EMPOWERING YOU TO EMPOWER YOURSELF
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Editor's Notes Cheryl Lacey Donovan
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Mardi Gras Tradition and Celebration Gail Leino
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#SpeakUpNow Cheryl Lacey Donovan
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Four Simple Steps to Retirement Planning 5 Tips for Eating Clean
MARCH ISSUE 2019
REAL LIFE REAL FAITH
Editor in Chief Cheryl Lacey Donovan Publisher Elissa Gabrielle Senior Editors Hurley Morgan Cee Cee H. Caldwell Columnists Cheryl Lacey Donovan Contributors Kathy Robbins Maqsood P Lorraine Wigglesworth Gail Leino Adrian T Cheng Syed Alli Zain-UlAbideen Jon Allo Designer Cheryl Lacey Donovan
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Editor's Note Greetings It's incredible how people who have started out with nothing have been able to rise to the top and achieve serious success. How people who have faced adversity have been able to turn it around for their benefit. These are rarities, but they do happen. For the vast majority, those who start with nothing generally have very little. However, there may be something to talk about with those people who overcome. It's self-reflection. The Value of Self-Reflection This may explain why some people manage to beat the odds while others just can't. The people who continue to struggle are the people who don't realize that they can learn from the experiences they go through and adjust their lives to get better results. Overcoming the odds, those people are the ones who search their souls deeply. They are able to put things in perspective and that ability facilitates their ability to make better decisions. It really is all about learning and making the necessary adjustments to stay on track. Self-reflection is a tool, one that empowers you to meditate on what you have been through and walk away with actionable lessons. Here's what self-reflection helps you to do: Remove the obstacles standing between you and your goals. Release the emotional hold that events, people, and even things have over you. Uncover dreams and passions that even you weren't aware you had. Learn from your experiences and mistakes. The ability to cope with challenges and respond calmly. Allows you to clarify your priorities, strengths, and core values. The ability to make the right choices. Provides a deeper insight into your experiences and your thoughts. Enhances your perspective and empathy when it comes to situations and other people, too. Allows you to analyze your behavioral patterns. Provides you with a clearer view of opportunities and potential issues. This all benefits not only your self-esteem but also your self-confidence. Which, of course, allows you to make the most of your skills and natural abilities no matter what situation you find yourself in. What self-reflection does is provide you with the chance to take an active role in creating a life that is fueled by purpose. The ability to react to life with confidence, to handle any circumstance is key in building a happy life that is fulfilling. Self-reflection restores some of the control that you have given away over time. You are now taking back control of the wheel, resetting your GPS, and steering things. Much Love! Cheryl Lacey Donovan Editor-In-Chief
MARDI GRAS TRADITION AND CELEBRATION Gail Leino Whether you live in New Orleans, or elsewhere, Mardi Gras can be celebrated.
etaken as a gift and memento of the party, just like they do at the Mardi Gras balls in New Orleans!
Considering present day Mardi Gras celebrations, it might surprise you to learn that the festival has religious roots. Festivities start in New Orleans each year on January 6, the Twelfth Night feast of the Epiphany, and the day it is believed the three kings first visited Jesus Christ. Mardi Gras, French for 'Fat Tuesday', is the day-long highlight of Mardi Gras. While Mardi Gras most certainly has pagan, preChristian origins, the Roman Catholic Church legitimized the festival as a brief celebration before Lent. Mardi Gras Day, a legal holiday in New Orleans, is set to occur 46 days (the 40 days of Lent plus six Sundays) Before Easter, and can come as early as February 3 or as late as March 9.
Decorating for your Mardi Gras Party is very easy. Strings of brightly colored lights (Christmas tree lights work well) plenty of glittery, colorful confetti, helium balloons will round out the Mardi Gras theme.
The celebration of Mardi Gras included private masked balls, and random street masking, in the cities of Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans. By the 1820s, maskers on foot, and in decorated carriages, began to appear on Fat Tuesday, and in 1837, the first documented procession took place in New Orleans, but it bore no resemblance to today's carnival.
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Mardi Gras party [http://mardi-gras-fun.com] (Mardi-GrasFun.com) ideas, parade schedule, party planning tips, menus, beads, masks, recipes, free games, printable activities to help complete your celebration.
