In my book “Making the Golden Years Golden,” I help the reader develop plans for their future retirement. Women tend to be less prepared then men. In this article I address the women that are more likely to be less financially savvy, and thus make costly mistakes.

The statistics show that women live longer than men, on the average 8-10 years longer, 50 percent of marriages end in divorces, so you must be prepared to manage your finances wisely if you should be one of the women that are living on their her own. The following are 10 mistakes that are most commonly made as well as suggestions of how to avoid them, or correct them:

1. Being unfamiliar with finances. Women tend to let their spouses handle family finances and all related decisions. Protect yourself by making sure you know of all investments, all accounts, and your name appears on all of them. Joint ownership establishes your legal right to all assets in the event of your spouse becoming ill, or the unfortunate event of the marriage ending.

2. Not saving early enough for retirement. It is never to late, start today. Resist unnecessary spending. However small the steps, start as soon as possible.

3. Investing in one basket. Diversify your investment to reduce risk. When investing for retirement go with lower levels of risk, and put money into accounts that will give you a tax break, such as 401K or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The longer you build up your retirement assets with tax differed accounts the better of a retirement you will have.

4. Starting tapping into retirement account too soon. No matter what is the reason, do not use your retirement money. It is difficult to replenish it.

5. Starting to collect Social Security too early. Some two third of retiring Americans begin to collect early at a reduced rate. If you wait till you 65 years old with collecting your Social Security benefits, your monthly check will be 20 percent higher, than if you start at 62 years.

6. Not purchasing Long Term Health Insurance. Women are more likely not to have Long Term Health Insurance, assuming that Medicare will cover home care or nursing home stay. Medicare will only cover 100 days of rehabilitation and only if you will recover from the condition you are being rehabilitated from. If you purchase LTI early, in your fifties, it will be much lower then if the same policy is purchase in your sixties.

7. Carrying Debt. Decrease debt that so easily piles up on credit cards. Avoid needing to pay interest on credit card balances. Try to enter your retirement years debt free.

8. Not having a Will or Health Proxy. Eight out of ten women do not have Wills or Health Proxy. The first instruction as to what should be done with your assets, the second empowering someone you trust to speak for you when you are unable to do so regarding medical care. If you do not have a Will, the state may step in to administer it (and charge your estate for this favor), if you do not have a Health Proxy, doctors that may not know you will decide regarding your care.

9. Not Planning for Residential Options in the Future. Plan your life after retiring. You will need about 80 percent of your current income to live comfortably. You should preplan your residential situation. Consider scaling down housing expenses. Most of us do not need the large houses we lived in with our children. Research ahead of time what are the option and the cost for them, i.e. retirement communities, residential facilities, senior housing, etc.

10. Women are less likely to start second careers. If you need to supplement your income there are many opportunities that can be suitable for you. You need to research what is available, you may checkout the local school, they always need aides, the local hospital, nursing homes, libraries, they all need part time workers.

Eva Mor was born in Poland to Holocaust survivors. Both her parents lost most of their immediate family to the Nazis. She was born after the war, and her early childhood was in Poland, after which she immigrated to Israel with her family. After the obligatory military service, in which she served in the Air Force, she came to the United States where she completed all her higher education. She has since returned to Israel for two years to do epidemiological research for the World Health Organization of the United Nations.

For the last 23 years Dr. Mor has dedicated her career to bettering the lives of the elderly. MAKING the GOLDEN YEARS GOLDEN brings to you, with much love and care, the information you need for yourself and those dear to you, in order to make the golden years truly golden. For more information about Dr. Mor and her work visit: www.goldenyearsgolden.com

To get your Copy of Making the Golden Years Golden, visit:

John F. Kennedy’s statement ”A rising tide lifts all boats” perfectly describes the boom years of the economy. Throughout the ’00s you really didn’t have to do much to have an OK business. But what about in today’s receding tide? Fortunately the recession won’t take all boats down with it — only the leaky ones. Use attraction marketing to build your business, especially in tough times. Start with these three strategies.

#1 – Communicate with your customers more.

Contact everyone on your email list once a week at least. Remember, though, it’s not only about selling. Customers find value in tips, useful information, articles etc. Sometimes business owners worry about sending too many emails – they are afraid people will leave their list. If your messages have value, people like to hear from you. Except for those who most likely would never have bought. Frequent email contact actually strengthens your attraction marketing.

