Thursday, December 31, 2009

Psychology of Colors

A beautiful lady casually strolls down the street with a soft smile hovering over her pretty face. Her attire matches and coordinates impeccably from her stylish knee high leather boots to the pencil thin lamb leather black skirt which brushes the top of her boots, to the tone on tone black and white pattern silk turtleneck sweater. Is she marketing?




She absolutely presents a stunning eye catching image. What does the image represent to you? Do you want to know more about her? Are you willing to spend some of your precious time gazing at the pleasurable image? Absolutely. The first task of all marketing involves attracting the attention of the reader.



Until you make an impression on the reader with your presentation, your sales material has about as much viability as a snowball's chance in a Florida summer day. You have about three seconds to catch the favorable glance of the compulsive clicker on the internet or the page flipper in a magazine. Either grab their attention and hold it for a few seconds or your sales copy might as well have been written with invisible ink. The prospective buyer will be gone faster than a shopaholic hearing about a blowout at Nordstrom.



Headlines must sizzle and entice the reader to say "Tell me more." Colors, type face, well chosen attention words and pictures all contribute to that eye stopping reaction. Marketing colors significantly alter the impression of the reader. Perform an intense marketing analysis of your sales material. Would you stop and look at the ad if you were Billy Bob just browsing through the pages?



Colors convey various images to the reader.



Red - Emotional intensity, energy, danger, power, determination, strength, passion and desire. Stop signs, high voltage danger signs and red light districts reflect the image of danger and intense emotion. Deeper shades of red evoke more rage and wrath while graduating to the softer reds and pinks conveys the softer emotions of femininity and love. Red represents a dramatic marketing color.



Orange - Since orange represents a secondary color rather than a primary color, it combines the energy of red with the happiness of yellow. Ever see the logo of the sunny smiley face as anything other than shades of yellow with black eyes? Yellow and soft golden shades are associated with happiness. Orange inspires healthy thoughts and thus healthy appetites; use the marketing color orange to convey health. Because of its high viability, orange is also reputed to increase the oxygen supply to the brain.



Yellow - Yellow arouses joy, happiness and intellect with its warming effects. Yellow's transmutation from happiness to cowardice is as strange as its impression as a childish color to men. Yellow is sometimes regarded as unstable and spontaneous, thus not recommended as the marketing color for selling high ticket merchandise. Yellow and green are given as colors for baby shower gifts when the gender of the unborn baby is unknown; however, babies are reputed to cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow presents itself best as a pure color rather than shades; shades look washed out or dingy.

Green - Environmentalists love green; to them it represents nature and purity. Ever notice how a new green leaf on a plant seems lighter than the mature leaves. Green represents freshness, growth and fertility. Darker shades of green evoke thoughts of money. Use dark green as a money image marketing color. Green gathers in other colors such as yellow, blue and olive to create shades. Greenhorn means novice which may be encouraging since green in a traffic light also means go forward.

Blue - Sky blue and the deep blue sea convey depth, stability and loyalty. Blue shades represent trust, intelligence and tranquility. Since blue suppresses the appetite it would be better served as the marketing color in a diet ad than in a restaurant. Deeper shades of blue appeal to men and to more expensive products as well as high-tech products.

Purple - Royalty, nobility, luxury and wisdom combine in purple. Children respond favorably to purple. Since purple is rarely seen in nature other than fields of wildflowers, many people regard it as an artificial color. Personally I see purple as a combination of the characteristics of blue and red; it holds the wealth, mystery and magic of blue with the independence and fire of red. Purple marketing colors represent expensive toys: cars, boats, and airplanes; items you expect to see in the Robb Report.

White - Purity and light seem to be the predominant thoughts associated with white. White wedding gown for a virgin bride; white christening gowns for innocent newborn babies and the robes of angels are all pure white. White conveys simplicity and the sterile purity of a hospital. White as a marketing color displays well on a dark background such as white text on a black power point slide.

Black - Note the lady in the opening paragraph presented a picture of elegance, power and mystery. Just as white is the absence of all color, black is known to be the combination of all colors. Black can be sinister, evil or even the symbol of grief. Combining black with red or orange presents a very aggressive color theme. In the early days of web pages, it was considered disastrous to market a black page, now it is more of a statement.

Choose colors carefully to convey the mood most desirable for your product and image. Observe the packaging of products, the headlines which attract your eye and the colors which appeal to your personality. What color will be most appealing to your target audience? Are your colors sending the message you desire to present?

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Grains of Sand

How does an oyster create a pearl? A tiny grain of sand works its way in to the oyster shell and irritates the poor innocent oyster. Over time, the grain of sand transforms into a precious gem; pearls are created from friction and irritation.

Every life encounters irritation. The only way to avoid any friction in life involves hiding in a cave, avoiding people and avoiding any contact with life outside yourself. Even that existence could and probably does encounter loneliness, poverty, and the elements (life in a cave does not convey luxury and warmth to my imagination.) Bottom line - life has irritations and inconveniences.

Everyone, including yourself, chooses to have a better future than their present circumstances. You still have dreams and goals. If you have given up on all dreams and goals, we need to have a different conversation. You deserve a life you design for yourself. If you do not design your own present and future, by default, it will be designed for you. Who do you believe will do a better job of designing your ideal future - you or someone else? You were given a brain and expected to use it. I promise you that you were not given goals and dreams of a better life without a way to make them come true. It all depends on how badly you want that better life. What are you willing to do to achieve it?

Irritation happens in life; irritation is reality. The question which makes all the difference between the successful and the failures directly relates to how you handle that irritation. You can choose the curl up in a corner and cry "poor me" or stand up, dust yourself off and say, "Watch me." The pearl, the successful business person, persisted until victory finally waved "hello" from the top of the financial mountain.

Andy Andrews, author of the "Travelers Gift," found himself living under a pier in California at one point in life. He chose to visit the library every day, read everything he desired to improve his mind, make a decision to start improving his life, and take action on that decision. He chose to find a way to improve and actually do the work required to bring that improvement into reality. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Was it worth the struggle? Absolutely yes.

Every life encounters various size rocks. Rocks of Life spoke about the big rock in the field of our life. Attitude Rocks illustrated the importance of your attitude in every situation. Attitude plays such an important role with every size rock. Mindset determines how we handle these incidents in life. Frequently these rocks are gift wrapped and tied with a ribbon of guilt.

Sometimes others sent me on guilt trips.

Other times I was invited to go along with someone else on a guilt trip.

The worst guilt trip was when I purchased my own ticket.

Developing an attitude of, "What good can come from this situation" smoothes the path and eases the mental anguish. Seeking the positive in every incident in life relaxes the tension and allows a constructive outcome. Expecting a negative result predetermines the likelihood of undesirable consequences. More frequently than not, we experience what we expect rather than what we desire. Concentrating on prosperity and abundance rather than lack tends to produce more prosperity.

Your subconscious mind does not know how to distinguish good from bad or desired rather than expected. Program your subconscious mind to expect only the highest and best results for yourself. Developing a positive attitude and a positive expectation encourages life to provide desirable results. At the very least, it eases your mind and relaxes your creative abilities so that they can function at their highest level.

It is not what happens to us and outside of us which truly creates the difference; the significant difference is always created inside ourselves. Break up the big rocks and haul them away. Gather the medium sized rocks, the pebbles and the grains of sand into a bucket; seal the bucket and destroy it. No need keeping any rocks around to stub your toe of life. Deal with them once and for all and get rid of them forever.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change, stated Dr. Wayne Dyer.

For more articles and inspiration, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Management Issues

Executives attend “Anger Management” classes after an incident in the workplace. Domestic violence situations require “Anger Management” class attendance. Children earn a trip to the principal’s office for anger management following playground issues.

Be realistic! Why would anyone choose to retain their anger and manage it rather than resolve the underlying cause? Anger destroys the person who clutches that nasty emotion to their soul. Anger rarely has any redeeming value whatsoever. Anger tears at the soul. Anger offends the peaceful spirit.

A wise elder from the Indian tribe instructed his grandson about the struggle within his heart. Within every man there are two wolves constantly at battle. One wolf represents hatred, war, hurtful words and various forms of evil. The other wolf embodies love, kindness, helpfulness, peace, thankfulness and joy. These wolves battle incessantly all day every day through the day and night. “Grandpa, wise one, which wolf wins the battle,” queried the boy. “The one I feed,” advised the elder.

We each contain a choice every day. We choose to feed the evil wolf or the gentle wolf.

Apply this same emotion and intensity to grudges. Maintaining an emotional death grip on a grudge hurts you even more than anger. Frequently the object of your displeasure may not even be aware of the offense they have supposedly so grievously committed. You are the only one suffering. Unless you are masochistic, grudges have zero value.

Debt management follows exactly the same ridiculous pattern. Our society’s emphasis on “instant gratification” propels us into debt. Rather than resolving the root causes of careless spending, we tend to pile debt upon debt until we amass a Mt. Everest stack of bills on a below sea level income. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to predict an impending disaster.

This isn’t a NATO project. You pretend you aren’t keeping up with the Jones family as you buy another new car which you really did not need. Do them a favor and stop the nonsense. They probably can’t afford you either. Piling up the credit card bills foolishly just to “look good in the neighborhood” makes about as much sense as wearing your ski helmet on the beach. Christmas “one upsmanship” provides the fuel for impending bankruptcy.

