Vision! 👀



The ability to see beyond your current position.

It's funny how, we as women, find it so easy to encourage our children to reach for the stars, be our husbands biggest cheer leaders, but yet when it comes to us, we settle for low hanging fruit.

Yet, we fail to realize that we have just as much of a right to excel and do great things as the next person.

We must see the worth that God has put within us.

We must realize that we can dare to achieve our goals.

I challenge each of you to move out of your comfort zone and stretch your imagination to create your next platform.

Take Action Today!

Target the audience that you want to attract and then prepare the performance of your life.

Prepare with the end goal in view.

You have to "see it, before you see it" - vision.

Don’t hang out with folks who are not aligned with your “Purpose “!

Here is your homework for today:

Get that cell phone out, go thru your contact list and delete everyone that is counterproductive to your purpose and your mission.

(That's right, you can do it, put on your big girl clothes and do it. You have a host of women cheering for you)

Seeing we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight... Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Let go of all dead weight!

You don't need people's approval to be great.

You don't have to consult your past to determine your future. Take Action Today to fulfill your Dreams.

Vision: the ability to see it before you actually see it.

It’s time to shine!

We, as women,  must enact our inner strength instead of sitting on the sidelines and letting fear destroy our purpose.  All it takes is one step with the confidence and knowledge that you have just as much a right to fulfill your dream as anyone else. Shift your thinking from “I’m ready to do that” to “I can do that.” 

How many of you have passed up opportunities because you felt unqualified or unworthy? I remember very clearly the first time I traveled to Boston, MA and had to present to a group of health care professionals from across the nation about Medicare and its effect on the aging population.  Even though I was confident in the material I was presenting, I was still very intimidated. Every person in the room was either a peer or a superior. What could I tell them that they didn’t already know? I was so nervous I began to feel physically ill with painful stomach cramps. Everything in my mind and body was overwhelmed with fear and telling me to back out. 

I called my mentor, my mom, and she reminded me of all the preparation I had, not only for this presentation, but also throughout my entire professional career. 

“You have been preparing for a long time for an opportunity such as this.  Opportunity only presents itself to people that are prepared,” she said. 

Mom reminded me that I was chosen because someone saw my ability. I didn’t need to try to be anyone else, I just needed to “do me,” as she called it; I just needed to rely on the tools I already had in my toolbox and share my knowledge with the world. I just needed to go out there and shine. 

These are the three things that I learned from that experience:

1. Proper studying and preparation always pay off. 

2. It’s not who you are that holds you back, but who you think you are not. 

3. You cannot live your life in fear of failure, but let faith take you to the next level.  

Fear is just a lie that is activated to prevent you from being your best you. Each of us is designed for a purpose, we just need to take a leap of faith to overcome every obstacle that has been holding us back. We are no longer waiting for our employers, our co-workers, our family, nor our friends to approve our happiness, our success, or our elevation into our next success story. We no longer need validation from people to build our self-esteem or our inner strength. We are already armed with the knowledge that we can rise above other people’s opinions about how we should act, who we should be, and their definition of what our happiness should look like. We just need to allow ourselves to shine. 

And, guess what? The more you shine your light, the brighter it gets. The more you cultivate and implement your passions, the more confident you grow in your ability to execute when a new opportunity to shine presents itself. Everyone is not going to be able to take your shine, but don’t let anyone dim your light. 

This week, I challenge you to take that leap of faith in your life that will propel you in the purpose God has designed for you. Become the change agent that you’re waiting for. God have given us the power and authority to shine. 

Continue your road to your glow up!

It’s Christmas time ladies! Let’s be honest, holiday shopping can be a financial nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be! Check out these tips for having a financially safe, smart, and happy holiday shopping experience: 

1.  Make a list and a budget.  

Before you head out (or online) for your holiday shopping, make a list and establish a budget. The best way to prevent yourself from splurging is to be intentional about your shopping and commit to staying within the budget you’ve set for yourself. 

2.  Use cash instead of debit/credit cards.

One of my favorite ways to make sure I stay within my budget is to spend with cash only. Once you’ve set your budget, head to the bank and withdraw that amount in cash. Try leaving your credit and debit cards at home if you can. This is another sure way to avoid last-minute splurging and going over your budget. 

3. If you do use credit cards, use them wisely. 

My rule of thumb for using a credit card for holiday shopping is don’t buy items that will take you more than six months to pay off. Also while you’re out shopping, don’t let the store clerks trick you into opening a new account for an additional discount. In the long run, this is more likely to negatively impact your credit and cause you to accumulate more debt.  Remember the 30% rule, never use more than 30% of your credit limit. Anything over 30% negatively impacts your credit score.

