Entrepreneurial Quote of the Day:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.  Dream.  Discover.” ~ Mark Twain

Hello Fabulous Women!

I know it sounds trite but I’m saying it anyway – I cannot believe this year is almost over!  In less than two weeks it will be 2010. 

In the new year to come, many things will happen, including, for me, my 25^th college reunion at Harvard.  This has me reflecting and wondering if my life has turned out anything like what I thought it would be, way back then when I was graduating from college.

When I asked myself that, the thing that struck me was that, at that age, I never really did think this far ahead.  I didn’t even think five years ahead.  Other than knowing that I wanted to be happily married with children – which is exactly what happened – I realize that I had no other clear plans or goals for my life this far out in the future.

I invite each of you look back over the past 25 years or so as well, and ask yourself the same questions.  What, if anything, were you absolutely clear that you wanted to have or do in your life?  And what happened?

I would be willing to bet that those things you were clear that you wanted are the things that happened.

Some of you were sure from an early age that you wanted to follow a particular career, and that is most likely exactly how it went.  I had no such clarity about my work life, and so I have been on a (mostly) delightful journey in that realm, from working with inner city adolescents to owning and driving for a cab company on Maui, to becoming a massage therapist, to being director of a wellness center, to sales, to being a life and business coach.  About the only thing I was always clear about in my work life was that I wanted to help people and make a difference, and so that has been the common thread.

My point – and I do have one! – is that clarity, our own internal clarity, is what truly determines our lives. 

So if there is an area in your life or my life where things aren’t going our way, consider that what’s missing is clarity about what we truly want.  Consider that those areas are the areas where we keep things a bit vague, where we avoid really knowing what’s happening, and most importantly, where we have never clearly defined for ourselves what we want in that area. 

If there is an area in your life that is not working out as well as you’d like, I’d be willing to bet that that is an area where you have settled for just knowing what you don’t want, but have never gotten crystal clear about what you do want.  Believe me, there’s a difference.  If there is one thing I have learned in this life, it’s that knowing what you don’t want will never get you what you want. 

I’m not talking about small things here, I’m truly talking about the very fabric and nature of our lives and how we create them.  We all have things we’d like to change about our lives, and we tend to focus on taking action as the way to make changes.  What I’m saying is that while action is critical, it is clarity, or lack of it, that determines those actions, and ultimately determines the course and the experience of our lives.

So here is my challenge for the coming year – the coming years! – for all of us.  Choose an area of your life that is not going the way you want.  Choose it, and then create it.  Sit yourself down and write what you want, what matters to you, what you want to do, what you want to be feeling, how you want to be in that area.  Talk to the people in your life about it, tell them what you want, share how you feel about it and listen to their experiences and connect with them on a new level.  Declare that this area, whether it is relationships or work life or family or money or creative expression or anything else you want to change, is now your focus and you are taking it on. 

Create clarity, and more clarity, and more clarity, in that area, and see what opportunities for action and movement and passion and achievement in that area start to open up for you.

Clarity is where the fun happens, it’s where life is juicy and challenging and fulfilling.  Lack of clarity is the grind, it’s where life is daunting and overwhelming and helpless and resigned. 

I know which I want more of in my life.  How about you?

–Ann

On Track and On Purpose, Business Coaching for Women Entrepreneurs, Business Woman Coach

29-year-old Ivanka Trump is the founder of her own jewelry line, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry. These diamond creations range in price from $750 to $1 million and are sold online and at her flagship shop on Madison Avenue  in Manhattan.

“Independence is the greatest gift. Growing up, my parents fostered an entrepreneurial spirit…I was encouraged to think outside the box, take risks that were well calculated, and make my own decisions after listening to the best counsel available to me.”

A brainy December Diva.

Oooooo! Wonderful Christmas gifts to say the least!

Source: Business Week

Winter Wedding designed by Blac Gurlz Ink

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” — and dont forget the white gown?

Some of you may know the above adage as recited by many a bride to be…or at least their mothers or bride’s maid — haha!

Traditionally the wedding ceremony showcases the bride, adorned in the most beautiful of gowns — and in virginal white at that.