Debt management, or lack of financial responsibility, compounds the tension. More domestic arguments directly relate to financial issues. Debt issues spiral into anger issues. Anger management becomes the kissing twin of debt management. These siblings interact with the intensity of the atom bomb. One feeds on the other snowballing into an avalanche of red hot negative emotion.

Take a deep breath, step back, and view the cause of the anger and the cause of the debt. Resolve right now to take positive action to halt the nonsense.

Give gifts of the heart this Christmas. Spend time really loving your family and listening to them. Take the extra time to say “I love you.” Love salves many an angry spirit. Everyone, especially children, loves toys and presents at Christmas time. You might be surprised to discover that the gift they truly desire the most is actually your undivided time, attention and love.

Feed the gentle wolf. Anger management can be eliminated by dissolving the root cause of the anger. Debt management is minimized and brought under control by emphasizing love more than things as gifts this Christmas.

Anger evaporates when you feed the gentle wolf. Life becomes more peaceful. Managing anger is not the answer; resolving the cause makes sense. Debt management flows down the same stream as anger management. Resolve the cause; earn more income and spend more wisely. Feed the gentle wolf.

For more articles, wisdom and inspiration join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Rocks in Your Time Jar

Time is NOT money. When you run out of money, there is always a few ways to generate more. When you run out of time as Bugs Bunny says, "That's all folks."

Ever reach the end of your day ready to put on you pajamas and discover that you really have not accomplished anything worth while all day? Ever face yourself in the mirror as you brush your teeth before bedtime and realize that you wasted your time all day?

You cleaned your desk, fiddled with papers, answered emails and surfed the web but did not do one concrete action to move your life and your business forward. Ever vow not to continue that nonproductive activity only to discover you did it again the next day? What did you do to change the pattern of activity? Nothing? "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result," said Einstein.

Resolve right now to make tomorrow not only different, but better. Tonight before you turn out the light and drift off to slumber land, write a list of five action items to complete tomorrow. These are your top 5 priorities for tomorrow.

Next write a list of the 5 next most important activities; these are the secondary tasks. The fine pebbles and grains of sand drift in last.

Every life encounters various size rocks. In "Rocks of Life" I wrote about the big rock in the field of our life. In "Attitude Rocks" I wrote about the importance of your attitude in every situation. "Grains of Sand" talks about the minor irritations in life which polish us into fine gems. The time has come for the rocks to be assembled in the jar of your life.

Set your priorities. What are the biggest and most important elements of your life? Is your family your primary importance? In this time of severe economic challenge, for some of you it may be earning a larger income, and for others it may be a physical or academic goal. Clearly define the five most important rocks; these major elements must consume the primary time block of your day. These are the 5 action items which you determined were the top priorities for the day. Put these large rocks in your life jar first.

Second what things would you like to do, time permitting? Community activities, social activities, and entertainment are the secondary time commitments. You set your own priorities and schedule your time accordingly. Secondary "to do" items must only be tackled after all 5 of the major "top priority" items are completely finished. No fair starting things, putting them down, picking them up and putting them down. Handling things does not count, only finishing counts. Only after the five major items are cleared and checked off the list can you even look at the second list of five. These medium sized rocks occupy the next layer in your life jar.

The top layer becomes the small pebbles and grains of sand. These are interesting and nice but not as critical to your success and peace of mind. These incidental activities drift in and around the major and secondary tasks. Trips to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a meal are little pebbles in your day; important but certainly not instrumental in moving your business forward.

You only have 24 hours every day in your time jar. Fill the jar with the significant rocks of life first. Prioritize your day to be absolutely certain you block time for income producing activities first. Clarify your priorities and refine them into their significance within your life and your day.

One way to do this is to say to yourself, "If I were leaving town for a month tomorrow, what is the one thing that I must do before I leave?" If I have time for one more, what would it be? Repeat the process until you have your five biggies. The next five are important but absolutely secondary to the first five. No mixing and mingling. Top 5 first and then the next 5.

Layer the rocks in your time jar carefully. Unless you put the big rocks in first, there will never be room for them. Rocks are important regardless of whether they are hurdles in life or priorities to be accomplished. Attention to the rocks in your life creates success.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Rocks of Life

My personal rock related to deservability. My mother, a gentle non-confrontational lady, always took the broken piece. When she served a cake or pie or anything, she always said "the broken piece belongs to the cook." Only the perfectly shaped and presented pieces were served to my father and brother. She always took the broken piece for herself. If there were two broken pieces, the second broken piece was automatically given to me; I was female, therefore, less than my father and brother. This innocent act impressed upon me that I was less deserving than the males. Females in our household were regarded as second class.

Who knows where this impression originated? The fact that it existed all during my youth and persisted through my adulthood formed a deservability issue in my soul. No malicious intent was intended. Perhaps my mother thought she was honoring my father and brother. Since she has passed away, I am no longer able to question her on her thoughts. She did not directly tell me I was inferior to my father and brother; however, the impression of my lesser worth impressed that fact upon my self worth. That feeling of inferiority existed as my emotional "rock in the field."

Throughout the next several years and decades, I struggled with deservability. Even though I worked hard and achieved, a plateau existed. It took years of intensive self examination and mental exercise to remove that emotional deservability rock. The fact that the rock no longer exists serves as proof that emotional rocks can be and should be demolished.

What emotional rock holds you back from achieving your dreams and goals? Have you placed a barrier in your own path to success? Identify each barrier and remove them. Self imposed rocks are removable. If you placed the rock in your own path for whatever reason, you are also capable of removing it. I'll gladly loan you my crow bar and ledge hammer. The relief experienced by demolishing that rock and carting it away to the dump feels like lifting Mount Everest from your shoulders and tossing it casually in a deep ravine never to be seen or heard from again.

For more inspiration, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/
 
This series of rocks in your life will be continued. Let me assist you in clearing the entire field.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Instant Results

I am currently listening to Rory Vaden's "Take the Stairs" presentation. Rory echoes the American tendency to take the easy way. When confronted with a choice between walking up the stairs or riding the no effort escalator, which one do you choose? Most Americans look for the easy way and ride the no effort escalator.

This "give me the path of least effort" mentality escalated the weight control industry and the fast food industry through the predominance of expanding waist lines. In our fast paced society instant coffee is a big deal, microwaveable prepackaged food is a big deal, but long term lifestyle changes emphasizing physical fitness are not a big deal.

In the Steamboat Health and Recreation facility we laughed that only 6 weeks per year were really busy: the 2 weeks before ski season, the 2 weeks before bikini season and the 2 weeks after New Years Resolutions. I have even heard, "I'm going to work out hard for a couple of weeks to get in shape and then I don't have to worry about it again." How foolish. Physical fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle means continual focused exercise. When do you get to stop? You don't. The only way to maintain health and physical fitness involves consistent, persistent and targeted exercise. Instant success does not exist.

A healthy lifestyle is exactly that, a lifestyle, not a one time event. Why even think that 20 or 30 years of incorrect eating habits, lack of exercise and lazy living could be erased in a few days or weeks? Would you tell your kids not to go to class or do their homework all semester; tell the kids to cram for the test a day or two before test date? Of course not.

Easy short cuts, get rich quick and escalator mentality handicap success. A plethora of "get rich quick" schemes exist on the internet today. Wikipedia describes easy money and get rich quick as "A get-rich-quick scheme is a plan to acquire high rates of return for a small investment. Most such schemes promise that participants can obtain this high rate of return with little risk....
It is clearly possible to get rich quickly if one is prepared to accept very high levels of risk - this is the premise of the gambling industry. However, gambling offers the near-certainty of completely losing the original stake over the long term, even if it offers regular wins along the way. Economic theory states that risk-free opportunities for profit are not stable, because they will quickly be exploited by arbitrageurs."

Note the premise of get rich quick claims low risk while actually containing extremely high risk. Every wealthy businessman has studied, practiced and perfected his craft in the process of creating wealth. Wealth creation requires a "take the stairs" mentality. Instant wealth, just like instant physical fitness or instant success is not reality. Study every "overnight" success and you will discover years of study, practice and work leading up to that magic moment.

Network marketing instant success stories usually reveal 6 to 12 years of trial and error before settling into the ideal company and system. As a college professor of mine said, "you can have 10 years experience or one year's experience 10 times." Learn from each of your experiences. Continue to grow as a person and a business professional. Adopt the disciplined "take the stairs not the escalator" mentality. Get rich quick and easy short cuts do not produce success; dedicated, focused, persistent efforts produce success.

Instant results work for coffee, mashed potatoes or even oatmeal but not business success. Commit to dedicated, persistent forward motion activities; you will achieve success. Develop the discipline of taking the stairs, not the escalator mentality.

For more inspiration, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/

Friday, December 25, 2009

Attitude as a Rock in Your Success Path

"Rock your world" implies a positive image. Everyone responds enthusiastically to having their world rocked in a pleasurable way. Surprises you receive on your birthday and Christmas present delightful thoughts. You expect birthday and Christmas surprises to rock your world in a happy manner.

When the boss says, "Come in to my office, we need to talk" that uncertain surprise conveys an entirely different thought pattern. Your first thought frequently hovers around the apprehensive as you anticipate that conversation. That little talk with your boss has the potential of being a rock in your career path.

