What Pumps You Up?

If your life were a line, such as the heart monitor, what would it look like? Does it have lots of peaks and valleys? Were there years or months when you were always up? (Up meaning on top of it all, feeling great, happy with where you were and who you were, not up as in stress level.)

Now, think about the last 6 months. Where were your peaks and valleys? What was going on? Who were you around or what were you working on?

I strongly encourage you to make the choice about how you want to live- in a peak or a valley. Recognize that it is always a choice (even if we prefer to blame it on outside circumstances). Then, take proactive steps to live in the way of your choice.

If you chose to live in a peak, or at least begin your assent, here are some recommendations:

• Choose your theme song. Something that you hear and the car accelerator goes down (not literally). You immediately get pumped up just hearing the first chord.


• Surround yourself with others who are living in peaks and stay away from those who prefer the valley (no matter who they are)


• Identify a profession or set of tasks that allow you to shine and/or challenge and conquer and/or fuel your passion, etc.... (realize how much of your life is work and how important it is that work is mostly enjoyable and keeping you in a peak)


• Have a plan for moments when a valley is around the corner- weekly yoga class, overnight retreat, friend available for dinner at your favorite restaurant, favorite exercise, etc...

How do you choose to live? How are your activities and mindset in line with that choice?

Now, put on your theme song and get ready to sour!

Win by Being Yourself

I was very humbled recently to learn that I was nominated as one of Pennsylvania's 50 Best Women in Business. I've only owned my business for slightly more than a year and a half. That in itself is pretty telling. I've worked very hard during that time. However, more importantly, I believe the award has less to do with my hard work than it does my genuine love for what I do.

When you are doing what you should, naturally, it shows. When you are doing what you love, it shows. You can't fake it. Its transparent.

My nomination came from a woman I met through a mutual business woman and friend. She is an extraordinary business woman who seems to know everyone in our city. She has a knack for identifying smart business women who also LOVE what they do- and they do it well. She selected 4 of these such women to be nominated for the award. I could not be more honored.

I planned my business for a brief 6 months before leaving a corporate climate. I dreamed of each facet of business and developed a game plan for how I'd approach it (even if very naive). But, most importantly, I chose a profession that was a natural fit with who I am and what I already love doing. I believe this was the key to my success.

Take chances. Try something new. But, try to stay true to who you are. Choose a profession that follows your passions, values and ideas. Have fun with it. It will show- and it will help you to be even more successful.

First Steps to Getting that New Job

As a coach, I work with a number of people who want to change professions (yes, even in today's climate). We work on identifying the areas they'd like to explore and when they are ready, we begin actively pursuing work in those fields.

I cannot tell you how many times I find people getting caught up in the details way too early. They evaluate a job posting with x-ray eyes and feel that they need to love and embody each detail to even consider it. Save your time! If it fits the field you are looking for and it fits 75% of what you'd be interested in APPLY. The devil is in the details- but that can and will be worked out during and post-interview. If you like them and they like you - there is room for negotiating most of those details anyhow.

Remember, the job description is meant to be an introduction to the job, duties, responsibilities, etc.. Different companies and fields do it differently. Some exaggerate who they want or who they don't to ward off the lazy, less than interested, absolute non-fits, and those they learned painful lessons from in the past. Others low-ball the salaries. Hey, if your going to dream- dream big! "I want the perfect person who will work night and day meticulously and I want them for minimum wage." Still others, the most reputable of firms will be honest and fair in the job ads and descriptions. (And, here's a hint- those are the ones you want to work for.)

How many people do you know who negotiated a higher salary then was originally posted in the job? I know a great many. How many people negotiated work at home hours even when the ad said, no tele-commuting or home offices. Yep, again- quite a few.

Evaluate the opportunity not the details too closely. There will be time to state your case after you've wowed them and you both agree this would be a great match.

A quick and personal story: I was honored to work for a very distinguished firm years ago in the military contracting field. When I left the founder of the firm called me and told me he'd pay me what ever I wanted to stay on board. What ever I wanted? Wow. I asked him why he'd make such a generous offer. I was far from the smartest person on staff or the greatest business generator. He said it was my initiative. I had the greatest initiative he'd ever seen and he wishes he could bottle it. Initiative was never in my job description. It had nothing, on paper, to do with my value, but it was everything to the person who mattered most. I still left by the way. It wasn't about money.

172.4 and still counting

I must confess I cringed when knowing my weigh in was this morning. I knew the numbers wouldn't be what I wanted. Not because I haven't been working hard- but because I can feel there hasn't been a budge in the numbers. My clothes feel the same and my muscle structure has felt steady too.

I have followed a mostly vegetarian diet. There were two occasions when I had meat. Those choices were made because of where I was dining at, it was their specialty. And, I'm still a foodie no matter what. So, I sampled and made no gripes about it. I still feel 1000% better following a vegetable based diet than a meat one. Its hard to explain to people. They just have to try it for themselves.

