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20 Ways to Stay Motivated in 2020 by @DrRKayGreen

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by Dr. R. Kay Green | Featured Contributor

January has hardly begun, but already people are forgetting or giving up on their resolutions and goals. This is a process that happens every year, and it happens because once the “shine” is off the new year, it can be incredibly hard to stay motivated.

However, “hard” does not mean impossible, and with a bit of effort you can stay excited and engaged with your goals all year long. Here are 20 ways to keep your motivation up in 2020.

  1. Break your goals into chunks. If you try to tackle a large goal, you might wind up discouraged by just how much work there is to do. But splitting your goals into smaller parts will help sustain a feeling of accomplishment across a span of weeks or months.
  2. Set an intention for each day. This intention can be big, like starting on a project that you have been putting off, or small, like waking up five minutes earlier. But having at least one “win” every day can keep you feeling motivated and excited!
  3. Practice positive thinking. Optimism is learned. And people who think positively often have more positive experiences in life. How you approach things will often attract the sort of results you want to see, so try your best to catch your self in negative self-talk and replace that with more positive thoughts.
  4. Stay grateful. Practicing gratitude is an important part of motivation. At the end of the day, go over the things that happened that you are grateful for. This will help you to start the next day with motivation and excitement!
  5. Make sure each goal has a “why.” Nothing kills motivation faster than not having a clear reason for your goal. After all, if you do not know why you are doing something, what is the point of doing it? Put your “why” somewhere you can see.
  6. Get friends to hold you accountable. It is a lot harder to “slack off” on goals when you know that someone else is counting on you to do them. Make it reciprocal, too — help your friends stay on track with their goals, and you can get motivated by their success as much as your own.
  7. Reread your goals regularly. As we get into the day-to-day grind of life, it can be easy to lose sight of our larger goals. So take some time to read your goals weekly, or even daily. Keeping them top of mind will help you stay motivated to achieve them.
  8. Start slowly. When we set our goals, it can be tempted to jump into them all at once. But this can often lead to burnout and a lack of motivation. Instead, find a place to start small with your goals, and build your way up from there.
  9. Track your progress. If we cannot see the strides we are making, we run the risk of giving up entirely because it feels like it is not making a difference. Finding a way to track your progress can help motivation. Daily trackers are a great way to do this, because it encourages you not to “break the chain.”
  10. Schedule in time to work on your goals. It is easy to say that you will work on a goal “when you have the time.” But if you follow that train of thought, it will be easy to find excuses to never start. Set yourself clear deadlines and then schedule in time to work before your deadlines, too.
  11. Schedule days off, too. As important as it is to work on your goals, constant work is not sustainable. Make sure that you are taking regular breaks in order to keep your mind and your motivation sharp. You will find yourself returning to your goals with renewed excitement.
  12. Be sure to “unplug.” We live in a world with more distractions than ever before. It makes keeping up with goals very difficult, and motivation is hard to keep when it feels like there are a thousand more interesting things we could be doing. Schedule time to eliminate distractions like phone and internet.
  13. Identify your procrastination triggers. Some people procrastinate when they are stressed, others procrastinate when things feel like they will take too long or go too slow. Realize what your procrastination triggers are and come up with a plan to combat them, to keep motivation.
  14. Have a five and ten year plan. Where do you want to be in five and ten years? Identify that, and then take the time to consider how this year’s goals will help you reach the person you want to be in the future. This will make it much easier to stay motivated.
  15. Mix professional goals with fun goals. Having “fun” goals is a great way to stay motivated. Make it a goal to take a trip somewhere you have always wanted to go, or to try something new that you have always wanted to try. Working on these goals will make it easier to work on your more professional goals.
  16. Do nightly reviews. Take some time at the end of your day to review what you did to work on your goals, how it made you feel, and what you want to do next. Keeping track this way will help you stay motivated to take next steps.
  17. Reward yourself for completing goals. Rewards and incentives are powerful motivators. Do not be afraid to give yourself some when you finish a goal! This will help you stay motivated for the next ones, as you will be excited for the next reward!
  18. Help others set goals and intentions. Helping other people set their goals can be incredibly motivating. Seeing other people succeed gives you the drive and excitement that you need to succeed, as well!
  19. Celebrate your successes. Celebrating and simply giving yourself a “pat on the back” feels good. So while it can be tempting to simply check off one goal on your list and move onto the next one, take some time to recognize that you did well.
  20. Learn new things. Learning is a powerful motivator. When we educate ourselves, it empowers us and makes us want to take that new knowledge into the world. Employees are more motivated by custom classes, which is why more businesses are investing in them.

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Dr. R. Kay Green – Marketing Expert from RKG Marketing Solutions Inc. from Atlanta, GA.

Dr. KayDr. R. Kay Green is the CEO/President of RKG Marketing Solutions Inc. With over 190,000+ Twitter followers, 35,000+ Facebook Likes, and the Top 1% LinkedIn profile designation, Dr. Kay, a self-motivated trailblazer, is the Quintessential “New-Age” Professional Woman, and PhD Marketing Pro. She earned a Doctorate of Business Administration in Marketing, and has completed PhD coursework in Leadership and Organization Change. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, and an Associate of Arts in Marketing Management.

