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I don't know about you but I hate hearing people say that we can change our destiny simply by thinking good thoughts. Not that I have anything against "good thoughts," but I think that in and of themselves, they are highly overrated. My guest on today's Lifestyle CEO Internet Radio Show confirmed my belief.
Jack Canfield is a mega-successful author, entrepreneur and speaker who spends at least an hour a day thinking good thoughts and engaging in positive visualization. But he doesn't stop there. Not only does he think good thoughts, he also acts on them. And I think this is the key to becoming successful at anything you do.
Thinking good thoughts is the first step to acting on them. If you have set certain goals for your life and your business, ponder them often. Visualize yourself accomplishing them. If you achieve your goals, what will life be like? Will you be driving a different car? Living in a different neighborhood? Socializing with different people? Enjoying more family vacations? Spending more quality time doing fun things with the people you love? Once you begin to see yourself as having accomplished your goals, take the steps to make them reality.
We all know people who think good thoughts, yet nothing tangible ever comes of them. That's because they think too much. You have to stop thinking and take some good old-fashioned action! When I first started hosting the Lifestyle CEO Internet Radio Show, I never dreamed that a speaker the caliber of Jack Canfield would take the time to be on my little ol' show. But I first thought about how great it would be to have him on the show. Then I visualized myself interviewing him on the show. Then, I contacted his assistant and asked if he was available to be on my show. And BAM! (You all know what that means!!) He said yes, and there we were on today's show! That's the beauty of putting yourself out there. The more you do it, the more opportunities come your way.
Jack and Chicken Soup co-founder Mark Victor Hansen pitched their first Chicken Soup book 144 times. It was rejected 144 times. Then they arranged for an agent to pitch the book for them. The agent pitched a bit, but eventually gave the book back to Jack and Mark because he had no success. So the visualizing duo spent 3 days pitching their book at an international book publisher's convention. They believed in their message, and on the third day, they met a Florida publisher who was looking for a book to revitalize his floundering business. They gave Chicken Soup a try and sold 8 million copies in the first 3 years.
The publisher was not just sitting around waiting for his business to take a turn for the better. They took a chance on a book that had been rejected countless times because they believed in it. Jack and Mark didn't take "no" for an answer. They set their goals, visualized their success and then went out and pursued it. Their good thoughts lead to mega-success because they acted on them. That's the kind of "BAM! (Business Action Model) we discussed at the Lifestyle CEO Conference last month. BAM! You're in the game.
So stop sitting around thinking good thoughts. Get out there and get in the game! If you don't, someone else will. And then all you'll be left with is your good thoughts.
By now, you probably know that figure skater Michelle Kwan has dropped her bid to medal in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. While it was a groin injury that finally sidelined her, Kwan had been suffering for a while from a variety of physical ailments that made her progress toward the Games bumpy and unpredictable. After a successful petition to compete in January, Michelle's disappointing practice sessions over the weekend clearly indicated that she would never win Olympic Gold.
No doubt, the pressure was on for Kwan. While she is the most decorated figure skater in American history, the decision to leave Italy ended any hope that she would ever win a gold medal at the Olympics. It also put an end to the endorsement contracts that would have followed the competition, whether or not she earned a medal. And as if that was not enough pressure, some network big shots were said to have been actively pressuring Kwan to skate because they knew it would draw millions of viewers to the advertisements they had lined up for her swan song on the ice.
None of it was to be. But there's something especially touching and beautiful about Michelle's exit from the Games. I read a news account quoting her as saying, "I have no regrets. I tried my hardest. And if I don't win the gold, it's OK. I've had a great career. I've been very lucky. This is a sport, and it's beautiful." In withdrawing, Kwan did what was best for her, despite the intense pressure coming from all sides. In the midst of great physical pain and emotional disappointment, it's a defining moment indeed when you can leave the race and still say that you did your very best.
When you are living your passion as Michelle clearly is, no matter what happens, your best is always good enough. There is no such thing as failure. There are only opportunities and sometimes they work out the way we hope and sometimes they don't. But either way, they pave the way for The Next Good Thing to come our way. In the case of Michelle Kwan, who turns 26 years old in July, the opportunities have only just begun.
