Sugar contributes to obesity. [39] 1
14. Sugar can cause autoimmune diseases such as: arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.[40] [41] [42]
15. Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections) [43]
16. Sugar can cause gallstones.[44]
17. Sugar can cause appendicitis.[45]
18. Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.[46]
19. Sugar can cause varicose veins.[47]
20. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.[48]
21. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.[49]
22. Sugar can cause a decrease in your insulin sensitivity thereby causing an abnormally high insulin levels and eventually diabetes.[50] [51] [52]
23. Sugar can lower your Vitamin E levels.[53]
24. Sugar can increase your systolic blood pressure.[54]
25. Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.[55]
26. High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs),which are sugar molecules that attach to and damage proteins in your body. AGEs speed up the aging of cells, which may contribute to a variety of chronic and fatal diseases. [56] 1
27. Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.[57]
28. Sugar causes food allergies.[58]
29. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.[59]
30. Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.[60]
31. Sugar can cause atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.[61] [62]
32. Sugar can impair the structure of your DNA.[63]
33. Sugar can change the structure of protein and cause a permanent alteration of the way the proteins act in your body.[64] [65]
34. Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.[66]
35. Sugar can cause cataracts and nearsightedness.[67] [68]
36. Sugar can cause emphysema.[69]
37. High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in your body.[70]
38. Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function.[71]
39. Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson's disease.[72]
40. Sugar can increase the size of your liver by making your liver cells divide, and it can increase the amount of fat in your liver, leading to fatty liver disease.[73] [74]
41. Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney such as the formation of kidney stones.[75] [76] Fructose is helping to drive up rates of kidney disease. 1
42. Sugar can damage your pancreas.[77]
43. Sugar can increase your body's fluid retention.[78]
44. Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement.[79]
45. Sugar can compromise the lining of your capillaries.[80]
46. Sugar can make your tendons more brittle.[81]
47. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.[82]
48. Sugar can reduce the learning capacity, adversely affect your children's grades and cause learning disorders.[83] [84]
49. Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves, which can alter your ability to think clearly.[85]
50. Sugar can cause depression.[86]
51. Sugar can increase your risk of gout.[87]
52. Sugar can increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease.[88] MRI studies show that adults 60 and older who have high uric acid are four to five times more likely to have vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s.1
53. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances such as: increasing estrogen in men, exacerbating PMS, and decreasing growth hormone.[89] [90] [91] [92]
54. Sugar can lead to dizziness.[93]
55. Diets high in sugar will increase free radicals and oxidative stress.[94]
56. A high sucrose diet of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increases platelet adhesion.[95]
57. High sugar consumption by pregnant adolescents can lead to a substantial decrease in gestation duration and is associated with a twofold-increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.[96] [97]
58. Sugar is an addictive substance.[98]
59. Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.[99]
60. Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.[100]
61. Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.[101]
62. Your body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.[102]
63. The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.[103]
64. Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[104]
65. Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.[105]
66. Sugar can impair the function of your adrenal glands.[106]
67. Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in normal, healthy individuals, thereby promoting chronic degenerative diseases.[107]
68. Intravenous feedings (IVs) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to your brain.[108]
69. Sugar increases your risk of polio.[109]
70. High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.[110]
71. Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.[111]
72. In intensive care units, limiting sugar saves lives.[112]
73. Sugar may induce cell death.[113]
74. In juvenile rehabilitation centers, when children were put on low sugar diets, there was a 44 percent drop in antisocial behavior.[114]
75. Sugar dehydrates newborns.[115]
76. Sugar can cause gum disease.[116]

It should now be crystal clear just how damaging sugar is. You simply cannot achieve your highest degree of health and vitality if you are consuming a significant amount of it.

Fortunately, your body has an amazing ability to heal itself when given the basic nutrition it needs, and your liver has an incredible ability to regenerate. If you start making changes today, your health WILL begin to improve, returning you to the state of vitality that nature intended.

The Mental Midnight Snack

2010-06-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

So you’re probably wondering why this week’s blog came so late…I’m sure your whole day was thrown off in the absence of your inspiration for the week. Just kidding! But seriously, I am sending this in the evening because I want to know what your brain is having for dinner!

Last week, we talked about breakfast for the brain – consuming the right mental foods to power you through your day. I mentioned that your subconscious mind is most receptive first thing in the morning and just before you drift off to sleep at night. That means that you should be feeding your mind the perfect midnight snack before you head to bed.

Your subconscious mind is at work even while you sleep – creating solutions, integrating new information, and developing plans. So once again, we’re focusing on feeding your mind the most nutrient rich things we can find.

So, I’m giving you the ultimate midnight mind snack:
-1 part prayer/meditation
-1 part gratitude journaling (listing things you’re grateful for and reflecting on them)
-1 part visualization of the next day
-1 part reading/listening to uplifting content (books, songs, audio books, etc)

Place ingredients in mind and blend. Serves 1. Enjoy one serving daily.

This midnight snack is calorie free and won’t affect your waistline! Restful sleep is enhanced by ending the day with gratitude and positive thoughts. Continue to focus on the things you love and enjoy the sweet dreams!

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Create an ideal midnight mind breakfast for yourself. Write about how your life will be positively affected when you implement this routine.

Inspired Action: Give the new recipe a test run tonight (or tomorrow night)! Get a notebook to keep at your bedside for writing your gratitude journal entries – simply make a list of 5 things you’re grateful for and spend time dwelling on each and how blessed you are. A positive mental state tonight will set you up for success tomorrow!

Brain Breakfast

2010-06-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Breakfast for your Mind

Question: What did you feed your most intelligent organ today?

You may be puzzled and wonder if I’m referring to some special fruit extract found in the Amazon or a special brain food. Those things are great for the physical and chemical elements of your brain, but I’m actually referring to the stimuli your brain received this morning.

Consider this: How things begin is often how they end. You may have had this physical experience: You skip breakfast and by 1 pm, you’re starving. You binge on the first edible thing you can find (not usually something healthy) and your appetite and energy levels are all out of whack the rest of the day.

I’m sure you’ve heard experts say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – well that’s true for your body and your mind. When you start your day, what do you think about? What do you read? What do you listen to? What do you see? What do you feel? These are all a part of your brain breakfast – it’s the first mental of the day and the most important.

When you start the day feeding your mind with negative things, your energy levels, vibrations, thoughts, and actions will follow. Your subconscious mind is most impressionable at 2 times of the day: just before you fall asleep at night and upon waking in the morning. This is the prime time to feed it the most rich, nutritious mind food you can find.

So, I’m giving you the ultimate mind breakfast recipe:
-1 part prayer/meditation
-1 part journaling/reflection
-2 parts goal setting/envisioning an awesome day
-1 part visualization
-1 part reading/listening to uplifting content (books, songs, audio books, etc)

Place ingredients in mind and blend. Serves 1.

Now that you’ve got the ultimate recipe, you can start your day with clarity, purpose, and momentum. Even the most accomplished people have to set the intention to make every day count. Today is the day you can start consistently feeding your mind the breakfast of champions!

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Create an ideal mind breakfast for yourself. Make a list of some resources, websites, and other inspiring content that you can use as part of your mind breakfast.

Inspired Action: Give the new recipe a test run tomorrow! I dare you to try a hearty mind breakfast and enjoy the results as you go sailing into a great day. Share your results with me at lisa (at)lisanicolebell.com

So...you've got options...now what?

2010-05-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

This week, a member of the Inspired Girls team sent me an interesting question. As a life strategist, I get questions almost every day relating to life strategies, success, business and more. She asked such a fantastic question that I decided to answer it in this week’s e-zine.

The question was about decision-making. She’s been presented with several situations in her life that require that she make decisions…and of course, she wants to make smart decisions that benefit her in the short and long run.

So today, I’m offering simple, powerful methods for making smart choices when you’re faced with options. Even though we generally consider options to be a good thing, there is a such thing as too much of a good thing, right?

Here we go:

1. Define your values. Everyone in the Inspired Living Community hears me talk about VALUES all the time because they’re so essential to getting the clarity necessary to make smart, specific choices that you don’t regret later. If I ask you what your top 5 values are, you should be able to quickly rattle off a list because those things should be so present and evident and you should be living them every day. How do you define your values? There are many ways. Having a heart-centered conversation with a friend can be helpful. Enlisting the help of a coach is also a great way to discover your values. When new members come into the Inspired Living Community, they receive a list of over 200 values and we whittle it down to 6. I know it sounds crazy and overwhelming, but this kind of work is why they get such powerful results.
2. Put it on paper. What are the pros and cons of each option? What are the current AND future implications of your choices? It’s easy to focus on what each options will produce now and in the near future, but remember to take a look at the wide shot. What does the 5 year forecast of this decision look like? Use these answers in your process.
3. Do a 360 analysis. You guys know that I’m always using my business terms in life because I think a life that works is much like a business that works. So, examine the choice from 360 degrees – who will be affected by your choice? Which areas of your life will be impacted and how? What will you need to change in order to accommodate each option? Does the decision move you closer to or further from your stated goals? These questions can illuminate areas you may have overlooked in the process of making your decision.

The skill of making great decisions is essential to living the Inspired Life. Clarity helps us discern opportunities from distractions. Be clear about your goals and always use your goals and values as your compass for moving along your path to your destiny.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: What are your values? Think about the things you spend money and time on – these are the true indicators of what you value.

Inspired Action: What important decisions are on the horizon for you? Thoughtfully considering decisions before you’re forced to make them puts you in a position of power. Think it through and make the decision that best reflects your Inspired Life!

7 Secrets for Turning Connections into Cash!

2010-04-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

So we’ve all heard that your network determines your net worth, but how? I mean, you can swap business cards, “do lunch” and Facebook friend cool entrepreneurs you meet, but how do you turn connections into cash?

As an entrepreneur with my feet firmly planted in two industries, business and entertainment, I’ve had to become really great at networking to keep my business growing. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way and also learned simple, powerful ways to bring new people into my fold and go from having a stack of meaningless business cards on my desk to a Rolodex that feeds my bottom line.

Today I’m offering you 7 modern tips for connecting. They’re modern because these philosophies and strategies are ideal for the Gen Y entrepreneur who is creative, current, and successful. They promote authenticity and ignore stuffy, formulaic approaches.

1. Passion & Enthusiasm – Without the right attitude and approach to networking, it can come off phony, needy, or salesy. Think about your business – how do you enrich the lives of the people you serve? Forget about your mission statement for a second and think about what your clients say about you – what do they love most about you and what you do? There’s no reason to feel slimy or shy when you’re providing value. We’re all drawn to people who are enthusiastic about they do. There are people out there who need what you have, and networking is a platform for you to get your product or service into the hands of the right people. See yourself as a consultant. If you sell from a place of genuinely wanting to help and empower the people you meet, you no longer need to question whether you’re tooting your own horn or coming off as obnoxious. Always come from a desire to empower people in your network, and they will use you, refer others to you, and send opportunities your way.

2. A Stellar Introduction – Have you ever been to a seminar or networking event and seen that one person who always seems to have someone chatting them up? Those people aren’t always the most interesting people in the room even though it seems that way. Those are the people who usually have really awesome introductions. A great introduction is not an elevator pitch – it’s a one line story about you that says who you are, the outcome you create, and who you serve. Consider this example: A branding consultant wants to introduce himself at an event. There are 2 ways he could introduce himself.

A: “Hi, I’m John and I’m a branding specialist.”
B: “Hey! I’m John, I show Gen Y entrepreneurs how to become rock stars in their industry using social media.”

Do we really want to hear more from introduction A? We’ve all been in a situation where we’re bored to tears listening to someone rattle off irrelevant jargon. Introduction B draws you in and creates a great conversation starter. By sharing the specific outcome you create, you demonstrate the value of your product or service. Furthermore, you plant an important seed in the mind of your listener. Perhaps they need your services or know someone who does. They can only accurately judge that if you deliver a clear, powerful introduction that draws them in.

3. Ask the right questions. – Asking the right questions can help you cut through the rubbish and get to the bottom line. Rather than asking what someone does, ask how their product or service works. Ask them how you can help them go to the next level in their business and really listen to the answer. If you ask better questions, you get better answers which position you to offer expert advice and tailor your services to the needs of those you meet

4. Complete a network evaluation. –Before you go to that next mixer or networking event, take some time to evaluate your current network and the people in it. What kind of people do you attract? What kind of relationships have you built so far? Is your network stale? Do you need to spend some time connecting with the people in your current network and offering your services there before going after new clients? With business changing so rapidly, a period as short as six months can mean a completely different need or circumstance for your ideal client. Keeping your finger on the pulse of your current network helps you network more effectively in the future. After all, you can’t provide the highest value to those you meet if you’re not fully engaged with those you already know. Invest time in building relationships – not just creating them.

5. Create a networking target list. – What type of person do you need to connect with in order to grow your business? What gaps have you observed in your network? Every entrepreneur needs a well-rounded network to maintain a thriving business and career. After you’ve done a network evaluation, it’s easier to see who you might need to add to your network. Maybe you have a lot of finance professionals but you’re missing the creative types. You might gravitate towards younger, trendy CEOs, but you know the wisdom of an industry veteran would be invaluable. Don’t be afraid to think big about the types of people who could empower you to expand your business. Whether it’s a celebrity, an industry titan, or your favorite Business author, consider what it would mean to have powerful people in your network then create a strategy to network with purpose.

6. Develop a networking strategy. – Showing up to every event you can find and swapping business cards does not a strategy make! Highly successful CEOs connect with purpose – they are clear about the type of people they want in their space, and they make it a point to seek out people who possess qualities or resources they need. A networking strategy should be written and should outline who you’d like to add to your network, why you want to add them, where they network/hang out, and how you intend to engage them once you make contact. Even if you only have prototypes of people i.e. creative types, thought leaders, techies, marketers, etc, you will be light years ahead of the average entrepreneur. As with everything else in life, clarity helps you discern the distractions from the opportunities. With a clear networking strategy, you can connect and engage with the right people who can benefit from what you do or help you increase your bottom line. Use your networking time wisely by being laser sharp in where you go and who you engage.

7. Build relationships. – You’ve probably heard that the fortune is in the follow up. Follow up is good, but relationship building is excellent. People spend money with those they know, like, and trust. You gain that trust by consistently engaging the people in your network in meaningful conversation and mutually beneficial exchanges. A simple follow up e-mail with an article is not enough anymore. If you can’t be bothered with really getting to know people and what makes them tick, you’ll struggle with developing those relationships that will mean the most to your bottom line. Jot down birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones of key people in your network and acknowledge those dates. Send handwritten thank you notes to people who have helped you or given you advice. Choose a handful people to have phone appointments or lunch with each month or each quarter. Share exciting news about your career or business. Remember that business people are people, and that means they want to feel important and be acknowledged, no matter what their title is or how successful they are. Make it a point to build relationships that last instead of fleeting communication.

Your network really does determine your net worth, but it’s not all about who you know – it’s also about who knows you and what they know about you. Using the secrets I’ve shared, your network will explode and even better, your bottom line will too.