Well in 2010 this particular bridal tradition may be turned on its head if the new fashion designers have anything to do with it.  Europe has always been viewed as the heart of the fashion industry.  Continuing to be avant garde and walk outside of the box, their new design concepts are incorporating black as an acceptable option for wedding gowns.  http://w-weddinggowns.com/black-wedding-gowns/

This new train of thought coming out of the fashion houses has determined that “black formal gowns” are suitable for ALL occasions, including weddings and to this end, they are designing fabulous wedding gowns, with intricate and delicate detail, but with a twist — they are introducing “black” — it aint just for funerals anymore — haha!

Beach Wedding Under the Stars designed by Blac Gurlz Ink

So for you brides to be — go ahead and be daring — erase the lines and walk down the aisle as you wish with options galore — wear that “sliming” black  wedding gown you’ve had your eyes on but dare not wear.

We here at Blac Gurlz Ink feel that great minds must think alike — we’ve been designing many of our couture line of wedding cards using “non-traditional” black paper to make the design “POP”!

So when we saw this article we simply smiled and thought to ourselves…yes, great minds DO think alike.

Traditional Lesbian Wedding designed Blac Gurlz Ink

So if you’ve been shy about purchasing our wonderful 3-dimensional wedding cards, dont let that stop you any longer — black is now fashionable for all occasions and Blac Gurlz Ink has a custom couture card for you to mark any wonderful occasion!

www.blacgurlzink.com

Entrepreneurial Quote of the Day:

“The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both you and your future begin to change.” ~Marilee Zdenek 

Hello Fabulous Women!

I want to let you know about an amazing new opportunity for anyone who has a passion for helping people succeed.  It’s called TotalCoach, and I have never seen anything like it, but you cannot wait: I was just informed this fr-ee offer is live now and may not last more than a few days.

So what about you — do you have a passion for helping other people succeed? 

Would you like to quickly turn that passion into a profitable coaching business? ($100,000/year has happened for complete beginners!)

It’s never been easier, here’s why:

My friend, #1 best-selling author Mike Litman, has transformed his passion for helping others into an $8 million business. His success is an inspiration, and is one reason I have been a fan of his and read his newsletter for years. It took him 7 years of struggle before he “cracked the code.” Lucky for you, you don’t have to struggle like this:

He’s going to break it down, step-by-step and show you exactly how he did it from start to finish, and how you can too. 

A lot of people give away their “secrets.” But Mike is different: He is famous for his down-to-earth, supportive, no-frills guidance… and that’s why his students have made over $30,000,000 in combined profit (he’s got some big names on that list!)

And he wants to give you the entire blueprint to try for free.

It gets better: His blueprint includes EVERYTHING (and I mean everything) you need to get started: a custom website, hosting, training, blog, autoresponder, support, traffic tools… and much more… all part of this fr-ee offer!

And just to be clear, even though I’ve been coaching for three years now, I am now using TotalCoach to help me build and market my business, and have already seen results – in the form of new clients — in the short time I’ve been using it! 

Trust me on this. You’ll kick yourself if you miss this chance:

http://totalcoach.com/blueprint/?axa=2627

To your success,

–Ann

P.S. When you follow that link, you will read about some incredible success stories from people like you. Everyday people who have quit their jobs, who are making more than $8,000 a month, and who have finally found the personal fulfillment they’ve always dreamed of. One guy’s first sale was $4,200! A complete beginner!

It’s your turn:

http://totalcoach.com/blueprint/?axa=2627

On Track and On Purpose Coaching, Business Coaching for Women Entrepreneurs, Business Woman Coach

The POWEr of Women United!

“Make every connection a POWErful one!”    Tina Dezsi

“Moving out of your comfort zone is a gift to yourself, you will be surprised are how much people are willing to help you on your journey. Gifts will come to you when you share your gifts.”      Irene Anderson

I can do it, I will do it, I am doing it….be yourself….smile and stand up and be noticed.                               Denise Franklin

“It’s not how much you can tell others what you know, it’s how well you can inspire others to learn, what you know!”                                    Marianne Ford

“Mistakes and failures are a form of paid tuition into the entrepreneurial school of experience.”          Lianne Harris Raccipino

“Live your dreams, and contribute to the world”   Darcelle Runciman

“Just trust in being your authentic self, you really are a gift”!     Deborah Van Pelt

“Life is easier when we listen at the whisper, rather than the scream”

“Have courage to live a life that is more important than all the difficulties our fear has created in our minds. Real life is more important than fear.”     Rose-Anne Kumpunen

“Life is easier when we listen at the whisper, rather than the scream”   Stefanie Antunes

