Exceptional People Magazine - November/December 2020 by Atela Productions, Inc.

November/December 2020

Ann M. Woodford Revealing the Beauty and Strength of the Invisible The Battle for Productivity: Are You Winning or Losing? Pt. II How to Turn Prospect Objections into Positive Outcomes

Dr. Sharon DeVivo An Exceptional President Leading Extraordinary Students

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 © 2020 All rights reserved.

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

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Dear Friend: Welcome to the November/December 2020 issue of Exceptional People Magazine. We’re in the home stretch of what has been a long and challenging year. Despite the many uphill battles that COVID-19 has presented us, we still can be resilient. We know that life is not without adversity, and life’s trials can genuinely test our resilience at times. However, with courage, patience, and faith, we can overcome. As we continue to seek ways to deal with all the challenges of 2020, let us not forget that it is often adversity that prepares us to receive the goodness that lies ahead. Hardship usually has a way of making us realize that we need to change our attitude, how we act and react to situations, and how we treat others and ourselves. Adversity helps us gain new perspectives on life. It often helps us discover our life’s purpose or a new and more impactful way of living our daily lives. As we continue to move forward, I encourage you to think about what lessons you are learning. How can those lessons become the foundation for teaching others how to be resilient? We wish you peace, love, and joy.

Monica Davis

CONTENTS From Our Family to Yours, We wish you a New Year filled with joy and peace. May any challenges you encounter be transformed into new experiences that enlighten you and y take you down a path of extraordinar a achievements. Always seek to make difference in the lives of others.

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

DR. SHARON DEVIVO An Exceptional President Leading Extraordinary Students

ANN M. WOODFORD Revealing the Beauty and Strength of the Invisible

MINDING MY BUSINESS

Self-Employment Myths You Should Definitely Ignore

Current Customers are Our Best Source for Growth

Do You Know What Sets You Apart from Your Competitors?

ow to Turn Prospect H Objections Into Positive Outcomes

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Checklist

Book Review The Value of Grit

Are you Running an Investible Business?

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Exceptional

PRESIDENT LEADING EXTRAORDINARY STUDENTS

Dr. Sharon DeVivo

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

n April 2020, shortly after COVID-19 had started to grip the world, Dr. Sharon DeVivo, President of Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, sat in her dining room and recorded a video message for her students. “Welcome to my house,” she began, “I’m sure many of you are going a little stir-crazy, as am I, but I’m so proud of the Vaughn community, especially in terms of your resilience and ability to bend and move with these times.” Neither DeVivo, her staff, or the students could have known then that the pandemic was just getting started, and that it would change nearly every aspect of life, in college or otherwise. But for any college president in charge of thousands of students — many residing on campus — COVID-19 had already presented a test like no other. Flinching would have been understandable, but DeVivo sprung into action. As Vaughn College’s first female president, she’d already been at the helm for six years. Her first order of business was to move all classes to an online format. In a matter of just one week, this monumental task was completed by DeVivo and her team. Vaughn also created a lineup of virtual sessions, events, and services designed to give peace of mind to students

and families and keep them healthy and motivated for academic success. Some of these innovations included workout boot camps, tele-counseling, tutoring, career services, movie nights, street hockey, and volleyball tournaments held in the residence hall parking lot. When students returned to their studies in the fall, Vaughn’s “First Generation College Mixer” was also held via Zoom. This is an important event because Vaughn trains and educates many first-generation Americans and firstgeneration college students, and serves a median student family income of $31,600. More than 90% of the school’s students receive financial aid. DeVivo’s commitment to caring well for its community in all aspects of the higher education journey hasn’t wavered despite the unprecedented circumstances. During her tenure, in fact, the Flushing, New York-based college was recognized as #1 in the nation for upward mobility in a study by The Equality of Opportunity Project. The study noted the college as “an institution doing more to impact social mobility for those who start from less fortunate means,” and listed Vaughn as the top institution for moving students from the bottom 40% to the top 40% of income. After their Vaughn education and placement in jobs at companies like Boeing, GE, and Lockheed Martin, a whopping 57% of students move up two or more income quintiles. 99% of Vaughn grads — 83% in their field of study — are employed or continue their education within one year. DeVivo has been instrumental in achieving these impressive stats; before her presidency, she has worked at Vaughn in various administrative roles since 1996. She is heavily involved in the aviation and education industries, serving on the board of The Wings Club, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and International Aviation Women’s Association Advisory Board. Most recently, in July 2020 DeVivo was appointed chair of the Department of Transportation’s Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force (YIATF) by U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. We spoke with DeVivo just as the fall 2020 semester was getting started, still under strict COVID-19 restrictions which had now become the “new normal.” Her optimism and enthusiasm for her institute’s programs and its students

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

have to take lots of extra precautions. If four students are working on an engine, not only do they have the masks on, but we’re also providing them with face shields. The ability to take something apart, put it back together, or build something is critical to learning. We can’t send engines home with students. Maybe in the next few years, that will change with virtual reality and things like that. But right now, it’s tough. We want to stay open as long as we can. Only half the class will be allowed in at a time. So, it’s not like you can come in for every class; you’re going to have to do at least one Zoom session a week. And if you want to come in on that day, you can. But you have to do the health assessment before you walk in the door, you have to have your mask on, and you can’t eat or drink inside the building, based on New York State law. So, we have to provide outside spaces. remain unscathed, a shining example of the way faith and flexibility can bring us through difficult times. Monica: Is there a certain number of students that determine whether the college remains open, or will you stay open even with only a handful of students? Dr. DeVivo: We’ll stay open, even if it’s just a handful because we serve mostly first-generation college students, first-generation Americans. We looked at their feedback after the spring, and many of them said, “It’s just not the same for me,” in terms of face to face.

As long as everybody in our community takes personal responsibility and goes by the rules, we hope to stay open as long as we can. Monica: What does it mean to you to be the first woman president of Vaughn College? Dr. DeVivo: I hope I’m just the first, not the last. The primary industries we serve are aviation, transportation, engineering,

I understand that. That’s not just particularly first-generation college students; that’s probably all college students. Especially when you’re a STEM-focused institution -- lots of science and math classes, some of those concepts are much easier to understand if you can walk to the board and demonstrate it, and a faculty member can come by and say, “Let me give you another way to do that,” or help you to think about it or let me teach it again. Because of the lab experiences that we offer, we’re very hands-on. Whether it’s an engineering student, building a robot, or an aviation maintenance technician, where you’re taking apart an engine, students appreciate that learning method. So, we want to try as long as we can to stay open so that students can get some of that hands-on. Now, it means we Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

manufacturing, and unmanned aerial systems. Men all heavily populate these, but very few women and very few minorities, which is the population that we primarily serve. 80% of our students are from a minority background and really reflect the incredible diversity in Queens, the borough in which we sit. All I’m doing is paving the way for the next generation of really outstanding students that we produce or higher education leaders who will see the neat things we do as an institution.

that book,” or “I need help with a meal.” I have very much pushed a culture of caring about students and making sure that we serve them well. Monica: When you first became President, did you already have in mind the direction you wanted to take, or did you figure things out along the way to bring the college to where it is right now?

I’ve been at Vaughn for 24 years, but I haven’t been President for that long. I’ve stayed because the students are such an inspiration to me. The opportunity to help someone on their path to transformation is just incredible.

Dr. DeVivo: I was fortunate. In the 18 or 19 years that I was with the institution before my appointment, I got to play a central role in helping shape its future. The prior President and I worked very closely together. We had approved a strategic plan just before I took the job as President. He basically said, “This is your plan; you better be happy with it.”

As a woman, I bring a different sensibility to the role. The past six men who served in this role brought a different set of strengths to the position. One of my strengths is that I am very interested and spend lots of energy on the student experience. For example, we don’t make somebody walk to 12 offices; we meet our students where they are. It might be, “I need extra help or support,” or “I don’t have money for

So I had a good sense of the fact that we wanted to diversify our programs even more. When I got there in 1996, 80% of our students were in an Aviation Maintenance Technician program. You could do it in as fast as 16 months. But typically, students do it in two years and receive an Associate’s in Occupational Studies (AOS), which leads to a great job.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Today, that’s only about 35% of what we do. Back then, we did not have engineering programs, a flight program, or a management program. We didn’t have a robotics team or an unmanned aerial vehicle group, or all the pieces that go with now three engineering programs and a graduate program. Many of those things have happened over the last two decades. I knew very clearly where we needed to head as an institution and had many people around me, whom all believed the same thing because we’ve been through this tremendous strategic planning process together. Monica: What impact has occurred in transforming Vaughn from a training institution to a college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees? Dr. DeVivo: It has changed a lot about us. One of the things that’s really cool is I get the chance to talk to alumni. And whether they’re from the 50s, 60s, 70s, or the 80s, whether they got a degree or a certificate, the quality of the institution’s education has always been top-notch. There was an alum from the 70s who got in touch with us and said, “I owe everything professionally to what the institution gave me.” That’s really incredible. There’s a legacy and a foundation there to take the institution to the next level, which was why it was possible. The most significant change was getting approval for our first bachelor of science degree about two months after I got there. That was probably the most significant transformational piece. Now we’ve had students with us for four years, and students who didn’t have to transfer elsewhere to get their bachelor’s degree. The residence hall was another major piece because students who live in the residence hall are the most engaged. They’re doing all the club activities, and they’re eating in the cafeteria all the time. They’re super connected. If you read the higher education research, it says the most engaged students are the most likely get to graduation, which is our real goal. So, that’s helped create this culture and connectedness, in addition to the fact that students tend to know exactly what they want. That connectedness in our community is what drives our success. And in many ways, it’s why our placement rate is 99%.

Monica: What has COVID-19 taught you about yourself, your decision-making, and your ability to be agile? Dr. DeVivo: A couple of things. One is to communicate, communicate, and then communicate some more. Everything is coming at everybody so fast, whether it’s the pandemic, our own families, the political state of the world, or racial injustice. We were initially doing meetings five days a week, but that just wasn’t sustainable; you can’t get your job done. What the pandemic has helped do is to deepen the decision making within the institution. It’s helped our associate and assistant vice president levels to understand how decisions are made, which has been really helpful. Also, there’s a trickle-down effect because they’re communicating that to the directors, and the Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

What distinguishes Vaughn from other learning institutions on that matter? Dr. DeVivo: Two years ago, we put in place a Vaughn guarantee. If you stay continuously enrolled full time in one of our AOS, or the training program or a bachelor of science program, but you don’t get a job within one year, we cover your federal loans for one year following and help you find a job. That guarantee comes very much from the idea that if you do what we tell you to do — you’re participating in our career development course, you’re using Career Services, you’re taking advantage of every course you take — then we know you’re going to be well-positioned to have a job in your field waiting for you within one year of graduation. If that doesn’t happen, then we haven’t done something right. directors communicate that to the associates and the assistant directors. We have to keep talking. I rely on that group to tell me when the staff needs me to make a video or when they’re feeling isolated or down. It’s helped strengthen the institution by having that group stay very connected weekly. I’m a better leader because of that, and I’ve got 18 other better leaders because of it. We’ve learned a lot about how cumbersome the process can be for us. Some of the things will stay with us forever, like how we use Zoom to do student activities to reach more of our commuter students. We’ve had them go through orientation with self-paced modules and then meet up in small groups. That way, we’ve had a more engaged group than we ever get on a one day, one-shot kind of orientation event. While we love having graduation on campus and making a big party, there was a more incredible feeling of connectedness by doing it on Zoom. We may keep our toast to graduates as a Zoom event so that family members in the Caribbean can be part of the event — something we could never do before. There have been lessons about how to be better connected as a community using technology through all of this. Monica: College tuitions continue to rise and don’t necessarily provide students with more value. However, Vaughn College has been able to give much more value. 10

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

That is fairly unique. Some other institutions across the country offer that, but it’s not something you’ll find everywhere. It’s about understanding and knowing all the pieces that we have to do right to get you to that place. Monica: The Department of Education designated Vaughn as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Is that because you are located in an area where there are more Hispanics or, was that by design?

