***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***
I'm a giver. I play from a place of win-win. If something is good for me, I really want it to be equally as good, if not better, for you. That's how I'm wired.
As I've built my platform and found my audience online and off, I've done my best to connect the best of the best with the rest. I think it's the least I could do, plus I believe I can't out-give the Universe. I do book reviews, talk about others I admire, and even make recommendations of products and services I can't live without. Why? Because I can.
But I've noticed everyone is not so generous. They promote promote promote themselves ... but others, well, not so much. I think they're missing the boat, the real and amazing benefit of having an audience and helping them to live a better life, save time or money, or even find business.
Here are the key reasons I promote others and why I think you should, too:
1. Aren't the best people and products you've found been introduced to you by someone you trust? I recently read two books that are life-changing, Hal Elrod's The Miracle Morning and Pam Grout's E-Squared: Nine Do-It Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality. I've told everyone these are "must-put-down-what-you're-reading-reads-and-start-reading" books. Are they my books? No, of course not. Do I receive compensation? Nope, not at all. Am I building goodwill and better friendships and perhaps changing a life or two? Yes, and that's my main goal.
2. The more you give, the more you get. As I've introduced other authors and bloggers on my single mom blog, I've gained new followers and readers, too. Some would say a shrewd marketing move? No doubt. But for the good of all concerned? You betcha. Win-win, remember?
3. The richness of life comes from relationships. My relationships with my friends are based on a mutual "I want you to do well," and I do everything I can to help them. I tell my daughter, "To have a friend, be a friend." So I give first. When I read a book I love, I reach out to the author and offer to help. No, not as their coach, just as someone with a voice and people who listen to that voice. You know what happens? I make a new friend, connect with a like-minded person, and sometimes, even bigger and more amazing things result. Hal Elrod and I have had some pretty amazing conversations about some pretty awesome possibilities. Pam Grout gave me advice on becoming a travel writer, i.e., how to travel like a rock star on someone else's dime and write about it. But I didn't reach out for something, I reached out to give something.
4. It feels amazing to give something with no agenda. I absolutely love doing something for someone that benefits them without even a tiny little stake in their success. If my only reward is a thank you, that's more than enough. But very often I receive so much more, including the personal satisfaction I get from doing something just because I can.
If you have a platform, followers, or an audience, you could introduce them to all of the cool peeps and stuff you know about you've been keeping to yourself. Wouldn't you want them to do the same? Who do I need to know or what do I need to be using/doing you haven't shared with me yet?
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My Top 10 Business Growth & Development Book Recommendations
***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***
Kate Northrup didn't know it, but she was "my people." I saw her on Facebook, watched her videos, and resonated with almost every word.
So when I saw she had written a book, I couldn't wait for it's release. Literally. I sent her an email, requesting to be an advanced reader in exchange for a review. Not 24 hours had passed before I had a reply and an ebook of my very own to dive into.
I've read financial books from across the spectrum. From Dave Ramsey to Suze Orman to Robert Kiyosaki, if there's a book on how to make, spend, invest, save or multiply money, I've read it {or I want to}. Money: A Love Story, therefore, was right up my alley. It arrived just in time for me to do my laundry, but I'd made a promise to read it, therefore the laundry would have to wait. {Darn.}
I expected a book that included budgeting, investing, and making money. Money: A Love Story did not disappoint. I believe "repetition is the mother of skill" and the anecdotal evidence about how mastering the basics eventually turns one into a master is hard to ignore.
What I didn't expect what the open kimono style of writing Kate used when sharing her story. She shared her deepest feelings, including her fears and vulnerabilities around money. I thoroughly enjoyed just how damn cute she is, too! She was charming and funny all while talking about her businesses, relationship with her mom, and with her now-fiancé Mike! I felt like I was having an intimate conversation with a girlfriend, getting the inside scoop on a taboo topic. It was eye-opening to hear Kate's perspective on deserving a fantastic relationship with money, and I loved her tips on how to get more comfortable and even make friends with money. After all, you can't expect something you hate or are afraid of to want to hang out with you, right?
I was pretty excited to even have a major a-ha moment! I'm been on the fence about how to proceed with something in my business life, and right at the end the book, Kate said something that hit me right between the eyes:
"I don't want to spend any of my precious time ... where I can only get paid once for the effort I put in."
And there is was, the answer to my dilemma. Problem solved. Time to proceed.
Money: A Love Story is a gem of a read. Even if you've read "all of the other books" there is at least one major distinction, lesson or light-bulb moment waiting for you that will literally change your trajectory. What are you waiting for? Get it and start reading it today!
Diana Nyad
***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***
I will admit I hadn't closely followed Diana Nyad's four previous attempts to swim from Cuba to Florida, but when I saw this news alert on my phone,
CNN: Diana Nyad, 64, is about 2 miles shy of finishing her swim from Cuba to Florida, a goal she's persued for 35 years.
and I saw messages of encouragement on my Facebook timeline, I knew I needed to tune in.
I tend to stay away from the news, because rarely does it inspire me to be a better person, go for my dreams, or think bigger. This is one news story I can't get enough of, and lessons abound from watching Diana's interviews this morning on The Today Show and CBS.
Here's what I've learned from Diana:
- Age doesn't matter. As I'm enjoying my 40s, I have had some thoughts in the back of my mind that I need to get stuff done now while I'm still able. No more! I jokingly said last summer that I want to do the Ironman in Kona when I turn 70, and my training officially starts tomorrow. Tune in in 2040 or better yet, be waiting at the finish line with some chocolate covered macadamia nuts for me.
- It's always about the team. Diana talked about how her team helped her to avoid dangerous currents, animals and deal with hunger, thirst, and swallowing too much salt water. Without her team, her success wouldn't be possible. It's true, there's no such thing as a self-made person. We all go farther and faster {and have more fun} surrounded by people who help us and cheer us on.
- It's better with music. Diana has a playlist with 85 songs. She sang Neil Young's The Damage Done to herself at 2 a.m. to keep going. Find some tunes that literally rock your world and keep you going when the going gets tough.
- There will be obstacles. Find a way through them. When Willie Geist asked Diana what made the fifth attempt successful, she said, "I resolved to get through the jellyfish. It's their world, but this time I had to get through them." She also had to deal with swallowing lots of salty sea water and sea creatures wondering what the heck was happening in their world. She had to just keep going. It doesn't matter what tries to stop or delay you, you can persevere and succeed.
- You must set your intention and be committed to it, no matter what. Diana had been dreaming of completing this swim for 36 years, and had made four previous attempts. Don't quit until you've reached your objective, completed your dream, and hit the goal.
- Stay focused. Willie noted there were other swimmers with her toward the end, but she didn't notice them ... she was too focused. When you're attempting to achieve a new level of success, or catch the brass ring, you must have blinders on and become oblivious to anything and anyone who can cause you to lose focus.
- There's the yin and the yang. For every thing that didn't go perfectly, there were several things that went great. This time, the current and tide were in Diana's favor and she was so grateful. There will always be some bonus miracles that will happen to let you know you're on the right path.
- Never give up. No matter what. Diana means it. I mean it.
What did you learn? What would you attempt if you knew for sure you would succeed? Start today.
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ:
Make a Bold Move and Set Yourself Free {Honorée}
Control Your Mental Real Estate {Honorée}
Challenges, Schmallenges {Honorée}