4. Don’t spend to impress. Spend to bless. 

Do not use money as a status symbol, to compete and compare with others.  Do not be influenced by peer pressure to buy expensive gifts that are not within your budget, because your best friend is bragging about all the expensive gifts she is buying for her loved ones.   You don’t know how much debt she is in and/or what her financial situation is. Remember, we are to have dominion over our spending, not the other way around.

In a perfect world, we’d be able to use unlimited funds to shower all our loved ones with the most lavish and expensive gifts. But that’s not the world we live in. All of us, though we hate to admit it, have limited amounts of money. It’s so tempting to put things on credit, that you cannot afford to buy with cash, but there will be a price to pay up the road.  Remember, a true friend or family member will appreciate any gift that comes from the heart, no matter the price.

5. Compare prices at competitive stores. 

Don’t let those Christmas commercials fool you. Though stores love to use the infamous tag-line, “You won’t find this deal anywhere else!” chances are, you actually can. Invest some time into cross-checking prices for the items you’re interested in buying.

6.  It’s okay to walk away. 

It’s also okay to walk away from a purchase you’re unsure of so you can take some time to think about it and do your research. It could save you a lot of headaches and money in the long run! 

7. Search online for store coupons.

Speaking of saving money, never shop without coupons! Some people avoid couponing because of the hassle of finding them, cutting them out, organizing them in your wallet, etc. The good news is that there are so many websites and apps you can use to quickly search for and redeem online coupons in stores. Two of my favorites are Groupon and the Shopular App. 

8. Pay attention to return policies.

Always ask about return policies when you’re out shopping. You don’t want to get stuck with something you won’t be able to return or exchange if it turns out to be the wrong fit. 

9. Don’t worry about your gifts being “too basic.”

Again, a true friend or family member will appreciate any gift that comes from the heart, no matter the price. That being said, $10-$25 gift cards to shops and restaurants make great gifts. They can be given to multiple people on your gift list and are the perfect gifts for staying within your budget. Don’t be afraid to simplify or give multiple people the same gift.  One of the things that I have found helpful is to go to Costco or Sam’s Club and buy packs of multiple gift cards at discounted prices, unbundle them, and give them out as individual gift cards. You can save a lot of money doing this.

10. Don’t let the holidays stress you. 

Lastly, don’t let the holidays stress you out! It’s all about planning, setting a budget, and shopping within it. If holiday shopping brings you a significant amount of stress, you may need to take a step back and remember what the Christmas season is all about: spreading love and holiday cheer to loved ones and those in need! 

Finally, Enjoy your family and close friends, and find ways to be grateful and thankful for what God has given to you. Have a Happy Holiday!

Have you ever just wanted to block out the noise?

Feel like you can never focus on what is most important? Have you ever attempted to start a project or task but couldn’t get clarity on how to start because of the chatter surrounding you?  Or have you started a task but were constantly interrupted by unplanned occurrences?

Most of us are confronted with various distractions that rob us of being our most productive in our day to day tasks. In the past few months, I have been inundated with a lot of “noise” in my day to day activities. I am just like many of you, I am a wife, a mother, a supervisor, a team member, a sister, a friend, a daughter, the list of different hats I have to take on and off goes on and on and on. On top of that, at any age or stage of our lives, there’s always different chatter regarding what we should or should not be thinking or doing. Some are valid, and some are not. Some are realistic, and some are just fears. But the common denominator between them all is that they’re often distracting.

It’s so easy for us as women to prioritize meeting the needs and entertaining the opinions of others instead of making time for our needs and listening to our voices. Sometimes we have to block out the outside noise (phone calls, other people’s drama, and opinions, self-doubt and fear, etc.) in our day to day life and focus on our purpose. We can’t give up all our valuable time every day to outside interruptions; we must take command of each day. 

So how do you do it? Here are some steps I use to eliminate unwanted interruptions in my life:

1. Plan each day the night before.           

What you spend your time doing yesterday night often determines how your day will go tomorrow. Invest in having a productive day by writing out what you want to accomplish the night before. When you’re making your plan, remember to establish a non-negotiable block of time (that means no calls, texts, meetings, etc.) to knock out tasks on your to-do list. 

2. Awaken in the morning with focus. 

Start your day with peace, and make it a routine. I like to start my mornings with about an hour of prayer, self-reflection, and exercise. If I don’t, my day is bound for chaos. Meditation and exercise help me feel grounded, in control and prepares me for the day ahead. 

