Just in Time for Valentine’s Day!

The most romantic day of the year is rapidly approaching, and singles everywhere are cringing at the thought of another year of nervous meet-ups, awkward set-ups, and flat-out failed matches. And while the anxiety surrounding dating hasn’t changed much, the rules certainly have. Dating doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking, but it helps if you do a little pre-date preparation work—and that’s where Dating For Dummies®, 3rd Edition can help.

With new and updated content, author Dr. Joy Browne demystifies the whole dating process in Dating For Dummies, including all the information you’ll need for navigating the contemporary, social-media-driven dating scene where women and men Google potential dates beforehand, tweet after, and even meet on Facebook.

With dating advice for singletons in all stages of life (including baby boomers), you’ll get the confidence to date someone who is significantly older or younger, someone who has been previously married, or someone with children. And it helps you to remember the most important rule of dating: It’s meant to be fun!

Other helpful advice includes:

* Cupid Confidence Boosters: Tips for helping you meet, date, and start a relationship with Mr. or Ms. Right

* Will You Be Mine?: Tips for asking for a first date

* Beyond the Ice Breakers: Tips for brushing up on your flirting

* Surfing Safely: Tips for making safe dating connections online

* The Social Network Scene: Tips for using technology wisely when you’re dating

* Be a Dating Daredevil: Tips for dating with more confidence

Whether you’re looking for a be-mine valentine, a fun Saturday night date, or a happily-ever-after mate, Dating For Dummies is the guide for you!

About the Author: Dr. Joy Browne, PhD, is not only a dating guru, but also a licensed clinical psychologist who is the award-winning host of her own nationally and internationally syndicated radio talk show.

Every once in a while I take the liberty to promote one of my own products and services and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect time to share a book I wrote that never goes out of style.

Romance on a Budget: 199 Cheap Thrills, Romantic Antics and Love-Changing Experiences.  This book is a small hard cover keepsake book the two of you can enjoy reading together. And more importantly find out what each other prefers when it comes to Romantic Antics.

Being Romantic is about… being creative.

It’s about being willing to take a risk. Sometimes it’s being sweet. Sometimes it�s being silly.

Romance is about … the right attitude.

Romance isn’t about how much money you lavish on another. It’s about making dreams and fantasies come true. Romance is about the little things that make a BIG difference in a relationship.

The antics in Romance on a Budget are designed to inspire you, and spark your own creativity.

Some of the antics in Romance on a Budget include:

#18 Spray the perfume or cologne you wear on a light bulb. When the light is turned on the scent of you will fill the room.

#87 Celebrate Love Days every month such as March on over to your love and celebrate Share a Smile Day (Mar. 1st), Call her up on Telephone Day (Mar. 10th), Lips Appreciation Day (Mar. 16th), Flower Day (Mar. 21st ), and Make up your own Holiday Day (Mar. 26th).

#5 – Recipes for making Whippy Do – that can lead to Whoopie!

#138, 139 and 140 – Recipes for Love Potion #9 and so much more…

Romance on a Budget is filled with 199 cheap thrills, romantic antics and love-changing experiences to add ignite your souls, without spending a fortune. Whether you’re a man or a woman, you’ll find many ideas to Raise the Romance Meter in Romance on a Budget.  Want to lead a happier, more love-filled life? Want to bring more passion into your relationship?

Order Your Copy of Romance on a Budget and save $7 Today!

Special Price for WE Magazine Readers only $8.95 each (regular $15.95)

Click her for your copy of Romance on a Budget $8.95 plus standard shipping ($2.95) Total $11.90

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With help from her two daughters Chris Cone and Lucinda Cone, they worked with the member’s of her writing group to compile a 144- page manuscript of original short stories which were all created in the latter part of Cone’s life.

Making her dream of being a published author a reality, Cone’s gift as a writer will be preserved, thanks to her family and literary friends. In her unique collection of contemporary short stories, her writing reminds all of us that it is never too late to leave a legacy. Not only do Cone’s characters exhibit vital, engaging, and rich inner lives, her crisp dialogue and subtle insight into the human condition deliver a delightful mix of laughter and tears.