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Dr. DeVivo: It’s yes to both. Roughly 37% of our population identifies as Hispanic. But Queens also has incredibly increasing numbers. I think it’s the fastest-growing minority population in the city. What’s very interesting is that each of the city’s immigrant waves has been reflected in our student body throughout our history. We’re fortunate. That recognition as a Hispanic serving institution allows us to compete for federal grants — Title III and Title V grants — which have helped fund much of our program expansion. At least in the initial years, our three engineering programs were able to get some outstanding grant funding for additional faculty members and additional equipment. As you can imagine, engineering equipment can be costly. So it’s helped to fund those things, which has been terrific. The other nice thing about those grants is that they benefit everybody, not only Hispanic students. Monica: Many students are not aware of the various types of financial aid that they can get. How is it that 90% of your students receive financial aid? Dr. DeVivo: We push hard for students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The overall numbers this year for the nation are down because students weren’t in high school due to COVID-19. Much of that application work is usually done at workshops in high schools. We do them in Spanish because so many of our students are Hispanic, and their families need that information. They are complicated forms to fill out, so we make a very concerted effort to help students get the funding they are entitled to in terms of grants. Monica: The college’s primary academic focus is centered around aeronautics, aviation, and technology. Are there

many females taking those courses? From your perspective, how important is it for more women to become involved and work in those fields? Dr. DeVivo: The overall numbers of women in these industries are abysmal. Only about 7% of pilots are female, and less than 2% of maintenance technicians are. That’s just for those two. In aviation, you can do any job you can imagine. But it has been a pretty much white male industry. At Vaughn, we’re at about 12-14% female, depending on the year. When I got here, it was only 4%, so we’re doing better. The numbers are even lower on the minority side. Much of this is a lack of awareness. Girls don’t realize the tremendous opportunities available in aviation. Many organizations are working hard to make that demographic better. I’m really fortunate. In July, I was named by the Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to head up a task force called the Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force (YIATF). It includes 20 members and is about creating pathways for students to get aviation careers. I’m going to ask that the group focus on underserved populations, mainly. There are two groups. One is the youth aviation task force, and the other is the International Aviation Women’s Association Advisory Board. They’re very focused on how to get more women into aviation. You have to start when they’re younger. So I look forward to working with them on that. We need a diversity of thought to make the best decisions for the future, and that has to include women and minority voices. That’s what’s going to get us to the best place. We know that, just in terms of moving the dial at Vaughn, it takes significant outreach. We have a very active student Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Society of Women Engineers chapter on campus. They go into middle schools and do hands-on projects with the kids, making LED headbands or building computer cars, and that kind of thing. Our women students often tell me that the middle schoolers just had no idea what they could do.

You spend a lot of energy on “Could I, should I, would I?” instead of just trusting yourself, which is where you get after six years. You have a much greater ability to know at that given moment what the right decision is, rather than trying to guess if it’s the right decision.

There are so many cool aspects to aviation, whether it’s building unmanned aerial systems, robots, or running an airport, which is like being the mayor of a small city. We’ve also had quite a few students hired by automotive companies developing self-driving cars. We’re producing mechatronics engineering students who have the mechanical, electrical, and programming knowledge and skills for automation, which is precisely what those automotive companies need.

I didn’t realize that I was going to feel like that when I got the job. It took me a while to relax.

It’s about awareness and a clearly defined pathway. They have to see where this goes and be able to ask, “Why take math in high school? Why take science in high school? How does that get me to the right college that gets me to Lockheed Martin, because that’s the job I want?” They have to see that clear connection. Industry, colleges, and K through 12 have got to work closely together to make that pathway very clear. Monica: Being President since 2014, what do you believe you have done the best? What would you re-do if you had the chance? Dr. DeVivo: The do-over question is easier. I would not have tortured myself so much. That first year I was asking, “Can I do this? This is hard. Can anybody tell that I don’t think I can do this?” Looking back, I wish I’d had the future vision to say, “You’re going to be okay.” That first year was nothing to compare to the last eight months, but it was good training for the previous eight months. I think that kind of thinking is probably prevalent among brand new CEOs.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

What have I done best? I think it’s my passion for whom we serve. I think that’s my greatest strength; that and taking the time to understand who our students are and what their story is—making sure that everything we do is about making it as easy for them as possible because many of them have overcome some pretty significant barriers to be with us. They are incredible, and it’s a privilege to serve them. Monica: Who do you go to when you’re stuck, or you can’t figure something out?

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Dr. DeVivo: I am really fortunate that I have a fantastic board and an amazing board chair. The board chair is an alum — only the second alum to ever hold that position. Not long after I became President, we made some very intentional decisions to make the board a little smaller and get away from the old committee structure idea, except for the Audit Committee, which we have to have and handle things as a committee of the whole. The reason for that was so that they could become thought partners with me. We wanted to get them involved earlier on identifying a problem and then bring their expertise in finding a solution or a strategy that I might not have considered. It provides for a much greater engagement level for the board, and it gives me 14 other people to ask for help. It has been incredible for me as the President to have this group of people so involved. Monica: If you could speak to all of the students right now, what message would you give them? Dr. DeVivo: We will get through this. We will get through this as a country, as an institution, and as the industries we serve, even though it seems difficult right now. I was with the institution when 9/11 happened. It was a tough couple of years, but we got through it. We have smart people in good roles who are dedicated to each of our successes. Have faith and trust, and we will be okay.  Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

Ann M. Woodford Revealing the

Beauty and Strength

of the Invisible

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

hen you hear Ann Woodford speak, it’s hard not to become inspired. Her voice reveals a deep wisdom, honed by a love of her surroundings despite decades bearing witness to hardship and injustice. Her stories, like her paintings, open the curtain to lives unknown. Her words color a tapestry of the human experience that she’s driven to share before the sands of time hide them forever. Striving to “make visible the invisible,” Woodford knows that without these stories, whether spoken or painted, the full truth of history - particularly Black history - is at stake. This understanding drives every speaking engagement and art exhibition, leaving her audiences empowered and elevated. Woodford’s skillful oils, charcoals, and drawings often provoke thought of the people and scenes from her North Carolina home. But they can also be strictly aesthetic, or simply for fun. Her imagination is sparked by people, animals, clouds, trees — even rocks — eliciting both joy and reflection from viewers young and old. As a young girl growing up in the Jim Crow era, Woodford attended the one-room Andrews Colored/Negro Elementary School. The school sorely lacked resources, but her talent and enthusiasm for art was nurtured by her teacher Ms. Ida Mae Logan, who submitted the young girl’s art to local, state, and county competitions, winning gold keys and blue ribbons. Woodford’s parents were also instrumental in cultivating her interests, doing their best to shield their children from the horrors of racism all around them. She graduated with honors from Allen High School and still credits her English teacher, Betty Sue Smith, with her writing ability. Benefiting from this village of support, the academically talented teen majored in Interior Design at Ohio University, earning a BFA cum laude. She went on to build an exciting career in New York and Los Angeles in business, PR, community service and the arts, including co-founding an African American arts company with actress Esther Rolle. When Woodford’s Appalachian roots called her back to her hometown, she saw a need to strengthen local knowledge of its own African American heritage. There she founded the area’s first 501(c)3 organized by black women, One

Dozen Who Care, to build youth leadership and community unity. Woodford was also the first African American to teach at Cherokee County Schools, and the first African American Director of the Andrews Chamber of Commerce. Motivated by the powerful personal stories of the region’s seemingly invisible African American population, she interviewed scores of individuals for her groundbreaking book When All God’s Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of African American People in Far Western North Carolina. Based on this monumental work, Woodford then created a series of programs and exhibits in collaboration with Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center (MHC). In 2017 she directed a year-long multi-county project as the MHC’s Guest Curator for a major exhibit that is still traveling today. Her long list of awards, accomplishments, and recognitions continues to grow. Woodford’s goal is to help others, especially youth, understand the value of working together and recognizing the efforts of those who laid the foundation for them. In her signature presentation, Making the Invisible Visible: African American History and Heritage in Far Western North Carolina, Woodford speaks on issues, institutions, and practices that impacted African Americans from the 1950s and 1960s down to the present day. Other keynote topics include Making the Invisible Visible, Ethnic Cleansing in Georgia, Collaboration Between Races Can Break Down Barriers, The Traditional Black Church and Its Clergy, and The Segregation of Schools. It’s not every day that you get to meet a visionary activist, artist, author and speaker who can prove that love and beauty are always blossoming, even in the most difficult times and in the most hidden corners. Woodford says, “Inspiration never stops” and we think you’ll agree. Monica: What was your life like as a young child? Ann: I had a sister who was two years younger than me. She's passed away now. Until I was eight years old, I didn't know anything about race, or my color, or anything like that. We had a little farm and my dad did all the work. He did not make us work like so many others did. His daddy didn't let his daughters do outside labor either. Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

We lived in a small house that he added to as we went along. When I was around 12 to 14 years old, I helped him build an added room to the house. We had a well and you had to draw the water out of the well to bring inside. The kitchen stove was a wood burning stove. We had an outhouse instead of an inside toilet, but my dad was very innovative. He was the first one in the community to build a bathroom in the house. We had fun playing. Our neighbors would come around and play, but my mom and dad wouldn't let us go to other people's houses to play. They wanted to keep an eye on us. When I was about nine years old, my sister who's living now was born. As a gift for having my little sister, my dad bought my mother a black and white television, and he told her she didn't have to work anymore.

But he wasn't making much money, so after a while my mother decided to go back to work. She would work anywhere from five to nine hours a day doing domestic work in white people's homes. My dad performed all kinds of labor. He was a genius and could build a house from the ground up. He built septic tanks for people in the rural areas. We had a pretty idyllic young childhood. We had a good life as little children. Monica: What lessons from growing up have helped make you the person you are today? Ann: I learned creativity because my dad was very creative. He also had a temper and I watched my mother’s ability to calm him down. She always told us that we needed to be forgiving. Whatever people did to us, we needed to forgive it. My dad didn't go to church for a long time, but my mother always went to church. One day, when we were maybe eight or ten years old, she convinced him to go to church. Dad prayed a prayer like you wouldn't believe at that church service. From then on, he never stopped going to church. All of these experiences influenced me as a child. Monica: How would you describe who you are today, your perspective about yourself, and how you view life? Ann: I think I follow in my mother's footsteps about forgiveness even though sometimes I feel bitterness building in me. My faith helps me to get over the bitterness that can build up, especially with what’s happening now with so many black men being shot to death by the police. It is heartbreaking. I feel for the families. I hurt because my goal has always been to bring people together. I’ve always said to tear down the walls that divide us and build bridges instead — across race, religion, ethnicity, gender. Whatever the differences, I want to build bridges. That's what I do. I talk about my dad a lot, but my mother greatly influenced me as a more peaceful, calmer person.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Even as a little girl in first grade, I knew that I was an artist. I would build things with clay. I started out building a very small farm on the little elementary school table. They didn't tear it up, so the next year, I built more onto it. After a while I had about half the table taken up with a little village that I had built. So, from six, seven, and eight years old, I knew that I was an artist. My parents knew that I was an artist. I would often lie on my back in the middle of the grassy green yard, looking up at the sky and watching the clouds form all kinds of

stories. It made a big difference in my life that my dad didn't believe in making girls go to the fields and work like so many other kids had to do. Monica: Do you believe that you are living your life’s purpose today? Ann: Yes, I feel like I'm living it. I am an artist first. I don't know that I could live if I couldn't do my art because I've always done it since I was a little girl. But I can't do my art without being an author and a storyteller as well. My art is based on many stories that I've lived.

