Daily Inspiration: Poetry

One of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, has been featured in movies like The Outsiders. Maybe you've heard this one...

My Most Favorite Favorite;)

It all comes down to...

Energy

No matter what, it's important to have energy! Especially when you're selling a product or service to someone. If you don't have enthusiasm about your product, you might as well kiss that sale goodbye. If you don't have a feeling of wanting to tackle whatever task you are performing, then you're not really present. The key is to be in the moment. To be fully present, and conscious of even the slightest facial expression you could be sending out. Be aware of how you are presenting yourself at all times. It also doesn't matter if you have done the same task so many times before. Each time you perform that task, you should do it with the same enthusiasm and love that you did the first time.

Even if you have to force yourself to smile and laugh, you should do it. Try to find humor in the situation when appropriate. It's also important to really give the people around you your full attention. You will see that they're happy to spend time talking and doing business with you, and it will improve the quality of your interactions.

 It all comes down to your attitude. Team mates and clients can really sense the difference between someone feigning enthusiasm, and one who is genuinely happy with their responsibilities. It could also pay off in a promotion, award, and more sales. Positive energy affects everyone around you, and is contagious. Smiling is infectious. If you are happy to be where you are, then others will be happy to be there, too. Not only your team mates, but your clients will be affected by your energy and positive attitude.

At times, you may feel invisible, or that your actions don't affect others. I can assure you that the folks whose opinions matter will see your actions, and could possibly even brag about you to new hires, clients, and even your general manager or the corporate office. You don't know the full extent of how much your hard work and enthusiasm is appreciated. It always is....

Thanks for stopping by...CC

I can't wait to get back to work...:D

I have a confession to make: I've been on vacation for ten days now! Now, you'd think that would be wonderful, right? I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm grateful to have time to recharge, and to have some time to tie up loose ends. I've also needed that time for personal reasons. However, I am just not used to this! I feel like I want to tear my hair out, because I miss work!

Yes, I miss my job. Okay, I just admitted something that some people might find weird. I've found that when I'm working, I'm actually more productive, and not just at work. I don't like being too relaxed. It just doesn't feel right to me. I like the idea of having a plan for my day, and tackling multiple tasks. I like the interaction of my colleagues, and the beauty of my work environment. I'm very lucky that I can actually say that:)

I like structure, not wandering around, trying to find things to do around the house. When did this happen? There was a time when I loved being home. Things have changed, I guess, and I've become much more of a business woman now. And I like that! I enjoy the friendly competition of meeting goals, and competing with other teams. I love planning events such as contests and potlucks to make us more like a family. Wait a minute...we're like a family!

We are! I've been working there for almost eleven years now, and I realize that some of the people I work with are like family to me. I miss them right now, I do. Four more days until I can get back into a lot more physical activity in my job, see my co-workers and clients again. The thought of it puts a smile on my face:)

Thanks for stopping by...CC

True Love is...

Writing a blog post every week

Actually, that's the minimum that a dedicated blogger should write per week! I have a friend on Twitter who writes around eleven blog posts per week! Yes, eleven! Now, that's dedication. Most people are not as diligent as Anthony Iannarino in making it a priority. However, just knowing it's possible makes me feel like I can at least write a couple posts per week with no problems whatsoever.

I guess I shouldn't really say true love. It's more like a true habit that's formed, that becomes a part of you. If you exercise that creative muscle, you can find inspiration to write in every day activities. Anthony said that it's about writing every idea down that you have. That makes a whole lot of sense. You see, most of us are not constantly creating something, but we could be. It takes being alert to what's around you, and being in tune with every idea that sets the great bloggers apart.

It turns out that creativity doesn't just happen. Maybe for a select few, it won't require a whole lot of thought. That doesn't apply to most of us, though. It makes me think back to when I was in school, and I really wanted to be an honor student. I was told that if I applied myself, that I could do anything. I couldn't agree more with that sentiment. Success doesn't just happen by accident. We don't achieve great things in life by chance. Most people who work harder to achieve will end up accomplishing more. It applies to blogging, doing well in school, being great in sports, or being a great parent. For most of us, greatness is not an innate quality. We have to work at it constantly.

Thanks for stopping by...CC

A newly discovered favorite...

Happy Fourth of July, Everyone!

Well, it's that time again...it's the Fourth of July! I hope everyone is enjoying these hot summer days, and I hope you'll get a chance to relax and enjoy our country's day of independence. I wanted to take the time to write about what this day means to me, and how I've spent past Independence Days.