Authenticity: The Essential Ingredient for Outrageous Success

2010-04-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

Imagine for a moment a shiny new Mercedes...it's black so it reflects light...it's sleek...it's undeniably hot.

Looks nice huh?

Now what if the interior had candy wrappers, dirty diapers, soda cans, 3 month old food, mud, crumbs, and dust all over it?

That would be a contradiction...an obvious contrast from the shiny and clean exterior to the junky, filthy interior.

But how many of us are like this car? We spend more time cleaning and grooming our exteriors than we do our interiors.

I was speaking with a prospective member of the board of Inspired Girls, and the thing I just LOVE about this woman is her authenticity...I mean, she's so REAL. She's not afraid to be who she is, imperfections and all, and to acknowledge that in a very frank yet graceful way. To say that I have tremendous respect for her would be an understatement. And interestingly enough, her authenticity inspires the same in others.

Anyway, I was applauding her authenticity and telling her how much I appreciated that about her, and I began to consider why it was such a big deal to me. The reason is because there are so many people who struggle with being authentic. The relationship that we have with ourselves and with God is revealed in our relationships with others. When we struggle to be authentic with those around us, we can almost certainly trace the effect back to ourselves as the cause.

Part of the issue is not wanting to be seen as we are. Have you ever been in a lounge, club or restaurant that was dimly lit? You may have seen a person across the room who looked amazing, but when they stepped into the light, you saw their flaws and bordered on being indignant at the misrepresentation. We want to believe that what we see (or hear) is what we get...but too often this is not the case.

So, how do we remedy this? Well, it requires introspection and a commitment to growth. I have several framed quotes on the wall in my office and one of them says, "Love yourself unconditionally for this is how God loves you and He created you." I absolutely love it because I often need the reminder to be patient with myself. As we begin choosing to love ourselves, forgive ourselves, and believe that we should live the lives of our dreams, we find that our self-image improves as does our level of self-respect.

Albert Einstein said that problems cannot be solved on the level they were created. If you are operating at a level 2 that renders you inauthentic, your development into a person who is authentic will require change - an ascension to a higher plane. Most people can't have what they say they want because they're mastered by the fear of change. The unknown is single handedly responsible for a lack of achievement. And change, in all of its scary glory, requires commitment.

So what are we committing to? To being wrong sometimes. To making mistakes sometimes. To errors in judgment. To space to grow. To taking steps into the unknown. To jumping out of the proverbial planes in our lives. To being 100% true to the person who shows up in light rather than the person who cowers in darkness.

In my book, I talk about the importance of "safety" in relationships - safety to be honest, to communicate needs and wants, to pursue meaningful goals, and to make mistakes. Safety is rooted in being loved perfectly even though you are imperfect. In loving people as if they are what they ought to be, we help them become everything they should be. However, this level of love can only be achieved when we are able to love our imperfect selves perfectly. And so, this brings us again to the necessity of personal authenticity...because if you cannot accept and love yourself unconditionally - flaws and all - then you will be irritated at the very suggestion of having to love someone more than you love yourself.

My challenge to you is to begin (and continue) making authentic choices. Starting today. Say what you need to say - speak the truth in love. Make the decision you need to make. I can assure you that living in your truth and operating from complete authenticity and personal integrity will NOT always feel good. In fact, it will often make you uneasy...but I consider it an acquired taste. As you continue to operate authentically with yourself and others, you will find it less uncomfortable. You will attract other authentic people and create safe, healthy relationships. Over time, authenticity becomes a way of life and anything but the truth is considered unacceptable.

Every success is sweeter when achieved by the authentic you. You are more than enough.

Your life is not on layaway!

2010-04-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

It's time out for living for tomorrow when today is staring us in the face! None of us can add an hour to our lives by worrying, and each day has enough trouble of its own. The past and future are mental constructs - the only thing that truly exists is THIS moment. There are no words to communicate how profound and important this is. If you are one of those people waiting for "when" to come, PLEASE let that go in 2010. You can not spend your life waiting for "when" or holding out for some undisclosed time in the future. You have an infinite number of gifts and resources around you NOW...enjoy them! Seriously, what are you waiting for?

I know that we all have goals that we'd like to achieve, and we have things that we're expecting. I totally understand the need to plan for the future...I'm the QUEEN of planning and organizing. There's nothing wrong with having hope today for the fruition of plans made for tomorrow. However, it's not healthy for us to neglect our gifts, talents, and blessings with the anticipation that the future will somehow present a better "time" to employ those things than right now. God did not put your life on layaway!!! You're supposed to be loving the people around you...RIGHT NOW. You're supposed to be using your gifts...RIGHT NOW. You're supposed to be living out loud...RIGHT NOW. Not later. Not tomorrow. Not when you get yourself "together"....RIGHT NOW. Believe me when I tell you that if you are holding out, you are doing a disservice to yourself and to the world.

Having a vision for our future that differs from our current circumstances can be inspiring and exciting, but it can also keep us from fully committing to our present placement. We may become aware that this is happening when we notice our thoughts about the future distracting us from our participation in the moment. We may find upon searching our hearts that we are waiting for some future time or situation in order to self-actualize. This would be like a flower planted in North Dakota putting off blooming because it would prefer to do so in Illinois.

There are no guarantees in this life, so when we hold back we do so at the risk of never fully blossoming. This present moment always offers us the ground in which we can take root and open our hearts now. What this means is that we live fully, wherever we are, not hesitating because conditions are not perfect, or we might end up moving, or we haven't found our life partner. This can be scary, because we might feel that we are giving up our cherished dreams if we do not agree to wait for them. But this notion that we have to hold back our life force now in order to find happiness later doesn't really make sense. What might really be happening is that we are afraid to embrace this moment, and ourselves, just exactly as we are right now. This constitutes a tendency to hold back from fully loving ourselves and those around us, as we are, where we are.

We have a habit of presenting life with a set of conditions—ifs and whens that must be fulfilled before we will say yes to the gift of our lives. Now is the time for each of us to bloom where we are planted, overriding our tendency to hold back. Now is the time to say yes, to be brave and commit fully to ourselves and the love in our lives, because until we do no one else will. Now is the time to be vulnerable, unfolding delicately yet fully into the space in which we find ourselves.

Tomorrow is not promised. If someone loves you today, love them back! If you have a delicious meal today, savor it! If you have an inspiration today, act on it! If you want to achieve something, do it! Sometimes the very blessings we hope to receive in the future are in front of us in the present. We dig unnecessary holes for ourselves pushing people and things away with hopes that the future will yield some magical transformation of perfection. There is no such thing as the perfect time to do something and there never will be. The perfect time is always NOW.

Later.

5 Simple Steps to Success

2010-03-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

Quick note: My blog format is changing. I'll share one blog every week on Wednesdays and periodic special blogs featuring radio show updates, career updates, quick Inspired Living tips and more. Enjoy! :-)

Now on to our regularly scheduled blog...

Sometimes the thought of being wildly successful and having it all can be overwhelming. Between your current life and the life you're headed to are all the things that have to be done.

Today, I'm sharing 5 simple ways to consistently be successful, even when you're facing challenges.

Remember that PERSISTENCE is one of the most important traits you can develop in your Inspired Life. The race doesn't go to the swift so no matter what, stay on your course. You WILL reap a tremendous reward if you stay focused and continue press forward.

1. Purpose & Desire - What are you after and why? What is your vision for your life and why do you want it? I'm always saying that if you have a big enough WHY the HOW will reveal itself. So, how big is your WHY - what do you want out of life and what will you do with it once you get it?

2. Plan - How do you intend to get to the top? You need a PLAN! I cannot stress this enough. The difference between a lot of talented or smart people and the people who are actually successful is a PLAN. You don't have to be the most intelligent or savvy person in the world to create a plan and carry it out, but you will enjoy success far beyond that of the average person if you'll simply clarify what you want and then create a specific plan for how you intend to attain it.

3. Focus - Eliminate anything and anyone that serves to distract you from your goals. People will tell you that you're crazy or that you can't do it - but 99.9% of the time, those are people who are AVERAGE and BROKE! Don't allow people to cast their shadows over your life. Their self-assigned limitations are not your boundaries! Your are unstoppable and as you step into your destiny, no one can stop you from being, doing, and having the very best in life. It's up to you to decide that you're worth it and to choose success. After all, it's just as easy to choose to be successful as it is to choose to be mediocre. If you ask successful people WHY they're successful, they can often cite the things they do differently but if you ask WHY they choose to be successful - they can only say, "Because I wanted to!" It's that simple - they choose success and so they become successful. And right now, in this moment, you are successful. Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal - and because you are here, engaged in the process of going to the next level and living on purpose, you are a success!

4. People - Align yourself with people and groups who share your vision and mission and can help you achieve your goals. As tempting as it is to do it all yourself, you can get to the next level faster and easier if you'll connect with others who understand and support what you're doing. Replace any naysayers with people who are successful and are also capable of congratulating your success. There is magic in partnership when 2 or more people share a common goal and work towards it. Your relationships will help or hinder you on your path so cultivate healthy relationships that yield mutual benefit.

5. Act - The best plan in the world doesn't work unless you do. EVERY SINGLE DAY you should be taking actions that move you to closer to the attainment of your vision for your life. Your plan should outline the steps the take. Without action, the rest means nothing. Visualization can't take the place of specific, focused action. Nothing will take the place of your tenacity, will, drive, and motivation. Find things that inspire you and motivate you - people, places, things, and ideas. Have specific places to turn when your motivation lags. The fire of your desire needs to be white hot! Stay plugged in to sources of power that keep you accountable for your results.

Get out there and play big! You are a vessel of energy and possibility - be your best self and apply you knowledge. Choose to show up and play full out every day and watch your life yield BIG results.

To your Inspired Life,
Lisa

Moving to Higher Ground

2010-02-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

Take off the weight and sprint to your destiny!

Are you moving to higher ground in your life? Let me let you in on a secret: You’re going to have to do things you don’t want to do as you move to higher ground. Those things can include making tough decisions, leaving old ways and people behind, conquering fear, and more.

As we move to higher ground, there will be movement! Things will change, people will come and go, and our lives will evolve. Most folks hate change with a passion. We wish things could stay the same forever, and when we see something we want, we wish with everything in us that that thing would come into our lives and stay forever. Few things - VERY few things - are meant to be in your life forever. I mean, you could count them on hand!

Your comfort level with shifts and changes is directly proportionate to the level of your faith. With unwavering trust in God, there is no question about whether the so-called trials and challenges in your life are to your benefit. Why? Because allthings work together for the good of those who love God. So if you love God, He is perfecting everything that concerns you. Everybody who steps into your life is not meant to be there indefinitely. Again, few things are meant to be permanent. God is the cornerstone, the foundation, the very oxygen of a prosperous life, so everything else is truly optional. Because of His permanence, our peace, happiness, contentment, and success will largely reflect our ability to relate to God in an intimate way. So now we're looking at your relationship with God - are you spending time with Him? Are you talking to Him daily in candid ways about yourself and your life? God rewards honesty and transparency with tender, unconditional love and grace.

If God takes something from you, it's because he has something else for you. If God takes something good from you, it's because he has something great for you. If we delight ourselves in Him, we are given the desires of our hearts - that's a promise, not a guess. And the fabulous part about that is that God is not wishy washy like some of us are...we can rest with the expectation of His fulfillment of every promise He makes. What a wonderful joy!

It's easier to have mediocre faith and to spend countless hours stressed out over matters rather than to exercise that faith muscle. It takes strength to believe - to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God's got your back, and that there is absolutely nothing that can happen that will disturb that. This is why the faith muscle needs constant exercise - it atrophies quickly. To have complete trust in God and His plan is perhaps the greatest demonstration of wisdom. If we took time to truly reflect on the depth and width of God's love, His loving kindness, the incessant blessings, the daily renewed mercies, how could we possibly doubt for a moment that anything other than supernatural blessing would be placed upon our lives as an inescapable covering? He is faithful, and perhaps amidst our human nature, it's difficult to fathom or appreciate that He loves us enough to show up every time, in spite of how we behave. There is no greater love than the one God has for you.

Remember that not everything and everybody can go with you to higher ground. Think about what it feels like trying to carry a 50 lb box up a steep flight of stairs. It’s heavy and once you get up the stairs and put the box down, you feel like you ran a mile even though you only covered a few feet of distance. What would be a better choice? There’s an elevator on every floor of your life. You’ve got to carry your own weight, but there are some people and things you need to put on the elevator of life because God is the conductor of the elevator. If God intends for that person or situation to be in your life at the next level, it will arrive on the elevator by God’s will and that person’s choice or the movement of the situation. Trying to force things to happen is like carrying excessive weight up the stairs. Crying over the past and insisting things be other than what they are is staring woefully hoping the elevator opens on the next level while you’re supposed to be sprinting to the next set of stairs to go to even higher ground.

You’ve got miles to cover on your journey, and you can’t afford to have unnecessary baggage and weight on you. When you are saddled with unnecessary weight in your life, you can not run your race with patience. You are like an Olympic sprinter, running towards your destiny. Imagine arriving to your destiny late, tired, and frustrated because you didn’t completely trust God’s motion in your life. Your destiny is too important for you to be behind God’s timing because of a person or situation that slowed you down! Don’t let people delay your arrival to your destiny.

God is a god of motion. You say you want God to show up in your life? Well get very comfortable with change because that's the first thing that will happen when He shows up. He will take people, places, and things from you - will you trust that there is no error on God's part? In His infinite brilliance, there is no limitation or lack nor is there any foul timing. His plan is perfect, and our submission to that plan is where we get freed up to be, do, and have the abundance He intends for us. Keep an open palm so that you can receive all the things God has for you. Let go of the things God is trying to take from you so He can replace them with something better. Remember that good is the enemy of great! The world will not stop revolving if you let go, but God's appearance in your life will make your world look radically different. If you open your hands, know that some things will be taken away - there will be motion. However other things - anointed things - will begin to flow in, and you can trust in the divine appointment of those things. Don't get in God's way! Run your race, climb your stairs, move to higher ground! Without faith, it's impossible to please God. And ironically, with faith, nothing is impossible for us.

That which has made you free will in the end make you glad also.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Write about what the next level in your life looks like – who’s there, what’s around you, what does a typical day in that life look like. Now consider what will need to change, how you will need to grow, and who will need to change roles in order for your life to get to that next level.

Inspired Action: Begin packing for your move! Do something this week that will move you closer to the next level – save more money, get an extra workout in, spend a little more time at the office – take eager steps towards your destiny this week…and remember, no baggage!

Moving Through Sad Times

2010-02-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

We’ve all dealt with sad times – whether it be the end of a relationship, the death of a friend, or a missed opportunity. Unfortunately, sad times are an inevitable part of our lives. The best thing we can do is find healthy ways to move through sad times and use them as inspiration to press on and live well.

This week, we’re discussing how you can process sadness and move on to brighter days. There are 4 important things for an inspired person to remember when sad times visit.

Acknowledge circumstances. Ignoring tough times doesn’t make them go away; in fact, pretending things away often makes them worse. No matter how difficult, find the courage to face the sad time head on and resolve to move past it with the help of friends, family, and God.