Here is what Chris had to say about her mother’s book:

Q: What made you and your sister, Lucinda, decide to support the request to publish this collection of short stories?

A: Mary is primarily devoted to the process of writing rather than the business of publishing. Her family and writing group, however, were always interested in seeing her work published. When FolkHeart Press approached us about publishing a collection of Mary’s short stories, my sister and I were thrilled. The book project involved a team of Mary’s colleagues and family. Mary’s writing group (Amy Ingersoll Beauchamp, Claudia Bloom, Terri Tate, and Margit Liesche) assisted Mary in the selection of the stories and provided the book’s foreword; Wordsworth of Marin, owned by family friends Larry and Barbara Brauer, provided copy editing and pre-press services; Mary’s daughter, Lucinda Hitchcock Cone, provided the book cover illustration; I helped facilitate the book production; and Karen Pierce Gonzalez, owner of FolkHeart Press and a dear family friend, provided the introduction, imprint and publication services, and book promotion.

Q: Is it important for writers to see their work published?

A: I believe there is value in publishing one’s work. Not for fame or fortune, but to complete the sacred creative journey from that very personal place in which all that exists is you and the blank page to that community of readers who will find meaning in your story, novel, or article. This is why writing is an art, because it creates a bridge between the personal and the community.

Q: What message do you hope your mother’s work sends to other writers?

A: Mary focused her attention on the humanity in ordinary lives. Her stories bring insight and humor to the life journey we all share. Despite her duties as a parent, her career, and later caring for my father as his health failed, Mary, 88, kept faith with her art and produced a body of work that we are so very proud to debut with FolkHeart Press. Some, like Mary, are writers by calling. I hope my mother’s story inspires other writers to keep writing and share your work with the world. It is never too late.

Q: Do you have a favorite story? Tell us why it is your favorite.

A: “Point of No Return” is near and dear to my heart because it is based on a true story from our family. I’m not going to name names, but as I child I remember gift giving was always complicated by an eccentric relative (not my mother’s sister) who, like Aunt Lila, had a penchant for returning gifts. No matter how thoughtful or useful, all gifts were returned, sometimes the same day as in the story. And yes, it was Mary who doggedly searched for the one gift that would stick. I don’t remember if there was a happy ending to the real life story; I just remember driving back from Christmas dinner with that one lonely rejected gift tucked in the trunk, again.

Through dedication, support and a love for writing, Cone and her daughters prove that anything is possible at any age. For more on information on Moose Mash and Other Stories go to www.moosemash.com.

About Mary Hitchcock Cone: She is a fiction writer specializing in short stories and mystery novels. She began her writing career in mid-life while working for San Francisco Supervisor William C. Blake and later in the environmental field on staff with the Trust for Public Land and Nature Conservancy. In 1997 Mary joined a Marin County–based writing group inspired by author Anne Lamott, whose members meet weekly to share and critique their original fiction works. Mary was married for fifty-three years to the late Russell Cone, a journalist for the San Francisco Examiner, and raised two daughters. She instilled in her children a strong creative spirit founded on the idea that living a life of meaning is an art — that each choice, each risk, each moment of love and understanding is a colorful brush stroke on a ever evolving self portrait. She has traveled to Europe, across the U.S., and throughout California. Mary currently resides in Sacramento, California.

 About Chris Cone: She is an Energy Efficiency Implementation Manager for the Climate Protection Campaign, overseeing energy efficiency initiatives for residential and commercial buildings. Chris helped develop the Energy Upgrade California™ program (one-stop-shop for building efficiency/solar generation providing education, rebates, qualified contractors, and financing). She has over twenty-five years’ experience in the publishing, journalism, and environmental advocacy.

What is my purpose in life?

Deepak Chopra says: “An important part of our purpose in this life is to discover our purpose, and Lissa Coffey shows us how to do that in her beautiful new book “What’s Your Dharma?”

