Positive Mindset - Making 2009 the Year that Changed the Coarse of Your Life
A recent segment on Good Morning America asked its hosts, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Sam Champion and Chris Cuomo, to define “the year that changed your life”. Each traveling down memory lane to pinpoint the year that ultimately changed the course of their life.
Ironically, this segment coincided while developing my business strategy for 2009. After outlining the goals I wanted to achieve for my business this year, I sat down to carve out a strategy to achieve those goals. Knowing where I want to end up from where I am at today, I began to map out a plan of necessary actions that would get me from Point A to Point Z.
As with any new path one chooses to venture, the past must be reviewed. The announcement of Good Morning America’s segment seemed to resonate with me as I planned for the year. It became clear that besides identifying the year that changed my life that I had the perfect opportunity to make the right decisions that would indeed make 2009 the year that changed my life and the life of my family.
We should always look at the past for direction from our triumphs and pitfalls. With that said, we also need to set our sites forward and carve new paths to voyage armed with the information of our accomplishments and losses. Look back at the year that was the pivotal point that led you to where you are today, analyze the reasons behind it and the choices made. Then look at your present and how you can again turn your world on its axis and make 2009 the year that changed your life.
The Point
You have the choice. You have the power. You make the decision. Vow with me, to make THIS YEAR – 2009 - to be the year that changed the course of your life. Take a positive step towards success with the proper mindset and make this a remarkable year for yourself both with your business and personally; one that will be fondly remembered and modeled in the years to come.
Photo by Conanil
Happy New Year - To A Successful 2009!
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Blogging Inspiration - Andy Rooney finds inspiration in his kitchen drawer.
Throughout the years, I’ve always enjoyed 60 Minutes. The in-depth look at what is current in the news. The interviews provides a window into other’s thought process and the investigations intrigue the detective in me. My favorite segment though is at the end. The last 2.5 minutes spent with Andy Rooney. Armed with his opinion and ready to tout off on cue, he looks straight into the camera and presents his view; sometimes brash, always laced with humor and practicality, and a bit of sarcasm tossed in for good measure.
Did he pave the way for video blogging? Wikipedia defines video blogging as:
Video blogging, sometimes shortened to vlogging is a form of blogging for which the medium is video. Entries are made regularly and often combine embedded video or a video link with supporting text, images, and other metadata.
The structure is certainly there – recording of short snippets of video that is shared with others. Mr. Rooney is on every week at the end of broadcast. He always has some type of supporting prop that adds visual to his video. Mr. Rooney uses his platform to speak his mind on happenings in his world or ours; to rant at what irritates him; to show others a different view; and to connect with his audience (his followers).
So where does Mr. Rooney get his ideas? I caught the clip below when it aired last month.
The Point
This post – This Point is to me as well as you. You don’t have to look far and search deep for a meaningful subject that will set the world on fire with words. Just write. Blog about the mundane and the simple as well as the complex. Not all your posts are going to be stellar and be nominated for The Blogger’s Choice Awards. Take a lesson from Mr. Rooney and open up your “kitchen drawer”. Each post will resonate with someone or maybe just your own self.
Consistent + Professional = Results! The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Working in this virtual internet-based world, blunders happen, links break, and typo’s happen when we’re bleary eyed from long hours. Yet our mistakes take center stage to the fresh eye; our site visitor, potential client, competitor or peer. You never know who will discover you tomorrow. It is vital to put your best foot forward at all times. A professional appearance, even when you work virtually must be a priority.
Recently, I’ve come across a couple of blunders in blogs and websites. I searched for the site owner’s direct email address to alert them to the issue. In one case, it was one of my peers. An industry leader and someone I look up to as a guide for my business. They are also my competitor. Even so, it reflects on our industry - Virtual Assistant industry as a whole. My reasoning to tell them is simple. If one of my peers discovered a blunder or a typo that I missed during proofreading I would truly appreciate their efforts to seek me out and alert me to the issue. I didn’t do it with a big read sharpie like I’ve seen my husband do on his student’s term papers. I did it with respect and from a place of good will.
The Point
Proof of the pudding is in the eating – results are what counts. In order to achieve results, a consistent and professional appearance must be maintained. After putting in long days of drafting and writing to get a project completed, go back in a couple of days and reread what you’ve done. Tweak your posts; learn from your mistakes for the next time. Create templates for projects to simplify the task. Regularly check links on your website and blog to ensure they are not broken. Ensure that you’re landing page used in various advertising campaigns are loading quickly and work in all browsers. You can work in your pj’s if you like but your work shouldn’t look as if you did.
Photo by jonno259
Mediocrity - The Point, In Other’s Words …..
Return on Investment (ROI) - The Point, In Other’s Words …..
Going Up! Free Resource to Create an Elevator Speech
Photo by annia316
As an entrepreneur, getting your name out there and making new connections is the name of the game. So how many times have you stumbled through introducing yourself and your business to a potential client? Have you walked away knowing you didn’t get your message across? Do you find yourself wanting another chance to make a better impression? I would venture to guess that you haven’t perfected your elevator speech.
Then it’s time to get in the game! It’s not as painful as you might guess. I have discovered a free resource to assist with developing your elevator speech and they’ve made getting started easy!
The 15SecondPitch describes itself as:
“n. An introduction that is concise, compelling and conversational. No elevator required!”
No Complaints Today …. Take the 21 day challenge.
Photo by Andréia
A few weeks ago, my husband and I, along with our 2 year old son traveled to Maryland to visit my brother and his family. My sister-in-law and I have had a very close relationship for a number of years. We generally only see each other two or three times a year, but we pepper the time in-between with calls a couple of times a month. Those calls usually last two hours, if not longer.
With the arrival of our son and my nieces reaching their tween years, it seems that those conversations have dwindled, not only in occurrence but in length. I knew we had a lot to catching up to do once we got together.
What’s under your hood? Free Tool to Audit Your Computer
Photo by sandcastlematt
Whether you’re an entrepreneur who loves to get under the hood of a computer or one that breaks out in a cold sweat when you see a Windows pop-up error message, I have a great tool for you.
Belarc Advisor is a free tool that performs an extensive audit of your pc or laptop. In just minutes an audit profile is compiled and a complete report will be generated into your web-browser.
This comprehensive audit report includes:
- List of installed hardware from processor to circuit board and memory modules to external peripherals
- List of installed software including version number, license number, installation date, location on your hard drive and even key codes
- Status of Anti-Virus Software with last known update, revision number, and date of last scan
- Installation status of Microsoft Service Packs, Upgrades and Hotfixes and includes links to those yet to be installed
- Internet Security Status Benchmark Score and Report that includes Service Packs and Hotfixes, Account and Audit Policies, Security Settings
Gone are the days of not being prepared when calling a customer support desk to troubleshoot equipment or software issues. No more searching for versions numbers and updates installed. You will have vital information needed at your fingertips to answer questions and quicken the process.
The Point
Download Belarc Advisor. It’s a comprehensive tool that provides you with a wealth of information about your computer. You will be able to see where the weak points are in your computer system and how to address them. And best of all, it’s free!
How Strong Can You Go? Best Creative Password System that will give hackers a migraine and bring out your inner child!
Photo by cuellar How strong is your password? Wikipedia defines password strength as
“a measurement of the effectiveness of a password as an authentication credential. The strength of a password is a function of length, complexity, and randomness.”
How does your password measure up? Have you created a safe barrier between your proprietary information and the outside world? Remember that just like the constant evolving technology, hackers are developing their skills just as fast if not faster.
Creative Password System – Mnemonic First Letter Phrase
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