Just like a Mardi Gras Ball, your party should have a theme. Each person can choose to be masked or unmasked, but bright colors, beads, and Jazz music is a must! One popular suggestion for Mardi Gras parties outside of New Orleans, is to enlist the aid of someone artistically inclined to paint a large piece of plywood to coordinate with the Mardi Gras theme, where each couple can stand to have their photo
Serve traditional Mardi Gras foods and drinks like crawfish, seafood, boudan, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, moon pies, King Cake, Mardi Gras Margaritas, dips and chips. We are planning on playing Mardi Gras related jazz, zydeco and dance music during the event. A song every Mardi Gras celebration should have is "Mardi Gras Mambo" by Buckwheat Zydeco!
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RLRF What drew you to the music
that God is made strong. There is
didn’t recognize it at first, it was the
industry?
liberty in Christ... and it allows you to
perfect recipe for creativity to take place.
acknowledge exactly where you are Lekisha: The power to set an
in the journey, but His love takes care
In stead of singing, I spent that 3 year
atmosphere and connect with people
of the rest. His Grace is sufficient, so
period on tour with Director Essex Branch
on such an emotional and spiritual
I have learned to allow that
of SX Branch & Co, working out my soul’s
level is very special place to me.
vulnerable authenticity to be my
salvation in the very personally relevant
I always think back to the beginning...
platform..
stage production “SomeBody Else’s
first time I found out I could sing after
Husband” Parts 1 & 2, (Part 3 is coming in
participating in a talent show. There
RLRF: Do you collaborate with others?
was something about the applause...
What is that process?
Once I had my first taste of
2019).
It was there that I was able to come to
“spotlight”, I didn’t want to give it up.
Lekisha 1 response
terms with my divorce. To be surrounded
I just knew that the stage was in my
In 2014, on my debut project “A Work
by such a phenomenally talented group of
destiny.
in Progress”, I had the privilege of
people, was exactly where I needed to
working with a young producer in
be. Through the weight of the message,
On the flip side, I had no idea about
Houston, named TCharles. Because
we became each other’s support system,
the music industry. That is a whole
I’m not your traditional gospel artist, I
and it was a safe place to explore the
nother beast. The industry will suck
wanted a sound that could meet
depth of my pain and who I am to be. It
you up and spit you out dry, literally. I
people outside of the traditional
was there that I met my brother and now
have learned so many lessons, about
church; and he’s a beat maker, so it
producer Edward Williams @3Willbeatz.
people, loyalty, and even about
worked... lol. Along the journey, I had
When the tour ended in July 2018, while on
myself. You go through so much as an
the opportunity to collaborate with
a break, the music just started flowing in
artist but it’s passion, commitment,
international award winning gospel
my spirit. I called Edward and said we
and trusting the vision that God has
artist Hoszia Hinds from Barbados
gotta work. He said “I was waiting on
placed in you (faith), that keep you
and Stellar Award winning producer
you”...
pressing forward in spite of the
Phillip Carter who produced my
obstacles you face. I just knew I
testimony song “The First Shall be
We got in the studio, and my God! A
wanted to sing and I wanted the
Last”. I would have to say that it was
“Brand new” sound came forth, literally.
world to listen.
all God. From Houston, to Barbados,
On this project, I have had the privilege of
to Virginia and Maryland... God was
really allowing God to lead and
RLRF: Please explain your creative
opening doors left and right. One of
coordinate. He drops people in my spirit,
process
my mentors, Henry Harris, former
and I am in awe of what He’s done. Along
Stellar Awards advisory president and
with EWillbeatz, Milton Vincent McCullogh
Lekisha: My creative process...
now, founder of Strategic Music
joined in to help out on keys and even
hmmm. I think most of my music with
Parterships, helped keep me on the
features on background vocals on one of
birthed out of experience. Ive had
right path.
my favorites. I also had the honor of
suffer some things in my life. I’ve had
working with a phenomenal artist and
wins; I’ve had loses...but going
Unfortunately while my career was on
MOG in the Houston area, O’Quine
through the journey sparked a fire
track to do great things, that path
Nickles aka Urgency. There is a duet with
that fuels my need to get it out.
was derailed by a sudden
SSMG R&B Artist, K Smoove. I really can
Everything I write is based on my
unexpected shift in my personal life.
not wait for you all to hear what we’ve
failures... my struggles... the
Divorce.
been cooking up in the lab. This project is
challenges I’ve faced... the
really special, because I’m putting it all on
challenges we all face as human
Until recently, I was never able to
the line. There is so much “tea” spilling out
beings, and especially as Believers.
officially release that project. My
in these lyrics that I had to name the
People can identify, because I say the
world had fallen apart. I had been
project “Confessions”... “ of a Repentant
things that they want to say, but feel
through some things before, but this...
