Times Are Changing – Are YOU Ready?

Things are certainly changing in the world. The US is having a recession and from what I hear things are not so great in the rest of the world either. However, having said that, this is not a time to buy into fear which is what the media would have you do!

Just because things are different doesn’t necessarily mean they are worse. Some of the worst economic times have created the most financial business success for people.

The most important thing is not to give up or give in. Don’t listen to the news constantly especially last thing before you go to bed. This will only cause stress. Remember to think as positively as possible. Read, listen to and watch positive joyful things. Check out my good friend Alexandra Watsons blog for a dose of happiness thinking. She’s the UK’s leading Happiness expert and each week shares some of her highly successful information at http://happyhelp.politicsandthecity.com Now is a great time to discover her significant secrets.

Remember you can achieve whatever you want in this life whether we’re in a recession or not. It’s just about believing in yourself and keep moving forward.

If you really want to get on track take a look at my brand new business telephone boot camp starting in January and check out the Early Bird Prices at www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/bootcamp.html. You will receive personalized coaching with me and a very limited number of entrepreneurs. If you’re really ready to go to the next level and want 2009 to be your most successful year ever check it out Now. www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/bootcamp.html

The most important thing to remember is not to buy into fear. Just because there’s a recession doesn’t mean you have to take part. I don’t choose to, you can do this too?

‘Til Next Time
To Your success and Brilliance

PS. If you’re ready to make huge changes visit
www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/bootcamp.html and see the special bonuses and early bird discount.

Are You Ready and Clear About What YOU Want?

My grandson turned 7 this past weekend and as I watched him play basketball with his friend it was very clear that he definitely knew what it was he wanted. He wanted to score goals and that’s what he focused on doing as they ran around throwing the ball from one to the other. They didn’t think about what they didn’t want only about what they did want.

As you come into 2009 don’t focus on what you don’t want, become really clear about what it is you do want! In order to attract and manifest what you want it’s very important to know what it is. Don’t just think you know which is what a lot of people do, be really sure. Write down how you would like your ‘ideal’ life and business to look.

Create the picture in your mind, make an action plan, stay focused and keep moving forward with that picture in mind just as my grandson had the picture in his mind of shooting the ball into the goal and he scored more often than not because he knew what he was going for.

Always remember that although reaching the goal is important, it’s just as important to enjoy the journey. Don’t give up be persistent and persevere. Everything is about energy so keep your energy high. Have fun stay in the moment and know that it’s not about perfection it’s just about staying on the path and taking one step at a time.

‘Til Next Time
Happy Thanksgiving

PS. Check out the FREE teleconference on Thursday November 20th, 3 Key Secrets to Creating an Entrepreneurial Empire. 6.30p.m. – 7.45p.m. EASTERN. www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/teleclass.html
The call is being recorded so register even if you can’t attend the live call and you will be sent the recording link after the class.

PPS. I want to tell you about a very special book written by my friend Elfreda Pretorius – “Stop Struggling and Start Living – The Rules of the Game. On Wednesday November 19th when you buy one copy you can receive thousands of dollars in bonus gifts. If you think there should be more to life and you want to know why some people figure things out and make real progress this is the book to read. 10% of the proceeds on November 19th will go to support Butterflies and Brains an organization that assists I the rehabilitation of children with brain injury. All you have to do to receive the wonderful bonus gifts is go to http://elfredapretorius.com/jv/stopsstruggling.html, click on buy books from Amazon, then enter the last 4 digits of your confirmation number and you can download all your free gifts. I really encourage you to check this out.

Are You Buying into Fear?

It’s been a couple of weeks since I last posted and a lot has happened in the world since then that is creating a great deal of fear in people, especially here in the US.

Although there is definitely a recession I have chosen not to be part of it. Will it affect me yes, my retirement fund is losing money fast! Am I going to go through every day living fearfully, absolutely not!

I’m in touch with reality however, I decided I’m not buying into the frenzy that is going on.

You can either buy into the fear or let go! If you don’t have control over a situation what’s the point of spending each day being afraid of what might happen tomorrow, next week or next year. Suppose it never happens, you will have spent all that time being stressed for nothing. Catastrophic thinking not only plays with your mind, it also causes stress which is the internal response to an external event.

Take some action if you need to. Cut back if necessary. Clip coupons on and offline. Stop buying expensive Starbucks. Carpool. Do whatever you need to do, just don’t buy into fear. Check out sites like www.Thriftyfun.com, www.gasbuddy.com. You can find almost anything online these days including coupons for discounts.

Every time a fear comes up, acknowledge it and then replace it with something positive and move on. I know you might be saying easier said than done however, it really is easy to do and very simple.

Live your life fearlessly with power and don’t buy into anything you read or hear. Journalists and media have to have something to use as fodder and for now this is it. Not everything you read is true!

‘Til Next Time
Joy and Blessings

What are you attracting?

About six months ago I decided to start observing the patterns and behavior of people in business to see what it is that the most successful and wealthy of them do that makes the difference between making it and struggling. I also had some very interesting conversations.

One of the most obvious things I've discovered, apart from the fact that they set specific goals, (usually written) make commitments and then take the necessary action is that they mix with successful people. This brought me back to something I heard many years ago from some hugely successful entrepreneurs. If you want to be successful make sure the people around you are successful. If you want to make money, mix with people who have money, if you want to be infused with positive energy have positive people around you, if you want to be happy mix with happy people, spiritual people and so forth.

So, my friends take a deep breathe. Close your eyes for a moment and go inside, reach deep into your own power and intuition. Just breathe and relax.
Attracting what you want in life is about energy, yours and the people around you.

Take a look around you and notice the people in your life. Do they think and talk positively? Are they living in the now? Are they truly committed to taking action to move forward? . If you're not working with clients/customers who you're truly happy to be working with, don't. If you're in a job you don't love, find one that you do or start thinking about becoming your own boss. It’s not nearly as challenging as people think.

I know that if I someone's home, car or office are a mess there's a lot more chaos going on in their head than they are willing to admit. Don't let this be you. Get real; get honest with yourself about yourself and what you are doing and tolerating in life. Allow the energy within and around you to be flowing easily so that you can attract the abundance and success you want in life in all ways.

