Best Piece of Advice #7

In Order to Be A Success, You Have to See A Success!!

Ever wondered how Mr., or Mrs. Successful got that way, ever wished you could ask them how they did it? Well, that's exactly what you should do! On the road to accomplishing any goal it is best to draw from the knowledge, experiences, skills, and know-how of others which have already done some version of what you're trying to do. And, seeing as there is nothing new under the sun, someone has already done EVERYTHING imaginable and left a road map! A “how to” of sorts for virtuously anything out there (i.e., how to start an organization, invent electricity, become a dynamic public speaker, build a house, design a new software, or climb a mountain, etc.) to assist you with a plan to implement your dream and get it right. 

It is important to find a goal model (a person who’s successfully accomplished what you’re trying to and is reaping the harvest of their labor); in most cases efficacious people are more than happy to share the secrets of their success and give a leg up if the need be. Finding someone to mentor you in today’s world is artless. The internet, books, social networking sites, organizations, and schools, or are filled with promising mentors, you just have to pick one! After you’ve connected with your goal model, begin by asking questions and taking good notes! Learning all you can during the time you have access to your goal model is the objective here. 

Bear in mind, they’re helping you because they WANT to see you succeed and, the bragging rights of being able say they had a hand in your attainment doesn’t hurt either! So, now you know where to begin your journey to success. Locate your living success story and follow in his or her footsteps until soon, you’re covering his or her tracks with your own foot prints. Besides, they say imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery, right? Good journey!!

Best Piece of Advice #6

Trust the Process!!

This one is simple and one of my favorites! Trusting the process means accepting that whatever you're currently going through will ultimately help to equip you with the necessary skills, abilities, lessons, knowledge, strength, motivation, drive, commitment, staying power, and faith you need to finish your quest. Learning to see things in a positive manner can support your continued strive for that which you seek even when an obstacle lands in your way. Change your mind and you change your outcome.

By trusting the process, you begin to view things in a completely different light; road blocks no longer detour nor hinder you yet, become stepping stones towards your eventual success! Remember, do not become so caught up in crossing the finish line you forget the benefits of the race itself. Trust the process. Good journey!!

Best Piece of Advice #5

Real friends hold you down NOT take you down with them!!

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of having REAL friends in your life you know the joys and benefits to having them around, right?  That loving no nonsense, keeps it real, tell-it-like-it-is whether you like it or not, shoulder to cry on when you need it person who supports you isn’t substitutable. Someone to bounce your “big ideas” off of and build you back up if ever they flop. Real friends cultivate real results. They promote positive change, support ideas, tell you the truth about any given situation and NEVER let you leave the house looking like a fashion police’s most wanted list offender. Real friends want to see you succeed AND be a part of that success by any means necessary!!

So, how do you know when you don’t have this kind of circle of friends? Easy! Ever began a day in high spirits only to end up in a group of folks whining and complaining about EVERYTHING and before long, you’re the ring leader of the “my life sucks” group? Better still, ever had someone in your life constantly tell you what you “can’t do” and never what you can? Negativity is contagious!!  

This type of friend can stunt your growth and leave a sour taste in your mouth for friendship at best. Though the intention maybe good the effects of their negativity surly are not!! A person with negative, counterproductive, limiting thoughts, conversations, and behaviors will only bring you crashing to your dream’s knees.  Becoming or staying connected to motivated, positive, good hearted people can get you one or two steps closer to completing your life's goals. It’s good to have a variety of friends however, when you’re on a long journey to accomplishing a mission; you really want good navigators in the car alongside you to see to it you get there!! Good journey!! 

Best Piece of Advice #4

No one knows you’re a fool until you tell them you are!!

Ever met someone at first glance who seemed intelligent, polished, and well put together only to discover when they opened their mouth they contradict everything you once believed to be true of them? Of course you have, we've all had this experience a time or two in our lives.  So, how do we avoid being the person I just spoke of? Easy, YOU are the foremost authority on YOU and what YOU want others think of YOU!

Which means the first impression is yours to create! How do you create a dynamic first impression you might ask?

Start by looking the part! Appearance can be everything! Being well groomed and polished tells others you care about yourself and take pride in what others see in you. When introducing yourself, ask for names and repeat the person’s name back to them. This lets the person know you heard them and can pronounce their name correctly, which gives you a chance to store it in your memory by repeating it out loud (continue to use the person's name throughout the encounter as well to sharpen your recall).