I still go to the gym 5 days a week. I added Tai-Chi and Zumba classes to the mix for a little variety. I enjoyed both for very different reasons. My exercise physiologist said that you have to change your gym routine every 6 weeks or so to keep your body working optimally. Oh, and I've started to run. Now, don't get me wrong. One of my girlfriends has a saying that I've also adopted, years ago. "This body was built for comfort not for speed!" But, I know that running is a challenge for me and it helps to speed up the metabolism. So, I run in 3 minute or 1/4 mile bursts in between exercises and weight lifting. Its super hard but does feel good when I finish.

After weighing myself this morning I threw out the scale. Not a symbolic gesture I assure you (although the thought crossed my mind). The scale gave me 5 error messages as I tried to get my measurements this morning. So I am unsure how accurate the body fat analyzer component was/is. I decided to toss it rather than rely on a faulty machine. I'll pick up a new one or just rely on the scale at the gym.

I am disappointed that the numbers haven't come down more. The other month I went into the 160's much more easily. Perhaps its my one vice- wine. I really enjoy a glass of red wine with my evening meal or afterwards. So, as a little experiment I'll stop drinking it for the next three weeks- with a few exceptions, when I'm at cocktail parties. But, I'll limit it to one glass and no more than once per week.

Now, let's check the schedule at the gym today. ..

This Isn't Your Grandma's World Anymore....

In today's environment you have to think bigger, bolder, more brazen than the next person, if...

• you want a new job,
• you really want that client,
• you want that scholarship, etc...

This isn't the world where you can just send in your resume and land the position. Or, you can just call the prospective client and land the contract. No, you have to use your best ideas today, outside the conventional ones.

First, use your network. Connect to who or what you want through the people you've spend years cultivating relationships with. This helped me get on radio shows and get some of my best speaking opportunities. If you don't have a network, start to build one today.

Second, make yourself unique. This may mean rewriting your resume to really grab attention and drive home your specialities (that match what they are looking for). It also may mean having the marketing materials that appeal directly to that prospective client. This is not the time to be shy or sound like the next gal or guy in line. You have to stand out.

Third, use your tools. Go directly to the client- rather than send a letter or call. Send a package that distinguishes itself- use video, audio clips, posters versus letters... you get my drift. Be big and bold. Be different. Send samples. Send testimonials. Put them in video! Send it FedEx.

Personal Example: I recently created a campaign for major retailer to sell my audio book on World War II. I put together a CD with a video introduction specifically for them, videos of interviews I've done on the evening news and at radio events, and a radio interview. That was in addition to the required items requested in a letter and a sample of the product. I further not only advocated for sale of my audio book, I made suggestions as to how I can help them in personal promotions around the country. I'm sure to get attention. And, it was a lot of fun to put together. I will keep you posted.

What Make Women Happy...

A recent poll said that the happiest women do 3 things:

• cancel appointments for more "me" time
• don't always answer their phone and
• know how to say no

I love these women. I am one of them.

You must first harness the fact that you have to be well to serve others. Well means you have to be (or should very well be) healthy, happy, vibrant, optimistic, full of hope, ready to dive into the task, etc..... Serving others is what we do in our families, relationships, with our best friends, in our community, our professional positions...

You can't serve well when you are not taking good care of yourself.

Let me say it another way, no one gets the best of you if the best isn't even available.

So, reconsider over scheduling yourself. Remember you are not in emergency services and people shouldn't be able to reach you 24/7. Voicemail is a wonderful tool. Use it! And, please if you learn only one word this year, let it be NO. Say NO to that committee, task, job, trip and YES to you.

Two Stories of an "Improbability" that was far from an "Impossibility"!

Two tales of improbable being proved wrong... or simply proving that the improbable doesn't also mean impossible, just unlikely.

Story one: Did you see that game? THAT game, last night? The last few minutes were incredible, yes. But, I was most impressed with play at the end of the first half. The Cardinals were 2 yards (6 feet!) away from a touchdown and Harrison (Steelers) intercepted the ball with this great catch and he just took it! He took it all the way from one goal line to the other. He was dodging people left and right, hurdling bodies.... it was almost a dance- although a quite fast dance. It was incredible! Even a novice football watcher like myself knew I was watching something magnificent. Harrison is a line backer. They don't usually run - and not like that. That guy defied all the odds.

Story two: Syrah Jayne (my dog in the picture) may look pretty comfortable on the couch but she's had a very long road. I found her at a homeless dog shelter in Virginia in 2006. All that we knew of her history was that she was found living on the streets. I can tell you that she was also severely abused by someone, probably an entire family or community. She had fishing line still embedded in her tail where they tried to cut it off; she didn't speak for months; she cowered in her own shadow when you even looked at her. It was pretty awful for a while. She acted as if she just wanted to melt into the carpet. One of my friends was walking with Syrah and I one day and he asked it it wouldn't have been more humane for someone to "put her down" rather than live like this. Loving Syrah, that notion was absurd to me but on another hand I understood that he meant no harm. Syrah has had a long road but she actually has found joy in much of it. Today, you'd call her "shy" but apart from that you wouldn't notice anything different about her. I call her my symbol of resilience. If she can learn to love and trust again, anyone can. She's defied the odds to.

We defy the odds all of the time. When things look unlikely they still have a chance. They are not impossible. The words are very different with clearly different meanings. When you face an unlikely or improbability, that is the moment to pull all of your energy together, focus and go after it as though it was the last opportunity you had. What do you have to lose?