I absolutely love to read. Do you love to read? If I could get paid just to read, I would do it LOL! I thoroughly enjoy reading for work, but I mostly enjoyed reading for pleasure. And I’m a book addict, I love a bookstore and have a hard time walking out without a new book. I’m an Amazon prime member, and they give me all kinds of cool deals on books that I love to read. Just this week I bought shoes for my husband on Amazon and still managed to purchase four books!
There’s never enough time to read through it seems. My goal has always been 25 pages Monday through Thursday and 50 pages Friday through Sunday. But when my garden is exploding with few fruits and vegetables, and my business is booming with clients and private coaching (I THRIVE on what I do for my clients!), reading takes a back burner.
I remember when we were little; the library was a big deal. My mom couldn’t afford to buy us books, so we checked them out. My sister and I would walk to the library and one day we told each other that we were going to read every book in there. Wow! Talk about a lofty goal! Because guess what? New books every day keep getting added even to the library.
I found that my favorite types of books were series books, where strong females were the leads. Now I have a super duper guilty pleasure. I happen to thoroughly enjoy what is called paranormal Romance. Back in the old days they probably just called this fantasy, but honestly it has a sexy spin to it that wasn’t in most fantasy novels I read as a teen. As a matter fact, I don’t understand all the hype about 50 Shades of Gray because most of the paranormal romance novels I read have some hot sex in them!
And there’s nothing wrong with a little hot sex right?
So now you know my guilty pleasure, I love to read and in particular books with werewolves, vampires, fairies and gremlins in them. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
No not my ritual if you’ve read my blog about the difference! This is the mindless morning that I do pretty much every day! Part of my routine is the COFFEE. I don’t know how you feel about your morning cup of coffee, but it is a very important part of my day.
This morning, like any other morning I ground my beans, put the cold water in the pot, and set it up to brew. No, I don’t own a Keurig
because I love the ritual of fresh ground beans and cold water in a pot. And my coffee pot is old (I got it in college…that was 20+ years ago)! I don’t like those new fan dangled one cup brewers that do it right into your cup because I like super strong coffee with nice warm cream in it. So part of my routine is while the coffee is going I actually heat up some cream to go in the cup.
While doing this I heard a weird sputtering from the counter where the coffee pot is. I knew instantly what it was. I had not set the pot back far enough on the burner to push the lever that allows the water to drain, or stop when you want to pull it out early pour yourself a cup why it’s brewing.
Dang it! Grounds and water are everywhere. What a great start to the morning huh!
Reality is though I have two choices when these kind of things happen. Let it ruin my day, or laugh clean everything up, and still love my cup of coffee…just 15 minutes later.
Routine…Choices, they are just so powerful huh?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Do you ever get a wild hair? Not a wild hair, crazy kinda cool idea for your business that will help it grow wild hair. But the wild hair where you really intended to do one thing and in the end wind up doing completely something else?
Today I had one of those wild hairs! I just went outside to put something in the mail. And then I thought that I really need to take that spider web down by the mailbox. It was getting kind of crazy and nasty, and tomorrow the ladies come over for wine and networking so it seemed a perfect time to grab the hose and spray it down. But then suddenly I realize that my “babies” needed water. My babies are my little plants that are just starting to grow, if you didn’t know we are year-round urban gardeners so the fall planting has started!
So I water the babies. And then I go over to jet spray this spider nest. And then I realize that there’s lots of spider webs on the side of my house I start jet spraying them to and before you know it, I have water showering down on me and I’m spraying off the garage, and the side of the house, and the camellia bush.
And then I realize my front window is open.
So then I have to go inside and dry off the house. LOL. It did need a mopping.
All I wanted to do was put some mail in the mailbox to be picked up today.
Those wild hairs aren’t always a good idea, and I should’ve just focused on getting focused!
Geez! Do you do this in your business? Go to work on something specific (like maybe some blog writing because it is really good for traffic) and you get a wild hair and end up on Facebook, or working on another project completely. I know getting focused works, what do you do when a wild hair creeps up?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I knew I’d ask Debe Bloom to share- she is truly a giving heart and spirit! The picture below is HER- she is sunshine without a doubt!
What inspires you each and every day?
Debe: “Without trying to sound like the world circles around me, my own growth inspires me…and how far I can comfortably ‘push’ myself. Knowing I can help myself, I know I can authentically help others. I am on a growth mission, for all…since I believe that I can’t help others unless I’ve walked the walk myself.”
What part of your life did you once assume was ordinary that you have found inspires others?
Debe: “This actually shocks me a bit: In my ‘previous life of 23 years’, every time I voiced an opinion, it was diminished into the worthless category. After I woke up and moved on, my thoughts and voice became valuable to others. Today, that same voice has helped so many people — and when they share their gratitude, it tickles me. Being able to coach and mentor others is very important to me.”
What is one of the most important lessons you have learned in life?