Postcards are also a great strategy if you have physical addresses. Mail one every 4-8 weeks. Use postcards to promote a special offer each time. Perhaps a customer appreciation sale or a personal consultation with you. Postcards can direct customers to your website where they can view a video or download a special report.

Set up a regular schedule for Facebook and Twitter. I recommend one Facebook post and 1 Tweet a day to start. Sometimes it’s confusing to begin social networking. Get your bearings by creating accounts and then simply watching for a while. Remember the #1 rule of social networking: it’s not about sales, it’s about relationship. Soon you’ll be comfortable with it.

If you don’t have a mailing list, now is the time to start. The list is one of the top assets of any small business. Without a list, you can’t maintain a growth strategy through attraction marketing. Wondering how to start? Writing articles – just like this one – is an excellent list-building tactic.

#2 – Add more value. Instead of offering the same old stuff, innovate. Look for ways to shake things up in all your services and products.

Are you a coach? Add information products and teleclasses. Do you sell a product? Complement it with coaching and training support. Are you a service business, such as a hair salon or a pet-sitter? Offer something extra like a newsletter or a tip sheet. Look for small but consistent ways to stand out from the crowd. Standing out in a positive way makes your business extremely attractive to customers in any economy.

Team up with other businesses for mutual leverage. Think of the neighborhood wine shop creating a wine-tasting evening with cheese and crackers from the gourmet food store around the corner. Or take a gallery that sells artwork – like the one my life partner owns. He sells custom framing that’s outsourced to a framer a few miles away.

Online businesses can also use leverage. I created an audio set on Law of Attraction marketing from a series of interviews with other attraction marketing experts. It only took 6 interviews to create a product. Everyone who participated in the interviews promoted the product to our mailing lists. Talk about the power of leverage! Make a list of experts you could interview to create a valuable collection of interviews your customers would want to own.

#3 – Add personality to your promotions! One of the great benefits of owning a small business is you don’t have to act like an impersonal corporation. Thank goodness! Be quirky (but business-like). Let people know your favorite charity is the local animal shelter or that you love to restore antique furniture or take your Honda Gold Wing out on the open road. Talk about your home town, your kids, your vacation, your parakeet.

Always let customers know why you created your business. Express your passion for it. Also create signature stories – and don’t be afraid to repeat them. Stories have tremendous power to attract people. Especially in hard times, people want to do business with with friends. Express yourself.

Tips: 1) Respect the line between being open and over-revealing your personal life. 2) Stay away from political, religious or other viewpoints that might create controversy. 3) Use personality in moderation – think of it as a side dish or condiment. Keep the attention of your customers squarely on the main course: your business.

About the Author: Andrea Conway is the Law of Attraction marketing coach for solopreneurs and small business owners ready to make all the money they want at the business they love. Receive a free copy of Andrea’s e-report Fire Up Your Business Success Using the Law of Attraction when you subscribe to her free e-zine Successful Self Employment News at www.successfulselfemployment.com

Visit the website and you could qualify for a free Fire Up Your Business coaching session. © Successful Self Employment

My first introduction to Leslie came via her blog. I was shocked, to say the least, when I read the post that popped up on her Painting is my Passion page. If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn’t even have batted an eye, I would have realized it was not that surprising, maybe even normal for a Leslie idea — but I am getting ahead of myself. Roll back a few years…like to the 50′s.

I have been an artist for about as long as I can remember. Born into a family of artists, I grew up in the Appalachians– a baby boomer who learned early on the merits of self-entertainment–2 channels on a b & w TV does not an exciting life make–so art, reading, singing and the like looked pretty darn good from where I stood. Married at 18, a mother at 25, divorced at 32, painting jolted along and hung in with me through lots of life’s ups,downs, sideways, capsizing, etc. etc. Throw in that mix a new guy (now my husband of 20 years), a couple of cats, several moves, loss of a business and suddenly I am 50! Holy Macanonie how did that happen?? A grinding stint at the new restaurant my husband and I had opened and the extended illness and subsequent passing of my father set the stage for what was to become my new life. And it all started benignly with a blog. An art blog. Looking desperately for a way to reconnect with my creative self after an extended absence of such things, I had come across a daily painters blog. I scarcely knew what a blog was, but this blog thingy was full of smallish paintings and the artist was painting and putting a new one up every day for the world to see. And somehow I could see myself doing that. It was small. It was achievable. Anyone who has ever painted can attest to the fact of how daunting a big white canvas can be. Somehow, even in my weakened condition, I felt confident I could tackle a 6 x 6inch canvas and wrestle it to the ground! And so I began. Dreama’s Day to Day Paintings was born, just that quick.