Something within each of us yearns to find meaning in our lives, and to discover the reason we are here in this time and place. The search for purpose is age-old, and it compels us to move forward, to learn and to grow. Lissa Coffey, well known for her inspiring blend of ancient wisdom and modern style, brings us Vedanta’s Four Yogas, and explores how each one can help us to define our unique purpose. What’s Your Dharma? guides us on a journey of self-discovery, and shows us how to create a lifestyle where we can express ourselves creatively and feel fulfilled.

To help celebrate the launch of her new book, Lissa has lots of fabulous gifts for you with your purchase today. In addition, you can be entered into drawings to win some amazing prizes. All the info is here: http://www.whatsyourdharma.com/promo/index.php

Add Joy & Passion To Your Relationship With The Wabi Sabi Approach To Loving Your Mate

Love. It’s right up there with air, food and water as the most necessary of ingredients for existence. And yet, for many people, it’s the hardest thing to find and perhaps even harder to hold on to. The truth is you’re not perfect, and neither is your partner. But you can be perfectly imperfect together.

Arielle Ford’s new book, Wabi Sabi Love: The Ancient Art of Finding Perfect Love in Imperfect Relationships is firmly rooted in the belief that how you choose to see things informs the way they appear for you. For anyone in a long-term relationship, you know how quickly a little quirk and idiosyncrasy can progress from a rub to a burn. How often do you find yourselves arguing over the same little things? But what if, instead of focusing on trying to change that one thing about your partner, you had the ability to actually change the way you look at that one thing? Suddenly, the focus of everything in your relationship would shift.

Here is a message from Arielle about the book:

This concept is based on the ancient Japanese art form known as Wabi Sabi that honors all things worn, weathered, imperfect and impermanent. It is the imperfections that make something beautiful and unique. By applying this concept to love relationships, Wabi Sabi Love allows you to go from “annoyed to enjoyed” with simple, fun, and effective ways to embrace this life-changing shift in perception. Your relationship will never be the same.

You can learn more about the book and grab five special gifts from her friends and colleagues when you buy Wabi Sabi Love here: http://thewabisabibook.com/

Because this story is your story!

If you have been reading WE Magazine for a while you know that I seldom recommend books written by men. Why? Because there are just too many great books written by women that still need to be shared and since this is a magazine by, for and about women, I generally stick to that. However, I had to share this one with you because my friend Paul Streitz just launched this wonderful book and I think you should check it out. Read on to learn more…

Here’s what Brian Tracy has to say about it:

“This wonderful, warm, inspiring book will motivate you to set bigger goals and then persevere over all obstacles until you succeed.” =

A new book has convinced me that the most addictive kind of story does not come from Hollywood. Rather, it’s the story of someone like you and me, facing the kind of dramas we all face. It’s called Blue Collar Buddha, by Paul Streitz.

This is a story of tragedies and triumphs, love gained and lost, ups and downs and lessons learned. The details may differ, but you know Paul Streitz’s hopes and heartaches as well as you know your own. In thirty uplifting stories of personal and professional enlightenment, Paul shares the hard-earned wisdom he gained from overcoming debilitating childhood insecurities, shocking betrayals at work and at home, and two life-changing bouts with cancer.

Ultimately, with integrity, ingenuity, and indomitable will, he created a rich, fulfilling life and a business worth millions.

Following each story are self-reflection questions that challenge you to consider similar experiences in your own life, the effect they’ve had on you, and how you can learn from them as Paul did.

Blue Collar Buddha provides a powerful reminder that life will present you only with obstacles you can overcome, and that adversity is the gateway to greatness. You’ll come away better equipped to face tough times and use them to fuel your drive towards a new level of success and fulfillment, as Paul Streitz did.

Order Blue Collar Buddha through the link below and get valuable FREE BONUSES: http://www.bluecollarbuddha.com/

Enjoy the read!

Heidi

“What you have to give, you offer least of all through what you say; in greater part through what you do; but in greatest part through who you are.”

Tuesday September 20th is the official release date for my friends, Bob Burg and John David Mann’s brand new parable, IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. Written in the style of their huge international bestseller, THE GO-GIVER, the story is woven around captivating new characters who will both touch your heart and show you how to be the leader and influencer you’ve always known you can be.