“Everthing that happens to us is as a result of our doing and our being”    Linda Cattelan

“Budget for your skill development and your ROI will be ten-fold.”    Azure Campbell

“The image you present is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself!”  Amanda Willett

“We are not the best puppets, some like strings to guide them..we seem to get tangled up in them!”   Tracy Donnelly

“You can’t plant seeds before you go to bed and expect to see flowers in the morning.”   Carla Segato

“Control your mind and you control your world-Your Mind Matters!”  Cori McClusker

“Do whatever it takes …and then some!”  Marlene Marco

“Don’t be fooled into believing motivation comes from others, one can inspire you, however you must motivate yourself from within! Trust Yourself and Live Loudly!”     Tina Dezsi

Let the POWEr Of Women United Inspire you to live your dreams!

Entrepreneurial Quote of the Day:

“Love is the time and space where ‘I’ give myself the right to be extraordinary.” ~Julia Kristeva

Hello Fabulous Women!

Welcome to the You Totally Rock! Awards.  (Also known as the Most Long Overdue Awards.)

So put on your virtual tiara and have a seat.  It’s finally time…

“And the Winner is…”

A hush falls over the crowd.

Presenter Ann Hession, looking ravishing in her virtual designer gown, opens the envelope and looks inside.

She grins.

“And the winner is …. YOU!”

The audience erupts, everyone eager to show you how much they agree, you are the winner, because you, my friend and fellow fabulous woman, you TOTALLY ROCK!

And it’s about time you get acknowledged for it!

Here’s what your reviews say:

You rock because you listen.  You really listen.

You rock because you take the extra time to do it right, whether anyone notices or not.

You rock because you make the people in your life smile when they think of you.

You rock because you do the right thing even when others don’t, and that makes a difference.

You rock because you have the courage to recreate yourself, to push yourself to grow and develop every day. Or at least most days!

You rock because you won’t settle for second best for the people you love. 

You rock because you are honest, caring and kind, even when things aren’t going your way, and that is a huge gift to everyone who knows you.

You rock because you take a stand for people, even when they won’t for themselves.

You rock because, when you are with them, people know they matter.

You rock because you are YOU, the best darn you the world has ever seen, precious, irreplaceable, and long overdue for this acknowledgement.

So get up on that stage, girlfriend, and accept this YOU TOTALLY ROCK! Award.  Yes, that’s right, you with the virtual tiara on your head, walk up there now and take it, it’s yours.

Take it in.  As a friend of mine says, “Let the love in, and let the love out.”  You deserve this award, and so much more.

Have a fabulous, rocking good day, and don’t forget to pass it on and let the precious people in your life know that they totally rock, too.  Let the love in, let the love out.  What a great way to start your weekend!

Thanks, you’ve been great! (Exit music plays…)

–Ann

On Track and On Purpose Coaching, Business Coaching for Women Entrepreneurs, Business Woman Coach

The world we know today is not the world we grew up with. We are witnessing major challenges in the outer world: global warming, hunger, migration, over consumption, terrorism and an environment crisis and we want to find a way to play a more conscious role in shaping the future.

At work women have never been more prepared and never have had more opportunities. Yet many women are opting out of corporate life and choosing to go their own way. We are learning that having it all also means conflicting agendas and stress.

However, women have a vital role to play in this century and each of us embodies the power to influence, to decide, to lead and to stir up change.

Women’s feminine leadership is the key to transforming organizations, communities and us. Long-term change has to happen in a new model where values such as integrity, compassion, listening, receiving and a win-win approach to negotiation play key roles. Feminine Leadership inspires authenticity, caring and sharing, a new leadership style and feminine ways of doing business. Balance is the key.

Feminine leadership is about taking the next step, it is about creating a life that has possibilities without the stress, it is about combining two worlds and not having to choose between either/or. It is about giving hope, a sense of community and living simpler and a more fulfilling life.

Feminine- Leadership

Who is Polaris Media Group?

Polaris Media Group is an international community of successful men and women who believe in social responsibility through entrepreneurism and developing highly motivated, self-sufficient, and successful people. Our goal is instilling competence through the application of proven entrepreneurial principles. Creating effective media products and events fulfills our passion to reveal the true nature of the human spirit. Join us.

Visit the Polaris Media Group website.

How Can I Make Money in My Polaris Business?