Afternoon Delight

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Queen: Black and Beautiful

I had to stop doing my art to write the book When All God’s Children Get Together. I knew that if I didn't stop doing my art for a while and write the book, that all those people would pass away and their stories would never be told. I am a speaker and I like to tell those stories. When I'm telling them, I like to show what I've learned as an author. So, most of the time when I do my presentations, I take some of that history and also show a few pieces of my artwork. So, I'm an artist, author, speaker, and historian. Monica: Would you say that all of those combined is what helps you build the bridges that you talk about? Ann: Yes, absolutely. As a matter of fact, about a year and a half ago, a man who belonged to the Sons of Confederate Veterans asked me if I would come and speak to the group. I mentioned it to some friends and folks around, and they said, “Oh, you shouldn't go there all. That's a terrible thing. You shouldn't do that.” They said I should not do it for two reasons: One, that it would give me a bad reputation to be with people who had a Confederate flag 18

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

standing there for every meeting. The other reason was that some of these people could harm me. I went anyway, and neither of those things happened. When they got up to do their pledge to their flag, I didn't join them. But when I told my stories, I told the same stories that I would tell at a black church, or to anyone else. And when it was over, 19 or 20 people at the meeting bought six books at $40 apiece. They wanted to hear more of my stories. I’ve been told that the way I tell the stories is what makes the difference. I'm not telling these stories through bitterness or anger, but I'm telling the truth. Monica: In your book When All God’s Children Get Together, you capture a lot of history about the people of specific areas in North Carolina. Why was that history important then, and why is it important now? Ann: It’s very important to me. If you look at the state of North Carolina map right now, and you find Asheville, North Carolina in Buncombe County, the people, white

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

and black in this area, say the state of North Carolina ends in Asheville. That's a hundred miles away from where I am. Here were all these black people who were working here, building the highways, the buildings, the community, and building peace between the races. They built a great social life as far as we were concerned. If I had not written the book, those people would have been forgotten. I could not let that happen. That's the reason it is important. Monica: How have the stories in your book impacted your view of who you are and what you do? Ann: They just made me think deeper, to remember better. My dad had a great memory. He was one who could stir up other people's memories. I believe I can stir people's memories with this book. I know it because the book is being read all over the country, and beyond. Even in Cambodia people are ordering it. Monica: Your book is having an emotional impact on people. How do you want white Americans and other nonAfrican-Americans to feel about the stories? What do you want them to glean from these stories? Ann: First of all — and this is my true belief — Black people know white people, but white people don't know us. I think this book and the presentations that I do based on the book are waking people up.

Love people as you should love yourself.

Melody

Even our people don't know our own history. I didn't study to be an historian, but what I'm doing by telling these stories in the way I tell them is making an impact on people's lives, both white and Black. I believe Black lives matter. I don't believe in defunding the police because we need police, but I do believe that they should re-allocate some of the money to train those officers. However, it's hard to say that training would help all of them because some are already white supremacists and racists. Monica: Whether you’re commissioned for a specific painting or painting based on a creative idea, is there a message in everything you paint? Ann: Yes. As an example, Black in Black on Black is a series that I've started. I have finished two pieces. Another one in the series is a sketch, mostly in my mind. I want to do more of both painting and sketches. In the painting that I named He, I want people to look at that beautiful man and see this Black man looking straight at them. When they look at that painting, they can't help but see him looking at them. I believe that Black is beautiful. When somebody says “Black,” it doesn't mean coal black in the paintings that I'm doing. Black people Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

are exceptional people and we have accomplished a lot despite all the horrible barriers that have been put up against us. Monica: How do you want the work that you're doing, whether painting, writing, speaking, or telling stories, to impact young people today? Ann: I very much want it to build bridges. I want younger people to look at what I'm doing and do it in their own way, and to learn that we can build bridges. We don't have to tear up and tear down and be so angry with each other. In everything that I do, I try to use my creativity as an artist. But to me, “artist” is something deeper than just

Still Life with Teapot and Apples

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

somebody who paints on canvas. It means that deep down inside, I try to put my spirit into the work, and I want my spirit to stay peaceful. I want to remain loving and caring about people. Monica: I wish you continued success in your work. It’s wonderful that you have found your life’s purpose, and that your life’s purpose is truly changing lives. Your life’s purpose is your gift to the world. When you discover your gift and can share it with others, you become a blessing to others and blessings are returned to you. Would you mind closing with your last word? Ann: Love people as you should love yourself. 

MINDING MY

Business

Many experts agree that referrals cost much less to convert. They are more likely to purchase and become loyal customers, which in turn can lead to more referrals. Referrals are an important element in the marketing equation you can't afford to ignore. It is a cost effective source for new leads and usually, new customers.

T N E M OY

L P M E LF

S H T E R Y O M ELY IGN T I N I F E D D

L U O H S U YO D

o you dream of being self-employed but feel like you don’t have the money, knowledge, or skills to get started? Your concerns might be unsubstantiated – and grounded in some of the common myths about selfemployment. Imagine being able to increase your income and have a more flexible schedule. These benefits are a real possibility when you’re your own boss. So, let’s expose the myths for what they are: 1. Self-employed means working long hours. Many people who work for themselves do work long hours, but this is frequently a choice. They love what they do. • Many people start businesses that generate income even when they aren’t working. If you choose a business that includes passive, recurring income, you won’t necessarily have to spend much time working once you get going. 2. Being an employee is not as risky. Employees get laid off all the time. What happens when you need to raise some extra cash quickly? That’s tough to do when working for someone else, and you earn a fixed income. Being self-employed gives you more control over your income and the assets of the business. Having control helps to reduce risk. 22

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

3. Self-employment means putting all your eggs in one basket. If you’re an employee, how many “customers” do you have to lose before losing your paycheck? Usually just one: your boss or his boss. But if you have many customers or clients, they all would have to fire you before you’d lose all of your income. 4. Self-employment means additional stress. When you work for yourself, you can create whatever work environment you choose, you can have better stability over the long-term, and you have more control over your hours. • You can also choose a business that isn’t inherently stressful. Generally, you can make it whatever you want, which will make your stress level only as high as you find acceptable. 5. Being self-employed is lonely. Working for yourself can be a much more sociable lifestyle if you choose. With more flexibility, you can often rearrange your schedule to suit your social life. Also, you can make friends with your clients and network to find new clients and friends. • When you work for someone else, your co-workers tend to be your social life, and over time that can get old.

MINDING MY BUSINESS

6. Self-employment means doing everything yourself. While you’re the one that has to ensure that everything gets done, that doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. Hire good people to do the work for you. If you’re going to grow the business, you should have a support team to handle various tasks while spending the core of your time developing and expanding the company, not doing the grunt work. 7. Running your own business is complicated. Yes, there is quite a lot to know, but none of it is complicated. There are books and experts available to help you along the way. Nothing is overly complicated about insurance, payroll, taxes, and bookkeeping. It’s just new to you. • Plus, you only have to learn the information once. Then you can start as many businesses as you like. 8. You can’t start a business without much money. That largely depends on the business. A website and

hosting can cost less than $200 a year. Your home phone or cell phone is already paid for as part of your monthly expenses. A tank of gas isn’t that expensive, relatively. • There are a lot of inexpensive ways to start and market a business. Drive around and find clients. Call on the phone. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t let these myths stop you from taking the plunge to selfemployment. You can even start a business while working your regular job until you can bring in enough income to replace it. Now that you have the word, what are you going to do? Put on your thinking cap and figure out a way to make your dream a reality. Use your current skillset to create a business opportunity you love. There’s no time like the present to take control of your life and your money. 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

CURRENT CUSTOMERS ARE

Our Best Source for Growth BY MARLEN GEM

MINDING MY BUSINESS

hat is at the heart of every business, including yours? Customers.

If you don’t have customers, you don’t have a business. When deciding what actions to take to strengthen your business, always keep your customers front and center. If you make changes that end up hurting your customers, you’re ultimately hurting yourself. You’ll lose the people who are at the very center of your business. Airlines are an example of what happens when you forget about your customers. Over the last decade, airlines have gone to great lengths to cut costs and increase profits. Service declined, and customers were hit with various fees they never had to pay in the past. The result? Customers are getting increasingly frustrated and fed up. It seems that everyone has an airline horror story. Flying, which was once seen as a luxury, is now often considered a necessary evil. The moral of the story is to always keep your customers at the top of the priority list.

he didn’t have the resources to continue making everything available for free. Then he laid out exactly what would happen moving forward. You would be wise to follow Neil’s example. Explain why changes are happening, when they will take effect, and how they will affect customers. During times of global crisis, it is especially important to keep the focus on customers. People will remember the actions you take. If you seek to serve your customers, you will build up a tremendous amount of goodwill, even at the expense of profit. For example, during the coronavirus crisis, many companies sacrificed financial gain for the sake of their customers: • Many educational companies made their resources free to parents who were suddenly forced to homeschool their children. • Audible gave away free audiobooks for kids.

Before making changes, consider how they will affect the customer experience. If customer experience is one of your key competitive advantages, be especially careful about changes. If you destroy one of your competitive advantages, you may end up dealing a blow to your business.

• Moz provided free courses on search engine optimization to help businesses strengthen their online presence.

If you do make changes that will directly affect the customer, communicate those changes to them. Explain to the customer why you have to make the changes and the outcomes you expect. The more transparent you are with your customers, the more understanding they’ll be.

• Bill.com made its platform available for free for 90 days to anyone affected by the coronavirus.

Marketer Neil Patel is an excellent example of this kind of transparency. For several years, he made a particular software available for free. Eventually, however, the costs became too high, and he was forced to start charging for portions of the software. He sent a letter to his customers, clearly explaining what was happening. He detailed his costs, making it clear that

• Loom offered significant discounts on their video recording platform so people could stay in touch with family and friends.

All of these companies are losing out on potential profit by giving these things away for free. But customers will remember the actions taken by these businesses and will be much more likely to support them in the future. It’s about building your brand by doing good for others, instead of focusing on the bottom line. What’s the bottom line here? If you keep the focus on customers, there’s a much greater chance that your business will weather the tough times. 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

Do You Know What Sets You Apart from Your Competitors? BY DONNA CARLETTA

MINDING MY BUSINESS

nless you’re building something completely new and revolutionary, you’re going to be competing against others. Whether you’re selling a widget or offering coaching services, there are going to be others against whom you’re competing for business. If you’re going to succeed with your side hustle, you need to find a way to differentiate yourself from your competitors. In other words, figure out how you’re going to stand out from the crowd, how you’re going to attract customers, and how your offer is different from what others are offering. How can you differentiate yourself from your competitors? There are numerous ways, including: • Better quality products or services • Better customer service • Faster delivery • Less expensive products or services • Aggressive sales tactics • Higher or lower profit margins • A noble cause that you support with profits from your product For example, let’s say you’re selling soap online. You could create a unique soap that is of better quality than most other soap. Because your soap is of better quality, you can sell it for a higher price and make higher profit margins. Or you could sell your soap at a discount and sell a higher volume of soap. Additionally, you could create an aggressive online marketing campaign where you get your soap in front of more eyeballs than anyone else. If you don’t find a way to differentiate yourself from your competitors, there’s no reason that customers should purchase from you. It would be best if you found a way to stand out in the crowd. 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

How to Turn Prospect Objections Into Positive Outcomes BY PAT MARKEL

ost potential clients come knocking on your door because they know they could benefit from a coach's assistance. However, even though they may have actively sought your services, the deal is far from done. During your initial consultations, you need to convince your prospect that engaging in a long-term relationship with a coach will be positive and fruitful. Along the way, you will typically encounter a series of objections. These can make or break the deal. However, in reality, the objections that prospects raise are nothing more than stumbling blocks that can be easily overcome if you are prepared for them and can respond professionally and convincingly.

November-December 2020â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Exceptional People Magazine

MINDING MY BUSINESS

Let’s take a look at some of the objections that frequently arise. 1. Objection: “I don’t have time.” Possible Responses: – “This, in itself, highlights why coaching could be beneficial for you. What daily tasks are consuming your time? Let me help you identify how you can reduce your burden so you have more free time.” – “With such a busy schedule, your stress load is bound to become unhealthy. Coaching services can help you to achieve a better work-life balance.” – “That’s something you could benefit from by addressing it now. I’m here to help eliminate some of the stress you’re experiencing. Believe it or not, my top clients are those who don’t have time for me because they are the people who get the best long-term results.” – “Fantastic! That’s an excellent place for us to start. Let’s focus on getting you ahead of your busy schedule as our first task.” 2. Objection: “I can’t afford your services.” Possible Responses: – “It’s a matter of understanding what you really want and need. My services are not an expense; they are an investment. What’s your goal for the success you really want? What price can you put on that?” – “If you feel coaching services are beyond your financial reach that, in itself, exemplifies why you would benefit from a coach. It would help if you took back control of your life, and that starts with creating a healthy financial scaffold. I can help you to achieve that.” – “Excellent! Let’s get started on identifying how you can manage your financial reserves better.” – “I understand. I would be willing to provide a discounted rate to you for the first 90 days. What rate do you feel is affordable? I am confident my services can help you get on the track to success. Once you have achieved some basic goals and feel more financially stable, we can then renegotiate.” 3. Objection: “I don’t know where to start. I don’t know how to use a coach.” Possible Responses: – “Feelings of apprehension are completely normal. That’s the place we start: Figuring out what your goals are!”