The words are similar since both could "rock your world" but the instant mental image is 180 degrees apart. The difference is more than just the words; it is the tone and the particular setting. Birthday and Christmas are automatically anticipated to be delightful expectations. An encounter with the boss conveys apprehension.

How much of our life do we pre-determine through our expectations? Unconsciously we set the stage for our experiences. How much do we actually contribute to the rocks in our path to success? Are we constructing our own rock slide avalanche?

Our own attitude determines more of our results than we like to admit. We choose to expect positive or negative results from every situation in our life. Does the situation change? No, our attitude and expectation change with each situation. You may accidentally be constructing your own rocks in your success path due to your attitude.


Attitude Checklist
1. What decision have you made about your attitude for today?
2. Did you decide last night, early this morning or in the heat of the moment?
3. Describe your exact decision.
4. Write out the one discipline you must practice each and every day to maintain that positive attitude.
5. List the old programming, family history or events influencing your daily attitude.

Life revolves around your internal attitudes and feelings, not what happens in the outside world. What happens to you and what other people think is never as important as what you think and feel. Your attitude truly is within your control.

David Neagle went from a fork lift operator who possessed a rotten attitude about everything to a very positive person about everything. His income directly reflected his correlating attitudes. A bad attitude translated to a very low bank account; an extremely positive attitude reflected an extremely plush bank account. The one major difference was his attitude. Attitude is a choice. Every day and every situation you have the opportunity to select your attitude. Making a firm decision to maintain a great attitude in advance of a ticklish situation creates a much higher likelihood of a positive result.

A recent study of teens who chose to take drugs or avoid drugs revealed an amazingly simple fact. The teens were from similar neighborhoods, similar economic backgrounds, similar academic achievements and similar religious backgrounds. The only difference between the teens who took drugs and the teens who did not take drugs was one simple fact. The teens who did not take drugs made a conscious decision prior to the heat of the moment.

Making a decision to have a positive attitude directly relates to the choice to take or not take drugs. When a firm decision is made in advance, the positive results are far more likely. Decide right now to maintain a positive attitude and resolve to uphold that decision no matter what happens. The simple act of deciding in advance creates a stronghold for victory.

You have the ability to prevent some rocks in your path to success simply by choosing a positive attitude and resolving to maintain that decision. Will it remove all rocks? No, but why create unnecessary impediments? Success has enough challenges without creating your own rock blocks.

For more inspiration and articles for success, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/

Thursday, December 24, 2009

God Winks

Christmas is a religious holiday as well as a commercial holiday. The word “holiday” draws its meaning from “holy day.” For Christians all over the world, Christmas means more than shopping, holiday parties and sending cards to people we have neither seen nor heard from in a year. For Christians, the season of Advent and Christmas means the birth of the savior.

My faith is the core, the center of my life. No, I’m not going to preach to you. I am sharing my feelings which run very deep in my soul. Tonight our church presents “Lessons and Carols.” Lessons of the season from various authors and scripture readings as well as traditional Christmas carols entertain and inspire the audience. I thoroughly enjoy both the music and the messages.

I am reading tonight from James W. Moore’s “What Do You Want for Christmas?” My segment relates to Mary. “Mary was just a teenage girl from a poor family who lives in an obscure village in a tiny nation, which itself was subject to a despised foreign power. Then one day, out of the blue, an angel came to Mary with a message from the Lord: “Do not be afraid, Mary for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great. He will be the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.” And all of this was going to happen without Mary’s ever having been with a man.

Just imagine going out to lunch with the girls and telling them a story like this. How many of your friends would immediately think you flipped? Who would pull out their cell phone and start calling for the straight jacket and the reservation in the padded room? Who would start asking you to be honest and tell them the father’s name?

We are so skeptical and critical in our modern society that the automatic response would be total disbelief. Granted, to my knowledge and belief, there has only been one virgin mother. We are so closed to miracles and little “winks from God” that we tend to close off all possibilities. I believe “God winks” at us on a regular basis. We call it coincidence or accidental meetings or even luck, but I am convinced God speaks loud and clear even today. The problem with the sophisticated modern world is that we are so wrapped up in ourselves and taking personal credit for all of the wonderful unexpected events that we fail to give credit where credit is due.

Thankfully for the world, Mary did believe. She possessed real faith, real hope and real trust. Fortunately, Joseph her fiancĂ©e, also believed and trusted her: after his own angel visited him, he believed her. Mary willingly listened to God’s word, obeyed God’s will, and trusted her future to His plan. This entire situation put her in an extremely awkward and complicated set of circumstances. Even then, gossips probably had a field day at her expense.

None of us will ever be in Mary’s situation, but we are certainly able to open our minds and hearts to seek wisdom. We can and should ask for guidance and listen for the answer. Being a very strong, independent and self-reliant person, the act of relinquishing control has been a struggle for me. Wisdom and sage counsel comes from many sources. Open your mind to research, seek guidance, listen with an open mind and take appropriate action.

At times, I admit to saying to that still small voice, “No, that can not happen. That’s impossible.” When I finally relinquish and accept the wink from God, the result proves to be wonderful beyond my wildest expectations. I’m not egotistical, but at times I am quite single minded. I’m working on opening myself to wise counsel and listening for the times when God winks at me.

The second of Andy Andrews 7 Decisions from “The Travelers Gift” is seeking wisdom. I promise to open my mind to seek wise counsel, listen fully and intently for the answer and take action. God still winks and speaks. Our job is to listen and follow the guidance.

For more articles and inspiration, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Live Your Dreams

During the hustle of the holiday season, people forget to stop and be grateful for our advantages. I am firmly grounded in my faith and yet I also fail to totally appreciate what I have at my fingertips.

Water flows freely here. We think nothing of long showers, running the dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes, watering plants or even watering the lawn in summer. There are people living in many parts of the world who do not even have clean water to drink and we are wasting water on a daily basis.

Holiday parties abound. In America we celebrate with numerous baked goods, special appetizers, dinner parties and lavish cocktail parties. We purchase special beverages and salute friends and family with a cup of holiday cheer. There are people in other parts of the world and probably some right here in our own country who go to bed hungry every night.

If we disagree with the government, we are totally free to express those opinions. No one restricts the books we read, the news printed or spoken, or our own individual speech. We are free to act and speak openly, provided we are not slandering the rights of others.

I live in Colorado where the typical winter temperature requires warm coats. No problem, we have the wardrobe which is appropriate for the temperature. We heat our homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. We are so very fortunate.

When the bills arrive or the income does not quite stretch to do all of the things we desire, it is easy to complain “poor me.” Nothing could be further from reality. In comparison to other parts of the world, we are still living in luxury.

Most American families have at least one car. Instead of being grateful for that car, it is not uncommon to hear someone fuss about the price of the gasoline.

During this holiday season, my focus centers on the blessings in my life. I have plenty to eat, warm clothes to wear, a roof over my head, a nice car to drive and wonderful friends all around me. Yesterday I shoveled the drive for my Toastmasters group to arrive; I am thankful for my health and ability to shovel.

When someone around you starts complaining, gently remind them of the number of blessings we enjoy every day. Gratitude deserves expression more than once or twice a year. Start by saying thank you to your family. Taking the time and effort to genuinely thank the people close to you for all the little things they do for you every day, makes them feel appreciated and makes you happier as well.

One of my favorite quotes reads, “You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you,” by Sarah Ban Breathnach ~ Simple Abundance.

I start and end every day with gratitude for the many blessings in my life. Focusing on the things for which you are grateful rather than the things you may lack, provides more peace in your soul. A grateful person continues to be a more desirable companion as well. Whiny, complaining people simply are not fun to be around. Jim Rohn, an icon in personal development, reminded us that there are people with whom you can spend an hour, but not a day. Other people whose company you may keep for a day but not a week. Associations and the attitudes of our associates does influence us. We guard the playmates of our children but neglect to use the same stringent rules for our own associations. Spend your energy being grateful for your life; associate with people who are also grateful for their lives. Gratitude is important. We have so much for which to be thankful.

For more articles and inspiration, join me at www.Elaine4Succes.com.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Gratitude for my Life

During the hustle of the holiday season, people forget to stop and be grateful for our advantages. I am firmly grounded in my faith and yet I also fail to totally appreciate what I have at my fingertips.

Water flows freely here. We think nothing of long showers, running the dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes, watering plants or even watering the lawn in summer. There are people living in many parts of the world who do not even have clean water to drink and we are wasting water on a daily basis.

Holiday parties abound. In America we celebrate with numerous baked goods, special appetizers, dinner parties and lavish cocktail parties. We purchase special beverages and salute friends and family with a cup of holiday cheer. There are people in other parts of the world and probably some right here in our own country who go to bed hungry every night.

If we disagree with the government, we are totally free to express those opinions. No one restricts the books we read, the news printed or spoken, or our own individual speech. We are free to act and speak openly, provided we are not slandering the rights of others.

I live in Colorado where the typical winter temperature requires warm coats. No problem, we have the wardrobe which is appropriate for the temperature. We heat our homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. We are so very fortunate.

