Exceptionalpeoplemagazinemayjune2018issue by Atela Productions, Inc.

May/June 2018

The Power of Failure â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Let It Drive You to Success 7 Proven Strategies to Increase Cash Flow 25 Ways to Successfully Lead Others

BREAST CANCER: What Every Woman Needs to Know Dr. John West

Founder and Publisher Editor-in-Chief Monica Davis Writers & Editors Jon Crump Marla Gem Suzanne Harris Company Writers & Contributors Donna Carletta Kathy Kentty Pat Markel Other Contributors Andrew Horton Greg Williams Jack Canfield Annemarie Cross Art and Graphics Designer Jenette Antonio Sityar Exceptional People Magazine is published bi-monthly by Atela Productions, Inc. The opinions of the contributors are not necessarily those of Atela Productions, Inc. Exceptional People Magazine is a copyright of Atela Productions, Inc. The contents of this publication may not be printed, copied or distributed without the express written consent of the Publisher. Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved.

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P R O D U C T I O N S , INC.

Letter from the Publisher Motivation! Believe it or not, it’s the driving force behind our successes and achievements, and how we impact others in our lives. Here’s my question to you. What motivates you everyday? Some of you may have experienced unexpected setbacks, but there's something that’s keeping you motivated to continue moving forward. Some us of are self-motivated. Others become inspired to change their lives when they see other people like them excel well beyond their expectations. Still, others become inspired after hitting rock bottom and there’s no place to go but up. Taking on a fighting spirit, they realize that something must be done to change the direction of their lives and having faith is of great importance. Unique skills, talents and great potential are not always self-evident, and sometimes people need others to help them discover their talents and abilities. They become motivated to change their perspective on life and change their daily actions because someone has shown them a new path to success. It’s never too late to begin the process of change. You can start from wherever you are at the moment. Zig Ziglar once said, “People say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily.” In order to consistently live your best life and have a positive impact on others, you have to be inspired and motivated daily to take positive action in all areas of your life. Are you motivated to live your life to the fullest? If not, I encourage you to find your "motivator" and begin living up to your true potential starting today. Until next time...

Monica Davis

Contents Extraordinary Profiles

Dr. John West

Laura Dewey

Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know

To Travel a Successful Journey, You’ve Got to Dig Into Your Baggage

When life puts you in a tough situation, don’t say “why me”, say “try me”.

Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know Dr. John West

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

hen your wife has breast cancer, everything changes. Even if you’re one of the country’s foremost breast care surgeons.

John West

About two years ago, Dr. John G. West’s wife Jan learned she had a lump in her breast. West had recently written Prevent, Survive, Thrive: Every Woman’s Guide to Optimal Breast Care after a patient had asked him, “What would you do if I was your wife?”

The irony of the timing of Jan’s diagnosis and the book’s release did not escape John or Jan West. Following a lumpectomy and whole-breast radiation, Jan is thankfully doing fine now.

Prevent, Survive, Thrive provides women with the same practical, evidence-based guidance on critical breast health issues that West gave his own wife. The book speaks frankly about the latest breast cancer prevention, screening, and treatment developments, pointing to strategies and options that Dr. West has seen work over his 40+ year career. Much of the information is out of the realm of most general practitioners and OB/GYNs, who are simply too pressed for time to stay current.

Best Doctor in America

Dr. West, director of surgery at Breastlink in Orange County with over 40 years of experience, has performed over 20,000 breast surgeries. He’s authored three books and 20 peer-reviewed articles. Cofounder of the breast cancer detection outreach Be Aware Foundation, he has been named a Best Doctor in America and recognized as one of the “Best Doctors in Orange County.”

Now, West’s team approach to both trauma and breast care has spread nationwide. While great strides have been made in detection technology and risk factor accuracy, specialists in the field including West are alarmed at new guidelines which inexplicably raise the base mammography screening age from its former 40 years to a riskier 50 years. West’s “40not50.org” initiative exists to bring awareness to this issue.

And he has a history of solving problems that result in unnecessary deaths. For example, during his surgical training in San Francisco, West was accustomed to seeing serious trauma victims transported to the area’s single trauma center to be treated by an in-house team of experts. But when he moved to Orange County, he saw a young boy die needlessly after a car accident. So he conducted a groundbreaking study comparing death rates of trauma victims in the two different locations. West’s study inspired the establishment of the first county-wide trauma center system in the U.S. Not one to rest for long, West became disturbed with the plight of breast cancer sufferers. Detection was often late, care was slow and fragmented, and surgery was often needlessly aggressive. With other like-minded colleagues, West pioneered the idea of a same-day breast care center where radiologists, breast surgeons, breast oncologists, and plastic surgeons could work together far more effectively as a team.

Exceptional People Magazine | May - June 2018

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES We were recently honored to speak with Dr. West, a dedicated force for positive change in the lives of thousands of women across the country. Monica: What inspired you to become an advocate for women with breast cancer?

Dr. West: I did my surgical training at UC San Francisco. One of the first operations that I saw as an intern was a radical mastectomy on a 34-year-old woman. They were taking the dressings off the next day, and I said, "My god. She's just mutilated." I went to my wife that night and said, "I love surgery, but I sure don't want to do radical mastectomies in private practice."

May - June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

I started private practice in 1973, at which time they didn't have mammograms. They had minimal chemotherapy. I watched things evolve very quickly. Detecting cancers before you could feel them was a major step forward. Oncologists were starting to get drugs at that time. Plastic surgeons were helping us with immediate reconstruction so the patients looked good afterwards. It became an organized team approach. We needed the breast imager, the breast pathologist, and the plastic surgeon. We needed to have the whole team in one spot. It took awhile, but that's ultimately what we did. We made so much progress and that got me motivated.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES My wife also was actively involved, teaching breast self-exam and lymphedema prevention. Then she ended up with breast cancer, which was fairly shocking to us all. But she's been a real trooper and she's done really well. A big issue for me is doctors not spending enough time with patients, not being aware of some of the basics of breast care, not being aware of risk assessment, not being aware that they should start screening mammograms at age 40, not at age 50. And if women have dense breasts, they need to have extra imaging. There are a host of issues that need to be addressed. One incident that really drove it home for me was talking to a second-opinion patient. I think I was probably her fifth “second” opinion. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "Tell me what you'd do if I were your wife." And I knew that that's what every woman wants. My book is written as though it’s for my wife or daughter. Monica: What has it been like to challenge the latest mammogram guidelines?

Monica: How did they conclude that mammograms should start at the age of 50? Dr. West: I don't know exactly. They don't allow specialists into the meetings. One thing I do know is there's so much data showing that mammograms are life-saving. But these are not people that are trained in breast care. The preventative task force was established to set guidelines for primary care doctors, which is good. But the guidelines should start mammography screening at age 40, and do it every year as long as you're healthy. If you have a family history -- for instance, if your mom had breast cancer at 45 -- you should start at 35. If you have a very strong family history, you should get genetic testing. If you're positive, you should start MRI screening yearly at age 25 and mammography screening at age 30. Monica: What are some recent advances in breast care? Dr. West: The big breakthrough is a three-dimensional mammogram and that's picking up a lot of cancers that were missed on the standard 2D mammogram, so patients don’t have to keep coming back for additional views. The vast

Another big advance is the understanding of the importance of breast density. About 50 percent of U.S. women in the 40-year-plus age group have dense breasts. Since density is white and cancers tend to show up as white spots, it's like finding a snowman in a snowstorm. Fatty breasts appear mostly black so cancers are easier to detect. But only about half of women have fatty breasts. Women who have dense breasts should be informed by their doctors that they need alternative imaging, most commonly ultrasound. The ultrasound doubles the pickup of small cancers in these women. It saves lives. But here in California, a poll taken showed that less than one percent of women with dense breasts were told by their primary care doctors. That's disturbing. Another problem is that medicine is getting more complicated. It's hard to be an expert in every field. Primary care doctors don't have that much time because they're spending so much time on the computer and seeing higher volumes of patients. Most of these doctors aren't even aware of what I'm telling you. That's why I wrote the book. To empower women to take charge of their health, they must assume their doctor doesn't know what to do. They need to know more than their doctor, and they need to know when to say to the doctor, "If you don't do it the way Dr. West says in his book, I'm going to find another doctor." Monica: Speaking of finding another doctor, how can women become their own advocates? Dr. West: Read my book. I got an email a few years back from a woman in Ireland. She wrote, "Thank you, Dr. West, for saving my life." She went on to say she was 34 with a couple of young children. She noticed a little flaking on the tip of a nipple of one breast. Her doctor gave her a little salve. Two months later, when she told the doctor it was getting worse, he gave her a stronger salve. But she read my article on Paget's disease on the internet. That's a condition where cancer cells are right in the tip of the nipple. It’s very curable when caught early. She brought my article to her doctor and said, "This is what Dr. West says." They did a punch biopsy, which I recommended. And she did, in fact, have Paget's disease of the breast. She was empowered by my article, but it’s easy to get confused by all the different information on the internet. If you want answers on breast cancer care, get my book, Prevent, Exceptional People Magazine | May - June 2018

Dr. West: It’s been very frustrating. The recommendations are based on faulty data. Their studies came to the preposterous conclusion that 22 percent of breast cancers will disappear if they're not treated. They asked for no input from breast specialists to come up with these absurd guidelines. They're going to end up with women dying needlessly.

majority of time we can figure out what's going on with the first set of images.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES Survive, Thrive: Every Woman's Guide to Optimal Breast Care. If the book doesn't answer your question, then email me on my website and I will get back to you. I want every woman to be empowered to make the right decisions. Monica: What causes of breast cancer are there, other than heredity? Dr. West: Most common are family history of breast or ovarian cancer. If they have that and we find they have the mutation, they're at very high risk. We follow very closely with the MRI or sometimes do prophylactic nipple-sparing mastectomies. That's a small group, but it's important. Some association with risk factors is found in lack of exercise, a high sugar or carbohydrate diet, high alcohol intake, and for menopausal women starting estrogen or progesterone for treatment of menopausal symptoms. We know that if women just take estrogen to control symptoms after a hysterectomy, it's safe as long as it’s low-dose. But if they have a uterus, they have to go on estrogen plus progesterone, and after four years that starts causing increased risk in breast cancer.