– “Let’s just take it one small step at a time. Can you list three major challenges you are currently facing?” – “Let’s break things down into manageable chunks. Let’s start by listing the things in your life that you feel are wearing you down right now.” – “You’re feeling overwhelmed. That’s completely understandable. That’s where I can help. Let’s manage this process together and get your life on track.” 4. Objection: “I don’t think a coach can actually help/be effective/is worth it.” Possible Responses: – “Why do you feel that way?” – “Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of having a coach?” – “Have you ever worked with a coach before?” – “Can you explain what part of this relationship makes you uneasy?” 5. Objection: “I already have a support network/mentor/ counselor.” Possible Responses: – “What aspects of your life are not going according to plan? Is your network/mentor/counselor helping you with these?” – “Do you have a specific goal in mind that you think deserves immediate, dedicated attention that is not being addressed by the people who are supporting you?” – “That’s great to hear! What does he/she help you with?” (LISTEN to what your potential client says and try to pinpoint what you can offer that his or her existing support network can’t). If a prospect initiates a conversation with you about your coaching services, you are only partway toward securing the business. During the early stages of your relationships with them, you need to say the right things at the right time to convince them that you can have a beneficial impact on their lives. Many prospects will throw barriers in the way and raise objections to justify why they don’t need your services. Turn these objections to your advantage. Review the above prompts and consider how you can respond. The better you become at objection handling, the more clients you will secure.  Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Checklist

MINDING MY BUSINESS

BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR IS HARD WORK. Do you have a mindset that gives you the best chance for success? Here are a few characteristics that many entrepreneurs share. Let’s see where you fall. Do you have a winning mindset to succeed as an entrepreneur?

I WILL SUCCEED IF I WORK HARD ENOUGH AND SMART ENOUGH. I know that perseverance is the key to success, but I can’t just work long and hard. I must work long and hard on the right things.

THE VALUE I PROVIDE EVENTUALLY COMES BACK TO ME. I am focused on providing as much value as I can to the world. I understand that the more value I provide, the more income I receive. I do my best to increase the amount and the quality of value I create.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH OF THE SITUATION. I avoid making assumptions, and I keep my ego out of my decisions. I am open and committed to understanding the reality of every situation I face. I make intelligent decisions based on the facts.

MY CHOICE OF EMPLOYEES CAN MAKE ME OR BREAK ME. One bad employee can create significant challenges. The right employees can free my time and take my business to the next level.

I WILL BE BETTER TOMORROW THAN I WAS TODAY. I use what I learn each day to improve myself and my approach to my business. I am getting better and stronger each day.

I INVEST MY TIME AND MONEY WISELY. My time and financial resources have limits, so I allocate them intelligently. I know which things in my business most require my time and money.

I CAN FIND A SOLUTION TO ANY OBSTACLE. It doesn’t matter what has gone wrong. I know that I can find a way to resolve the situation. 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

MINDING MY BUSINESS

Book Review

The Value of Grit In her book, "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," Angela Duckworth writes that talent and IQ matter, but without genuine effort, they're merely the promise of what's possible. Grit means completing a project despite obstacles. Since every project or work of passion presents obstacles, grit is the only thing that makes a project succeed.

encouragement is critical to achieving what matters to you the most. In pursuit of their passion, people are often tempted to quit. That could be because they're bored or don't think a project is sufficiently important. Here's where perseverance should come in so that they press on. But what if they don't persevere?

According to Duckworth, grit can be developed by cultivating interests, practice, purpose, and hope--and associating with people who are gritty themselves.

To get insight into your passion, ask these questions:

Cultivating grit is the relentless discipline of trying to do things better, blending your moments of deliberate practice to stretching outside your comfort zone. At the same time, hope enables you to persevere when things get tough. By fostering the belief that your talent and abilities improve with practice, you're able to think more optimistically by testing the reasons behind setbacks and failures.

What do I like to think about?

While grit can be advanced from within, having similar people around to whom you can turn for help and

What matters most to me? What would I rather be doing? Where does my mind wander? How do I spend my free time? What do I find unbearable?

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Publisher: Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Pages: 352 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

Are You Running an INVESTIBLE BUSINESS? BY MARLA GEM

MINDING MY BUSINESS

aybe you’ve always thought about having someone invest in your business, but haven’t moved forward because you don’t know what to expect or what they will expect from you. There are some ways to evaluate your business to reduce the risk that may keep and investor from investing in you and your company. Some risk however, is considered good. When you properly evaluate what makes a business worth investing in then you will more than likely have your answer as to whether your company is investible. The following tips will help you give deeper thought to whether someone would have an interest in investing in you.

Investment Tip #1 MANAGEMENT When deciding whether a business is worth investing in or not you need to evaluate the management because a business really is only as successful as its management. Is your management team, knowledgeable? Do they make rational decisions when the going gets tough, and make the right choices which enable the company to consistently increase profits?

Investment Tip #2 BUSINESS PLAN Do you have a business plan? So many small business owners start a business without a plan and as a result they don’t have a way to measure their success. A business plan that is well laid out and shows positives, negatives, and how the company and management will handle problems within the business is very important. A good business plan shows that management knows where the company is, where it’s headed, and how it will get there. Be sure you take a look at your company’s business plan before you approach an investor.

Investment Tip #3 RETURN ON INVESTMENT The return on investment (ROI) is also crucial when you are considering approaching an investor. You need to have an understanding of how much equity you want to offer an investor without being insulting to them and at the same time not cheating yourself. If you evaluate the investor’s return on investment, (what is fair for them) and other economic factors you should be able to confidently approach the investor with an offer.

Investment Tip #4 ROOM FOR GROWTH Does your company have room for growth in your market, or have you reach a plateau or maybe the end of line? A company that has little competition is preferable for an investor, but a company with a moderate amount of competition and a plan to be number one is fine as well. Know where you are in your business and be willing to communicate how you will move forward. When you are interested in seeking an investor you need to take time to evaluate your company, carefully look over financial statements and have answers to the most common questions that will be asked. It won’t hurt to have answers to some challenging questions you think you might be asked. After all, you are seeking a partner – and you want to start off on the right foot. Speak with confidence and have the proof that you deserve to have them as a partner and you will decrease your chances of getting a “no” for an answer. 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

November/December 2020

Words of â&#x20AC;&#x2030;Inspiration from Extraordinary Entrepreneurs

Secrets to Thriving When Working Remotely Are You Running an Investible Business?

WELCOME TO THE TOP SECOND EDITION

Learn from the best and get proven and time-tested advice needed to succeed. Discover powerful strategies and systems, and endless possibilities to rapidly grow your business in any economy. Gain powerful insights to help you achieve growth quickly and save your most precious resources—time and money. Wow, I simply love this book. I was personally empowered by this tome of collective wisdom and insights. WELCOME TO THE TOP IS A MUST-READ FOR EVERY PERSON WHO IS SERIOUS ABOUT LEADING A FULFILLING AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE. My heartfelt thanks go out to Monica for providing us a clear way to manifest our destiny. Dr. George C. Fraser, CEO, FraserNet, Inc.

WELCOME TO THE TOP IS A MASTERPIECE AND AN ABSOLUTE MUST-READ FOR ENTREPRENEURS. It should be mandatory reading in every business school. Many of the ideas and the advice they offer can be applied immediately to any business. I have used them for my business and had great results. The wisdom they each share is profound and will shorten the learning curve for readers and save them from making a boatload of costly mistakes. Chrissy Carew, Hall of Fame Master Certified Coach & Founder of Insightful Player, LLC

Only

16.95

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CONTENTS EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

40 “Knowledge is like money: to be of value it must circulate, and in circulating it can increase in quantity and, hopefully, in value.” Louis L’Amour

Words of Inspiration from Extraordinary Entrepreneurs

EMPOWER YOURSELF

64 67

69 73 79

15 Things You Need to Avoid to Achieve that Big Goal Pizza or Pasta? Quick Route or Scenic Route? Comprehending the Opportunity Cost of Choice Secrets to Thriving When Working Remotely The Battle for Productivity Are You Winning or Losing? Part II Why Persistence is a Required Component of Success

LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

Still Not A Smoker

Recipe

Words of â&#x20AC;&#x2030;Inspiration from Extraordinary Entrepreneurs

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Greg Williams New Jersey

The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert https://TheMasterNegotiator.com

"People don’t realize; they’re always negotiating. In my articles and seven books that I’ve written, I discuss how people improve their lives by becoming better negotiators and learning to read body language to gain greater insight into unspoken thoughts that people don’t convey. And with the U.S. being in such turmoil these days due to COVID-19 , malicious police activities, and racism, people need to focus on any positivity that they can grasp. Here are my suggestions to do that. 1. No matter how bad your life’s situations may be, recall past problems that may have appeared as bleak, and recognize that you overcame those circumstances. Put a smile on your face when you remember those accounts. The smile will help brighten your day. 2. Don’t focus on negativity, period! That which you focus on becomes your life’s activity. Thus, if you focus on positivity, your mind will see more positive aspects of your life. 3. There will be a tomorrow. Whether you’re in it, is your decision. That means you have control of what your tomorrow will become. Make all of your days positive. Remember, you’re always negotiating! … even with yourself.”

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Rosalind Sedacca, CDC Founder, Child-Centered Divorce Network www.childcentereddivorce.com

"Accepting and initiating change in life isn’t easy at any time. It’s really difficult during a crisis. Take small steps adapting to changes you don’t like and can’t control. Play some mind games with yourself. Remember happier times, how you felt, and imagine you’re planning to experience those events and activities again soon. See how your mood shifts. Talk to the kids about happy memories of the past that you shared. Parties, vacations, playing sports can trigger smiles and warm conversations. Savor the laughter and special moments. And when you or your children are feeling down, remind everyone that this too shall pass. Your children are always watching and learning from you. Why not make this difficult time a teachable experience in accepting what is with grace. Focus on making healthy choices with your kids and seeing the good in new challenges. They are always there if you look. Ask yourself, what am I teaching my children about coping with tough times and difficult issues? Are you modeling mature, responsible behavior? Are you finding innovative ways to overcome obstacles along with them? They will appreciate your positive mindset."

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Shane and Nigel Mushambi Texas

2 Bros. In The Kitchen www.2BrosITK.com

"If you have not heard the phrase, "These are unprecedented times," you are living under a rock. We started the year off with big goals for our baking business. January and February were record-breaking months for us, and then we all know what happened in March. The world shut down, resulting in ninety percent of our orders being canceled. At first, it was a nice break; then we started realizing the impact the virus had on families. We thought to ourselves, what will we tell the next generation we did during these unprecedented times. We knew we needed to write our own story. What could we do? We couldn't bake. We started hearing on the news that people needed masks. Hmmm…we thought to ourselves, we’ve made a pair of pajamas before. Surely, we can make masks. We started with one spool of thread, two yards of fabric, and a couple of craft scissors. This one spark of an idea turned into three hundred masks for others. We started focusing on what we could do rather than what we could not do. We designed a coloring book and activity book to promote excellence among youth. Our next mission is encouraging youth who are having a hard time coping with the pandemic. No matter what is going on in the world, we can always take time to help others."

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Misty Blanco

New York/Florida/California CEO, Misty TV Firm Corporation www.themistytvfirmcorp.org

“It’s not easy coming through life’s trials and tribulations. At times, we want to give up; however, we have to remember God and all His blessings; even in dark times, we have to trust God’s process. Everything that’s going on in your life, whether it’s business or personal, is all for the greater good. God won’t leave you or forsake you.” With love, Misty Blanco

Photo Credit: Dijon Graham-Kemp

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Beatrice Davis Chicago

CEO, Sassy B Worldwide Productions, Inc. and No Strings Attached E News LLC www.sassybworldwide.com www.nsaen.com

"Today we find ourselves dealing with an unprecedented situation. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a game-changer for the entire world. We see ourselves to master and adapt to a new lifestyle dynamic and learn to aid and understand that we are all in this together. Recognizing the enormity of challenges that in the months and perhaps the years lay ahead of us, it is essential to redirect our way of how we communicate, work, take care of our health, travel, and even love. Now more than ever, it is imperative to inspire each other and support our communities with compassion, love, strength, and action to make a difference. The world needs new fundamental standards. Each one of us can be the instrument to build a new future to live together in harmony. A positive attitude creates miracles and an open mind to reset your life!"

Exceptional People Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Dana Humphrey New York

Owner and Lead Publicist, Whitegate PR www.whitegatepr.com

"Don’t copy the world, be a different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think."