A: Create Retail Customers

At your fingertips will be the most powerful marketing system available to acquire retail customers for the “Know For Yourself” DVD and “Beyond Freedom Evolution” curriculum. Polaris Media Group entrepreneurial educational publications, DVD’s, curriculums and empowering events allow regular people to achieve success, improve their competence, enhance their self confidence and gain self reliance. We believe that given practical education, every individual has the ability to realize their inherent pot

B: Build a Sales Team

Use our powerful marketing system to find people who are looking for ways to earn money from home. Have a brief conversation with these people who have requested information and see if they are a good fit for this opportunity, and then invite them to a business overview similar to the one you listened to on this page.

Ready to Learn More? Give me a call:

800-845-1972

949-929-1733

Never know what to get that “unique” person on your gift list?

Well, just in time for the holidays, Blac Gurlz Ink has created a “HOLIDAY GIFT SET” for the LGBT family member or friend in your Life!

Unique in design, true to your sentiments!

And don’t forget to check out our Holiday Pets Greeting Cards…we’re thinking we may make these limited edition/collector’s greeting cards!

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The Blac Gurlz Ink
$50 Holiday Gift Set!

1) 1 Blac Gurlz Ink T-shirt
($35 value – 2 designs to choose from)

2) 3 of our Premiere Greeting Cards or 1 Couture Greeting Card
($15 value – your choice)

3) 1 Poster
($10 value – 2 designs to choose from)

*That’s a $60 value…if purchased separately.

Go to www.blacgurlzink.com/shop – to place your order today!

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T-Shirt Designs

Blac Gurlz Ink Logo

Femme Spirit

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Premium or Couture Greeting Cards
(samples below – please go to the www.blacgurlzink.com/shop to view the full selection!)

Premium Greeting Card

Couture Greeting Card

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Poster Designs!

Click here to order the “2009 Holiday Gift Set”

Embrace 1 - Poster

The Kiss 1 - Poster

Holiday Pets on Parade - Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

We all know that our “furbabies” bring us so much joy throughout the year and I bet that many have “stockings hung by the chimney with care”…in hope that St. Paws will soon be there…hahaha!

So to honor our cats, dogs…and all animals who are affectionately referred to as “our pets”…I created a holiday line to celebrate our best friends, comrades and furry members of the family!

Holiday Pets On Parade!

www.blacgurlzink.com/shop

Holiday Pets - Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

And you can custom order any combination you want!

Holiday Pets on Parade - Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

Entrepreneurial Quotes of the Day:

“Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.” ~Zig Ziglar

“What mankind wants is not talent; it is purpose.” ~Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton 

Hello Fabulous Women!

I am passionate and committed about the value and power of coaching, and here’s why.

One of the most common things I hear from the women who contact me about my business coaching services is that they are suffering from a lack of clarity.  And I do mean suffering – I can hear it in their voices. 

They say, “I just wish I knew what I really wanted.” 

And to make matters worse, they are usually blaming themselves for not knowing what they want – there’s this feeling that they are supposed to know what they want, and so they think there must be something wrong with them if they don’t.  (There isn’t!)

Interestingly, sometimes even those women who tell me they do know what they want are not truly any more clear.  I know that because, when I probe a bit further with them, they often can’t give me any clear details about what they want.  They say that they want more money, more success, less stress, but they can’t create a clear picture of what that would look like or what it means to them.

I strongly believe that this lack of clarity is the biggest obstacle in most people’s lives, including their business lives.  It’s the “something missing” that would make all the difference in the world if it were present.

I also believe that what creates clarity, and the only thing that creates clarity on a lasting basis, is Purpose.  Having a strong sense of personal purpose, knowing not only what you want but why you want it, feeling connected to what matters to you the most in life – that creates a clarity and power that can withstand anything that life throws at you.

Sometimes when I talk about this with prospective clients, it resonates with them immediately.  They seem to recognize that what I’m talking about is truly what has been missing for them.  Others, frankly, shy away from the idea of having a personal sense of purpose.  They say that there must be some other, better, easier way to get clear and know what they really want.

Maybe they are right, but if so, I have yet to see the evidence of it.  Everything I have experienced as a coach and in my life tells me that there is nothing more essential and foundational to having a fulfilling and successful life than having a strong sense of purpose.  It’s a declaration to yourself and to the world of why you are here on this planet. 