Heart”. When you hear it, you’ll know why.
they can’t, for fear of judgement and
This almost sat me down. I was angry,
Stay tuned!!!!
condemnation from others. It is seen
hurt, confused... I didn’t understand...
as a sign of weakness to say I messed
and for the last 3 years, I have been
up or to acknowledge where we
really trying to re-discover who I am.
struggle ... but it’s in our weakness
That was my journey, and though I
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LISA PEZIK Business Strategist and Content Expert
Lisa Pezik, Business Strategist and Content Expert What are the biggest challenge women in business face? We have to start taking our seat at the table. We often use words like “my side hustle”, or we question if we can “charge that much.” It’s as almost as if we feel like we can pursue our passions and own our businesses, as long as it isn’t inconveniencing anyone else, or it doesn’t interfere with being a mom or wife or an employee.
We can own it, and stop downplaying all the hard work, guts, and grit it takes to be a woman in business. I’ve stopped using the word side hustle and challenge anyone who does because I know when I’m not with my family or talking care of my own health, I’m working my business because it means everything. What are the most critical changes women in business must make to face their future effectively? I believe we have to throw out the word “balance”, give up the “mom guilt”, and start putting ourselves front and center with the
means we are blessed to have available to us. With social media, women in business networking groups, and both online and offline events, we have a variety of ways to connect with potential partners, affiliates, and clients. We just have to make ourselves visible and start making offers to work with us. That may require getting help with our children if we have them, and it may mean we work “non-traditional hours.” I used to have awful mom guilt, until I realized that it didn’t serve me. It didn’t make me any less visible, but I wasn’t fully present with my focus and mindset. I realized I was cheating myself by trying to be more “balanced” or feeling guilty for missing bedtime. As a focused and driven woman in business, I’m showing our son that mom has dreams and she’s not afraid to work for them. That sacrifices are a part of the plan when you’re changing your future, and no matter what, we don’t give up when it matters. What made you decide to tackle this subject? How did you get into your business, and why do you stay? As a business strategist and content expert, I ignite your business with more impact and income through strategy, building courses, coaching programs, websites, funnels, but the deeper message for me is that I want you to find your voice, build a business doing something you love, not something someone
else told you to do, and to stand out from all the I stay because I feel it’s the gift I’ve been given. noise online. If I was never an RN or Trainer, I wouldn’t have the passion and perspective to be able to do I’ve often felt powerless when I look at the what I do. I’ve also experienced a lot of bullying leadership and culture of today. It’s not to say and emotional abuse in my life as a kid all the right from wrong, good from bad, but I believe way through adulthood, and it wasn’t until I using your voice online to help others can have took ownership and used my voice that my life a ripple effect in our mental health, our changed. I feel that pain was a gift as well. relationships, our self worth, and how we treat each other. We’ve all been given gifts through our experience and choices; I want to help you use I am an RN by degree, and working in areas like them for good! End of Life Care and the ICU taught me so much about what’s really important in life, but What has helped you get to where you are and it wasn’t a career I chose. As a young teen with what advice would you have for others who low self-esteem, I followed the path that want to set off in a similar direction? everyone else chose for me and it led to massive unrest and frustration. That’s why I’m so Just go and DO, and don’t worry about the passionate about helping people build a comments from the peanut gallery. I shot my business THEY want. first course videos using an iPad in my son’s bedroom and sold it online via Facebook Live. I As a nursing student, I ended up falling in love started my podcast with no intro or outro or with the group fitness classes at a local gym to even using a proper microphone for audio. I burn off stress and was approached to become wrote my first book and blogs when I didn’t an instructor. I absolutely loved it and got 5 even really know how to write. My first few live certifications in fitness, nutrition, and wellness videos and webinars had no audio, emails didn’t and opened my first passion project business send, and I wasn’t even sure how to make an while working full time. But after we had our offer. But none of that ever stopped me from son, I realized that I was trading hours for figuring it out. You will always make it better, dollars and working incredibly long days, but don’t delay your progress because you don’t missing out on time with him that I’d never get have it all figured out. I always tell people to back. I started to study with mentors and invest back into their business at the rate of complete every course I could on how to take their growth, but the only way we can make my business online, and in a few months built a more money to have higher quality things, is to successful online fitness business. My entire life start. changed. There is also a price to pay for putting yourself I knew I had to shift and start teaching others out there and it’s that people will have opinions how to do this. It also helped that my husband of you and your work, but you don’t need was a graphic designer, creative director, and validation in your business. You don’t have to lead generation specialist, where as my hustle for your worth. You have to get rooted in specialty is content marketing and creation. It whom you are, what you do, and how you help made sense for us to start coaching together. others and then get relentless in that pursuit. Because we cover everything from content to technology to launching and lead generation, What are common misconceptions women we help people get up and running and have about business? How can we combat making income pretty quickly. Much quicker these misconceptions and communicate more than we did it! effectively?