Congratulations Michelle. I'll be looking for The Next Good Thing.
 So many things about life can be challenging, even difficult. But when you make the best of it anyway, it will always surprise you for the better. This was the case with the first Lifestyle CEO Conference where women from around the nation gathered for inspiration, encouragement and unparalelled networking. We laughed, cried, learned, shared and generally lifted each other up to new heights as we made strides toward Breaking All The Rules, Building Our Own Corporate Ladders and Creating The Lives We Love!
Continue reading "The Importance of Showing Up!" »
I am a big fan of newspapers. Sure, I know you can read stuff on the Internet (like this fantastic blog for example!), and I do. Maybe it's the college Journalism major in me, but there's nothing like holding a newspaper in your hands and feeling the inexpensive paper suck the moisture out of your fingers (perfect excuse to buy some lotion made by members of the Handmade Beauty Network!) and slightly stain them with the news of the day. I read about 4 newspapers every other day. No, I don't have the time, but I find the time because the benefits are substantial. We should all know some details about the news of the day so we can put our world into context. And one can't possibly grow a business without also understandig the world in which that business will either live or die.
So this morning, I was having a cuppa Joe at a local coffee shop and reading the paper. I later discovered that an 83-year old gentleman named Sy Mohr had been carefully watching me. No, it wasn't anything creepy.
Continue reading "Seek And Ye Shall Find" »
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Do you remember being a little girl and playing dress up? Well, I do, and I really don't have much to say about it. I think the picture says it all. Does it remind you of anyone?
Party dresses, lip gloss, high heeled shoes, confidence and friendship. What more can a girl ask for?
 During the holidays, we had no routine to speak of. We had lots of liesurely brunches and unstructured playtime. But now that the holiday is over, I am trying desperately to get back to work. My husband does his best to help, but yesterday, we both just gave up.
The kids just can't seem to get used to mommy being back in her office again. I really have a lot of work to catch up on, and while in the middle of the workday, I'm usually not in the mood for Thomas The Tank Engine on video or Shopping With Barbie, yesterday, I just gave up.
As I left my office with the realization that I'd be up until at least midnight making up for lost time, I suddenly had an idea. While we were having a great Christmas season, the dirty clothes just kept piling up. "I have an idea, guys! Let's wash clothes!" So here you see us. We were supposed to be washing clothes, but alas, we just ended up making an even bigger mess.
It's still not cleaned up. Oh well. Making the Lifestyle CEO Choice comes with these kinds of strange balancing acts. When you want to work but can't, you go and play knowing that moments with your kids are precious and will never come again. At the same time, you're going to lose some sleep if you're going to get those customer orders taken care of. Yes, it has its challenges but in the end, it's the best life of all.
Now for a cuppa Joe and then back to work for a while, and then back down the hall to wash some clothes.
 Do you have a close circle of girlfriends that you can count on no matter what? Who did you call when you were a new mom to help you through breastfeeding or those nights of colic and spit up? Who was there for you when you were so tired you couldn't take another step? Who held your hand when you had a week or two with no new customers, and then said, "This is temporary -- you can do this!" Who on this Earth knows all of your faults and most of your secrets, yet loves you anyway and never compromises your confidences?
Your MaBuKi's, that's who!!
MaBuKi is a term I coined last month while trying to invent a novel and memorable way to thank my closest friends for their support in 2005. I was looking for an end of year event that would let them know how much they are appreciated. A Christmas present in a box would have been nice, yes. A lovely card or a handwritten letter. All really good options. But I wanted something that they had never gotten from me or anyone else before, and something that they could treasure in their hearts as I treasure them in mine. And I needed to do it on a budget.
Then, it came to me. Ma-Bu-Ki! Marriage. Business. Kids. Three of the most important things in my life! I wanted to honor women who had helped me to sort through the challenges and enjoy the triumphs of 2005 as it concerned marrige, business and kids. Ma-Bu-Ki. Get it!? So I hosted my first (of many) MaBuKi Party!
You're invited ...