Whereas I grew up in one house buried in the hills, Leslie grew up an air force brat all around the world. Where I was sheltered and shy, Leslie quickly got used to being the “new kid”, quickly making friends and has had lessons in ‘most anything you can name (just check with her siblings on this if you need details). Wife, mother of 3 very athletic sons, I don’t think Leslie has ever spent even 5 minutes in the slow lane. With oodles of marketing experience, she has done as many things in her adult life as she took on as a teenager. Like a lot of us though, she too had her own aha moment. A brush with a life threatening illness caused her to take a step back and think about what she really wanted to be doing. Sitting one day at her desk, hooked up to the oxygen that she had to use during her recovery and listening to an irate client on the other end of the phone…(well, I guess that would cause one to pause and think what in the heck am I doing?) she had her moment. I think how it came down after that went something like this. She said she would like to paint and her adoring husband and sons immediately went out and procured all the things she needed to get started. And start she did. She grew in her skill with her palette knife and with her marketing background decided, amongst other things, that she needed a blog. And so she began. Painting is My Passion was born, just like that.

So, there we were, blogging along, minding our own business so to speak. Each building our following, painting and posting. While Leslie was working on marketing and doing a bang up job, like with her email newsletters and such, I had ventured into holding 3 day workshops and was actively looking for new ideas to inspire my students with. And that’s how I came to stumble across Leslie’s blog one day. Looking for paintings for my students to use in a musical easel exercise that I had designed, I happened upon not just any blog post–but the blog post Leslie had done to celebrate her 50th birthday. As a gift to 27 of her close friends, she had painted 27, count ‘em , 27 sailboat paintings in about 3 days. They were absolutely gorgeous and I was absolutely certain that whoever was behind this marathon painting streak was… crazy.

Which meant one thing and one thing only. I knew I was really going to like her! I emailed her that day to see if she would mind if I “borrowed” her images for my students to replicate in class. She agreed, although I am certain she wasn’t clear on exactly what she was agreeing too…. until a few days later she opened my blog to see 15 of her little paintings laid side by side all painted by the students in my workshop (that was only the beginning, every workshop I held produced another crop of “Leslie Sailboats”).

That was the start of what has become an incredible friendship and business partnership. Over the ensuing months, via email and phone calls, Leslie and I have become reliant on one another–sharing new found ways to grow our business like little kids sharing secrets. It has made work not feel like work. It has brought a sense of adventure to our journey together as artists. I like to think our sum of being together is greater than our individuality of parts. We challenge each other. We are competitive in every beautiful sense of that word, pushing each other to reach higher, farther, faster. In just the past 6 months we have each mounted solo shows, published books, sold more paintings than ever before, and now have our own blog radio show, Artists Helping Artists, that is listened by over 1000 artists every week.

It’s difficult to believe that we actually just met in person for the first time a couple of months ago. We first met, via our blogs, just one short year ago and we both feel like we have been friends forever. I would say I am not as easily shocked by Leslie now as I was that first day I stumbled across her 27 paintings in 3 days for 27 friends, but I would be lying. I would like to tell you I have adjusted, but again, I would be lying. There are days I am afraid to answer my phone or read my email or check my meebo…yes, I said meebo ( a form of instant messaging to further complicate your life with that Leslie got me into). She is always uncovering something new and dragging me along with her. And me with that stupid mantra of saying yes to life….I guess I am just in for many more normal times with Leslie and you know now what that means.

And all because of a blog.