To me, the Fourth is all about remembering the establishment of our country, and the hopes and dreams our forefathers had when they founded our government. It is about us becoming an independent nation, and one full of possibilities for its people. It's also a celebration of the beauty of our land, which to me is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The land in America is so diverse, so full of cultures brought together from all different nations to become one.

Our country's ideals have evolved as well, but are still based on the same principals. Our people have evolved as well, and our ideas on certain issues have greatly improved. We have become much more integrated, and we are making great strides at becoming fully integrated. There are some towns and counties that aren't, but most are, and that is great progress.

We have yet to find our ways out of this great recession, but the hardships that we've faced have not broken our spirits. If anything, I think we are stronger for it. A lot of us have realized how great we really are at being resilient, and making the most out of our circumstances. We've learned to live better during this difficult time, and how  to be resourceful. I believe Americans are among the most resourceful people on earth. We are true  survivors. I'm proud of my people, and I'm happy to see so many different types of Americans co-existing  with true respect  and appreciation for the differences in each person.

In the past, i.e., while I was growing up, we would always go to a lake, make a lot of food, and visit for the whole day. That was when I was a kid. Life has changed now, and I find that for the last few years, I've worked on the Fourth of July. I fondly remember those days of cooking outside, and swimming in the lake. To be honest, though, the Fourth has more meaning for me now as an adult. I fully understand the meaning of our national holiday now, and it makes me think of all of the people who sacrificed so much so we could have our beautiful homeland.


Thanks for stopping by...CC

One of my favorite nail tutorials...

Don't forget the finishing touches...

How to wear leggings(JulieG Video)

Choosing that perfect outfit for your loved one...

Hi there! I hope all is well with my readers*smiles*. I wanted to touch on the subject of selecting that perfect outfit. Due to a number of recent holidays passing, I thought I would try to make it easier for you to select the perfect gift for your loved ones. I'll be talking about sizing, color, and thoughtfulness. The three basics you'll need in order to choose the best gifts when the time comes. I'll probably be making videos eventually on the same topic, and a number of others, too. I have so many ideas going around in my head right now, I can barely contain myself...

For now, though, I'm going to explain fashion basics, and what you'll need to make your shopping trip successful. The number one rule in shopping for someone is that you need to know the person's size. Don't try to guess on this, because you'd be amazed at how often you could be wrong. And especially if you choose an item that is two sizes too big for a female??! You know what could happen! At the very least, she'll be upset. At the very worst, you could end up in the emergency room. So let's not allow that to happen, alright?

So many times, I've ran into this scenario...

"So, what size does she wear?" I ask with anticipation. And then, I get a blank stare, a lot of fidgeting, and another blank stare. WHAT? Are you joking? Listen, I can't help you find anything if you don't know what size she wears. It's just not possible. And you can't go by looking at me, and saying, "Well, she's a little smaller/shorter/larger than you." Oh, thanks.

That's not going to work this time. I need to know what size she wears. You need to know a few basic pieces of information before you even come in. Now, although guessing has proved to be the most common method of choosing size, it is certainly the least effective. Guessing results in an over 50% chance of her returning the item/items you bought for her. Now, if you rush through the process, guessing her size at the same time, you increase the chances by another 30%. Yes, you could end up with an 80% chance of a return if you don't prepare before you come to meet with me. The good news is that there's a very simple solution to this dilemma...

1) Sizing 101 This is your chance to prove how great you can be at this, so rise up to the challenge! Let's say she's on the treadmill right now. It's your perfect opportunity to get up, and go into her closet with a pen and paper. Write down the sizes of her shirts, trousers, dresses, and shoe size and width. Also, you should take notes on her particular style. Is she a more classic dresser, or does she have more trendy taste? Is she a simple dresser, or does she prefer a look that is more elaborate? You can keep asking questions, and taking notes until you feel confident that you've prepared enough to make your shopping trip successful. Once you've completed your list, set is aside in a safe place. You'll be bringing that in with you when you meet with your fashion consultant...