Debe: “Every single one of us has value and importance. We are each experts at what we do—from being a CEO of a major corporation to working at the local hamburger stand– and although our confidence can get out of balance periodically, everyone is special. So that knowledge coupled with the knowledge that there is a positive lesson in each episode of our day, will help make a worthwhile life. As my mother used to say (and I’m sure many other mothers quoted), there is a reason for everything. Finding that reason is the key.”
Debe is the youngest of 4 who shared most of her life with a twin sister, who is putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward and sharing that message with others. Debe Bloom, Certified Confidence Coach, www.debebloom.com www.facebook.com/DebeBloomCertifiedCoach 805.659.3323
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Fiona Stolze is a catalyst for what is happening here. I adore her. And her story is awesome.
I asked Fiona to share in her words with you. (And she is not an American, so I LOVE her English answers!) What inspires you each and every day?
Fiona: “The opportunity in everyone and everything around me to see myself more clearly and let go what I no longer need. I get inspired through knowing that everything is being looked after and that my job is to fully be who I am and express that in all that I do. I get inspired by selflessness of others and their willingness to boldly step out and go where no man has gone before 🙂 I get inspired by the growing love in my heart for who I am and extending that to others. And I get inspired by the divine perfection of everything in the eternal now. My greatest love is coming home to who I am.”
What part of your life did you once assume was ordinary that you have found inspires others?
Fiona: “I went through most of my life believing I was totally ordinary and didn’t think I had anything of value to offer. As events unfolded and I moved through many deep experiences that allowed me to see my true nature, I was surprised to discover that people liked listening to my voice. And it took a lot of coaxing to bring it out of the closet and start freely sharing it with others in both sound and written word. I now make videos, interview people, write extensively and do blogtalkradio giving spiritual guidance to others. When I received feedback about the impact I was having on others, I realised that it was something that had little to do with me. Knowing that it came from a space deep within allowed me to stay in a space of humility and let it flow without touching it. The same applies to my artwork.”
What is one of the most important lessons you have learned in life?
Fiona: “Not to criticise or judge what wants to be expressed through me. There are no mistakes in life and everything is in perfect order at all times whether or not I want to see this. So receiving what moves out from within and recognising that it comes from a deep place that my mind has not touched. Receiving with deep gratitude for everything exactly as it comes without needing to change or resist it in any way. I am exactly where I am meant to be right now – no mistakes. So just deeply accepting everything and being with it, regardless of what my mind wants to think up. Those big ideas that quietly and certainly step in are there to take us to the next step. Trust is the key.”
1 million ordinarily extraordinary women inspiring! Join our revolution!
I am a professional silk artist who can create your dream yardage, personalised paintings or clothing or teach you to do it yourself. I also hold space for others through interviewing on video, radio or blog. And can give you spiritual guidance. You can contact me at: info@fionastolze.com http://fionastolze.com (all further contact information is on my Contact page) http://www.silkandart.com
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
1 million women, ordinarily extraordinary inspiring our lives! What an amazing vision! Today I am excited to share a woman I adore– Laura:
What inspires you each and every day?
“Laura: When I wake up in the morning, I run (not walk) to my computer to turn it on…then run (not walk) to the coffee pot to make a cup o joe…. Why? because I figure I have about 30 solid minutes before I have to wake up my daughter for school, at which point my hat changes from Mompreneur to mom… I go about the daily routine: iron clothes, feed the dog, pack lunches and make breakfast…make sure she has everything in her backpack and by 7:15 we are on our way to school which is no longer the days of the past where the school is in your neighborhood… it is about 12 miles away (one way) in LA traffic – oh and it is not free! As we loop around the corner just to make it in with a minute before the tardy bell rings my daughter gives me a kiss goodbye and says “I love you mom”… I realize that everything that I do…Everything that inspires me to be the Mompreneur that I am, comes from my biggest inspiration – my daughter. I am inspired to be a successful Mompreneur because working for myself allows me to be both a mom as well as a positive role model for my daughter. I am inspired to shine for HER – so that she one day will also be a positive role model for her children and a leader in this world, equally.”
What is one of the most important lessons you have learned in life?
“Laura: I have learned to get everything in writing. Many times we are naive and we think everyone will always be fair. Not the case. In business, always have a contract. Nothing personal, it’s just business.”
I am speaking at Laura’s event this fall (see the pink “I’m speaking” banner to the right?) She is the most amazing connecter I have ever known. And she once thought that was ordinary, that everyone did it!
Laura is the center of influence, a blogger and she connects people. She helps bring brands, businesses, influencers, women and moms together. She hosts an annual BLP ConnectHER Conference and Influential Event I can be reached at: laura@bagladypromotions.com or by visiting http://www.bagladypromotions.com http://www.blpconnect.com http://www.herreview.com
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I absolutely love to read. Do you love to read? If I could get paid just to read, I would do it LOL! I thoroughly enjoy reading for work, but I mostly enjoyed reading for pleasure. And I’m a book addict, I love a bookstore and have a hard time walking out without a new book. I’m an Amazon prime member, and they give me all kinds of cool deals on books that I love to read. Just this week I bought shoes for my husband on Amazon and still managed to purchase four books!