Continue reading "Do You MaBuKi?!!" »
 It's the start of a brand new year and I could not be more excited!
My blog is a bit sparse in the way of content for last month, but I'm forgiving myself since like you, I spent every spare moment with my family. We enjoyed a fantastic Christmas season and I hope you did too.
Now, onto the New Year and the promise of exciting new opportunities for all of us. One of my most important tasks this month is to bring you the most exciting event of the year -- the first ever Lifestyle CEO Conference!!
Boy am I ready for that! Won't you join me and 100 other women from around the nation as we uplift, inspire and encourage one another to break all the rules, build our own corporate ladders and create the lives we love?!
I can't wait to meet you there!!
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This is for anyone who thinks that Big Dreams are for "other people". My 4-year old daughter is holding copies of the newly published Handmade Beauty Business Magazine, a publication of the Handmade Beauty Network (HBN). For those who don't know, HBN is the business I started in 2000. At that time, I had big dreams and no money. But I started small. Believing I was on a divine appointment, I shared my dream with the world and waited. It took some time. A lot of time. And I was down to my last dime on more than one ocassion -- literally.
But after a while, others joined me to help launch an industry of people who care about producing beauty products that are made by hand from scratch using a high proportion of natural ingredients. Before I knew it, an entirely new industry was being birthed. Today, HBN is a worldwide community of entrepreneurs who inspire and encourage each other to new heights every day. The Handmade Beauty Business Magazine celebrates every one of them, and I am so very honored to have the opportunity to spread the word about the unique benefits of handmade beauty products via the printed word.
The Handmade Beauty Business Magazine is a tangible representation of what can happen when one person believes strongly and unwaveringly in a dream. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Do you have a dream? Believe in your dream. Toast your dream. Nurture and protect it. Breathe into it the breath of life. And watch yourself soar.
Here's to your dream.
 Finally! Art actually does a relatively decent job of imitating life by portraying the "balancing act" that women perform everyday managing home and work -- whatever forms they come in!
As a busy mom with a busy business to run, I don't get much of a chance to watch television these days. Not that I'd want to if I could, but it sure is interesting to note that all of the shows I might watch if I had the time are shows that are making reasonable attempts to accurately reflect the lives of mothers like me all over the country.
Continue reading "As Seen On TV ..." »
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Yesterday, my husband and I taped the Lifestyle CEO cable television show, and we did it with our kids at our sides. We waited until the last minute to secure our usual sitter and she was not available so we were stuck. At the eleventh hour, a next-door neighbor agreed to help us, but since she was too young to stay in our home alone with the children, we piled into the car and went to the studio to tape the show.
Seeing my children sitting just feet away from me as my husband and I taped our television show reminded me that we really are creating the life we love. We are not bowing to traditional notions of what parenting should be like. We are making up our lives as we go along, doing things we love to do on our own terms and including our children every step of the way. The whole experience reminded me that you can either make things in your life the way you want them to be, or you can allow the world to dictate how your life should be.
In other words, you can make it so the way things are is however you want them to be.
Continue reading "Back To The Future" »
 When I became pregnant with my first child, I was blissfully unaware of the chaos that lay before me. By the time I became pregnant at age 38, I had enjoyed a professional career and was adept at handling one business crisis after another without much problem. Life had been a bowl of cherries and I expected that a baby would add the perfectly placed dollop of whipped cream on top.
Yeah, right!
Continue reading "Help!!@(%&$%($%)#$(%!!" »
So many people are talking about balance today. Every woman's magazine features articles on balance. Some magazines are even totally devoted to the concept. According to the dictionary, one definition of balance is "a state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces." As a wife, mother and business owner, I don't have balance. At least not according to that definition. And I don't need balance. Things don't always have to be equally opposed in order for me to feel a sense of contentment, accomplishment and peace. But since there's so much talk about balance, I checked around with some other moms in different parts of the country to see what they thought about balance and whether they have and/or need it. Here's what they had to say.
