Money & Success : Ambition

Hi Love!

You can never have too much ambition. If you want to be successful, you need to have ambition. Being lazy gets you nowhere. Put in the work no matter how hard it can become. If you don't  put in the work your dreams will never come true and your projects will never see completion.

When owning a business or simply working for an employer, ambition is your best friend. Finding new ways to use your work experience for your own ventures should be your main goal. Never discredit any of your ideas or sweep them under the rug. Build upon your ideas and projects.

Ambition comes from inspiration so if you are looking for new ways to empower yourself check out a few of the solutions below:

1. Travel - go into your city, check out the area, go to monuments and go to events. 
2. Look at your project - compare your ideal goal to where you currently are. Seeing the amount of work you still need to do will give you more inspiration than you ever need. 
3. Talk to others who have the same goals as you - keep yourself in good company that will support you and provide positive energy.
4. Create a list of goals - break down every step you need in order to achieve your goal. 
5. Do something fun - have fun with creating and spend less time procrastinating. 

My philosophy - Ambition is your best friend make sure to treat it as such!

-- Love Rae

Announcing Hilda Lunderstedt As CEO of Global Operations

Hi Love!

" Build a business that is scalable without YOU having to work harder " - Hilda Lunderstedt

Wealth Migrate Announces New CEO of Global Operations

Hilda Lunderstedt to oversee strategic international growth for leading global real estate crowdfunding platform

 Wealth Migrate, the tenth-largest global real estate crowdfunding platform as reported by Massolution, today announces Hilda Lunderstedt as its new CEO of global operations. A long-time adviser to the board and an investor in the company, Lunderstedt compliments the current executive team, which specializes in real estate by providing oversight of business growth strategy and international operations. Lunderstedt will work alongside current Wealth Migrate CEO and Co-Founder Scott Picken in order to support the continued demand for high-quality real estate investments from investors throughout the globe.

“Hilda has founded several businesses that have experienced accelerated growth,” Picken said. “With the demand from investors increasing daily, the launch of our second-generation real estate technology platform, the opening of several new global offices and an influx of new high-quality developers and operators adding their projects to our platform, 2016 is going to be a year of incredible growth for us. Adding a co-CEO of Hilda’s caliber will allow us to scale quickly.”

A seasoned business veteran, Lunderstedt started and grew her own company, NutriLida Healthcare, to a nine-figure business in less than a decade. She has raised capital and pursued investments on various continents, establishing herself as an international entrepreneur, investor and savvy businesswoman. She is passionate about how technology is opening up opportunities for underserved populations to have access real estate opportunities that allow for currency stabilization and wealth creation.

“As a longstanding investor turned board member, I have continually been impressed by the caliber of people and the strength of the technology behind Wealth Migrate,” Lunderstedt said. “As the company continues to grow, I am excited to move into a more active role managing day-to-day operations.”  

Lunderstedt has received international recognition for her talent, leadership and excellence in marketing, having been named as a Top Entrepreneur in the USA in 2013 by the JT Foxx Organization, and being selected by the Worldwide Who’s Who organization as a VIP of the Year for 2014-2015. Hilda has also received the award for 2015 Featured Global Expert of the Year from South Africa for her contribution in global entrepreneurship and Investments.

“One of our main objectives is to ensure that access to wealth through real estate as well as education regarding real estate investing is equally available to all populations in all corners of the world,” said Hennie Bezuidenhout, co-founder and chairman of Wealth Migrate. “Hilda’s passion for educating investors, specifically female investors, is one more reason we are thrilled for her to take a larger role within the company.”

With research indicating that women are underrepresented in financial market participation, Lunderstedt believes the emergence of real estate crowdfunding technology provides women a new avenue for investment in an asset class many understand and find appealing, and could revolutionize female investment behavior.

“As Wealth Migrate’s first female executive, one of my goals is to ensure we empower women with the knowledge and confidence to invest by providing the proper education and outreach female investors,” Lunderstedt said.

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About Wealth Migrate

Wealth Migrate is a leading international real estate crowdfunding platform that offers global investors direct access to exclusive real estate investment opportunities in premier markets around the world, including the U.S., U.K. and Australia. Investors benefit from the extensive experience of the Wealth Migrate executive team, which has collectively invested more than $1.34 billion for clients in international real estate transactions. For more information, visit www.wealthmigrate.com.