She is affiliated with several prestigious universities and has instructed over 350 courses online. A popular speaker on Marketing and Business topics, Dr. Green is currently featured on Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Black News, The Network Journal, Business Review USA, Digital Journal, College View, Business New Hampshire Magazine, Bay State Banner, Reader’s Circle, North Dallas Gazette, Harlem News, Top News Today, One News Page, NE Informer, Women in Business PR News, Consumer News Today, Women PR News, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Daily Herald, The Miami Herald, and Book News Articles.

Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

From Resistance to Change: Tolerating Exercise to Build Good Habits by @mayachendke

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Quote about resistance to physical exercise by Janis Isaman of My Body Couture.

by Maya Chendke  | Featured Contributor  

“Eat well!”

“Be mindful!”

“Exercise!”

We should all be doing these things – things that we know are good for us, will improve our quality of life and things that are actually quite “simple” to do. For example, eat carrots, not chips; meditate, instead of watching Game of Thrones; and walk around the block instead of watching more Game of Thrones.

As an entrepreneur, my best avoidance tactic usually looks like skipping Thursday-night yoga so I can cram in more work. But then something comes up – an injury or an impending swimsuit season – and I’m forced to face the consequences of neglecting myself. A couple of years ago, I had a horseback riding injury and I took the path of least resistance, avoiding the one thing that would make me stronger when I got back in the saddle – exercise.

So why do we choose to not do the things that we logically know could make life a heck of a lot better? I asked corrective exercise guru, Janis Isaman, and professional coach, Cheryl Keates, what we need to do – physically and mentally – to overcome resistance to change and bring out the best of ourselves.

Commit, Don’t Quit

Isaman is the owner of My Body Couture, a private movement studio in Calgary, Alberta. She provides a customized approach to health, fitness, and nutrition and works with injured athletes and executives whose sedentary lifestyles have led to injuries they need to heal. I asked Isaman to explain the physical reasons that we resist good habits like exercise.

“Generally people jump to programs or plans that require major, jump-to-the-deep-end-of-the-pool kind of changes,” she says, noting that we’re setting ourselves up to fail when we do that.

“I’ve heard dozens of clients say something like ‘I should start running.’ But they actually don’t enjoy running,” she muses. “There are a few scientific facts about exercise, but basically it boils down to ‘get off your ass and move,’” she says bluntly.

Isaman’s approach to her own training involves doing things that she actually enjoys, like Yamuna Body Rolling and Pilates, as well as scheduling “non-negotiable” sessions with her trainers. (Yes, trainers have trainers, too!)

Her biggest recommendation is to break things down into smaller steps toward your goal. So if your objective is to eat healthier, then set the goal of trying a new fruit each week, but don’t try go vegan “cold turkey”.

“Commit to five minutes,” Isaman says. “If you can’t do that, commit to two minutes. Or one minute!” The point is – commit to something do-able and then move.

Like Attracts Like

With something like a fall or injury, it is all too easy to stop trying. Using my back injury as an excuse, I have avoided jumps and skipped many a gym workout, laying the blame on my old-lady back. But after embarking on this quest to build better habits, it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t only suffering from scar tissue and soft muscles; there was a broken record playing in my head.

“Motivation comes from something being really desirable or really intolerable,” explains Cheryl Keates, a certified professional coach. Keates works with clients globally via Skype, and helps them balance emotional, physical, and financial health while working through resistance and fear.

“We attract whatever we put our attention, energy, and focus on. So those who are more positive, [and who] commit and execute will have greater success,” she explains. “If one focuses on the negative or what’s not possible, they will achieve more negative results.”

Just like Isaman’s observations about physical training, mental training is an area where we can expect too much, and be quickly disappointed because we can’t meet our goals.

“One can get shifts quickly, however, it takes time and consistency to form new, sustainable habits,” says Keates.

When she coaches clients to overcome blocks, she helps them to identify the negative thoughts or emotions that may be getting in the way, and then teaches them re-framing techniques. But even the strongest of us have to fight moments of weakness.

“Whenever I start to see myself going down the road of self-sabotage or procrastination,” says Keates, “I practice the same techniques I use with my clients. And if I need to go deeper, I reach out to my coach.” (Yes, coaches have coaches, too!)

But you won’t get anywhere without mental commitment.

“Taking ownership, investing in one’s self and being willing to do the work is critical,” she says. “When one operates from a place of overall health and balance, the possibilities are endless.”

The Mirror of MyselfChendke See You On the Yoga Mat

So rather than longingly (and enviously) stare at the strong, toned bodies of Monday night’s Dancing with the Stars pros, the wisdom from Isaman and Keates has inspired me to set some goals and step into the shallow end. My weak riding is either going to get depressing or land me in the hospital, neither of which will get me back over a cross rail. These words from Isaman have become my new mantra, and maybe they’ll stick with you, too:

My results will mirror my efforts.

 

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Maya Chendke She Owns ItMarketing consultant, entrepreneur, writer and horse mom Maya Chendke is going through a powerful start-up year. Her company, mPath Creative Consulting, works on website, marketing, content and social media projects that flex her signature hybrid style of creative/analytical. She is also part of a virtual anti-agency, Horsefly Group, where she leads clients with clever ideas and her color-coded iCal.

