New Year’s Resolutions on Steroids… Graceland Too

Posted on January 8th, 2010 by Sandy Reed

It’s the beginning of a brand new year, typically the time when most people consider making New Year’s resolutions about their lives and their businesses.  What’s the purpose of resolutions?  To try to make your life better than it was the year before – to be happier, healthier, or more prosperous maybe?  If you’re one of those folks making New Year’s resolutions, you might want to start by considering why you want what you want and backing into how you can make them work this year, finally…

GracelandTooIn Holly Springs, Mississippi there is a man who is perfectly clear about what he wants and what he is willing to do to have it.  Paul MacLeod is obsessed with Elvis, Graceland, and everything that has to do with the King of Rock ‘n Roll.  Mr. MacLeod is ready to share his obsession with all who come knocking at his door 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – any time of the day or night…   And why would you want to visit MacLeod?  Because he is the owner of “Graceland Too“, his home, which is crammed, jammed with floor-to-ceiling Elvis memorabilia including photos, records, figurines, cardboard cutouts, candy wrappers, clocks, and any and everything else he has been able to collect since the late 1980’s.  For a mere $5 visitors get to experience sensory overload and spend as much time as they want in Elvis heaven.

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Happy Turkey Day!

Posted on November 25th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

ThanksgivingHornofPlentyTis the season for giving thanks, for appreciating all we have, and all we hope to have in the coming year.  For some, this may be a tall order…

As I look back over the year, I see life has unfolded in ways I never could have imagined a year ago.  I definitely tried  to make things turn out the way I thought they should by setting goals and planning; but life had other plans for me, which are ultimately better than they would have been had I struggled and stressed trying to do things my way.  Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know…

There are master goal setters out there making big bucks teaching people how to set and reach goals.  This has never worked for me, and I’ve had a pretty good life.  I most enjoyed life when I gave up the need to be in control and surrendered to the greater good life had in store for me. 

I set a goal to retire from AT&T several years ago, but after 24 years it became clear that my heart was telling me to leave for my peace and happiness.  I’m sure glad I listened, because I have enjoyed every second of the freedom I’ve had being self-employed the past 14 years.

I was taught, probably like you were, to set goals and stay focused on them until they were achieved.  It sounds logical, but I found I needed to leave room for those diversions that ended up being better than the goal I thought I wanted.

This Thanksgiving I’m giving thanks for the willingness to live moment-to-moment, give up the need to control my destiny, surrender to the flow, and enjoy the ride.  Try it!  Next year you may have even more to be thankful for!

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The Magic of Saying Yes!

Posted on September 23rd, 2009 by Sandy Reed

“No one gives you permission or approval or a permit to lead.  You can just do it.  The only one who can say no is you.”

- Seth Godin, Tribes

A vision came to me this morning.  It was a vision of everything I ever wanted sitting there waiting for me to accept it and enjoy it and use it to build the life of my dreams.  But I kept saying, “No, I’m not worthy of this.  No, I’m not ready.”   But the Universe kept offering it over and over, and I kept refusing to accept it over and over…  Finally it occurred to me that I really can have it – all I have to do is quit turning away what is being offered to me.  The only one who can say no is me!

How many of you are turning away what is being offered to you right now because you keep hearing how bad the economy is, how difficult it is to find a job, build a business, find customers, etc., etc., etc. ?  This is a wake up call if this sounds like you. 

Quit listening to whatever is going on outside of yourself and listen to only what you believe.  As Seth Godin says, “Waiting doesn’t pay.  Saying yes does.”

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A Tribute to the true heroes of September 11

Posted on September 11th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

For most of us today is a heart-wrenching reminder of the horror we all faced eight years ago.  But in spite of the terror that was inflicted upon us, I look back now and see that even though we were all faced with the truth of our mortality, there were many, many people who moved past the fear and gave of themselves unconditionally.  In the face of terror came hope and courage and love. 

Story after story has been published since that fateful day demonstrating selfless sacrifice, courage, and hope.   The spirit of life shines through in the middle of the stress and uncertainty even now, when the world is hopefully nearing the end of a major economic crisis.

 Some of you may be facing what would appear to be devasting job losses, debt, and personal loss.  I wish for you all today that you remember even in the most seemingly dyer circumstances good can ultimately prevail.   There’s always a way to get from where you are to where you want to be if you never give up.

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Marketing with Pizazzz!

Posted on August 19th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

Creative marketing is the name of the game when you’re competing with the mindset of many people that says, “I need to wait to buy this (do this, etc., etc…) until the economy gets better…”  Hertz has found CorvetteAdHertz051a way to cut through this mindset and get to the bottom line – fun!  After all, how many sports car enthusiasts can resist when they have the opportunity to rent a bright yellow, shiny Corvette ZHZ – built exclusively for Hertz… 

Not only are they appealing to the affluent public that can afford to rent this dynamite car, they are limiting production to 500 models, putting it into the classic category, and very probably making it the hottest rental car in the rental market today.