Monica: Are you a proponent of integrative medicine and nutrition with a holistic approach? Dr. West: I agree with most parts of it. I think they talk about eating food that has not been processed and eliminating or minimizing sugars. And they're pretty much into the value of exercise. We live in an environment with so much processed food. We need to eat more natural foods: seeds, nuts, avocados, hummus. Apples are a great choice. Berries are a great choice. Monica: What do you consider to be your most impactful work to date? Dr. West: I established the first coordinated, organized county-wide trauma system in the U.S. That system has now been implemented in almost every state and country. I had to go against the government at that time. Everybody said I was crazy and that I couldn't do it. I took a bold stand on something I believed in, and it’s something I'm very proud of. Every time I hear of a patient going to a trauma center and living, I feel a sense of pride because I got the first one going. So when I started out in the care of patients with breast cancer, I knew we needed a team approach. We needed surgeons, breast imagers, breast oncologists, plastic surgeons, radiation therapists and research teams. And so we put it all together into one office. We had one of the first completely organized breast care centers in the United States. And we had same-day service. May - June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

So if a person found a lump, we would see them within 23 hours of the call. We also developed a program so women would come in, get their mammogram, get their extra views, and see the surgeon the same day. These were major contributions. Then we integrated the genetics into it. We've expanded our research program so that we can conduct research studies. So for something that started as an empty building and is now an entity that's been practiced for 30 years, has saved a lot of lives and provided a higher-level of service, I feel incredibly proud. Monica: You have made a major mark in this area of health care. Dr. West: It's been worth it. My wife's been supportive all along. She teaches our programs on self-exam, and she has a lymphedema education program. She ended up with breast cancer a year and a half ago. They found it on the threedimensional mammogram. It was less than a quarter of an inch. So, she had a lumpectomy. They performed inter-operative radiation that took out a lymph node. It turned out that the lymph node was positive in the permanent section, not on the frozen section. So she had to go back and have whole-breast radiation. I remember driving her to the hospital. I was very nervous. I thought “I'm taking my wife to the hospital for the kind of surgery I do.” It was upsetting. But we got through it, and she got through it. She's a very strong individual. Monica: What do you want your legacy to be? Dr. West: I don't have to have a legacy. Just knowing that things are working makes me feel good; knowing that I took action on something that I feel so passionately about: early detection. And it's not just me. It’s been a team effort all along. Women are getting mixed signals from the medical community. Some doctors are saying they don’t need to start until the age of 50, so women don't know who to believe. It might save them some money in the initial period, but it's going to cost them later. The lifetime cost of treating a stageone breast cancer is $50,000. The lifetime cost of treating a stage-three or stage-four cancer can run over $1 million, and a high percentage of them don't survive. So the economics are in favor of doing it. I encourage them to visit my website, www.breastcare.com. My book Prevent, Survive, Thrive: Every Woman's Guide to Optimal Breast Care is available on Amazon. 

TO TRAVEL A SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to dig in to your baggage

Laura Dewey

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

omewhere along the line, you hear a message about yourself and you believe it. The message might say you’re smart, dumb, attractive, ugly, helpful, annoying… anything. How long you believe that message determines just about every aspect of your personal and professional life. That’s what Leadership Coach Laura Dewey believes, anyway.

Alcohol didn’t stop her from working her way up the corporate ladder at the Bob Evans/Mimi’s Cafe restaurant chain. She moved from General Manager to Market Partner to Director of Training to Director of Operations Services. Always performing to prove her worth, she nevertheless felt separate, different, and somehow isolated from her colleagues and coworkers. Personal relationships were

She’s not the only one. A recent Harvard Business Review article states that the one quality evident in virtually every great entrepreneur, manager, and leader, is self-awareness. It goes on to say that the best way to improve your effectiveness - whether as a mom, a wife, a waitress, a community organizer, or a CEO - is to become more aware of what’s motivating you and your decisions.

Dewey, a corporate powerhouse turned executive coach and founder of The Self Leadership Lab, learned all that Harvard stuff the hard way. The daughter of a compulsive hoarder, she grew up with a gnawing embarrassment about her home’s appearance. This quickly transformed into self-shame so painful that the young teenager started drinking before she even entered high school.

Founder of the Self Leadership LAB Laura Dewey, a leadership coach and trainer, addresses attendees during the “High Level Listening” workshop. Photo by Kait McKay Photography

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

elusive as well, as Dewey never truly felt right in her own skin. The drinking escalated over the years until her coworkers staged an intervention. And that’s when she finally found the courage to look inside, discovering that her early hoarder shame was still eating away at her confidence.

And as you know, the stats are dismal about high-level executives and board seats for women. In the same way, some women feel they don't have much of a voice in their family. The skills I teach are universally applicable to help women stand taller. Monica: What inspires you to be a leader versus a follower?

Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2018

Dewey stopped drinking for good and embarked on a new personal journey. You see, she doesn’t like to repeat mistakes. Laura: I think it's in my DNA. I always moved up quickly, Her recovery from alcoholism led her on a path of selfno matter what I was doing. I'm a little embarrassed to say I discovery culminating in a Master’s degree was one of those young women that didn't in Spiritual Psychology. And when she least really have goals. My plan was to just do expected it, the finally-whole Dewey met the best I could any given day. Guess what Leadership is her soulmate, married him, and even wrote a happened? Good things kept following. about creating an book, Shine Your Light, about it. It was promotion after promotion. So I environment where think there's something about me that is Today, Dewey runs the groundbreaking people want to follow promotable. The Self Leadership Lab experiential you. It's about being training, where participants are I am a problem solver. I like to make things someone they can encouraged to release their inner mad better. But I've realized in my own life that scientist to conduct fun, practical selfI'm not a pioneer. I'm someone who takes count on when the discovery experiments. In workshops such something that already exists and makes going gets tough, and as “Powerful Presence,” women practice it incredible. Sure, I had to be a pioneer in someone who will help specific skills to take ownership of what’s my own business. But as a younger woman them rise. Ideally, a happening on the inside so they can be I loved to look at things and troubleshoot leader is someone who more empowered and successful on the them. That really lends itself to leadership, outside. and I was always in a leadership role in my creates more leaders. past career. Based in Orange, California, Dewey also does executive and personal coaching, training and Monica: Were any of your family leaders in speaking for companies. She helps high powered executives, their professions? middle managers, artists, housewives, and people from all Laura: No. I didn't have any modeling of that in my young walks of life to find their voice and develop positive behaviors life. That's why I think I'm wired this way. It seemed quite and habits to learn, grow, and succeed. natural. That said, oftentimes we're not prepared. Often, In our recent interview with Dewey, it became immediately companies promote someone because they're the best at clear that she is passionate about helping others, particularly what they do in their current role. But leadership requires a women, to develop confidence and equip them with the completely different skill set. tools to make better decisions. We think you’ll learn a lot from I was left - as are many young leaders - to figure it out through this interview. trial and error but I learned fast, and I don't like to make the Monica: Your work with women is helping them gain a seat same mistake twice. That helped me continue to grow and be at the table. promoted along the way. But many companies just promote without specific leadership training. Laura: Not every woman wants to be a corporate executive. Some do. I want to equip – not just empower – but actually Monica: In addition to a certain skill set, does leadership equip women to make the impact that they want in whatever require a certain mindset? they want to do. If it's in the corporate world, super. If it's in Laura: Absolutely. My work is really “inside-out” work. I help their community, awesome. If it's in their own family, terrific. people navigate their complex inner world so they can be The role of women, obviously, is in the news right now, and more successful on the outside. Mindset is a key component. women are looking to make a bigger impact in their world. That's where it all begins.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Attendees engage in experiential learning during the “High Level Listening” workshop from the Self Leadership LAB. Photo by Kait McKay Photography

Monica: Why do so many women lack the confidence to move forward and become leaders? Laura: There's some societal conditioning that teaches women not to stand out. Or maybe in their family the messaging was “That's not for you.” Some people grow up believing they can do anything and that they're incredible. We believe what we think. Much of the time it's simply not true. It's something we made up along the way and we’re still holding onto it. Personally, I wasn’t confident - but in business, I was. Everyone has messaging that they hold onto. It affects them throughout their lives until they become aware of it. One thing I do is help people become aware of their beliefs, and I help them question them. Everything is up for questioning. Monica: Why do you think women are starting to be bolder in taking on leadership roles and higher-level positions in corporate America? Laura: They've seen other women speak up. I believe women feel safer having these conversations because it's become more commonplace. That's usually how change happens. There are crusaders who open the door for those who may not be as courageous. Monica: During your journey, have you encountered resistance from male counterparts? May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

Laura: I came up at a time when the restaurant industry was quite male-dominated. I don't know if it's unique, but I never thought of myself as a woman first. I thought of myself as a leader first. Because of that, I didn’t encounter a lot of resistance. I was just doing my job. We can have the best plan in the world, but if our inside is not aligned, nothing is going to happen. Monica: What does leadership mean to you personally? Laura: Leadership is about creating an environment where people want to follow you. It's about being someone they can count on when the going gets tough, and someone who will help them rise. Ideally, a leader is someone who creates more leaders. Monica: How do you help women empower themselves and provide them with the tools they need to step into leadership roles? Laura: My Self Leadership Lab series here in Orange County is experiential learning for professional women. It's a series of five events happening every other month. I've been coaching one-on-one and training executives within businesses for years. I recognized a need and thought, "Let's bring this to the public." So I'm providing five different topics in a very cool learning environment: Emotional Self Mastery, High Level Listening, Powerful Presence, Growth Mindset, and Authentic Leadership.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES Every day we have to get from point A to point B, from getting out of bed on time, to creating a career, managing our family, or whatever. That can either be full of stress and struggle, or it can be graceful - more of a straight line. The difference between those two ways lies in the skills of self leadership. What's happening inside? How am I managing myself so I can be more effective on the outside? The lab part is fun and uses a three step formula for an exceptional life and workplace: Be highly self aware, learn cool new skills, and do experiments to build habits. Whatever I do - coaching, training, or holding these experiential workshops - we use these three steps. Self awareness is key. We can't grow if we don't know where we are. We need to take an accurate self assessment. Then there are skills that no one taught us in school, like emotional self mastery, how to manage the chatter in our mind, resilience, prioritization, and how to mitigate stress. So I'm all about teaching very specific skills, and you leave having practiced these processes and skills.