When the bills arrive or the income does not quite stretch to do all of the things we desire, it is easy to complain “poor me.” Nothing could be further from reality. In comparison to other parts of the world, we are still living in luxury.

Most American families have at least one car. Instead of being grateful for that car, it is not uncommon to hear someone fuss about the price of the gasoline.

During this holiday season, my focus centers on the blessings in my life. I have plenty to eat, warm clothes to wear, a roof over my head, a nice car to drive and wonderful friends all around me. Yesterday I shoveled the drive for my Toastmasters group to arrive; I am thankful for my health and ability to shovel.

When someone around you starts complaining, gently remind them of the number of blessings we enjoy every day. Gratitude deserves expression more than once or twice a year. Start by saying thank you to your family. Taking the time and effort to genuinely thank the people close to you for all the little things they do for you every day, makes them feel appreciated and makes you happier as well.

One of my favorite quotes reads, “You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you,” by Sarah Ban Breathnach ~ Simple Abundance.

I start and end every day with gratitude for the many blessings in my life. Focusing on the things for which you are grateful rather than the things you may lack, provides more peace in your soul. A grateful person continues to be a more desirable companion as well. Whiny, complaining people simply are not fun to be around. Jim Rohn, an icon in personal development, reminded us that there are people with whom you can spend an hour, but not a day. Other people whose company you may keep for a day but not a week. Associations and the attitudes of our associates does influence us. We guard the playmates of our children but neglect to use the same stringent rules for our own associations. Spend your energy being grateful for your life; associate with people who are also grateful for their lives. Gratitude is important. We have so much for which to be thankful.

For more articles and inspiration, join me at www.Elaine4Succes.com.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Education Opens Doors

Throughout my youth, I always heard ‘get a good education, get a good job and work hard.” In my case, the inference was a good high school education. My father believed there was no point educating a female beyond high school because she would not amount to anything anyway. He insisted his son attend college.

Fortunately for me, I had other ideas. Long story, short version, I not only graduated from college with honors but proceeded to earn masters degrees. No blame or “feel sorry for me” inferred. He passed along what he learned from the old country and from his parents. Even though I was a bit miffed at the time, I quickly devised a solution. The point of impact is that just because something was true several generations ago does not mean it remains valid today. Women hold prominent positions in industry and all professions in the 21st century.

Education served to change my life in numerous ways. My degrees opened doors for me which might have remained closed without those pieces of paper. Like education, talent also opens doors. Celine Dion’s talent captivated producer David Foster’s attention enough for David to invite Celine to sign a record contract. Talent opened the door.

I lived in Steamboat Springs ski resort for 29 years. In that period of time I became acquainted with scores of talented and highly educated individuals who were working as lift operators and restaurant or bar employees. Neither education nor talent alone propels anyone through life’s hoops and hurdles. Education proves to be a valuable asset. Talent attracts attention. Both of these elements assist a person; however, neither or both are enough to achieve the pinnacle of success.

Getting the door open with a degree or talent constitutes step one. Once that door opens even a small crack, persistence and passion must take the reins and drive. An impressive resume may entice a prospective employer to grant an interview. Unless you demonstrate desire and command of yourself and your professed skills, employment will not result. When you present yourself in a credible manner and your skills match their need, you may be hired. Now the work begins.

Many an employee has been the victim of their own bad judgment. Acting as if the duties or your fellow workers are beneath you causes tension and discord. The fault is not the duties, the employees or even the company. Look squarely in the mirror and view the problem. Education and talent open doors but bad decisions close doors.

Even though I jumped through many hoops and climbed over numerous obstacles to pay for my own college, once the degree is earned, it is totally up to me. Education becomes more than shelf development, buying books; true education requires implementation. In order to receive the full value of education, there must be self development. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, admonished us to “work harder on yourself than you do on your business.” Shelf development may impress visitors to your library, but life seeks evidence of self development.

Developing your education or talent into usable skills creates the true platform for achievement. Work hard on yourself and your skills. Maintain a congenial and cooperative attitude in the process and you will thrive. Education and talent may open the doors for you but once you step over the threshold, your attitude and performance take control. Many talented and well educated people fail to survive or thrive because they stopped learning, stopped growing and maintained a disagreeable attitude.

Education and talent open doors but lack of performance, bad attitudes and bad decisions close those doors. You control your present and your future. Anything you created in the past can begin its improvement in the present. Just as my father held old beliefs about educating women, so other people hold on to old beliefs and attitudes which no longer serve them or anyone else. They may hold old erroneous beliefs because they did not know any differently. Now you know. Your excuse evaporated. If your attitude and performance are not serving you profitably and productively, stop doing that and change to something which will work. Good attitudes and diligent work overcome a multitude of other deficiencies.

Education and talent open the doors but your passion, persistence, great attitude and diligent performance swing them wide open.

For more inspiration and articles, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com

Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Surprise Christmas Daisy

I grew up on a Kansas farm five miles from civilization, the nearest neighbor. Country life provided fresh air, wide open spaces and freedom. Anyone who has ever been stuck in a claustrophobic corporate cubicle or city traffic jams relates to the profound desire for freedom. Unfortunately as a child, I had no other point of reference. Freedom was my entire life.

Saddling our mare and riding across the pasture with my long curls flying in the breeze provided my daily activity. For a change of venue, it simply meant riding bareback instead of with a western saddle. Granted, my height restriction made it necessary to find a stump or some other object to climb up in order to mount. At least with a saddle, I could put my foot in the stirrup and climb up more easily. Ok, I admit to being a tomboy.

Riding across the fields of wildflowers down to the slate bed streams was taken for granted. After all, my playground consisted of 160 acres. Riding through the black walnut trees or the oak trees in the fall when the colors turned red, orange, and gold contrasted with the evergreens gave the appearance of the Ozarks. Freedom presented itself as normal.

After a few years in various other locations, I moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Steamboat felt more like going home than an adjustment. Granted the ski mountain provided a sharp contrast to the flat Kansas terrain, but the wildlife and fields of wildflowers provides the same open freedom. Even the evergreens and quakies, Aspen trees, reminded me of the black walnut trees and the natural Christmas trees of the farm.

The Kansas excuse for a town, Parker, brought rural to a new low. Parker, the closest town, was 12 miles away. The city fathers thought about a stop light on the main street but settled for a blinker. Since the town only included a population of 150, if you also counted cats and dogs, they couldn’t really justify a stop light. Steamboat was a thriving metropolis in comparison. Steamboat boasted of over 7,000 people in Routt County when I moved there in 1981. Steamboat consisted of two segments, a ski mountain and a ranching community. Both appealed to me, but the ranching element reminded me of the little Kansas tomboy with long curls bouncing in the wind.

One of my fondest memories of that simple and basic Kansas farm life revolved around horses. I remember coming downstairs one Christmas morning when I was maybe 5 or 6. My father was a stern old country German who never looked happy about anything. This morning he looked happy for some reason. Take every ray of sunshine you can get. He invited my brother and me to follow him. We went through the kitchen, through the living room with the old kerosene stove into the parlor. Remember when houses had parlors? Oh well, showing my age again. Wow, he was headed for the Christmas tree. All right, presents. Bummer, he passed the tree and went to the window. When he pulled back the curtain, there in our front yard was Roxy our gentle mare and a tiny spotted foal. This wobbly little filly had arrived on Christmas morning. We named our little present, Daisy. Where on earth we arrived at the name Daisy for a blue roan and white spotted horse is still a mystery. Daisy immediately became my favorite Christmas present that year.

Some gifts you plan and some just appear for you at the perfect time.

The gift of not only new life but a pet for Christmas highlighted everything that day. Freedom remains one of our dearest treasures, but a new baby filly ranks pretty high on the list. After all, she even made a tough old German smile and that takes some doing. Merry Christmas, Daisy.

For more articles and inspiration, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Games We Play

Christmas time encompasses family time. Sometimes those family times include games. As a youth, we played card games and board games. Generally those games were at the kitchen table or kitchen counter with a friendly, most of the time, competition between my brother and me.

With my sons and now my grandsons, I used games to teach strategic thinking, sharing, friendly competition and family fun. Games appear on many levels. From the childhood games of “Old Maid” or “Go Fish” or “Sorry” to the adult games of “Bridge” or “Monopoly,” card games and board games provide family interaction and fun.

Card games and board games represent entertainment. Other games, such as the blame game, represent destruction. So many people write me for coaching, mentoring and general assistance on a daily basis. The “blame game” keeps rearing its ugly head. My heart breaks for the person who hangs on to old wounds and drags around hurt feelings.

In many cases, the individual who supposedly committed this egregious act has passed away years ago. If the offender has departed this earth, the only one left to make amends is the offended. In many cases the offender did not even know of their mental or emotional crime. Obviously they are no longer able to correct the problem.

First, the blame game never benefits anyone. Martyrdom is highly over-rated. Get over it. The deceased no longer suffers from this problem; the only one suffering is the living. Therefore, the only one who can relieve the suffering is the one holding on to hurt. Why hold on and suffer, unless you particularly like to feel sorry for yourself. You chose to feel hurt and you can choose to get over it and go on with life.

Hearing that you chose to feel hurt, offends some people. Sorry, feeling offended does not change the facts. You told yourself a story, repeated the story in your thoughts and words, and chose to believe it as factual. If you chose the story, thoughts, words and beliefs in the first place, you can choose to dismiss them in the present. You are in control. You choose to continue to suffer or you can choose to be happy and go on with life.