Release any kind of poverty (lack) thinking, just let it go and know that any fear you might be holding onto is not real, it's just a thought and probably not even one you originally created.

Breathe and Relax. How are you going to live your life? Who are you going to surround yourself with?

Life is too short not to live it the way you want, remember it's about "Saying Yes to YOU."

'Til Next Time
Have a fantastic week
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. If you haven't registered yet and really want to make changes I'm facilitating a FREE Teleconference on Thursday September 11th at 3p.m. EASTERN, Three Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs PLUS a very special time sensitive invitation. It's being recorded so if you can’t be on the live call register anyway and you will be sent the recording link. You won't want to miss this call. www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/class.html

PPS. If you would like to receive my FREE 6 Lesson E-Course plus the powerful Monday Motivator sign up at www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com

Achieve What You Want In Life

As I’m sure most other people have been, I’ve been watching the Olympics with awe and amazement.

Seeing these young people reach the goals they want to achieve and receiving their medals, tells us that there are many people out there who know without a doubt that it’s absolutely possible to achieve what you want in life.

Imagine being a young guy of 23 and winning 8 gold medals in one Olympics, beating all previous records or the 41 year old swimmer who won silver medals. Both very determined, with great perseverance and their efforts paid off.

Most people hit a wall and instead of finding a way to go around the wall they just stop. I’m sure these Olympians hit walls from time to time but it didn’t stop them. It doesn’t matter what area of life, if you’re not where you want to be, do something about it. Think Bigger, Expand your mind. It’s never too late, you’re never too old, or for that matter, never too young and yes you can achieve anything you want in life. I’ve proven that to myself over and over. If I can do it, you can too!

‘Til next time
To Your Success and Brilliance

PS. This is a great time to register for the new teleconference – 3 Golden Keys to Unlock the Abundance YOU Were Born to Have. Tonight Wednesday August 20th at 7.30p.m. EASTERN. It’s being recorded so even if you can’t be on the live call if you register you will receive the recording link. www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/class.html

Productivity and Perfection

My apologies for not posting last week. Many new things have been happening at The Astonishing Power of You.

One of the things I’ve been hearing on my master mind calls and various coaching calls is about productivity and perfection and strangely enough both of these go together and can really create obstacles in business and in life.

Being busy does not mean you are being productive or efficient. We can all find things to keep us busy! I know I used to do that, procrastinating big time on putting off things that were too fearful in case I would fail or in case I didn’t do something perfectly. I could keep myself busy all day and still not get much accomplished☺

Take a look at what you are doing during a day, especially in business. Do you have a good time management plan, do you use some kind of planner for your days so you know what you’re doing, when and where? If you’re in a service oriented business are you organized and focused so that your clients get what they need?

Ask yourself a question: If I keep doing things this way will I achieve the prosperity, joy and abundance I would like? Does the way I do things align with my values?

You will find a great difference in your days if you have a plan in place to stay focused and motivated. Your energy will be higher and you will attract many more positive things into your business and life.

‘Til Next time
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. I am facilitating a FR*E teleconference on August 20th at 7.30p.m. EASTERN – 3 Golden Keys to Unlocking the Abundance YOU were Born to Have! It is being recorded so even if you can’t attend live you will be sent the recording link after the call. If you’re getting in your own way and are not where you want to be this call could change your life. To register www.sayyestoyoucoaching.com/class.html

Friend or Foe?

Which one are you to yourself? Here we are a little more than half way through the year. A very important year for the US and a very important year for you too! Why is that you say? How about something really simple like it’s time to check whether you are on track for the year, whether you are being your friend or are working against yourself?

This time of the year is a great time to rate your professional and/or personal life. If you use the wheel and follow the instructions you will know whether you are on track for the year with balance, success, finances, relationships and life in general.

Directions: rate yourself in each category on a scale of 1-10, with 1 the lowest at the wheel's center and 10 the highest at the outer edge. Rate yourself in terms of current satisfaction by drawing a line across from spoke to spoke.

Then answer some questions for yourself:
1. Looking at the way I rated the wheel what does my life look like? Is it balanced, am I happy with everything the way it is?
2. If this were the wheel on a car would it run smoothly?

If your life is not looking the way you want it at this half way point in the year, I encourage you to make some changes so that by the time the end of the year arrives, it looks more like the life you really want.

‘Til Next Time
To Your Success and Brilliance

Take Charge of Your Own Destiny

Whether personally or professionally you can either be at cause and create the life you want or you can be at the effect of anything and everything that life happens to throw at you. You’d be really surprised at how many people live on the effect side of life and don’t understand why their days are not joyful and happy. It’s up to you to take charge of your own destiny.

You have the most powerful tool you will ever need in the 3” between your ears!
Namely your mind! It creates just about everything that happens to you in life.

Train your mind to CHOOSE the life you want so that any old negative messages sitting in your subconscious get zapped. It’s a bit like taking an old computer program and changing it for a new one.

Where are you focusing? What is your attitude about your life personally and/or professionally? Are you focusing on what you don’t have, lack of time, money etc.
What you focus on expands. Focus on what you do have, what you can do, what you want from life.

Start changing the way you think by becoming conscious of the words you use. The words you use will tell you how you are thinking on a subconscious level.

Use words like I can, I want to, I believe. Stop using words like try and but. How do you try and sit in a chair? You either do or you don’t. When you say but after a sentence you are immediately negating what came before it. Start using the word ‘and’ instead. Much more powerful!

Do some of these things and watch what happens in your life. Do your best to be as disciplined as possible about this. When you change your thinking, you can really change your life and there are absolutely no limits. Go for what you want. Live your life fearlessly from choice.

‘Til Next time
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. If you don’t get it already sign up for the powerful Monday Motivator at www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com.

How Does Your World Look?

Whether in your personal or professional life you want to be living a life that you really love.

Are you living the life you envisioned 5 years ago? What are you envisioning for your life and/or business 5 years from now?

The past few weeks have been very interesting and I’ve had the honor of actually connecting with a lot of people who receive my Monday Motivator and newsletter who until now I didn’t know.

I’ve had so much fun and joy talking to people who are interested in my “Say Yes to YOU” coaching programs. I’ve listened to many people talk about their goals and dreams and quite a few who up until now have not been saying yes to themselves and are ready to change their world so they can achieve their ultimate dreams.