So often, you go to a workshop or a seminar and you hear about something - but you don’t practice it. In mine, we actually try the skill. We do it, so you leave with it inside you. Because if it's inside you, you're much more apt to repeat it in the future. Monica: Can anyone become a leader, or is leadership meant for a certain type of person? Laura: Anyone can learn skills to help them be a better leader. If you're open, willing to learn, and willing to practice, you can become a leader. Monica: Should parents encourage their daughters to become leaders? Laura: In many ways, we already are leaders. We are leading our lives every day. The question is: Where are we leading ourselves? If we're ineffective, we're leading ourselves to be ineffective. Parents should let their daughters know that leadership is available to them - that there's nothing that holds them back from that. If someone does not want to pursue that, that’s okay. Self-leadership is about making choices that serve you. So if a young woman wants to be a leader, super. If not, super. Monica: How can those who are being led help foster the leader’s excellence? Laura: Most people learn best through adversity. If everything's going well and the leader's always skipping through the daisies, they're probably not growing.

What a team can do is have challenging behaviors that forces the leader to step forward, honestly. Leaders grow exponentially by having the difficult conversations and by upholding standards they're uncomfortable upholding. That's how you challenge a leader and help them grow. If you want them to look good, just do the right thing all the time. Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2018

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES Monica: Would you mind talking about some of the things that you overcame to help you build the foundation to help others? Laura: I grew up being uncomfortable in my skin. My mother was a hoarder, so I had a lot of shame. When I was around people, I didn't feel that I belonged. To keep my insecure emotions in check, I started drinking at about 14. At first, I felt prettier. I felt smarter. I could talk to people without feeling stupid. I even managed to build a successful career while I was drinking. I’d work like crazy, and I'd go home and drink. I think a lot of women – and men, too – have a similar cycle of secret drinking.

Anyone can learn skills to help them be a better leader. If you're open, willing to learn, and willing to practice, you can become a leader.

Eventually that wasn't working any more. I wasn't functioning very well. But I was too afraid to do anything about it. I had no idea how to live life without alcohol. Thankfully, after an intervention, I got sober. That was such a gift. I have so much compassion now for others because I have been there. When I became sober I started to question everything I thought to be true about myself and the world. I had to do that. That's when I learned to accept myself, perceived faults and all. I learned to feel okay in my skin – and not just okay, but really good in my skin. I learned how to be close to other people, and I met my husband.

Monica: How has your knowledge and work impacted other women? Laura: The executives I coach have a tendency to get promoted. My inside-out approach helped one woman move from VP to CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer) in a major healthcare organization. Initially, she was viewed as too young for the role and a bit of a hot head. But because of our work, those perceptions faded away, enabling her to secure the coveted position.

So clear thinking, creativity, productivity, and promotion. They're able to have difficult conversations. They're able to uphold standards more easily because once you understand where emotions come from, you know it's not you. It's the other person. Your job is to simply uphold the standard.

One major byproduct of my work is a dramatic reduction in stress. Women tend to be really busy and stressed. Because of the tools I teach, that tends to abate. They have more energy to do what's in front of them. They have a lot more peace. They come from a place of value. In short, they get what they want faster. Monica: What do you love most about what you do?

Everything you want is so much closer than you think. It's true. If we just take the limitations off, we'll find that everything we want is so much closer.

Then some years later, I took that growth mind to continuing my education. My background is in spiritual psychology. That's where I learned the skills that I teach today. It was the most amazing program and it changed my life immeasurably.

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

Another woman was working in a lucrative business, but her heart wasn’t in it. Because of our work, she went on to found a thriving business that fills her soul with purpose every day.

Laura: What I love most is when the light bulb comes on and somebody says, "Oh, my goodness." They have an insight that changes everything. I also do some pro bono work, usually with women in transition either from alcohol and drugs or economic hardship. Working with a group of women who had challenges with employment, I got a lovely LinkedIn note saying how much one woman enjoyed it. It's amazing that something so simple can be so life-changing.

Monica: What needs to change for women to become more inspired to take on leadership roles? Laura: The environment is changing right now, and this is a great time to step forward. I would like to see women shift their mindsets because I think we limit ourselves. The world does some limiting, but let's not limit ourselves. Monica: Your last word? Laura: Everything you want is so much closer than you think. It's true. If we just take the limitations off, we'll find that everything we want is so much closer. 

May/June 2018

Creating Passive Income When You Have a Full Time Job 20 Minutes to Achieving a Stress Free Work-Life Balance Looking for a New Career? Network Like a Pro

Helping Dads Raise Strong Sons Dr. Antonio Harrison

Contents Extraordinary Profiles

Dr. Antonio Harrison: Helping Dads Raise Strong Sons

Roc Mwongozi

From East Oakland to the Upper East Side: A Personal Success Story

Empower Yourself

7 Proven Strategies to Increase Cash Flow in Your Small Business

Looking for a New Career? 11 Ways to Network Like a Pro

20 Minutes to Achieving a StressFree Work/Life Balance

39 41

25 Ways to Successfully Lead Others

Creating Passive Income When You Have a Full-Time Job

45 47

Defining Your Own Personal Success

The Power of Failure: Let It Drive You to Success

Brand Awareness: Are you Building or Damaging your Reputation?

How to Combat Negative Affects Association has on Negotiations

Lighter Side of Life

52 54

Recipes Profile Resources

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson

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Do you want to build your Influence, Impact & Income? Let’s talk: www.ThePodcastingQueen.com Annemarie Cross has been podcasting and interviewing national/ international guests since 2008. Through using podcasting and online technologies she has been able to build a global business and now supports her clients in creating their own global visibility and media platforms. She has been listed among Top Entrepreneur/Business Podcasts and has also been syndicated on Zimbabwe Local Radio. Annemarie Cross Business Mentor & Communication Strategist Microsoft Australia Brand Ambassador | VIP Influencer CEO & Founder: Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast Network Host of Women In Leadership Podcast

Dr. Antonio Harrison

Helping Dads Raise Strong Sons March-April 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

he term Renaissance translates to “rebirth” and refers an era of innovation, discovery, and reason. The Renaissance encompasses progress in art, science, geography, literature, culture and just about every other facet of human existence. This enlightenment exploded out of the Dark Ages, centuries of misery, sickness, and cruelty resulting from an ignorance of classical learning and values. Antonio Harrison’s boyhood was a bit dark too. His father, a casualty of the cruelty of institutional racism in the US, had turned to drugs during a lifetime of hardship and misery. While his dad was in prison or under the influence, little Antonio spent many hours doing what children of drug addicts often do: Wait. And wish. And hurt.

Today, Dr. Antonio Harrison runs Renaissance Behavior in Pasadena, California, where he helps fathers foster, build, and maintain relationships with sons through open and honest dialogue that’s based on respect and trust. The aptly-named consultancy combines Harrison’s diverse array of skills and experiences: He has taught Behavior Analysis at Purdue University and University of West Florida for the past four years. He’s the father of three boys and a loving, committed husband. He’s been coaching football at the high school and collegiate levels for nearly ten years. Hallmarking his current work is “Doc’s Daily Dose for Dads,” Harrison’s daily YouTube inspirations. Rather than loftily flouting his many degrees and accomplishments, Harrison’s messages and presentation are comfortable, practical, and yes, enlightening. This Renaissance man’s feet are clearly still on the ground, walking the sometimes difficult road of fatherhood. His goal? To share what he knows to be true with other parents: That love, understanding and honesty help kids excel far more effectively than harsh discipline and emotional distance.