Amy Sherman

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Author, Therapist, Dating/Relationship Coach http://www.amyshermancounseling.com

“I am, I can, I know, and I believe are all powerful words demonstrating energy, focus, and positive outcomes. Choose these words to shape your future.”

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Christopher E. Powell Maryland

President and CEO, Math Tutoring Experts, LLC http://www.mathtutoringexperts.com

"In this year of 2020, we all have faced unprecedented challenges and difficulties due to COVID-19. With this virus amongst us, strength and determination to get through the day have tested us. However, the human spirit has an incredible way of adjusting to any circumstance that may be presented. What we are experiencing right now is no different. Despite our challenges, our resolve continues to adapt and grow. Through this pandemic, we’ve found new ways of getting things done. And yes, the way we communicate and greet others have changed. The one thing that will always remain constant is our continuing ability to improve ourselves and strive for excellence in our goals. Ironically, wouldn’t it be amazing to have an incredible breakthrough during this tumultuous time. How are you going to write this chapter in time? Don’t give up! Your idea, gift, or talent could lead to some advancement that could provide relief or assistance to somebody else in need. Now is the time to strive for whatever our talents are. Let’s not waste another second. The world is waiting!"

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Brian Tooks Kansas

Patent Attorney at Invention Protection Associates, LLC www.InventProtect.com/btooks.html

"It seems as if any time I feel down or a situation is bleak, something good comes unexpectedly. And it may very well be that simply expecting good things to happen, to some extent, is self-fulfilling. So, maintaining a positive outlook is essential. Also, you never know where an opportunity may come from or who may be observing you. So, always try to treat people with decency and respect. It’s not only the right thing to do but because you never know how an unknown person might, through entirely unforeseen circumstances, become important to your life’s journey."

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Annemarie Cross Australia

Personal Branding & Communications Strategist https://annemariecross.com

"Don’t let disappointments lead you to a destiny of unfulfilled dreams!

However, ONLY if we DON’T let our disappointments and our failures keep us stuck.

I used to despise ‘failure’.

Your disappointments can lead you to a destiny of unfulfilled dreams - IF you let them.

That’s because my goals and vision were not just some random words I had written in my journal at the beginning of the year. They were tied closely to who I was. My self-worth and identity were cemented to my goals. So, when failure came knocking on my door - it was a slap in the face. A slap that confirmed: • I wasn’t good enough; • My dream was TOO big; • Everyone else was succeeding, but NOT me.

You’ll end up playing safe, playing small, or not even going after the dream you’ve been longing for so many years to achieve. My friend, this year has been full of challenges. And, for some of us – many disappointments. Please don’t let your disappointments define who you are. You are NOT your failures. You are NOT meant to be playing small or safe. You are more, MUCH MORE.

But, here’s what I’ve learned.

Your journey is NOT over.

Failure IS just feedback.

Pick yourself up. Dust yourself off. And go again!

It’s data we can leverage as we move forward.

Are you ready?”

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Marc Hoberman Pennsylvania

Motivational Speaker, Coach, Presenter, Trainer www.marchoberman.com www.gradesuccess.com

"In these unprecedented times, my mantra from my memoir has never been more authentic. Don’t let your struggles define you; you define you. While you might be confined to your home, your mind should never be shackled. A growth mindset has never been more important. With the power of the internet at your fingertips, this can be the most critical time to grow and improve various facets of your life. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can become the writer others turn to for solace. Expand your horizons and start journaling and use writing as a tool to record the present that will become your history in the future. Now is the time to read: books, articles, news reports, joke books, recipes, and more. You don’t need expensive gym equipment to get in shape. The pushups, squat thrusts, and walking of the past and physical education classes from decades ago are still effective today. You can’t control COVID-19, but you CAN control your attitude while you experience the pandemic. Stand strong, stand up, and show your friends, family, and YOURSELF that you will always get back up when life knocks you down.”

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Geir Ness California

President, Laila Inc. and Geir Ness www.geirness.com

My way of loving my Mom 3,000 miles away! "In Norway, every morning, my mom takes her daily walks in the same neighborhood where I grew up. She loves to take photos of her walk then shares them with me. After she returns home, we get on the phone and check out the photos she took, and I have to guess where she went on her trip. It is a beautiful way to stay close to my mom, and it gives me the feeling that I am with her on her daily morning trips and share incredible loving memories. It also gives me my daily doses of love and excitement that provide me with energy and a positive attitude to go through my days filled with stress. I encourage all of you to be closer to your loved ones and find unique and simple ways to connect and share the love. It can make a huge difference in the other person’s life if you take a few minutes to say hello. Just go and try it. You will be surprised by how you change the morality of the person you are calling. There is no excuse not to reach out and touch, as most of the calls are now free, especially when you go through WhatsApp. Give more than thoughts and words, send photos and videos to make them smile, and share your soul and heart with one simple call. Wishing all of you the very best, and stay strong!!!"

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

William Natale

CEO, Natale & Associates, Ltd Latest Book: The Resurrection of Boraichee https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0153P6FWI

“No matter who you support or what party you’re affiliated with, the great news is that Americans have decided to get off their couches and stand in line for hours to vote. The luxury or responsibility of exercising one’s right to play a part in selecting the people who govern on our behalf has become something that people are doing with pride. That is an excellent sign that millions of Americans are so engaged in the process that, unfortunately, has garnered turnouts that have been pathetic and pitiful in even recent past elections. It is apparent to some that citizens born here have sometimes taken their right to vote for granted. That isn’t necessarily the case with immigrants who see enfranchisement as a privilege that demands their participation. So, I’m hopeful that our country, which at times appears divided, is filled with a populace that sees the value of making their voices heard. How does one do that? Well, by VOTING, by canvassing, by getting involved in the political process as a volunteer making phone calls or sending text messages on behalf of their candidate or their referendum that might also be on the ballot. Let’s hope that this involvement doesn’t disappear in the years following 2020, a pivotal year in America for many reasons, which many will never forget due to a PANDEMIC. Hopefully, a rebirth of what Americans hold dear – their democracy.”

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Janol " MECCA" Holmes Georgia

President, Supernatural Inc. www.thesupernaturalinc.com

“Make the utmost best of the gift of life. Love life itself and appreciate each day, vision, and release of breath and touch that you experience. Embrace and maximize your God-given freedom within this Universe. Be a contributor and force of goodness to the world.”

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Shay Patel California

Founder, AlleyOop Kids www.alleyoopkids.org

“Take a moment to appreciate things. No matter how large or small. Something as small or seemingly insignificant as your morning coffee. Appreciate that you paid just a few bucks for energy and happiness in a cup. That coffee was the first win of the day. And even if you may have had a grueling day, think of all the little wins that were hiding in your day. You found a quarter on the sidewalk, win! You hit three green lights in a row, win! You watched a video that made you laugh, win! You took a few thousand steps today, win! Once you acknowledge your wins, I urge you to help someone else start their winning streak. I do that through my non-profit organization, AlleyOop Kids, where a donation as simple as a basketball can provide a huge “win” for an under-served child.”

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Bonnie Atwood Virginia

Founder, Tall Poppies Consulting LLC www.tallpoppiesfreelance.com

“So long ago and far away. That’s what it feels like when I remember last March. I was on top of my game, wearing a gold and black sparkly outfit, speaking into the microphone at the Metropolitan Business League gala. Suddenly, it was gone, the headiness, the celebrations, and a significant portion of my income. The party clothes are in the closet. My head is making an attitude adjustment, and God Bless the MBL for saving me with a hardship grant. As my work continues in a different form, I try to work my “5 A’s.” The A’s are: 1. Assess your situation. 2. Adapt to the new normal. 3. Acquire skills that will improve your business. 4. Achieve success beyond your expectation. 5. Award yourself for a job well done. I am by nature a “handshaker,” but I found that I could conduct my business online. I decided to take it a step further and produce weekly five-minute streaming videos on topics related to my job and interests. I reward myself every weekend by trying out a new recipe. Most importantly, my friends have helped me stay positive. Some day, I will wear bling again!”

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Greg Schwem Chicago

Corporate Comedian Owner, Comedy With a Byte www.gregschwem.com

“People always assume the goal of a standup comedian is to make people laugh. That’s not exactly true for me. Sure, I enjoy the sound of laughter when I’m on stage, delivering material I spent days, weeks, or even months crafting and polishing. But if people exit my show feeling better than when they entered, I’ve achieved my goal. That’s the way I try to live my life, too; feel better when the day ends than when it began. That’s not always possible since you wake up not knowing what the day will bring. What if your day includes a dead car battery, a missed deadline, a surprise visit from your least favorite relative, or a family emergency? If that’s the case, try and take a brief walk, watch a funny YouTube video, or text a friend. You might not go to bed giggling or feeling carefree, but at least you tried to change your mental state for the better. That’s what comedians like me are paid to do. Now go enjoy your own life’s “show.” It’s more entertaining than you think.”

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Amanda Abizaid, California Singer Songwriter | Abizaid Publishing www.AmandaAbizaid.com

"I see my current circumstances as opportunities to grow.”

CJ Henderson, Australia CEO, ABA League Australia www.abaleagueaustralia.com

“2020 has been a memorable year, lots of sad moments, but through it all, many took up the fight to keep pushing forward and to help others and stay positive. I hope the momentum keeps up for 2021—real people providing real solutions that make real differences in the future.”

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Tina Mosetis New York

Marketing/Public Relation Specialist, Mosetis PR http://www.mosetispr.com

"2020 requires great strength; there’s no better time to focus on what we can do to be positive in our business and personal lives. It’s time to make simple goals to help keep you going. As you achieve these goals, they’ll elevate your spirits: – Give some free help to clients – goodness will come back to you. – List short- term business goals: • Brainstorm about new clients/business connections. • Select five people or businesses you might partner with to help bring clients to each other • Offer yourself as a speaker via Zoom Webinars (for a Chamber of Commerce or other business organizations). – Ask for help - list people and organizations you can contact for support; call one a day. Ask around about who can help; do research on the Internet and call local charities or organizations that help the public. – List free activities to do with family and friends; set dates to make them happen-- movie night with popcorn, Zoom happy hour, card or board games, outdoor places to visit, etc. – Reach out to old colleagues and friends – the warmth you bring will fill your heart. – Focus on what you have to be grateful for: a roof over your head; food; God willing, good health and people you love."

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Dorothy Rosby South Dakota

Author and Syndicated Humor Columnist https://dorothyrosby.com/

How Can We Laugh at a Time Like This? "In October, I was fortunate to attend the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop, held on Crowdcast this year because of the pandemic. The event brings together hundreds of humor writers from around the country. As I listened to speaker after speaker, I marveled that I was still able to laugh despite current events. And based on the chat down the side of the screen, I wasn’t the only one. To me, almost nothing says joy like laughter does. And the fact that we could all still laugh so easily and heartily tells me something about joy. It’s still there, buried deep under everything else we’re feeling, like a spring in the desert, enduring and life-giving. These are challenging times, and of course, we must take what’s happening seriously. Humor and entertainment can seem trivial, like luxuries we can’t afford right now. But listening and laughing during the conference, I was reminded that it’s not only possible to laugh in hard times; it is imperative. Laughter refreshes us, strengthens us, and helps us carry on.”

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Nicole Kasten Florida

Realtor, Colfax Realty www.nicolekasten-miamiliving.com

“LIFE is very fragile and precious; we always knew it. Only now, being confronted with a pandemic, we understand a bit more what fragility means. Simply all lives are at risk. With that in mind, we need to treat our lives and the lives of all others with the utmost respect, love, and care. Let’s make every moment count and embrace the “New Normal” amongst all difficulty. It is not easy to stay positive but try to keep focusing on the blessings no matter how small they are. Remember, little blessings add up. See this time as a time of transformation. Remember, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and springtime after winter. 2020 has certainly been far from all Roses and Chocolates, many facing tremendous hardships, much more than we have ever seen. So, it is even more important to be kind, protect, and take care of yourself, take care, respect, and treasure others’ lives. Keep an open mind, and don’t resist the change! The easier you can adapt to the “New Normal,” the easier and exciting life gets.”