I hope your world looks the way you really want it to, if it doesn’t I highly encourage you to do something about it. Take a firm stand and say Yes to YOU.
Your really do deserve to live each day with passion and joy.

‘Til Next time
As Always
To Your Success and Brilliance

PS. If you’re interested in the “Say Yes to YOU coaching programs and would like more information go to http://www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/you.html

PPS. To sign up for the weekly Monday Motivator or new hypnosis CD’s on releasing limiting beliefs go to http://www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com

Happy July 4th

Hi Everyone,

I have some really wonderful new “Say Yes To YOU” Programs being launched this week and because it’s a short week something had to give so my apologies for not writing last week and for the few words this week.

What I do want to say is please remember the Law of Cause and Effect. Your life is created by the way you think, the actions you take and the Attitude you have. Take responsibility if something happens that is caused by you. Don’t get defensive or angry, own up and own it. Make each day a positive, fun experience whatever you are doing in life.

Have a wonderful July 4th and I will write more next week.

‘Til next time
As Always
To Your Success and Brilliance

PS. If you are interested in the new programs please go to www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/you.html and you will find all the details.

Is life really like Sex and The City?

Last Sunday my daughter and I took ourselves to see this very much touted movie.

What came across loud and clear in both the TV series and the movie was the story about 4 friends who stuck together through thick and thin and that part of the story was lovely and how all friendships need to be. If only the story had been more about that it would probably have been very enjoyable.

Unfortunately, although there were a couple of laughs, not only was it long and rather boring there were a few scenes that would have been better off in a porn movie. What I’m writing comes without any kind of judgment, so please don’t throw arrows at me yet!

I know many women are going to disagree with me and that’s OK, we are all entitled to our own opinions and I’d love to hear some of yours.

Are real women like these four? Is New York really a hive of very needy women?

Somehow I don’t think so!

This is really what the movie portrayed as well as friendship. In the TV series it was 4 needy women looking for love in all the wrong places. This is initially how Miranda got pregnant. Charlotte desperately wanted to be married and looked until after changing many things in her life, she actually found the ‘right’ man.

Although, it finally ended up OK, (don’t want to give away the ending if you haven’t seen it) in the TV show Carrie couldn’t detach from Big long enough to give herself the chance of someone really great loving her so she continually went in and of the relationship with Big, which would actually be considered ‘really dysfunctional.’ Poor Samantha was really the neediest of the four. Terrified of commitment, she wanted money, attention and sex and sex and sex. When someone needs that much sex to fill them up, it’s called an addiction.

I realize this is a movie and is supposed to be for entertainment however I’ve also read some of the comments that men have left on various sites and their comments about women based on this movie are not pretty. I’d hate for any teenage girl to see this movie and think this is what she has to look forward to in her 30’s and 40’s.

So, why am I writing about this in a self growth blog for women? Because it’s important! If you relate to any one of them, especially during their TV show years don’t stay stuck. I know what it’s like to be needy, to go in and out of the wrong relationships continually looking for love to fill the emptiness.

It took me 10 years of personal work to find myself. When I did, I realized there was really only one person I absolutely ‘needed’ in my life. Me!!

Would I like a man in my life? It would be very nice if he was the right man, however I’m also OK if I don’t have a man in my life. I finally fell in love with me in a very healthy way. I came to realize that I am not defined by a man, a car, money, parents, children, a house or anything I’m only defined by who I am.

That’s why I wrote this. If you have issues around relationships or with yourself please get some kind of help. Fall in love with yourself first and you will no longer make the wrong choices. You don’t have to settle just so you won’t be alone. You deserve to be loved for the beautiful woman you are. Enjoy your life, have fun, laugh with friends and treat yourself with the dignity and respect you deserve. You are a brilliant light in this world.

‘til next time
To Your Success and Brilliance

PS. If you live in or around the LA area on June 25th, I’m facilitating a 2 hour workshop at the Bodhi Tree on Melrose titled, “Say Yes To You” – Stop Living on the Sidelines and step into the Game of Life. 7.30p.m. – 9.30 p.m. You can throw your arrows at me then if you attendJ
For more information go to http://www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/yes.htm

Make yourself number one.

Having spent 4 days exhibiting my best selling book at Book Expo. America it’s been a very interesting, energizing yet exhausting couple of weeks which is also the reason there was no copy for the blog last week.

The one thing that came across very clearly from talking to the dozens of people who stopped at the booth, is that women are still not totally OK with making themselves number One.

Sometimes when I first start working with clients, they find it very strange to think about putting themselves and their needs at the top of the list. Make yourself number one. Obviously not to the detriment of some one-else. However, you will be more effective, energized and productive if you take care of yourself first.

Whether you’re a working professional, a stay at home mother, work and manage a family or you are a working single mother, I highly encourage you to “Say Yes to YOU” first. Your business won’t fall apart, your family won’t go without, your house won’t collapse if it’s not perfect.

Take small steps to start. Five minutes a day to just sit quietly, light a candle, read a book, meditate or whatever it is you truly want to do with the time. After a week expand to ten minutes and so on until you are actually taking at least 30 minutes every day to just be with you.

If I had known that it was OK for me to take time for me when I had a family at home I would have saved myself many stressful days. Now, no matter what, I take at least 30 minutes a day that is set aside without any interruptions, just for me. Give it a try. You deserve it.

“til next time
To Your Success and Brilliance

PS. For those people who live in or near Los Angeles, on June 25th, I will be facilitating a 2 hour workshop ”Say Yes To You” Stop Living on the Sidelines” at the Bodhi Tree on Melrose Avenue. Space is limited. Advance reservations $20. If you are interested in attending please email info@theastonishingpowerofyou.com and you will be at the top of the list.

PPS. Sign up for my free six week e-course at www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com and you will also receive the powerful internationally read Monday Motivator.

Think about what you do have.

I hope everyone had a really super Memorial day weekend. I don’t know what it’s like in your part of the country/world, however for all the fact that everyone here in the US is complaining about the cost of gas being more than $4 a gallon, there were cars galore on the freeway.