Many people come to me with woes about how their family treated them. They say I could not possibly relate. My childhood was 180 degrees from ideal but I learned to change my perspective, learn from those incidents and resolve never to repeat them. My parents did what they did for whatever reason they did it. It’s over and done. I am not a small child and they are no longer on the earth. Forgive, learn, grow and go on. Wayne Dyer, author, lecturer, professional speaker and motivation master, says, “Your friends are God’s way of apologizing for your relatives.” Cultivate and enjoy your friends. Heal, forgive and let go of your past. Live today in peace and joy.

This same “blame game” scenario goes on in business every day. People blame their boss or their sponsor or their co-workers. Reality check! You chose to accept the job or you chose to enter the business. You are responsible for creating your own success and happiness. Neither your parents, nor your boss, nor your sponsor has the obligation of making you happy and profitable. Few of us were handed a silver spoon or a trust fund when we arrived in this world. Few of us were handed a ready-made successful business. Building a successful business takes work, dedication, learning, persistence and consistency. Just as Suze Orman says, “If you want to know the best financial advisor for you, look in the mirror.” The same holds true for your business. “If you want to know who is responsible for creating success in your business, look in the mirror.”

The “blame game” eats away at your very soul. Blaming others hurts you and everyone who cares about you. Notice, when people do not care about your feelings, they do not hurt. You are probably only hurting yourself. Unless you enjoy being a martyr, get over it and go on. You are responsible for your thoughts, feelings and results.
For more articles, inspiration and self-examination, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Brick Walls

Brick walls exist! Erroneously people believe those walls are to keep you out. Not so. Brick walls exist to help you determine exactly how badly you desire to achieve something.

Throughout my decades of life, I’ve encountered many brick walls. Some were worth scaling, tunneling under, or parting the brush to go around the wall. Other walls could have been a thin veneer and they just were not that important. Goals and obstacles reveal not only our character but our determination. Even more than the brick wall itself is the way we choose to scale the obstacle. Napoleon Hill once said,” Taking the path of least resistance makes all rivers and some men crooked.”

The stronger my desire and determination, the easier it became to surmount the obstacle. Love and money top the list of motivators. When the object of your affection consumes your thoughts, causes your heart to beat faster and becomes almost an obsession, there is a strong likelihood you are in love. Love causes people to perform feats inconceivable under different circumstances. Strong independent men have been known to get down on their knees. Some have even gone so far as to utter words which defy the “bachelor’s creed” I remember observing my college senior son actually quake at the very thought of allowing the “c” word, “commitment.” E for engagement was about as likely as seeing the Amish drive up in a Hummer. Fast forward ten years and he is married and the proud father of two adorable little rascals, sons of his own. His brick wall of commitment crumbled in the face of the petite, athletic, intelligent Morgan.

Money forms its own brick walls of various thicknesses. One aspiring young rock star was so determined to start his own home based business that he actually listed his couch on e-bay. His passion for his music created such desire that he was compelled to do whatever it took to earn an excellent living and still have the time flexibility for his bass guitar. Happily I report that he now has both a thriving internet business but also performs concerts on stage with his brother and “the boys” on a regular basis. Determination, persistence, and consistency create results.

People constantly ask, “How fast will I make money?” Absolutely no one including a guru with a crystal ball can honestly answer that query. The star gypsy gazes deep into the crystal ball and says whatever thought pops into her head. Intuition, history, statistics and guess work still fail to make a reliable prediction. Be realistic, if some ‘far seeing genie” could really predict then we would not have 97 per cent of all new businesses fail. Notice that statistic flows across the board with home based business, franchise, retail business, service business, and any other conceivable money-making opportunity.

Everything comes back to brick walls. How inspired are you to find a solution to penetrating the brick wall? When your back presses against the wall and you must find a way to succeed in your business, you will. Regardless of whether your wall consists of debt, desire to provide for your family or simply an unquenchable fire within yourself to achieve, you will persist until your objective is obtained.

Brick walls may be erected in our minds or in reality. Either way, the wall is just as formidable. When the motivation is so strong, the why and how become easier. I can remember times when Doug and Dan were one and three; we were so broke we had to look up to see the financial basement floor. Nothing would have stopped me from penetrating that brick wall. All I had to do was peer into Dan's trusting blue eyes or Doug’s loving greenish eyes. Success was the only choice.

In this instance, both love and money played a significant role. No brick wall in history can withstand a mother’s love for her sons and her determination to provide for them.

For more articles and mindset personal training, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a religious holiday, a commercial holiday and a family time. It is the season when perfectly sane, or so it would seem until now, adults attempt to correspond with 100 people they may not have heard from or seen all year. It’s a time to re-connect. Ideally, we write hand written letters to include in each card or at least a hand written note. Unfortunately many of us, myself included, write a general update letter and include a copy with every card. At least a general update letter conveys the news of the year. The letter represents a gift of communication.

Christmas is more than gifts, it is also traditions. One of my treasured traditions in Steamboat is the torch light parade. The entire ski school instructor staff, ski patrol and other privileged accomplished skiers perform the torch light parade. We started at the top of the mountain in pitch black. Zero lights on the slopes. We each carried a torch. When you consider 50 to 60 people with torches and sparks flying, you soon learn to wear something other than your favorite ski outfit. Imagine these skiers skiing down the mountain and performing various designs as they travel. Such a spectacular sight. We ski straight down the face of the mountain from the gondola in full view of a crowd at the base of the mountain. Skiing in the dark presents a challenge, add the fact that you are holding a torch in the air and skiing in and out of formations at the same time. Such a beautiful and precision sight, from the bottom, but a bit different when you are the one on skis conducting the moves. Fortunately I have never seen anyone slip and fall. This would not be the ideal time for a domino effect.

Another Steamboat tradition is the lighted man. The tradition started in the 1940s by Claudius Banks. Claudius started skiing down Howelsen Hill ski mountain with road flares strapped to his suit. The tradition started during the now-famous Steamboat Winter Carnival. His son Jon joined him in 1971 and the duo skied together until 1978. Jon has since moved away; however, he returns to Steamboat every year for Winter Carnival. It takes Jon 100 hours to rig his Nomex racing suit and another 100 hours with the pyrotechnic team to prepare for the 10 minute run. He has rockets shooting from a halo around his head, rockets from the back of both shoulders, lights from the toe of his boots all the way up to his waist, lights covering his ski poles and flares shooting from the top of his ski poles. The controls for all of these fireworks are located in the handles of his ski poles. Oh, he also skis down in the dark. Talk about lighting up the holiday and carrying on a family tradition.

Family traditions form the basis of so my holidays. One of my personal favorites consisted of cookie baking. I remember endless hours in the kitchen with my mother baking. Mom’s favorite holiday treats were fudge, divinity and peanut brittle; however, we also baked several varieties of decorated sugar cookies and other delectable sweet treats. Mom learned to bake without recipes so she taught me art of creativity and instinct for baking. It served me so well that later in life I actually owned, operated and did the bulk of the baking for a commercial bakery. Candy Mountain Culinary Creations occupied the location at the base of the Steamboat Ski Mountain in the 1980s.

Mom also taught me to sing acappella during our baking time. Amazing benefits from a family holiday tradition.

I carried the cookie baking tradition forward with my two sons. They pulled a chair up to the counter and “helped” by pouring in ingredients, mixing and dropping the cookies on to the cookie sheet. Not really certain if their favorite part was mixing, dipping a finger in to the dough, decorating or eating the warm cookies.

Whether you are celebrating Christmas in the mountains, or elsewhere, what a wonderful season to carry on family traditions or start new ones. Holidays are a great time to count your blessings.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Scatty, My Christmas Surprise

Christmas gifts arrive in many shapes, sizes and value.

A demure little gray tiger striped kitten with a white throat and 4 little white anklets came to live with me at Christmas time. She would sit in the center of the room very prim and proper and then suddenly take off like a rocket. That little fur ball would fly out of the room. My son named her Scat and the name evolved into Scatty Cat.

Since my kids were grown, I chose a large Douglas fir as my Christmas tree that year and placed it in the center of my bow bay window looking out at the Steamboat Springs ski mountain. I was elated to know that now I can finally use those beautiful antique glass ornaments I’ve been saving for years. I had saved the ornaments all these years until the boys were grown and it was safe to hang them. The lights reflected off the glass balls and made a lovely sight from inside and outside the house. A few days later I am in my office when a repairman who had been at the house came into my office and asked me why my Christmas tree was lying down. I said, “It isn’t.” He assured me, “Oh, yes it is.” Upon returning home I found the large Douglas fir was indeed prone and surrounded in a sea of shattered glass ornaments. Ever try to remove shattered glass from thick plush carpet? It's not fun. It’s like Christmas tree needles you keep finding them even months later.

I looked around, but no Scatty cat . . . She was finally located under the center of the king bed where she refused to budge for 2 days. We will never know exactly what happened. Did she try to climb the tree or attempt to go through it to sun herself in the bow bay window? One fact I know for certain. Scatty lived with me until just after her 20th birthday and never did I ever see her go within 3 feet of another Christmas tree. There was a correlation between the reclining Douglas fir and my little furry Christmas present.