Next, maintain good eye contact. This tells a person you are engaged in the interaction and interested in what they have to say. Following the conversation to the tee while providing appropriate feedback based on what the person said (backtracking – repeating what is said to you the way it’s said let’s someone know you’re listening) not what you think their trying to say. Never assume you know what someone is “trying to say” always assume they’re saying exactly what they want you to hear. Furthermore, speak on topics you are knowledgeable of and comfortable discussing with others. In doing so, you will be confident when exchanging information and your passions and strengths will come shining through.

WARNING: NO BIG SELF-DISCLOSURES! At initial meeting you should not be telling someone your deepest, darkest secrets. Some things greatly impact the way others view you before they ever get to know you. Keep it simple. If you create a great first impression, there will be plenty of time to expand their knowledge of whom you are in the future.

And last but not least, always leave them laughing! A good and appropriate light-hearted joke (something that doesn’t offend the person/persons you are speaking with) can seal any deal in a minute! Everyone loves a good laugh! A great joke says you have a sense of humor, know how to lighten the mood, and most of all when to be yourself!! If you follow these few simple tips, you should nail your first impression . . . the first time!! That way you leave an encounter shining like a prince/princess and not looking like the town fool! Good journey!!

For more How to make a Great First Impression tips visit: http://whatyourbodysays.com/premier-tips/how-to-make-a-great-first-impression/

Best Piece of Advice #3

Have you ever set a boundary only to have someone cross it? Ever drawn a line in the sand to have someone come along and erase it with their foot? You may want to re-evaluate how you are presenting your boundaries. If you are serious, firm, clear, and 100% committed to that thing which has become a boundary in your eyes; making sure others are aware of this is essential!! You have to stand behind the boundary you've set without teetering one way or the other when it’s tested.  Example: A child asks a parent for a cookie, the parent says "No. After you've had a nap” however, the child (boundary: parent wants the respect of following word and instruction from the child) decides to take the cookie anyway. 

When the parent finds out the child did not follow instruction; instead of reinforcing the boundary which was crossed (not accepting parent’s initial response for the child's request) parent says nothing and the child eats the cookie. Do you think the next time the child asks for something and the authority figure says no he or she will go with be accepting of the answer? Probably not; when you are up front and firm about your boundaries the chances are people are less likely to cross them. So, be respectful, fixed, confident, and upfront about things you feel compromise you at your core (which is where our boundaries are formed) so others will know where they stand with you at all times. This makes for more enjoyable social interactions and personal/professional relationship in the future!!

Knowing and setting clear and respectable boundaries will empower you and build your self-confidence in the knowledge that you know what's best for you! Good journey!! 

Best Piece of Advice #2

DO NOT be a spectator in your own life!! 

So many times, people sit on the sideline and watch as life passes them by then spend the rest of it trying to figure out where their lives went. Get in the game!!
If you're spending alot of time trying to figure out what your life's purpose is try doing something YOU'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE!!
If you're interested in working with kids yet never had the opportunity to do so, try volunteering with an organization that services children for starters to see how well you manage. It gives you a chance to try something out for free while gaining free knowledge, skills, and abilities in the process. This is the case for most potential future ventures. Most career fields have volunteer opportunities you just have to give them a jingle to get information on the process. 
Want to design clothes . . . go to your local fabric store (JoAnne Fabrics) and sign up for a sewing class to see if you'll like it!  It is very inexpensive to take a class and discover your hidden talents!
Little step helps to complete the journey!! Don't try to do it all in one day, chunk it down to bite size pieces you can swallow and before you know it; you've eaten a whole meal!!
Don't stand by and let life ceate you!! Get in the game and create the life you want to lead now!!  

Best Piece of Advice #1

Your body is your resume!!

I would love to say our world has evolved to a place where we see beyond someone's physical appearence however, sorry, no cigar!! We still judge, accept, and treat others according to what we see first . . . their visual appearence.  Which is why I say, your body is your resume!! If you take care of your body (i.e., eat right, workout, etc),  present yourself in an aesthetically pleasing manner (clean, well dressed, confident, not a hair out of place) you are more likely to be taken serious and treated with the kind of respect anyone of us should deserve. 

Now, this is not to say you need to conform to the social norms of our society. However, what harm can looking great do to your self-esteem? Besides, you can always go back to slacking off once you've accomplished your goal, right? But something tells me once you've gotten a whiff of the good life (how your treated after the change) you won't bother to look back!! Good journey!!