Her entrepreneurship track record includes a couple of start-ups and a self-published novel (Awake but Dreaming). A rogue introvert, you’ll spot her at start-up meetings sporting riding breeches and a messy bun as the Woz to her Jobs-like partners (or the Sandberg to their Zuckerbergs).

Maya has an MBA from the Rotman School of Management where she was a standout presence in the male-dominated business school environment. She has a certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business Summer Institute for General Management and a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University.

She loves to help people make the most of their marketing budget and has an addiction to analytics. She is always on the lookout for great talent and great projects and loves to facilitate introductions.

In her downtime, she’s diligently rehabilitating her rescue horse and reads ~20 books a year. Tweet her @mayachendke

10 Tips for Silencing Your Inner Critic by @LUCYrk78

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10 Tips for Silencing Your Inner Critic

by Lucy Rendler-Kaplan | Featured Contributor

We all have it. That little inner voice that creeps up in the most inopportune times. The one that tells us not to ask for the promotion, that we aren’t good enough, that we shouldn’t accept that date….the list can go on and on. Sometimes it speaks to us loudly and sometimes it is simply a quiet nag throughout our day. It can last for a minute, an hour or a week. Maybe even longer. At times, we didn’t even want to get out of bed, what’s the point?

Then, one day we learned we can talk back. We learned weccan tell that voice that we ARE good enough to go after what we want.

Here are a few tips that I hope will help:

  1. Start a journal: write down what you were doing each time you began to hear that voice and look for patterns. Learn to recognize that critic for what it is. Next to that list, write down something you did that day that you felt proud once you accomplished it. Look through those proud moments when your inner critic begins to creep in.
  2. Look in the mirror: look at your reflection and tell yourself ONE good thing about what you see. If you can, keep going! Don’t stop at one. If you can only muster one positive attribute, be happy you recognized the good.
  3. Place a post-it on your mirror: It can be anything positive, the one on mine says “I am Grateful.” Make sure it’s a mirror you will look into each day, perhaps while you’re brushing your teeth.
  4. Add a positive to a photo: find a photo of yourself looking happy, a photo you have always liked an use an app that can place a positive self-affirmation or quote over the photo.
  5. Make a list of your closest friends: for each person, write a couple of sentences about each person on why you are friends, why you like them so much. It is said that we are a product of our five closest friends, so the positive attributes you see in them are most likely also seen in YOU.
  6. Think about 10 years from now: when something seems hard or I’m feeling down about something small I may have done wrong, I like to remind myself, “Will this REALLY matter 10 years from now?” Remember a test you failed miserably in high school, and thought it would ruin your life, having done so poorly on it? No? Of course you don’t.
  7. Reframe negative thoughts: put a positive ending on each one. You made a mistake yes, but what did you learn from it?
  8. Phone a friend: the best way to stop obsessing over your own shortcomings is to get outside yourself. Call a friend and inquire about their day, get THEM talking and truly listen.
  9. Cut yourself some slack: are you trying to do much? Are you rushing through things because the to-do list seems overwhelming? Move some of the day’s tasks to three days from now. The earth won’t stop turning.
  10. Put it in perspective: ok, you made a mistake. While your screw up may feel like the end of the world to you, think of how many people truly don’t care? How many don’t even know about it and never will? We are just a small part of a much larger world – teach that inner critic some perspective.

You CAN break this cycle. And you CAN start right now. Let me know in the comments some of the tips that have helped YOU when the inner critic gets too loud.

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Lucy Rendler-KaplanLucy Rendler-Kaplan is a marketing veteran, with close to 17 years experience in field marketing management public relations and social media marketing. Both in-house and as a consultant, Lucy has created, developed and managed marketing projects for organizations including: Red Bull North America, ONE Coconut Water, Camel and Ethos Water, to name a few.

Most recently, Lucy has left corporate America to work as a consultant, focusing on small businesses and start-ups to design effective social media and marketing strategies to jumpstart brand growth. In addition to strategic business development efforts, she directs media relations, branding, advertising and website development.

As a social media consultant, Lucy works with companies in auditing their current social media efforts and creating a comprehensive social media strategy that aligns company-wide objectives through social business practices.

With an early background in journalism, Lucy regularly contributes to a number of NFL and music blogs, as well as her own, with a diverse focus encompassing Lucy’s passion not only for networking and marketing but also for fitness. She spends her free time honing her photography skills, running and watching an excessive amount of true crime shows.

Let’s connect! Twitter & Linkedin

10 Excuses to kick to the curb! by @SandraDawes

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by Sandra Dawes | Featured Contributor 

CASTLEI’ve been reading a lot of books about mindset. I know that my reality is a reflection of the thoughts in my head. Change your thoughts; change your life, right? I decided to share some of the excuses that I have had to release (or am currently in the process of releasing) in order to make 2016 a fabulous year.