Candidly express your feelings. Be completely honest with yourself and God about where you are. Express all feelings, not just those that seem justified or noble. You’re a human being, and you’re entitled to feel a wide range of emotions. The key is to feel every emotion yet not act on them. Instead, you’ll want to find healthy facilitative ways to release any negative emotions such as journaling, exercising, and prayer.

Have faith that this too shall pass. One of my favorite quotes says that no winter lasts forever and no spring skips its turn. Remember that sad times are temporary and that heartbreak does eventually heal with time. God doesn’t like seeing His children in pain so remember that God loves you no matter what and He’s on your side.

Be patient with yourself. Healing is a process that takes time. As adults, we often want to breeze past hurt feelings and resentments and “get over it”. However, dealing with emotions improperly can cause major issues in our relationships with others and ourselves. Your healing may not be linear; you may find yourself revisiting various stages as you move forward. That’s totally ok. Allow yourself to cry, be angry, be sad, and feel hope rise again.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Journal about a sad topic and a healthy way to process your sadness. Although sadness is not a fun topic, assessing how you process sadness can help you in the present and the future. Are you suppressing sadness about anything that’s happened recently? Spend time writing candidly about your feelings and how you can resolve them.

Inspired Action: When you find yourself disappointed or upset this week, do something that will move you closer to a solution and something that will feed your spirit. Remember that your emotions need attention like every other important thing in your life.

Tired? Pace yourself!

2010-02-24T17:37:00.000-08:00

Are you tired? Do you feel confident and focused? Do you feel exhausted and overwhelmed? So often we find ourselves in going in so many different directions, and as we experience burnout, our emotions begin to play tricks on us. We wonder if we’re on the right path or if we’re even fit to accomplish all of our goals. The call to be excellent and to make an effort at a meaningful life can leave us spent sometimes. I remember a time when I felt spiritually weighed down for a day or 2 and couldn't understand why. I realized I had to get still so I could hear God. When I did, He said to me, "My child, you are simply weary. Rest for a while, and I will give you strength to continue pressing toward the mark. You are on the right path; you're just tired, and that's ok." I began to weep silently because that's what it was. I was simply tired and in need of mental rest. And the more profound thing was that it was perfectly fine. So many of us make outrageous demands on our bodies and minds - as if we’re robots running on batteries who should never need to be replenished and rejuvenated. We often feel guilty or frustrated with our need for rest, play, and rejuvenation. We say things like "The clock doesn't stop" or "Gotta keep moving.", but this point of view does not serve the greater good of our lives. It's ok for some of the things on our to-do lists to be unchecked! The world won't end if we take breaks. This attitude of pressing forward while ignoring pain and fatigue is a nod to spiritual suicide. We are spiritual beings having a human experience; to ignore that the spirit needs rest is to set one's self up for a fall. We all have competing interests and obligations, but we need to be healthy and rested in order to function at optimal levels.

It’s ok to be tired! I know people need you, and I know you have responsibilities and bills, and children and significant others and parents and siblings and school and work and church and community work and personal goals and weight loss goals and personal goals and things that simply have to be done, but be kind and nurturing to yourself. Give yourself mental and emotional rest. This morning I was reading Proverbs, and one of the abiding themes with wisdom is pacing...pacing one's self, pacing the acquisition of material things, pacing relationships, pacing important decisions. Pace yourself! You don't have to win the race tomorrow. All you can do is all you can do and that is enough. Do your best; it isn't necessary to overextend yourself.

Rest when you need to and trust that by honoring your own needs, you are demonstrating self-love which will in turn increase your ability to love others, serve others, and give to others. Treat yourself the way you would your very best friend because you are truly all you have. God has not given you a burning desire to succeed and be prosperous for you to be burnt out! God's protective Hand is guiding you, and His timing is impeccable. He loves you more than you can even comprehend. Be tired, rest, and then begin again with joy, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Inspiration Journal: In what ways have you been overextending yourself lately? Are you pacing yourself or do you feel frantically out of control? Is it time for you to begin delegating tasks that someone else could do? Spend time writing about the pace of your life and how you can be sure you are giving yourself the attention you deserve.

Inspired Action: Spend 45 minutes today on YOU! Do something totally self-indulgent – take a long walk alone and clear your head, buy yourself a new pair of shoes, hire a babysitter and get a massage, head to the beach and enjoy the majesty of the ocean.

The proper use of the word "no"

2010-02-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Many people struggle with setting appropriate boundaries and saying no. Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that boundaries are healthy and without them, our emotional and spiritual security evaporates. Setting boundaries doesn't mean we're "selfish", "mean" or "strict". Sometimes we say yes to things we don't want to do out of fear - fear of losing a person or his/her approval, fear of guilt, fear of loneliness, fear of owning the power of choosing to say no. Saying no when we need to comes from love - love of ourselves, love of the other person, and love of the things we value most.

Consider these things next time you're tempted to say yes when you want to say no:

* You are only responsible for yourself! As a person of integrity, you should speak the truth in love at all times, but you are not responsible for the emotions of people who choose not to respectfully accept your boundaries.
* You can be emotionally attached to people without losing your sense of self and your freedom.
* There's nothing selfish about setting boundaries. You are responsible for your own well-being and boundaries assist you in properly caring for yourself and your life.
* Boundaries don't always indicate anger. There are diplomatic, polite, and loving ways to communicate "no" to those you love. A great start is by showing appreciation for their efforts and requests.
* As you demonstrate love and respect to those around you by honoring their "no"s, you are able to more comfortably say no when necessary.

Use "yes" and "no" as mere indicators of choice. They are not a reflection of your love or respect for the other person, only of your commitment to honoring yourself.

Cracking Your Personal Success Code

2010-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

I’ve got a secret to share with you today. I know something about you that you probably don’t even know about yourself – you have a success code. You’re probably wondering what a success code is and how I know you have one. So, here we go…

A success code is a personal formula that creates positive results in your life. It’s a method that opens the door to you getting what you want. Most people follow a general pattern of success such as setting goals, taking consistent action, etc. However, within that general pattern, there are specific methods that are unique to you. Discovering what these details are will unlock the life of your dreams.

Let me give you an example: I am a great at multitasking. For many years, I carelessly dismissed this important trait because I didn’t understand how it affected my success code. You may have heard the term, “Jack of many trades, master of none”, but there are some people who can engage in a handful of things and do each of them well. I’m one of those people. It sounds great, but it’s only an advantage if you know that it’s a number in my success code. At the beginning of my career, I thought I had to focus on one thing and one thing only. I thought, “Well, if I want to do something creative, then I can’t be a successful entrepreneur. And if I want to exceed in business, I can’t make movies or do anything Type B.” I was so WRONG! In fact, the skies parted and everything came into alignment when I realized that I work most efficiently and I’m at my best (not to mention much, much happier) when I’m doing more than one thing – when I’m able to work on several tasks, delegate, create solutions, think strategically. What a revelation! It completely changed my life.

I share this with you because many times people struggle for years to attain personal and professional success because they don’t know their success codes. They have belief patterns that keep them from thinking about themselves and their lives in new ways.

So, what is your success code? Use the questions below to evaluate your own methods of succeeding.

1. What criteria do you use to make decisions?

2. In what areas of your life do you consistently make good choices?

3. What are your natural gifts and talents?

4. What energizes you and gets you excited?

5. Do you work best in the morning or at night?

6. How many hours of sleep do you need to feel rested and be at your best?

7. Who inspires you to be better and live well?

Putting these elements together creates a matrix of things that contribute to your ability to consistently create success. Examine your answers closely and begin use each area to your advantage i.e. doing your most important work during your “golden hours” or the time of day you work best.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Make a list of 5 successes you’ve had over the past 30 days. What do these successes have in common and how can you replicate your results?

Inspired Action: Do something today to contribute to your success. Repeat an action that has yielded successes in the past.

You get what you prepare for!

2010-02-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

You may have heard the saying that when preparation meets opportunity, success happens. In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about the internal success process: creating a vision, visualizing yourself in possession of the goal, and creating positive vibes & energy. All of these things are helpful in your process of creating success, but no amount of positive thinking takes the place of preparation.

Are you prepared to get everything that you say you want to receive? Success is not an accident. It happens as the result of a clear vision, a well conceived plan, and most importantly, ACTION. Without action, even the best laid plans are worthless.

You don’t get what you want or think about – you get what you prepare for. Today, consider what you are truly prepared to receive in your life and what you’re merely wishing for. Throughout history, we see countless battles won, victories achieved, and triumphs gained because of focus and preparation. In order to be the best, you have to train for your challenges – because everyone meets with challenges at one time or another. Your success lies in how you handle those challenges and how you leverage setbacks for success.

Without preparation, countless opportunities will slip through your fingers. Consider yourself a top athlete or major star preparing for a performance. You need to see yourself winning and doing well, and you need to train like crazy so that your success is second nature. Your big event is your destiny, and you don’t want to be without the strength, knowledge, and skills necessary to give your very best to your life.

It’s time to stop wishing and hoping and start preparing! Prepare to receive what you want by making room in your life for what you want and taking the necessary steps to capitalize on every opportunity that crosses your path.

Journal about your vision for your life. What do you truly want to see happen? What will it take for you to get that which you desire most? Are you truly ready to receive what you desire most?

Take action every day this week to prepare for your destiny. Maybe it means getting rid of the old to prepare for the new or perhaps you need to strengthen some mental muscle to move into a new season. Whatever it may be, get READY! Your destiny is waiting for you!

The Power of Patience & Faith

2010-02-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it.

And the amazing truth of this is that God's timing is PERFECT...we never know what unseen dangers He's protecting us from...we also don't know how He plans to bless us. Impatience can be a huge blessing blocker.

Have you ever been in the middle of a situation and had no clue why something so pointless/difficult/heart-wrenching was happening? You know, your suffering appeared pointless, senseless, and undeserved? Well, sometimes God uses adversity to mold us and shape us. Of course, gold will never be pure without fire. If we intend to live a heightened state of existence, we have to be willing to endure some hardship in order to gain wisdom, understanding, and gratitude.

In one of Kirk Franklin's songs, he says, "Some of us wouldn't pray if we didn't go through something." And it's true. When God is raining down His blessings on us, it's easy to get comfortable and start slacking. But when storms are raging in our lives, we cling to Him. He longs to have that same level of communion with us, ALL THE TIME. We should be in that same perpetual state of praise, thanksgiving, and petition, regardless of what's going on. That's why the old folks used to tell us to "stay prayed up" because you never know when you may not be able to pray for yourself. I went through a period this year when I couldn't pray for myself, and to this day, I'm steady thanking God for my mother and my father because without their intercession, I would probably be dead, and that's no exaggeration. God literally carried me through my storm because I was ready to quit.

The funny thing is that sometimes, we look back on our lives and on situations we've dealt with, and we're GLAD that we had that difficult situation or that season of grief. Have you ever wanted something really badly, not gotten it, and then later been glad that you didn't get it? It's definitely happened to me. God knows what's best for us, and giving Him complete control of our lives lends itself to Him covering us, guiding us, and prospering us.

I'm always saying that faith is the cornerstone of my life, and without it, I would be lost. It's true, especially where patience is concerned. Because truthfully, how can you truly be patient and wait on something if you're not even sure that's it's coming? When you have no doubts in your mind that God is working on your behalf, that He is your portion, that He loves you unconditionally and wants nothing more than to give you the desires of your heart that are within His will, then really, it's EASY to be patient. The problem is that too many of us are lacking in faith...the Bible says we only need faith the size of a mustard seed! Do you know how small that is?

That thing is TINY!!! That's all we need?!?!?! Wow...that should be easy. We only need that much faith to have any and every thing we want. Your blessings, to some degree, will be proportionate with your faith. Some folks can't understand why they can't shake that illness or can't get that job or can't find true love...let me tell you something, nothing "unbelievable" or "impossible" is ever going to happen to you. Period. If you believe that your God specializes in the impossible (mine does) then you should behave that way in speech and in action. That means doing things that reflect your faith and speaking excellence into existence in your life.

So, today I encourage you to take heart and be patient. God loves you more than you can even comprehend, and He wants nothing but the best for you. You need only believe that same best for yourself in order for it come to pass. With faith, nothing is impossible!

Lesson Mining

2010-02-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

Are you leveraging your failure for success?

Failure. It hurts, it’s no fun, and we all experience it. When faced with the realization that our efforts have fallen short, there is usually a wave of emotion that comes over us. We may feel sad, frustrated, angry, disappointed, or resentful about what has occurred.

Today, I want to give you a secret of success that highly successful, confident women use in their personal and professional lives. This secret is one that will take you from good to great in every area of your life and help you create the life of your dreams. In fact, with the use of this secret, you’ll never truly fail again. How does that sound? You’ll have the leverage you need to evolve into a woman who wins over and over.

The secret is something I call Lesson Mining. It’s a process that involves mining your failures and looking for lessons and cues that will make you more effective in the present and the future. Think for a moment about some of your biggest failures. Did you learn anything from them? I always say that if I have to endure a failure, I’m going to learn a lot from it and make it work for me to earn me many successes in the future. The key to leveraging your failure for success is to accept the failure, resolve to move past it, and then look objectively at the sequence of events. When we are able to lift our emotions from the situation, we can begin to gain clarity on what led to the unfavorable outcome.

Once we’ve mined for lessons, we can create objective success strategies. Objective success strategies are like a map on our path to success to help us make empowered decisions and create amazing lives.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you lost a major deal because you failed to communicate an important detail and the other party didn’t have enough information to feel comfortable closing the deal. Later, you realize that you left the detail out. You feel frustrated and angry with yourself for not including the detail. Once you’ve calmed down, you mine for lessons.

Your objective success strategies may look something like this: Err on the side of including details. Communicate clearly and ask questions to check for understanding. Follow up on communications to answer any questions.

With the above lessons in place, you can apply those lessons to other areas of your life to prevent repeat failures and create amazing success. If every failure is a stepping stone to success, then you are always getting better and growing. Next time you experience a perceived failure, process your emotions, then move on and mine for the lessons! Use the objective success strategies to help you create your next success.

Inspiration Notes from The Land of the Rising Sun!

2010-02-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

Take a look at my video from my recent trip to Japan! It was inspiring and fun, and I'm slowly but surely sharing all the inspiration with you here and in my videos.

Enjoy!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day...

2010-02-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Valentine's Day! I spent the day catching up on some personal things and enjoyed a nice outing. How was your day? I had a revelation about love and decided to share it with you here.

Over the years, I've become increasingly aware of the importance of self-love. I've begun to see that a healthy self-love and self-esteem truly inform many others areas of our lives.

So, how's your self-love looking these days? Is it sagging? Is it stronger than ever? Is it somewhere in the middle? No matter where it is, decide to do something special, just for you this week. I know we've all got commitments, but YOU are the most important person in the world to you (at least you should be). I know you immediately think, "No, Lisa, my kids should be." or "My spouse is."