2) Color 101 What is her season? Her seasonal color palette, that is...now, there's a lot of useful information about this online. I particularly like organicfamilycare.com. Just go the the seasonal color palette link at the top of the home page. They use a lot of celebrity photos as examples of the best colors for a person. No man or woman can wear every single color out there. There are just some colors that a person simply cannot wear. For instance, I love lime green, but I can't wear it because it makes me look like I'm sick. I'm serious. It's not good on me at all, although I love lime green. And I secretly envy anyone who can wear it well. Each person fits into a particular category or two. That would be their primary and secondary color palette. I liken it to how you have a main browser, and a default browser on your computer. If you can't use one, the you fall back on the other. It's the same way with color palettes. I will also be providing information and photos as examples of each color palette, and secondary color palettes for each of them. 

For now, though, I want you to think back to a time when you saw your loved one wearing a color that just made them look great! Maybe it was a navy colored dress that made her look gorgeous, and that will tell you a lot about her color palette, and where she fits on the color spectrum. Navy is actually a part of the Winter color palette, and now we know she fits into the Winter category. We now have a great starting point. Maybe she looks great in terracotta. Terracotta is a part of the Autumn color palette, a great starting point as well. If you're not sure about what her best colors are, you can just ask her. Then use the link on organicfamilycare.com to help you determine what season she is...

3) Take your time. What do I mean by "take your time?" Well, of course, you need to allow yourself one to two hours to make your trip successful. I know that sounds like a lot, but when you're up here, it really goes by quickly. So allow yourself proper time to do this right. But you also need to really take the time to be "thoughtful." Remember when I said you need to take notes? Your list should contain a lot of information that will prove helpful in selecting the perfect pieces to compliment her current wardrobe, and also will provide me with a starting point from which to begin. It is enormously helpful, not only to me, but makes us into a team. It puts us on the same page, and makes the process go a whole lot more smoothly. So, let's get started!

Because you wrote down the sizes of her clothes and shoes, it made the whole process a lot faster, and more effective. We selected a lot of items in less than an hour! A lot faster than we initially thought it would be. We selected a navy dress, along with two layering pieces, a set of earrings and necklace in contrasting, complimentary colors, and a nice pair of neutral colored shoes. Aren't you glad you wrote everything down? The great thing is that we also have gift wrap on site, and it costs the same as if you had done it yourself. And it'll save you valuable time, so by the time you leave, everything will be done. You won't have to worry about anything else, except making your final presentation to her. All the while, you'll have the security of knowing you did your very best. Chances are that she's going to love the items you picked for her, and won't end up returning any of them. See what a little bit of planning can do?

Until next time, take care...CC  

Taking inspiration from other bloggers...

Yes, I must confess I've been reading other blogs lately. One thing that sticks out in my mind is that I see all different types of business philosophies, and all different types of selling. Some are on a small scale, and others are larger, corporate deals. However, the basic premise is the same...it's all selling. I'm interested in learning from other bloggers about their type of sales, and their business style. I've learned a lot about how to make my blog better that way, too!

Mine's still getting off the ground, and I heard it can take a while before anyone really comments. I may never get  the feedback I'm craving, but the truth is that I expect a lot! So, that just goes without saying. If you know anything about me at all, you know this. So why do I continue to write?

Blogging is a way to practice my writing, and to become stronger in language. Yes, it's true, that English is my first language. Right now, it's my only one. I know a lot of Spanish vocabulary, but not enough to hold a fluid conversation. I only know enough to get by. Another truth is that, even in English, we are always learning. Even people with college degrees sometimes make grammatical errors, or spell words wrong. When you're writing a blog, you're presenting yourself as an expert. That means you had better be masterful in describing your unique set of skills, and your use of words has a great deal to do with how your message will be received.

You can never proofread your blog too many times! There are so many possible mistakes that could present themselves when you look at it with fresh eyes. You should even have a friend take a look at it, and a friend who has an incredible grasp of English. It's amazing what you might discover! You thought it was perfect, but then you find out there's no such thing as perfection...

Sometimes, I'll read other business blogs to keep me motivated! Yes, I  keep track of how many times they post, and it helps me make adjustments. I'll ask myself, "Am I posting enough?" There was a time when I would slack off when it came to writing blog posts, and would maybe write one once a month. That's really not enough to see any great feedback, or to get your name out there. You need to post at least once a week to see any significant results. And travelling to other sites enables you to create more traffic to your website, because you're able to leave back links behind that will lead others back to your blog. It's great! I've gained traffic this way as well.

One thing I've learned, if nothing else, is that I really believe in what I'm doing. Otherwise, I would have given it up a while ago. But I still keep writing! I'll continue to do so, and take inspiration from wherever I can. I hope you will, too!

Thanks for stopping by...CC