It’s part of their “Fun Collection”.  Guess they got the message that people were tired of renting plain old sedans and compact cars!

I’d say Hertz has hit a home run with this idea!  How about you?  How many lessons in marketing with pizazz can you learn from this one ad?  I’ve counted at least five…

P.S.  And I love their headline – “Reserve some “whoa.”

P.P.S.  Picture borrowed from More Magazine, October 2008 – www.more.com.

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Perseverance in Business is the Name of the Game

Posted on July 27th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

All us business owners know that it can be tough out in the marketplace right now.  There are many businesses closing their doors, and moving on to what they hope will be “greener” pastures.  But for those of us who are hanging in there, we’re finding a new definition of courage, perseverance, and determination to succeed.   If you find it hard at times to keep on keeping on, remember this story.

On July 26, 1989 Mark Wellman, a 29-year old paraplegic, climbed Yosemite’s El Capitan - by ha800px-Yosemite_El_Capitanuling himself up 6 inches at a time.  He reportedly did 7,000 pull-ups on his ascent of El Capitan, a vertical rock formation, and one of the world’s favorite challenges for rock climbers.   However, most rock climbers do not have the added challenge of being a paraplegic…  Wellman took nine days to make the 3,000 foot climb.  The perseverance this feat required is beyond my imagination.  It makes the the small task of spending more time learning how to market and grow my businesses, in the face of a tough economy, seem like child’s play.

Wellman is currently a nationally acclaimed author, filmmaker and motivational speaker.  He has inspired millions to meet their problems head-on and become all that they can be.  He is a two-time Paralympian and former Yosemite Park Ranger.  His book Climbing Back is his autobiographical account of this historic climb.

The next time you are letting the outside world get the best of you, you might want to visit his website at www.nolimitstahoe.com and get ready to be inspired into action!

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Happy Freedom Day!

Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Sandy Reed

Here’s some interesting July 4th facts from our local 3-minute Stockton Record newspaper.AmerFlagHeart

Did you know?  If you ever want to discard a worn American flag, you should burn it or have an American Legion post or Boy Scout do it for you.

The only person to actually sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 was John Hancock.  Most of the men signed it on August 2, 1776.  Benjamin Franklin was the oldest man who signed at age 70, and Edward Rutledge was the youngest at age 26.

Two of our presidents signed the Declaration of Independence – John Adams and Thomas Jefferson – the second and third presidents respectively.

Three presidents died July 4 – John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1826, and James Monroe in 1831.

In 1776 approximately 2.5 million people lived in the U.S.  Today, approximately 304 million live in this great nation.

I hope you enjoy every minute of your July 4th celebration!

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Kudos for us women over 40… 50… 60…

Posted on June 23rd, 2009 by Sandy Reed

buswomenlookingback_thbSex and the City:  The Moviegrossed over $150 million last year, showing all of us that mid-life women still have what it takes…  I thoroughly enjoyed watching Renee Zellweger’s new DVD, New in Town, recently.  And wasn’t that a few lines I saw on her famous face? 

What about Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, and many other famous women who are still making big bucks, even though they are way past their “prime” according to Hollywood’s standards.  I don’t know about you, but I think us women who are “well seasoned” have more to contribute to the world than we ever did when our bodies were young and wrinkle-free.  And more importantly – we’re discovering it’s high time we push past the fear and do what we came here to do, while we have the chance.

Does that sound like any of you?

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Are You Ready for Commencement?

Posted on May 19th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

As many adults and young adults are getting ready to commence on a new life adventure, the education they have worked so hard to obtain is their guiding light.  But in reality, whether we are starting with a new diploma or degree or just utilizing our accumulated life experience and creating a new life from where we find ourselves, we are all in the same place beginning a new chapter in our lives.  It’s never too late to begin again with our newly acquired knowledge.

I have reached a place where traditional goal setting is a hindrance to my joy in life.  As I commence each day, I still feel like I should be setting goals, because that’s what I have been taught for many years.  “You can’t reach a moving target”, I have heard.  “People with goals are always more successful than those who don’t know where they’re going”, they say.  Still somehow setting goals has become less and less attractive to me.  The only two goals that seem to be worthwhile are (1) enjoy life, and (2) follow my inner guidance. 

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Faith – the Key to Transforming Your Business

Posted on May 9th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

 

Faith is defined by Dr. Ernest Holmes, the founder of Science of Mind magazine, as “an idea so inwardly embodied that the mind can no longer conceive of its opposite.”   But what if your business is struggling and you feel like you are living its opposite right now?  What if no matter how hard you try, all you see is its opposite?  When you have faith, such as Dr. Holmes described, you don’t have to “try” to have faith – you just have it…  Here’s an example.

When you get up in the morning do you “try” to have faith that the electricity will work so you can have your morning coffee, or do you know and expect that it will?  When you go to bed at night, do you “try” to have faith that the sun will come up in the morning and you will have all the air you need to breathe, or do you know without a doubt and expect to have a normal day with the sun coming up and air to breathe?

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