Posts Tagged ‘love & light’

Embrace Your Quirks

Monday, November 29th, 2010

The view we see of ourselves is often different from what others see when they look at us. Those little quirks and imperfections that drive us so crazy are rarely even noticed by others. In fact, it is often those quirks that others admire, traits that make us unique and stand out.

Your quirk is your gift. When you next look in the mirror, focus on your “quirky” and give it some love, because it is actually your blessing and a very important part of the authentic you. Look around – the world is becoming a very bland and homogenized place. Franchises and systemized business have created a vanilla business environment without character. Homes are built the same way, with your choices limited to one of five models. And women everywhere will be sporting cobalt blue skinny jeans as their fashion choice this season. This can go on as we take a look at what we eat, how we shop and where we choose to live.

Take an honest look at yourself and acknowledge your traits that do not match the norm. Maybe it’s your physical appearance, or the way you think, your name, hobby, passion or fashion sense. Sometimes these quirks are things we’ve chosen to adopt in our lives and other times they come to us through DNA. Either way I say own your quirk with pride. Your quirk makes you memorable, it makes you unique and it make you stand out in this increasingly homogenized world. If you love your quirks, others will too. And the ones who don’t… well, I say “so what?!” They are most likely jealous anyway!

Here Is To Success on Your Terms!

Love & Light,

Star**

Never Burn a Bridge

Friday, November 26th, 2010

I always find it amazing how life comes full circle. While I was learning and networking at an event I attended I was able to reconnect with a former colleague, Kym Yancey. He and I had worked on a project as independent contractors in 1999. Back then, I was a lot less experienced but still just as passionate. It was a short-lived project of only a few months but he and I both left that interaction with a positive lasting impression of each other.

One of my core philosophies is to always leave every project, relationship or opportunity positively. This is a critical, foundational element of what I call Brand:You. Every interaction presents an opportunity to leave a positive impression. No interaction is too small or too big to not give the attention and positive energy it deserves. I encourage you to clearly understand that what you do and say is ALWAYS connected to your Brand:YOU.

Kym Yancey and I at Lisa Sasevich's event Big Sale, Big Mission, Big Life in San Diego, California.

Kym Yancey and I at Lisa Sasevich's event Big Sale, Big Mission, Big Life in San Diego, California.

Ten years later Kym and I are both living our passions through businesses we embarked on after we had lost touch. When we saw each other, though, we were able to pick up right where we left off. The company he built with his wife Sandra, eWomen Network, and their foundation, eWomen Network Foundation, have grown into an amazing powerhouse and a true testament to Success on Their Terms.

Love & Light,

Star**

I Have Failure to Thank…

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Yes, I said failure. When we experience failure in our lives, it is often actually a gift. A gift that is underrated and not appreciated for the value it brings.

If it weren’t for all the times that I screwed up or made a mistake and fell flat on my face, I wouldn’t be where I am. And I really have failure to thank. Maybe it’s that failure was the conduit and vehicle to test my resolve, desire, passion and ability to push myself beyond what was expected and into areas uncharted. I know this to be true – that it’s really not failure if you just keep getting up and problem solving your way to the next threshold or challenge.

After all, where would we be if we had no more challenges to overcome or mountains to climb?

Wishing Success on Your Terms.

Sending you Love & Light,

Star**

Climbing a Mountain

Thursday, November 18th, 2010
View of Vacaville in Northern CA from the top of the mountain

View of Vacaville in Northern CA from the top of the mountain

Recently I had a chance to have a few of my team members together in Northern California for a day of brainstorming and planning. I was asked to be a speaker on a panel, something I love to do, with two other female entrepreneurs for the launch of Tribal Truth in the Bay Area and thought it would be a great opportunity for us to get together.

While I was there with my team we took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery that was all around us. Several of us decided to go on a 5-mile nature hike. The trail to the top was long and uphill. It pushed me to my max. As we climbed  I noticed that at different points during the journey each of us took the lead based on what we were good at: sprint, steady, speedy, head down, moving forward. We naturally fell into a rhythm of recognizing our unique strengths and using the to help the rest of the team.

This experience of climbing a mountain is very similar to running and leading a business. As  the entrepreneur or visionary you may hold the space for the vision, but to reach growth potential each of us need to lead with our strengths. It takes a leader to understand individual strengths, and more importantly, weaknesses. Why? Because it takes self-knowledge to attract and bring aboard people who are better than we are at our weak spots. And one thing I know for sure is that it is important to realize and know that nobody builds a successful business or life alone.

It was wonderful to connect with nature, breathe in fresh air and get a clear perspective of how we are all connected. We all made it to the top of the mountain in our own time. As I sat at the summit, reveling in the satisfaction of reaching the top, I knew that I did it on my own terms and with people I am proud to share the experience and the success with.

Love & Light,

Star**

Value of a Lesson

Monday, November 15th, 2010

What is the value of a lesson?

A few weeks ago I was cooperating in a high level mastermind of business creative entrepreneurs. When I travel back from intense events like this, I like to devote an extra day before returning home to transition and take note of all the amazing work and insight I just gained. After these retreats I have learned that before I go back home to life and business as usual, it is a treat to reconnect with myself.

So the lesson of the week came to me at the airport while I was traveling with my colleague Brittany. We were in line waiting for security to let us through the check point. It seemed to be taking a long time but we had to honor the system. For an hour we waited, barely moving one square on the tile floor. We still weren’t worried about missing our plane, though, so we waited patiently for the line to move and finally it did. We stripped down belt, shoes, opened lap top cases, etc. We arrived at the gate with ten minutes to spare. Or so we thought. Apparently there is a new rule that all boarding halts ten minutes before flight departure time. I felt the anger rising in my chest….. I just wanted to get home to my kids and husband.

I took a deep breath and surrendered. Realizing that rejection is a form of protection, I know better than to mess with fate. Sometimes we need to learn not from what we want but what we need. This was time for me to practice patience and enjoy finding all of the good within what I initially thought was quiet bad. I was able to catch up on writing, connect with a good friend and just be for a while. Don’t mess with fate. Know and trust that life’s lessons we need are often right beneath our noses and will reveal themselves by giving you what you need vs. what you want.

Sending you Love & Light,

Star**