Set once again in the fictional Pindar’s town (with some inside references readers of THE GO-GIVER will enjoy bumping into!), this book expands on the first book’s Third Law, “The Law of Influence,” showing what happens when an unexpectedly cagey mentor by the name of Aunt Elle takes the ambitious young Ben under her wing and shifts his focus in a way he never expected.

The book is filled with quotes you’ll use the rest of your life! And if you currently lead a team, my guess is you’ll most likely suggest that everyone on your team read it.

In fact, after I read the book, here is what I wrote to Bob and John: “Bob Burg and John David Mann have done it again! They have written a captivating book that is more than just a business story. It is a story about leadership–and life. It’s Not About You reminds me of my favorite movies. You know, the ones you see on the big screen and then buy the DVD so you can see them again? I highly recommend you read it from cover to cover. When you do, you’ll want to read it again, and the second time you will be reminded exactly why you bought the book in the first place. It’s that good!”

If you like, you can go to www.INAYbook.com and download Chapters One and Two. If you like what you read (and I believe you will) you can click right through and purchase online, or wait and pick it up at your favorite local booksellers.

You’re going to love this book.

Learn, prosper, and most of all, enjoy!

Heidi Richards Mooney, Publisher – WE Magazine for Women

Expert Reveals the Secret is to Start with a Little Soul

Debt-ceiling debates, credit-rating crises and international economies teetering on a double-dip recession might just be more than enough to scare would-be entrepreneurs out of the risky business of pursuing their ambitions. But not all of them.

Self-made success story Melissa Evans believes innovators who have come to know their true strengths and align their business with their purpose and natural abilities will succeed even in turbulent times.

“Entrepreneurs and companies who have a clear understanding of who they are operate with certainty and confidence, which are the two things businesses and customers want most in these troubled times,” said Evans, a healthcare industry consultant and author of Sole to Soul: How to Identify Your Soul Purpose and Monetize It “Everyone is not broke in this economy, some are thriving. Monetizing your purpose is the best way to have an abundant life.”

Hers is a modern, spiritual take on a classic economic theory: Countries and individuals are most successful and efficient when they know what they do best and focus on it. Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking more control over their financial futures or those looking to remake their careers after a layoff aren’t out of luck if they look inward and define their natural talents, she advised.

Evans offers these points for those looking to swim against the economic undertows:

• Entrepreneurs must start by looking inward: They must know, love and be themselves to be successful.

• They must inspire people to become aligned with their strengths and natural abilities and to put those skills to good use and to work for the good of their community.

• Business people and companies must understand and assess the importance of being clear about their service so that customers can find them.

• That clarity and forthrightness, in turn, will help people and companies monetize the talents and skills they offer, while removing limits to their growth.

“These are times that call out for individuals and business – and even our nation – to clearly define what makes them powerful, unique and able to move forward,” Evans said. “The greatest eras of economic growth occur when individuals, communities and countries embrace their gifts, talents and purpose and come from a place of genuine service – then they will be financially successful.”

As legions of both the unemployed and working people face the prospect that the overall economy will not improve soon, Evans believes a defeatist attitude is the worst possible path to take for individuals and the nation at large. Having interviewed scores of successful business people who succeeded despite the odds against them, Evans said the path to prosperity is clear: Those willing to work toward a single-minded, soul-inspired goal are successful and in turn create abundance for others, she said.

“You can monetize your ‘soul’ purpose, but it’s not all about the money – it’s about your gift and what you offer to others,” she said. “Those who understand what skills and traits make them special, who then develop a purposeful business plan and know how to remove the barriers that stand in their way – even a barrier as big as a recession – will and do succeed.”

About Melissa Evans: Melissa Evans, MHA, PMP, Master Coach, self-made millionaire at age 31 and “The Guru of Implementation,” founded The Broshe Group in 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. With her focus on the healthcare industry, Evans helped numerous companies improve patient care, safety and service while growing profits. Her privately-held company serves clients worldwide. Read more at www.soletosoulbook.com

Five Surprisingly Doable Steps That Will Propel You to the Top

No, there’s no easy, top-secret, and foolproof recipe for succeeding in business. Instead, says OfficeMax Cofounder and former CEO Michael Feuer, the components of reaching the top are available to everyone, and they revolve around focus, discipline, and follow-up.