Dr. Harrison recently let us in on a number of truly amazing tips for success. Read on and learn. Monica: What was growing up like, for you? Dr. Harrison: My childhood was kind of rough and a little bittersweet. I grew up in a low income area. My father was hit hard by the crack epidemic in Los Angeles in the 1980s. One of his own family members got him hooked on it. That led to situations where I would be left inside the car for an hour and a half while he was in a public park restroom using drugs. My mom would work two and three jobs to save up for a Christmas gift which would be pawned for cash on December 26. My dad was in and out of jail since age 12, including most of my life. The only thing that kept me together was my mom's unconditional love, and looking out for my little sister. But when my dad wasn't using, he was an excellent father. What I loved the most, and what built our strong relationship, is that he owned his flaws. He held himself accountable and was honest with me about everything. He never tried to cover it up or make excuses. This allowed me to understand that that part of him was an addiction; it wasn’t him. His honesty created a tight bond between us. I respected him as my dad but I also loved him as an individual, and we became close friends. I also had support at school, where I happened to excel academically and in athletics. I was able to forget everything Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2018

Thankfully, Antonio’s mother was not only reliable and trustworthy, she provided him with unconditional love, helping him to excel academically and athletically. This steady flow of maternal support combined with his dad's unique openness and admission of his addiction kept Antonio on the right path. He developed the strength, discipline, and self-worth to earn a BA in Psychology from Grinnell College, and an MA and Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Instead of thinking, "What's the worst that can happen?" ask yourself, "What's the best thing that can happen?"

www.rebirthbx.com when I was on the field or on the court. Nothing else mattered except that ball, the person in front of me, and my teammates.

when coaching high school football teams. Dealing with high school boys is about being honest, open, and talking to them instead of at them.

So although it was rough and I grew up fast, I learned a lot and I wouldn't change a thing.

Monica: You have made it your life's purpose to serve others by helping them avoid some of the experiences that you had. What in particular would you like to help change?

Monica: Those lessons are now serving you well, in a different way. Dr. Harrison: Very true. My father taught me how not to be, but he also taught me about fatherhood: being loving, vulnerable, and willing to take care of his family no matter the situation - and knowing that things are going to be okay. I instill these lessons in my own children. I see a lot of my father’s good qualities in myself when raising my children and May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

Dr. Harrison: My show is geared towards fathers and sons, but most of it is beneficial for all parents. For example, one focus is our hyper-sensitive politically correct world. The benefit of that is that it's exposed a lot of ugly people. Many are men. Unfortunately, the notion of masculinity is often synonymous with misogyny, sexism, racism, and machismo. Masculinity is being tied up in all this negative connotation through the media.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

But people forget that everything in this world is inherently linked to its opposite. So when dealing with masculinity, there is a feminine character component as well. And any feminist has to have a masculine character component. I want fathers to know that being male, being masculine, and teaching your son to be a man are good because it means that you’re strong but you also have the courage to be vulnerable, to protect and support. You’re someone who takes care of your responsibilities and is willing to accept what you don't know and face what you fear. It's not about bravado or being the alpha male. That is not at all what masculinity is about. Monica: When young men and fathers first meet you, what perception do they have of you?

Dr. Harrison: I have a PhD in behavior analysis but I'm a light-skinned black male and I've got a bald head. I've got a muscular stature and I'm fully tatted on my arms. When people first see me, especially if I'm in my coaching gear, they have an automatic judgment, like everyone does. We all make immediate judgments based on observation. But once they hear my story, they realize that I'm not going to throw a bunch of technical terms at them, and they're more open to receiving what I have to share. Some people need someone who looks like them and sounds like them to be able to help turn their lives around or open up new avenues. Monica: Was there a defining moment in your life that inspired you to take this path? Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2018

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES Dr. Harrison: After grad school I was teaching, coaching, and doing odd jobs, searching for a passion. But I was only going around in circles in my own head. It wasn't until I said, "You know what? I'm just going to try things I'm interested in and let my passion discover me." That’s when things started to happen.

I want my kids, any kids, and all fathers to be able to say things like "I love you" and give their kid a kiss and a hug in front of anyone. To be silly, to play and laugh and embarrass themselves without worrying about what other people think. The only thing that matters is what your kid thinks of you.

I said, "Wait a minute. I've been a teacher from kindergarten all the way up through high school and graduate school. I coach high school football. I've played sports. I have three boys. I have a great connection with my father. I had a rough life. I love public speaking and I love helping people, especially young men. Maybe I should do a show to help fathers and sons, using my educational, personal, and work background.”

Monica: What do you see for the next three to five years, for yourself and in terms of what you're doing for young men?

I also had an a-ha moment in a sandwich shop. I saw a quote on the wall that said, “Success means many different things to many different people. It does not mean the amount of money in your bank account, the kind of car you drive, or the job you hold. True success is how your kids describe you to their friends." That just blew me away.

Monica: How has working with young adults changed your life? Dr. Harrison: One of the things that I've learned is that there's so much life to be had. Some of the things that kids think are going to make or break their future – whether it's the SAT, winning a basketball game to be chosen by a scout, or breaking up with their girlfriend – they're minuscule events in life. They have so much more time to grow. It has caused me to slow down a little and put things into perspective. I don't need to have my kids grow up as fast as I did and strip them of their innocence, imagination, and creativity. My work has allowed me to understand that they're still kids. Monica: How would you sum up your impact on others? Dr. Harrison: The impact that I have on fathers and sons allows them to build, foster, and maintain a positive relationship based on trust, respect, honesty, and communication. One father I worked with grew up in a household where males didn't show affection. His father said hello to him by shaking his hand. When I asked him how that made him feel as a child, he shared that it made him feel less love and more formal; that he couldn't talk to his dad. I told him to think about that with his son. I said, “For the next week, every time you see your son, give him a hug.” And of course it surprised his son who was in high school at that point. But like any kid, the boy wanted that affection and love. May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

Dr. Harrison: We've got some projects coming up. We're doing a theatrical performance in an intimate setting in a black box theater. The goal is to make parents cringe a little bit and think about who they are as individuals. If you don't have a full grasp on who you are, how are you going to try to raise children? We also have a podbook coming out, based on a 25-episode podcast I did with my father. It chronicles his life. My father was one of ten siblings in the deep south, in Louisiana, where his mom picked cotton for a sharecropper. At age twelve, he shot the sharecropper for forcing his mom to work when she was sick. He fled alone to Florida and got into a life of crime, was in and out of prison, and then joined the military. Then the drugs came along. Then family came along. The podcast includes my mom, dad, and sister. It chronicles all the way to present day. We're transcribing it with commentary from me for the book, which will include a USB flash drive so you can hear the conversation between father and son. Monica: What do you love most about what you do? Dr. Harrison: I would be lying if I didn't say selfishly that one is when I am emotionally thanked in front of a group of people. It sounds self-serving, but it exemplifies everything that I try to teach. I was coaching a young man in high school football and I became close with him. He had a strict dad who worked and traveled a lot, and I became his surrogate father. During his sophomore year, this young man blew out his knee. He worked hard and played a little in junior year. He blew it out again in senior year, but we were able to get him a scholarship to a college team. At the banquet, he stood up and talked about being tough and about how he had been stressed out about college. He talked about how he’d worried that if he didn't get into the right school, his parents were going to be upset, and his education would be wasted, and he wouldn't know what to do for the rest of his life. Then he talked about a conversation we’d had. I’d asked him, "What happens if you don't get into any college at all?" His first response was, "I don't know. I'd be so depressed."

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES I said, "Okay. Let's get over that part. What would you actually do?" "I guess I'd get a job." "What kind of job would you get?" "I've always liked to detail cars, and I love music. Maybe I would try to get a job at an auto sound place, and then maybe open up my own business.” I said, "So there are options." As he told this story, he began to break down and cry, and I began to weep in front of all of my players and my wife. I could never replace his father, but at that moment I was the man in his life that he needed right then and there. That touched me very much. But what touched me more was his willingness to be vulnerable and emotional in front of a room full of people – a football team – where everyone expects bravado. Monica: What advice would you give fathers?

There are two things I do with my own children which I always suggest for fathers. First one: My sons and I have sayings that we repeat every single day without fail. Before I drop them off at school, I tell them, "I want you to have a good day, work hard, be a good leader, have fun with your friends, and listen to your teachers." Then I have them repeat back to me and I say with them, "You're smart. You're kind. You're important. I'm proud of you. And I love you." I give them a hug and a kiss and send them on their way. Before bed, I ask what they're thankful for that day, and what they loved about themselves that day. Then I share what I'm thankful for and what I loved about each one of them that day, and something specific that they did. And then we all repeat together, "The inner reality creates the outer form. The universe bears no ill will to me. I bear no ill will to it. I become what I think about." You can create your own phrases. The same way that words can tear people down, a consistent positive message can build them up. It can give them self-esteem that they’ve never had before.

We do fun things. We explore things. I don't spend any money. For example, my middle son loves music. He wants to be a rock star and play a white electric guitar like Jimi Hendrix. So I took him to the Guitar Center, found a couple of guitars that were his size, plugged them into amps, and let him play them and beat on some drums. We talked about it and let his imagination run wild about playing in concert venues. Each son gets his own time with dad. I not only have a relationship with my family, but I have a relationship with each of my kids that's going to be different... plus date night with my wife so that our relationship stays strong. Monica: That is absolutely amazing advice. Dr. Harrison: My wife and children are number one. If I need to stay up an hour later to get some work done that I didn't finish because I was spending dinner time with them, then so be it. If I need to wake up an hour earlier to get my workout in, then so be it. Monica: You’re helping young men believe that there is so much that they can accomplish. Dr. Harrison: Whether you believe me or you're skeptical, check me out. Give it a chance. My website is www.rebirthbx.com. Feel free to contact me. Instead of thinking, "What's the worst that can happen?" ask yourself, "What's the best thing can happen?" 

Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2018

Dr. Harrison: A lot of people think, “I’ve got to change the way I think.” It's impossible to change the way you think. But you can change what you think about. I always like to give tangible pieces of advice and actual activities that fathers can do to see the relationship being built firsthand; to see their behavior change.

The other piece of advice is for parents who have multiple children. I've got three boys. It's hard to do things with each kid individually. So every week, we have a Tuesday hang out. Every Tuesday one of the boys gets to come with me and hang out somewhere for three hours, one-on-one. Kids need that.