  1. I don’t have enough timeWe make time for the things that matter to us. If you’re not making time, your goals aren’t meaningful enough to you.
  2. I don’t know where to startAt the risk of sounding cheeky, start at the beginning! Read a book, do some research, talk to someone who’s done something similar. Every journey starts with a single step!
  3. I don’t have the energyAre you getting enough sleep, or are you spending too much time Googling in bed? Healthy eating, exercise and good overall self-care will help to remedy this issue. Much like the lack of time excuse, it’s all about prioritizing.
  4. I can’t do it on my ownThe good news is you don’t have to! Success is never a solo project. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just make sure those you ask have the ability to or can put you in touch with someone else who does!
  5. Too many people are doing the same thingGood old competition! Sure there may be lots of people in your industry, but they aren’t you. They don’t have your experiences, your knowledge or your personality. You just have to find a way to set yourself apart from the crowd.
  6. I have nothing special to offerThis is probably one of the most debilitating thoughts to have as an entrepreneur. Tied in with #5, you are unique and you do have something special to offer to your clients or customers. If you’re not sure what that is, talk to former or current clients about what made them choose you.
  7. I don’t have enough moneyMuch like #1 and #3, this is all about priorities. If there’s an investment you want to make in yourself or your business, budget for it. Whether you need to cut expenses or generate more revenue, there’s always a way, it up to you to find it!
  8. I don’t have the skills/educationThis excuse doesn’t have much power to it, especially these days. If you don’t have the time to sit in a classroom, you can learn online. Whether it’s taking courses, buying books or hiring a coach to develop your skills, there is a way. Besides, look at how many have achieved success without a formal education.
  9. It’s too riskyThis reminds me of the late Susan Jeffers’ book Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway. Fear is not something to avoid. Acknowledge its existence, but don’t give away your power to it. Ask yourself “what’s the worst that could happen” and remember that the scenarios we create in our mind have usually less than a 1% chance of becoming a reality.
  10. What will people think?So you think your idea is a wild one and people will think you’re crazy. Who cares? We’ve only got one chance at this life, and there’s no reason we should be living it according to anyone’s expectations but our own! Remember Wayne Dyer’s quote “other people’s opinions of me are none of my business!”

What excuses and limiting beliefs are you letting go of this year so that you can make this year one to remember?

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Sandra Dawes, Founder, Life Coach, Embrace Your DestinySandra Dawes is a recovering control freak and excuse maker, as well as founder of Embrace Your Destiny, her life coaching practice. Her work involves teaching women how to stop making arguing for their limitations so that they can create the life that they want. Sandra’s inspiration to help others in this area comes from her own journey and experiences in dealing with the heartbreak of losing her father. She published her first book Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve, a story that outlines her personal journey, in November 2013.

In her down time, Sandra loves to read, do yoga and spend time with her partner Satnam and their dog Lulu. For more information on what she does, visit www.embraceyourdestiny.ca.

7 Things Being a Musician Taught Me About Entrepreneurship by @ShareRoss

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rockstar entrepreneurby Share Ross

Playing in rock bands for most of my adult life has led me into many adventures. From the stadiums and limos of Vixen’s success to playing CBGB’s with my own indie band, Bubble, every step of the journey brought lessons.

As a coach and reformed serial entrepreneur, I’ve learned to contemplate, ponder, disseminate and reassemble my experiences. I can state without a doubt that musicians inherently acquire secrets that can be applied to successful entrepreneurship.

I recently played a show in Las Vegas with Vixen and it dawned on me all of the pieces I had gathered from years of dealing with promoters, fans, production crews, and of course… the inevitable ‘when things go wrong’ situations that are simply part of the package in rock n roll.

Here’s 7 tips you can take from the musician handbook and apply to your biz.

1. It’s not about the destination. It’s definitely the journey.

In my early years as a musician I had the habit of saying, ‘Someday, when I’m huge and successful, then I’ll enjoy my life.” Thing is, with that attitude, I missed out on a lot of little moments that make up the awesome fabric of life. Overnight success happens all the time but it’s the longest night of your life. Enjoy the ride and make every single day count.

“Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” ~ John Lennon

2. Failure is part of the process.

There’s tons of rejection and failed auditions/missed opportunities for musicians. You figure out quickly, that if you give up, you lose. Same holds true for being in business for yourself. Put yourself out there. If they say, no. Move on but no matter what, KEEP GOING.

3.Figure it out.

You get to the gig and nothing is ready. The PA is not plugged in and the soundman left for a week in Bali. What do you do? You figure it out. Even if you’ve never hooked it up before. You rise to the occasion.

As an entrepreneur I’ve built websites, set up autoresponders, figured out how to build membership sites and whole bunch of other tasks that were not even in my vocabulary when I started. If I can do it? You can do it.

4. It’s all about relationships.

Go on stage with love in your heart and the audience will come to the next gig.

Show up for your business with enthusiasm and joy and the right customers will find you.

5. You gotta love what you do.

It’s easy to get caught up in wondering what people want and then trying to cater to that. If that song you wrote becomes a hit? You’ll be playing it for years to come. Maybe even decades.

In designing your biz and your biz life, pay attention to what lights you up! If you’re hating everything, you’re either not getting paid enough or it’s time to seriously reevaluate.

6. Believe.

You gotta believe in what you’re doing. You gotta believe that it’s gonna work out. You gotta believe that you have what it takes. You gotta believe you deserve success. Period.