-- Love Rae

When A “Rogue Wave” Hits, How Will You Respond?

Hi Love!

You are a leader. 
 
The urgency of this question is no surprise. A Rogue Wave, defined as “a massive organizational crisis that is spontaneous, sudden and significant,” is a challenge that every leader these days can expect to face.
 
Harry Hutson and Martha Johnson are leadership coaches with decades of experience as executives in the public and private sectors. Drawing from a variety of social science research, interviews, and personal experience, they explore the humanistic and personal challenges of crisis leadership in their new book, NAVIGATING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS: When Leadership Matter Most (Praeger, January 31, 2016).
 
“Crisis demands much from a leader but not necessarily from one’s known bank account of skills and competences. It is a very humbling thing to be, in a very public way, in charge but unable to be in control, and when logistic, operational, and reactive muscles cannot pull the weight,” state Hutson and Johnson. 
 
NAVIGATING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS details how leaders under intense pressure reach deep down into themselves in order to find a way forward. The book shares stories and case studies ranging from small non-profits directors dealing with tragedy to corporate executives suddenly in the spotlight (Entergy Louisiana post-Hurricane Katrina, for example). The authors cull revelations and identify patterns of how leaders can recognize and best apply their internal strengths.
 
NAVIGATING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS offers insights such as the following:

• Faced with a Rogue Wave, leaders must promptly name it and face it. Any stalling undermines their leadership.
• Resilience can be improved, but it is leaders' pre-resilience that truly buttresses their effectiveness.
• Helpful help is hard for leaders who are focused on self-control to grasp, but it is essential in recovery and support.
• A leader’s skills and willingness to create meaning through storytelling is crucial in setting the organization up for the future.
• The journey from organizational crisis to leadership maturity follows a pattern: Respond, Reflect, Reach, Restore, Renew.

A common thread emerged during the interviews and research for NAVIGATING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS—such events remain sharply immediate to leaders, yielding lessons well into the future.
 
“Leaders we interviewed told organizational disaster stories as if they happened yesterday. No one needed a calendar to puzzle together the details of the events. They became self-reflective.... Organizational crisis had intensified their awareness, shifted their assumptions about themselves, and uncovered deeper questions. It concentrated and crystallized leadership lessons,” comment the authors.
 
“In light of current crisis events, even experienced, practiced leaders can easily get in their own way. When they override their values and higher selves in urgency or even panic they make things worse. That's where we can help. Our book is more likely to be read in prospect or retrospect, but we can help leaders and teams in real time when we interact in person. That's our purpose in doing this work,” says Hutson.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
A 25-year veteran in senior human resources and leadership and development roles in four multinational companies, HARRY HUTSON is now an independent consultant. He has passion for talent development, change management, organizational integration, and—most of all—finding a way when people feel lost or confused and tough choices need to be made. He lives in Chapel Hill, NC and teaches classes in Executive Education and the MBA Program at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.  
 
MARTHA JOHNSON is a leadership expert who draws on the lessons she learned as an executive with a more than 35-year career in business and government. Johnson is former Administrator of the General Services Administration under President Obama and also served for eight years in the Clinton Administration. Her private sector career has spanned the information technology, architecture, strategic consulting, and automotive industries.


-- Love Rae

Money & Success : Avoid Small Thinkers

Hi Love!

If you want a ton of money and success you have to avoid small thinkers. People that get comfortable when you start speaking about your dreams or begin to speak negatively about your goals are called small thinkers. They are the worst kind of people on the planet.

I've had the pleasure of working with the smallest thinkers on the planet. These people are usually fearful of change and unable to adapt to new things. For most people it is imperative to keep your ideas to yourself and I'm sure if you're reading this you will feel the way.

Well there's actually a better way of handling these type of people. Instead of completing avoiding conversation with these people, try to learn from their mistakes. Pay close attention to how their ideas may be successful however it doesn't make an impact. As a female entrepreneur your goal should always be to create an impact in a positive way.

Take all of your ideas and apply them to your ventures. Avoid following the traditional rules when you are working on your projects. Make sure that your contribution is the best version that you can possibly create. If you know your idea is great don't avoid it, keep it and apply it. Avoid sharing your ideas with small thinkers but pay close attention to theirs.