From East Oakland to the Upper East Side:

A Personal Success Story Roc Mwongozi

oc Mwongozi has always known how to stay clean - no matter how dirty things got around him. As a boy growing up in crime-ridden East Oakland, California, he was regularly blasted by peers for refusing to take part in the growing drug culture. While many of his friends followed the hollow promise of quick earnings, Roc knew that drugs would lead him nowhere fast. Born Rahmaan Mwongozi, the young man studied his surroundings, learning everything he could about becoming independently wealthy. With his parents’ support, he headed to Morehouse College in Atlanta where he earned a Bachelors in Finance and Economics. Right after college, he took a job as a financial analyst - at a company called Enron. At that time, Enron was the country’s 7th largest corporation. Valued at over $65 billion, Enron was admired as a new business model for the 21st century. But not long after landing this job, Mwongozi found himself being berated by his boss in front of his entire department because he’d been unable to reconcile a set of data. Undaunted, the 23 year old dug in, discovered the problem, and solved it - instantly eliminating inaccuracy while saving the company 25% in processing hours.

Now a proven efficiency intrapreneur, Mwongozi landed at AT&T, moving up the ladder rapidly into senior positions with his innovative approaches to problem-solving. Subsequent analyst positions at Hilti, PennWell, and most recently Pfizer have seen him streamlining myriad operations issues and saving millions in processing costs. And during all that, he earned his MBA - plus Graduate Certificate in Information Technology from NYU. Today, Mwongozi is an independent business analyst based in New York City. He helps others by sharing his skills and insights as a podcast host and motivational speaker. Specialties include personal development, writing for self-discovery, problem solving, systems analysis, grief discovery, project management, and job interviewing. Mwongozi is a dedicated dad, committed to guiding his family and the world - on how to ask smart questions to find solutions. He’s also just written a book, Inner Demons, describing his scramble out of Oakland and into Manhattan’s toniest neighborhood. The book discusses the universal challenges we all face in our pursuit of successful, meaningful, authentic lives. Since he was a boy, Mwongozi has embodied a “no excuses” attitude which manifests in excellence. But what distinguishes Mwongozi from other inspirational figures today is his willingness to candidly discuss the mistakes he’s made, the Exceptional People Magazine | May - June 2018

Most Americans over 25 remember how Enron’s leaders and culture were exposed as the perpetrators of one of the world’s biggest financial frauds. But Mwongozi got out before that happened - and once again, he stayed clean.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES insecurities he’s felt, and the personal struggles he’s experienced on his way up. He’s also particularly grateful to all who have helped him, starting with his first babysitter. Roc Mwongozi may have reached his financial and career goals, but he’s clearly still on a mission: to help others succeed financially and personally too. We hope you enjoy his words of encouragement. Monica: You grew up in poverty and violence which destroyed many of your peers, but you found your way through it all, and moved forward. What made the difference for you?

Roc: I’ve asked myself that question all my life. I think it comes down to a couple of things. In some ways, I’ve just always believed in myself. That doesn’t mean that I expected to set the world on fire and be the CEO of some Fortune 500 company. I just knew that I was better than settling for nonsense. Oakland, California was a very interesting place in the ‘80s. On one hand, I didn’t know any better. Yet I could see things in my environment that just didn’t sit well with me. As crack started to infiltrate the city, I saw the effect that it had on people. I wanted more out of life. People tried to knock me down, saying, “Why do you think you’re better than everyone else?” But I wanted something more. Somehow I felt that I deserved it. I also had my mother and my father supporting me. I had great parents. Their marriage didn’t work out, but I never felt that they didn’t love me. I knew that whatever efforts that they were taking, they were for me. I was eternally grateful for that. Both of my parents are people of tremendous faith -- my mother being a Christian, and my father, a Muslim. They fundamentally believed in the power of God and the traditions that they were following. Hard work, dedicating yourself to being kind to people, and being of service to people. I think that rubbed off on me. Monica: I would imagine that you had a shift in mindset. Oftentimes when people are in those types of situations, they can’t see beyond where they are. Roc: Growing up with the legacies of racism and segregation, Jim Crow, slavery, and all of that, it was assumed that the outcomes for people in my circumstances would be terrible. May - June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

But for me, it was a matter of competition. If you think poorly of me, I’m going to go out of my way to show you that you’re wrong. The more you push me, the more that I’m going to push back; the more I’m going to go out of my way to prove you wrong. It’s always been this fire within me but I don’t think it’s unique to me. I may have been a bit hard-headed and rambunctious as a child but I simply refused to allow other people’s expectations color mine. That really propelled me. I’ve been given so much grace in my life that it’s my responsibility to share that with other people. All of my success has been because someone extended grace to me. Someone provided a pathway for me. So now I want to provide that to other people. I believe we all are intrinsically good and have wonderful power within. Monica: You have a professional background in the IT field and you’ve worked for companies like AT&T, Pfizer, and Enron. How do you apply systems analysis theory to solving problems outside the technology space? Roc: A problem in life is no different than a problem in business. There’s a question that needs to be answered. There’s a problem that needs to be solved. In our personal lives, we don’t understand the value of our emotions. Sometimes we let emotions carry us away and that clouds our judgment and rational thinking. I’ve had my ups and downs and my tribulations. It’s been a loop between the success that I’ve had at work and being able to apply that to my personal life, and vice versa. It comes down to properly identifying your goals, the resources that you have available, and what you may be lacking. Seeing how you can marry all of these things together to move you, not to your end goal, but away from the current situation. You have to be curious. If you find yourself in a work environment that’s not providing personal happiness, or you’re in a dead-end job, what specifically isn’t fulfilling for you? What would you rather do with your time? When you identify what you would like to do, then you understand what it looks like - but you have to keep asking questions. Go to that place of business. Go to someone who’s doing it and ask the question, “How did you get here? What is it like, day to day?”

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES Monica: How important is it to have a team of people supporting you? Roc: It is imperative to have a team around you. Obviously, there will be work that you must do alone. But no one makes it through every situation alone. It’s about identifying what resources you lack and also being confident. Just because you lack resources, that’s not indicative of your value. We all have value that can’t be diminished. We may simply lack resources, or understanding. So seek out people who know more than you, people who have experience. Humbling yourself is important. We often fail to seek out mentors and partners because we feel that it will diminish us, or our victory. But we can’t achieve anything great alone. Surround yourself with people who want the best for you.

However, there is an implicit understanding that you can’t just extract from others. You have to offer something of value as well. Maybe that value is being an apt listener. Maybe that value is being supportive of what they’re trying to do. You may not be as accomplished, but we all can contribute - whether it’s a listening ear or a helping hand. You have to create those relationships. It starts with being of service to other people.

Accept the crazy notion that you are, in fact, a good person, and you’re valuable. Your unique perspective is one that the world needs.

Exceptional People Magazine | March - April 2018

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Monica: Who helped you rise above your circumstances while growing into adulthood? Roc: There are literally too many people to count. My mother had me when she was about 22. Back in the ‘70s, that was fairly normal. She dedicated her life to providing me and my sister all the resources that she could afford - everything that she could bring to bear to make our lives better. I love my mother dearly. My stepmother doesn’t hold her tongue. She’s very honest. She helped me understand perspective and that you can’t tell yourself lies. When information comes in, you have to take it as true. You have to be honest with the information that you’re given. My father had a lot of passion for his music. He was an exceedingly kind man. Outside of my immediate family, I just saw people take an interest in me or in my family. They did things for me and my family that they didn’t have to do. May - June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

For example, when I was a year and a half old, my mother had a job interview and she needed someone to babysit me. There was a woman who ran a childcare service out of her home. When my mother appeared at her door, the woman initially said, “I don’t have space for your child. I have too many.” But then the woman saw that my mother was trying to do something to better herself. So she said, “You know what? I’ll watch your kid for a couple of hours. You take your job interview and we’ll figure something out if you get the job.” Her name was Miss Nelson. My mother got the job, and that job put me through college, providing for my life. Now, it’s possible that if Miss Nelson hadn’t said yes, perhaps my mother would have found another job. But Miss Nelson gave of her self. She wasn’t a wealthy woman. She was a poor woman living in East Oakland. She just took an extra step and gave what she could. The smallest gesture given by someone changed my life.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES Monica: Looking back on what you’ve gone through, and how people have uplifted you, what is your perspective on life today? Roc: For a long time, my life was geared mainly toward not being poor. I worked diligently to move myself out of the environment of poverty that I was in. There were things that my parents weren’t able to provide for me. I wanted to be able to provide those things for my daughter. When I look at society and see the increasing feeling of hopelessness, strife and animosity that people seem to be showing each other, I feel some responsibility because again, so much of my success and confidence is a result of the grace of other people. It’s not that I haven’t provided that to other people. With so many blessings in my life, it felt almost wrong not to take a more proactive approach to combating some of the negativity in my community and in the country. When you look at the problems of the world, they are huge, and many of them feel very intractable. I’m under no delusion that I will be able to change everything but it always comes back if you can change just one person’s life.