Scatty could have been one of the most memorable and most expensive Christmas gifts I ever received when you consider the cost of irreplaceable antique glass ornaments.

Scatty proved to be quite a little challenge. Scatty was memorable in many ways – some expensive and some not. Not all memorable gifts are expensive.

Consider going to the Humane Center and adopting an animal for Christmas. Scatty was a “kitty of the streets” before she came to live with me. She adjusted quite well to being inside, warm, well fed, and loved. She did not seem to miss her former life on the streets.

Scatty continued to give love, as well as challenges, for the next 2 decades. She provided a warm purr and a friendly greeting when I entered the house. With the possible exception of times when I took a week business trip and she had a “kitty sitter,” she was happy to see me. After those long trips, she exhibited indignation that I would dare to be gone.

Normal kitty cats say “meow;” however, at times like those her vocal sounded more like “me now.” Keep in mind that her “kitty sitter” treated her to more tuna and kitty treats every day than I did and she was still greeting me with the feline attitude of paws on the hips. Scatty cat provided a great deal of love and companionship to me and I believe she felt all of that love returned to her as well.

During this time of Economic Challenge, why not give a gift of the heart? A pet provides a wealth of love to be given and gained.

For a more complete video on the subject of Scatty cat, see the video “The Fur Flew” on You-tube. That was a fun presentation before a live audience.
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Have an inspired and loving Christmas and New Year.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Sharing Christmas Memories

Christmas means different things to different people. We hustle about decorating the house. Some of the decorating is for us and some may be for the sake of the neighbors.

We bake all sorts of things which our hips and waist later regret, but they taste good at the time. We make gift lists and endeavor to purchase the perfect gift for each individual. My personal favorite is becoming a child again and purchasing toys for my grand children. I remember a trip to F.A.O. Schwartz in New York. It was like being in Santa’s workshop.

The giant slipper slide from the upper level to the lower level presented so much more fun than an escalator or elevator for adults and children. Holidays are magic. Restore the child in yourself. Play, laugh, love and live. Take a deep breath from all of the hustle and obligations of the holidays; take time to enjoy the moment. Refresh that inner child who laughs and plays “let’s pretend.” Pretend you are happy, carefree and uninhibited again. Set the example for your family and yourself that life truly is fun. Laugh, just to be laughing; you will find it infectious.

Ever remember your own childhood as you shop for toys for the kids? How many dads have purchased a train set for their kids and secretly enjoyed playing with it themselves? Kids give us a chance to be a kid again even for a few minutes. Mothers, play dress up with your little girls. Bake cookies with them; don’t worry about the mess, they are only little once.

We throw off the cloak of being professional and proper and get down on our hands and knees on a plastic sheet with finger paints. Mothers put a dab of frosting on a plastic placemat on the kitchen counter and let your toddler draw pictures with it. A steady diet of sugar probably isn’t ideal but a finger dipped in chocolate frosting truly delights a child.

We build snowmen and get in snowball pretend fights – we never really aim to hit them. Well at least that’s my excuse – poor aim.  Lay down in the snow with the kids and make snow angels.

Christmas gifts or Hanukah gifts arrive in many shapes, sizes and value. The memories you create with your kids now will not only last them a lifetime but they will become your personal treasures as well. Just as you look back on these memories, you will also remember their handmade gifts to you.

How many of you still have an ornament or even a piece of pottery made by one of your children? Even though they were not a work of art, they are treasured as some of our most prized gifts. I just decorated my tree with treasured ornaments from the nursery school and elementary school days of my sons. My sons are grown with sons of their own and I still smile every time I gaze upon those treasured gifts. Those gifts made me so happy. I kept all of their little notes and cards too. It is amazing what a little note can mean.

The little “I love you Mommy” or “I miss you Gamma” notes are 24 karat gold to me. I have saved every note from the boys. Sometimes the letters were not perfectly formed yet or the words were not spelled correctly. What cares? Love notes from a child are what make life a true joy. The most precious memories of all are love shared openly and honestly. Never pass up an opportunity to tell a child you love them. Collect those precious notes.

Some gifts you plan and some just appear for you at the perfect time. You never know when your note to them or theirs to you presents the spark of encouragement so needed at that moment.

What are some of your favorite holiday memories?

Wishing you a fabulous holiday season and a life of treasured memories.

For more inspiration, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com

Monday, December 14, 2009

It’s Not Too Late

Don’t resign me to a rocking chair because my chronological age passed 50. Referring to 50 as a half century has validity; however, that phraseology gives the appearance of being past tense. I beg to differ. Wisdom seldom materializes without time, experience and effort. If you are under 20 and you already know everything, more power to you. You’re exceptional.

Baby boomers unite; you have wisdom to share. We have learned a great deal about leadership, life and people. Granted, some of our wisdom we learned from making mistakes and some we learned from avoiding the mistakes others made and recorded for us. We are now able to share our successes and mistakes with the younger generations. This does not infer that younger generations will not make mistakes. I hope they will; we learn from stretching and making mistakes. The variance will be that they make different mistakes than we did. Business changes constantly; the economy and the requirements for a successful business are continuously evolving. Some basic principles hold true throughout history.

Today I heard a program by a recognized young industry leader in which he commented about it being too late for someone to contribute to society because they had reached the age of eighty. Ok, I agree that being an octogenarian does mean that you are past what most people consider as your prime years; it does not mean you no longer have value.

Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma Moses” started painting New York country scenes when she was in her 70s. Thus self taught artist not only became one of the most famous American folk artists but she continued painting into her 90s.

Julia Child was only a few months before her 50th birthday when she collaborated on her first book of the two part series on French cooking. Her “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and her television interviews catapulted her into the spotlight of the culinary world.

Colonel Sanders started Kentucky Fried Chicken when he was in his 60s.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote Little House on the Prairie at the age of 65.

Charles Darwin was age 50 when he published his complete theory of evolution. On the Origin of the Species sold out on the day it was released. He continued to write and publish for the next decade.

Henry Bernstein wrote his first book, “The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers” when he was in his 90s. He continued writing and publishing “The Dream.”

I earned my masters degrees at age 53 and 54 after being out of college for over 30 years. Sine then, I have gone on to not only enter new industries but also achieve the top leadership ranks. Note, totally new industries, new learning experiences. We are never to old to learn new skills as long as our mind remains active and our desire strong. In fact, learning new skills is one of the best ways to maintain and enhance an active mind.
I’m single and when a man tells me the first thing he plans to do is slow me down, my immediate thought is “goodbye.” Mentally and physically learning, growing, stretching and achieving creates a healthy life. I love my life. Rocking chairs are only attractive to me as a means to cuddle and assist grand babies in getting to sleep.

Read, create, ski, dance, and live life to the fullest. I am and I plan to continue doing so.

I have met people in their 20s who were mentally old; they essentially stopped growing. I have met many in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who were still young mentally and physically because they continued to expand their mind and exercise their body. How about you?

For more inspiration and articles, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. Life is for living.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Instant Success

In this day of instant coffee, fast food, and cell phones with internet attached to our hips, is it any wonder that people also expect instant business success? Monty Hall stated it best, “Actually, I’m an overnight success. But it took twenty years.”

We hear about actresses being discovered working at a soda fountain or network marketing sensations making tens of thousands in their first thirty days. Everyone wants that miracle instant superstar to be them. As Paul Harvey said every day on his radio broadcast, “now, for the rest of the story.” The rest of the story usually reveals that the “lucky instant superstar” spent years studying their craft and perhaps years in other related businesses learning, making mistakes, and perfecting their presentations.

Can it happen to be an overnight success? Yes, but the odds are about the same as winning the lottery – 50 million to one. The best advice you will ever receive centers on learning everything you can wrap your mind around, reading about your chosen field, masterminding with successful people in your industry and working on yourself. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, always reminded us to “work harder on yourself than you do on your business.”

Instant success rarely occurs. Mark Spitz, considered the swiftest swimmer of all time, did not jump in the swimming pool at age 22 and automatically develop the technique necessary to win seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics. From the time he was a small child; he was swimming and winning medals. Success takes time, practice and dedication.

Evelyn Ashford, 1957 Olympic sprinter, won four gold medals. Evelyn’s high school did not have a girl’s track team. The football coach saw her running and enticed her to run against his star athletes in order to motivate them. The other kids were amused watching the boys struggling to keep up with her running. Even then, she was winning against all the boys. Motivation comes from many sources but success comes from continual practice and perfection of your craft.

The violin master performed a magnificent concert. An admiring fan rushed back stage to greet the master with the exclamation, “I would give my life to play like that.” The master quietly smiled and stated, “Madam, I did.” Success is not an accident, nor an overnight occurrence. The true masters of their craft have devoted numerous hours of intense focus and dedication.

Business follows exactly the same format. Study success. Read biographies of successful people in various industries, but especially your chosen industry. Read books written by successful individuals in your chosen field of endeavor. Listen to audio recordings of the top leaders when you exercise or drive. Attend live events to not only listen to their presentation but to have an opportunity to meet them personally. Take notes whenever you read or listen. Mastermind with other like minded individuals; fill your mind with positive thoughts from prosperity minded people.