Have you ever said to yourself, How in the world did [insert name of powerful business executive] get to where he is? He’s not any smarter than I am! Well, chances are you’re right. That executive who made it big probably doesn’t have more powerful brain cells than you…but what he (or she!) probably does have are three non-glamorous but crucial qualities: focus, discipline, and follow-up.

“These three qualities might not sound extraordinary, but they can truly set you apart,” says Michael Feuer, cofounder and former CEO of OfficeMax and author of the new book The Benevolent Dictator: Empower Your Employees, Build Your Business, and Outwit the Competition. “The truth is, there isn’t a simple magic bullet that will propel you straight to the top. Success in any endeavor, especially business, really comes down to specific character traits and habits. If you have those qualities, you’ll excel. And if you don’t, you probably won’t.”

Feuer (pronounced “Foyer”) speaks from experience: He has launched a number of successful business ventures, including OfficeMax and his newest business, Max-Wellness, a new and unique health and wellness chain. And he insists that making sure that you constantly work with focus and discipline, and always, always follow up are crucial ingredients of getting the results you want—whether you’re launching a start-up, leading a team of employees, or going after that big promotion.

“Before you ever craft a sales strategy or walk into a client meeting, whether or not you have a chance of success has already been decided by how you think about your work, what you have to do, and how you do it,” Feuer asserts. “Outcomes are shaped by your focus, discipline, and commitment to follow-up…or lack thereof. It’s important to remember that achievements are often less dependent on your technical know-how and more dependent on how you organize and think.”

Read on to learn what these three qualities look like in practice, and how you can make them work for you:

Take good notes. Taking notes in business is just as important as it was in your advanced economics class in college. Your brain isn’t always as powerful as you think it is, and having a written record of your boss’s project analysis or your colleague’s sales strategy can save you from having “oh darn” moments, and can set you apart from the pack and put you on a straighter path to success.

“I’ll frequently dictate the notes from a meeting the second I walk out, or appoint someone to act as a scribe beforehand,” Feuer shares. “I keep all of my past notes in a folder on my computer, and I also always make sure to jot down next steps. These habits ensure that nothing falls off the radar unintentionally, and that I always have a good idea of what needs to happen next. Oh—and I often shock new team members by writing the letters ‘FU’ and a date at the bottom of my notes. New people are always relieved when they learn that those letters aren’t a pejorative, but a shorthand I use as a reminder to ‘Follow Up’ by a specific date!”

Do what you say you will, period. In today’s dog-eat-dog environment, a person’s word isn’t always his or her bond. And that’s a shame. When you fail to follow through on promises and commitments, you imply that you lack discipline and—perhaps—shouldn’t be trusted with more important tasks and objectives. However, if you cultivate a reputation for being completely reliable, you’ll enjoy more responsibility and success as well as better business relationships.

“I routinely tell my employees that I’m not their father and won’t babysit them, and that if they tell me they’re going to do something, they’d better make good on that assurance,” Feuer says. “I can’t afford to have people on the team who are undependable. However, I do provide alternatives by giving everyone three acceptable ‘outs’: They can tell me that they can’t finish on time, that they don’t want to do it my way because they have a better idea, or that they think their assignment isn’t worth the effort and can convince me why.”

Give homework assignments. A leader’s job is to make people think and discover alternatives. It’s a great way to determine who on your team you can rely on and who is capable of taking a project to the next level. You can afford to invest in developing someone who is interested in developing.

“When I give assignments, I keep a running tally of what happened or changed from previous sessions on the same topic or project,” Feuer elaborates. “No matter if you’re on the giving or receiving end of homework, remember that the way these assignments are handled is a great way to gauge attitude, commitment, potential, reliability, and whether or not someone is a player.”

