"You can't be everything to everyone."

I had a favorite marketing professor in college, who once said something that stuck with me, and resonated deeply within my being. "You can't be everything to everyone." I always repeat this affirmation when I am feeling lonely, down, not worthy enough, anxious, or disappointed. There are billions of people on this glorious planet, billions of beautiful, talented, intelligent, and successful people. No matter how famous, interesting, sexy, fit, talented, rich, popular, or successful you you are, there is someone who may have surpassed you in the eyes of another, and that is OK. 

When I remind myself of this, I feel a relief, as if a weight is lifted off my shoulders. How great it feels to know that I don't need to compare myself to others to feel good about myself! How easy it is to work when I know I don't need to be as big as some brands or as rich as some businesspeople, or as beautiful as a some women to be the center of my own thriving universe. 

I release any resentment towards those who didn't want to date me, I release any resentment towards those who didn't befriend me. Those who are with me are with me for a reason, and I am grateful for having this awareness, to keep me balanced, and alive!

Keeping Up Your Resolutions!

We often wait for something to inspire us to work harder, be kinder, get into shape, express less anger, or whatever else you have resolved to do in 2015. I don't have New Years resolutions, because I believe that every day is a new beginning, and every breath I take gives me the power to accomplish any task I set my heart on. 

Look within yourself, and you will find all the answers. Don't be hard on yourself - whatever happened in the past is done, and whatever is going to happen will take place, so just relax, and listen to your body and mind. Life is easy: whatever you put in = what you get out, so be kind, be gentle, be caring, be grateful, be generous, be open, be authentic, be simple, and the future will reward you!

Focus In On What You WANT

I have always been fascinated with the phrase "what you resist, persists", and for a good reason. What are your thoughts on this idea? This simple concept was the driving force behind my new project, inspired by my infinite respect for, and admiration of (I CAN!)cer patients' strength and positivity. A positive result can never come from a negative place, where negative vocabulary lives. 

To obtain a feeling of love, care, safety, and perfect health, we just have to say THOSE words often enough. You will never obtain health by saying "I don't want to be sick", because the word "sick" in itself is flawed, and sends negative vibes into all cells of the body. Every moment when you harvest positive feelings in your heart, they will multiply, and engulf any negative vibes and worry. You will always get what your heart desires, if you focus in on what you WANT instead of what you don't want.

Vitamin L

Are you getting enough Vitamin L? There have been reports of people struggling with Vitamin L deficiency lately, and it's extremely dangerous! Vitamin L (LOVE) should be present in your body at all times of the day. You can get 20% from sunshine and fresh outdoor air, 20% from pets, and family members, but most importantly, you are responsible for finding this vitamin within yourself and bringing it to the surface. Some people don't realize the importance of self-LOVE, and ignore the symptoms, such as jealousy towards others, low self-esteem, negative body image, and bad habits. Start practicing the Vitamin L game daily - just ask yourself, if self-love and love for others were a vitamin, would I get my dose today?

Book Review of "Rework" by Heinemeier and Freed

Flip the pages of "Rework" and you will be pleasantly surprised by the black and white drawings that grace every other page. It is a bit unusual for a business book... When you start reading, you will realize this is an unusual type of book, giving unusual advice. Did I mention it is great advice, because I truly believe so!

"Rework" takes business outside of the box by making it available to everyone. One of my favorite concepts is getting rid of the word "entrepreneur", because it is dated. The writers suggest throwing away traditional ideas of what a business person looks and dresses like, and just making and selling a product or service YOU would want to buy. The book mocks workaholism, and gives many reasons as to why anyone can be successful by working normal hours.

The writers emphasize the importance of doing what works for your business, as opposed to doing what everyone else does to get ahead, ie: hiring more people, spending more on ads, acquiring more territory. You can't please everyone, so make sure you know what you're selling and who your customer is, and you will do great.

The most wonderful advice anyone doing any kind of business will benefit from, is to become educators. Let's "out-teach" the competition! Anyone can sell you a scarf, but the companies that take the time to make a video and show you 20 ways to tie it really stick out of the crowd. This is a brand that creates fans! This is the way I have done business for the last 8 years. Educating not only shows my professionalism and knowledge, but encourages customers to try to copy my technique and treatments to do better and make more money! A wonderful example of this in the book is comparing brand educators with chefs who openly publish their recipes and secrets. 

I love this book, it was a quick and pleasant read, and surely, very informative. I would definitely rate it as one of the year's best in business.