Well, I'm telling you that you should be. Here's why: You can't give what you don't have. If you don't have love inside of yourself, you can't give love to anyone else. As you cultivate a strong relationship with yourself, you increase your capacity to be the loving person you want to be. You can only give what you have so fill up your internal well with all the good things you wish to be more of, and you'll find it easy to give those things to everyone around you.

L.O.V.E. - Letting Only Virtue Express

Expand Your Vision

2010-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Today's post is simple yet profound. As an international speaker, entrepreneur, and coach, I'm always challenging people to dream big dreams and then teaching them how to create the life of those dreams.

A common thread I observe is small dreams - most dreams seem huge when they're unrealized, but the reality is that some of our dreams aren't big enough and therefore lack the power to spur us into sufficient action.

Tony Robbins said that if you have a big enough why, the how will be revealed, and I wholeheartedly agree. From personal experience and watching the evolution of friends, clients, and other successful people, I see how remarkably inspiring BIG dreams can be.

So today, I challenge you to do a simple exercise. Take your vision - whatever it is - and multiply it by 10. So, if you dream of running a million dollar company, make it 10 million. If you want to have 3 great friends, make it 30 great friends. If you want to take more luxurious vacations, make it 10 luxurious vacations.

How does this exercise shift your thinking? Where do you feel it? Many people feel butterflies or heart palpitations when they start thinking that big because they've never even considered the possibilities. Your BIG dreams contain the inspiration you need to get into action and stay in action and eventually realize your dreams and then some.

Expand your vision. Remember that your life can only be as big as you are, so expand yourself and watch your life reflect your internal evolution. Be bold and dream BIG!

The Ultimate Dream Killer

2010-02-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

Ok...I'm going to warn you that this post is going to be intense because I feel VERY strongly about this topic...

If you're reading this, I assume you have dreams, goals, and things you'd like to see happen in your life. I would guess that you're a reasonably positive person who enjoys being inspired since you're reading this.

And yet, I'd imagine that at some time in your life, you've dealt with the ultimate dream killer.

You've been cruising along, getting things done, and enjoying some success. You've happily accepted the awesome things that have come your way, only to get comfortable and begin to shrink.

And then...it rears its ugly head. The Dream Killer comes in like a thief in the night, snatching up your ability to succeed while you are none the wiser, basking in the glow of your previous accomplishments.

But you're not the victim. You weren't vigilant and so, the Ultimate Dream Killer visited you via an unspoken invitation.

You looked up and realized that you were plagued by it - PROCRASTINATION.

I have never seen anything other than fear be responsible for so many dashed dreams and so much unrealized potential. Throughout my years as a speaker, writer, and coach, I've witnessed the countless excuses people come up with for not starting NOW on making their dreams a reality and at the root, I see the Ultimate Dream Killer, procrastination, causing even the most brilliant and successful people to be stagnant.

So today, I pose a simple yet poignant question: What are you waiting for (to go to the next level, to take the next step, to create the life of your dreams, to excel even higher)? Sometimes it's money or another person or an opportunity or more time or next year or the "right situation"...frankly, I don't care what the answer is. I just want you to answer it for yourself because we can slay the dragon if he's a ghost.

So you say you're waiting on __________________. Alright...let me ask you this: What is ____________________ never comes? Will you simply forgo your dream and all of its splendor because you never got what you thought you needed? Or will you decide to find a way or make one?

I want you to challenge your assumptions. What do you believe is standing in your way and why are you putting off the specific, important action necessary to move forward? ACTION is such a beautiful thing - not only is it fear repellant, it's also kryptonite to the Ultimate Dream Killer. When you move, everything else moves. The universe is in motion - you are either evolving with it, or devolving into death. Your choice.

My challenge to you today is to DO IT NOW. No, seriously, like, right now. I know that tomorrow, or next week, or next year or next lifetime sounds and feels better, but there's no power in that. Your point of power is ALWAYS now...it's always in the moment. You leverage that power by consistently acting in alignment with your stated goals and intentions.

What will you DO today? Don't let the Ultimate Dream Killer leave you behind in a lackluster life. Create a powerful plan and take powerful action. There are enough people and things to get in your way - don't be one of them! Free yourself by opening yourself up to the possibilities of inspired action. Ok, enough chatter - go take action!

The simple way to be immediately successful

2010-02-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

There's a simple yet powerful way to be immediately successful: Start working on a meaningful goal.

What is your definition of success? So many people have super lofty, pie in the sky ideals - a mansion, a billion dollars, a fleet of luxury cars, an appearance on Oprah, an endless supply of rich and beautiful friends, a smoking hot spouse, a jet for spur of the moment vacations and so much more. Maybe you simply want to retire early or find the love of your life. Whatever your goal is, you don't have to wait until you achieve it to be successful.

Most of my readers know I'm a personal development junkie - I devour material that helps me do what I do better. I am a life strategist - I help people integrate their lives to create the life of their dreams. It's fun & exciting work, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. Anyhoo, I'm always listening to or reading something on personal development and one of my favorite recordings of all time is Earl Nightengale's Strangest Secret. It's such a powerful recording, and it always inspires me to step my game up.

In the recording, Earl Nightengale states that success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Interesting, huh? What if you're already successful? What if you've wrongly considered yourself an outsider from the "successful people"? You may be thinking, "Well, if I'm successful, why don't I have anything to show for it?"

Successful people are ALWAYS learning. I've observed that the most successful people in the world are endlessly curious and always seeking out new knowledge. They're also not afraid of any perceived failure. They insist on playing full out and so, they enjoy success that many people never even attempt.

In Earl's definition, he uses the word progressive...progress...an event that occurs over time. Contrary to the belief of many people, success is not an instant event. It's not an occurrence; it's a development. It's a commitment that one makes that reveals itself over time.

So today, I dare you to consider yourself successful. I mean really successful. And to take it all a step further, begin referring to yourself as such. It doesn't make you stuck up or egotistical or any of that - it makes you confident and reaffirms the truth - that as you continue working toward your worthy ideal, you, in all of your inspired glory, are successful.

Pitch with Passion & Enthusiasm

2010-02-02T14:21:00.000-08:00

Pitch. Sell. Propose.

The words create tension, angst, and fear for many. Are you one of them? Over the past year, I've observed how many people have a problem with selling. Alongside that observation, I've noticed how powerful selling is and that is truly is the most lucrative occupation in the world. After all, no matter what your station in life, your ability to succeed and transcend to new levels of success is predicated, at least in part, on your ability to sell.

And by sell, I mean to exchange one valuable thing for another. For some reason, selling has gotten a bad rap as being that slimy, imposing, pushy thing only unscrupulous men in cheap polyester suits do. Yet when I look at some of the most successful people in our world -past and present- Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and others, they ALL possessed and developed the ability to persuade people - many, many people - to adopt their perspectives. In short, they sold the masses on their ideas, and in the process, they effected change in the world.

How do you feel about selling? I realized a couple of years ago that I had some "stuff" around selling - I was totally uncomfortable with promoting myself and selling myself or my businesses. After doing some reading and studying, I realized that selling is NOT slimy. In fact, I was withholding all of my brilliance and inspiration from the world by not selling. There were throngs of people who needed what I had...but how would they know if I never pitched it? How would they know unless I promoted myself with passion & enthusiasm? I managed to free myself from the mire of "Selling is icky" by being willing to fearlessly step outside of my comfort zone. I decided to "turn it on" - after all, I knew how to sell. I could sell ice in the winter, in the words of the rap scholar Mr. Jay-Z. I was good at it and needed to realize the importance of it to be willing to do it.

So today, I challenge you to become a better seller. Selling is not restricted to business activity either. Every day, we're selling someone on something...a spouse on where to vacation, a friend on where to eat for dinner, a boss on a raise. We don't realize the power of our pitches, but those who do get powerful results.

Work on your pitch today. Next time you ask someone for something, analyze your pitch...
1. Are you creating value for the other party? What's in it for them?
2. Are you receiving value for you your created value?
3. What is the other party's perspective on your proposition? Where are they coming from?
4. Why is this important to you?

Asking yourself these questions will improve your pitches personally and professionally. Give them a shot next time you make a request!

Later.

The Power of Intention

2010-02-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

2010 is in its infancy and already I've seen the undeniable power of intention. I am a firm believer in the power of choosing what you want, taking directed action, and then allowing the result to unfold before you in divine timing.

At the beginning of the year, I set powerful intentions and decided that 2010 would be a breakthrough year for me. I set goals that stretched me WAY outside of my comfort zone and forced me to look more closely at my habits and the results they were yielding.

In just 4 weeks, I've manifested some powerful things:
-A new personal trainer
-An international speaking engagement
-New joint ventures
-New wealth building opportunities
-New connections in my network

It's powerful what can happen when you decide that your ACTIONS will match your INTENTIONS...and stop making excuses for why it isn't so. When you throw Plan B away and decide that you will give 100% to Plan A, magic happens.

So today, I encourage you to get super clear about your intention. Decide what you want and be specific in your actions. Passivity will get you nowhere. Be bold and brilliant, and as amazing things unfold, remember to be grateful and to pass on the brilliance!

Later.

Different isn't good or bad...

2010-01-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Throughout our lives, we develop our own definition of normal. We grow to associate ourselves and our personal experiences with "normalcy" and "good" and anything else is "bad" or "weird".

While in Japan, I was thrown into a sea of things that were completely from everything I knew as "normal". I've always realized that good or bad is a meaning we assign and not one inherent to any situation or idea, but this concept was underscored while roaming through the streets of Tokyo, unable to read signs, watching people bow to one another, and seeing vending machines everywhere. The kneejerk reaction is "Whoa, this is weird." but the reality is that it's different.

Noting the difference between "weird" and "different" creates a paradigm shift that empowers us to take our tinted glasses off and see the world more objectively. Doing so prevents us from suffering needlessly in situations where we have the power to assign a meaning to a situation instead of feeling victimized by the circumstances in our lives.

Consider this next time you find yourself in the middle of a seemingly unpleasant situation. Rather than jump to the conclusion that the situation is "bad", take a second to evaluate the potential upsides and then test the assumption that the situation is negative. Ask yourself, "What if this is a good situation, working to my advantage?" and operate from a place of knowing that God has you in the palm of His hand and that everything is happening in divine order and divine timing.

Later.

Guess Who's Back?!

2010-01-20T10:48:00.001-08:00

Please forgive my absence. Besides being incredibly productive, I took the trip of a lifetime to JAPAN!! It was an amazing journey, and I had a wonderful time.

I'm excited to share some observations & reflections from the trip. You'll get to see my video diary where I shared Inspiration Notes in real time, and I'll be blogging about the experience here as well.

Today, I want to share the importance of courtesy and being well-mannered. In Japan, there is tremendous emphasis placed on respect, honor, integrity, and courtesy. I was impressed and excited to observe how the Japanese relate to each other and even to foreigners.

I have returned to the States with a new understanding of what it means to respect another person. After all, bowing to everyone you meet puts things in a very different perspective! I've gained a deeper understanding of what it means to honor the divinity in another and today, I encourage you to look for opportunities to honor the people around you. Common courtesy goes a VERY long way, especially when you're in a new place. Simple things like a smile earned me the good graces of many people.

Decide today to be more patient, more giving, more loving, more respectful. Make a commitment to being your best, not just with those you know personally, but with everyone.

And to get you started, here are a few ideas:
1. SMILE! A smile is the shortest distance between you and another person. Warm your heart and others with a smile.

2. Consider others before you act or speak. In America, we're obsessed with ourselves - how we speak, act, dress, think, etc. Spend some time considering others and how you can improve their lives. By giving away love and goodwill, you create more of it for yourself.

3. Act intentionally. Haphazard busyness from day to day not only drains your energy, it also keeps you on a hamster wheel that doesn't get you anywhere. Slow down in the morning and spend time thinking about what you need to get done that will be truly productive, not just busy.

4. Disagree respectfully. Even when you have to deliver unpleasant news or make a request, you can do so in a respectful way that also honors the other person's needs.

Remember that the only love you keep is the love you give away!

Later.

Super Sunday Quote!

2010-01-03T13:33:00.000-08:00

Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark. ~Rabindranath Tagore

Super Saturday Quote!

2010-01-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there.

New Video - Empower Yourself in 2010!

2010-01-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody!

I created a special video to share my empowerment formula for success in 2010. I've witnessed amazing results using this simple formula for myself and people I've coached. I very highly recommend using this formula in 2010 to take your life to the next level.

Watch the video here!

11 Tips For Achieving Prosperity in 2010

2010-01-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

1. Decide to be prosperous.
We already know that in order to achieve anything, we must first make a decision to do it. We must then believe that that achievement is possible for us. This is also true of prosperity and abundance. We must DECIDE that we will indeed be successful and prosperous. In committing to being prosperous, we can move on to do the things that will enable us to be prosperous and then have prosperity.

2. Develop a positive mindset
When you think of money or your financial situation, what comes to mind? How do you feel? We all know that we attract what we think about and what we focus on. Therefore, our focus needs to be on the things we want to invite into our lives instead of things we are seeking to avoid. Practice thinking positive thoughts about your financial situation and your life. Doing so will enable you to see solutions and opportunities more clearly.

3. Start talking about money!

How many of us grew up avoiding the topic of money? Did our parents and other adults speak openly and honestly about money or was it hush hush? In order to get a fir grasp on where we are financially, we must be willing to be honest with ourselves and our financial managers by being willing to open up a bit about our financial situation.

You never know where your blessing may come from so even though it's not necessary to wear your salary on your sleeve, it is wise to discuss financial matters with a spouse, mentor, or financial advisor.

4. Use strong, affirming language when you talk about money.

Your tongue and your words are extremely powerful! Do not take this for granted by speaking negativity and lack into your life. If necessary, post affirmations around your home that keep you focused on being, doing, and having more and then read them aloud as necessary. Get in the habit of using positive language as it relates to your finance. Putting abundance out into the atmosphere will result in the manifestation of the same.

5. Be open to opportunities.

Turn your opportunity radar on and up! When you become conscious of your own abundance, you also increase your sensitivity to new opportunities to create abundance in your life. Prosperity often lies dormant around us, but we do not see the opportunity because our paradigms are not programmed to recognize them. To relate an example, what was once just baking soda in your cupboard may now be a teeth whitener, clarifying hair treatment, and facial scrub. If you were unaware of the many benefits of baking soda, you may have left it sitting there unused. However, once you are in tune with the possibilities, you can find new uses for an old product. This principle also applies to abundance and prosperity. Look around for new ways to create abundance from old opportunities!

6. Take action!

What are you waiting for? With the holidays upon us, many people will begin putting things off until the New Year. Resist this temptation. There is no time like the present to get started achieving your goals and creating prosperity. Begin today, even if you only make a list of the different things you would like to do going forward.

7. Know exactly what you spend each month.
Oftentimes, we spend the money until we run out without thinking about what we're spending it on or why we're spending it. A pack of gum here, a bottle of conditioner there can add up quickly. Tracking your spending for 30-60 days can really help you get a grip on what you're spending money on and what adjustments can be made.