Continue reading "On Balance ..." »
One of the questions I am most often asked is, "What does it take to be successful as a small business owner?" The answer is different for everyone, but even before attempting to answer, the first things that need to be addressed are: What does success mean to you and what do you want to accomplish? How can we know how to be successful unless we first know what success would mean to us? Having answered that question for yourself, there are three basic things that critical to success in small business, no matter what the goal is.
Continue reading "Keys To Success" »
The cover story in the October 3 issue of Business Week Magazine highlights the ridiculous treadmill of the American employee. Sixty-hour work weeks, less than 7 hours of sleep a night, frantically inhaled lunches and little family time. The pay is good they say, but according to the article, people still feel like, "They work like dogs and are wasting time." I believe that we are seeing a new and enlightened mindset where overworked employees are realizing that exchanging a life for a good salary is not all it's cracked up to be. And no one knows that more than moms.
Continue reading "Get A Lifestyle!" »
Today's USA Today features an inspiring story of the power of options, and the joy that comes with having created the life you love. Sheryl Crow, popular singer, Grammy Award winner and soon-to-be first time wife at the age of 43, is going to marry one of the darlings of the sports world (Lance Armstrong).
Continue reading "As The Crow Flies" »
On September 11, 2001, the moms of this nation experienced a major wake-up call. Since then, we have been forced to finance a now regrettable invasion of a country which apparently had nothing to do with 9/11. We have seen how the greed of multi-millionaire corporate executives (Bernie Ebbers of MCI (formerly WorldCom), and L. Dennis Kozlowski of Tyco to name a few) can cause our pensions and 401K plans to vaporize before our eyes.
Our brothers and sisters on the gulf coast have barely begun to recover from Hurricane Katrina as Hurricane Rita threatens to make landfall there this weekend. With so many matters of world importance decidedly out of our control, on a more personal level now, we are looking inward to regain a sense of life's purpose and meaning. We realize that we have become complacent, not only about world and business events, but also about our own lives. We have delegated control over the details to other people, and with it our ability to have much say at all about our very own destinies. Today, we are taking that control back.
Continue reading "The Lifestyle CEO Choice" »
The Lifetyle CEO Blog is sponsored by Yours Truly, Donna Maria Coles Johnson -- the Original Lifestyle CEO. It complements my book, online newsletter, conferences and other products designed to inspire and encourage moms to successfully integrate life and business, without compromising either.
The Lifetyle CEO Blog shares my views on lifestyle, and home and business management from the distinct perspective of a wife, mother and businesswoman. It provides a fun and entertaining way for people to check the daily pulse of the growing group of women who are managing home and business on their own terms. Women are starting businesses today at more than twice the rate of the national average, and a significant number of them are simultaneously mothering young children. Tired of struggling, juggling and working for companies that don't provide the flexibility needed to be good workers and good mothers, these women are finding ways to combine business vision with personal values to build their own corporate ladders. They are using technology, their natural networking and social skills, their desire to create a legacy for their children and build familial wealth as springboards to a better lifestyle. They are making the Lifestyle CEO Choice, and loving every minute of it. If you want to know what they are thinking and doing, you'll find it here.
This Blog is a fantastic complement to other Lifestyle CEO related activities, including the Handmade Beauty Network, the leading trade organization representing manufacturers of candles, soaps, cosmetics, fragrances and aromatherapy products.
I have categorized Lifestyle CEO blogs so you can easily find what you are looking for. On the lefthand side of the page is a list of categories:
1. Breaking All The Rules
- finding your entrepreneurial voice, and making sure it is heard
2. Building Your Own Corporate Ladder
- channeling skills and passions into a successful business venture
3. Creating The Life You Love
- enjoying success as a home manager and a business owner
4. Archives
- browse all of the above at your leisure
5. Links
- Lifestyle CEO Home Page
- Conference Registration
- Buy Lifestyle CEO Products
We currently allow for the posting of comments on the Lifestyle CEO Blog. Under each item, you'll see the word "Comments." To post a public comment about that news item, ask a question, or just see what other people have said, click on "Comments."
In the future I'll introduce guest bloggers including the Lifestyle CEO "Brain Trust," a group of successful mom business owners who share their expertise and tips for success.
dM
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