7. Keep showing up.

If you don’t show up and play, nothing will happen. Even if you show up for a gig where you were expecting 5000 people and only 20 show up? You give those 20 people the show of their lives. You love those 20 people. You find the gratitude for those 20 people.

You book your first webinar and only three people attend? Give those three people your very best. And then book another webinar.

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Share RossShare Ross is best known as the bassist for 80’s platinum-selling all female rock band, Vixen. Many years later she went on to become a video editor and producer for clients that included Sony, Geffen, Universal and BMG. After hosting several video shows, she began coaching entrepreneurs how to rock the camera. That organically led to helping them with their online businesses.
Today, Share is known as the Rock n Roll Life Coach and lovingly kicks entrepreneurs in the proverbial butt to make their epic dreams happen.
She currently lives in Florida with her husband, Bam and their dog, Ringo.

How to Hit the Day’s Reset Button by @finickydesigns

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How to Hit the Day's Reset Buttonby Melody Christian | Featured Contributor 

Pursuing my business full time and working from home for myself has been an interesting transition (to say the least) full of surprises. I think if I had all of the energy in the world and life’s circumstances predictably moseyed along like clock-work, the entrepreneurial lifestyle I envisioned would actually come to pass.

But life unfortunately isn’t boundless amounts of energy and predictable life situations.

I know you’ve been there: your alarm goes off (you planned on fully relying on your body clock once you started working for yourself… but you’re afraid you wouldn’t wake up until noon). You lay there, motionless, exhausted from a night of barking dogs and waking children. You make a quick breakfast, take a shower, get your husband and/or kids out the door just in the nick of time, and answer urgent emails from your phone which turns into a 30-minute social media browsing session. Then you find yourself sprawled out on the couch, staring at the ceiling, unmotivated – no energy – no real reason. The day is gone, right? Might as well “clock out,” slip back into your PJs, and catch up on the latest season of Modern Family.

What if there was a way to press the reset button on our day? A super-charged-do-over button that catapulted us back on track?

Well, don’t get your hopes up – because as far as I know, there’s isn’t one. But there are some things we can do to press that highly desirable metaphorical reset button, and salvage what’s left of our day. (Heck, it’s only 8 am at this point!)

 How to hit the day’s reset button:

  1. Unashamedly take that moment to yourself. See, you’re lying on the couch right now for a reason. Whether the reason is good or not, you’re there. So push aside the shame, and take that moment to yourself. Do with it what you need to do. Whether that’s reading an encouraging chapter from a book, taking a five minute cat nap (I’m a firm believer in naps), or just staring at the ceiling a few minutes longer – don’t rush this moment. Give yourself permission to take it.
  2. Regain focus. This could look like a quick yoga routine, meditation, prayer, journaling… shake it out of your system, take a deep breath, and remind yourself of what you need to focus on for the day. What do you want out of this day? When you lay your head down on your pillow tonight, what will make you feel accomplished?
  3. Make a list. Yep, I’m “one of them.” I love lists, and sometimes my catastrophic slump is due in part to being entirely overwhelmed with what the day holds. So make a list of your priorities. What are you going to tackle first? What do you not have to do today? Is there anything you need to remind yourself of – such as a client meeting?
  4. Schedule your next fun thing. Sometimes the only thing waiting for us on the other side of a big, tedious project is lunch (and you know you’re most likely going to work through it). Obviously that doesn’t boost our motivation levels, so plan something fun for the day and schedule it in! That might be a craft, walking the dogs, or talking to a friend.
  5. Just do it. Not to quote Nike or anything – but enough with the planning and deep breaths already! Just dive in and DO IT. Pep talk yourself (benefit to working from home is that you can do it out loud), stand up and shake out your arms, get yourself psyched-up for this marathon of a day you’re about to run – then go after it!

A lot of people don’t understand just how difficult our days can be working for ourselves from home. So go easy on yourself. Take the really crappy days to yourself when you need to. But know that just because it’s 8 am and you’re on the couch unable to move, this day doesn’t have to be deemed a total loss!

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Melody Christian with Finicky DesignsMelody Christian is a brand designer and creative business owner who’s crazy about her tribe of inspirational, passionate storytellers. In January of 2015, she launched her life’s calling, Finicky Designs. Through Finicky Designs, she helps devoted writers form incredible brands that propel their words.

Working as an in-house designer for over five years, she’s also pursued her freelance side-hustle in the evenings and on the weekends. She likes to joke that she works day and night (but no, really, she works day and night). Only seven months after launching Finicky Designs, she’s decided to pursue it full time to create a life of freedom and fulfillment. Currently in the transition of the “big leap,” she’ll be saying goodbye to her nine-to-five forever on July 15th of this year.

Melody firmly believes it’s her life’s calling to help as many writers as she can through her brand design expertise. Writers’ stories deserve to be heard, and that they deserve to work with a designer that understands and supports their dreams.

Melody lives in the Colorado mountains with her personal accountant (the husband) and two spoiled dogs. She’s slightly obsessed with Pantone colors, foxes, french toast, and chocolate breaks. You can find her on Twitter. Or if you prefer a more behind-the-scenes look at her life—connect on Instagram.