Leslie Saeta is the owner Leslie Saeta Fine Art. She can be reached at: 626.799.8507 ~ http://www.saetastudio.com Visit her blog at: http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

You can find Dreama Tolle Perry’s blog DREAMA’S DAY TO DAY PAINTINGS ~ PAINTINGS OF FRANCE AND ITALY, FLOWERS AND CATS at http://dreamatolleperry.blogspot.com/

Tell us about your business.

Our business is very unique in nature, however, a type of business that is rapidly growing, and becoming the norm in the business world today. The exciting aspect of our line of services, is that it doesn’t focus one particular niche, rather, we have a wide-range of services that are flexible by design to support the individual as well as businesses of all sizes and industries.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?

Being a business owner means many things to me; 1) It means that I had enough faith and confidence to leave the corporate world to start my own business; 2) It means that I had to step up to challenges head on, and step out of my comfort zone; 3) It means that I can potentially be an inspiration to others who struggle reaching their full potential…to take that leap of faith and fulfill their dreams. Why did I become an entrepreneur? Simple…I had no doubts it was the right thing to do, and the right time. I knew that I could do anything I put my mind to…no fear! I wanted to start a unique business that would allow flexibility for my family, bring my works passion to the forefront, stimulate the economy by creating jobs, and hire great talent that would ultimately have the joy of extreme flexibility and growth opportunity.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

I don’t necessarily have a “who” influenced me in business, other than myself. My passion and goal to be my own boss one day was all I needed.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

My greatest professional accomplishment has been my background, my “go get em” attitude, no fear of failure…not listening to those little gremlins on my shoulder that I couldn’t do it.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

The best advice I have received in business is to “lead by example”, have a thick skin in the business world, don’t work by a job description alone…do anything and everything, it will pay off.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

The most effective marketing initiatives has been my website. It took a really long time to write, however, it has gotten great reviews and traffic.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

What is one thing that I have learned as a small business owner? You need to get your name out there, ask for referrals, and be sure to bring “outside the box thinking” to your business.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?

Join the chamber in your area for networking and advertising opportunities, as well as network with other folks in the industry. Don’t forget to work hard toward gaining Public Relation (PR) gigs, such as; articles written about you and your business, radio and TV time.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

Spending time with my family, travel, going out to dinner, ok…going to Mohegan Sun too

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?

Continue to build my businesses to ultimate growth and success.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Follow your dreams, never give up on something you believe in and have passion for. Never find yourself say “what if”.

For more information about Lisa and Her business visit: LR Virtual Resources today!

Washington D.C. 8/28/2010

Yesterday I received  this letter from my dear friend and member of Women of Wisdom, Holly Richardson. It really spoke volumes and I asked her if WE could share it with you. Feel free to leave a comment!

Crowd at Washington Monument

Yesterday, August 28th. 2010, Pat and I attended an event in Washington D.C. that was about FAITH, HOPE, RESTORING HONOR, OUR VALUES, CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY, TRUTH, TRUST, CHARITY AND A TOTAL COMMITMENT TO LIFE. Charity is not forced, it is opening your heart to another human being and that was taking place all around us.

It was not a Tea Party as the News or Press describes (The definition of a Tea Party is a Political Event-politics were not even mentioned only to say “This is not about Politics”). There were not thousands of people there as it was reported, there were approximately 1.5 million people (calculated by how many people fill up each side of the reflection pond (based on past events), the areas around each side of the Lincoln Memorial and past the Washington Monument up the road to the Capital building). There were people from every faith and religion including 240 pastors, bishops, ministers, rabbi’s and priests who were on stage that represented approx. 108 million people from congregations around the U.S. People of every color, size, shape and origin, and those who were democrats, republicans and independents. There were war vets and those who just returned from war. There were families with their children and husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents and their friends. They came from every state in America, some driving from thousands of miles, trains, buses and some walking miles from the subways (about 3 -as some subways were closed because there were too many people). There were parents of sons and daughters who are in the war, have been in the war or lost in past wars. Families who lost loved ones in 9-11, and family members who were part of history from their great, great grandfathers including a direct descendent of the people who arrived on the Mayflower. There were speakers and singers, but no one with a sign, no protestors, no fights, no problems or hatred.