Social media can be a dangerous place of comparison. We forget that we only see the “highlight reel” on social media about business, money, status, relationships, and parenting. It seems everyone is living the “laptop lifestyle,” and if we haven’t reached the success we want, it can make us feel less than. I also think there are a lot of unhelpful labels about women in business. I think we need to start talking more and taking space for each other. We need to share the launches that didn’t go to plan, the campaigns that bombed, how we feel about negative comments, family struggles, the times when we don’t have the answers or are unsure of what direction to go. We should show up and describe our business however we want, in a way that resonates with people. We don’t have to portray that we are “slaying all day”, “building empires” and being “boss babes.” That may be spot on for some, but not for me. You may be a boss babe, slaying all day, and building your empire, while I resonate more with being a driven, heart centered leader and gritty, scrappy expert in the online space. Let’s start talking more, judging less, and connecting deeper to help each other create powerful movements in the world. Also your contact information. Lisa Pezik, Business Strategist and Content Expert www.lisapezik.com lisa@lisapezik.com Social links can be found at: https://www.lisapezik.com/site/media-lisa-pezik
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JANET ZARETSKY TEDX & Keynote Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Business Coach
What is the biggest challenge women in business face? Women in business’s bigness challenge is often themselves. We self-sabotage by doubting ourselves, letting past failures stop us from taking risks or ‘going for’ the next level. We may even suffer from Impostor Syndrome and don’t allow ourselves to own our power and brilliance. When we break through these habits, we have the ability to soar and succeed wildly.
What are the most critical changes women in business must make to face their future effectively? We need to own our power, take credit for what we do and can do, we need to volunteer to do things we are not 100% sure we can and we need to own it by sharing how great we are and our accomplishments. This is true for women who work for someone as well as women who have their own business. I coach women all the time and one of the most common things they deal with is being raised to not ‘brag’ or be ‘prideful’ but then struggle to get to the next level, either in position or in pay. I remind them when you were taught that, it was an appropriate social situation- don’t brag and
make someone else feel ‘less than’ you. However, as an adult, if you stand in the viewpoint that your success is empowering for me, as a role model for example, I want you to succeed and shout it from the mountain tops. I will celebrate it as a win, not only for you, but for all women. What made you decide to tackle this subject? How did you get into your business, and why do you stay? I started my professional life as a Registered Nurse with a specialty in Neonatal Intensive Care and then high risk infant follow up. One aspect of my job was to train parents to advocate for their medically fragile children. During that time (1995) someone told me about this new profession called coaching. I investigated it, went to one of the first training programs, called Coach U, and changed careers. I then worked for the world’s largest and leading personal and professional training and development companies for 18 years. Almost 6 years ago, I decided to go back out on my own. When I went back out on my own, I decided I wanted to be someone who empowered women, and, while empowering women, ended the gender gap both in pay and in influence. Why- because not only are women 51% of the population, and under represented and under paid, women are brilliant. I am of the mindset that the brilliance of women could solve many of the world’s problems and
innovate things for the future- if they are empowered. I stay, and use my life for that. For what is possible for women, for men, for society and the world. What has helped you get to where you are and what advice would you have for others who want to set off in a similar direction? What drives me is passion. I truly care. And when you have a career based upon something you are passionate about you are satisfied and fulfilled and you do what you need to in order to fulfill that passion. I have been in front of ~32,000 people, I do corporate training, I wrote one book and am in the process of a second book, I did 2 TEDX talks. None of it was easy. I researched, took training programs, put myself in training programs that were challenging and I have failed a lot. In every failure, I learned the lesson there was to learn, did the work to put the failure behind me and moved on. What are common misconceptions women have about business? How can we combat these misconceptions and communicate more effectively? A common misconception women share about business is related to money. Often women ae underpaid in business, in corporate as well as in their own business. My experience is that this is due to not valuing oneself at the level of one’s contribution AND fear of rejection. Frequently, women will not ask for what they are worth- mostly due to fear of being told no. Then taking that no to mean you are not worth it. They stop there. I i