Although it may seem not at times, we really do have things great here in the US. As with everything else it’s about perception. Yes, gas has gone up, however in Europe they are paying the equivalent of $8 a gallon and food is twice as expensive as it is here. How about we all look again at what we do have, not at what we don’t have.

I’m off to exhibit this week at Book Expo. America which is in Los Angeles and will be there from Thursday 29th – June 1st. It should be fun, exciting and exhausting and I’m really looking forward to it. Thank god they don’t allow smoking in any of the public places in LA any more so at least the air won’t be clouded with smoke.

I have a couple of really great new hypnosis CD’s if anybody is interested in increasing their wealth, zapping negative thinking or if you do happen to smoke and would really like to stop there’s a great stop smoking CD too. Check them out at www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/hypnosis. and you will find information at the bottom of the page.

Have a great week.
‘Til Next Time
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. If you haven’t already signed up for my Free Six Lesson ECourse go to www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com and sign up now. You will also receive the Monday Motivator quote which gives your week a good kickstart.

PPS. New Hypnosis CD’s at www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/hypnosis.

Humility and Gratitude

I recently went to an award event at which six or seven women were honored for their efforts in one area or another. The reason I’m writing about it here is that I never cease to be astounded how little has changed.

I always pay very careful attention to the words people use because it’s one of the things I do to help my clients move faster along their path.

The organizers of the event had written lovely, positive accolades about each woman based on what they had achieved which were read to the room by the MC for the day before handing out the award.

The women receiving the awards used words like, I don’t deserve this, I don’t know why I’m receiving this, I didn’t do anything my assistant did it all and one went so far as to say I don’t think I’m any of the things that have been said about me. People had nominated these women, people thought these great things about them and in a few words all that was said had been negated. I thought perhaps it was my imagination however the people sitting on either side of me noticed the same thing.

Not one said, ‘Thank you so much I’m really honored. I’m glad I was able to make a difference. I would also like to thank all the people in my business that supported me, without whom it would have been very challenging.”

There’s a difference between having humility and gratitude and coming from a place of grace because we know we deserve it. Thinking well of ourselves, being proud of ourselves is OK, it doesn’t have to come from having a big ego. Having humility doesn’t mean we have to negate ourselves. Unfortunately so many women have received the message that we have to be ‘good girls, ’ it’s not nice to think we’re great, it’s selfish, who do we think we are etc. etc. and it’s so well ingrained on an unconscious level that it takes away from what we truly deserve. Change the message; if someone says something nice or gives you a gift, you deserve it.

Please remember that when someone does something nice for you, whatever it might be, or gives you praise, the person is giving you a gift, don’t take that away from them, however much you might want to accept graciously don’t say, it’s too expensive or whatever, bite your tongue and just say thank you. The more often you do this, the easier and more natural it will become and on an unconscious level the old negative messages are replaced with positive confident beliefs.

‘Til next time
Have a wonderful week.
To Your Success and Brilliance

Women and Power

Happy Mother’s day albeit a little late. If you’re a Mother it’s not just the one day that’s important, it’s how you are treated every day.

In my 67 years I’ve been through many different phases in my life, including having to find fulfillment from within and women and their power still fascinates me. We are one of the few countries who haven’t yet had a woman President. It intrigues me that here in the US, women still in many ways take second place.

Don’t gun me down for what I’m writing this week. It’s without judgment. Honesty often it hurts, yet truth is what really makes the world go round.

From the research I’ve read although women owned businesses are the fastest growing in number, we often still don’t have equality when it comes to salary. Yet, when it comes to emotions most men will tell you that they think we are by far, much stronger and more powerful than men.

It’s time that every woman said “yes to herself.” You deserve to feel powerful (not controlling) not from ego, just because you’re you. You deserve to have a family if that’s what you want while you are still young enough to do it easily.

I hear too many women saying, I have to be successful first, then I can have a family. Suddenly they are 40 and find they were so busy being successful, they forgot to have children. Being successful doesn’t make it easier to have a child it makes it a lot more expensive and unless you’re very fortunate instead of staying home and spending time with your little one during their childhood, you’re back at work paying the huge medical bills.

You deserve to have money, abundance and respect and you certainly deserve to believe in yourself. You truly can do anything you choose.

I’m being interviewed by Maureen O’Crean of Distinctively Diva on Wednesday May 14th and we will be talking about the topic “Say Yes to You – Stop Living on the Sidelines and Step into the game of Life." To register for the call you will find all the details at www.distinctivelydiva.com/index2a.html . 7p.m. Pacific time, 10p.m. Eastern.

If you live anywhere near the Los Angeles area, on June 25th, I will be presenting a two hour workshop on ‘Say Yes to You.’ I will include more about this in my blog in future issues..

That’s all I have to say for now. You were born to have prosperity and abundance, become the authentic you again and stop doubting yourself. Unless you’re being attacked by something, fear isn’t real, it’s just a thought :) Think positively and celebrate yourself.

‘til next time
Have a fantastic week
To Your Success and Brilliance

How Do You Define Yourself?

Because of answers I was receiving from clients recently I asked the question “How do you define yourself?” The answers led me to write about this really important question this week. I started asking people, mainly women, around me the same question.

It saddened me to hear some of the answers I received. One woman defined herself by her husband and children, another by her level of financial success, one by being the daughter of a well known personality and so forth. Only a few women defined themselves just by being who they are.

I used to define myself by how successful I was, by a husband, by my children, education, by what other people thought of me. I didn’t realize that left me with something lacking! Obviously we are defined by many things as we go through the stages of ‘growing up.’ It never occurred to me back then that I was a person in my own right and that the only definition that really counts is being defined by who I am.

Take a look at how you define yourself. Don’t say what you think you ‘should’ or ‘must’ say, be gut honest. It’s OK if you have been defining yourself by things outside of you. Giving yourself the gift of honesty about this will allow you to grow even greater. If you have been defining yourself from outside, you can start to work on defining yourself by ‘who’ you are and the gifts you bring to the world.

You are ‘who you are’ not because someone or something made you that way but just because you’re you. A wonderful brilliant light in the world. Allow yourself to shine brightly.

Have a wonderful week.
‘til next time
To Your Success and Brilliance

Play to Your Strengths!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’ve had a great April. Here we are and tomorrow is May 1st. How time flies!