My philosophy: Use your great ideas for your projects and never feel bad for having them!

-- Love Rae

Roll Out The Red Carpet for Your Customers

Hi Love!

Donna Cutting is the Founder & CEO of Red Carpet Learning Systems, Inc., which provides tools and training for engaging staff to improve the customer experience. She is an in-demand keynote speaker, and the author of the new book, 501Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet for Your Customers: Easy to Implement Ideas to Inspire Loyalty, Get New Customers and Leave a Lasting Impression (Career Press).
 
How do you get an employee, who may never have received world-class service, to roll out the red-carpet for your customers? You must model it for them. You can start by being more intentional about showing appreciation for their work.
 
It’s so easy to forget to say thank you on a regular basis. We rely on things like “Employee of the Month” or the annual “Employee Appreciation” picnic to do the job for us, even though daily expressions of appreciation make a bigger impact.
Why do we do this? The answer is simple: we think don’t have the time.
 
Try practicing saying thank you for seven consecutive days in seven different ways. Here are some ideas to get you started.
 
Day 1: Purposely walk the floor of your workplace and give spontaneous praise to someone you see doing something right.
This is perhaps the easiest way of showing appreciation for your employees or co-workers. Just taking five minutes out of every hour to walk the floor and give someone a compliment on their work can make a huge difference. Spontaneous praise is often more genuine than a carefully thought-out emails because of their personal face-to-face nature. Furthermore, spontaneous positivity leaves a distinct impression of purpose in their workday. Often times we get so caught up in the menial tasks of our day, that we begin to feel as if our efforts are fruitless. Spontaneous praise can help ease that feeling and improve overall moral in the workplace.
 
Day 2: Thank an employee or co-worker face-to-face, telling him specifically how he makes a difference to your company and/or workday. 
This is slightly different than Day 1 in that your praise is intentional. In other words, you’re making a conscious effort to intentionally seek out one person and specifically appreciate something they do. Not only does this show that you’re taking a personal interest in their work, but that you’re also taking a personal interest in who they are. This helps foster a sense of community and purpose within the workplace.
 
Day 3: Divide a piece of paper into two columns. In the first column, list the names of all your direct reports. In the second column, write something positive that each person contributes to the team. Leave no one out, even if you really have to work to find the positive. Carry that list with you for a week. When you have the opportunity, privately share the appropriate praise with each person on the list. Try to get through the entire list within a week.
This method is great for any work environment for several reasons. First of all, it’s intentional, which as we already discussed is a great way to show personal appreciation. Secondly, it’s long-term appreciation. Instead of simply showing appreciation for one day, this method of spreading positivity and kindness lasts all week. It helps you form a habit of not only remembering to show appreciation, but also to notice the kind of things that deserve it. Carrying around a list of positives for an entire week can open up the doors for you to notice the positive in everyone, which can help improve overall work moral tremendously. Not only that, but when people receive a positive comment, they’re likely to pay it forward, increasing the spread of positivity and appreciation throughout the workplace. And lastly, this method is inclusive. Making sure to include everyone in the list is extremely important in order for this method of appreciation to be successful. If you only express your thanks to a select few, then it will create a sort of clique-tension between groups of people in the workplace. It can also make those who are left out feel as though the work that they do is not enough, which is the complete opposite of how you want your work environment to be. Making an inclusive list of positives about everyone helps foster the idea that you are all a team, and everyone is both needed and appreciated.
 
Day 4: Go on WOW patrol.
Choose one employee/co-worker who really went the extra mile recently. Gather a group of department heads or other co-workers, and write positive messages on sticky notes. Plaster those sticky notes all over that person’s work area. Or put together a balloon bouquet, a special certificate, and maybe even a few special treats. Gather that person’s co-workers to help you surprise her with celebration of her contributions to the workplace. Or if you’d rather have less fuss, a simple standing ovation of applause for a chosen employee/co-worker can have an equally wonderful impact. Even taking them out to lunch, or letting them leave half an hour early with pay, is a great way to visibly show your appreciation. The purpose of this day is to give someone a big and visible WOW to make their day, and show them how much you appreciate their hard work. Visual displays of thanks not only show that you recognize the difference they have made, but also leave a lasting impression of appreciation.
 