3.  Stick to your plan. 

A plan is only as good as the person implementing it. Stick to your plan. Adhere to the time you blocked off for being productive. Also, be mindful of who you let into your space. Be proactive about disrupting any confusion or negativity that comes to interrupt your day and drain your energy. That co-worker that likes to gossip? Maybe try avoiding them a bit. That team member that is always complaining? Try cutting those conversations short or eliminating them altogether. Remember, you have command over how your day will go, especially if you stick to your plan. 

4.  Listen to relaxing music as you unwind at the end of the day.

Nothing blocks out the noise better than some good music! I always finish off my day by listening to my favorite classical playlist. Giving your brain a rest will help you transition from work to your personal life at home. 

You can receive so much peace from tuning out all the outside noise and focusing on what you need to accomplish with a definite aim. Let’s focus on blocking out the noise this week! 

When a new opportunity suddenly presents itself

I remember during my early professional career, the CEO of my company unexpectedly nominated me for a special leadership training program. If I completed the program, my CEO said, I would earn a promotion. Of course, after hearing that completing the program would earn me a promotion, I was so excited to get started with it right away...

...until I learned what it would require. 

Participating in the program would require that I attend a week-long professional development once a month for six months that was across the country.  I had two young children, a husband, and many other obligations at the time. Naturally, I began to worry about how this new opportunity would affect my already extremely busy life.    

Yet, when I thought about my goals of moving up the corporate ladder, I realized that I had been given a grand opportunity to prepare myself for the next level of my career.  Although it came sooner than I had expected, I knew that sometimes opportunity may only knock once, and it is incumbent upon each of us to be ready to move when it does. I knew if I wanted to take on this new adventure, I would have to buckle down, make a plan, and put my best foot forward. Here’s how you can put your best foot forward when embarking on a new opportunity: 

Talk it over with your personal board of directors 

When we hear “board of directors” we automatically think about large businesses, enterprises, and conglomerates. But did you know you (should) have a board of directors, too? Who are your personal board of directors? They are the people in your life who are invested in your continued development and growth. They are the people you seek out for guidance, comfort, and support when you’re exploring new opportunities or facing challenges in your life. They could be your spouse, your siblings, your parents, even your children! In my case, it was my husband, Tim. 

My biggest fear about taking on this new opportunity was failing. After completing the training, I would be required to take a certification exam that would result in either a “pass” or “fail” grade. I worried deeply about disappointing my boss, especially after the company had invested so much money in my development. My husband was there for me to not only listen to me talk through my worries and fears but also to affirm and encourage me. His vote of confidence and continued support had a significant impact on my decision to pursue this new opportunity and to stay the course when things started to get tough. By communicating with Tim, being vulnerable about my worries, I was able to position myself for the next critical step in taking on a major opportunity - making a plan. 

Make a plan 

Sometimes we aren’t actually intimidated by new opportunities, we’re just intimidated by the planning and sacrifice they’ll require. In this case, new opportunities only seem unattainable when in reality you can attain quite a bit with some good planning. Don’t get me wrong, there will be some learning curves and adjustments you’ll have to make along the way, but you don’t want to embark on a new opportunity completely fumbling at the wheel because you don’t have a plan in place. 

When you’re putting your plan together, ask yourself, “What are the adjustments I need to make in my life to accommodate this new opportunity?” In my case, my most pressing challenge was figuring out how to take care of my kids. Your personal board of directors will come in handy again for this part of the process. Tim played a crucial role in coming up with a plan for taking care of the kids. We ended up working together to develop a schedule with a family member to help with the children the weeks that I would be away from home. Knowing that I had a plan a place helped me to focus squarely on doing my very best in the training program. Now all I had to do was put my best foot forward. 

Put  your best foot forward 

So you’ve reached the real starting point. You’ve talked things over with your friends and family, you’ve got a plan of action together, now all you need to do is implement. But let’s be honest, even though you’ve done all the necessary pre-work, you’re probably still a bit nervous. I know I was! What if things still don’t work out? What if it all becomes too overwhelming? Even though all these thoughts were running through my mind, I still had to proceed in this new opportunity with courage. I’d worked too hard and planned too much to move timidly now! I resolved myself to commit to my plan, give it my best effort (even if meant I had to do it while scared), and make adjustments when adversity came. 