I was recently asked to write an article for someone in business and after giving it some thought decided to write about how we use what we have and yet we’re often struggling to increase those parts of us that are not so strong. I thought I’d put a few lines down in the blog this week to give everyone the opportunity to focus on the strengths I’m sure you all have.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, whether in business or in life and people will more often than not attempt to bring their weakest areas up to the same level as the strengths they have. I really don’t encourage this; it’s not the best way to go!

When we focus on the areas that we consider to be our weakest, we often end up diluting our ability to play to the strengths, making it more challenging to achieve our goals and desires in life. Concentrate on playing to your strengths.

As a business and life coach it’s often my job to brainstorm with clients to find out why they are not where they want to be, whether it’s professionally or personally. I often have people do a simple exercise so they can really see what they need to concentrate on.

Take a sheet of paper and divide into two columns. Head one column: My Strengths and the other column My Weakest Areas.

Don’t ask anyone else their opinion about your strengths, it’s important to be honest with yourself, after all you know yourself better than anyone else.

When you’ve completed both lists write down how many times each day you only play to your strengths. And, how many times you hold yourself back or it takes more time to do something because you want to do it all!

One of my strengths is patience and seeing that there is a solution in any situation. One of my weaknesses is I don’t have great computer skills. I hand off everything I am not comfortable doing on the computer and focus on teaching people how to achieve what they want in life.

Once you can see these two areas fully, you have a choice. You can of course always move forward doing what you’ve always done, your path being a little rocky and perhaps even unfulfilling or you can start to really focus on all your strengths and delegate your weakest areas to others who have those characteristics as their strength. This way everyone wins.

Absolutely everything is a mindset. Every result you create in life comes from the way you think. You have a thought it creates a feeling, which creates an action that equals the result.

When we change our thinking we change our lives. Always remember change is inevitable, transformation is a choice.

Have a fantastic week. ‘Til next time
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. If you haven’t already, sign up for my Free 6 lesson E-course, The Astonishing Power of You and also receive the weekly Monday Motivator Quotes. www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com

Is Entitlement Important?

Sometimes I write about topics that may not seem relevant to business or even to life. However entitlement can create real challenges without people even realizing. Let me first say, this is written without judgment or criticism.

What do I mean when I say entitled? The word entitle in the dictionary states that it means to have the right or claim. People who have entitlement issues are usually more self absorbed and also have more feelings of self importance making them think that they don’t have to respect other people in the same way they want to be respected. Talking the talk is not the same as walking it.

Have you ever received an email or call from someone and decided that you don’t have to reply because you don’t have time, after all you have so many more important things to do, or some kind of thinking along those lines? Are you always late for appointments and always find an excuse for being late and justify it to yourself as a ‘so what,’ everyone knows I’m always late so it’s not important?

I have learned that not returning a call or email within 24-48 hours, however busy you are, lacks integrity and also conveys lack of respect. The same applies to punctuality. Five minutes early or 5-7 minutes late is acceptable. If you are mostly 10-20 minutes late for appointments, whether it’s business or social, it conveys the message that the other person is not important and somewhere deep down you are feeling that you, for whatever reason, are entitled to act this way.

Men are often heard to say about their wife, girlfriend or partner, “she always keeps me waiting she’s never ready on time.” Why is this? Don’t tell me it’s because it takes you longer to get ready. Start earlier, you’d be surprised what a difference it makes to how the other person feels when you’re ready on time.

Many, many years ago, I would say I had entitlement issues. On some level I needed to believe that I was more important than other people so it was OK not to return a call, not to reply to a note and to be late for nearly everything. This came from a deeper feeling of not having enough self worth.

Although I’m certainly not perfect, far from it I suspect :), when someone takes the time to send me a note of appreciation for something and sometimes I receive quite a few, doesn’t matter how busy I am, I always take the time to reply personally to each one. So what if it takes an extra few minutes out of my day. People are always so delighted when they receive a thank you.

I encourage you to be honest with yourself. Do you feel that you are ‘entitled’ to be late, not reply to a call or email, that this is just who you are? Or, this is not using my time productively or effectively. That to me is a total cop-out and means that deep down you really do feel you are more important than other people. Everyone is special and everyone deserves respect. You may not agree with me, however give it a try. It certainly makes you more attractive to the Universe. Whether professionally or personally letting others feel that you respect them and that they are important, shows that you have integrity.

‘Til Next Time
To Your Success & Brilliance

What’s the real reason?

What’s the real reason people don’t get where they want in life? Why do some people become really successful and some people just don’t quite make it. They get to the edge and stop, often just as they are about to achieve the success they want.

They are afraid to believe in themselves and their own ability. There’s that word fear again! You know what, the only thing you need to do is make a decision that you are not going to let that feeling hold you back. You don’t need to break a board, walk on hot coals, bunji jump or anything else if you don’t want to.

You don’t have to let fear take over and control you. Believe it or not, unless you are being stalked by a tiger, or are in other dangerous situations, fear is not even real. I know it feels real, yet it’s just a thought. It’s what we call in psychology, “false evidence appearing real.” You have the ability, the choice and power to change your thinking so that fear and doubt doesn’t stop you from achieving what you want.

Ask yourself how long you’ve been saying “I want to ………., I’m going to……… and yet you keep doing the same thing over and over. You’ve probably heard that old quote that goes something like this, “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results will make you crazy.”

Whether it’s professional, relationships or life in general, if you’re not where you want to be, get honest with yourself. Are you holding yourself back because you’re afraid? Write down 3 successes you’ve had in life. It doesn’t matter what they are just something you consider was a success. Now, ask yourself what you were thinking and what action you took to make those things happen. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again.

You’re an incredible human being, don’t let old messages steal your dreams and don’t let fear take away your power. What’s the worst that can happen if you take a risk? What’s the best that can happen? When you answer these questions for yourself, I think you might see that nothing really catastrophic can happen if you take the leap of faith. Go for it.

To Your success and brilliance
‘til next time

?

The question asked that resulted in the following answer was: What would happen to your business and life if you were hit by a bus or had a personal crisis? A medical emergency? Or, needed to take time off to care for a loved one?