Day 5: Start a “travelling trophy.” Find something fun to use a trophy. It could be a rubber chicken, a stuffed animal, or something humorous that goes along with your mission or brand. Give it to one of your team member and tell him specifically why he is the recipient of this award. When an hour is up, the recipient needs to find someone else who makes a difference, and then pay it forward. Keep going all day long and see who ends up with the trophy at the end of the day.
This one is great of obvious reasons. First of all, it provides a visual display of appreciation. That creates a positive message within the workplace. Secondly, by allowing the trophy to travel, you create an inclusive atmosphere among your employees/co-workers. And additionally, if you choose the make the traveling trophy a daily activity, rather than an hourly one, you can make the expression of appreciation long-term.
 
Day 6: Have lunch with one or two of your direct reports. Talk to them about their career goals, and where they see themselves in five years. Consider where you might be able to encourage them and help them. If possible, delegate something challenging to them that would help them along their desired path. Then ask for their opinions, no holds barred, about how things are going at work. What are their specific concerns? What are their specific suggestions for improvement? Thank them for their input and try to either appease their concerns, or implement at least one of their ideas. Be sure to give them credit. 
Above all else, your employees need to like their opinions matter, and that their voices are heard. Taking the time to take them out to lunch, away from the workplace, shows that you’re making an effort to be approachable. You want to your employees to feel comfortable coming to you with problems, so you can help foster a sense of teamwork and community. Additionally, giving them a chance to be heard in a neutral space will help them feel both appreciated and seen. In a team, every person matters and every person is important, so giving them credit for their ideas is just as important as hearing them.
 
Day 7: Bring in treats to say thank you to the entire team. 
There’s no better way to say “thank you” like four boxes of pizza and a giant cake. It’s a classic show of appreciation for everyone. It fosters positive socialization among your employees and celebrates everything you’ve all achieved as a team. It allows your employees to rest from their work and encourages everyone to take the time and opportunity to say “thank you” to everyone. Go team!


-- Love Rae

Registration Has Begun for the MORE Business Bootcamp!

Hi Love!

MORE MAGAZINE LAUNCHES REGISTRATION FOR THE INAUGURAL MORE BUSINESS BOOTCAMP POWERED BY MICROSOFT

Melinda Gates to Deliver the Keynote Address at the Second-Annual MORE Impact Awards on June 24 in Seattle

MORE, the magazine for women of style and substance, today announced that it has launched registration for the inaugural MORE Business Bootcamp (mb²), powered by Microsoft.

From June 23 to June 26, MORE and Microsoft will welcome 150 MORE readers looking to start a new business or grow an existing one to Microsoft’s Redmond, Wash. campus, near Seattle. The multi-day event will include panel discussions with successful female entrepreneurs, industry leaders and experts, and cocktail-hour networking events with local business owners and venture capitalists.

Confirmed speakers include Jane Park, Founder and CEO of Julep; Rebecca Lovell, Director of Entrepreneurship and Industry for the City of Seattle; and Connie Bourassa-Shaw, Director of the University of Washington Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship.

“One of MORE’s core themes is the power of reinvention,” says MORE Editor-in-Chief Lesley Jane Seymour. “Now we are bringing reinvention to life by partnering with Microsoft on this unique bootcamp. We hope that one-on-one time with experts, MORE editors and celebrated entrepreneurs will inspire attendees to reinvent themselves, and give them the tools to succeed in the business of their dreams.”

The programming features training workshops offering valuable takeaway skills, including how to turn your great idea into reality; find funding; build your personal brand; market your business on social media; use technology to grow your business faster; create an ethical and sustainable business model; bounce back from failure; and more. Additional activities include a pitch competition, where select early-stage entrepreneurs will receive feedback on their business pitch from a panel of expert judges, and lunch with Microsoft Ventures, where attendees will learn what it takes to join Microsoft’s startup accelerator program.

“At Microsoft, we are committed to enabling entrepreneurs with access to the technology, training, programs and connections they need to be successful, regardless of whether they sit in an aspiring startup or an established Fortune 500 company,” said Victoria Grady, General Manager of Developer Experiences at Microsoft. “This event with MORE Magazine embodies that commitment.”