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

EXTRAORDINARY PROFILES

Nancy Werteen Television News Reporter and Anchor

Kim Howie Certified Health Coach

Pennsylvania The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com

From our new book, The Power Of A Pause "When you look back at this time, will you be proud of who you see? Are you someone who can be patient and resilient in these tough times? We say find the answer in the power of a pause. Sometimes a pause is something we choose, such as setting aside time to meditate each morning, practicing mindful breathing during the day, or reading a nourishing book. Other times we have a pause forced upon us such as, a health issue, a life crisis, or a global pandemic. We have discovered, and the research from Positive Psychology supports it, that turning inward is one of the most positive and powerful aspects of the human experience that make life worth living. It gives you the ability to control your own sense of peace, happiness, and joy. Without quiet—real quiet—your continuous forward movement turns into complete exhaustion. Without quiet, you look in the mirror one day and see a total stranger you forgot to decipher, understand, examine, and protect. Quiet is the miracle that makes everything better, and makes your quest for meaning, joy, and connection so much more attainable."

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

Start Your Business Right

A Comprehensive Guide to Entrepreneurship Success SECOND EDITION Monica Davis’ book ‘Start Your Business Right, A Comprehensive Guide to Entrepreneurship Success’ is a musthave tool for every entrepreneur and anyone contemplating that decision. She gives you the tools first and follows it with the roadmap. Your journey is mapped out. Judy Hoberman, President, Selling In A Skirt

Ever wondered what it would be like to read a relevant guide that can take you through each step of starting your business the right way? Monica Davis has brilliantly written that guide. If you want to start your business the right way or turn an existing business around in the right direction, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE. THANK YOU, MONICA, FOR THIS MARVELOUS RESOURCE! Faye Hill, CEO, The Hill Agency International LLC

The ultimate guide to help you plan your business and make smart decisions at the most detailed level before and while you’re developing your business. Start Your Business Right gives you a blueprint for success and provides critical insights, tools, and resources that most entrepreneurs spend thousands of hours and dollars discovering.

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EMPOWER YOURSELF Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality. Bruce Lee

15 Things You Need

to Avoid to Achieve that Big Goal BY DONNA CARLETTA

ig goals demand time and concentration. To avoid the average results achieved by those not as committed as you, you need to make more sacrifices than them. You need to understand which aspects of your daily life should be eliminated to pursue a big goal. If your dedication is sincere, there is no reason you can't achieve it. Nevertheless, lesser priorities can still draw your attention away if you lack precise goals that keep you inspired and engaged. Accept that certain things need to be avoided if you want the best results: 1. Stress and anxiety about dynamics you have no influence over. Be honest about things over which

you have no control. These do nothing but drag you down because even spending ample time and effort on them will get you nowhere. 2. Concern about what other people think. People's opinions are less important than we often suppose. If you're attempting something important and challenging, it is best not to concern yourself with others' approval. 3. Productive time management. Chasing your ambitions requires avoiding distractions that drain your hours away. Consider how your days are structured and what you can eliminate. Perhaps you are wasting much time you do not realize.

EMPOWER YOURSELF

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EMPOWER YOURSELF

4. Excessive internet usage. This is an easy bad habit to break. Challenge yourself to avoid tuning into various time-wasting avenues like YouTube and social media. 5. TV. Another habit that probably takes up more of your life than you realize. Successful people have learned to avoid the TV. Would you be sitting in that chair if it wasn't there? 6. Smartphone usage. Like the internet, this is another bad habit, and you only have to look around you to see how many people are affected by it. Challenge yourself to go a day without using any apps and see how much more you get done. 7. Becoming involved with opinionated drivel. Many people are taking to the various forms of debate media around today – most notably Twitter threads. What a waste of time. You're not going to change government policy because three people have liked your rant. Focus on what is visible and obtainable within your life; your ambitions and the people around you. 8. Short-term easy decisions. A common trait among successful people is that they're able to avoid the temptation of short-cuts. Don't pursue things like get-rich-quick schemes; have a long-term strategy instead. 9. Responding negatively to failure. Every successful pathway will have its pitfalls along the way, but you should view failure as a learning opportunity for the breakthrough you will achieve later on. 10. Taking advice from the wrong people. You know your own goals, so don't let friends or loved ones change your mind. They likely have other priorities blended in with what might appear as well-meaning advice. Look around for learning that applies to your circumstances and ambitions – which is unlikely to come from your best friend.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

11. Trying to please everyone. You can't help that someone might take exception to your goals or how you pursue them. Whatever profession you choose or craft you practice, you need to ignore people who do not value them. 12. Stalling. If the goal is essential to you, you should be working toward it rather than focusing on other things. Obstacles standing in your way need to be removed. 13. Being too emotive with your methods rather than pursuing common sense. The choices we make and the direction we move need to be arrived at according to wisdom, not driven by frustrations. Passion can be both beneficial and harmful, so learn when to use and when to repress it. Base your decisions on the knowledge that aligns with your goals. 14. Making the same mistake twice. Some people insist on keeping faith in the same methods just because they might have worked once, but circumstances demand adaptability. 15. Prioritizing short-term happiness over development. Satisfaction can be pursued in numerous ways, and short-term pleasures are often without value over the long-term. People with such instincts often eat and drink too much, become lazy, or end up with no purpose in life. Pursuing those key ambitions isn't only about how you act. It also requires sacrifice and avoiding many distractions that can quickly drain your time and energy. Cutting out some of these examples can be vital for achieving what you care about most. Consider how other people waste their time in so many ways and tell yourself that you refuse to dedicate your life to such failure. Analyze your habits and be honest about the things that easily distract you so you can avoid them. You need to get the best out of yourself to achieve any big goal. 

Pizza or Pasta? Quick Route or Scenic Route?

COMPREHENDING THE OPPORTUNITY COST OF CHOICE BY KATHY KENTTY

EMPOWER YOURSELF

ithout realizing it, we make hundreds of decisions every single day. In the majority of cases, the opportunity cost associated with a decision is minimal. For instance, taking the scenic route home from work as opposed to the direct route will usually have trivial consequences. However, if you were to miss out on an opportunity to bump into your favorite influencer because you walked home via the park as opposed to the main street, you incur a cost that has relatively significant consequences; this is what economists refer to as an opportunity cost. It is often possible to quantify opportunity costs. Let’s say you make a decision between buying a slice of pizza from a street vendor or a pasta dish from a high-end restaurant. The pizza slice costs $3, while the pasta dish costs $35. In this case, your opportunity cost is $32. Opportunity costs can be high and can increase over time. Let’s say the scenic route home from work burns $2.50 more gas than the direct route. Over a 270-day work year, you would spend an extra $675 on gas if you were to take the scenic route home from work every day. You had the opportunity to spend that $675 on something else, perhaps a new laptop or furniture for your home, but instead you spent it on enjoying a view. In some cases, an opportunity cost may be offset by an alternative opportunity that emerges. For instance, if you successfully negotiate a business deal while eating pasta at the high-end restaurant, your opportunity cost of turning down the pizza is low.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

However, in other cases, opportunity costs may represent inappropriate expenses. If you are struggling for cash, it may be difficult to justify spending $675 per year on the scenic route purely on the basis that you find the drive more enjoyable. Regardless of the implications, one fact remains: Your money can’t be in two places at once. Opportunity costs tend to become more significant when you start to make decisions about large expenses such as mortgages or car purchases. Even savings and investment decisions can have significant opportunity costs. Let’s say you took the direct route home from work each day and saved $675 per year. You now have a decision about what to do with this $675. You could simply keep it in a savings account and earn an interest rate of 0.05%. You won’t make much additional money on it. However, you’ll be able to get your hands on it when you need it. Alternatively, you could put the money in an IRA and get a return of 5%, which will add up to much more significant sums if you continue to take the direct route home from work over many years. 

Secrets

to Thriving When Working Remotely PROVIDED BY ATELA PRODUCTIONS, INC.

EMPOWER YOURSELF

THE NEW NORMAL Twenty years ago, only a tiny percentage of people worked remotely. Today, we have broadband internet, smartphones, and videoconferencing. The way we work has fundamentally changed. The result is that it’s much easier to work from home, which many people already do. Due to COVID-19, many employers have had to change how they do business, including allowing some of their employees to work from home. Many people don’t realize that working remotely is much different from working in an office. Many of the rhythms and routines that help you thrive in the office don’t work well at home. If you’re going to succeed as a remote worker, it’s essential to learn a new set of skills and strategies to help you succeed in your new environment. The following proven tips, tactics, and strategies that will help you work effectively from home. Let’s get started.

AVOID DOING THESE THINGS

• Trying to prove you’re always working. You may feel the need to prove to your boss that you’re working by immediately answering every message that comes into your inbox. The issue with this is that it prevents you from focusing for extended periods, which allows you to get critical work done.

• You are always available. You may feel like you need to always be available to your boss and coworkers. You feel obligated to respond to messages even if they come in during non-work hours. As much as possible, try to avoid responding to email and voicemail when you’re not working.

• You are too critical of yourself. If you’re new to remote work, it’s especially important to cut yourself some slack. It’s going to take you some time to become accustomed to working at home.

CREATE A SCHEDULE AND STICK TO IT One of the best advantages of remote work is that you have the flexibility to set your schedule. Not having a defined schedule can be a drawback when at home because of all 70

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

the other distractions. It can be tough to get motivated to get started.

• To keep yourself on track, try to maintain a set schedule as much as possible. Determine in advance:  When you’ll start work  Break times  When your workday will end

• Maintaining a predetermined schedule will add a muchneeded structure to your day. Inform your boss, family, friends, and anyone else who needs to know your work schedule. Establish clear boundaries regarding when you will and won’t be working.

• Consider creating pre-work routines that will get you in the right mindset to be productive. Think about the things you do before starting work at the office. Consider how you can duplicate these routines at home.

• Approach your new work-at-home status professionally by getting dressed, which could be business-casual attire. When you get dressed, it’s a signal to your brain and body that you’re transitioning out of relaxing and into work.

• It’s essential to take breaks while working from home. If you’re not careful, you can end up working for hours without giving your mind a rest. Schedule activities that will refresh you mentally, like going for a walk, drinking coffee on your porch, or calling a friend.

• It’s also important to establish clearly defined boundaries about when you will and won’t be working. If you don’t have a clearly defined quitting time, work will quickly take over. Your goal is to be fully present at whatever you’re doing.

CREATE A WORKING SPACE Designated working space can help keep your work life and home life apart. When you enter your working space, you know that it’s time to get busy. When you leave, you know that it’s time to relax.

• As much as possible, try to make your workspace separate from the rest of your home. This doesn’t mean that you must have an entirely different room in which to

EMPOWER YOURSELF

work. It merely means that you primarily use that space for working and not leisure.

• The more you work in one area, the more your brain will associate that area with your job. As the association in your mind strengthens, entering your workspace will act as a trigger, signaling to your brain that it’s time to work.

• Ideally, your workspace should be as free from distractions as possible. If you can’t physically separate yourself from others, using noise-canceling headphones can also reduce distractions.

• Make your space comfortable. Get a comfy chair and maybe put up a few decorations. If you can, work in a well-lit area, preferably illuminated by natural light.

• When the day is over, “close” your working space. Shut down any work-related items on your computer (browser tabs, email) and tidy up your area so that it’s ready for the next day.

USE A TASK LIST

• Consistently maintaining a task list helps you focus most your attention on the things that matter most. You also gain a sense of progress as you check items off your list.

• At the start of each day, take a few minutes to review the items on your list. Rank your three most important tasks and then focus on getting those things done that day. Don’t move on to your second most important task until you’ve completed your first.

• If you simultaneously want to stay on top of your schedule and your task list, you may want to try using the Pomodoro technique. If you simultaneously want to stay on top of your schedule and your task list, you may want to try using the Pomodoro technique. It works this way:  Identify your most important task.  Set a timer for 25 minutes.  Work on the task for 25 minutes (one Pomodoro session).  Take a 5-minute break.  After four Pomodoro sessions, take a 15-20-minute break.

STAY IN COMMUNICATION WITH COWORKERS

• Even though you’re working from home, it’s still essential to stay in touch with your boss and coworkers. With remote work, there’s an increased risk of miscommunication and misunderstanding. To keep this from happening, work hard to keep all the channels of communication open.

• Your company may already have tools in place to keep everyone connected. If they don’t, consider using the following.

• Chat tools. There are times when you want to fire off a quick question to a coworker without getting into a fullfledged discussion. In these moments, chat applications are incredibly useful.