I didn't get hit by a bus :) However, I did have a situation that meant I had to change how I was working in my business. At the end of 2003 I found out that my Mother in the UK had cancer and I live in Los Angeles. So that my sister didn't have to carry the whole burden of taking care of the situation, I made a decision to be available whenever and however I was needed which meant putting all my goals for the next couple of years on hold.

After the first time I had to cancel a speaking engagement at the last minute because I received a call to come to London immediately, I put all speaking on hold. I explained the situation to my clients, who were very understanding and willing to work with me. When I was in London, if it was only for a week or ten days, clients sessions were sometimes put on hold or if that wasn't possible I coached via email.

I knew that if I was going to be able to effectively help and be available, for my own peace of mind, it would really be necessary to put all other aspects of my business on hold.

Although it was a challenging decision for me to make, that's what I decided to do. During 2004-2006, other than working with a few clients my business came to a stand still. When my Mother passed in 2006, I basically had to start over.

In mid-2006 I started working with a coach to get back on track. The choice I made definitely affected me financially from the stand point of not making the kind of money I had intended from my business. Although I didn't achieve what I wanted in my original time frame, things are well on track since the end of 2006 and moving forward. Everything is about choice, I decided what I 'wanted' to do, didn't let it stress me out and have never regretted the decision to spend the last 2 years of her life with my Mother.

I was very lucky to be in a place where I had another small income coming in, however had this not been the case, I would not have been able to make the choice I did.

I learned a very valuable lesson when this situation occurred. I encourage all solo-business owners to have a back up of some kind in place. There are unexpected things that happen to all of us in life at some time or another.

I think it's very important to have at least 6 months income in the bank to take care of mortgage, rent, expenses etc. should you, for any reason, need to take a break longer than a couple of weeks. Budget this into monthly savings so that it goes automatically into an emergency fund.

Depending on your business, if you have an assistant, make sure that you have enough copy written to cover absences. You need to still have a presence so that people remember who you are. Even if that means a monthly tip to stay in touch.

Everything in life is a choice so choose to have a plan in place rather than winging it.

To your success and brilliance,

Is your Life a comedy or ??

Somebody recently asked me if I was to describe my life as a genre what would I say? Would it be a comedy, a grand drama perhaps, a coffee table book or……………

I’d never been asked to define my life this way. My first thought was, now that I’m where I am do I really want to know? Of course I do, that’s how we continue to learn and what an interesting way to take a look.

It took me a while to be able to relate my life to a genre and I’m sure this is going to be an ongoing process, however, I’m going to share what I already discovered and that’s what life is about. An exciting journey of discovery and perseverance.

The first 40 years of my life could certainly be called a chaotic tragic drama that was slowly unfolding. I had learned and been given every kind of negative role modeling and message I needed to live my life in a really dramatic, chaotic way.

In thinking about it more closely, if I was a fantastic writer it would probably make a fabulously interesting story, however I’m not and it would take too long so I’m just going to leave it at that. I will just say that I would hope that all children will live, learn and grow in a much healthier, loving environment than I did.

With each passing year my life became more interesting and often very challenging, yet it was also very exciting and I was learning things about myself and the world that I might never have done, if I’d lived a different kind of life. I was always hearing, “They say” and I’m still not sure who ‘they’ are. However, ‘they say’ that everything happens for a reason and today I truly believe it does.

By the time I was in my 40’s, life had really become more like an adventure comedy. Still chaotic but at least I could find humor in the situations I got into.

After being married for 25 years I was now in the unknown world of dating, overcoming who I thought I was and creating who I really was, meaning the authentic me. Going through the dating scene as you get older can definitely be made into a chaotic romantic comedy film.

Today in my 60’s, the genre I would put my life into would be an interesting humorous coffee table book, something that anyone would pick up, find something they could relate to and learn from. What I learned from doing this little exercise is that if you keep moving forward, persevere, find wonderful mentors and don’t allow fear to hold you back you can create anything in life that you want.

That’s the message I most want to convey from this. Never ever give up. It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s never too late for anything.

I still learn every day. I still reach higher both personally and professionally. I’m much more careful who I allow into my life and I surround myself with positive thinking people. My life is an ever evolving dream that is absolutely wonderful, peaceful and happy.

I have every intention of living until I’m over 100 which means I still have nearly half my life left to live. I don’t worry about what will happen tomorrow or next week, I only know that even when it’s frustrating at times there’s always a funny side if I look and the only day that counts is the one I’m living right now. I make a point of doing or watching something each day that makes me laugh and through it all I survived, became stronger and I found my passion, teaching other women how to become all they deserve to be.

I encourage you to answer the question for yourself. However old you are at present this is a question worth answering. If you had to give your life a genre, what would it be? Be honest because if you’re not, the only person you fool is you. The answer will allow you to make new choices if you’re not where you want to be.

Whatever genre you see yourself as, you’re a brilliant light in this world, let the brilliance shine.

PS. For further spiritual/personal development and connection with other like minded women check www.WomenofDiscovery.com for our special limited time trial offer $1. 00 for the first 30 days.

Do You Focus or Fold?

Everywhere I go recently it seems that someone is talking about balance and focus. I keep hearing how challenging it is to stay balanced and focused on a daily basis and I can certainly relate to that.

Because I have a home office, like so many coaches, it’s very easy to fold instead of focusing. What I mean by that is, there you are moving through your day and doing your best to get all the things done that you might have on a list. You managed to get the first thing finished and now you’re on action #2, when suddenly you think about something completely different and before you know it, you’ve totally folded what you’re in the midst of, it’s now on the shelf and you’re moving over to the next thing. Now you have one unfinished project and another that you might or might not finish before you have a thought about something else.

If you want to have balance in your life, one of the best things to do is to stay focused on one thing at a time. Most women can multi-task, yet it’s actually more time consuming than focusing and getting one thing finished at a time.

This is what Personal Development consultant Jeanie Marshall writes about balance. She can be reached at http://www.mhmail.

“Achieving a state of balance is not a final destination; instead it is an ongoing and evolving process. Imbalance is an aspect of balance. Being in a state of balance every second all day long is not likely or even desirable. It is more important to notice when you are in a state of balance and when you are not, than to expect to “always” be in a state of balance.

Your energy changes all through the day, and is supposed to. The more often it changes, the more you can keep finding your state of equilibrium, and the more skilled you become at being able to return to a state of balance, which immediately changes. To understand balance, you must become sensitive to your own energy, your own feelings, and your own life.”