As part of mb², MORE will also host its second-annual MORE Impact Awards on Friday, June 24, in Seattle. Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will deliver a keynote address at the dinner and awards ceremony recognizing women who are making a difference. The first-annual MORE Impact Awards featured keynote speaker First Lady Michelle Obama.

The early registration fee is $1,295, which includes a gift bag with more than $1,000 worth of Microsoft products. The regular registration fee of $1,550 goes into effect after April 1. For more information and to register, visithttp://www.more.com/mb2.

ABOUT MORE 

Launched in September 1998, critically acclaimed MORE is the only lifestyle publication that celebrates women of style and substance. MORE is the smart, stylish guide for women of influence, sharing the latest on beauty, fashion, health, career, finance, home, travel and culture. MORE serves a community of professional women interested in reinventing themselves and their world. MORE is published 10 times a year by Meredith Corporation with a rate base of 750,000 and readership of 1.5 million. The award-winning publication was named Advertising Age’s 2006 Magazine of the Year, named multiple times to the prestigiousAdvertising Age “A List,” as well as to the Adweek “Hot List,” and received the 2014 Clarion Award for Best Overall External Magazine and a 2015 Deadline Club Award for Magazine Personal Service.

Additional information may be found online: www.more.com | Facebook:Facebook.com/moremagazine | Twitter: @moremag | Pinterest: Pinterest.com/moremagazine| Instagram: Instagram.com/moremag.

-- Love Rae

Helping Women-owned Businesses Secure the Loans They Need

Hi Love!

The Credit Junction Pledges $100 Million in Loan Availability to Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Small Businesses in Landmark Partnership

New York, NY  - The Credit Junction, an online lending platform for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs), announced today that it has pledged $100 million in loan availability to the small businesses belonging to the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC), a non-profit organization for minority-owned businesses in the Houston Metropolitan area. This strategic alliance will help provide much needed support to the growing number of small businesses in the United States’ fourth largest city.

HMSDC’s membership, which includes more than 700 minority-owned small businesses, now has access to working capital that would otherwise be difficult to obtain by traditional financing sources. Access to capital remains a significant obstacle to the growth of small businesses, and as traditional financial institutions face increasing regulations and compliance costs, business owners will continue to seek alternative financing sources.

“This collaborative, multi-faceted strategic partnership will benefit both local businesses as well as the region at large, furthering The Credit Junction’s commitment to offering SMBs a financing alternative,” commented Sergio Rodriguera, Chief Strategy Officer of The Credit Junction. “As part of that mission, we will continue to build even more regional relationships to further facilitate the flow of credit to the small businesses that fuel our nation’s economy.”

“Houston is a growing, thriving city, thanks in many ways to a diverse number of industrial, oil and gas and healthcare businesses to name a few,” said Robert Gonzalez, Director of Development and Consulting Services of HMSDC. “Traditional sources of capital have often fallen short in supplying the needs of small businesses, particularly when it comes to minority-owned businesses. Our partnership with The Credit Junction helps to ensure that our small business community receives the opportunity to access the capital essential to develop and thrive as leaders.”

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About The Credit Junction
The Credit Junction is an online lending platform focused on providing working capital and supply chain financing solutions to small and mid-size businesses. The company employs an asset-based lending credit evaluation model, and offers businesses up to $5 million in capital availability, both in term loans and lines of credit. Using technology and data intelligence in conjunction with traditional asset-based lending metrics, The Credit Junction can better assess the health of a small business, and provide a more transparent and user-friendly experience. Our fast, flexible and efficient access to capital provides small business owners with the resources they need to grow their business, which ultimately supports job creation and local community development. For more information, please visit:www.thecreditjunction.com.

About Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC)
Established in 1973, the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council is a non-profit organization for minority business enterprises (MBEs) and major corporations interested in establishing relationships with minority entrepreneurs and assisting in the growth of their company. Included in the membership of HMSDC are more than 125 major corporations and more than 700 minority businesses. HMSDC services the needs of both MBEs and major corporations in the Houston Metropolitan area that are committed to the expansion of procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. HMSDC is the certifying agent for minority businesses interested in doing business with major corporations. The council provides programs and services that are directed to the deliberate growth of minority businesses. Based on the results of an economic impact study conducted in 2015 HMSDC certified MBEs have a total economic impact of $22.8 billion which is composed of over $17.1 billion dollars in output that results in the creation and/or preservation of more than 67 thousand jobs. HMSDC is one of 24 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. For more information, please visit: www.HMSDC.org.


