As I headed off to a recent trip to San Miguel De Allende, Mexico, I received many well wishes from friends with the comment, 'Enjoy a margarita on the beach for me' or 'be safe'. Every time it was said, I felt as though I had to explain that Mexico is more that white sand beaches and margaritas and safer than most major American cities that the general population visit. San Miguel is in central Mexico. It is 6,000 feet above sea level in the beautiful mountains. The temperature drops to 40F in the evening. We wear jackets and scarves. Some even wear winter coats. San Miguel is an art and cultural hub with many international educational workshops and conferences. I would walk down the streets alone in the evening and never question my safety. It got me to thinking how often our well meaning comments are somewhat ignorant. Born and raised in Canada and living on the border city of Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. , we often hear people ask us about our skiing or cold weather. Meanwhile the city I am from is the same latitude as the northern tip of California. If I were to cross the border into Detroit, for an evening in the downtown core (as I did in San Miguel) I feel not nearly as safe. Until we actually visit the countries and cities, we then can base our opinions from what we hear in the media. In my opinion, traveling is the best education, hands down. It changes perceptions. It is tactile. It also bring us all closer together as one. It is man who created borders. When an astronaut looks from space he/she does not see borders. I encourage everyone to travel more (including myself!). The video below is a art opening in one of my favourite Mexican cities, Merida, Yucatan. Is this what you think of when you think of Mexico? I know I probably have preconceived ideas of many other places across this wonderful globe....and I look forward to the world changing it! To more wonderful travels, Floydilou
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As a young child what did you daydream about? What are your first fond memories of childhood? As a young girl, I was always drawn to the riverfront. I would ride my bike down to the river and gaze at the Detroit skyline. I would sit by myself for an hour or so. I would feel the grass between my feet. I would look at the tall buildings across the way. I could hear the freightliner sounding it's horn and watch the birds in the sky. Imagine a 10 year old sitting by themselves just dreaming and staring off at the skyline for over an hour. No other friends. Just me and all the other people off in the short distance walking by. It makes me recognize my independence today. I am more productive when in solitude but love to be surrounded by interesting and loving people. I tend to travel and live in places close to water and with beautiful tall buildings surrounding me. It's a combination of architecture mixed in with nature. For me I choose places such as New York or Waikiki. Others may prefer Easter Island or Machu Picchu. I must have a view of a city skyline and lots of people around for the energy! I also grew up in a dance studio and that was my 'play' place. Music, costumes, learning new steps, movement and lots of people around me in the classroom. Yes, I always preferred the solo routines on stage with the bright blinding spotlight. Nobody but me, my music, a spotlight and a loving audience surrounding me with love. I share this memory with you because of late, I have noticed my clients are completely stumped by my first two basic questions that I ask them: 1) What is the vision of your business and why do you want it to be successful? 2) What was it that you wanted to be when you were a younger person and why did you not pursue that dream? Some are in businesses that do not hold true to their authentic self. Others are in businesses they think they 'should' do. Even as I write this today, more of my own memories flood my mind and I recognize how much more of what I do today is reflective of my childhood. After reading the next questions, I want you to think of what brought you joy and take 5 minutes daydreaming and 30 minutes to write down those memories. I want you to think about your favourite place to play when you were a child. Were you alone or were you with many friends? Did you sit back on a couch and read a book by yourself or were you playing stick ball on the streets with all of your friends. Were you the leader? Were you the instigator? Did you prefer to have others to take centre stage? What was it that you wanted to be when you grew up? What did you do on a daily or weekly basis that brought you joy? Ready!...Now sit back, close your eyes and remember those fond childhood memories. Afterwards ask yourself what you can do to bring more of that into your business and life. To your success, Floydilou What we can learn from comic genius, Tim ConwayOne of my favourite comic television characters is 'The Old Man' on The Carol Burnett Show. As a comment on the post states, " I love that Conway has the comic presence to know he's completely shattered the illusion of the sketch by breaking the fake wall, so he ends it perfectly by just walking through the window. Brilliant." So my question to you in this simple blog post is, 'What do you do to fix the problem quickly? Do you whine, panic, cry or quit?....or do you enjoy the moment and go with it! Please feel free to share your thoughts or your own outtakes. To your success, Floydilou Have you ever wondered how you can create your dream life? Fifteen years ago when starting my first business with the direct sales company, Arbonne International, I was introduced to the concept of writing down my 'why'. The first step in starting the business was to write down 25 reasons why you wanted to be successful. Number 1 on my list was to be able to live down south. Ever since that day, I persistently took actions towards that vision. 