It was about how those before us stood for Truth and Justice and the American way. All the memorials around us spoke of ONE COUNTRY and ONE PEOPLE under GOD. The monuments were engraved with words and meaning that created the framework from which this country was founded and flourished and from our Founding Fathers created the words and meaning for the Declaration of Independence. The last time I read it was over 40 years ago. We should never forget where we really came from.

Now, for those of you who know me know that I am not political nor do I seek confrontation. I am not a tea party-er and have never been to one. I have never been to a political rally. I DO stand for ONE NATION UNDER GOD and believe in GOD and so do millions and millions of other people in this world.

So I ask you. Why does the Press not report the facts or the Truth of what took place at this event where I was? I spoke to a girlfriend who said, “Yes, the news said it was a Tea Party”. I was so saddened because it was so far from the truth of what I have learned a Tea Party was all about.

I have learned a great lesson here in Washington D.C. The niece of Martin Luther King Jr.-Alveda King was one of the speakers and marched along side her Uncle. She also has a dream, just like her Uncle; One Nation, One People, Under God. And Yes, Sara Palin spoke because the event also honored soldiers and they wanted a mom of a soldier to speak so she was part of introducing individuals who won purple hearts and gave their life because they stood for everything we believe in (no political comments were made). It was amazing.

So I am sharing this with you today to help you see the truth. The press, the newspapers, radio and TV do not all represent the truth. And those of us who believe what we read or hear are short-sighted, as I was before I came here. We have to take personal ownership to make a difference in everything we do with Truth and Integrity. Please only take a stand for something you personally know is the truth. What you read even in our local papers take the slant or spin they want. Sadly, you cannot Trust what is always reported on the news, internet or newspaper-you should really try to verify facts from several sources before making up your own mind. It is a shame, but words are just words unless you make yourself a part of the fabric and solution to make your own life and this world a better place to live.

I wanted to write this because I know many of my friends have started to ask me about this. Now I only have to provide this overview once. If you would like to talk about it more, I’d love to. But it is up to you. Thank you for listening and I hope you trust me enough not to put a slant on any of this. Remember, I had no expectations and was at this event looking from the inside out-something so many more of us need to do with our own selves. Honor is like a precious stone and it has taken me many years to learn this. Honor is someone who keeps their promise and I promise you this is the truth.

Thank you for being in my life…

May we all seek new ways to make a positive difference, as tomorrow may never come.

In Love and Respect to Each of You,

Holly C. Richardson

Holly C. Richardson, Former Surfing Champion was a high-ranking Corporate Executive in the male-dominated auto industry before she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Now she spends her time writing about life and volunteering her time to many worthwhile projects including finding a cure for MS.  Holly’s Memoir is due out in early 2011. You can get a glimpse of Holly’s story at: http://wemagazineforwomen.com/this-woman-is-riding-lifes-waves-with-passion-and-grace/

Want to get organized? Let’s bring your desire for organization into reality by developing a plan. Go ahead and groan, but without a destination, you don’t know how to get there. You may have heard of SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Without becoming overwhelmed or too legalistic, you can make SMART organizing goals.

Begin by choosing the space(s) you want to organize. Think about or visualize what you want it to look like when it is organized. It might help you to ask, “I know I will be organized when (fill in the blank with specific criteria).” Select a date by which you would like the space to be organized. List tasks that must be completed and create a timeline. Write down as many or as few details as you need to make the plan and the space functional for your needs. If you are overwhelmed at this point, take a deep breath and consider how much your stress level will decrease once the space optimized and you don’t have to avoid it or spend lots of time trying to find items in it.

Here is a workplace example of the process:

Space: Stand-alone office

Goal: I know it will be organized when I have a clear surface on which to work without having to push items aside each time I need to work on a project.

Tasks:

1. Sort items on top of desk (office supplies, action item to keep on desk, keep in office, belongs somewhere else, toss)

2. Sort other items in office that are visible (not already in a drawer or on a shelf) using same categories above

3. Remove all items that belong to someone else or some place outside your office

4. Evaluate desktop (purchase or from a supply closet) organizing items as needed to contain desktop supplies such as writing utensils, paper clips, etc.

5. Establish action item tracking system for incoming tasks

6. Put the “finishing touches” in your space

7. Determine not to put anything on the desk that doesn’t belong there or isn’t part of your current project

To increase the functionality of your office, you may need to organize cabinets, bookcases, or even create a filing system. You may need to develop additional organizing plans for each of these areas.

