People aren’t always going to be there for you. That’s why you learn to handle things on your own. You know what I think one of the hardest things in life is? It’s when you have to do things on your own. I tend to work alone—it’s just the nature of my business—but sometimes I enjoy collaborating with others; I just want to hear their thoughts, or I like to see the process of working together to accomplish a goal come to fruition. I also like the camaraderie that happens when you put good people together to create something. If […]
Don’t Be a Clapper
Recently, in an interview session, I asked my client what the best advice she’d ever received was, and she replied, “Don’t be a clapper.” What, I said, “What does that mean”? She said that all her life, her parents had told her never to stand on the sideline of life but to jump into whatever opportunity came her way so she wouldn’t be one of the crowd, the audience, or those in the stands, enjoying the action but never participating in the thrilling excitement of the game, the sweat and tears of the action. She said that those sideline people […]
The Only Person You Are Destined to Become
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson Decisions, decisions, decisions. They are such a big part of our everyday lives, and no matter how many times you and I decide to go with the flow and let life work out, in the end, we all make decisions that will have a lasting impact. I like today’s thought because, once again, it serves as a reminder that we all choose our own outcomes. I know that many will argue with me on that thought because they have bought into the […]
Business, Politics and Pageants Have a Lot in Common!
For many years, I was a rock star pageant interview coach…I know, I know, you’re probably surprised to learn that at one time, I was one of the Southeast’s top pageant interview coaches for Miss America, Miss USA, Little Miss, the Rodeo Queens, the Cow Queens, and Watermelon Queens and the list goes on… at one time I had more winners on the stage than any coach in the Carolina’s and probably the Southeast. But what’s interesting – as I learned early on… It’s not me, but by coaching my clients to dig deep within themselves and learn to speak […]
Turn Yourself Around
I just finished reading a great book called “The Map Thief,” the story of Forbes Smiley, III, an esteemed rare maps dealer, who, as the book jacket says, “…spent years doubling as a map thief—until he was finally arrested slipping maps out of books in the Yale University library.” It was a great book, and I learned a lot about maps: how they were created and how, by simply changing a border, you could change a nation, but, beyond my own education about maps and their value, was the story of the failings of a guy who committed crimes against […]
When Your Past Calls, Don’t Answer
When your past calls, don’t answer; it has nothing new to say. How many times have you fallen back into an old habit or pattern because you answered the call of your past? You know you shouldn’t have picked up the proverbial phone, but you did, and you said hello; now you’re dealing with the aftermath. I encourage you today to say goodbye and leave your past behind as you move forward. I think it is interesting that so many people I talk with have this same pull–it’s like a spider web that seems to draw many backs when they […]
Act As If
Recently, a friend who was on my radio show used a phrase that has really stuck with me… in the course of our conversation talking about how to keep your spirits up even when it seems like life has thrown you a curve ball, she said – that every time her spirits started to wane (in her job search) she would – as she said, Act As If… act as if it was going to be okay, act as if you had the courage to do the job, act as if you were in the career of your dreams. Just […]
Keep Going
Last week, I spoke about the idea of Swinging for the Fences—stepping up to the plate and taking a powerful swing with all your might and watching that ball sail over the fence so you can round the bases and be proud that you really gave something your all and were successful. I would like to expand on that thought this week with this directive. Friend, in this life, you need to keep going because there is a great chance that everything you need will come to you at the perfect time — if you continue on. And that is […]
Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire
I was sitting with friends, and we were chatting about our morning rituals – what is the first thing you do in the morning when you get out of bed… Some folks head straight for the coffee pot, put on their running shoes, and go for a quick run. Others stay in bed, read emails, or hit the snooze button. I head straight to the shower so I can get dressed to be ready for the day. Being self-employed for more years than I can remember, I learned early on to get up and get going, ready for work, so […]