Roc: My book is an attempt to tell my story and share my journey. Many successful people will tell you, “These are the steps to take to be successful. This is the mindset that you need to be successful.” That sounds good, and while it’s true, they miss an opportunity to describe exactly how it’s implemented, and the personal cost, the personal investment. Like when they didn’t make the right decision or the day-to-day struggle of it. These things take a lifetime. You can’t just flip a switch and it’ll all be magically better. I want to share the times when I had successes along with the times that I wasn’t successful. Why I made certain decisions. The mistakes I made and the lessons that I learned from those mistakes and decisions. I am literally and figuratively providing an open book that allows people to see aspects of themselves in some of the situations that I’ve encountered and have overcome. Monica: When a person can relate, they’re much more likely to find a way to overcome. Who are you attempting to impact with your story? Roc: I originally wrote it for my daughter. She was entering her teenage years. We’re very much alike. I wanted to give her something that she could always refer to and know that her father understands the struggle and the process. I may

As I wrote, it grew beyond that. So there are a couple of audiences. It’s for young people in their teenage years who feel that natural angst of lacking confidence. There are stories about going through college and early adulthood, learning that in order to achieve what I wanted, I had to leave some things behind. I had to proactively choose a brighter future and not hold onto the things from the past. My mother always liked to say, “Don’t hold the nickel so tight in your hand that I can’t put a dollar into it.” I always took that to mean, don’t hold onto what you have so tightly that you can’t receive the blessings that are ahead of you. There are stories in the book about my marriage, and how I wasn’t a good husband. My book is not about me being this great, intrepid hero who goes into the world and does everything right. I made mistakes, and I wasn’t the best husband. I didn’t have the vocabulary to communicate with my ex-wife at the time. This is for young people who are going through difficult situations, possibly even the dissolution of their marriage. Regardless of all the negative things that happen, it’s not the end. It’s just the beginning of something new. The reason I titled the book Inner Demons is because there was a lot of emotion inside of me as a child. I was probably over-competitive. I had a lot of anger. Monica: What words of wisdom would you give your younger self now? Roc: Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think that when we look at the world, we see other people being more successful and we wonder, “What is the matter with me?” I saw people going through middle school and high school who were better at getting dates, or who were better athletes, or smarter. That really affected my sense of security at a certain point in life. So if I was advising myself, it would be to give myself a little bit of credit. I would encourage myself to remain curious. Understand that you can do anything you want, but the cost is that you have to work for it. There’s no ceiling on your hopes and aspirations - only the one that you place on it. Monica: What is your last word? Roc: I would like to say to people: Accept the crazy notion that you are, in fact, a good person, and you’re valuable. Your unique perspective is one that the world needs.  Exceptional People Magazine | May - June 2018

Monica: Can you talk a little bit about your book, Inner Demons?

not know the details of her situations, but I too have gone through hardship.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

EMPOWER YOURSELF TO

SUCCEED and THRIVE Professional and Personal Development

May - June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

7 Proven Strategies to Increase Cash Flow in Your Small Business By Kathy Kentty

EMPOWER YOURSELF

ould your small business benefit from a higher rate of cash flow? It’s possible to increase it through several business strategies.

Try these strategies to increase your cash flow:

Raise your prices. Are you keeping up with inflation? You might be able to raise prices on your products and services to keep up with the market.

• Higher prices can lead to more cash flow, but they may also scare away customers. Find a balance that works for your business and your customers.

Reduce your spending. Decreasing your spending is one way to increase your small business cash flow. • The first step to implementing this strategy is to carefully analyze all of your business spending. How much do your office supplies and electrical bills cost every month? How much do you pay for insurance, employee salaries, and other bills? • After analyzing your spending, look for areas that can be reduced. However, it’s important to approach spending cuts carefully because pay cuts can drive away employees. In addition, if you try new services to save money, the quality may not be the same. Extend discounts for fast payments. If you’re trying to encourage your customers to pay faster to increase your cash flow, then discounts for fast payments may help. • The discount doesn’t have to be large, but customers may appreciate a small amount of savings. Try several payment plans with different discount levels to reach more clients. Watch your inventory. Are you investing a large portion of your cash into inventory? • Inventory may be the lifeline of your small business, but you don’t want it to destroy your cash flow. The boxes of shirts, candles, or other items you sell shouldn’t sit in warehouses for decades. • Find a balance between having enough inventory to satisfy customer needs and having too much.

May - June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

onsider collection agencies. Do you have a large C number of customers who haven’t paid their bills?

• Collection agencies can help you recover a portion of the unpaid bills. They charge a fee and take a percentage of the money. However, you may not have the time to pursue the customers who haven’t paid.

onsider court. For larger amounts, you may have to C get a lawyer and take your customers to court for unpaid bills. This is one way to make your cash flow higher because it can force them to pay their overdue bills.

ffer prepayment rewards. You can offer a variety of O rewards ranging from discounts to extra products. You can make a special rewards program with gift cards or other items.

• Customers who prepay for large packages, services, or multiple items could receive extra rewards. These rewards can encourage them to stay and keep buying your products or services.

Your small business may benefit from more cash flow. Creating a customer rewards program with sales, discounts, and other special rewards is always a good idea to expand your customer base and gain loyalty to your business. Incorporate several of these strategies into your business operations to discover what works best for you. 

LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER?

11 WAYS TO NETWORK LIKE A PRO By Jon Crump

EMPOWER YOURSELF

here’s no doubt that networking can give your career a good boost. Many employment opportunities are never posted, and they’re ultimately filled by someone that knew someone that knew someone else. It’s important to put yourself within that social chain. With the internet, it’s not as important to network face to face, but it’s still necessary to get the most from your networking efforts. Remember that everyone you meet is an opportunity to network. Spend part of your week networking and making new contacts with these methods:

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E xamine your current resources. You already know someone that is well-connected. Think about all of your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Consider your entire social network. Maybe you’re a member of a church, Moose Lodge, or a local women’s group. Are you leveraging those contacts effectively?

T he key to effective networking is consistency and persistence. A little each day is more effective than a monumental effort every once in a while. It’s like going to the gym. You need to be consistent in your efforts if you want to see big results. Set aside time to reach out to people each week.

J oin relevant local and national organizations. Whether you’re a chemist, firefighter, priest, school teacher, or plumber, there are organizations that cater to your needs and interests. Become a part of them. In many cases, your employer will foot the bill. Do some research and see what you can find.

4 5

Make use of social media. Linkedin.com is great for networking. Utilize social media and make your presence known to the world. Make contact with a few people regularly via social media.

Be proactive. You can’t just stand in the middle of the crowd at a networking event and expect people to line up for the privilege of talking to you. The burden is on you to start conversations. Take the bull by the horns and mingle. You’ll get much better with practice.

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

L earn to ask openYou’ll find it ended questions. It’s hard to maintain a much easier conversation by asking to speak with questions that can be others when you answered with a “yes” or use open-ended “no”. Ask questions that require a detailed answer. questions. You’ll find it much easier to speak with others when you use open-ended questions.

7 8 9

F ollow up religiously. Communicating with someone one time won’t do much for you. Reach out to the most promising contacts you’ve made and touch base. Stay in touch. Y ou can’t expect to receive more effort and value than you provide. You truly receive what you give when it comes to networking. You won’t get much if you don’t give much. Make a real effort to help others. F ocus on quality over quantity. Passing out your business card like you’re passing out car wash coupons won’t do you a lot of good. Everyone can see what you’re doing. Make an effort to make a few real connections rather than throwing a hundred darts at the wall. Quality counts.

10 11

Connect others together. This can be especially powerful. Bring other people together. This is especially easy to do and can pay off down the road for your own career.

Avoid selling or asking for anything. If every time you reach out to someone you’re trying to get something from them, people will tire of you very quickly. Instead, give them something. “I know you’re interested in the effect of the Trans Pacific Partnership on the trade deficit. Here’s an article I thought you might be interested in.”

Networking can be an effective way to begin the process of building relationships with potential employers. You can also get to know people that can give you referrals. Ensure that you’re also doing all you can for your network. The more value you can provide, the more you’re likely to receive. 

20 Minutes

to Achieving a

Stress-Free

Work/Life Balance By Marla Gem

EMPOWER YOURSELF

hile overworking seems to be popular these days, it's extremely damaging. There's absolutely no reason to overdo it, even if you have bills to pay. In fact, the harder you push yourself, the closer you get to the end of the line!

It’s important to learn how to balance all the aspects of your life without just focusing on work. Sure, work is extremely important. It keeps your brain active. And it provides the income necessary for you and your family to survive. But it also wears you down, especially if you go non-stop.

The trick to balancing work with the rest of your life lies in a 20-minute exercise each day: Five minutes for meditation This exercise at the beginning of each day is crucial. Meditating can mean the difference between attacking your day with ferocity and approaching it with an aura of calmness. • Meditation centers your mind and calms your spirit. It also helps relieve any tension you feel about the day ahead. • Meditation can help you focus on your inner power and remind you that you’re important to others.

Five minutes for planning Once you've meditated, it’s time to plan your day. Planning means organizing your tasks so you can be productive without abusing yourself.

• Prioritize your tasks based on their importance. • Try your best to stick to the plan for the day. Having a clear plan for what you want to accomplish helps to keep you focused and stress-free.

Five minutes for checking in Whether all at once or in one-minute intervals, check up on yourself. Assess how well you've been able to stick to your plan. Have you accomplished your important tasks? Have you been able to manage your day without losing your cool? • There may be times when you’ll have to readjust your list of tasks. There are bound to be unforeseen circumstances. But what's important is that you take them in stride. •A void letting unexpected events throw your plan out completely. Take a moment to change your approach. Learn how to go with the flow.

Five minutes for winding down Now that you've come to the end of the day, it's time to wind down. You've probably never allowed yourself the opportunity to do that before. Taking time to wind down is the best way to relieve the stress of the day. • Engage in some relaxing activities. Do you like yoga or would you prefer to sit quietly and listen to jazz music? Let go of what happened today and get ready for tomorrow. • Winding down also opens you up to spending quality time with loved ones. You'll probably agree that at the end of a busy day, you may be too tired to interact with anyone. That will change when you allow yourself to wind down each day. Once you try it, you'll realize that this approach works. Designating these 20 minutes each day can help you maintain a balance between your professional and personal lives. It May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

can also help you manage all other aspects of your life with relative ease. And you'll enjoy a calmer existence that you didn’t think was possible! 