And boy, did it come! Even with the plan Tim and I made together, it was still difficult working full time, keeping up with my studies and course assignments and maintaining my family obligations. I was exhausted, mentally drained, and honestly wanted to quit several times. But what kept me motivated was knowing that I had a support group at home who believed in me. Sometimes when we think that we cannot achieve our goals we need to look around at those who are cheering us onwards. For the first couple of months, I spent a lot of time overcoming fear and apprehension. But the longer I stayed the course, and the deeper I became entrenched in my studies, the easier balancing everything became. The good work I was doing to better myself and advance my career became my motivator. Soon I wasn’t doing it while scared, I was just doing it, and doing my best. 

So how did everything work out in the end? Not only was I promoted to Director of Finance, but I was also selected as the main speaker at the graduation ceremony for those who completed the program. And since completing that program, so many other doors have opened up for me. Depending on my support system, being honest about my fears so I could work through them, and staying committed to doing my best even when I felt so much uncertainty all played a major part in my success. 

So ladies, always put your best foot forward because you never know where the next step will take you!

While our first instinct in life is to say “no” to things we are uncertain about, negativity shuts down collaboration and opportunity. “Yes”,on the other hand, opens up the doors to innovation and creativity.  

The power of “yes” opens up doors to our inward desire to become successful in life.  It yields the floor to something bigger than we have ever experienced.  It also allows us to explore new ideas and embrace relationships and experiences that we would have missed by saying “no”.  

When you say “yes” to new opportunities you are giving yourself permission to be “great “!

“Yes”, simply means that I approve the message that preceded it.  

Are you capable of doing this job?   Yes. 

Are you willing to  take on this new project?    Yes. 

Are you willing to go into agreement with me on this matter?   Yes.  

Are you willing to pay the price?   Yes.  

When you tell someone or something “Yes”,   you validate it or them.  In order for you to be successful in anything you have to come into agreement with yourself.  You have to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are able to fulfill  the goal or mission, this means that you are in tune with your strengths and weaknesses.  

Gallup research says that you must pay attention to your strengths , not your weaknesses.  You must apply all energy towards nurturing your strength.   You can always partner with someone that has your weakness as a strength when you need that expertise.  

That is what teamwork is all about.  Everyone cannot be the “point guard”, but you need the small forward and the center to help you go straight to the hole and score.   We need someone who is willing to take that hard foul for us.  We need someone to run interference for us when we are trying to score that touch down.  Here I used two different sports to show an analogy of operating in your strengths and partnering with others that have your weaknesses as their strength. 

Don’t let fear prevent you from walking into your “purpose” or your “zone”.   Don’t let the bumps in the road cause you to change your path.  Those bumps are just speed bumps that prevent you from moving to fast.  Sometimes we have to slow down to avoid crashes and burn outs along life’s journey.  Stay the pace and eventually you will obtain the prize.  

Let’s continue the road to our financial “GlowUp”. 

Wanda

What is a Budget?   A budget is simply a plan of operation.

If you're tired of experiencing the same ole regrets and disappointments about where you are financially in life, now is the time to act!

If you want to "secure the bag", you must have a plan.

Stop standing on the sidelines admiring others.  It's time to get your stuff tight!  We've got to put a plan in action.

There is a saying, "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail."  

If you have plans for becoming financially independent and experiencing the bliss of financial freedom, you must have a plan.  I will call it a Budget.

A budget is simply a guide, or plan that tells you the direction you're going.  You may have goals or dreams, but if you don't have a guideline or a plan to get there, you are just throwing seeds in the wind.

You can use a plan for short term goals or long term goals, whichever it may be.  However, if you don't have a plan, then the road to achieving your goal will be difficult.

A budget lets you control your money instead of money controlling you.

Here are five (5) ways a budget will improve your financial position:

•  Gives you control of where your money is going.

•  Tells you whether you are living within your means.

• Keeps you focused on your money goals.

• Helps you organize spending by dividing it into categories, such as needs vs wants.

• Helps you determine how much debt you are in and how you can reduce it.

The sooner you start, the sooner you can begin to feel the sense of confidence about your finances.

#Let's Glowup

Wanda

MONEY

No. Money is not the root of all evil. There are three words that make it the root of evil that is “The love of.....,”.  Having money does not make one evil. There is a saying that “money does not make you happy”.  Although, this may be true, the lack of money can make your life miserable. You see, money is a resource that is needed to navigate through life. We need it to carry out our every day transactions in life. But yet many of us have not tapped into the full utility that money has. Managing our money effectively not only enables us to meet our current needs, but it also can secure our future needs.

We make money choices every day.

As we take control of our spending and make wise decisions on purchases we will begin to see ways in which to reduce spending so that we can allocate more towards our future by putting it into short term savings for emergencies and long term savings for our retirement.