Here is a residential example of the process:

Space: Child’s playroom and family TV room

Goal: I know it will be organized when all toys, books, and digital media can be easily stored and accessed and when we have a designated area for watching TV.

Tasks:

1. Sort toys/games on floor (keep, donate, toss)

2. Sort all other toys/games in room (keep, donate, toss)

3. Remove all items that don’t belong in a playroom

4. Sort all other items in room (keep, donate, toss)

5. Evaluate storage spaces, both large units such as bookshelves or entertainment centers and smaller containers such as boxes or bins and acquire (purchase or from other rooms in the house) organizing items as needed

6. Store toys, books, and digital media using appropriate storage

7. Move or acquire furniture as needed to create space for TV watching area

8. Put the “finishing touches” in your space

9. Determine not to bring in any item that doesn’t have a home in the playroom

Now that you have developed your organizing plan with specific short-term objectives, it is time to get started! You do not have to complete each step in one session. Consider working 30-60 minutes several days a week and “define” the time by setting a timer or listening to a favorite CD. Even working 10 minutes a day will bring you closer to your goal. Don’t get stuck in the details. If you hit a snag on one task, switch and work on another task. During the decluttering process, start at one point and move clockwise or counter-clockwise rather than going from one side of a room to another. Reward yourself when you meet your timeline…think consumable, not an item for the room you are organizing!

© 2010 Janice Russell, CPO-CD. North Carolina’s first Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Janice Russell, and her firm, Minding Your Matters® Organizing, have built a reputation for helping business and residential clients organize their space, items, documents, and time using the flexible structure principle™. Janice’s workshops on topics such as tackling the “no time” trap, perishing paper piles, and stopping stuff from being overwhelming are dynamic, informative, and practical. Minding Your Matters® is dedicated to helping people achieve organization with lasting results™ in their personal and professional lives. Janice is highly regarded within her industry. She is a Golden Circle Member of National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and past president of the North Carolina Chapter of NAPO. Janice is the author of the book Get Organized This Year! and two audios: Stop Letting Stuff Overwhelm You and Tackle the “No Time” Trap. For more information, please visit www.mindingyourmatters.com or call 919-467-7058.

Know the Best Days and Times to Contact Leads By Zelda Greenberg

Are sales down? Sometimes you have to look at what is working and what’s not working and revise that master plan. You can’t get stuck in old ways that are just not cutting it in the business world of today. Look at what your sales team is doing and determine how you can do better. Maybe you need to consider the best time to call on a new prospective customer.

Everyone prospects for new leads that will turn into the next client. Studies show there is indeed a best day of the week to prospect for leads and even a best time of day to contact those leads. Have you figured out the best time to call on a new prospective customer? Many people think the beginning of the week is the perfect time for calling on new customers. If that‘s what you have been doing, odds are you’re not closing as many sales as you could be closing. A recent MIT study conducted by Dr. James Olroyd shows the best time to contact and actually reach a new prospect is on Thursday followed by Wednesday. The worst day you could pick for calling on a new prospect is Tuesday. Calling and actually connecting with people on a Thursday will increase your success rate by 49.7%. I like those odds – don’t you?You want to stack all the odds in your favor and convert those leads into customers. To increase your odds further watch the clock. There are best times and worst times to call on your leads. Calling in the early morning before the day actually begins will bear little in return. People don’t have time or patience to listen to you. Calling before the start time to get in touch with the decision maker is not productive and can be annoying. If you want the edge over the competition don’t interrupt their busy day by calling during the 10 AM – 4PM part of the day. The best time to speak with the prospect is 8AM -10 AM and again 4 PM -6 PM. Calling after 5 PM you are more likely to get that decision maker to actually be inclined to listen to you. Use the time of day to your advantage if your territory spans different time zones. Contact decision makers when the day is winding down not gearing up

Many companies generate leads via the Internet. This is the one time when speed will help you beat out the competition. When you get a lead from the Internet you need to react fast. You want to respond during those first 5 minutes while you are still fresh on the mind of the person that is interested in your services. The longer you wait the more your odds of getting in touch quickly will drop dramatically especially if an hour or more time has elapsed. Don’t give your internet leads time to go searching for your competitions website. Don’t get discouraged early in the game. In other years it only took about 5 calls to convert a lead into a closed deal. Not so fast anymore! Now it will take on average 7 touches before you will get a reaction from that lead. So be patient and put in place a strategic plan that schedules your week and daily activity to position yourself for getting the response from your lead. Knowing the best days and times to contact leads will increase your sales. Now that you know the early bird is not the one to always catch the worm use the early morning to plan your daily activity more productively. You can now strategically determine when your targeted prospects should be contacted for optimal success.