I invite you to ask for more than you are comfortable asking for and standing for you are amazing and brilliant and worth it. No- does not mean anything about you- it is simply a no to what you are asking for in that moment of time. Don’t add anything to a no and ask again. Your income increase is only one ask away. Also your contact information. Thank you janet@janetzaretsky.com 512-553-2927 www.janetzaretsky.com
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What are the most critical changes women in business must make to face their future effectively? Women must have a sense of self worth and be very in tuned with who they are as a whole person. What made you decide to tackle this subject? How did you get into your business, and why do you stay? I am employed fulltime, an author of my true life story Choices and a workbook but I also have had a Consulting LLC for 11 years. My LLC grew out of the necessity to be employed after having served time at Rikers Island and every upstate prison in the state of NY. I earned my PhD after being released and decided to use my education and life experience to create a consulting company. I am an African American Female with a felony conviction I knew I had to go way above and beyond even to be heard. I continue to do the work at my current employer because it allows me to be a visionary for my passion which is reentry, reform, and advocacy. What has helped you get to where you are and what advice would you have for others who want to set off in a similar direction? Grace of God. To go from incarceration to developing a state and national model for Reentry Peer Specialist could only have happened through a lot of hard work and taking a leap of faith. What are common misconceptions women have about business? How can we combat these misconceptions and communicate more effectively? I think a common misconception is “I can’t do it” that is fear of failure or listening to other that have no idea what your intestinal fortitude looks like. We can combat that by continuing to provide opportunities for education and demonstration as you are doing with your platform forum and the conferences that you sponsor. Women and men both have to continue to support others to empower themselves.
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Brussel Sprouts Macaroni Meat is delicious. But too much in your diet can cause a plethora of health symptoms. But when it comes to fresh produce, you can never eat too much! You don't have to ditch meat altogether, just add more fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily meals. Try these delicious vegetarian recipes - they will make you forget about meat, even for a while!
By Adrian T. Cheng
What you need: 1/4 kilogram Fusili pasta, cooked 3 cups Brussels sprouts, halved 2 1/2 cups whole milk 1 1/2 cups white cheddar 1 cup fontina, shredded 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup flour 1 tablespoon olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper
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Arrange Brussels sprouts in a baking sheet brushed with olive oil. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper then bake in a pre-heated oven (375F) for 30 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and milk to the pan and whisk together. Season with salt and pepper then allow to simmer for 5 minutes, or until mixture has thickened. Remove from heat then stir in white cheddar, fontina and 1/2 cup parmesan. Mix until cheeses are well-incorporated in the mixture. Fold in Brussels sprouts and cooked pasta then transfer everything to a baking dish. Combine bread crumbs and remaining parmesan in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle mixture over mixture over pasta. Bake for 30 minutes in an oven (375F).
Forget meat for a while - try these delicious vegetarian recipes!
Adrian T. Cheng is a food blogger and a BBQ expert. Through years of grill experience, reviewing various grilling accessories and trying delicious and unique recipes, he is sharing his knowledge with everyone through his blog. For more grilling secrets, tips, recipes and more, head over to Adrian's website where he has other interesting grillrelated products and posts.