• There are several effective ways to keep a task list. Many planners are specifically designed to help you identify and accomplish your most important tasks, including:  Full Focus Planner  Best Self Planner  Bullet Journal

• If you want to maintain your list on your computer and smartphone, check out these apps:  Todoist  Microsoft To Do  Omnifocus  Google Tasks  Things Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EMPOWER YOURSELF

• Video conferencing tools. Video conferencing tools are essential when you need to have a meeting but aren’t in the office. Everyone can come together in a “room” and hash things out.

• Collaboration tools. The best collaboration tools allow you and your coworkers to work on projects together efficiently. Changes can be easily made and tracked, and notes can be attached to any item.

• Project management tools. Project management tools ensure that projects keep moving and that the right people work on the right tasks at the right times. The best project management tools allow assigned tasks, deadlines to be set, reminders to be sent, and more.

REDUCE DISTRACTIONS

GET MOVING

• When you work from home, you’re in one location much more than usual. To combat claustrophobia, try to get outside each day. Simple outdoor activities you can do include:  Walking  Biking  Playing a sport like basketball  Fishing  Picnic  Garden

• In addition to just getting outside, try to exercise several times per week. Regular exercise helps you keep the pounds off and increases your overall sense of wellbeing. If you don’t have access to equipment, several apps can provide you with guided workouts.

hen you work from home, distractions are everywhere. W These distractions can make it challenging to get things done. The more you can reduce distractions, the more productive you’ll be.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

• Know yourself. Most distractions arise internally, like

• Isolation and loneliness can be significant challenges for

getting bored, hungry, or tired. If you know when these distractions tend to occur, you can plan accordingly. For example, if your energy starts to flag in the afternoon, schedule a brisk walk.

• Shut things down. An abundance of incoming emails, chat room messages, and texts make it hard to focus. Sometimes the best solution is to shut all of these things down for set periods. Consider only checking your communication tools at designated times during the day.

• Block distracting websites. There are a million timewasting distractions on the internet. One of the most effective solutions is to block all the websites that tend to reel you in. Physically prevent yourself from wasting time.

• Work during your peak times. There are certain times of the day when you’re more energized, focused, and productive. As much as possible, use your peak periods for your most important work. Avoid wasting these times on things like email, which you can do even when your brain is tired.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

remote workers. After all, your office mates are a big part of your social circle. That all goes away when you work from home. It takes a concerted effort to ensure that you get consistent time with others.

• Working at coffee shops or coworking space can make you feel like you’re part of society, even if you’re not directly interacting with others. Taking social breaks can also be helpful. For example, you could work several hours in the morning and then grab lunch with a few friends.

• Another option is to join local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or a softball team. You may also want to think about volunteering, which allows you to socialize with others and make a meaningful contribution to your community.

• The big takeaway is to find ways that you can spend time with others. Generally speaking, extended periods of isolation aren’t healthy. So, it’s essential to make an effort to be around other people. 

The Battle for Productivity

Are You

Winning or Losing? Part II

BY JON CRUMP

EMPOWER YOURSELF

n the last issue, I talked about how goals, although useful, can limit your threshold for happiness. I also spoke about the power of systems and how they can help entrepreneurs achieve more. In part two, I will address the importance of getting things done. THE EARLY BIRD GETS EVERYTHING DONE There’s nothing quite like the peaceful calm of the early morning hours. The fact is, getting up early is one of the critical things that most successful entrepreneurs do. The early morning hours are one of the best times to tackle the most critical tasks. Rising early allows you to accomplish great things before most of the world has even woken up. This “mind over mattress” thinking has been around for a long time. You may even be familiar with Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” What makes early risers successful, and how do you become an early riser? EARLY RISERS INCREASE THEIR CHANCE OF SUCCESS In 2010, Harvard Business Review released a study by biologist Christoph Randler about early risers. Three hundred sixty-seven university students participated in his survey, and they were asked what times of the day they were most energetic. They were also asked how willing and able they were to take action or change a situation to their advantage. Randler reported, “A higher percentage of the morning people agreed with statements that indicate proactivity, such as ‘I spend time identifying long-range goals for myself’ and ‘I feel in charge of making things happen.’” A similar study was conducted in 2008 by Kendry Clay at the University of North Texas. The study focused on 824 undergraduate students who were enrolled in psychology classes at the university. They were asked questions about their sleep habits and daytime functioning. 74

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The study found that students who preferred the morning had higher GPAs, and those who preferred the evening had lower GPAs. Both of these studies had the same conclusion: Early risers have a higher chance of success. 7 WAYS TO BE AN EARLY RISER Rising early might sound like an excellent plan, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to jump-start the day.

Tip #1 Go to Bed Earlier One of the easiest ways to get out of bed in the morning is to go to bed earlier. The late evening hours might feel like a good time to be productive, but the truth is: • You have a limited threshold for productivity. • Your progress is going to stall. • Your work is probably going to get sloppy. Instead, do your most productive work during the daytime hours and leave the evening for rest and time with family and friends. Some people are more prone to staying up late and sleeping late, but this sleep pattern can be modified. Try going to bed one hour earlier and getting up one hour earlier to start.

Tip #2 Turn off all the Screens We live in a world full of screens - smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. Screens surround us. While these tools can be beneficial for business, they can also affect your sleep. To prevent technology from disturbing your precious sleep, turn it off or put it away a few hours before you go to bed. This will help your mind unwind and get you ready for sleep. While many people use their phone for an alarm clock, this creates a huge temptation to check social media or try to

EMPOWER YOURSELF

fit in a few more minutes of work late at night. Do yourself a favor and buy an alarm clock. Charge your cell phone in another room and get rid of the nighttime distractions.

Tip #3 create a sleep routine Creating a sleep routine is what pediatricians recommend to parents that desperately want their babies and toddlers to go to bed at night. However, this idea is not limited to children. A sleep routine is a wonderful way for anyone to get the sleep they need. If possible, pick the same time to go to bed and to rise every day. Your body will adjust to this schedule, and you may find that you won’t even need an alarm clock to wake up eventually. If you need something to occupy your thoughts before bed, try reading a book instead of watching a movie. Reading is known for reducing stress and helping you get a good night’s sleep. According to a study conducted by Cognitive Neuropsychologist Dr. David Lewis, reading can reduce stress by 68%. Other things you can include in your nighttime routine are: • A warm, non-caffeinated drink • Meditation or prayer • A warm bath • Breathing routines • Using an app like “Calm,” which helps you wind down each night

Tip #4 get some exercise

Tip #5 keep your alarm clock at a distance If your number one difficulty is waking up in the morning, set your alarm clock out of reach. If you can’t keep your hands off the snooze button, this will force you to get out of bed.

Tip #6 a splash of cold water If you’re extra groggy in the AM, you can always try splashing cold water in your face. This cold water will help energize you and snap you into an awake mode.

Tip #7 give yourself a reason to get up Thinking of a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning may be your strongest motivator for early rising. Your reason for getting up in the morning may vary from someone else’s but give yourself a good reason to wake up. Choose something that will be effective day after day. Knowing that you can be more productive early in the morning may be enough. If not, maybe the thought of a tasty breakfast or a hot cup of coffee might be your reason for leaving your cozy covers. ELIMINATE YOUR DISTRACTIONS You know the feeling. You’ve prepped yourself to buckle down and start crossing things off your to-do list. It’s a mile long, and it just keeps growing. You’re finally in the right mindset and, you’re ready to go. You’re completely geared up to knock out your list, and you’re 100% ready for that feeling of relief and satisfaction you’ll have at the end of a full productive day.

Getting a good night’s rest can be as easy as putting in some good exercise during the day. Intense exercise is the most conducive for a good night’s rest, but any activity level is helpful.

Then the phone buzzes -- it’s a text message.

Exercise has been found to increase time spent in deep sleep, improve sleep quality, and help you sleep longer.

An employee walks into your office with an important question.

Physical activity is also known to reduce stress and anxiety -- two things that can significantly affect someone’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Your laptop dings with a new email. Your phone lights up with a new message.

Your phone rings – it’s a non-work-related call. You need a cup of coffee. You have to use the bathroom. You’re starting to get hungry. Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EMPOWER YOURSELF

The whole morning is gone before you know it, and you don’t have anything to show for it. Unfortunately, distractions are one of the leading killers of productivity. You have many things coming at you, and many of them keep you from focusing on what truly matters. While you’re busy with these distractions, you’re not accomplishing anything. Here are five tips to get rid of the distractions and get back on track.

Tip #1 make plans the night before Making plans the day before can be a beneficial trick to stay focused on the following day. You don’t have to plan out every decision but make choices about simple things that might be distractions during the day. When you’re tired in the morning, these decisions will probably be harder to make and can easily occupy your thought processes. You can also set a rough schedule for yourself. For example, you may decide that you won’t check your email or answer text messages until you’ve completed two essential tasks. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., you’ll focus solely on a specific project.

Tip #2 cut out social media It’s now estimated that people are spending 2 hours and 22 minutes a day on social media. That’s an incredible stat if you’re trying to reach customers, but a terrible one for productivity. Social media is a black hole and sucks up a lot of time. Notifications and social media, in general, can be incredibly addictive. Here are some strategies to help you manage your social media time: • Set a schedule for when you’ll go on social media – for example, between 10 - 11 a.m. and 4 - 5 p.m. 76

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• Use built-in tools like “iOS Screen Time” and “Android Digital Wellbeing” to monitor or restrict social media use on your phone. • Turn off all non-business-related notifications, so you’re not feeling the constant pull of “dings” distracting you. Use your business social media accounts to engage with real customers, tweet about your newest products, and post beautiful pictures. After that, put your phone away and focus on your other tasks.

Tip #3 create boundaries In any given workday, you’ll have to field important calls. There may be some lines of communication that are necessary to your workday, but there are others that can be set aside. Give yourself periods during your day when you don’t check your phone, emails, or messages. Some entrepreneurs choose the early morning to return emails and engage with customers on social media. Others choose to focus on their list of tasks before creating new tasks introduced by external messages. If possible, it’s also an excellent plan to have at least one day a week meeting-free. This can give you a free day to complete tasks and stay productive.

Tip #4 create a productive space If you’re working at home or in an office, it’s important to create a space where you can feel productive. Productivity produces productivity. In other words, if you were productive in a particular space, your brain will want to be productive there again. You’ll associate that place with the good feeling that you had the last time you were able to crush it at work. If you want your workplace to promote work, keep it tidy. A cluttered or messy space will distract you. Even if you don’t feel like you have to clean it up, the disorganization will keep you from completing your tasks. Keep your workspace simple and easy to maintain, and ensure that it has a door so you can shut out distractions when necessary.

EMPOWER YOURSELF

Tip #5 it can't all be work While there are a few successful individuals who are genuinely all work and no play, most human beings aren’t made that way. We’re not meant to be. Play opens up a person for creativity and relieves us of our heavy workloads. Some workplaces like Google have built-in areas at work for playtime. These spaces are meant to foster creativity and reduce stress in the workplace. Most human beings grow frustrated and unproductive when they force themselves to work continuously and enjoy very little. This is a system that is ultimately unsustainable. There are several things that you can do to combat this: 1. Make work enjoyable. Find ways to make the things you do at work pleasurable and exciting as opposed to drudgery work.

2. Plan to have breaks during the day. Walk around the building, eat a good lunch, or take a coffee break. 3. Choose a quitting time. Choose a part of the day to set aside work and be finished. It’s essential to have time set aside in the day to give attention to friends and family. 4. Take a vacation—plan for certain times of the year to be non-work times. Enjoy your relationships with others, and find ways to have fun. Set aside the phones, emails, and messages and focus on the other things in life that matter to you. You may never be able to cut out all distractions, but limiting them can significantly enhance your chances of success. Reduce social media, limit communication, and make time for play, and you’ll soon see that your productive periods are a lot more successful.

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

EMPOWER YOURSELF

ACCOMPLISH YOUR HARDEST TASK FIRST

PUT THAT PLAN INTO ACTION

The final pillar we will focus on is prioritizing your workday. While it’s easy to start the day with low hanging fruit, like email, the most productive entrepreneurs focus on getting their most important task done first.

Only you know your most difficult or complicated tasks but do your best to take on those jobs first. Hit them first thing in the morning when you’re at your strongest. Even if your difficult tasks don’t take you the longest, they’re going to take a lot more effort.