-- Love Rae

Meet Inspiring Speakers and New Connections At The WNORTH Conference

Hi Love!

WNORTH CONFERENCE IN WHISTLER APRIL 20-22 ADDRESSES NEW YEAR GOAL SETTING FOR WOMEN WITH ACTIONABLE WORKSHOPS, INSPIRING SPEAKERS AND NEW CONNECTIONS

WHISTLER, B.C. January 21, 2016 – A new year often comes with new career aspirations and WNORTH Conference, a business summit in Whistler, BC, addresses goal setting for women who aspire to leadership positions. From balancing work and home priorities, to inspiring change and making connections that matter, setting career goals can be daunting and connecting with women, likeminded in their direction as they rise towards leadership, is a great place to start.

“Beyond an individual’s goal setting endeavors, the workplace in 2016 needs to support the next generation of female leaders and WNORTH provides that forum,” says Heather Odendaal, founder and producer of WNORTH Conference. “There is a desire to develop women in the mid-stage of their career but that sometimes doesn’t translate into action. It is my hope organizations consider supporting attendance at WNORTH as a way to develop their high potential female employees.”
 
Actionable workshops at WNORTH Conference will balance inspirational speaker content and provide real return on investment for attendees. From developing the ultimate skill set for executives, presented by author and executive coach Lisa Martin; to perfecting presentation and speaking skills with Narges Nirumvala, a world renowned leadership communication expert and author of the public speaking book “Capture the Spotlight”; participants will come away with a framework for success in each topic.
 
Speakers will come from all corners of North America and two additions to the roster include speaker Philip Grosch of PwC Canada and workshop facilitator Heather Rangel of Deloitte. Grosch will discuss “Career Sponsorship - How to Manifest Your Own Luck’. Different from a mentor, career sponsors not only advise on a career, but help to actively advance it. Rangel’s workshop ‘Business Chemistry – Using Science to Improve Relationships’ will show participants how they can use science to improve business relationships by exploring four scientifically based patterns of behavior. By understanding the patterns participants can then uncover insights about individuals and teams based on these observable traits and preferences.
 
“I am so excited about the insights the Business Chemistry workshop will present for our participants,” says Odendaal. “This knowledge will help you with every one of your important business interactions and help you optimize your teams. The resulting data-driven system is easy to remember, but has a sophisticated underpinning that highlights statistically relevant behavioral cues in a business environment.”

Tickets for WNORTH are now available. The Balance Pass is $699 and includes access to two days of WNORTH Conference programming in Whistler, an opening wine reception, West Coast Networking lunch, the Connected Breakfast and access to the WNORTH Community Networking app, hosted by Bizzabo.

Registration is now available at http://wnorthconference.com/register/
WNORTH Conference is proud to partner with McQuarrie Hunter LLP, Business Events Canada, BCBusiness, Nita Lake Lodge and is produced by Bluebird Strategy. 


-- Love Rae

Toni Braxton's Upcoming Biopic Premieres January 23rd!

Hi Love!

Tonight is the premiere of Unbreak My Heart, a biopic following the success of R&B singer Toni Braxton. After filing for bankruptcy, having a divorce and being pressured to have plastic surgery Toni has really paved a way for aspiring singers. Despite how the media would like to portray her, Toni is one of the best and most legendary singers of all time. To this day her voice is unmatched and her style is impeccable.

This evening Lifetime is revealing some of Toni's most heart wrenching moments. Despite having to fit in with singers at the time and tension between her family, she has been able to remain at the top of the entertainment industry. Today she has an extremely successful reality show and numerous opportunities to gain more fans and recognition.

In my world, Toni Braxton is a modern day Dorothy Dandrige. She is beautiful, elegant and overall decadent.

Tonight we honor Toni Braxton for all of success. Please check out this link to see the extended trailer provided by lifetime: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/toni-braxton-unbreak-my-heart

Money & Success : Reading

Hi Love!