8. Know exactly what you earn each month.
Many ladies on this board have side hustles and multiple streams of income. There are also artists and creative types. Generally, this kind of thing results in a fluctuating income. It is important to have an understanding of our "fixed" income and "variable" income in order to budget properly and assess areas that need special attention. We may discover that we are simply not earning enough to cover all of our expenses or we may see that while we are earning plenty of money, we are misusing it.

9. Calculate the difference.
Know whether there is a surplus or deficit in your income. Do you need more money to cover your essentials or do you need to cut back on frivolous spending? Knowing the difference between what you earn and what you spend can go a long way towards achieving prosperity.

10. Track your net worth.
Add up all of your assets then subtract from that number all of your liabilities (debt, loans, etc). This number is your net worth. It is completely irrelevant what this number is...the important thing is that you know what it is so you know how to go about increasing it. This number does not in any way define you...it's simply a tool, like a credit score, that can help you develop yourself financially.

11. Focus on being rich, not looking rich.
Ask yourself how much you are spending on things you don't really need. Think about the clothes you have and are not wearing. Consider the money you're spending on lattes, nail polish, and entertainment. Are there ways to cut back? This doesn't mean you can never live well and enjoy the things you have. It means that by avoiding being wasteful, you can increase your ability to establish and maintain wealth.

Don't Create Resolutions This Year!!

2009-12-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

This piece came directly from my Inspired Living E-zine. If you're feeling excited about 2010 but want to focus your energy, give this a shot. I recently heard that in the absence of clarity, it's impossible to tell the difference between an opportunity and a distraction. Be specific about what you want to see happen this year and be sure you're willing to trade something you have now to get it! Happy New Year!

This week, I’m offering you 4 practical tips for making 2010 your best
year ever. Regardless of what you want to see happen this year, you can
position yourself for outrageous success.

1. Mine 2009 For Lessons. What did you learn this year? It’s easy to
run through a mental list of what went well and where you could improve,
but seeing things on paper is powerful. Take time today or tomorrow to make
a physical list of 4 things
-Your successes from 2009
-Your challenges from 2009
-The areas where you improved the most (from one point to the next)
-The important lessons you learned in 2009
2. Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions. Decide what you want December
2010 to look like. Use the 6 key areas of Inspired Living as outlined in
Divine Inspirations or the free e-book you got when you signed up for this
list. Resolutions are traps. They create a desire to achieve something
meaningful, but they don’t contain the means to achieve the desired
result. Instead of resolutions, use the VGPA system for making things
happen in 2010.
Vision – Create the vision for 2010. What will success look and feel
like for you this year? What are you willing to exchange to get what you
want? Be specific with the details of your goals.
Goals – Set goals from those visions. For instance, if your vision is a
toned, healthy body, set goals that will help you accomplish that. Perhaps
your goal would look like this:
Health goals – lose 20 lbs, exercise 3 times per week, drink 1L of
water daily
From there, you’re empowered to make things happen because your goals
are specific and measurable.
Plan – After the goals are in place, then create a plan to make the
goals happen. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Be sure that you
spend the necessary time thinking through how you will make your goals
happen. Simply visualizing and hoping won’t work! Create a plan and
then…
Make It Happen – No plan works unless you do! Get going! You’ve got
an amazing vision, great goals, and a well-laid plan. It’s time to pound
the pavement and to leverage your personal power for success. Don’t allow
half the year to blow by before you make moves on creating the next chapter
of your life.
3. Educate Yourself. Learn all you can about the subject matter of the
goals you set. Remember that readers are leaders, and that knowledge is
power. You can’t create an exceptional life if you don’t know what it
takes to get what you want. Invest in yourself and learn all you can to
become the best person you can in 2010.
4. Empower Yourself. Use all of the tools at your disposal to increase
your odds of success. Take the necessary steps to set yourself up to
succeed this year.
-Write your goals down. People who write their goals down achieve much
more than those who don’t. Take the time to list your goals and review
them daily.
-Visualize your goals. Spend time seeing yourself achieving your goals.
Take a few minutes each morning and each night to contemplate your goals
and see yourself inside of your future success.
-Create a vision board. Grab a piece of poster board and attach pictures
and words that reflect the goals you want to achieve in the 6 key areas of
Inspired Living. Use this vision board as a tangible reminder of everything
you’re working towards in 2010.
-Find a coach or mentor. Connect with someone who’s done the things you
want to do and create an alliance with that person. Remember that success
leaves clues and another person’s experiences can empower you to achieve
more, in less time.

Give yourself every chance for success this year. You deserve to “live
the life of your dreams”, and I’m committed to supporting you in 2010
as you reach for the starts.

Inspired Journaling Prompt: Write about your vision for 2010 and write
about why you want to see those things happen in your life.

Inspired Action: Use each of the 4 key success tips from this week to set
the pace for 2010. Make 2010 your best year ever and commit to your goals!

Until next time, be inspired!

Reflecting & Regrouping - An Overachiever's Confessions

2009-12-31T20:58:00.000-08:00

I'm making this incredibly personal post to put myself on blast and hopefully inspire someone out there in cyberspace to take my advice. I've been poking around online the past week or so looking at various posts about how to "win in 2010" and how to make "2010 a 10"...and most of them have been good - helpful in some regard and food for thought.

However, none of them have dealt with the big, ugly monster I've been wrestling for about 3 weeks - overachiever's guilt. Some people may roll their eyes at this idea, but anyone who is purposeful, accomplished, and ambitious can probably relate on some level - you've either been there or you're there now.

So, here's my deal - it feels like I'm lagging. Why? I have no idea. In reality, 2009 was a very big year for me. I got a lot done and even more in place for a stellar 2010. I'm properly positioned to go to the next level, and there's nothing standing in my way. So why this angsty feeling?

As an overachiever, I sometimes find myself using an unrealistic measuring stick for myself. I somehow believe that I "should have" accomplished things someone twice my age has and I occasionally wrestle with the typical entrepreneur's mental hampster wheel of always feeling the need to be "productive". Every one around me has been stoked about 2010, and honestly, deep down inside, I am too...because on a subconscious level, I know I'm winning...I know I'm positioned for amazing things, but on the conscious level, it feels blah...

But that was until I started one of my New Year's Eve rituals - lesson mining - for 2009. I began making a list of successes and wins from 2009. For whatever reason, I expected to struggle with this, but as I surveyed the various areas of my life, I realized that 2009 has been exceptional and that I have so much to celebrate! I realized that I had been allowing overachiever's guilt to keep me stuck in a place of thinking I was doing enough or that there wasn't enough happening. The truth is that I've grown exponentially and that I'm learning to do less and achieve more.

I'm also realizing that much of my discomfort comes from growth. When we're out of our comfort zones, we're growing and we're moving into new spaces. Over time, I've grown comfortable with discomfort. I live outside of my comfort zone - always pushing, always stretching, always reaching. And it's a wonderful acquired taste.

After coming to this realization, I'm much more at peace. I understand that as a woman who has larger than life dreams, insatiable hunger for knowledge, and a relentless work ethic, I will rarely feel complete satisfaction, and I'm finally okay with that. In fact, it's that faint dissatisfaction, that unyielding curiosity about possibility, that spurs me on to defy odds and be, do, and have more. I am mastering that delicate balance of being content enough to be grateful and have peace while being dissatisfied enough to keep my edge and use my creativity and skills to create new successes for myself and others. I'm evolving into new elements of myself...and now that I understand this, I can be happy about it. Yes.

So, as I spend the remainder of my evening praying, writing, reading, and meditating, I eagerly anticipate bringing in 2010 with new levels of clarity and inspiration. I believe I will reflect on this time and see the turning point that is this moment. As I move gratefully and happily into this new decade, I look forward to continuing to shoot for the moon and share the journey with you.

May God richly bless you and keep you!

LEAD & succeed!

2009-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Leadership is essential to personal & professional success. As we look around us, we see that leaders are among the highest paid and most respected people in the world. There’s a reason that leadership is such a prized commodity: great leaders help pave the way for the world to walk a path of excellence.

This week, I challenge you to become a better leader!

Have faith in yourself! If you don’t see yourself as a leader, it will be difficult at best to develop your leadership qualities and evolve into the fantastic leader you can be. We all have talents and strengths so use yours to help master leadership. Remember that the only limitations you have as a person are those you set up in your mind.

Master & eliminate the habit of procrastination, taking daily consistent action is one of the primary keys to success. Highly successful leaders share the trait of being disciplined and able to consistently take steps to move them closer to their goals.

Teach what you know. You have a talent or gift that you may not be using to the fullest extent. What knowledge or expertise do you have that’s being unused? If you have specialized knowledge, look for a way to teach others what you know. This could be as simple as starting a blog about the topic or starting a small business assisting others with the topic.

Become a Lifelong learner! Many people stop learning once they finish school. However, leaders are always learning & developing themselves. How often are you reading or listening to books? Do you attend seminars? Do you have a mentor? The investments you make into your personal development will be revealed in the quality of your life.

Invest in relationships! Leaders need to have great relationships with their followers in order to maintain their respect and loyalty. How good are you at forming and sustaining healthy relationships? Part of being a great leader is not just your ability to reveal yourself as a great person but to inspire greatness in others.

Go above and beyond. Leaders are people who do not nickel & dime themselves or others. They consistently achieve excellence by being willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Be accountable. Great leaders account for the results they create. If they meet with temporary defeat, they do not look for others to blame. They take responsibility for being the leader and they look for ways to improve.

Be willing to fail! Many would-be leaders will never realize their full potential because they’re afraid of being judged or of failing. Remember that the only person who never fails is the one who never attempts anything. In order to become an exceptional leader, you must be willing to accept risk and to press on, even in the face of defeat. Persistence will be an important trait to develop as you leverage your failures into success.

Wordless Wednesday - Celebrate 2010!

2009-12-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

Prepare for your Victory!

2009-12-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Transitions Can Empower You!

2009-12-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Each transition is an opportunity to look at who you are - and where you're headed.
Adversity will introduce you to yourself. Character, integrity, and truth will all become crystal clear upon your entry into a life storm. Hardship reveals your inner workings.

So, the beauty of the above statement is that it doesn't say hardship or adversity...it says TRANSITION. I love that because the things we perceive as hardships are usually just TRANSITIONS...in spite of our desire to cling to the familiar and the comfortable, our transitions are usually good for us. They help us grow, and they teach us valuable lessons about life.
Beyond learning new things about who you really are, you'll gain a new understanding of where you should be and where you want to be. Perhaps your transition was painful and you want to avoid transitions like it in the future, you can take that experience, sort out the lessons, and throw away the pain & guilt. In doing so, you give yourself permission to move on from the transition by owning the future - the spotless new path waiting for you to apply all that you've learned.
Of course, change is inevitable but growth is a choice. So, we must remember that with every turn and every fork in the road of our lives, we have complete control over our futures. I've often heard people who've just been through a trying time say, "It feels like my life is out of control." The opposite is true. During those times of chaos and confusion, we have a tremendous amount of control. Our decision to have a positive attitude and to find facilitative ways to deal with our emotions is a choice that will lend itself to healing and to the use of our experience to our advantage. In reflection, we often see situations that have occured that we deemed to be harmful or useless at the time, which later revealed themselves to be the beginnings of some of the most wonderful blessings we've ever received.

Lemon, alone, is sour and bitter. But add water and sugar and you have a tasty cup of lemonade. Know that your transition, while sour and bitter, is a key ingredient in your lemonade. You are the water - the main ingredient, and your attitude is the sugar that makes the lemonade worth drinking.

So, today, I encourage you to find ways to appreciate your transitions. Make a list of the GOOD things that have come out of your perceived hardships, and begin to use those things to your advantage. Make a conscious decision to maintain a positive and healthy attitude in spite of your circumstances. In doing so, your circumstances will slowly shape themselves into favorable ones.

Super Sunday Quote

2009-12-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

God loves you unconditionally. Try to love yourself the same way. -Lisa Nicole Bell

Super Saturday Quote

2009-12-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach. -Tony Robbins

My Christmas Wish For You

2009-12-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

Today is a special day - even for those who don't celebrate Christmas, it's a time for everyone to gather with family and spend time in gratitude, joy, and reflection.

Today, I wish good things for you. I wish that you would spend time connecting with your loved ones. I wish that you would make a list of 10 things you're grateful for. I wish that you would be filled with joy and happiness for all that is around you. I wish good health, fond memories, and many laughs for you.

I wish that you would take moments away from the hustle and bustle to reflect on the year - on your success, your challenges, and your areas of opportunity. I wish that you would decide not to create any more resolutions and instead opt to use your vision of your destiny as the basis for creating goals and a plan that will leave for more successful, more healthy, more fulfilled, and more humble.

I wish an exceptional life for you, filled with all the good things you can stand and so much more. I wish love, light, and peace for you both now and always.

And all I ask in return is that you do all you can to make my wishes come true!

Merry Christmas!

Be Thankful!

2009-12-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

BE THANKFUL
By Author Unknown
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

Wordless Wednesday - Comfort!

2009-12-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

Giving Is The Key To A Happier, Healthier Life

2009-12-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

Science as well as experience has shown us that giving is a one of the most profound experiences we can have. Many of us have experienced the pleasure of giving to those in need and those we love, but we may not be aware of just how much of a service we do to ourselves by giving.

Studies have shown that people who give not only live better lives (fewer illnesses, better emotional health), but they also live longer lives. This is important because it’s evidence that the things we put into our bodies are not the only determinants of how long or how well we live. Additionally, it speaks to the impact of emotional and mental health on physical health.

I’ve often said that our physical health is directly affected by our emotional health, and I see evidence everywhere of this being true.

By giving, we not only open ourselves up to the receiver, we bring ourselves into harmony with our minds and the universe. We, as humans, are spiritual beings having human experiences, which is why we often feel compelled to help those in need and experience emotions like sympathy. By allowing our emotional instincts to guide us, we become giving, loving people, and in turn, do ourselves some tremendous favors.

Although it appears that the receiver of the gift benefits the most from it, the truth is that the GIVER benefits just as much, if not more. How do you feel when you’re able to give a child something he/she needs? Good, right? That feeling, also known as a Helper’s High, releases feel good chemicals into the blood stream. In addition to feeling that we’ve done something good, we are put in touch with our realities and our minds are taken off of ourselves. By focusing on someone else’s need, we’re able to put our own perceived problems and shortcomings aside…and in coming back to them, we usually realize that they are not nearly as intimidating as we once thought.

So, I encourage you to enjoy the benefits of giving! In addition to helping those around you, you’ll be helping yourself to become a better person and to live better and longer!

A Healthy Life Stems From Healthy Choices

2009-12-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

In life, we all have choices to make…from the clothes we’ll wear each day to the careers we pursue, we have to weigh our options and make decisions.

Many of us have goals we’d like to achieve and things in our lives we’d like to change. What many of us fail to realize is how connected our decisions, however big or small, are to the circumstances and realities of our lives.

Too often, we make choices that are not in keeping with the goals we are attempting to achieve. A lack of discipline is usually the cause of this ill, but behaving in a disciplined way requires self-esteem and awareness. If a person’s goal is to lose weight, then why would that person choose not to exercise? If a person is trying to save money for a car or a home, then why would that person choose to spend $500 on unnecessary clothes? We have to examine how today’s decision affect tomorrow’s reality. While we shouldn’t live in worry or stress of what tomorrow may bring, it is responsible for us to consider our futures in every decision we make in all facets of our lives.