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THE SCARIEST THING I EVER DID CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER P LORRAINE WIGGLESWORTH 'Oh no' I thought. The call that I knew would come sooner or later was about to take place. No, it' wasn't the dreaded call about a sick relative or a death in the family, but to me, it was equally emotionally charged. But before I share the conversation that took place on that call, I first have to go back in time about 15 months before that. At the time I was working for a US department store chain as part of the product development team with headquarters in California. I was single and eager to start my new adventure working in an international buying office assisting the team source and manufacture apparel for the various men's, women's and children's divisions of the department store. It was Valentine's Day when I arrived in Hong Kong for my first ever overseas position. There I was to help in a merchandising role and work on the occasional project that would immerse me more into the world of product sourcing and increase my knowledge of how factories work. The hours in the office were long as we struggled to staff up following the 'brain drain' of Hong Kong at that time. During that period the challenge was to keep things moving along smoothly, so the opportunity to do the 'extra projects' or expand my knowledge was fairly non-existent. Still I loved the work and I absolutely loved being in Hong Kong. In fact, three months into my stay I found myself praying that I would get to stay for the full term of the assignment which was approximately two years. There is a special kind of magic about Hong Kong. I loved the hustle and bustle of a city that never sleeps; the pungent and sometimes invasive
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Robert E. Person
smells on the city streets; the unusual sights and sounds of an ancient way of life going on in the back alleys just meters away from the high fashion metropolitan city of Central; and the instant camaraderie within the expat community which gave you a sense of family. I was enjoying my life meeting new people, experiencing different nationalities and cultures, and traveling throughout the region. Life was good. Then one day when I was in the office, the call came. It was my US based boss. Before I even said hello, I knew what was coming. It was the call. But, the call came with a twist. The Vice President of the company who happened to oversee the Product Development department (and my immediate boss) had given my boss a message to pass onto me, one that I was not expecting. Throughout my stay in Hong Kong, the VP had visited the office 3-4 times and we would have some time together for a catch up. It was a result of these meetings that led to the special message. During the call, my boss told me that the position in Hong Kong was coming to an end and it was time to return to California. However, the VP shared that he knew how much I really enjoyed Hong Kong. The special message from the VP was to let me know that if I wanted to stay in Hong Kong, they would support that decision with no hard feelings. The arrangement would be that the company would grant me some time to look for another job while I was still under their employment and once that time was up, I was on my own. If I chose to stay in Hong Kong and wasn't able to find work and needed to fly home, it would be my responsibility to get home. I was to give three days to think about it and give them my decision. I swallowed hard, thanked my boss and asked her to thank the VP and hung up the phone. Oh my god. I was about to make the scariest decision of my life. What the hell am I going to do? Immediately the internal battle began. My mind was saying 'don't do it; that staying would ruin the opportunity for the next person because I had quit after receiving such a wonderful opportunity; especially since I was the first person the company sent to live and work overseas. It was also too great of a risk. It would be career suicide if it doesn't work out. Hong Kong was an expensive city and not the place to be if you have no income. At the same time my heart was saying 'Go for it!' "You know you love it here. You're meant to be here! There is something you're meant to do, even if you don't know what that something is. There is more for you to learn, more for you to see and do. Yes, it's a huge risk, but you're meant to stay". I thought to myself, this generous offer that came from the VP (and I'm sure had to be cleared by the CEO as well) was a sign. The internal battle didn't last long. I took a deep breath and with my heart racing, I made the decision. I'm staying!
