Give The Gift of Acknowledgment This Holiday Season

What greater gift could you give to someone than to express your gratitude to them?

Do it this holiday season!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward

One item on my list of tasks today was to call my health insurance office. What a pleasant surprise when my favorite person in that office answered the phone!

After asking her a question and receiving a succinct answer, I felt as though I wanted to share the gratitude I was feeling for all she has done for me in challenging times over the years. I acknowledged her for not only being efficient and helpful in every situation, but being extremely compassionate in helping me resolve some issues.

When I shared my feelings, she expressed that what I said brought tears to her eyes. She said it was a perfect time for her to hear these positive words as this could be a challenging and emotional work day.

I let her know that I would not only fax the form I needed to send her, but would also write down my thoughts and fax them to her as well. Knowing that I made her day more joyful with acknowledgment of her as an empathetic and efficient person brought so much positive energy into my heart.

Are there wonderful thoughts you are having that you haven't yet shared with someone? What a perfect month to express the gratitude you are feeling.

Go beyond wrapping that present of gratitude. Give the present and feel the warmth in your heart. Priceless!

Million-Dollar Businesses Can Benefit from Yoga Principles

Practicing yoga is very much like running your Million-Dollar Business. There are principles that are necessary for either the business or the yoga to be outstanding.

Yoga is not just for relaxation.

Believe me. I know. Hatha Yoga is a vigorous and demanding practice!

During one of the classes this week, I started thinking about how practicing yoga is very much like running your Million-Dollar Business. There are principles that are necessary for either the business or the yoga to be outstanding. Let's look at four of these principles.

1. Focus is everything.

Yoga: It is virtually impossible to keep your balance in poses if you are not totally focused on what you are doing. When you find yourself having difficulty in holding a posture, notice what is going on in your mind. You've probably started thinking about something you need to do later in the day.

Your Million-Dollar Business: You are focused on the actions that will bring about the most significant results. Your intentions are clear as you begin each day. You keep your attention on the important items and are not pulled off course by not so important urgent matters.

2. Letting go is essential for clear thinking.

Yoga: In order to achieve postures that require a great deal of flexibility, it's essential to let go and let the muscles and tendons relax and stretch. To do a forward bend with the hands on the floor, you cannot be tight in your leg muscles.

Your Million-Dollar Business: For a clear mind and connection to your creative genius you let go of matters that really aren't your concern. You move forward in the way you know is best, not from what others are doing or saying.

3. Consistency is the key to effectiveness.

Yoga: With consistent practice of yoga positions, your body gets stronger and more flexible and your cardio strength improves. Step by step, you are able to move toward a level of strength and flexibility that you never imagined you would have.

Your Million-Dollar Business: In order to have the greatest effect on your target market, you are consistent with your marketing efforts. You also consistently communicate with clients to ensure their satisfaction.

4. It looks easy when you are masterful.

Yoga: Until someone actually participates in a yoga class, there is no way to understand the amount of strength and agility that is required. Looking at a yoga class, it appears that there is not a whole lot of action going on. Actually, in that still pose, there is a tremendous amount of power. The body is centered and solid, using multiple muscles to keep itself in place.

Your Million-Dollar Business: It looks as though your work is effortless. To others, it looks as though it is easy for you to have a million dollar business. And when there is a great system in place and good leadership, it can be a smooth process. The power is within.

It's that solid foundation, consistent focus, and the flow of creative ideas that will take you to that Million-Dollar Business and keep you moving forward!

International Giving

Last month I talked about the wonderful project I am supporting for some third and fourth grade children. Their classroom receives a lot of donated books, but the books are not organized enough for easy access. Not only will this classroom have a library system for the books, but they will also have comfortable furniture to encourage their love of reading. Here is the name of the organization: http://www.DonorsChoose.org

Another joy I've had for a couple of years now is supporting a teenage girl in an orphanage in Romania. She writes to me often in her native language and I receive a translation. She is just one person among millions in the world who need support. Oh, to be able to help MANY! That is one of the reasons I am working diligently to grow my business more and more so that I can make a bigger impact on the world. You can check out this organization here: http://www.kidstown.org

I invite you to be open to opportunities to give of your time and/or your money to support organizations that are working to make a difference in the lives of many.

In exchange for your donation to a charity that speaks to your heart, I am entering your name into a drawing. I made this offer for the first 10 people to respond and beyond those 10 I will put your names in a hat and draw out 5 more names! Call me crazy, but I love connecting with other conscious business people!You will have the opportunity to win a month of coaching that will get you started on creating some systems for sustainability in your business and in your life. Yes, you read that right! One month of coaching!
This coaching package includes three scheduled 45-minute sessions and unlimited email communication.

7 Keys For Moving Exuberantly Into A Successful 2008!

As we move into December, it's time to start thinking about closing out 2007 and getting ready to move into 2008. Here are seven suggestions for you to consider as you move through this month:

7 Keys For Moving Exuberantly Into A Successful 2008!

LOOKING BACK REFLECTIVELY on 2007:

1. What are your top 5 achievements of 2007?

Lessons learned from them?

2. What are the 5 greatest disappointments you have from 2007?

Lessons learned from them?

ASSESSING THE PRESENT

3. What are you tolerating in your life?

In other words, what are the little annoyances in all areas of your life that you haven't resolved?

It might be something as simple as a cluttered car or as major as a roof on your home needing replacement.

It could be a relationship with a friend or family member that is draining your energy.

Perhaps you have a lot of files that need to be organized.

Are there events or meetings that you would like to eliminate from your life?

List tolerations from all areas of your life just to assess where you are right now.

4. Develop a Pleasure Menu!

1. Think of activities that you enjoy. Some might be ones you haven't done in a long time. Perhaps some you do occasionally and would really like to do more often.

2. Create categories for your menu: "Mindless", "Creative", "Physical", etc.
List all activities you can think of that would be pleasurable for you to do in free moments.

When you find you have a little free time, look at your menu and choose an activity that fits into the time span you have available. Don't let that time be wasted by some activity you don't even enjoy. (like bad TV!)

Actually set aside small or larger chunks of time in your calendar and choose from your desired activities to have some restorative time

You'll go back to your work and responsibilities with renewed energy and exuberance.

LOOKING AHEAD

5. Set intentions in different areas of your life: friends, family, business, self care, etc. When we set an intention, it means we're moving toward something. Goals, on the other hand, seem more static and set in stone. Having intentions leaves us open for an even greater outcome than we could imagine!

Visualize yourself meeting those intentions. Imagine the sights, sounds, smells, and touch of the experience you want to have. Feel your body moving in the way you would imagine in that situation.

6. Find support rather than working in a vacuum. You could get a success buddy, hire a coach, join an inspiring book study group, join a Master Mind group or look for an advocate who can introduce you to others who would be of service to you and your intentions.

7. Acknowledge your progress during the new year on a daily basis. Notice what you are doing well. Avoid focusing on what is not complete or not done as well as you would have liked. And plan a CELEBRATION for the end of 2008 for an acknowledgement to all of your successes for the year!