25 Things All Super Successful Bloggers Have in Common by @adamsconsulting

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characteristics-of-successful-influential-bloggers

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

These days, it seems like almost everyone is a blogger. According to Google, “74,652,825 sites out there are depending on good ol’ WordPress. That’s one site per person in Turkey.” If you read a ton of blogs every day like I do, you’ve noticed that some bloggers stand out from the crowd. They have more mojo than the average blogger. They seem to have the magic touch when it comes to attracting readers and attention.

What do super successful bloggers do that is different from everyone else? I can’t claim to know for sure what the answer is; however, based on what I’ve observed from all the successful bloggers I know, there seems to be a trend. There do seem to be some things that are common amongst successful, influential bloggers.

After thinking about it more today, I decided to compile a list of 25 common traits shared by successful bloggers. When I finished the list, I was surprised at how many of these things also mirror successful entrepreneurs. Perhaps it’s all the same mindset and same approach to life. I hope you enjoy this list.

25 Things All Super Successful
Bloggers Have in Common

1. They are laser-focused on their blogging goals. They don’t allow themselves to get distracted.

2. They are visionaries and have a clear picture of where they want their blog to be in five years.

3. They love to write, and they are dammmn good at it.

4. They know how to do social media right, and they have mastered the art of social media self-promotion without being lame.

5. They become an expert in their niche and increase their influence.

6. They project positivity. They have a genuine interest in contributing to the blogging community in a positive way.

7. They take their blogging seriously. They are committed. They become master planners and always make time for their writing.

8. They surround themselves with positive, high energy people. Like @MelissaOnline tweeted, “Your mind is multimillion-dollar property. Screen your tenants very carefully.”

9. They develop a rock solid reputation and build on it every day.

10. They have the necessary blogging tools they need: Laptop, fast Internet connection, blogging apps, etc.

11. They are genuinely likeable people. If they aren’t that way naturally, they learn how to become more likeable.

12. They have a good attitude. They think like a champion.

13. They are persistent and work hard. They are always able to keep moving forward regardless of obstacles, adversity and difficulties that might be standing in their way.

14. They are trustworthy. Their readers depend on them for factual information.

15. They give credit where credit is due.

16. They are friendly and engaging with their readers.

17. They are detail-oriented. They check each post to be sure the formatting, grammar and other details are correct before publishing.

18. They are patient. They understand that it takes time to earn respect as a blogger, and they are in it for the long haul.

19. They are thick-skinned. They can take criticism without falling apart and questioning themselves.

20. They know how to network. They understand the importance of relationship building and its effect on their success as a blogger.

21. They are good listeners and respect the opinions of others (i.e. in comments on their posts).

22. They never stop learning. The blogosphere is a moving target. They don’t get too comfortable. Instead, they stay on the edge of what’s happening each day.

23. They are skilled money managers. This is required in order to give the proper time and attention to their blogging, especially in the beginning.

24. They aren’t trying to get paid for each hour they work. Instead, they think like an entrepreneur. They look at the big picture of what they are creating long term. They are adaptive and open to change.

25. They read a lot and write a lot. Stephen King, one of the bestselling authors of all time, gave advice to aspiring writers at Yale in 2003. He said in order to be a great author (blogger), you have to read a lot and write a lot. There are no shortcuts.

Please let me know in the comments below if you think of anything else that needs to be added to this list. I’m even more inspired to blog now. Thank you for reading my post!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

SHIFT of MIND… by @dancinmoma

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©2014 Team Elmers

©2014 Team Elmers

by Pamela McCormick | Featured Contributor

You know that moment when someone asks you a simple question and your first reaction is, “No Way!” with a wave off of your hands protecting your face in defense?

Well that’s what happened to me recently when asked to be a part of a local charity dance-off event in our area. I’m ALL about helping charity, but the media exposure, my lack of skills in the ballroom dance area and the fear that I might “suck at it” were all weighing heavily with my internal response. Basically the first answer in my head was based out of downright FEAR! Not a good way to start, but it’s the truth and I own it.

I play many parts (hashtag mom, wife, teacher, writer, and dancer) in my book of life, but simply put….I was scared. Wobbly knees, shaky hands scared. I talked this through with my husband, in prayers and conversations in my head (as I weighed the pros and cons). Then I realized that I was OVERTHINKING…like most of us do in our adult lives.

Then the all-encompassing SHIFT of MIND.

It was my 4 year old daughter that reminded me to play, to have fun and make people smile. Her “let’s do this” attitude (that I’m used to having) brought me back to the place when I could actually answer from my HEART not my head.

YES!!! I can DO this!! It’ll be an ADVENTURE. I’ll learn NEW things. I’ll help others. I’ll open new doors. And I’ll DANCE. Yes. I’ll DANCE!!!!!!!! Do you see that girl in the photo? That’s me! Upside down me!

So I did, I said yes! And so far it has been one of the greatest experiences so far in my adult life (next to my wedding, births of children, meeting Donny Osmond and 2nd row at the Justin Timberlake concert) 😉 Okay you can stop laughing. I’m a self-proclaimed geek…but that’s my happy place where I can like what I like, and do what I do, no matter how opposite they may be.