That is why my coaching – yes, my business coaching – involves helping each and every client create and declare a powerful and succinct personal statement of purpose.  And I promise you this: any business you create or career you pursue that is created out of that sense of personal purpose will be a business or career that will give you not only success but also joy and fulfillment in your life. 

I created my own statement of purpose nearly three years ago.  My purpose in life is to inspire and empower people to discover and fulfill their purpose in life, with passion, ease and joy! 

Now let me tell you something else:  I created that statement of purpose approximately 30 seconds before I declared that I was a coach.  After thinking about being a coach for years, that clarity of purpose is what gave me the power to declare it and make it so. 

And that clarity of purpose is the same reason why I had my first three coaching clients in less than a month after that declaration.  Nothing else changed.  I didn’t suddenly have more training or preparation, I didn’t know anything more than before.  The only difference was, I created and declared my purpose, and that transformed me from someone who was stuck thinking about something – for years – into someone who was unstoppable in making it happen.

And here’s something else for you to know.  Less than nine months later, if you typed “women’s business coach” into Google, you would have found me on the first page, at the #9 spot.  Not too shabby!  Today, by the way, I’m at #1 on Google for those keywords, and have been for over a year.  That’s the Power of Purpose, in life and in business.

So my question for each of you today is, What Is Your Purpose?  Why are you here?  No one else in the world has the right to declare an answer to that question except you.  How will you answer it?

I know that some of you have an answer to that question, because I was working with you when you created it!  Others may have a partial answer, and some may feel that they have no idea at all. 

If you, like many women I talk to, are feeling that painful lack of clarity, I hope that this has helped you to see what is missing, and to know that do you have it in your power to create it for yourself. 

If I can do it, so can you.  You can create it for yourself, but it doesn’t have to be by yourself – I know I couldn’t have created my purpose on my own.  It took someone really pushing me and coaching me, believe me!  That’s what coaching provides, and that is literally what I am here on this planet to do.  For you.

If you are feeling that “something’s missing,” then take on answering this question, “What Is My Purpose?”  Whether you do it through coaching or not, consider that your life does depend on it.  Not your existence – after all, many people exist for many years without ever knowing their purpose.  Having a life is much more than having an existence. 

And if you have ever thought about coaching but never taken action, make today the day.  Take advantage of my free 45 minute coaching call.  When you really think about it, isn’t it a bit absurd to spend a lifetime here on this earth and never declare for yourself why?

Have a fabulous, purposeful day,

–Ann

On Track and On Purpose, Business Coaching for Women Entrepreneurs, Business Woman Coach

Save the Date:  January 27, 2010

Eastern Ontario Women in Finance Presents Ottawa’s Second Annual Women’s Charity Sales Conference
“Keeping The Edge”
Brought to you by MCAP and Genworth

Stay tuned more details to follow along with list of presenters.

Last year 60 attended, this year we’re hitting 100 plus.

Sponsorship opportunities available.

sandra@sandratisiot.com

By: Otiena Ellwand

Image from lansbridge.edu

Talking business over scissors, collage paper and glue isn’t the traditional way to go about things. But that’s exactly why these five women started what they call, “creative picnics”.

Every two weeks for a year now, they’ve spread their art supplies out on a table at the The One in The Only Espresso Bar (966 Danforth Ave.) and let things flow.

“It changes the way you talk [about business]. It’s more casual, more intimate and much less intimidating to throw something out on the table,” says Jamie Ridler, a creative self-development coach.

Together they talk about the issues they face as entrepreneurs— ranging from pricing, marketing, leveraging social media, and discussing the things that don’t work and why.

“I move in a world of women entrepreneurs and I’m so inspired by the women I know. When I’m flagging they give me a good push and keep me moving. Whoever said women can’t work well together because they’re too catty was wrong,” says Ridler, who says she has only experienced the utmost generosity and kindness while working with women.

“It takes something unique [to be an entrepreneur] with as much rejection as there is,” says Jennifer Hicks, 36, a speech-language pathologist and Nia fitness instructor. Trying to attract the right kinds of clients, selling your services short, and inconsistent cash flow, are just some of the challenges she and the others face.

Many of them work alone, so this group provides a comfortable place where they can relax, be themselves and commiserate with the others.

“It’s stimulating to see that much power in a group of women, living lives that are unconventional,” says Hicks. “The group honours the individual spirit of being an individual business person. If you have the joy and the passion, you’ll be able to show that and attract happy customers,” she says.

Ridler recommends getting together with women from your program/industry and others, to form a group like theirs.