Scrap your iron-clad five-year plan. Being able to work with focus and discipline is generally a good thing…unless you’re focusing on things that won’t help you or propel you forward! To help prevent this, Feuer recommends developing a short-term plan with a six- to nine-month outlook. This plan will help you get through the year. He also recommends creating a longer-term plan with a seventeen- to eighteen-month strategy. It will encompass the goals and benchmarks you need to achieve during this time period. Why have two plans instead of one? Well, the world is simply evolving too fast to rely on a one-size-fits-all five-year plan.

“I’ve found that many organizations spend too much time thinking about what’s going to happen way down the road when all they’re doing is guessing. And when their predictions turn out to be inaccurate, they find out too late that they’ve been focusing their efforts on the wrong things,” he says. “You must always be ready to modify your plans when necessary, change quickly, and deal with the unexpected. That’s what will make the difference between a company that might get by and one that is good or even great.”

Use a rifle, not a shotgun. When you fire a shotgun, your shot hits a wider area, but it lacks focused precision. In business, a shotgun approach gets the job done…but usually doesn’t yield outstanding results. Sure, you’ll hit something with a shotgun, but the price in doing so seldom provides the big payback. Yes, a rifle or laser-sharp approach will take more planning and forethought, but in the end you’ll probably save time and resources. It pays to identify exactly what needs to be done and then focus relentlessly on accomplishing those objectives.

“Trying to cover a wider area and hoping that something resonates is inviting your efforts to fall short of the mark or even backfire,” Feuer asserts. “A laser-sharp strategy is much more practical, productive, and economical. So make sure that you’re ready, and that you aim well before you fire!”

“When you take the time to focus, have discipline, and require follow-up, whether you’re a business owner, a manager, or an employee moving up the ladder, you’re creating a road map that documents what has to be accomplished and by when,” Feuer concludes. “Few things ever fall through the cracks when you follow this process. It is the most direct way I know to set yourself up for success!”

About the Authors:

Michael Feuer cofounded OfficeMax in 1988 starting with one store and $20,000 of his own money, a partner, and a small group of investors. As CEO, he grew it to more than 1,000 stores worldwide with annual sales topping $5 billion. He is also CEO of Max-Ventures, a venture capital and retail consulting firm, and founder and CEO of Max-Wellness, a comprehensive health and wellness retail chain that launched in 2010. After opening initial laboratory test stores in Florida and Ohio, a national roll-out is now underway.

Dustin S. Klein, contributor and editor of The Benevolent Dictator, is the publisher and executive editor of Smart Business Network, publishers of Smart Business, the nation’s second-largest chain of regional business publications. He has interviewed thousands of senior executives and civic leaders across America. He is a regular presenter on business-related issues for public and private business audiences and is a frequent guest on television, radio, and Internet programs.

Did you ever expect to be an author?

Absolutely not. I am definitely an ‘accidental’ writer. Unlike many authors I write out of my passion to teach, which is how the book came about in the first place. While teaching at a University, another instructor and I were discussing the lack of training for the students (Communication Majors) in the field of Social Media as it pertained to business. I began working up a curriculum for a new class and the next thing I knew I was getting the book published!

What do you enjoy most about writing now that you’ve taken that plunge?

For me it’s still about helping others learn the skills and techniques that I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way-to be able to be successful themselves.

If I understand correctly, by profession you are actually a designer/marketing professional? How are the two connected to your writing?

Well, like all authors I write what I know. Something that I help my clients with are their marketing undertakings. Whether my company, Collipsis Web Solutions (www.collipsis.com) has designed a website for them or through my print graphics house, Paige1Media (www.paige1media.com) we have created print material resources, at some point marketing comes into play. When it does, my books will help them sell their products or themselves.

Tell us a little bit about this first book, “Market Yourself”?

Market Yourself! Is a beginner’s guide to social media. There are chapters on using Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, all the big social media outlets to their fullest extent in your marketing efforts.

Will you be writing again in the future?

Absolutely, now that I’ve started, I’ve found a love for the written word. I am currently working on my second book, “31 Days of Marketing” a step-by-step 1 month intensive course on marketing any product. It should be out by the end of this summer.

To learn more about JP Jones, her writing and her companies, you may visit www.marketyourselfthebook.com