Having balance in life will allow for you to have many more stress free days and also allow you to stay more centered. However, as Jeanie says, “it is an ongoing and evolving process.” Don’t expect this to happen overnight or every second of every day, learn to notice the difference between balance and imbalance in your life and become aware of your energy. This like most things is a learned skill.

‘Til Next Time
Here’s to Your Success and Brilliance

Take Time For You

I don’t usually have a challenge taking time out for me when it’s my own choice. When I get really sick, it’s a funny thing. This time because it impacted my breathing, I was really forced to slow down. Yet nothing fell apart.

Unfortunately, that’s what women tend to do and I’m just like everyone else. It’s not that I don’t think things can move forward if I’m not around, I just tend to focus on positives so I decided it was just a nuisance and would go away on it’s own. Sometimes it does, this time it didn’t. The week became a blessing.

I did work but I gave myself permission to stop whenever I was feeling exhausted and sometimes I’d rest and then work a little more and sometimes not. I read books I hadn’t made time to finish, I watched a few old movies I’d been wanting to see and I finally started making notes for the new book I’m writing this year.

Why am I telling you this? Because, when I was 42, coming out of a 25 yr. marriage with no confidence, no self assurance, little sense of self and no money, I had no idea what I was going to do. I would never have dared to think it was OK to take time for me. Instead, I went through 8 years of dragging myself from one thing to another, in and out of terrible relationships and finally going bankrupt.

However, one day everything changed. I found out one of my children was sick and might die. I knew I had to make some major changes. I really plunged into learning about the power of the mind. By the time I was 50, my life was different, my daughter was well, I was coming out of the mire of negativity and my thinking was changing drastically.

That’s how I got where I am today in my mid- 60’s and it’s why I wrote my best selling book, The Astonishing Power of You, Simple Steps to Creating an Extraordinary Life. www.Theastonishingpowerofyou.com.

I purposely wrote a simple book because I wanted everybody to see that it’s not challenging to make change, it doesn’t take miracles, it takes making a decision that you really want to be in a different place then putting it into action. I put into the book what I myself used in the hope that other people would see they could do it too.

So………….going back to what I first said, don’t be afraid to take time for yourself, you don’t have to wait until you’re sick. You deserve to be the absolute best you can be and have all that you want in life, you really are a brilliant beam of light in this world however no-one will see it if you don’t acknowledge it first.

Have a wonderful week.
‘Til next Time
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. To buy my best selling book The Astonishing Power of You, go to http://www.TheAstonishingpowerofyou.com/book.html. Remember, you deserve to live the best life possible.

Amazing Woman's Day

Hi Everyone,

Its Valentine day this week and my goodness I think every year the stores carry more and more amazing stuff.

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of being invited to a special woman’s event called Amazing Woman's Day and it really was – amazing.

Not only was the room filled with 200 absolutely amazing women, there was great food, wonderful speakers, incredible drumming and it was at a really beautiful museum here in Los Angeles.

I don’t often talk about events this way. However, it truly was, as we Brits say, absolutely splendid.

So, what made it so amazing besides the awards to amazing women in various avenues of life, or the speakers, including Marie Diamond from “The Secret.”

The women made it amazing. I met women who had not started in their professions until they were over 60, women who had overcome horrendous trauma and moved beyond it to success and a woman who was 84 and still went to work as an attorney every day.

A roomful of truly spiritually minded women is a very empowering experience. There was so much kindness, inspiration and caring in the room it was practically palpable. One of the things that came across the most was that everyone has the same fears and doubts in life and that every woman is entitled to be as we were born to be, wealthy, healthy and joyous.

If you’re a male reading this, there were 4 men in attendance. Three who had actually bought a ticket and they enjoyed it just as much as the women. It truly was a fabulous day and the founder March Engle is to be admired for putting together such an incredible event.

Happy Valentine Day, have a wonderful week.

‘Til next time
To Your Success and Brilliance


PS. If you would like more spiritual/personal development connection check out the special offer on The Discovery Circle at http://www.TheDiscoveryCircle.com

Have Gratitude in Life as well as Humility

I know this is not how I usually write so I hope you will forgive me. I am however getting really concerned about what’s going on these days.

I find that here in the US, people either can’t get enough of what’s going on in the upcoming elections or they can’t get enough of all the negative things that are happening to people like Britney Spears.

I’ve been listening to all the senators who want us to make them president, judging, putting down and criticizing each other, saying almost anything to make the other look bad in some way.

I listen to all the pathetic sad plights of the young people in the movie industry, losing custody of their kids, using drugs or as one well known movie actor said in people magazine when asked if he was going to marry the mother of his child, “It’s a love child.” Give me a break! Doesn’t anyone think of the damage this does to our young people, especially children!

Most of the movies and stuff on TV today is full of violence and often times I’m amazed when I see the plots played out. Then we wonder why there’s so much violence around us. Not that I’m saying TV or movies are solely to blame but it certainly doesn’t help.

What kind of example do these type of people set for the rest of the population? How are kids supposed to know that drugs are not OK, that having a child outside of marriage is not the greatest way for a child to grow up, that judging impairs people’s integrity and that it’s important to have gratitude in life as well as humility and that even when running a race, you can do it with dignity.

I have six grandchildren under 7 years old. I’d give a lot to see them grow up to a different kind of world.

I’d love to hear what other people think about this so if you’ve got anything to say, positive or negative, please drop me a line. In the meantime, have a wonderful, bright and peaceful week.

‘Til next time

PS. I’m facilitating a FREE teleconference on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 8p.m. EASTERN time called 3 Little Words That Can Sabotage Your Dreams! Do You Use Them? To register go to www.TheAstonishingPowerOfYou.com/teleclass.html.

Live a more Healthy Lifestyle this Year

This week I would like to talk about something that has come to the forefront in the news because it concerns me and it takes away from attracting what you want in life.

Smoking and Obesity. The two top causes of death in the US. Both are addictions. I don’t use words like wrong and bad so I’m not going to do that about these two topics either, neither do I judge. However, I will say they can both ruin your health.