25 WAYS TO SUCCESSFULLY LEAD OTHERS

EMPOWER YOURSELF

o you consider yourself a leader? Or wish you were a leader? Leaders have to inspire those around them while remaining strong. Uncertainty and difficult situations do not stop leaders from taking charge. Leaders use many strategies to lead others. Using these techniques will aid you in your endeavor to be a great leader:

Focus on the company’s goal. If you focus on the goal of your business, then it will be easier to lead others and show them how to achieve it.

Avoid intimidating others. Fear can prevent positive interactions.

13.

Give your coworkers room to grow. They need to be able to make progress and set their own goals.

14.

L et your coworkers make suggestions. As a leader, you can make better progress if the entire team is able to make recommendations.

15.

Show your expertise. If you know the answers, don’t let others struggle to find them.

Follow through on your promises. A real leader keeps the promises made during meetings.

16.

Spend time with your coworkers. Leaders need to know and understand the people around them.

Avoid micromanaging. Micromanaging can have a negative impact on the group you’re trying to lead.

17.

Keep an open door policy. Let your team members know that you're willing to listen to them at any time.

Respect the opinions of others. Allow them to share their ideas.

18.

K eep everything transparent. Transparency can help you avoid rumors and gossip.

19.

Stay flexible. A real leader can be flexible while still being in charge.

20.

Understand the point behind an idea. If you dig deep into an idea, you’ll see how and why it was created.

12.

Listen to the needs of others. If you listen carefully, you’ll discover more about what motivates your team members.

Avoid procrastinating. It can destroy your leadership 6. goals. 7. Stay determined. Once you make a decision, stay with it.

Allow others to see your emotions. Your leadership will benefit from showing a human side.

Look for answers outside of the norm. The ability to think differently is a crucial leadership skill.

Admit mistakes. Pretending that a mistake didn’t 10. happen will make your coworkers lose respect for you.

11.

Use your coworkers to brainstorm. Your coworkers can help find solutions and feel like they’re part of the process to resolves issues.

March-April 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

21.

Accept that some team members need more attention. Different personalities require different leadership strategies.

22. Stay confident. Confidence is contagious.

23.

24.

25.

Ensure your team members know their repsonsibilitites. This will encourage them to stay focused. Work on weaknesses. If mistakes or issues appear, it's important to work through them to find positive solutions. Be willing to become a mentor. A real leader is willing to help the next generation.

THE MASTERS

BRAND AWARENESS:

ARE YOU BUILDING OR DAMAGING YOUR REPUTATION? By Annemarie Cross Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2017

EMPOWER YOURSELF

esterday while doing some research on Twitter I was alerted to an article that made me stop and think.

The writer was commenting on how airlines were harnessing the power of Twitter and using this tool as an information-sharing platform. This allowed them to share information with customers as it was happening to keep them informed of delays, issues with flights, etc. However, he noticed that one particular airline had set their Twitter account to private, requiring people to physically make a request and wait until their account was approved before they could access any information. This was of concern to the writer, and rightly so, considering we are in the information age and are often time poor. We haven’t got the time to go through an approval process just to be able to access their tweets. I had the exact experience just two days prior. I noticed one of my Twitter buddies was following a business, which had set their Twitter profile to private.

I remember being quite puzzled as to why they would do that? Why would any business have their Twitter account set to private so that none of their posts could be viewed unless you were connected to them? To me, it didn’t make sense, especially considering that your posts and conversations provide you with an opportunity to build brand awareness as well as being able to connect, engage and have a conversation with prospects. As the writer of the article so aptly said: “[your tweets] won’t appear on your timeline and it won’t appear on the Twitter search engine. Literally, you don’t exist at all unless someone requested to follow you.”

1. Off-brand comments and interactions Everything you do, say, write – your online and your offline interactions and communications, reflects on your brand. Positive or negative – your interactions will impact the perception others have about you and your business. Complaining and being negative about something that has happened to you; alerting people to the ‘wild’ weekend you’re going to have; or informing us that ‘you’ve just gotten off the phone with ‘your client from h%ll’ – is not really appropriate and can turn off a potential client. Other things that can impact your reputation and your relationships are the groups you join; the videos and articles you share; as well as people you are connected with. Wouldn’t want your mother or a prospective client/JV partner to read something? Or even if you’re not sure – don’t hit enter! 2. An unprofessional (or non-existent) photo A picture paints a thousand words. What does your current photo say about you? Would a potential prospect be inspired to connect with you, let alone invest in your services? And, just like an unprofessional photo can tarnish your brand, so can not having any picture at all. If you’ve been meaning to get a professional photo taken to use in your profiles – make sure you do this as soon as possible. Feedback that I’ve received about people who don’t have a picture (but just the standard icon provided with the technology – such as the Twitter) leaves the impression that you may be trying to hide something. This is certainly not the impression you want to make.

It got me thinking.

3. An unprofessional (or non-existent) bio

How many businesses are practically non-existent because of what they’re doing (or not doing) in their marketing and communications strategies?

One of the first things people do if they’re interested in what you have said is to check out your bio to find out a little more about you.

And, while we’re speaking on the topic brand awareness and engaging with people, how many businesses are tarnishing their brands, reputations and relationships because of what they’re doing (and not doing).

With only a few seconds to make an impression make sure you have an up-to-date profile with a link to your website so that anyone who wants to find out more information about you can do so easily.

Here are three things that I’ve seen business owners do that isn’t going to help them build a strong brand. Nor will these things enable them to build a relationship with people who could quite possibly be a potential customer.

Make sure everything you do and say both online and offline continues to portray you as the professional you are so that any prospective customer can see the value of connecting with you and investing in you! 

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

EMPOWER YOURSELF

Creating Passive Income When You Have a Full-Time Job By Marla Gem

43 Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2017

EMPOWER YOURSELF

earning to balance work and other activities is important. It’s especially difficult to put in a full day at your regular job and then go home and work some more. But if you want to create passive income, it will require some additional effort.

Creating passive income can greatly enhance your financial well-being. If you have any desire to break free of your fulltime job, it will require you to put in some quality time at home getting those passive income projects up and running.

Consider these ideas for creating passive income when you’re working full-time:

Think about the best times to work. Maybe waking up earlier each morning is a viable option. Perhaps you can work through your lunch break. Are evenings best? Would you rather work all weekend and have your evenings free?

• There isn’t a perfect strategy, but you need a starting point if you want to achieve success.

• Treat your pursuit of passive income sources as you would any other regular job.

Eliminate distractions. We all have our ways of distracting ourselves, whether it’s with TV, the computer, or food. Others get sleepy when faced with work they’d prefer to avoid. Do whatever is necessary to stay focused on the work at hand.

Make a list. Before you go to bed each night, make a list of the things you want to accomplish the following day. When it’s time for those tasks, avoid working on anything else. Keep working until you’ve completed all the items on your daily list.

Take advantage of breaks in your day. Ideally, you’ll have some things you can do when you have a few extra minutes. Maybe you can make a few phone calls or respond to emails.

It’s challenging to manage a full-time job along with other activities. Limit yourself to the most important tasks and use your time wisely. Passive income takes some time and effort

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

• Be cautious and avoid jeopardizing your job.

Set a schedule. A common misstep is thinking that you can work on passive income streams whenever you have free time. But “free” time is hard to come by. Therefore, it’s helpful to create a specific schedule and stick to it.

A void working on your passive income activities at work. It can be tempting to spend some of your regular work hours on your passive income projects, but avoid doing so. Many companies monitor internet usage and emails.

Get involved with smaller passive income projects. It may be difficult to find a good 200 unit apartment complex for a great price, get commercial financing, hire management, and oversee the project when you’re already working 40+ hours a week. Start small and build from there.

Take planned breaks. Every few weeks, consider taking a week off from your passive income activities, even though it might seem like you’re losing ground. Your productivity will be about the same, but you’ll be less overwhelmed and much happier.

• Studies have shown that marathon runners will finish a race faster if they walk for one mile after running four. It’s the same idea.

Keep your projects to yourself. You might want to refrain from discussing your other passive income activities at your full-time place of employment. Many bosses take exception to the idea of you earning extra money outside of your regular job, thinking your free time ought to be spent working harder for them.

Learn to meditate. Meditation is a great way to give your mind a break. It’s one of the few times your brain gets to rest. As long as you’re thinking, your mind is still working. Learn to relax and focus.

to create. Ensure you’re giving yourself adequate time to manage it all. 

DEFINING YOUR OWN

PERSONAL

S S E C C U S By Marla Gem

What is your version of personal success? Some may define success as having a lot of money, others feel successful if they are loved by many. Others define success as being healthy and giving back to the community, while others define success as having plenty of material things. But how do you define success? Everyone defines success in different ways. Your own personal success is what makes you and your achievements unique. The stay-at-home-mom may define success as being able to get up in the morning and meet her family’s needs throughout the entire day until everyone goes to sleep. The career woman may define success as being promoted within her company or even starting her own. The athlete may define success as climbing the ladder within the NFL or NBA. Then again, there are some who define success in simply living and enjoying each day.