So this big charity event is coming up very soon and will continue until December. I met my dance partner, the president of a local company , a local “star” in our area and we’ve been working hard on his “Foxtrot” steps. We are finding our dance partner connection and have been rehearsing for 5 weeks (about 5-6 hrs. a week – 1 hr. with a ballroom professional). Lots of work and sweat but we are READY to get on the DANCE FLOOR!! We are anxious to entertain, to have fun and raise money for our local charity. We will have a small part in changing the lives of hungry people in our area, babies in our area, school children with smiles when they receive their “Blessings in a Backpack” and local families that are hit with hard times financially.

THIS melts my heart to the core. It makes me realize that I should not live a life out of FEAR. I shouldn’t answer a question out of fear. I need to tap into my passions, my heart, and my strengths to know that with FAITH and support, I CAN do ANYTHING I put my mind to. I can make a difference. So can you!

All you need is that SHIFT of MIND to put you in the place you were meant to be…

———————————————————————

Pamela McCormick, Creativity Promoter/Inspiration Generator

Screen Shot 2013-08-08 at 11.00.22 AMPam is a creative consultant, writer, editor and dance teacher/choreographer. In addition to the joys of being a Mom of three,  ages 14, 10, and 3, she has first-hand experience in the business of family and the opportunities of working women, as well as more than 10 years as a business executive in product development/creative coordination.

Pam, a Communications/Journalism graduate of Michigan State University, is also Managing Member and Creative Director of Creative Digital Ink, LLC, a Traverse City, Michigan-based consultancy. Creative development, copywriting, editing, marketing, photo shoot/project management and sales presentation speaking skills are all in her “dance bag” of tricks. With her varied background of business, leadership, motherhood and teaching, she has learned to “leap” through it all.

Pam is dedicated to social media and still encourages her inner child to jump for joy in the many “shoes” she wears. Working with adults and students of all ages, she understands well the transformative power of relationships, the impressive value of networking and how a simple hello can change your world. Pam is an eternal optimist determined to help you transform the chaos of your daily life into an enthusiastic “DANCE.” Pam’s inspirational blog can be viewed at www.dancinmoma.com.

Or connect with Pam via:  Email:

creativedigital@outlook.com

Twitter –  Facebook

When in Doubt… DANCE it out! by @dancinmoma

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©2014 Pamela McCormick

©2014 Pamela McCormick

by Pamela McCormick | Featured Contributor

Can you hear it? No, not the “voice in your head” silly. The Music!!

It’s always there within your reach. Everyone has a song or tune that speaks to them, touches their souls and inspires their inner well-being.

So… what’s your “signature tune?”

You know the one, the song that — no matter what — you will sing out loud in your car or shower; the one to which you will always get up and DANCE!

A playback button pushed or keyboard clicked will start the music that may be the one thing needed to create new ideas and chase those troubles away. So turn it up! Crank the volume and DANCE.

Okay, full disclosure. I am a Dance Teacher, so music is an important part of the job, but I’m also a Wife, Mom, Writer and Editor so I’m tossing an eclectic mix of “personalities” into the world. It can get a little stressful at times, but I have always been one for multitasking. Music & Dance have been and always will be my default solutions to my challenges.

Thus my motto: “When in Doubt…Dance it out!”

To me, MUSIC and DANCE combined is actually the solution to nearly anything.

– Let’s say you have a slideshow of important graphics/sales forecasting, or photos from your recent vacation. Watch it for one minute. Now add MUSIC and watch it again; any difference?

– You are on a road trip to your next sales meeting, in a convertible (because it sounds fun), top down. Yes, the sound of the wind whipping through your hair is nice, but turn up a favorite tune? It is SO much better.

– You have been wracking your brain with an overwhelming problem to solve. Play a little music, and you may just find the answer. It’s the standard ‘walk away from a challenge; take a breath to get a fresh view’ technique with a little zing to make you sing.

Consider a myriad of everyday events made better by music and dance:

-The movie trailer with the voice overs, but without dramatic music? No Way!

-The sports event without the musical interludes, or cheers…Not even…

– The climactic scene in a thriller video without drums beating or ominous music… I don’t think so.

-A bride walking down the aisle in total silence… Weird.

-The world famous university marching band entering the field quietly… Nope!

Dance is all about passion and the steps that come with it. Heck so is life, family and business. So listen to a favorite singer or band and begin moving forward, one step at a time. If you are the more adventurous type, you could even add a leap or spin… oooooh!

Build your business! Make some noise! Have fun with your family! Get some new ideas!

Don’t Doubt.

Dance. It. Out.

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Pamela McCormick, Creativity Promoter/Inspiration Generator

Screen Shot 2013-08-08 at 11.00.22 AMPam is a creative consultant, writer, editor and dance teacher/choreographer. In addition to the joys of being a Mom of three,  ages 14, 10, and 3, she has first-hand experience in the business of family and the opportunities of working women, as well as more than 10 years as a business executive in product development/creative coordination.

Pam, a Communications/Journalism graduate of Michigan State University, is also Managing Member and Creative Director of Creative Digital Ink, LLC, a Traverse City, Michigan-based consultancy. Creative development, copywriting, editing, marketing, photo shoot/project management and sales presentation speaking skills are all in her “dance bag” of tricks. With her varied background of business, leadership, motherhood and teaching, she has learned to “leap” through it all.