Focusing on success means being highly aware of whose company you keep and whose words you allow to penetrate your mind. Consciously or unconsciously, the words and attitudes of those with whom you associate will impact your life. Success is a continual process of focusing your time, attention, thoughts and actions on forward progress toward your goal.



Remember the old nursery story of the tortoise and the hare. The tortoise won the race because of steady progress toward the goal. Success may involve sprinting if you so choose but it bears more resemblance to a marathon. Success is a journey rather than a brief dash. Instant success sounds delightful; however, reality depicts a steady progress toward a worthy goal.



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Titles:

Instant Success

Success Strategy

Success Management

Business Success



Keywords: success, Instant Success, Success Strategy, Success Management, Business Success, Jim Rohn, Mark Spitz, Evelyn Ashford, Paul Harvey, Monty Hall, Elaine Love, www.Elaine4Success.com



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Speaking & Writing – Motivational

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Self Improvement – Achievement

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Inspirational

Motivational

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Risk Taker

Every leader takes risks. Risk represents the only way to forge new territory. Without an element of risk, nothing would ever be accomplished. New lands would never have been discovered or settled. New inventions would never be created. Physical feats such as mountain climbing would never occur. Everything we do in life involves an element of risk.

For one person risk could mean jumping out of a perfectly good airplane with a parachute. For another person it could mean something as simple as preparing a new recipe for when your new boss comes to your house for dinner the first time. Risk to a young man could be as simple as asking a girl out on a date for the first time. Risk means different things to different people. Driving a car on a snowy mountain road at night involves risk. Some risks are avoidable and others help us to stretch and grow.

Business involves a risk. Whether you are starting a new business or working on a new marketing method within your current business. There is an element of risk. You can reduce the risk by doing some research to determine what has been successful for others in the past. Thorough research lessens the risk but nothing ever removes all of the risk.

When I lived in Michigan, I worked for a wonderful man. Together we built a large chain of Goodyear dealerships. The company grew from one store to five stores plus a corporate office. The business was extremely successful and the owner treated me very generously. Some of you might be thinking that I had lost my mind to leave such a situation.
As a single mother with two small sons, I wanted a better life for the boys. The influences of Detroit, MI were not compatible with my values and desires for them. We moved to a quiet little ski town. Well, it was quiet in 1981. Today Steamboat thrives as a world class ski resort.

I purchased a struggling bakery at the base of the mountain. I did not have any formal bakery training nor had I ever owned a business. Was this a risky move to spend our savings, move to a new area, open a new business (especially one for which I did not have any experience) and start a new life? Of course. Was it worth every minute of the learning curve? Absolutely. The risk paled in comparison to the potential reward of having the boys grow up in a healthy community.

Risk to reward determination forms the basis of the decision. Staying with an excellent employment situation in Detroit would have assured us of material comforts and a degree of financial security. Risking the move and new business provided potential rewards. The boys would grow up in a healthy atmosphere with plenty of fresh air, outdoor activities, friendly people, and wholesome values. I would realize a dream of owning my business and stretching myself to grow as a person and a business professional. The potential for long term gain always increases by owning your business. I had the opportunity to do so much more for them and for myself as a business owner than an employee.

Happily the results proved that the decision was excellent. The boys are happy, healthy, well adjusted and excellent athletes. I am now psychologically unemployable. I absolutely love being an entrepreneur. Once I experienced the joy and freedom of owning my business, I was hooked.

Henry C. Link expressed the fear of taking a risk, “While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” Reward comes in direct proportion to the risk involved. Remaining as an employee would have earned a comfortable living for me with very little risk; however, the personal growth both the boys and I experienced would also have been minimal. By stretching our wings and taking a risk, we experienced a new world of growth and opportunity. I continue to take risks and expand my horizons as do the boys.
How do you put a price tag on growth and potential for yourself and your family? We may feel as if we are out on the edge of the cliff sometimes, but the view is magnificent. For more inspiration and exploration of your potential, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com

Friday, December 11, 2009

Build Self Confidence

Mindset determines your results. The lack of self confidence throws a massive road block in your path to success. With or without your intention, your self confidence or lack of it will transmit into your results. The vibration we emit to others directly relates to our degree of self confidence.

In the early years when I owned the property management company in Steamboat I achieved several high honors from the industry. My business prospered more and more each year. My situation parallels many other successful business people whose business declined in direct relation to the beginning of personal problems. Business success directly related to the success within their personal life. At the point I entered into a relationship with a very successful man, my business began to suffer. He constantly reminded me how small my business was in comparison to other businesses within my management association. He pointed out how other management companies in other states were far larger and thus far more successful than my property management company. I ALLOWED this negative comparison to erode my self confidence in myself and my business. As I allowed these negative thoughts to undermine my self confidence, my business soon began to decline.

Note that I take full responsibility for the decline of my business and the erosion of my self confidence. Never underestimate the power of the words, attitudes and influence of those around you. Not only does your income seem to become the average of the five closest people to you, but their attitudes and influence generally impact your attitudes and thus your results. Quite frequently business success parallels personal self confidence.

Personal attitudes, self confidence and financial results seek the same level. Just as water seeks its own level, so does your business success seek a level with your self confidence.

Examine your life, your results and your self confidence. You will probably find a direct correlation in your life. In this time of economic turmoil, lack of self confidence abounds. Solutions do exist. For me, it took some serious personal development to overcome the decline in self confidence. Yes, I also removed myself from the negative mental relationship.

Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, remarked that there are people you can spend five minutes with but not five hours. There are others with whom you can spend a day but not a week. Guard your associations and their influence upon you carefully. Associate with people who challenge you to improve your attitude, self confidence and achievements. Spend your time reading empowering books, listening to positive cds, and speaking with growth and achievement oriented individuals. Rebuild your self confidence.

Success is an inside game. Every positive thought inspires another positive thought which forms a chain reaction of empowerment and encouragement. If a hesitant or negative thought creeps into your mind, immediately reframe it as a positive. Your mind exists as a marvelous tool for your good or your downfall; you choose which one by your thoughts and your associations.

Start every day and end every day with positive affirmations. Recall every success from your past no matter how small and celebrate them. Recapture that feeling of happiness and self confidence. Any time you experience hesitation recall that feeling of success and feel the joy all over again. At the end of the day write down every success, no matter how small, which occurred throughout the day. Each morning before you arise, refresh you mind with those successes and resolve to create more in the new day.

Your mindset and your self confidence propel you forward or backward. Focus on the direction you choose to go and your subconscious mind will assist you. Become the example of self confidence and success you choose for yourself. You will receive the bonus not only of your own success but also of providing the success path for others to follow.

For more inspiration, empowerment and encouragement join me at www.Elaine4Success.com

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Dragging Your Past Around?

People live in the present, the future and the past. Living in the present focuses energy on current tasks and enjoyment of the moment. Focusing on the task at hand always proves far more effective. Flitting around from one thing to another seldom accomplishes anything. Use the “one touch” policy. Pick a task and complete it before moving on to another task. Picking things up and putting them down over and over wastes time and energy. The “pick it up and put it down” method consumes all of your time without any accomplishment.

With your bills either pay them as soon as they come in the mail or put them in a folder out of sight and pay at the end of the week or on pay day. Avoid all unnecessary distractions. Bills staring you in the face all the time you are attempting to work only distracts you. Distractions do not make money for you or accomplish tasks. Distractions simply waste time.

Focus on the job at hand and complete it. Stay in the present.

Other folks live in the future. They are members of the “what if” and “when” club. Daydreaming and wistful thinking about the future does not accomplish anything in the present. Plan for the future, absolutely, but live in the present. Write out your goals of exactly what you choose to accomplish by what date. Be very specific. Be SMART about your goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Write them out for one day, one week, one month, three months, six months, a year, five years, and ten years. Post them where they are highly visible. Check your progress to be certain you are staying on track to accomplish each step in your success goal.

Live in the present and plan for the future. Only by working diligently in the present will you reach your future goals. Daydreaming about the future without working in the present to bring those dreams into reality is foolhardy. Visualize your goals as already completed in your meditation time. Once meditation time concludes, get busy bringing those goals and plans into existence. Dreaming alone does not achieve goals. Action achieves goals. The dream and the plan to reach the goal simply direct your present action.

One of the worst things you can do involves living in the past. Living in the past frequently involves regret, blame and feeling sorry for yourself. None of these are productive.

In John C. Maxwell’s book Failing Forward, John speaks about turning mistakes into stepping stones for success. Learning from the past is wise. Living in the past is mentally, emotionally and financially destructive.

Some signs of living in the past:

1. Comparing how much harder it was for you than it is for others.

2. Justifying why you have a right to hold on to past problems.

3. Withdrawing from life as a form of self protection.

4. Regret over past mistakes drains the very life out of you.

5. Living in the pain of the past and becoming bitter against life.

“I booked my reservation of Wish I Had airlines. I didn’t check my bags—everyone carries their baggage on this airline—and had to drag it for what seemed miles in the Regret City airport. And I could see that people from all over the world were there with me, limping along under the weight of bags they had packed themselves.”

I caught a cab to Last Resort Hotel where they held the Annual Pity Party. The guest list included the Done family – Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda; Missed and Lost Opportunities; Shattered Dreams and Broken Promises; Don’t Blame Me and Couldn’t Help It as well as the entire Yesterday group. Hours and hours of entertainment by It’s Their Fault. (Paraphrased from John C, Maxwell.)