Experts always recommend that you complete your most challenging task first. Mark Twain said, “If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” In other words, tackle the most challenging things before you do anything else. WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? How does this theory stack up in real life? Does it make sense to do the hard things first? In 2017, Harvard Business School released a working paper called Task Selection and Workload: A Focus on Completing Easy Tasks Hurts Long-Term Performance. The study discussed in the working paper was conducted in an emergency department in a metropolitan hospital. They…” assembled [their] data from the emergency department for twenty-four months in fiscal years 20062007 involving over 90,000 different patient encounters.” The study was meant to discover how starting with easier tasks versus harder tasks might affect productivity. The study concluded that completing easier tasks does create a short-term sense of satisfaction, but it can negatively impact long-term productivity.

As the day goes on, your ability to focus diminishes. Your willpower may fall apart, and you’ll want to avoid your work and put it off until the next day. If you choose your most challenging jobs first, you’ll be able to finish the day with your easiest work. That feeling of productivity from easy tasks will help propel you into the next day when you’re ready to slay your most demanding task once again. PRODUCTIVITY IS IN YOUR GRASP The fresh fruit of productivity is well within your grasp. You want that good feeling of productivity, and it’s entirely in your control. The four pillars below that were discussed in Part 1 of the previous issue and Part 2 in this issue are actionable ideas that you can start today: • Pillar #1. Develop a system that works for you. Make it sustainable and continue tweaking it for the best results. • Pillar #2. Wake up early in the morning, ready for the day while the rest of the world sleeps. • Pillar #3. Cut out the countless distractions that prohibit your work instead of enhancing it.

In other words, a short-term victory feels good at the moment. It makes a person feel productive when they accomplish something.

• Pillar #4. Overcome your most difficult tasks first. Afterward, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a more comfortable afternoon or evening.

However, because they are not pushing themselves to learn and overcome the more challenging tasks, they’re limiting their potential.

Your new and productive work-style will help you live that happy and fulfilled life that so many people are seeking.

Not only that, but the study found that the physicians who habitually chose the easier tasks first were less profitable to the hospital in the long run. 78

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At the end of the day, you can put your work aside and invest in the relationships in your life that are most meaningful. You can rest easy knowing that you gave your best effort and put in a productive and fruitful workday. 

WHY

Persistence IS A REQUIRED COMPONENT OF

Success BY JON CRUMP

EMPOWER YOURSELF

obody said life was easy. However, the walls we need to climb to reach significant goals can be off-putting for many. Often, people will not bother. Perhaps this side of the wall isn’t so bad after all? In truth, only a rare few of us are willing to put in the time and effort required to achieve a truly ambitious goal. However, take heart, there are far fewer obstacles to success than you imagine! Perhaps you weren’t born with dazzling intelligence or a unique talent. No matter. If you can show perseverance, you can succeed. So, what does perseverance mean? Goal orientation: When you are working toward something important, you will typically find a relentless slog for 95% of the time, but the remaining 5% is an utter joy. Perhaps you’re training for a sporting event, starting your own business, or working on a book. Most of the time, it will just be difficult, even miserable. However, successful people look beyond the pain of now to the happiness of tomorrow. Focus on how you will feel when you finally achieve your goal—moreover, the more difficult your journey, the sweeter your success. The perfect is the enemy of the good: You do not need an innovative, norm-shattering, never-seen-before idea to succeed. You need one decent idea. Think about the successful people you know. Did they come up with a genuinely pioneering concept or have a firm idea that they persisted with long after their competitors gave up? Don’t wait for the perfect idea. Move forward with a good one and persevere. Short-term happiness = long-term disappointment: The hard truth is that having fun now means that you are less likely to find success in the long term. If you are focused on

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

enjoying yourself and “living life to the max,” you are unlikely to get a lot of work done. Put in the hard yards now, and you will reap the benefits in later life. If you find it difficult to say no to a pleasure-seeking opportunity, reflect on how you are spending your time and where it is likely to get you in the next decade or two. Is it somewhere you want to be? If not, get working! Specialize: Being an expert in one area is more valuable than generalizing. Find your niche and persevere. Anyone can become skilled at something if they work hard enough and practice, practice, practice. Expert status may seem like a faraway dream right now, but hang in there, learn from your mistakes, and you will make it in the end. Also, when you persist with something, your weaknesses will have nowhere to hide. This is what you want. You will have a clear picture of where you are, the challenge before you, and what you need to do to boost your expertise. It’s up to you: Understanding that perseverance is the single most crucial element of success puts your goals within reach. You can do it, and the longer you persevere, the fewer competitors you will have. Why? Because very few people stick it out. Be one of the few! If you want a clear example of the power of perseverance, think about the training NFL quarterbacks undergo. They spend all year preparing, practicing their plays for hundreds upon hundreds of hours. Now, think about the fact that a play is taking place for just 11 minutes in every game. Considering the special teams and defense, a quarterback is only part of a play on the field for just 5.5 minutes in every game. Across a season, that comes to 88 minutes. Does that much effort for those few minutes seem worth it to you? Could you do it? If your answer is yes, then success is firmly within your grasp. Why? Because it is all about perseverance. 

LIGHTER

SIDE OF LIFE

STILL NOT A

Smoker BY DOROTHY ROSBY

LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

two-step while I cook and pirouette while I unload the dishwasher. Then I waltz with the broom—while I sweep up the dishes I broke two stepping and pirouetting.

It wisely says nothing when I don’t get 250 steps. If it criticized me, I might fling it against the wall, and that could affect both its accuracy and its warranty.

I just love working in the kitchen! Not really. And I don’t know even how to pirouette. I’ve just become aware of how much I move since I heard the startling claim that “sitting is the new smoking.” I don’t believe it any more than I believe orange is the new black and 50 is the new 30. But health experts agree sitting too much does pose health risks, though it is cheaper than buying cigarettes.

And I do fail sometimes. I blame the Fitbit. Unlike my old tracker which I wore on my ankle, this one goes on my wrist and it doesn’t seem to count my steps unless I swing my arms while I walk. Other people have told me their trackers credit them with steps for everything from waving goodbye to blow drying their hair. Mine is more persnickety. Whenever I’m carrying anything, I have to do it on my right side so that my left arm can swing. I’m probably going to be lopsided someday.

I’ve never been a smoker, but I am a sitter. It just seems so dangerous to use my laptop while I ride my bicycle. Lucky for me, I have a new fitness tracker, a sporty little doohickey I wear on my wrist and it has truly changed my behavior. If nothing else, I look at my wrist more than I used to. My Fitbit insists I walk at least 10,000 steps a day which honestly isn’t hard for me. Heck, I racked up 2000 steps looking for my cellphone today. I never found it which means another easy 2000 tomorrow. But just getting 10,000 steps isn’t enough for my new fancy Fitbit. Oh no. It tells me to move throughout the day so I can stay fit and get even less work done at my computer than I did before. If I haven’t taken at least 250 steps in an hour, it buzzes me at 10 minutes ‘til. I startle easily, so that’s always good for a few steps. Then the words “Feed me” float across the screen. So, I jump up and march straight to the kitchen. Kidding! It actually says, “Feed me steps,” which I think is a poor choice of words for a fitness device.

The last time I was at the grocery store, I steered my cart with my right hand so that I could swing my arm as I walked. It seemed like a good idea until I knocked over a stack of cereal. And I didn’t even get step credit for picking it all up. When I was a teenager, I worked as a server in a restaurant. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to save steps. I never went to the kitchen without taking some dirty dishes back with me. It would have to be done eventually and my customers weren’t likely do it. No more saving steps these days. Now I make two trips every time I go to the basement so I can get more steps. Also, because I forgot why I went down there in the first place. If I hit 250 by the end of the hour, my Fitbit congratulates me. “Strong stepping,” it says. Or “You crushed it.” That seems dramatic. I walked 250 steps in an hour. Some people run marathons. Still if sitting is the new smoking, for another hour at least, I can claim to be a nonsmoker. 

Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

ARUGULA SALAD

with Maple Roasted Butternut Squash INGREDIENTS: 1 (1.5 to 2 lb) butternut squash 2 Tbsp light olive oil 2 Tbsp real maple syrup 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 3 Tbsp dried cranberries 3/4 cup apple juice 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp shallots, minced 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1/2 cup light olive oil 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 4 ounces baby arugula, washed and dried 1/2 cup walnuts pieces, toasted 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Cut squash in half, scoop out the seeds and pulp, remove rind, and cut into 1 inch pieces. 3. Place the squash on a baking sheet and sprinkle with olive oil, maple syrup, salt and teaspoon pepper and mix to coat well. 4. Put in preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes, turn, and roast an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until tender and browning. 5. Just before roast cooks completely, sprinkle cranberries on top and put back in oven for final minutes - about 2 or 3 minutes is enough.

6. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, whisk together the apple juice, apple cider, and shallots and bring to a boil over medium heat; cook until this liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, for about 5 to 10 minutes. 7. Remove from heat and whisk in the Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to make the vinaigrette dressing. 8. To assemble, put the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, walnuts, and Parmesan. 9. Drizzle a little vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Add more vinaigrette if desired, taste, and add more kosher salt and pepper if needed. 10. Serve immediately. Serves about 4 to 6 people.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

RECIPES

PEANUT-CRUSTED CHICKEN

SAUSAGE-FILLED BAKED APPLES

INGREDIENTS:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast filets 1 cup salted peanuts 2 tablespoons canola oil 4 tablespoons honey

1-pound ground pork sausage 6 large tart baking apples (Braeburn, Macintosh, Honey Crisp) 1 small apple 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind 2 tablespoons light or dark raisins Extra brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated lemon rind

DIRECTIONS: 1. Using a blender or coffee grinder, reduce the peanuts to a coarse mixture. Do not over grind or you will end up with dry peanut butter. 2. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken breast filets and brush on a coating of honey for binding and flavor. Roll in the coarsely chopped peanuts and press the coating into the chicken with the back of a tablespoon. 3. Coat a deep-frying pan with canola oil and bring heat to high. Place the chicken in the skillet, reduce heat to half, and cook until golden brown, or about half an hour to 45 minutes. 4. This dish can also be baked, eliminating the use of the canola oil. Bake the filets at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until crusty brown on top. The dish can be sliced and served piping hot as an entrée, or it can be served with your favorite dipping sauce as an appetizer.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. Brown the sausage in a large skillet. 3. Wash the apples; cut a slice from the tops; scoop out the cores and enough flesh to leave a ½-inch shell. Peel and finely dice the smallest apple. 4. Add the diced apple, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon rind to the sausage and mix well. Fill the apple shells with the mixture. 5. Sprinkle the tops with additional brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon rind. Place in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake until tender, about 40 minutes. Then serve with biscuits or croissants and apple jelly. Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2020

RECIPES

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1 40-ounce can sweet potatoes or 2 1/2 pounds cooked fresh sweet potatoes 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted and cooled 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup flour 1/3 cup butter or margarine, chilled 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

1. With a potato masher or food processor, puree sweet potatoes. Add milk, melted butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. 2. In another bowl, (for the topping) stir together the brown sugar and flour. Slice chilled butter into the brown sugar mixture. With your fingers or a pastry blender, blend in the butter until the mixture is crumbly and evenly mixed. Stir in chopped nuts. 3. Spread the sweet potato mixture in a greased or spraycoated baking dish and distribute the crumbles over it. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. 4. If baked, you can store the dish for 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator or 2 to 3 months in the freezer. 5. To freeze the ingredients, place the sweet potato mixture in a one-gallon freezer bag and the topping in a quart size freezer bag, and freeze. Store the bags for 2 to 4 days in the refrigerator or 2 to 3 months in the freezer. 6. If you limit sugar in your diet, reduce the white sugar to 1/2 cup and the brown sugar to 3/4, or substitute Splenda for part of the sugar.

November-December 2020 | Exceptional People Magazine

Profile Resources Profile Resources

DR. SHARON DEVIVO https://www.vaughn.edu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-devivo-9ab27727/ https://www.facebook.com/VaughnCollegeFB https://twitter.com/VaughnCollege

ANN M. WOODFORD https://annstreeartandbooks.com/ https://www.facebook.com/allgodschildrenbook https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-woodford/

Design and Graphics

Magazine Design and Graphics, and Cover Design by Jenette Antonio Sityar

"Success is a seed that lies dormant until you fertilize it with a vision, faith, patience, commitment, courage and action. Only then will you begin to realize your true potential." Monica Davis Exceptional People Magazine