Real Life Real Faith | 16
Robert E. Person
Within minutes I became a crazy woman on a mission. I hadn't even told my company yet, but I immediately got busy. I rang a good friend who was in corporate world and asked her if I could meet with her to help me with my resume later that night. I started to scour the paper for job openings in my line of work. Three days later I called the company with my decision. I managed to negotiate another 6 weeks with the company and payment on my apartment for an additional month. Resumes went out, my suits were ready, my shoes were polished waiting for the big interview. I saw myself as a tightrope walker who needed to get from one side of the rope to the other, only there was no safety net. I had to make it to the other side. I had to make this work. Just 4 days shy of my six-week grace period I landed a new job earning almost 50% more than I was earning with my existing company. In addition, I was able to find a roommate to share the expense of my apartment. That decision to stay changed my life for ever. I stayed with the new company for just over two years, then I started my first business while living in Hong Kong. I met my future husband while on a vacation, but who turned out to live around the corner from me in Hong Kong. Subsequently we moved to Singapore where we've made it our home. That all happened over 20 years ago, and I've been living an amazing life. I followed my heart and made the right decision for me. So, if you are mid-career, what's the next big decision in your life? When it comes to your livelihood and lifestyle, hopefully you will be in charge 100% of the way vs. someone or a company telling you what to do. I'd love to hear from you to learn what's next for you. Here's to your success, whatever that might look like. Pamela Wigglesworth CSP, is an International Speaker, Marketing consultant and CEO of Experiential Hands-on Learning. She works with small businesses and entrepreneurs to enhance their marketing and grow their business. She is the author of The 50-60 Something Start-up Entrepreneur: How to Quickly Start and Run a Successful Small Business. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10019717
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4 Simple Steps to Retirement Planning Syed Ali Zain-ul-Abideen
For many, nearing retirement age can get frustrating and confusing. Many fail to properly get their finances in order to be able to enjoy retired life and thus, frustration takes root and tolls heavily on the person. being forty-five or fifty-five, very few people are satisfied with what they have saved for their retirement days. The list of regrets may not end there. Without getting an early start, many things can go wrong. Those that well into their forties and fifties are bound to lag behind. So, here are some practical and simple steps to getting really into retirement planning if you're a professional, business owner or just someone who cares about the future! Firstly, the lessons of life are learned by personal experience or by the experience of others. Smart people learn from the latter in order to never experience bad situations after retirement. The very first lesson to learn about retirement planning is to start saving sooner rather than later. It's not complicated and it doesn't require you to be a finance guru either. With some willpower, guidelines, and knowledge, planning your retirement can be easy, convenient and above all, blissful. Invest Every paycheck should have about fifteen percent invested into retirement. It can be a savings account or a small side business that, if managed properly, can become something to rely on later on. Retirement saving goals are great but enjoying less of your income today would enable you to afford expenses tomorrow! Forget about your employer's retirement plan, your own gross income must have this percent stashed away in any form for the golden years ahead. Recognize Spending Requirements Being realistic about post-retirement expenditures will drastically help in acquiring a truer picture of what kind of retirement portfolio to adopt. For instance, most people would argue that their expenses after retirement would amount to seventy or eighty percent of what have been spending previously. Assumptions can prove untrue or unrealistic especially if mortgages have not been paid off or if medical emergencies occur. So, to better manage retirement plans, it's vital to have a firm understanding of what to expect, expense-wise! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9981718
Don't Keep All the Eggs in One Basket This is the single biggest risk to take that there is for a retiree. Putting all money into one place can be disastrous for obvious reasons and it's almost never recommended, for instance, in single stock investments. If it hits, it hits. If it doesn't, it may never be back. However, mutual funds in large and easily recognizable new brands may be worth if potential growth or aggressive growth, growth, and income is seen. Smart investment is key here. Stick to the Plan Nothing is risk-free. Mutual funds or stocks, everything has its ups and downs so it will have ups and downs. But when you leave it and add more to it, it's bound to grow in the long term. After the 2008-09 stock market crash, studies have shown that the retirement plans in the workplace were balanced with an average set of above two-hundred thousand. The grown by average annual rate was fifteen percent between 2004 and 2014. Kewcorp financial is a premiere Sherwood Park-based financial planning team which has more than thirty years of experience in financial planning, investments, insurance and tax planning to name a few. Our professionals are industry experts and have the necessary knowledge and qualification along with the skill to secure your financial future. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Syed_Ali_Zain-ul-Abideen/2317169
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5 ACTIONS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER CHERYL LACEY DONOVAN cherylspeaks.org Sometimes it can seem like improving your
those that don’t.
life is an uphill battle, or like digging your way out of a hole in the sand – things seem to
2. Finding Faith
be working more against your favor than in
For quite a while now, many experts have
your favor. You may be thinking too big. There are actually a number of fairly small things that you can do to change your outlook, improve your health and make your life better. This article lists only five. Granted
understood that following a religious faith genuinely helps people in a number of ways. It gives us a sense of purpose. It makes us feel like we’re part of something larger than just ourselves. It encourages us to be understanding, forgiving and generous. It makes our lives better and it makes us better people.
some of them take some commitment, but try out a few of these and see if that uphill
While the religious can and probably will argue that
battle doesn’t get a little easier.