I love reading. I can read the advertisements on the train to the art of war. I am fascinated with learning or what most people would see as reading. The reality is I am obsessed with consumption. I enjoy consuming the positive information around me so that I can expand my knowledge and apply it to my ventures.

So I am asking you to consciously read. Pick up a newspaper, an inspirational book or even hop on over to Huffington Post and pick an area of interest and consume every little bit of information that you can. I think it is brilliant to feed your mind at all times but more importantly to educate yourself in your areas of expertise.

My area of expertise is Marketing and Public Relations. To keep myself up to date with new technological advancements or marketing strategies I just read as much as I can. The internet provides an oasis of knowledge however it is more important for you to use what you are reading and apply the lesson to your ventures. Instead of holding all of the information as a fact or truth, simply use everything you are reading as a guide.

My philosophy: consume new knowledge everyday.

-- Love Rae

Money & Success : Focus

Hi Love!

I am the Queen of Ideas and Innovation. Today, I thought we could discuss staying focused. One of my biggest challenges so far is staying focused on one task. I have this really unique ability to multitask on a variety of projects. This ability also happens to be my weakness. I love juggling projects but at this stage of my life I am continuously thinking about the amount of success I would like to achieve and more importantly how crucial it has become for me to really focus.

Since the year is fresh let's begin by picking a task and seeing it through. To help make things easier for the both of us, I've created a list of solutions to help everyone stay focused.

1. Step 1 is to create a routine - add it to your calendar, make sure to set an alarm and complete the task. 
2. Ask someone to hold you responsible - reach out to a close friend and join in the venture together so that you can have someone give you a verbal reminder to complete the task. 
3. Create a list of tasks and deadlines - make sure that you check this list everyday so that you are conscious of your goals.
4. Put in the effort to make your project the best - when you are completing the project make sure to review it so that you definitely dedicated your time and attention into every little detail.
5. Use all of your spare time to achieve your goals - once you finish the first project then you can dedicate your attention to another. The goal is to be as productive as possible. 

So here's my philosophy: complete the task! Check off your goals one at a time. 

-- Love Rae

Thrive! 7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Every Day

Hi Love!

Thrive!  7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Every Day 

It's still pretty early into 2016, and already only 8% of those who made New Year resolutions are still on track. We can have the best intentions in the world, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged by multiple demands when we get back to the daily grind.

Executive coach and transformational leadership expert Donna Stoneham, Ph.D., author of The Thriver’s Edge:  Seven Keys to Transform the Way You Live, Love, and Lead, says that it’s challenging not to fall into old patterns of behavior when we get back on the treadmill of daily life.  And usually, it’s because our goals and resolutions feel like chores rather than things that make us feel happier, more productive, and more fulfilled.  She identifies the key actions you can take to operate at your peak every day so you can thrive in your life and career and be the best person you can be in the coming year.

1. Be Grateful. Identify what you have to be grateful for today!

Action: Each day, take a few minutes to pause and think about all you are grateful for: Your loved ones, the roof over your head, plenty of food to eat, your friendships, good health. Really think about each thing and take a few moments to relish the feeling.  Then get a notebook or journal and write your blessings down every day.  If you have a challenging day, go back and review them.  This is a fail safe way to lift your spirits!

Practice: Make a Gratitude Jar. Every time someone in your family has something good happen, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the Gratitude Jar. Then once a month, create a family ritual during which you pull out the jar and one by one read all the wonderful things that have happened during the past few weeks. Feel the joy and gratitude for all the good things that have transpired. These little victories will inspire you to continue this practice each month.

2. Be Present. Tune in and be 100% present for yourself and someone else!

Action: Practice being present for at least ten minutes each day. This can be as you’re eating a meal, helping your child with homework, participating in a conversation at work, or playing with your pet. Practice being present with those around you. Really be there. Listen to them without any agenda except being fully present. Appreciate them for who they are and how they enrich your life.

Practice:  Once a week share an “appreciation meal” with your family or friends. During this time together, have each person share what they have learned about themselves and each other by being more present to one another. Let each person know what you appreciate about him or her. 