I always had great blood pressure and cholesterol. In my 20’s & 30’s I was always between 101 – 110lbs. In the UK where I come from, small portions are the norm so it wasn’t so difficult and I was young. I moved to the US when I was 38. In my 40’s & 50’s it went to 115-125lbs and in the last few years I gained another 15lbs.

Not really such a big deal I thought since I’m in my 60’s and I like the way I look. However, a few months ago at my physical my doctor didn’t agree! My blood pressure & my cholesterol was way too high for comfort. For my height of 5’ 1” he told me it was imperative to lose at least 15lbs or I would find myself having problems. I agreed to take medication until I could get both down naturally.

I kept hearing about how many people die from obesity and smoking, suddenly it seemed to be everywhere. We often think we can do all the things we did in our 20’s and 30’s forever and nothing is going to change. Not so! I want to see my six grandchildren grow up and watch their dreams come true. I realized that if I didn’t make changes my desire to live healthy until I am at least 100 would not happen.

I started researching. . I stopped smoking when I was 42. I didn’t have a great deal to lose and it wasn’t about weight, to me it was about being healthy. I read some amazing stories about people losing hundreds of pounds and here was I with a measly 10-15lbs. to lose. I decided if one human being can do it anyone can. It’s about how much you care about yourself. I made a decision. I didn’t have to do it by next week I could set small goals. It’s what you do on a long term consistent basis that counts.

If I wanted to be really healthy I needed to make some lifestyle changes. I decided to create my own program with Lean Cuisine. In the first 3 weeks I lost 8 lbs. This was just before the holidays and you know what food and the holidays can be like :) I decided in advance to give myself permission to have a little of everything I wanted so that I didn’t feel deprived. On January 2nd I weighed myself and found I had gained only half pound. It worked and I had eaten what I wanted. I’m now back on track. I can’t do lots of exercise, however I do walk and I park far away from everything so that I have to walk further. My body feels different and I feel great.

I’m sure there are people who will say “I don’t want to hear her story” or “she has so little to lose, it’s easy.” So why am I telling you this?

Because I care. It’s not about size, it’s about feeling great and being healthy, it’s about changing your mindset. Ask yourself if you really love how you feel? What will I feel like if I don’t live a more healthy lifestyle this year? Answer the questions honestly.

Clients have often said to me. “You’re a certified master clinical hynotherapist and certified NLP Practitioner, can you make me a CD to help me lose weight?” I decided to make some CD’s that would help people to stop smoking, lose weight and zap limiting beliefs.

The reason I wrote this is because if you’re not where you want to be in any area of your life and you want to attract abundance in all ways, it’s important to take care of your own health first. The CD’s will be ready in February. If you’re interested please sign up for the Monday Motivator and you will be notified as soon as they are released.

You’re a brilliant light in this world, let that brilliance shine for yourself.

‘Til next Time
Peace and Blessings
Hazel

PS. For connection and more spirituality with other like minded people check out the Secret Inner Sanctum at www.MyDiscoveryCircle.com.

Do you have a dream?

I arrived back last night from an amazing 4 day vision leader conference with incredible speakers and 50 other vision leader attendees, myself included. I met wonderful people and heard the most amazing visions and dreams. The main theme I heard from everyone who wants to make great changes in themselves and/or the world were the words soul and spirituality.

This workshop wasn’t about money. Everyone I hope knows that money is a big factor and definitely makes life a lot easier. And, that we all deserve to achieve wealth and abundance in life, however the visions I heard were about the help, teaching and gifts people can bring to the world first. Do that and wealth follows.

There we were in the midst of the worst storm that San Francisco has had for over a decade, t he winds were blowing about 70 miles an hour and yet the sound of this storm, the heaviness of the rain seemed to make it even more perfect and inside the room there was a wonderful feeling of love, peace and gratitude.

We made mind maps about our visions, we shared thoughts and ideas, we spent time learning from each other and also laughing a lot. We were all really excited to imagine the difference that people can make in the world if they make dreams come true.

Visions are about whatever it is you dream of. Nothing is too big if you believe in yourself. For example, there was someone who’s vision was about wanting to help women over 50 make it easier to create great relationships, there were others who wanted to make the world a safer place for kids, overall every vision I heard was in some way to teach people how to live their lives purposefully with passion.

I think everybody is looking for the same thing, a much deeper connection with their soul, spirituality and with other people looking for the same thing.

Don’t put your dreams on hold, nothing is silly or ridiculous, everything and anything is possible. Nothing happens over night and it takes time for visions to materialize. It doesn’t always happen exactly when we want it to. Sometimes the Universe works in it’s own time. All you have to do is believe in yourself, have patience and take action. And, never listen to people who put down your dreams. You can do anything and everything, you are a brilliant source of light.

‘Til next time
Have a wonderful week
Success and Brilliance


PS. Check out the details and benefits of the brand new Secret Inner Sanctum, a brand new site for growing and connecting on a spiritual level. www.MyDiscoveryCircle.com.

PPS. Remember to take time for yourself. If you haven’t already, sign up for Mind Matters and the 6 lesson fr*e ecourse at www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com.

PPPS. Remember to check out www.MyDiscoveryCircle.com Now while the special offer is in effect.

There’s no such thing as perfection!

Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to go into a new beginning.

What do I mean by a new beginning? January is a wonderful time of the year to start fresh. To set new goals, make new wishes, create new visions and get on track with your dreams. Whatever you didn’t get done last year or the year before, take a look and see where you might have done it differently and then set actions to make it happen.

A word of caution! It’s OK to make mistakes and you definitely don’t have to be perfect. Perfectionism can create procrastination, lessen your confidence and take away your power. Achievement through being a perfectionist takes away, it doesn’t increase. It’s much more productive to get something done rather than spend time attempting to get it perfect and yet never getting it going.

Mistakes allow you to learn. Imagine if we never made mistakes, how would we learn?

So, make this a great beginning to this wonderful New Year, take one step at a time, create your goals and then don’t just look toward the end result, look at the daily actions you take and the weekly goals you create. Your goals will happen if you take it in small does. Remember to always be grateful for the abundance around you. Abundance is not about money, it’s about life.

Have a great month.
To Your Success and Brilliance
Hazel

PS. Check out the brand new Secret Inner Sanctum at www.MyDiscoveryCircle.com