their religion is the best, most religions have very similar basic philosophies. It sounds crazy, but think
1. Joining A Social Group
about it: Which religion says that we shouldn’t help
This could be a club, a sports team, or just a
the poor? Which religion says that we shouldn’t be
group of palls that goes out for drinks once a month. The important thing is having friends. Having friends improves our self-confidence, it gives us a network to help us deal with
kind and forgiving? The name of the deity may or may not change, but what that deity asks of us is more or less identical from one religion to the next. So find one that you like and stick with it.
things like stress, or grief, and it even
3. Learn A New Language
improves the immune system. All of these
Learning a “Modern Language” like English, Spanish,
things also have secondary benefits. Probably
French, German, or Chinese, can be practical in a
because of the potential for lowering stress,
business setting, or just while you’re walking around
people with strong and healthy social
town. Learning any additional language, however,
networks are more likely to maintain a
comes with a number of benefits, including helping
healthy bodyweight and to live longer than .
you to learn and remember other things, and
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helping you to see things from new
tfrom someone else’s office.
perspectives.
5. Go To College
Some universities may let you audit classes on
Even if you’ve already been there, or even if you can’t
foreign languages, community centers may
or don’t want to stay for a four-year degree. College
have classes in foreign language that are open to the public, you may be able to find books on learning new languages at book stores or thrift stores near you, or you could download any number of free or cheap apps to learn another
is a unique experience where you get to meet new people in an institution specifically dedicated to learning and looking at new ideas. Even if you’ve already been to college, many find that the experience is quite different when they return later in life, even if it’s just to audit a class.
language on your mobile phone, tablet, or
Some of the things listed in this article are pretty big
computer.
commitment. Other things on the list, however, are
4. Change Jobs
things that you could do pretty quickly and with
If you hate your job and your company, you
little or no financial burden. Give them a try, and
can read this as “quit your job and start over,”
hopefully you’ll notice yourself feeling better before
but you don’t have to. If you worked hard to
too long
get where you are and you like the work that you do, consider a lateral job change in your own company. See if you can work in a new department for a bit, even if it’s just filling a position while someone is on vacation or while management is looking for someone to fill a spot permanently. Changes jobs provides a nice change of pace, it helps you to understand your own abilities and versatility, and it helps you to understand what the world looks like
HOW TO CURATE CONTENT FOR A BLOG
Content curation is a quick way to produce helpful content for your target audience. It's a shortcut to adding valuable content to your blog or website because you're not producing it from scratch. But you are offering value by writing comments on why it's useful, beneficial or relevant to your audience. It's the process of locating, arranging, placing comments on and spreading online the best and most relevant content about the niche you are working in.
Give An Opinion on the Curated Content Many entrepreneurs who curate content just put up the subject material without saying why it's important or what the context is. Talk about the issues, why the content shows a development about the specific issue, and so on. Make connections for the reader so they can see the value of the content and the value of the thought and work you are putting into your curation. What Are Your Target Audience's Pain Points
Determine a Strategy How much curated content do you want on your blog? A good blend could be 70% original content, 30% curated. Where Will You Get The Content? Make a checklist of the most important websites and blogs you visit on a regular basis. Read the headlines to find the content you find helpful and think your target audience will appreciate. Your Tone of Voice Some people really like to report the facts. Others enjoy stirring up controversy and be as contentious as possible.
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What are the most widespread problems that your audience have and what can help them fix those problems? Yes, you want to sell your own products, but don't avoid referring to your competitors entirely or it will seem unnatural and spammy. Answer Their Common Questions Frequently asked questions need an answer. If you don't have time to answer them all, use curated content to assist you. Remark on the content, such as why the strategy is good, bad, or could be better in some way. This will carry on demonstrating your knowledge and that you are worth paying attention to.
Pick Out the Best Content from the Best Sources Think of yourself as the professional editor of a popular magazine. Only let the top content reach your pages.
Know How To Curate Content Legally
Make sure that you credit all your resources so you're not accused of robbing content. Give the Website URL of the original work and the name of the author or publication, the date, and any other relevant information. If you're uncertain about using the content material, get in touch with the website owner and ask. Generally, they'll be happy to give approval, provided you're not slating their work as a load of garbage.
Are you are ready to be a better blogger? Discover 21 different one-a-day tasks and activities for getting more traffic, more prospects, more customers and more sales.
Download my free checklist, 21 Days To A Better Blog, at https://jonallo.com/better-blog
Article Source:Â https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jon_Allo /1079948
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