We can craft the very life we want to live! Do you realize that? Nothing is stopping you from going where you want to go, doing what you want to do, and being who you want to be but YOU! We can easily site a list of outside reasons why we can’t do this or can’t do that, but I present to you the theory that we are in control of ourselves and our lives, right after God.

Blaming the past, other people, and our circumstances weakens us and keeps us from ever fulfilling our potential. By taking responsibility for our decisions and the outcome, we take our power back and are then able to wield that power to our advantage in making more informed decisions in the future.

Our decisions shape our destinies. The decision to have an apple instead of a bag of potato chips can contribute to a healthier, leaner body. The decision to save $20 instead of blowing it on the club may result in earlier retirement. The decision to sleep a little longer in the morning may result in being late for work. The decision to go to counseling with a loved one may result in a life-changing bond.

Our CHOICES, the ones we make every day, are the essence of what we become and how our lives unfold. With healthy choices come healthy, desirable consequences. With poor choices come poor, unpleasant consequences. Oftentimes, we don’t recognize the cumulative effect of our actions until it’s too late.

Understanding the profundity of our choices enables us to own the decision-making process and be more aware of how we can are the constructors of our circumstances, good or bad.

So, today I encourage you to make healthy, life-affirming choices that are in alignment with your goals and your vision for yourself. Be wise and strong enough to reject those things that do not improve your life and choose the things that do.

Super Sunday Quote

2009-12-20T14:55:00.000-08:00

“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods”

Super Saturday Quote

2009-12-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

I LOVE THIS!!!!

Commit to yourself in 2010!

2009-12-18T01:43:00.000-08:00

I wrote this earlier this year, but I believe it bears repeating with the new year on the horizon!

Do you have commitment issues?

Let me ask you a couple of questions…
Are you committed to anything in your life 100%?
Are you committed to yourself 100%
What would happen if you committed to yourself – your success, your happiness, and your growth – 100%?

I have a confession to make: I was once an undercover commitmentphobe. On the surface, I appear very committed to things: my life, my spiritual and personal development, my career, and my health. And I am. I am a disciplined person – able to make lasting changes in my life and consistently make choices that are in alignment with my goals. However, every now and then, traces of my commitmentphobia appear, and I deal with them accordingly.

This occurred to me over the course of the past few months as several situations have presented themselves that required commitment – and even though I’ve been able to discern what was right for me and what wasn’t and then make great decisions, I still felt that hesitation…the shortness of breath, the mental clenching, the 3 year old in my head saying, “Do we HAVE to? We have to do this for how long??? What if we wanna do somethin’ else?” I attribute my commitment issues to a need for variety and to my disdain for monotony and feeling “boxed in”. I think this is why I am an entrepreneur, and this is why I do very well with the things I commit to and do nothing at all when I’m lukewarm…I need to always feel that I have a CHOICE…never feeling stuck, always knowing that my consistent, stable behavior is a choice of mind and that like a bird, I could fly away at any given moment. Power lies in our ability to choose.

I don’t really have a problem with the idea of being in things for the long haul – after all, my business, my health, and marriage (very soon) all require focus, discipline, and commitment. I’m all for it – I cheer those commitments on. I decided to explore this seeming contradiction because I’ve discovered that a LOT of people feel the way I do – they want to do things, but the idea of being “stuck” is enough to make them jump off of a bridge – myself included. However, these same people are often extremely committed to a handful of things in their lives. I wondered if the issue was them not understanding the benefit of the prospective commitment versus the current commitment, but then something occurred to me…

People who are able to succeed at being committed to other people and things are typically those who are committed to themselves first. That’s an interesting thought, right? Let’s unpack it.

What is required of you to commit to yourself? I mean, to REALLY commit to yourself…that would mean taking yourself somewhat seriously – thinking critically about where you are in your life, where you want to go, and what you plan to do about it. Then you would have to DO something about it, starting today. It would require that you love yourself with reckless abandon and be hopelessly devoted to your growth and success on every level. Scary, huh?

I remember standing at the door of all the things I wanted about 2 years ago – success, love, achievement, money, peace of mind, freedom, space to be who I wanted to be. That season in my life was life-changing to say the least, but as I reflect on it, the key that unlocked the door was – wait for it – commitment.

I found it scary, unnerving, and uncomfortable at first. I didn’t really know what I was committing to…I had a fuzzy idea of what I wanted from life and for myself, but I wasn’t quite sure WHO I was or who I was supposed to be so I decided to simply commit to finding out. People always say, “Be yourself”…but what if you’re not sure who you are? What if you’re still exploring all the complexities that comprise YOU? You are entitled to the process of discovery. That process should be safe for you – free of judgment and stumbling blocks. After commitment, the best things you can have are an open mind, a pen and a pad, and people who love and support your evolution. The people are important because self-actualized, happy, successful people can be an invaluable asset in your personal growth and development. And having people in your corner who truly believe in you and are committed to your success will change your life.

I was fortunate enough to have all 3 and my life looks COMPLETELY different as a result. The woman I was 2 years ago would not even recognize the woman I am today – and it’s exhilarating to be authentic, to be completely comfortable in my own skin, and to live life on my own terms with no shame, confusion, or doubt. And in addition to having grown into a woman who I love, trust, admire, respect, and cherish, I’ve also gotten more comfortable jumping out of the proverbial planes in my life – committing and surrendering myself to new experiences, remembering that there’s always a lesson for me and I choose the meaning of my life. As I nurture my relationship with myself, my spirit grows richer and so does my life.

And the interesting thing is that I didn’t get ALL of those things right away…in fact, it’s been a process – a steady, daily process. But as I look up from time to time, I notice that the pieces of the puzzle of my life are beginning to fit together and in a seamless, beautiful way that gives me EXACTLY what I want and then some. And the feeling is indescribable.

Commitment…sometimes we think we need inspiration or motivation when all we really need is to commit to what we say we want and then get on with the business of being, doing, and having. As I coached a client the other day, I explained this to her…that she just needed to commit. She didn’t need all of these external things – SHE was the answer to her burning questions.

So, I’ll ask you again…
What would happen if you committed to yourself – your success, your happiness, and your growth – 100%?
What are you waiting for? Let’s GO! You can do it – if your mind can conceive it, you can achieve it. Don’t waste another day wondering and singing should have, could have, would haves. Do something, anything, today. You owe it to yourself to be the best you and to live well. You’re worth it!

Wearing Multiple Hats

2009-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

So many of you know that I'm a multi-hyphenate...I do lots of different things and wear lots of different hats. I have a love/hate relationship with the titles at times because I tend to believe that people who do too many things can easily become a jack of all trades and master of none. However, I do believe it's totally possible to possess talents in several areas and to be able to integrate those things efficiently to create a career that serves the individual and leads to a sense of fulfillment.

I'm a published author, speaker, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and radio show host. I often giggle at myself when I choose what to share when someone says, "So, what do you do?" because even those the answer is usually "author, filmmaker, entrepreneur", it sometimes changes according to the environment. And maybe that's a good thing.

Several years ago, I struggled with this. I felt that I had to be one or the other...either a Type A or Type B...either a corporate type or artistic type...either a businesswoman or an actress/filmmaker. And the toggle between the two sent me into depression, frustration, and disillusionment. I felt lost...and I never felt completely comfortable in my own skin. I always felt like I should be doing something else...like I was going through the motions wherever I was. One day, I was hit by lightning...and I realized that I didn't have to choose - that I could choose to craft an authentic and ideal career for myself if I would be true to my passions and the things that came easiest to me. And voila! My career was born.

I had developed some great skills prior to that time by virtue of playing hopscotch between entertainment and business. I knew how to close a deal, make a sale, and nail a presentation. I could manage time, organize workspace, and engage in watercooler chat. On the flip side, I could create a character from scratch, write an engaging article, and produce a play. I could write a screenplay, nail an audition, and talk my head off. So, why was I choosing? Who was this imaginary person forcing me to "be" one or the other?

Over time, I realized that nobody was holding me down but me. I think this is true for a lot of people. We feel that we've got to fit neatly into boxes so that other people can properly categorize us and feel comfortable with us. But what if we decided to step into our authentic selves - in all of their messy, unorthodox glory? I have developed my most amazing relationships with other authentic people...people who just let it be and insist on allowing themselves to evolve and grow as human beings should. They refuse to be one dimensional or to sing one note. They live & experience life out loud.

I'm always saying that - "live out loud" - but I say it so often because so many people are living a single side of their duality or multiplicity. They somehow feel that the validity of one aspect of themselves will be diluted if they step into that new phase or role - that they can't possibly be, do, or have more than one thing at a time.

I've excitedly watched as the trend of entrepreneurship, moonlighting, and "side hustles" has risen in 2009. I love watching people flirt with and give in to the elements that comprise them that have been previously suppressed.

In the spirit of lesson mining, I offer this:
~Allow yourself to evolve. The tendency to want to remain the same is natural but unhealthy, in my opinion. The world is always in flux, as are we. We are not to be the same forever.

~Stability is often an excuse for laziness. Nothing leads to mediocrity faster than the tendency for people to want to not rock the boat.

~Never allow anyone to box you in! I decided earlier this year that I was done thinking outside the box - I threw the stupid box away! I don't need a box. My world is infinite and has endless possibilities. I choose this reality and I encourage you to choose the same.

~Jump out of the plane! Live out loud! Decide to express the many colors of your personality and allow yourself to live in a space of childlike wonder with yourself and the opportunities around you. You're put here to achieve multiple things before you pass on so make the most of your time by giving every shade of your being a fair chance.

Later.

Wordless Wednesday - Just Keep Running...

2009-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Book Review 2009

2009-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

The end of the year is upon us and I always use the last 2 months of the year to reflect on the year's accomplishments, push out any last goals, and prepare for victory in the coming year.

So today, I'm reviewing the top 10 books I read in 2009 and sharing with you. Many of you know that I'm a hardcore book person and that I STRONGLY recommend that others read as well. Readers are leaders and much of the wisdom and information we seek from other people is in books! It's rarely necessary that we spend thousands of dollars to get what we need - many of the most important and best things in life are free and in books. If you don't have a library card, get one! And commit to doing more reading in 2010. Decide now that you're going to make learning an important part of your life in 2010 - I guarantee you'll see results.

So here we go...

1. The Law of Success - Napoleon Hill
This book is long...no, I mean like 400+ pages long. It's long and thick and the pages are wide...but it's worth every word! I read this book the way you eat your favorite meal - slowly but deliberately, enjoying the flavor, reflecting on it as you go. This book proved to be transformative for me because I've never read a book that was so thorough in the analysis of success and all that comes with it. Most people who are into personal development and/or wealth creation have read Napoleon's classic, Think & Grow Rich, but few have put in the time and effort to read this success textbook. I found it enlightening and wise, full of lessons that can be applied immediately. I highly recommend it.

2. You, Inc - Harry Beckwith & Christine Clifford Beckwith
I liked this book much more than I thought I would. For some reason, I expected it to be stuffy and tough to push through. Instead, it was funny, insightful, and an easy read. I like how conversational these 2 authors are, even when communicating a more structured topics and ideas. I found it beneficial to me as I continue building my personal brand and also as a leader and entrepreneur.

3. The Slight Edge - Jeff Olson
This book was in close running for the number 2 spot. I found it to be an eye-opening reminder of things we already know subconsciously but may not actively be applying to our lives. I was delighted by the depth of this book and enjoyed exploring how I could apply this to my own life. After doing so, I've been able to create some powerful results for myself and have been happily recommending the book to friends, family, colleagues, and clients.

4. The Science of Getting Rich - Wallace Wattles
I've read this book several times and decided to read it again this year. I enjoy it more and more every time. This book is timeless and offers a great nuts and bolts understanding of the invisible aspects of money - how our attitudes and thoughts about money yield results. I enjoy reading it and often refer back to it for reminders.

5. The Language of Letting Go - Melody Beattie
This book is written for "codependents" but made a great morning read for my earlier in the year. Broken up into vignettes, it is inspiring and compelling - encouraging you to confront yourself in a new way while gently prodding you to be better as a human being. I enjoy this book and often flip through it for nuggets of wisdom.

6. Jesus CEO - Laurie Beth Jones
Jesus CEO should probably be higher on the list than this, but I've read a lot of good books this year and had a tough time placing it. I was excited to read this book every day. It was an easy read in terms of layout but had to be digested slowly because if you actually apply the concepts in the book, you need time to experience them. I found the book inspiring and refreshing - a new take on career-related spirituality. I enjoyed observing Jesus and His works in a new way and learning how I could emulate Him in my leadership and aspirations. Very good book for anyone looking to create a high-powered career or become an exceptional leader.

7. Influence - Robert Cialdini
I stumbled on this book earlier this year and had no idea what a gem it was or that it was so popular in some corporate/sales circles. I was fascinated by the analysis and the honesty of the author. The book is about how certain tactics affect human tendencies and how certain strategies can manipulate people into engaging in certain behaviors. I became hypersensitive to the sales pitches all around me, but admittedly, I also became a better saleswoman...better able to negotiate and better able to persuade. Fortunately, I've used this new "power" for good and have been able to help and empower other people as a result. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in sales, marketing, public speaking, or entrepreneurship.

8. The Right To Write - Julia Cameron
I enjoyed this book because Julia is such a kind writer. She "gets" what you're dealing with as a writer and creative because she is also a writer and creative. Her tone is empathetic yet encouraging, and she gently helps you pull back the layers that complicate your being as a writer. Writers tend to have this reputation for being tormented, introverted beings, but she gives writers permission to step out of the shadows of those stereotypes and just write. She emphasizes something that I value - fun - and encourages writers not to take themselves and their work so seriously. I love that because that ability is something many writers lack and as a result, they spiral into self-destructive habits and mild depression. I'm happy that I've finally found peace with myself as a writer and I appreciated everything Julia had to offer in this piece. I actively use the suggestions from this book when I feel myself drifting out of balance. I highly recommend it for artists, actors, writers, and creatives.

9. The Answer - John Assaraf and Murray Smith
This book would have been higher on the list, but I tend to value personal development books more than I do business books...not sure why. Anyway, I loved this book...I LOVED this book. It is one of the best written books for entrepreneurs out there. It's sympathetic to what entrepreneurs face yet it's firm and honest. It forces the entrepreneur to take responsibility for his or her results and business. It also does something many other business books don't - it integrates the entrepreneur's personal and professional lives. I love that because I don't truly believe an entrepreneur has a line between personal and professional dealings. We're never really "off" the clock...we tend to have minds that race and we're almost always thinking about our businesses so to pretend that we're no longer on the clock, even at Christmas dinner, is borderline silly to me. I appreciate how honest the authors were about that and I love that this book is broken up into 2 main parts - the first part dealing with the thoughts, emotions, and personal development of the entrepreneur and the second part dealing with the business of the entrepreneur. I found it balanced and inspiring and enjoyed being able to see my business in a new light as a result of their analysis. I very highly recommend this for any entrepreneur.

10. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John C. Maxwell
This is a great book for career people and entrepreneurs alike. I love John's analysis and his understanding of what it takes to become a strong leader obviously comes from an organic place. I enjoyed learning about his own lessons that have come over the years of running several successful companies and not only becoming a leader himself but also developing other leaders. I found this book to be an inspiration and a huge eye-opener to me about how essential leadership would be to my success over the next 5 years. I have actively been working on developing myself as a leader and also developing the leaders in my company and my life. I have a new respect for leadership, as a trait, and have even centered our Inspired Girls International Life & Leadership Camp around it.I'm happy to have discovered this book before I made the grave errors mentioned in it. I recommend this for leaders from all walks of life and those who want to be leaders.

Honorable Mentions
Make A Name For Yourself - Robin Roffer
The Power of Cult Branding - Matthew Ragas & Bolivar Bueno
Winning - Jack Welch
Nice Girls Don't Finish Rich - Lois P. Frankel
Lady In Waiting - Kendall Jones

A word on honesty...

2009-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

I recently had a situation occur where someone close to me lied to me. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time this person had lied about something, and I found myself disappointed, frustrated, and confused. After all, I made it clear to this person after the first incident that lying was unacceptable and that I was a "safe" person - one with whom this person could be honest.

After spending time in reflection, I realized that this person's issues are simply deep and do not concern me. When situations like these occur, it's easy to start looking for a place to lay blame. Blame and the assignment of responsibility help us make sense of things and allow the logical parts of our brains to be at rest knowing that something or someone caused an incident to occur.

However, sometimes, there is no cause other than a lack of integrity and poor character. We can't get apples from an orange tree so the best course of action is to believe what we see from dishonest people and to then handle them accordingly.

While I do believe in second chances, and generally speaking, I believe people can change, I also believe it's rare. The human psyche plays so many tricks on us and often hinders us from ascending to our full potential. Even when given new opportunities to get it right, we often find ourselves feeling as if it "couldn't have been that bad" since the worst didn't happen. And yet the grace which could have been easily been withheld goes taken for granted.

If you've followed me anywhere for any length of time, you know I'm a lesson miner. I very strongly believe in mining life's experiences for lessons that can empower us to live well in the future. And so, I'm taking several important lessons from this and I'm reminded of others...

~Another person's lack of integrity is never your fault. Personal responsibility is king and cannot be evaded. Ever.

~People must want change for themselves and be fervent in their pursuit of it. There's nothing that can be done to help the person who does not help him or her self.

~When you choose to behave in accordance with your values and morals, those same things will follow you. Revenge is for people who do not believe in the Law of Reaping & Sowing. Revenge negates your own flow of love, joy, peace, and abundance so allow God to deal justly with those who mistreat you.

This person will be graciously removed from my life, and space will be opened for someone else!

Later.

2009-12-13T02:00:00.000-08:00

That inner voice has both gentleness and clarity. So to get to authenticity, you really keep going down to the bone, to the honesty, and the inevitability of something.
-Meredith Monk

Super Saturday Quote

2009-12-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. Theses are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."

- W. Clement Stone

Live authentically!

2009-12-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Live out LOUD!

2009-12-10T02:00:00.000-08:00

It's time out for living for tomorrow when today is staring us in the face! None of us can add an hour to our lives by worrying, and it goes a step further to explain that each day has enough trouble of its own and that we should live in the present. You guys, there are no words to communicate how profound and important this is. If you are one of those people waiting for "when" to come, PLEASE let that go in 2009. You can not spend your life waiting for "when" or holding out for some undisclosed time in the future. You have an infinite number of gifts and resources around you NOW...enjoy them! Seriously, what are you waiting for?

I know that we all have goals that we'd like to achieve, and we have things that we're expecting. I totally understand the need to plan for the future...I'm the QUEEN of planning and organizing. There's nothing wrong with having hope today for the fruition of plans made for tomorrow. However, it's not healthy for us to neglect our gifts, talents, and blessings with the anticipation that the future will somehow present a better "time" to employ those things than right now. God did not put your life on layaway!!! You're supposed to be loving the people around you...RIGHT NOW. You're supposed to be using your gifts...RIGHT NOW. You're supposed to be living out loud...RIGHT NOW. Not later. Not tomorrow. Not when you get yourself "together"....RIGHT NOW. Believe me when I tell you that if you are holding out, you are doing a disservice to yourself and to the world.

Having a vision for our future that differs from our current circumstances can be inspiring and exciting, but it can also keep us from fully committing to our present placement. We may become aware that this is happening when we notice our thoughts about the future distracting us from our participation in the moment. We may find upon searching our hearts that we are waiting for some future time or situation in order to self-actualize. This would be like a flower planted in North Dakota putting off blooming because it would prefer to do so in Illinois.

There are no guarantees in this life, so when we hold back we do so at the risk of never fully blossoming. This present moment always offers us the ground in which we can take root and open our hearts now. What this means is that we live fully, wherever we are, not hesitating because conditions are not perfect, or we might end up moving, or we haven't found our life partner. This can be scary, because we might feel that we are giving up our cherished dreams if we do not agree to wait for them. But this notion that we have to hold back our life force now in order to find happiness later doesn't really make sense. What might really be happening is that we are afraid to embrace this moment, and ourselves, just exactly as we are right now. This constitutes a tendency to hold back from fully loving ourselves and those around us, as we are, where we are.

We have a habit of presenting life with a set of conditions—ifs and whens that must be fulfilled before we will say yes to the gift of our lives. Now is the time for each of us to bloom where we are planted, overriding our tendency to hold back. Now is the time to say yes, to be brave and commit fully to ourselves and the love in our lives, because until we do no one else will. Now is the time to be vulnerable, unfolding delicately yet fully into the space in which we find ourselves.

Tomorrow is not promised. If someone loves you today, love them back! If you have a delicious meal today, savor it! If you have an inspiration today, act on it! If you want to achieve something, do it! Sometimes the very blessings we hope to receive in the future are in front of us in the present. We dig unnecessary holes for ourselves pushing people and things away with hopes that the future will yield some magical transformation of perfection. There is no such thing as the perfect time to do something and there never will be. The perfect time is always NOW.

Wordless Wednesday - Keep Love In Front of You!

2009-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Keep Your Temple Litter Free!

2009-12-08T01:16:00.000-08:00

YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR FIRST WEALTH!

Many people have heard about my affinity towards Ralph Waldo Emerson and his essays. I find that he was ahead of his time and offered timeless wisdom on how we can live meaningful lives. This great quote on health is no different.

This week, we’re dealing with the wealth of your health. How is your health? Do you believe that health is your first wealth? If you’ve ever been sick for any significant length of time, you probably realized that without your health, most other things become irrelevant. After all, if you can not walk, the nicest shoes won’t matter. If you don’t have eyes to see, the most beautiful home won’t matter. If you are unable to move about, the most fabulous vacations won’t matter. We need our health to be able to enjoy other aspects of our lives and to express ourselves at the highest level.

Your body is not your own; it has been given to you by God as a gift of temporary housing. When we abuse our bodies, we move further from our authentic selves and from God. He wants to see us prosper; we can not serve others and live well if we are not in optimal health. It’s easy to do the right thing, but it’s also easy to not do the right thing. The cumulative effect of our choices results in great health or poor health. Remember that every choice counts.

I’m playing on Earth month this week using litter as a metaphor for junk food and destruction to our bodies. In honor of keeping your temple litter-free, I want to offer 4 important aspects of honoring your temple.

Water, water everywhere, and you really need to drink! Water is essential to a healthy body. You may be thinking, “I already know this.” Well, are you consistently drinking half your weight in ounces of water? For instance, if you weight 200 lbs, you should consume approximately 100 oz of water. Our bodies are about 60% water so it’s easy to understand why dehydration causes so many problems. Cutting back on soda and sugary fruit juices while increasing our water intake can make a dramatic difference in our internal and external health. Oftentimes, we don’t need another pill or miracle juice to gain health – we just need more water!

By your fruit, people will know you! Are you eating fruits and vegetables every day? The enzymes, minerals, and vitamins contained in fruits and vegetables outshine those of any multivitamin. If you have a tough time getting 5-9 servings in, consider blending your own smoothies and then supplementing with fruit as a snack. And remember, there are plenty of great fruits and veggies to choose from so get creative with what you eat and how you prepare it. Avoid potato chips, candy bars, and fattening snacks and reach for healthier alternatives like banana chips, organic fruit snacks, and vegetable trays.

Deep sleep! Your body repairs itself during rest so you need sleep! As busy as we all are, it’s easy for sleep to be the first thing we cut when our schedules get hectic. However, a lack of sleep is a culprit of so many ailments: headaches, poor digestion, weight retained in the midsection, slow recovery from sports injuries and more. Your body and mind need time to rejuvenate and repair in order to serve you every day.

Work that body! We need exercise to keep our energy levels high and to enhance mental clarity and hormonal balance. In addition to keep our bodies toned and fit, exercise is responsible for the release of endorphins, the feel good neurotransmitters in the brain that reduce pain and induce euphoria. Many people have been able to successfully address depression and other emotional issues with regular exercise. As a successful, spiritual person, you want a temple that reflects the health of your heart, mind, and spirit.

Are you making every hour in the day count?

2009-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

“Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.”

Where Is Your Time Going?

Time – it’s one of the most precious things we have and yet we often use it so frivolously. Take a moment to consider how you spend your time – are you using it wisely or are you spending time on busy work that isn’t truly productive?

Time management is an important skill necessary to succeed. As adults, we assume that we know how to manage our time and often become indignant at the suggestion that we could improve. However, as with many things in our lives, we can always go from good to great. Think about how your life would change if you had 2 additional hours in every day to spend as you pleased. What would you do with that time? What if I told you that you could get that time?

Oftentimes, we are misusing and misappropriating time without realizing it. I’ve always considered myself a “productive” person, but I recently came to the realization that e-mail is a huge time sap for me. In light of this discovery, I’ve decided to begin limiting my e-mail usage to three times per day: first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon, and just before bed. There are few e-mails that I’ll receive that will be so urgent that they cannot wait. What is your time sap? Is it the phone? Do you look up after a phone call and wonder where the time went? Maybe your time sap is social networking, long lunches, or poor meeting planning. Whatever it is, consider taking control of your time and you’ll observe that you have more time than you did before!

Here are some tips for effective time management:

Map out the day on paper before you begin. Planning the day’s activities is a great way to improve efficiency. Time is often wasted wandering aimlessly from one activity to the next. Setting an intention for the day is a powerful way to get clear on your purpose and be sure that your activities are productive, not just busy. Plan 60% of your day then leave 20% for unanticipated developments and 20% for a buffer.

Make lists. Lists are a productive person’s friend. Think about the amount of energy you spend trying to remember a grocery list or trying to remember the things you needed to take care of before you leave the house. A list frees up your mental energy to be used on something more profound. Use lists as miniature assistants that keep you on track and remind you of the details.

Budget time with people. Networking is important. We need to create and maintain relationships with people. However, as you begin to assess how you’re spending your time, consider the return on the investment of spending time with certain people. In his book, The Slight Edge, Jeff Olson noted that there are people you should spend 2 minutes with and others you should spend 2 hours with. The key is to know who is who. Be honest with yourself about whether you are growing, flourishing, and expanding in the presence of those you spend your time with and make adjustments accordingly.

Get organized. Are you spending hours and hours trying to find things? Organization is essential to moving quickly from task to task. Clear the clutter from your home, car, and office, and not only will be thinking more clearly, you’ll observe that it’s easier to find things. Form the habit of putting things in their proper place once you’re doing using them.

Do it, delegate it, or dump it. Instead of putting things off, sit down and consider the task and what should really be done about it. Either do it right away, pass it off to a helper or partner, or get rid of it altogether. Using this method will free up much of your time and energy. Do what needs to be done to relieve yourself of any obligations that are no longer important to you or are not moving you in the direction of your goals.

Freeing up time in your schedule means more time to serve others, do the things you love, and spend time in God’s presence. Remember that your time, like your body, is a gift. Unlike money, once we spend our time, we can’t get it back so always spend wisely.

Super Sunday Quote

2009-12-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

“Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing:God alone suffices.” -St. Theresa of Avila

Super Saturday Quote

2009-12-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions” -Raina Maria Rilke

A Stumble May Prevent A Fall!

2009-12-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Divine Protection

Throughout our lives, we’ll have our share of ups and downs. As we mature, we appreciate that both the good times and the bad times are important in the fabric of our lives.

I was recently coaching a client who had a setback in her business. She was frustrated because an unanticipated event happened and though she was prepared, she was angry. As we discussed the event in more detail, I asked her if it was possible for the event to have evolved into something much worse. She paused for a moment and then said yes. There was a stretch of silence after that, and I could tell she got my point.

As inspired people, we need relevant strategies to help us keep life in perspective and stay on track. One of those strategies is what I call “catching ourselves before the fall.” Have you ever been walking along and tripped on something and almost fallen but didn’t? You stumbled and may have been embarrassed, but you didn’t fall. What if you had fallen and injured yourself badly? The embarrassment of a stumble would have been the least of your worries.

As life throws curve balls and we “stumble” on the rocks on our paths, we should reflect with gratitude on our stumbles because it is often the stumble that prevents us from falling flat on our faces. You may have heard someone say “It could always be worse.” And while this is true, we rarely appreciate that we are indeed being divinely protected. God’s timing, plans, and ways are perfect. His ultimate goal is to show love to us.

While lamenting a stumble, let us not forget that our stumbles may be preventing our falls. God’s love never fails.

Self-Control: An Unsung Essential to Success

2009-12-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

Self-Control: we know we need it, but when temptations and frustrations are looming, we struggle to exert it. This week, I want to share some new perspectives with you on self-control and inspire you to exercise more self-control in your life.

When we think of the need for self-control, we often think of issues with anger and overindulgence. These areas certainly require attention, but let’s dig deeper. Do you find yourself angry when people criticize you? Do you get defensive and then decide to seek revenge on people who may attack or wrong you? As inspired people, we have to remember that the only taste of success some people will ever have is when they take a bite out of us! Revenge weakens us because we cannot harbor resentment and negative energy and make progress at the same time. When we carry the burdens of anger and the need to control other people, we put on a 50 lb backpack that slows us down as we run the race of life.

When criticized or attacked, you have 2 choices: strike back or allow your work to speak for itself and leave vindication in God’s hands. Because God’s ways are so much bigger and better than ours, we often plot schemes that are illogical and unfair, not realizing that God is just and will serve any punishment that is due. We separate ourselves from Him when we engage in combative and malicious behavior.

The best revenge is a life well-lived. You may be thinking, “Well that sounds nice, but some people really get on my nerves!” And to that I reply, “This is why self-control is necessary.” It’s the people and situations that irritate us the most that serve as measuring sticks of our commitment to self-control and excellence. Remember that your life is about being a builder, not a destructor. Outstanding people throughout history have faced violent opposition from jealous, envious, unwise people. Don’t let a lack of self-control dissipate your energy and take your eyes off the prize. You are living an inspired life – there is no time for petty disputes and time-sapping resentment. You’ve got to be the amazing, self-controlled being God created you to be so that others will be blessed. Live well and prosper!