Zelda, The Bounce Back Guru, is a keynote speaker, radio host, and author of The Art of Bouncing Back. She speaks to organizations, and associations about positive attitude, living your dream, and bouncing back in challenging times. Zelda is a recipient of the USA Family Owned Business of the Year Award for a multi-state region. To learn more about her keynotes, books, and other products visit www.BouncebackGuru.com or contact Zelda@bouncebackguru.com.

Of all of the creative questions we will — and must — ponder in our lives, this is the core. We must first surrender whatever answers we have to deserving (or not deserving) love. We ALL have old stories. We all have memories and relationships that were not loving enough. It is simply part of life. This is not to teach us that we are unworthy — rather, it is to teach us that LOVE, itself, exists. It is not dependent on another person’s ability to share or offer — or BLOCK it.

So stop today and ask yourself the CREATIVE question, “Why do I deserve love?”  Unlike an affirmation about being deserving, which you may or may not believe, this CREATIVE question will empower your mind to respond. And although you may have some negative responses at first, if you practice the CREATIVE QUESTIONS process and simply let those answers float away, released, you WILL find other answers. Deeper answers. Universal answers.

You see, there IS love out there. It exists all on its own. We do not will it — although we can will it away. We do not create it, but we can UNcreate it in ourselves. What we CAN do is PARTICIPATE in love. So when you ALLOW the creative question, “Do I deserve love?” Be sure that you hang in there for love to FLOOD THROUGH YOU. Because love is huge. It is the ALL. It is the ancient truth that surpasses all else.

So do you DESERVE love? My friend, trust me, you ARE love.

In Love, Monica Garaycoechea, MD

Founder of Coaching The Feminine Way

Program Director of Expand Yourself Now

Creative Questions Co-creator

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It’s too hot outside, and you don’t want to exercise. Well, that’s no longer an excuse! Dr. Lavinia Rodriguez says finding ways to exercise in the summer is easier than you think. Summer provides an excellent opportunity to get creative with your workout routine and have fun doing it!

Tampa, FL (July 2010)—With many parts of the country experiencing record-breaking heat waves and rising temperatures sure to continue until the long-awaited arrival of Labor Day, exercising is the last thing many people want to do. Gearing up to go out into the scorching heat for any errand, much less strenuous exercise, seems downright dismal.

There’s nothing to feel guilty about if you can’t take the heat, sympathizes Dr. Lavinia Rodriguez, a clinical psychologist who is trained in treating eating issues and weight problems. But she also warns that forgoing exercise altogether until the weather gets cooler is simply unacceptable.

“The objective is to sustain an active lifestyle for an entire lifetime,” says Rodriguez, author of Mind Over Fat Matters: Conquering Psychological Barriers to Weight Management (iUniverse, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-4401-0228-8, $14.95). “You want to find as many ways as possible to stay active throughout the entire year.”

While there are a slew of products promising to reduce your waistline and help you shed pounds instantly, exercise has proven (and lasting) results. It doesn’t matter if you engage in the latest exercise rage or stick with tried-and-true walking. “Taking an all-or-nothing approach to exercise in the hot summer months will probably result in your sitting in the cool air conditioning catching up on your DVR,” says Rodriguez. “Mixing up your activities is a must.”

Summer should be the time when you let go of your workout expectations and explore new activities you’ll want to continue all year long. Read on for some tips for finding the right exercise for you this summer:

Back to basics. Many people start aggressive workout programs with high hopes of drastic pounds shed and inches lost. Unfortunately, this is not a reality for most. Going back to step one and establishing realistic expectations and obtainable workouts is key. Not only does having a solid understanding of how exercise effects weight loss empower you to make better decisions, you’ll also see better (and faster) results.