“It’s not a big deal, but it makes a big difference,” she says. “I kind of think in these times, everyone’s an entrepreneur. You’re navigating your career, your professional identity, taking calculated risks and finding the best way to make your contribution. Besides, almost everyone I know who has a ‘day job’ also has their soul-gig, the work they do as a writer, filmmaker, artist, volunteer, activist,” she says.

“When you choose to create something that doesn’t exist, it’s like creating a child and you are proud of it,” says Hicks.

She quotes a magnet on her fridge: “I would rather go naked than wear the coat the world has made for me” (Dorothy Allison).

She and the other four women in the creative picnic group have done just that, and will continue to do so.

Entrepreneurial Quote of the Day:

“There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to deal with them.” ~ Phyllis Battome

Hello Fabulous Women!

Spending hours in front of the computer and typing and clicking until your neck hurts, your shoulders ache and your fingers cramp up can be a reality of working in today’s world.  I want to share a couple of great stretches/exercises with you all, to help relieve strain and pain in your neck and shoulders and upper back. 

I have chronic pain in my neck and shoulders, largely as a result of having been a massage therapist myself for many years, and now exacerbated by all the time I spend on the computer.  I’m afraid that I have quite a bit of repetitive strain injury, primarily on the right side, but the left is not so great either!

Hopefully none of you has quite the level of discomfort that I do, but I expect it’s a pretty safe bet that a fair number of you have at least some pain and stiffness on a regular basis. 

There are two stretches/exercise that I highly recommend.  Now, before you ask yourself why I’m still in pain when I have these two great techniques, let me just confess a little something.  I know these two stretches work extremely well, but I can’t even remember the last time I did them. 

Yes, that’s right, another sterling example of the fact that knowing what to do and actually doing it are not the same thing. 

Today I got straight with myself about the fact that I am not taking care of myself anyway near the way I know how to, and committed to a fresh new start with these poor, much abused neck and shoulders of mine.  How about you?  Ready to make a change and provide your body with some relief?

Here are the two most effective stretches I have yet to come across:

The Eagle – Amplified:

The first is a modified version of a yoga pose usually known as the Eagle.  Standing up, bend your elbows and hold your hands in front of your face, palms facing each other, fingers pointing up.  Keeping your fingers pointing up, cross your left elbow over your right elbow.  As best you can, bring your right hand toward your body, and wrap it around your left forearm, laying your right palm on the inside of your left wrist or even partway up onto your left palm, as far as you can.  Here is a picture:

Some of you will be able to do this with some ease, others may only be able to do a small part to start – don’t worry, whatever you can do will work to begin stretching you to the next level.

Once you have gotten into the position as best you can, you can vastly increase the effectiveness of this stretch by moving around in the following ways while still holding the pose:

First, raise your hands and arms slowly toward the ceiling, keeping the post intact.  Hold for a few seconds and then return to the original position.

Second, unbend your elbows slightly, pushing your hands out away from your body, still held together in pose.  Return to original position.

Third, push elbows slowly out away from your body, pulling hands toward your face, while at the same time bending slowly forward from the waist.  You should feel a great stretch along the sides of your body from your lower spine right up to your shoulders. Return.

Fourth, swing your arms, in position, toward the right, twisting slowly at the waist, up the spine and through the shoulders.  Do the same to the left. Return.

When you are done, repeat the whole sequence beginning with getting into the pose with your right elbow crossing over on top of your left one.  Once you have done this a few times and know what you are doing, you can go through the whole sequence, once on each side, in only 2-3 minutes.

The Wall Waist Squeeze

This exercise is the best thing I know for opening up the front of your shoulders and chest, counteracting all the time we spend hunched forward.  A lot of pain and tension that you feel in the back of your shoulders is actually caused by tightness in the muscles in the front, and a particular muscle (pectoralis minor) that connects the front and back of your shoulders.

It’s very simple:

Stand with your back against a wall, with your head, shoulders and buttocks all touching the wall.  Raise your arms straight out to your sides and bend your elbows so your hands are pointing up, and press your whole arms against the wall, so that your shoulders, elbows and the back of your hands are all touching the wall.