What you need to do is evaluate how you view success. What does success mean to you? What do you want to get out of your life? These are questions that you must ask yourself when deciding what drives you.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER TO HELP YOU DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE In order to discover what you want in life you may want to ask yourself a few questions such as: • “Where do I want to be in 5 years?” This is not the question “Where do I see myself in 5 years?” Think about what you want in five years. If you ask yourself where you see yourself, you’re simply going to see yourself as a glorified version of now. Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2018

EMPOWER YOURSELF

• “How do I define happiness in my career?” It is important to assess whether or not you’re feeling fulfilled in your work. • “How do I get to the places I want to be?” You need to know how to get to where it is you want to be. You can’t go there blind or expect it to fall into place all on its own. You have to be proactive to make things happen. • “What areas in my life do I want to succeed?” We all want to succeed in more than just one area in our lives, so set multiple goals. For example, one goal may relate to your career while other goals may relate to your relationship, children, or hobbies. • “What are my goals in life?” This coincides with what areas you want to succeed, but you must actually write down your goals and set real milestones that you can accomplish.

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

• “What kind of balance do I need in my life?” You must find a balance between work, family, and personal time for you to feel fulfilled. If you have a tendency to over-extend yourself, it’s important to find an equal balance so no area of your life goes unnoticed.

EVALUATE YOURSELF AND YOUR NEEDS Those self-reflection questions open the door for you to discover and define what success means to you. Others cannot decide your success. If you follow someone else’s blueprints to success and it doesn’t fit with your personality, then you’re going to be miserable. You just have to evaluate yourself and put your dreams, wants, and needs into perspective. After all, your success is yours. No one can make the decisions for you! 

How To Combat Negative Affects Association Has On Negotiations EMPOWER YOURSELF

By Greg Williams 47 Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2017

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

ave you ever considered how the associations you make about the other negotiator affects your mental state of mind during a negotiation? You more than likely realize that your brain is influenced by subliminal stimuli, based on the associations you make. The associations can be in the form of how you feel about the other negotiator, and/or the surroundings in which the negotiation occurs. Have you considered how to combat such associations when they don’t serve you? This article delves into perception and security as two aspects of how you can raise your awareness level, per the associations you make during your negotiations.

PERCEPTION We give our power to those we wish to ingratiate ourselves. We also do so to those that we perceive as having the ability to deliver us from one position to another. Thus, we view such deliverance as beneficial to our well-being.

Negotiation TipD During your negotiation, you should question the amount of credibility and credence you give the other negotiator, based on how well your joint negotiation outcomes are aligned. Stated differently, to the degree that both of you are pursuing outcomes that are accepted as being mutually beneficial, you can lend more credence to actions that display that demeanor. To the degree your outcomes are adverse to one another, be cautious per the amount of power and control you give away. When it comes to perception, you must understand preferably at a logical and emotional level, why you wish to subjugate your power to any individual, even more so during a negotiation. In giving of your power, you relinquish the objectiveness that you might otherwise apply to offers

March -April 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

and counteroffers. Suffice it to say, if you wish to relinquish your power do so as part of your negotiation plan. Then, make sure by doing so, you gain an improved position in the negotiation.

FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY There will be times when you’re in environments that will cause you to drop your guard. You may do so because the situation ‘feels right’ based on the accoutrements and trappings in the environment. Be aware when you experience such emotions and don’t fall prey to such surroundings. By maintaining your mental equilibrium, you’ll be more watchful for circumstances that are not beneficial to your negotiation position and expected outcome. During your negotiations, you’ll be bombarded by ideas, offers, and counteroffers. Be sure to address each in a mindset that’s not clouded by underserved attributes that don’t serve you. In essence, keep your wits about you and don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, due to the surroundings and goodwill that’s displayed. Be judicious, forthright, and very aware about your needs and why you’re negotiation. I’m not suggesting you be selfish, I’m suggesting you look out for yourself and don’t be overwhelmed by undeserving accoutrements to which you lend undue credibility. If you keep in mind the suggestions above, you’ll enhance your negotiation process. You’ll come out further ahead in your negotiations … and everything will be right with the world. 

Remember, you’re always negotiating!

The Power of

EMPOWER YOURSELF

Failure:

Let It Drive You to

By Donna Carletta

hat do you think when you hear the word failure? You probably are thinking that you're not good enough and that you should give up.

While failure can involve those thoughts and emotions, failure can also make us stronger or wiser. A simple definition of failure is: An act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success. When I think of this definition of failure, I'm reminded of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb. While there are many conflicting stories of how many times Edison "failed" at inventing the electric light bulb, most agree it was in the thousands before he found the right combination of materials.

One of Edison's most famous quotes is, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. I am not discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward." If you adopt this same attitude, you'll overcome your feelings of failure and be able to see your dreams and desires come to fruition. Robert Schuller stated these famous words, "Failure doesn't mean you're a failure; it just means you haven't succeeded yet." Henry Ford said, "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." Exceptional People Magazine | May-June 2017

Success

EMPOWER YOURSELF When you consider those words from these wise and successful people, you'll truly begin to understand the power of failure.

"You can't have any successes until you can accept failures." - George Cukor

The truth is you only fail when you give up! When you keep trying until you've found the answer or the solution, you're successful.

Just because you've failed once, twice or 10,000 times at something, it doesn't mean you're a failure. You only fail when you stop trying.

You'd never say Thomas Edison, Robert Schuller or Henry Ford were failures would you? Sure, they were unsuccessful many, many times, but they didn't give up until they found the answer, the right procedure or the right materials to solve their dilemma.

Still not convinced? How about this:

In case those quotes weren't enough to make you believe failure has a positive power and strength, here are some more you might relate to: "Failure is an event, never a person." - William D. Brown The next time you try your hand at something and don't achieve the desired result immediately, remember failure is an event; it's not you.

"Never confuse a single defeat with final defeat." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

March-April 2017 | Exceptional People Magazine

"You always pass failure on your way to success." - Mickey Rooney What do these words mean to you? No matter what you're trying to succeed at, whether it's a sport, project, career, invention, or at school, there will be times when you don't succeed. But you mustn't let that stop you from reaching your goals, dreams, and desires. The common thread among all these famous people and their wise words is the same. You can't have success without failure. Never give up and never stop trying. There is power in failure; you just have to give yourself a chance. Keep trying, keep failing and soon you'll find true success! 

LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

LIGHTER SIDE OF

Exceptional People Magazine | March-April 2017

Life

LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

Peachy Heirloom Tomato Salad Ingredients: 1 lb ripe fresh peaches

1 tsp soy sauce

2 lbs vine ripened heirloom tomatoes

1/2 tsp orange zest

3 green onions cut into thin strips

1/4 tsp kosher salt

2 Tbsp light olive oil

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar Directions: 1. Clean, core, and chop the tomatoes roughly. If your collection of heirloom tomatoes includes small (cherry size) tomatoes, just cut in half. Mix up the way you cut them so everything isn't the same. Put in large salad bowl. 2. Scrub the peaches and slice into small wedges (removing the pit and stem). Add to the salad bowl with tomatoes. 3. Add the thin strips of green onion to the salad bowl. Make the dressing. 4. Whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, orange zest, and salt until smooth and frothy. Pour this dressing over the salad, sprinkle in the mint and basil and toss to combine. 5. Set the salad aside for 10 minutes; taste and add salt if necessary. 6. When seasoned properly, serve in individual salad bowls. Serves 4 to 6.

May-June 2018 | Exceptional People Magazine

LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

Fabulous frittatas not only for Italians Here's an inexpensive, healthy, and delicious meal you can enjoy without putting on the pounds. Make a frittata for dinner. It’s actually an Italian-style unfolded omelet that’s baked in a skillet. Most people use a cast-iron skillet because it can be transferred from the stove to the oven for the final cooking. But you can use any oven-safe skillet.

You can add bacon, diced ham, prosciutto or smoked salmon. Vegetarians can skip the meat and use chopped vegetables. The basic recipe calls for eggs, milk, and one cup of whatever filling you’re using; most use shredded cheese. The frittata is perfect for using up left¬overs in the fridge and yummy enough to have for any meal. It also can be served at room temperature.

Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese and Dill Frittata Ingredients:

Directions:

8 eggs 1/2 cup milk (any kind) 1 pat of butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 3 ounce goat cheese, crumbled 2 scallions, diced 1/4 pound smoked salmon, chopped 2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Beat eggs in a large bowl with milk, salt, and pepper. Fold the goat cheese in with the egg mixture. Stir in the salmon, scallions and dill. 2. Over medium heat, melt the butter in a 10-inch skillet. Pour egg mixture into the skillet and stir to combine. Then, cook on medium heat without stirring for about 5 minutes, until the eggs have begun to set. 3. Place skillet in the center of the oven and bake 20-25 minutes or until eggs are firm. To test doneness, stick a knife in the middle; it should come out clean. Remove frittata from oven and let cool for 1 minute. Cut into wedges. Note: You can also add bacon, diced ham, or prosciutto instead of smoked salmon. Vegetarians can skip the meat and use chopped vegetables. Exceptional People Magazine | May -June 2018

Profile Resources Dr. Antonio Harrison https://www.rebirthbx.com/ Dr. John West https://www.breastcare.com/ Book: Prevent, Survive, Thrive: https://www.breastcare.com/why-this-book-was-written Laura Dewey https://www.theselfleadershiplab.com/ Book: Shine Your Lightâ&#x20AC;¦Illuminate Your Love: 12 Steps to Attracting the Relationship of Your Dreams https://www.amazon.com/Shine-Your-Light-Illuminate-Love/dp/1452559961 https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-dewey-61675317/ Roc Mwongozi http://www.rocsworld.com/ Book: Inner Demons: http://www.rocsworld.com/book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahmaan-mwongozi-mba-5360621/ Photo Credits Laura Dewey: Kait McKay Photography, https://kaitmckay.smugmug.com/, kait@kaitmckayphotography.com. Design and Graphics Magazine Design and Graphics, and Cover Design by Jenette Antonio Sityar

There are seven days in a week and someday isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one of them. If you want results, set goals and start taking action today.