Wordless Wednesday - Feminine Leadership

2009-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Worrying Is Praying For What You Don't Want!

2009-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Worrying is praying for what you don’t want.

I have theories about the power of thoughts and words that have been confirmed countless times by myself and millions of other people. I want to address what I call the push vs. pull approach to living life. This concept is essential to living a life free of worry, resentment, and anxiety. I submit that our thoughts are efforts to either push undesired situations away from us or pull desirable situations to us. As we grow in our understanding of the Law of Attraction, we recognize that our perception of the world around us colors our experiences.

Oftentimes, we worry, almost incessantly, about various issues in our lives. Interestingly enough, the things we often worry about are the things over which we have no control. Worry is a backstabbing friend in that it makes us feel as if we’re doing something about a situation although worrying brings us no closer to a solution. We spin the wheels of our emotions by worrying and then we’re left with little to no mental energy to approach issues in an intelligent and creative way.

This week, I encourage you to make worry a thing of the past. Worrying is not truly serving you. When you feel tempted to worry, affirm a positive outcome or concentrate on confidence-raising visions of the future. If you feel anxious, take action. Action is fear repellent and provides a constructive outlet for anxious energy. By taking action, you are exerting some degree of real control versus passively attempting to change the situation with negative thought and emotion.

Instead of using worry to try to push negative outcomes away, try using positive thought and affirmations to pull a solution to you. Imagine chasing a butterfly; it’s fickle and difficult to catch. You may find yourself frustrated and out of breath. However, if you sit still, it will come and gracefully land on your shoulder. The things we desire most often work in the same way. When negative, debilitating thoughts creep in, cancel them and replace them with positive thoughts that serve us. We must set the positive intention of bringing forth wonderful outcomes by praying, consulting with wise & trusted friends, and being honest about our feelings. Then we can rest knowing that God will not withhold any good thing from us.

Are You An Entrepreneur Or Followpreneur?

2009-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

I co-authored this blog with Dawn The Self Esteem Queen. Read it with an open mind and enjoy!

ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR OR FOLLOWPRENEUR?
A Co-Authored Blog

Dawn…
As an entrepreneur, I have found that in the past few years it’s sometimes very difficult for me to meet other entrepreneurs without feeling a sense of compassion for those who have gotten into this field by default; they were laid off or reassigned, they made a decision that they wanted to work for themselves without realizing all the work and dedication being self-employed entails, or they have always had a dream of being a perceived expert in something.

Lisa…
I too have observed a trend of what I call “haphazard entrepreneurs” and “followpreneurs”…these are people who lack a passion for business and all it entails. They leap into entrepreneurship as an escape from some unpleasant reality in their previous work or for the pipe dream of endless money, homes, cars, fame, and more under the title “entrepreneur”…and yet these same people often fail to realize the incredible amount of work and dedication that goes into being an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word – a creator, an initiator who assumes risk. After all, entrepreneurs help our capitalistic society thrive. Being an entrepreneur has almost become a buzz word. In spite of so many professionals, self-employed persons, and followpreneurs claiming the title, how many are maximizing their gifts? Ralph Waldo Emerson accurately asserted that “Imitation is suicide”. We are each put on this planet for a specific reason. We all have a mission to carry out during our time here. To attempt to carry out another’s mission is an insult to what our respective personal purposes.

Dawn…
Don’t get me wrong – I am all for entrepreneurship in a country that gives me all of the resources I need to be successful. I have had the opportunity to become financially wealthy by being dedicated to my craft and also by being a vessel for those in need. I have found my “niche” as an entrepreneur, and that niche doesn’t entail making others “financially rich”. I have never desired to be in competition with anyone simply because I was always taught that I have no competition however I feel like there is a growing trend of unnecessary competition in the field of entrepreneurship. I am finding that there are people who come into entrepreneurship with a sense of urgency because it’s their last ditch effort to make a living. With desperation comes deceit, and with deceit come dishonesty.

Lisa…
And with dishonesty comes a lack of service and with a lack of service comes the deterioration of entrepreneurship and the most fulfilling aspects of beginning and growing a successful enterprise. Ask yourself how often you collaborate with other entrepreneurs to create synergy and leverage? Entrepreneurs past and present who have realized exceptional levels of success are almost always in alliance with other entrepreneurs who have similar missions and visions. Competition is cancerous to your success as an entrepreneur. Yes, you will compete for your ideal customer’s attention at some point, but truthfully, there is abundance in the universe. There’s enough for everybody. There is no need to be needy or desperate in any attempt to be successful or make money. The best version of you will inevitably yield amazing levels of success in your personal and professional life.

Dawn…
I’m hoping that through writing this I can bring this issue to light for those who are new to being entrepreneurs and also those who are “veterans” in this awesome field. Only in America have I found that I can have the freedom to coach so many people from the comfort of my computer.
An entrepreneur should want to be a LEADER, not a FOLLOWER.

Blind Trust
Going into business relationships with others without doing any background checks on the person and their business. Call me anal retentive, but I apologetically like to know WHO I’m going into business with before I make a decision to do such. Often when someone in our field goes to a seminar, boot camp, or workshop we are faced with the daunting task of meeting a number of people who want to collaborate on a joint venture with us. Most of the time when you go on enough of these websites of people in the same circle, you start to see the exact same people giving testimonials to the same exact people and the ABOVE AVERAGE person should really wonder: When did it become popular to have canned testimonials and canned copy as an entrepreneur? When did this trend start to sweep across the internet? I am baffled at the number of people who follow along with this trend because even if people outside of our field never peruse the internet and see this, it is still an act of dishonesty and should be avoided. Getting canned testimonials is not only dishonest but it shows the growing trend of people who are following which leads me to pose the question: Are you an Entrepreneur or are you a Followpreneur?

Lisa…
You should not have to pay to play! Period. An investment in your education as an entrepreneur is one thing, but paying simply to get into the circle of certain people is unwise. After all, you are viewed as a customer, not a colleague, when you pay for the opportunity to be acknowledged. You are enough just as you are! There is no need to believe that one person or a few people hold the key to your success. You are responsible for your own success. Yes, you need a strong network, but you don’t need to be a follower to win. In fact, being an entrepreneur flies in the face of following the crowd by default! Own all the power and originality inherent to entrepreneurship. I don’t care how people spin it; your talent, knowledge, and expertise can and should make a way for you without you having to pay thousands of dollars to join a congregation of people who believe they’ve found the way. Too often, those who are trying to sell the dream are the same people selling philosophies on how to attain the dream. Business can be a dog eat dog world; you have to come in with your eyes open and be certain of who you are and what you will and will not accept.

The SEQ’s Philosophy on Business…
A person should come into your life “Average”. In grade school we have a grade system that ranges from ‘A’ to ‘F’ with “Average” being considered a ‘C’. I believe it should be the same when you get into a professional relationship with anyone. My opinion is that you shouldn’t take what someone says to you. A person should either work themselves up to an ‘A’ or ’B’ or work themselves down to a ‘D’ or ‘F’. Professionally, people should not be trusted unless they can prove some key things for you: Did (s)he really go to college; did (s)he really graduate and obtain a degree, are they living what they speak (lifestyle, morally, ethically) or are they “fakin’ it until they start makin’ it”? There are many folks who have become “Internet Celebrities” and it was their marketing that got them the money before they really had it. Before you dish out any more money on impulse and emotion at a boot camp, seminar, or workshop, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What type of proof do I have of this person and the things that they say on a website are true?
2. How much of an expert is the person you’re doing a joint / affiliate venture with?

The Inspiration Icon’s Philosophy on Entrepreneurship…
You are more than enough! You don’t need the stamp of approval or validation of a guru or personality to get out there and make your dreams a reality. Be deliberate about what you choose to invest in because your investments will yield things – good or bad. Much in the way a seed yields a certain kind of fruit, you will become like those you choose to follow. Decide now who you want to become and what you want your enterprise to be and then hold to that with unwavering dedication. It’s always better to be a first rate version of yourself in all of your brilliance than a second rate version of someone else. Be inspired by others but resist the temptation to become a carbon copy. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Don’t follow the trail; blaze it!

The Self Esteem Queen’s Philosophy on Entrepreneurship…
Deep inside each of us is the ability to be, do and create anything that our minds can think of. The reality is that most of us never flex our brain muscle and therefore never understand that all you need to manifest your dream business is already inside of you. Instead of following someone else merely to become their clone, take time to understand that just as there is more than one way to skin a cat; there are many ways to become a successful entrepreneur without compromising your morals and ethics and becoming a carbon copy of someone else who is merely a carbon copy of their mentor or coach. Learn to be Above Average. Learn to read more and spend time DOING instead of talking. Forge a way where there was no path. Seek to be better than the ONLY competition you have: Yourself.

About The Authors

Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

Lisa Nicole Bell is a published author, award winning filmmaker, and socially conscious entrepreneur. Her company, Inspired Girls, teaches teen girls how to become successful women. Lisa is also a media personality who hosts her own weekly show, Inspired Life Radio, and has been featured on a variety of news outlets. Lisa continues to expand her enterprises teaching people to live inspired lives from the inside out.

Super Sunday Quote

2009-11-29T16:32:00.000-08:00

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
-John F. Kennedy

Super Saturday Quote

2009-11-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
-William Arthur Ward

Eat To Live!

2009-11-27T16:21:00.000-08:00

Ok so I know it's the holidays and we all want to enjoy the amazing food that's offered up this time of year. I enjoy a hearty meal just as much as the next person, but it's not worth a health setback!

Ask yourself whether you're eating to live or living to eat. Many folks are eating themselves into an early grave by not thinking critically about what they're choosing to put into their bodies. Remember that your body is a temple and littering is strictly prohibited! Your job is to maintain your body in order to achieve optimal health. After all, if you don't have your health, you can't enjoy much else about life!

This holiday season, while enjoying good times with friends and family and enjoying good food, remember to make smart dietary choices. Reach for the veggies and keep the water intake up. Be sure you're hitting the gym or getting a brisk walk in each day. And of course, maintain a positive attitude and remember to be present and enjoy your many blessings.

Happy holidays!

Gratitude Journaling

2009-11-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving - the day that reminds us all to be grateful for everything we have...but I have a proposal. Why don't we make every day from now until next year Thanksgiving? I mean, after all, we are blessed ALL year long and have so much to be grateful for.

This year, gratitude journaling has been a huge help to me. It's helped me remain conscious of just how fortunate I am and develop a new level of appreciation for the simple things in life.

I challenge you to try gratitude journaling every day for just 1 week. It's simple: Make a list every day (morning or night, your preference) of 5 things you're grateful for, big or small. Over time, you'll begin to express gratitude throughout the day without even thinking about it. Your mind and spirit will be saturated with gratitude which will free you up to experience even more abundance.

Never let a day go by without being grateful for all that you have!

The New Formula For Success

2009-11-25T16:00:00.000-08:00

In reflection of an amazing year and in excited anticipation of a new year, I'll be sharing some of my observations, reflections, and strategies.

One of my new mantras is

YOUR SELF WORTH + YOUR NETWORK = YOUR NET WORTH

While one's net worth may appear to be just a number, money is a reflection of various elements of our lives. How much do you value yourself? How much are you willing to invest in yourself to create lasting returns? How much are you willing to form genuine connections with others and then leverage those connections?

In coaching people throughout this year, I've realized how many people are truly standing in acres of diamonds. They have a plethora of resources available to them and yet they continue to drudge on through life as they have to be defined by their circumstances.

Remember that you assign meaning to your circumstances; they don't assign meaning to you! You decide how you will respond to a situation and what its meaning in your life will be. To claim this power and use it is a demonstration of your creative strength and divinity.

Later. :-)

A Fabulous Weekend in San Diego!

2009-11-24T15:33:00.000-08:00

I took a short yet very relaxing excursion to San Diego with a good friend over the weekend. It was my first time in San Diego, and I found the city to be fun and interesting.

We took in the sights and eats in the popular Gaslamp District and also hung out at the Hotel del Coronado. We went to Balboa Park and finished Sunday off with shopping at the Las Americas outlet. A great way to relax and have some fun before the chaos of the holidays begins!

Pics!

Super Sunday Quote

2009-11-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

God enters through every individual through a private door. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Super Saturday Quote

2009-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bliss is when your mind takes a backseat to your spirit! -Lisa Nicole Bell

An Entrepreneur's Intuition

2009-11-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

Intuition is something we generally perceive to be a technique used in our personal lives to help us avoid bad situations. However, business people need to use their intuition now more than ever to discern which moves to make, when to make them, and with whom to make them.

The economic fluctuations witnessed over the past year are evidence that many of the
things we perceive to be stable and unshakable are indeed subject to change. As a
business person, you may find yourself feeling confused, frustrated, or even scared of the changes in your environment and what will happen next.

This is a unique time for business as periods of economic stagnation are often when the most brilliant and successful of businesses begin. Rather than be fearful, use this time to arm yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to survive and thrive. One of those skills that can serve you no matter what is happening in the economy is your intuition.

You may have had an experience where the facts and physical evidence seem to point to
the validity of a decision, but you have a nagging feeling that something isn’t right or that you shouldn’t move forward. Later, you discover why you had the unsettled feeling – because something was indeed out of order. Or maybe you wanted to hire a prospective employee because you had a good feeling about him or her, but the resume left something to be desired. Later, that person becomes a superstar at your competitor’s company and does great work. These kinds of situations present themselves every day.

Your intuition is given to you as a protective gift that will serve you if you learn to listen to it. Other people may not appreciate or understand all of your decisions, but you can rest assured that your intuition is your lifelong ally, dedicated to your survival and success. Give yourself time and space to make important decisions, and remember that life and business are about learning and growing. Begin using your intuition as a business tool; you will be surprised how many bad deals you can avoid and great deals you can create when you allow both your head and your heart to guide your decisions.

The Gift & The Curse of Time

2009-11-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today I'm heading to an event for entrepreneurs then to lunch with a fellow entrepreneur who I may partner with. Then it's on Toastmasters and then to the office for a little work before relaxing at home.

As I plan my days over the next few weeks and into the first part of 2010, I'm realizing how incredibly important TIME is. How do you manage your time? I witness many people allowing their lives to float by...always waiting for the future or the weekend so that they can be happy and have permission to live the lives they want to live.

I read Napoleon Hill's book, The Law of Success, earlier this year and in it he discussed the increasing importance of time. Time really IS the most important thing we have - we can't get it back and as it wears on, it tells on us. It reveals age, intentions, growth, dedication, and a host of other things.

I have committed to finding PRODUCTIVE ways to spend my time through the remainder of the year and definitely in 2010. I have a lot on my plate for next year, and while I'm super excited, I realize that I have to commit to managing my time wisely and making things happen for myself and others.

Time is ticking...what choice will you make for YOUR time?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-18T18:12:00.000-08:00