“A solid understanding of how to exercise properly goes a long way in getting your desired results,” explains Dr. Rodriguez. “The objective is to move at a pace that gets your heart rate up where you experience heavy breathing, but not to the point of pain. As always, exercise should be enjoyable, or you’ll never be able to make it part of your daily routine!”

I like to move it, move it. Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean the only way to exercise is with a pricey gym membership. Dr. Rodriguez offers simple alternatives to make the ways you like to move exercise. From playing with your kids to gardening and cleaning house, your daily activities can get your heart pumping and calories burning.

“Make a list of the ways that you like to move,” suggests Rodriguez. “This list might include dancing, swimming, jumping rope, water aerobics, playing tennis, and so on. Finding fun activities inside and out will give you endless opportunities to remain active.”

Take advantage of the great outdoors. Summer provides a much-needed relief from noisy gym classes and gives you the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery as you get fit. Finding ways to be active in the dog days of summer is a must and not even that difficult!

“Summer is the perfect time to make exercise a part of your daily routine,” Rodriguez points out. “For one thing, the weather is warm, so outdoor exercise is much more fun—especially in the milder mornings and evenings. Also, the days are longer and sunnier, giving you more time to enjoy Mother Nature. Remember, there is no better fat burner than an active lifestyle!”

Reconsider the idea of a “hard” workout. Contrary to popular belief, not all workouts have to end in sweaty t-shirts, red faces, and out-of-breath bodies. While these workouts are great (and obtainable for some), traditional workouts are not the only option to weight loss. Finding activities that you enjoy and making them “aerobic” is an easy way to get on the exercise bandwagon.

“The body doesn’t care how we move—just that we move!” says Rodriguez. “While something like playing with your kids in the pool may not be considered ‘formal’ exercise, if kept at a steady pace, it can be. Look for fun alternatives to running or walking that will still challenge you physically.”

Find a way to fit fitness in. With today’s 24/7 lifestyle, it seems harder and harder to find time to exercise. When people think of summer, they think of long, lazy days, but it’s actually full of barbeques, vacations, and shuffling the kids to and from camp. In fact, one of the most relaxing seasons is actually the most stressful! Holding a tight line and staying committed to your workout routine is not easy, but it’s essential to maintaining a fit lifestyle.

“Think about it this way,” suggests Rodriguez. “If you had a doctor’s appointment, you would make sure nothing interfered with that time. Your exercise time should be given the same priority. If anyone asks to see you during your exercise time, decline and reschedule. Creating healthy habits only increases your chance of slimming down.”

Mix it up (workouts, not cocktails, that is)! The monotony of a workout regimen can make even the most dedicated athletes shriek with horror. Let’s face it, working out is not always enjoyable and at times can feel like a chore. Having options can reduce your workout anxiety and help you get into the best shape of your life.

“Nothing says you have to do the same form of exercise all summer,” says Rodriguez. “Use summer as an opportunity to experiment and try new activities by yourself or with your family and friends. The more you vary your exercise routine, the more enjoyable it will be and the more likely you will want to continue.”

“So you see, just because you’re not running several miles daily, it doesn’t mean you aren’t exercising,” Rodriguez concludes. “Summer provides the perfect opportunity to find ways you like to move and ultimately start living a happier, healthier lifestyle.”

About the Author: Dr. Lavinia Rodriguez is a clinical psychologist and an expert trained in treating eating issues and weight problems. For more than 30 years, she has observed how people set themselves up for failure through unrealistic diets and exercise programs, as well as through buying into out-and-out scams designed to take advantage of individuals who seriously want to improve their health and lives. She is concerned about people being misled regarding the most effective ways to lose and manage weight over a lifetime.

Over the years, Dr. Rodriguez has treated many people, has written articles on the subjects of eating disorders in particular and weight loss in general, and has written a book titled Mind Over Fat Matters: Conquering Psychological Barriers to Weight Management.

For more information, please visit www.fatmatters.com.

About the Book:

Mind Over Fat Matters: Conquering Psychological Barriers to Weight Management (iUniverse, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-4401-0228-8, $14.95) is available at bookstores nationwide and through major online booksellers.