3. Focus on Your Purpose. Feel more connected to your purpose today!

Action: When we lead busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget about the reason we do what we do every day. That’s why it’s important to remember and to focus on your purpose. Think of the difference that you’d like to make in your world. Maybe it’s being the best teacher you can be, or the most effective parent, or helping people to grow and develop if you are a manager of others. 

Practice:  Practice seeing and feeling your connection to your purpose by taking one action each day that helps you feel more deeply engaged with the reason you’re here. If you’re a teacher, then help someone in classroom learn something beneficial. If you’re a manager, then seek out and facilitate a development opportunity for someone on your team. If you’re a parent, then make it a point to let your children know how much you love them and appreciate the wonder that they bring to your life. Revel in the joy of knowing how instructive you are in the process of watching your children learn and grow.  Whatever your reasons are for doing what you do, take one action each day that helps you feel renewed and recommitted to your passion, purpose and mission. 

4.  Move Your Body. Feel more connected to the magnificence of your body!

Action: Practice moving your body, from stretching to walking to more vigorous exercise. Feel the power you have in your muscles and in every step you take. Feel how vibrant you are now, knowing you're getting even stronger with each movement.

Practice: Each day, turn off the TV, leave your phone behind, and get outside and take a walk, even if it’s a walk to the cafeteria on your lunch break at work. Breathe in the air, notice the beauty around you, feel the power in your steps, feel your connection to the ground beneath your feet.  Realize and be thankful for the magnificence of your body to take you wherever you want to go.

5. Quiet Your Mind.  Spend more time being and less time doing!

Action:  We're called human beings for a reason, but many of us have forgotten how to “be” in a world of 24/7 demands.  Carve out a few minutes every day to stop “doing” and simply be still.  Learn how to savor the silence, listen to the rain or even stare into space.  Hit the reset button on your inner hard drive at least once a day by being still. Notice what you notice when you’re quiet that you aren’t able to hear when you are caught up in the fray.

Practice:  Practice getting up 5-10 minutes earlier than your normal wake-up time each day.  This way, you aren’t losing productive time, so you won’t have an excuse not to do this.  Sit up in your bed with your back straight or find a chair in a place where you won’t be disturbed.  Set a timer on your phone or on your alarm for 5-10 minutes.  Close your eyes. Focus on breathing from your abdomen, rather than from your chest. Breathe in and out of your nose.  Notice where you feel your breath most prominently on your inhale and your exhale.  If you mind wanders, bring yourself back to your breathing by focusing on the sensation of your breathing until your timer goes off.  This practice will give you at least 5 minutes a day just to be.

6.  Appreciate Your Abundance. Identify where in your life are you truly abundant!

Action: When it comes to money and material things, enjoy what you have and make the most of it rather than always wanting more. Are there places where you spend money on things you don’t need? Where can you create experiences rather than buying things?

Practice: Instead of going out to dinner or getting take-out, how about staying home one night with the family and creating a meal together. Cook together, sit down together, and enjoy one another’s company without any electronic devices or television to distract you.

7.  Pay it Forward. Help someone else! Do it!

Action: Do something nice for at least one person every day that enables you to extend yourself to others without the expectation of anything in return.  What are the small acts of kindness that can make a difference in someone else’s life that require minimal effort to do? 

Practice:  Every day, practice delivering one act of kindness and notice how that makes you feel.  For example, pay the road toll of the person behind you. Smile at strangers and watch them smile back at you. Hold the door open for someone else. Buy a colleague a cup of coffee.  Let someone in front of you in your lane of traffic who wants to move over even when you’re in a rush.

The Thriver’s Edge

Seven Keys to Transform the Way You Live, Love and Lead

Donna Stoneham, Ph.D.

List $16.95

Trade softcover 200 pages. Also available in Kindle

ISBN: 978-1-63152-980-1

Published by She Writes Press, Berkeley, CA

About the Author

Donna Stoneham, PhD, is a master executive coach, transformational leadership expert, facilitator, author and speaker.

Donna's company, Positive Impact (www.positiveimpacellc.com) delivers break-through development programs that inspire people to create transformational results in their work and lives that create a ripple effect in the world. Known for her spirit of candor and compassion, Donna has written for the International Journal of Coaches in Organizations and Presence. As one of the world's top coaches, she will be featured in the upcoming Coaching Movie (coachingmovie.com/cast) to be released in 2017.

-- Love Rae