Now, keeping your head, shoulders, arms, hands and buttocks all in continuous contact with the wall, slowly squeeze your elbows down toward your waist.  *Be sure to keep everything still touching the wall – if you are not paying attention, some parts of your body will come forward and you will lose the effectiveness of this exercise.*

Squeeze your elbows down to your waist as far as you can while still maintaining full contact with the wall, then return to the starting position. Repeat at least ten times, working up to doing fifty squeezes in a row.

Well, I had to do all of those several times to make sure I was describing them all correctly, and I do feel much better!  So will you – give them a try!  The more often you do them, the better you will feel.  I have committed to doing them at least once a day before I start work, and I have a reminder set on my computer so I won’t forget – how about you?

–Ann

On Track and On Purpose, Business Coaching for Women Entrepreneurs, Business Woman Coach

If you’re happy and your know it, clap your hands! … The one not clapping over there is probably your cranky co-worker. Some of us are luckily enough to be doing something we love, but others might not love their jobs. But that’s no reason for having a cranky cubical. So cheer up because today is Cranky Co-Workers Day.

Successories has lots of desktop products to motivate a smile on your face. From our Positive Pals to our Motivational Rubik’s Cube, we have the tools to crank out the cranky.

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FLYER HOME OFFICE BUSINESS – RETIREMENT

 by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

I caught up with Lucy Rosen, president and founding member of Women on the Fast Track, an international networking organization for business women.  Here’s what Lucy had to say:

What are the benefits to networking? How many words do I get? New relationships. Opportunities for new opportunities. Opportunities to connect others. Opportunities for jobs / information / resources, but I think the biggest one is the opportunity to help others.

What networking advice has benefited your career?  Everyone has value. It may not be a good fit for you, but that doesn’t mean to write them off.  It means file them away to refer them to someone else!

Where can a woman find networking opportunities?  Local clubs, organizations, associations, online, at schools, alumni groups, other mothers, other women, newspapers, radio, and magazines. Virtually every daily paper has a business section and usually it appears on Mondays. In that section would be a list of all the networking “things” happening in and around your community.

What advice do you have for women who want to network, but feel shy or uncomfortable?  Most of the time we feel shy or uncomfortable because we think we don’t have anything to give. We are the “givers” not the receivers- so it’s much more comfortable for us to give than to receive. If there is a feeling of not having much of worth to give – start making a list of all the different people you know – from your neighbor, to the woman on the PTA you met, to the different jobs you have had and who you know from there. I reconnected with someone from high school that I hadn’t seen in 30 (gulp) years… She was looking for a job in accounting, and I happened to know an accounting firm that was looking to hire – so there you go! It worked.
How can a business woman start a networking group in her area?  They can call me and I will help them start Women on the Fast Track chapter!

You can find out more about Lucy Rosen and Women on the Fast Track by visiting her website at www.womenonthefasttrack.com.

www.sandrabeck.com

www.motherhoodincorporated.com

The View from My Window

The weather during this journey has been simply marvelous but this morning I woke to rain which is so appropriate right now…a cleansing rain.

This has been an amazing  journey for me — the first in my 49 years on this planet where I have taken something on solely FOR ME and the energy around that has been amazing, revealing, surprising and well…all I can do is count my blessings.

Blac Gurlz Ink(BGI) turned 1 yr on Oct. 10th and to already be at a point where we are actually going into overseas markets to promote our greeting cards…well, that usually takes place in years 3 thru 5 of a business!  So for us to be at this point now…I KNOW I am blessed.

It has been hard work, long hours, sleepless nights and tons of prayer to get BGI here and as the Supreme One, I have to thank all of the Angels who have “stepped up to the plate” to actively help me make this dream possible.

Total strangers have been supportive of me and that has been my biggest blessings.  I truly had to surrender to Spirit and to allow those who “needed” to get to me…to get to me…as someone who I consider a good friend said to me…”let us help you…we ARE and CHOOSE to be YOUR Angels.”

So as I sit in my quaint little room (space is premium in these here parts…haha!) I reflect on what I

My Room

asked Mother/Father God for…to be successful as defined by Me — which has way more to do with the “quality” of My Life than it does the money I make.  I asked for support, to be surrounded by those who are positive and loving influences, to have doors just fly open — haha! and of course to make tons of money so that I can provide for me, those I consider to be My Tribe and to be a good ambassador for my community.

Im off to Paris in a few days and in this moment of reflection…I am utterly content and absolutely grateful for each and every moment that has passed and the exciting ones yet to come…and so it is…

“its not the rain that makes you sad…its raining because you are sad” MIB2