Living in the past not only destroys your present but also your future. Even worse, it destroys the present and future of everyone who cares about you.

Plan for the future but live in the present. You will be happier, more productive and much better company for those whose lives you touch.

For more inspiration and insight, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Secrets of Excellence

The pursuit of excellence consumes the mind of every top achiever. An athlete who has the goal of participating in the Olympic Games strives to extract every degree of excellence and efficiency possible. Mediocrity never enters the mind of an Olympic bound athlete. Being average belongs to the playground athlete not the gold medal winners.

The story of a concert violinist also depicts excellence. A lady came back stage to greet the master after a magnificent performance. She exclaimed, “I would give my life to play like that.” The master smiled, thanked her and replied, “I did.” He devoted his entire life to mastering the skill and performance excellence.

Achievement of superiority in any endeavor requires intense dedication. Study the masters, study success, study yourself to refine and enhance every aspect. Excellence is never achieved without study and extensive effort.

The “Excellence” has hung on my wall for over a decade. Unfortunately, it arrived without an author’s name attached. I do not claim it as mine, but I treasure its wisdom.

“Excellence is:

The result of caring more than others think is wise

Risking more than others think is safe

Dreaming more than others think is practical and

Expecting more than others think is possible.”

Success magazine featured David Foster, the hit man, in the September 2009 magazine. David has achieved super star status not only as a performer but as a producer. He told his mentor about the first record he produced with the explanation/apology that one track was not his favorite and another track had a small part which was not perfectly in tune. His mentor snatched the record out of his had and pointed out David’s name on the label as producer. “Never put your name on something you are not proud of having associated with you.” From that day on, David adopted the philosophy of “good enough isn’t.” Always strive for the very best. This absolute pursuit of excellence has been one of the reasons David has achieved superstar status.

Your name depicts your legacy. How do you choose to be remembered – “as one who just got by” or as “one who excelled?” Perfectionism can be a handicap as well as an asset. The goal of excellence has more to do with “bettering your best” than paralyzing yourself with lack of action until everything is perfect. Take action and continue working toward your individual excellence goal.

Employees can be grouped in three categories: white knights, milk toast, and red ants. The white knights always go above and beyond their job descriptions; they help others and work to achieve the very best results for the company and all employees. The white knights strive for excellence.
The milk toast arrives at the last minute, do their job but no more and leave at 30 seconds past quitting time. This is a mediocre attitude.

The red ants are always causing discord in the work place and complaining about everything. Red ants get fired.
Strive to be a “white knight.” White knights understand excellence. White knights receive raises and promotions, but even more, they earn the respect and admiration of everyone whose lives they touch.

Always strive to be the very best you can possibly be and celebrate each achievement. Excellence is a journey and a process. The person who strives for excellence never settles for “good enough.” They thrive on the challenge and relish each new achievement. This desire for excellence permeates the atmosphere around them and inspires others to reach for their own personal excellence.

Create your own excellence mindset. Let me help by joining me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Coping with Stress

Economic challenges frequently lead to frustration. Coupling economic difficulties with the holidays overwhelms many people. Hearing that you need to be grateful at the same time you face a zero balance in your bank account, sometimes feels like the final straw.

Coping with drama in your life and devastation in your finances at the same time feels like the weight of Atlas on your shoulders. One of the best ways to manage the stress and remove Atlas from your shoulders is in doing something good for someone else. First, it diverts the attention from your own situation and second, it makes someone else feel good. No matter how dire our situation, someone has it worse.

Viktor Frankl comes to mind. His status changed from being a prominent German doctor, M.D and Ph. D, to living in a concentration camp. After the war, he wrote and spoke about his survival techniques. He committed himself to survival in order to tell the story. So many simply gave up hope and perished in those horrible circumstances. Somehow he managed to find beauty in his only meal of the day – a fish head floating in dirty water. Even though the Nazis’ did everything possible to break the spirit of the Jews, some survived. Viktor Frankl survived. His story, “Man’s Search For Meaning” was originally published in 1959 as “From Death-Camp to Existentialism.” Very few can even imagine the horror he endured. His story breathes hope into us today.

No matter what circumstances exist in our life today, nothing conceivable enters my mind which could possibly be worse. His coping mechanism was the determination to live in order to tell the story. My heart goes out to him and to all survivors of war and other tragedies.

We live in the greatest country in the world. No matter how strained the bank account may be at the moment, we always have hope. I just spent the Thanksgiving holiday with my son, daughter-in-law, and 2 adorable grandsons. Doug and I spoke briefly about how broke we were when he was little. There was not enough money for food, clothes or medical for my sons or myself. We made do. I remember buying scraps of leather at the fabric store and cutting out cowboy hats and other designs to place over the holes in the knees of their jeans. We took the little red wagon to walk to the grocery store rather than drive. Walking proved less expensive than gasoline. We made a game out of the experience. My coping mechanism was determination to stretch George, George Washington on the one dollar bill, until he provided basic needs.

Now we look at those days and they do not seem nearly as bad as they did to me at the time. As difficult as it was for us, we were in the lap of luxury in comparison to Viktor Frankl.

As minor inconveniences arise now, I look back and remember that we not only survived but came to thrive in the years which followed. This current economic situation will also pass as long as hope remains alive. Look at your life and determine where you find hope. Where do you find strength and peace and hope for the future. It truly exists, even on the darkest night. Remember that sunrise always follows even the darkest night. Find a ray of sunshine somewhere in your life to fan the flame of hope. As long as we live in America, there is always hope. If you happen to live in another country, allow us to lend you a spark of hope. Even the smile of a child or a loved one can yield a ray of hope. Maybe a moment looking out at the beauty of nature, a beautiful measure of music or the inspiring words of a book. Somewhere hope exists for all of us.

Someone begged Mother Theresa to let them help her. Her reply struck a chord in my heart. She told him to get up at 4 am. Go out on the streets of Phoenix and find someone living on the streets who believed he was alone; convince them they were not alone.

We can always do something to cheer someone else. In doing for others, we find hope for ourselves as well. Today do something good for someone else with the absolute knowing they could never repay you. Do a good deed just to be doing a good deed.

For a strong shoulder, more inspiration or a way up and out of difficulty, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com

Monday, December 7, 2009

Memory Lane

Technology rules our lives. Ever look around today and you will observe every third or fourth person on a cell phone. We call, we text, we check our email on our Blackberry or I-phone or whatever clone you happen to have of those devices.

Now I am aware that this shows my age, but does anyone remember rotary phones? My number was Twin brook 8; it was dialed as TW8 and then 4 digits. Sorry, I don’t remember the 4 digits. Walk a little farther back down memory lane and you may have read about crank phones. Ok, this really shows my age. Growing up in rural Kansas, my first phone number was a long, short and a long. Mrs. Kempton was the local switchboard operator. It was considered courtesy to pick up the phone to be certain no one was speaking on the party line before you dialed. Dialing was turning the crank several times for a long and only once for a short. Everyone on the party line heard the ring and knew who was being called. Of course it was not polite to listen to someone else’s conversation. Did it happen anyway? You bet it did.

I remember once picking up the phone to call my aunt Essie who was on a different party line and being told by Mrs. Kempton that she would dial but Essie was out in the garden and could not answer. Talk about everyone knowing everyone else’s business. We think we have privacy issues now? Privacy issues are not new.

Back in those simpler times, people were very courteous of each other. Since everyone heard all of the rings, it was considered extremely rude to call before 7 am or after 9 pm.

When my phone rings now in the middle of the night because someone forgot about time zone differences or expected to reach an answering machine rather than a live person, I sometimes reflect with amusement at those simple times of old.

Answering machines, voice mail, pre-recorded sales messages, auto dialers, and so many other technological advances have changed our lives. My Skype line allows me to speak with people from all over the world at a reasonable rate. One of the frequently used links on my internet browser is the “world clock.”

We take these modern technological conveniences for granted. We are so “connected” with everyone now. Remove the cell phone or computer from us and we feel almost as if we are missing a body part. Our cars are equipped with “Bluetooth” so we can continue to enjoy conversations while we are driving; I use my hands free telephone in the car every day.

Oh the marvels of modern technology within my life time. My pre-school grandsons are so savvy on the computer and Blackberry. They play computer games, they listen and watch their favorite programs on the computer, and they even know how to login with their own passwords.

There are two major lessons here.
1. The world revolves around ever advancing technology.
2. We are never too old to learn new skills

Who would have thought 60 years ago that technology would advance this much in a few short decades? What advancements will the next decades bring to us? Learning, growing and continuing to be mentally vibrant provides an excitement to life.

Most of my co-workers in Wealth Masters are closer to the ages of my sons, but they celebrate our interaction. I encourage you to get in the game. Do not let life pass you by with a whimper and a sigh. Smile, step up to the challenge and have fun. There are so many baby boomers out there who have so much to offer. Join me. Step up to the batters box and play the game of life and business flat out. If I can do it, you can do it.

I truly love my life and thrill in re-inventing myself. We do not need to take a backseat to anyone or any age group. Life is open to everyone who is ready to step up and enjoy the journey.

Come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. I love my life. Start loving your life.