8 years later and I was able to buy that beach condo on the Pacific Coast in Mexico. I wasn't quite able to move there permanently as I needed to make the beach condo into an income source via vacation rentals. Having a vacation rental property is a fun way to grow your income source and portfolio. Fast forward another 8 years to my current standing. Today I am on a fact finding trip to move to Mexico. I love my home country but it is time to do something new. It has been my dream for so long to live on the ocean in the tropical sun. To explore a different way to live. To create a career that did not own me while at the same time a business that could be as flexible and ever changing as I was. Over the past 15yrs, I have worked towards this goal choosing jobs and businesses that gave me that flexibility. I have taken many workshops and courses that all led me here. I know in my deepest heart I had to be near the ocean in a warm climate year round and to make it happen. One way to do that was to create a passive income stream and also a laptop business I could do from anywhere in the world where WIFI was available. Do you have a dream that you are working towards. Is travelling one of them? Living in another country part-time or full-time can be done by creating a simplified laptop lifestyle and business. It took me 15 yrs to get there. Would you like to shorten that time span to under 5 years? Take advantage of one of my sizzle sessions or upcoming mastermind marketing workshops. (HINT: a beachfront workshop is in development ) Here are 5 steps to get you started: 1) Write down 25 reasons why you want to be successful in your business. Dream big....really BIG and read it daily. 2) Take one of your dreams and discover how it could create an income for you....example....Vacation Property 3) Take your current skillset and passion and turn it into a niched online service or product 4)) Create 3 levels of income. Active. Leveraged and Passive. Understand the difference. 5) Surround yourself with people who have already accomplished what you want and participate in mastermind groups. Tell me what your laptop lifestyle looks like. How are you making it happen? _The other night I was watching the T.V. show, Restaurant Impossible. At the end of the show, the restaurant owner, filled with emotion, says, "It's light, bright and a new lease on life." Tears came to my eyes as I watched this hard working boomer who was 'stuck'. He owned and operated his business for 30 years and he was desperate to bring pride back to himself and his wife. The restaurant wasn't doing well and that made him feel like a failure. Not true! Sometimes you just need to allow yourself to hand over your control to someone else who can see you and your business in its best light. It will give you a new lease on life. I enjoy make-over shows, whether it's for homes, businesses or people. My friend, Jenn Merritt , coined me as the 'transformation specialist'. I know how to transform people, places and businesses with my vast experience (mentioned below)...and I get my 'high' when we can do it quickly and affordably for you. A common phrase the astonished recipient of home or place transformations is , "It's so light, bright and airy!" You can feel their burdens being lifted. You can feel the new energy it provides. The next time you watch one of those 'room make-over' shows, I guarantee that you will most likely hear the words, light, bright and airy. Yep, you will think of me with a smirk on your face. Another common phrase always said after a personal transformation is, "Look at my eyes!" or "I can't believe I can look this good!" It's as though they are seeing themselves being beautiful for the first time with a new set of eyes....and it's only make-up! ...or hair...or clothes. 5 Action Steps To Start Transforming Your LIfe: 1) Treat yourself. Make the decision to re-direct your money to the one 'stuck' thing that bothers you most. You are worth it. 2) Personal Clutter - Hire a clutter coach. Hire a professional organizer. Hire a friend who is really good at organizing. 3) Mind Clutter - Start reading good personal development books. Do daily affirmations in front of your mirror. Write things down. 4) Business Clutter - Hire someone who is good a putting systems into place. Systems will give you freedom. 5) Home Clutter - Hire a professional home stager even if you aren't re-selling. Do you have a friend, family member or neighbour whose home you admire? Invite them for dinner and ask them for suggestions or assistance. Have your own "Trading Spaces" event within your own home. Get two rooms done in two days with the help of your teenagers and family. Have a professional decorator oversee the projects. Simple transformations can make an all around impact in your life in ways you would least expect it. Let's get you started for the New Year. To your success, Floydilou As mentioned above, here is my experience that brings me to the passionate 'transformation specialist'. I am an accredited CSP, Certified Staging Professional - the art and technique of preparing a home for sale beyond de-cluttering. I am a 22 years veteran in the restaurant industry - front of house, mostly face paced, high turnover or pub style I have 15 years in a direct sales herbal and botanical cosmetic company, - from Hollywood makeovers to personal development training |
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