Life lesson for today:

Before you make that next purchase, ask your self 3 questions:

1.  Why do I want this item?
2.  Does this purchase increase my net worth or take away from it?
3.  If it takes away from it, is it a need or a want?

Once we understand the difference between a need or a want we will begin our journey to our financial independence.

Are you ready?

#Lets Glow Up!

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Confidence means being secure in who you are, what your mission is and knowing why you should do it.

It means knowing that the outcome of any situation will be a learning experience that will catapult you to your next dimension, because when you know your purpose and operate within it's guidelines, God will bring it to pass.

Confidence also means letting yourself be vulnerable enough to admit that you don't know something and being willing to admit that you might not have all the answers, but that you are willing to be open to seek out answers.

It means being prepared for the  task and also having the  right tools in your tool box.

Being prepared means bringing your "A" game to the room.

You may not be the most qualified but you have enough knowledge and information to get you into the  door and the "passion" to gain the necessary knowledge you need to "stay" in the room.

Confidence means being willing to take the "calculated" risks and "trust the process"

For the Lord, shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Proverbs 3:26

#Lets Glow Up!

It doesn't matter whether or not you are employed or unemployed, everyone that you  interact with is  your customer.   It is our obligation to provide excellent customer service to  our customers.  From the CEO to the doorman, from the pulpit to the usher at the door, it is important that you  give people your "best you".  We were put on earth, to be fruitful and multiply and in order to do so we must treat our customers with dignity and respect.  If you are the boss, your employees are your customers, and you must engage with them on a level of integrity and honesty.   If you operate in excellence, you will reap a reward of repeat customers.  Your staff-turnover for your company will be low, your calendar will be full of repeat customers, because great service is always rewarded by repeat customers.

Let's #GlowUp

You cannot go beyond where your imagination will take you.  If you think small, then you limit your growth to small things.  If you think big, you can expand your territory and create more opportunities for you to pursue.  The price of a big dream, small dream, or no dream is the same - "Your Life".   Why not maximize your dreams and your potential to be prosperous and in good health.  You have the same amount of hours in a day to dream big or small.  We invest time in other folks' dreams by admiring them from close-up or afar.   Why not invest your time and energy in expanding your dreams.  Invest in You - You're Worth It!

Let's #GlowUp!

Did you know that when women are educated, healthy and empowered that they give a positive ripple effect?  This means that everyone and everything that is connected to them are empowered and enriched by their aura.  This positive impact reduces poverty and helps to stimulate the economy.  When people are empowered they are productive and innovative in their work and in their creativity.

Statistics show that when more women are in the workforce the economy grows.  But yet and still......women are still less confident about their financial future and financial independence than men.

Did you know that nearly 44% of women are the primary breadwinners in their household, but only 27% say that they have control of their personal finances and retirement planning?

Studies also show that women are less likely to save in their Employers 401K Plan, thus leaving all that money on the table that their employers are willing to match!  Now is the time for us to take control of our financial independence.  We have the power and the ability to do so.   In the next few days, I will share with you some pointers to help get you started.  Remember this, that God has given you the power to get wealth!  It's time to exercise our muscles and go after all that God has for us. It's time for our #financial glowup!

Hi All!

Let's start this year out right with developing a habit that will assure that you have financial independence in your life.    It's so simple to start, even if you just save a dollar a day.  Developing a saving habit allows you to be in control of  your money, instead of it controlling you.

Napoleon Hill in  his book the  "Law of Success", states that developing the habit of saving will teach you how to distribute your income systematically so that a definite percentage of it will steadily accumulate, thus forming one of the greatest known sources of personal power.  No one may succeed in life without saving money"!

Let's do this:  For the next 30 days, try to save a minimum of $25 a week.  You can have it  automatically  deducted from your paycheck through payroll deduction, or get a container in your home and put a minimum of $25 in it, do not remove it (act as if it isn't there).  In fact, keep it in an out of sight area, like a closet or drawer so that you  are not tempted to make a withdrawal.

Let me know how you did and then let's increase it for the next 30 days.  I can't wait to hear your success story.   Remember our  goal in 2018 is to #Glowup.

It doesn't matter how you start, if  you stay the course and allow God to complete his work in you, you will transform from a worm into a beautiful butterfly.  God's grace will perfect  everything about you.  It's time for you to #GlowUp

You Have to Know Your Purpose, Develop a Plan and Execute It!

It doesn't matter who rejects, you or don't believe that you can do it.  Stay focused and know that God has given you the tools to achieve and accomplish your purpose.

Your future is waiting for you to fulfill it.  Stay the course, be not weary in well doing.

#GlowUp.