Pam is dedicated to social media and still encourages her inner child to jump for joy in the many “shoes” she wears. Working with adults and students of all ages, she understands well the transformative power of relationships, the impressive value of networking and how a simple hello can change your world. Pam is an eternal optimist determined to help you transform the chaos of your daily life into an enthusiastic “DANCE.” Pam’s inspirational blog can be viewed at www.dancinmoma.com.

Or connect with Pam via:  Email:

creativedigital@outlook.com

Twitter –  Facebook

 

6 Tips to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts That Hold You Down by @livingoutloud_

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Reach for the top.

Reach for the top.

by June Silny | Featured Contributor

Every day I am faced with tasks that seem impossible to achieve.

I keep three (paper!) calendars: one in my office, one in my kitchen, and one in the bedroom. I’ve tried every calendar app, but I still feel more secure with a paper planner. (Thank you, Planner Pads). It also gives me a chance to jot down every blog/business idea, speaking event, and appointment in one place.

I feel more secure when I walk by my schedule and glance at it. I can hear it screaming at me like my personal trainer does, making me believe I can do more than I think I can.

I also have my personal life to deal with; unresolved family issues, parental dilemmas that stress me out and wake me up at 4:00 a.m. There are meals to prepare, gifts to buy, upcoming trips to pack for, and a broken washing machine that needs to be repaired.

I teach (and constantly write about) personal excellence . That means I have to continuously work on myself. I must strive to do the best I can in each situation; to manage my emotions, and say the right thing at the right time to the right person (even though I do not always succeed).

The to-do list I can manage. The errands get done; dinner is on the table, and I make it to my appointments on time. But it’s the personal excellence to-do list that haunts me.

Self-improvement is not for wimps.

It’s hard work reserved only for the brave who are willing to take an eye-opening look in the mirror, then be daring enough to make the changes happen.

It’s a struggle that takes courage.

I’ve never climbed a real mountain but a few years ago, my kids took me to an indoor climbing facility for a Mother’s Day adventure. It’s not my idea of a fun activity. I am petrified of heights. Balconies freak me out. Even a picture of anything over one story high makes me dizzy. But I knew I had to face this demon and finally conquer it.

We arrived at the fake mountains (an industrial warehouse with very high ceilings). Looking up all I saw was a grey bumpy wall three inches from my nose. There was no room to breathe. The negative voice in my head began to scream at me. “I can’t do this. What if I start to panic? What if I fall?” But I knew I had to take the first step, my kids were watching me.  I had to start by putting one foot in the yellow painted rock, take a deep breath, and pull myself up. The warehouse ceiling was waiting for me.

The top of the wall appeared unreachable. Doubt overwhelmed me. I was frozen with fear, unable to move forward.  I was tethered to a rope, held by my son who was strong enough to hold me, and whom I certainly trusted. Yet there was something holding me down; the weight of the heavy baggage of my fearful mind. It felt like a stack of bricks on my back. The next step seemed impossible.

Until I realized… this was my moment, my chance to ascend to greatness.

I had to take the first step. I had to leave the sack of mental garbage on the ground. I had to reach for the top, even though I couldn’t see where I was going.

I shocked myself when I touched the top. I was even brave enough to look down to see how far I had come. It was the best Mother’s Day present I ever received. I walked away with a memory. One that returns often. It whispers in my ear when I doubt myself. It reminds me… if I want to ascend to greatness, I have  to follow these 6 tips to get rid of the negative thoughts that hold me down:

1. Make the decision to leave your comfort zone. 

Great things happen when you are willing to do something you’ve never done before.

2. Take the first step.

Start small. Seeing how far you have to go, can be emotionally paralyzing. One small step leads to another.

3. Stay in the present moment.

Don’t forget to breathe. Release all doubts from the past or worries about the future. Be in the present moment.

4. Pull yourself up. 

Believe in your abilities; your strength, courage, and stamina to push through the rough spots.

5. Keep moving forward.

Don’t stop. Momentum is empowering and exhilarating.

6. Enjoy the view from the top.

Look down and see how far you’ve come.

You haven’t conquered the mountain- you’ve conquered yourself.

Today is your day, go for it…  your mountain is waiting.

———————————————————————————-

June Silny – Happy Relationships Expert – from junesilny.com

June SilnyYou’ll know where June is from as soon as you hear her speak- she’s definitely a New Yorker. Even though she left there at a young age and grew up in Miami Beach, Florida- she still goes for cawfee to tawk to her friends after she walks her dawg.

Her creative passion steered her through many exciting careers.
Starting out as a hairstylist, she was a managing business partner in a salon but also worked in film, theater, and the opera as hairstylist and make-up artist. She also purchased a Jazzercise franchise and became an instructor. Searching for calm and serenity, she taught yoga and meditation. Years later she started a business where she designed and crafted trendy fashion jewelry.

Now she is at home in her soul writing about the life lessons that are hidden away in the mundane events of everyday living. She became a student of the ancient mystical wisdom of Mussar (a spiritual personal excellence program) in 2009 when she began blogging and teaching what she was learning.

June lives in hot and sunny Miami with her husband, children and extended family (not all in the same house- but happily- all in the same city, which certainly gives her plenty to write about).