What we focus on multiplies

My friend and colleague, Ron Marshall of RonMarshallJr.com has launched a new feature in his blog.

He's calling it a "Professional Showcase" and is highlighting what he considers to be today's thought leaders who are remaking tomorrow.

It is my great honor to be featured as his opening act! Please take a few minutes to read Ron's Blog, both Part I and Part II and suggest anyone that you think should be featured! Ron is an incredible young man, striving to make a difference in peoples lives, both locally here in Michigan and around the globe!

Here's a little snip it of what you'll read:

Part I - The practical side

"I knew taking care of my two children as a single, working mom was not going to be an easy task. I wasn't going to let corporate America decide whether I would be home with my sick child or be a room mom in their classroom. I wanted to make those decisions myself. I had two things going for me (besides my beautiful children): I had a business and accounting background, and I loved to clean! Ok, I loved computers, too.

I bought my first computer and started two businesses: The Administrative Assistant and Snap Services; they have long since been replaced. My dad lent me the money, even though he thought computers were glorified typewriters. At that time, for me, they were, but I believed that the 'new thing called the Internet' was the wave of the future! (I think I was right on that one!)"

Part II - The spiritual side

'What we focus on multiplies. Since we are made up of energy (everything is), why not focus on positive energy, what's working, what's joyful and what's beautiful: Life! It isn't always easy, I know. I've been in some pretty low places myself - abuse, rape, divorces (notice plural there), job loss, a house fire, death of loved ones, and so on and so on. You get the picture - a lot of personal loss and what could have been defeat.

Thankfully, I was raised to always have hope and always see the silver lining."

Read the rest here....

P.S. And book mark Ron's page - you'll want to see some of the great guests he has lined up in his Showcase of thought leaders and those making a difference in our community.

"What we focus on multiplies - focus on your bliss!"

Teri Williams

September - Take a Bliss Break

6 Tips to Get Back to The Basics
Photos by Jeffrey Williams, JAW Dropping Photography

Summer is officially over. The kids are back in school, the weather is getting cooler and Labor Day is behind us. After flitting all over with kids and spouses it's time to get back to business. No more sleeping in, working from the pool or camping in the back yard. It's time to get organized and get going, without forgetting to take a few Bliss Breaks!

By this time of summer, I'm usually very happy to get back to my routine. Over the course of the last few weeks I really got sucked into summer. We spent a lot of time "Staycationing", entertaining and hanging out. We especially took time to enjoy nature and started walking more than we have in a long time, appreciating the balance, the ying and yang of life.

In a post on the Becoming Minimalist Blog,Bill Gerlach said,"Nature does not want. The natural world lives in balance. There is no greed for more. Nature uses only what it needs to thrive in the most basic yet amazing way."

Taking my cue from the natural world before I dive in to work, I'm getting back to the basics, through balancing my time and work. Yes, I'm getting more organized. Below are 6 tips I found to help me along the way:

Organize First - then go shopping for what you need. Purge and donate items you haven't used in 6 months or more. Once you have everything in place, purchase any storage or filing items you need.
Set your timer - to manage your time wisely. Before you begin any task, think about how long it will really take and set the timer. Allow yourself ample time to complete the project.
Choose a calendar system - one that works best for your specific style. Today's cell phones have wonderful tools that can synch with Outlook, Yahoo, Google and more.
Write down the 3 most important tasks of the day - and stick with it until they are complete. Once you know the dirty work is done, the rest comes easy, and with less stress!
Say "NO" more often - You don't have to do everything. Be more selective about what meetings you schedule, what events you attend and how often you pitch in to help.
Take BLISS Breaks - Take breaks often to enjoy the moment. Stretch, get a cup of tea, walk around the block (or office), read something uplifting or positive, meditate. Did you know you can close your eyes, breathe deep and meditate in just minutes? A simple 1 to 3 minute meditation can truly enhance the quality of your day. (Of course, a 20 minute meditation is even better!)

As the leaves begin to turn to vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red, I'm appreciating the view from y office window and the cool, crisp air blowing in. It's a lot different than sitting at the lake, but just like nature, I'm going with the flow.

Whatever you are doing this fall, honor you and your space by getting a little more organized. Get back to nature if you can and carry your bliss with you so you're ready for a spontaneous Bliss Break anytime.

Bliss ON!

P.S. Click Here to download a free copy of The Blissness Plan -
The perfect resource for adding more bliss to your life!

The Business of Blissness

Let’s face it, in today’s economy one may be overwhelmed by the projected outlook our media portrays. As the unemployment and foreclosure rates increase, so do feelings of fear and inadequacy in many people. Although we may have had a strong business plan, we didn’t account for the ineptness of the “economists” on Wall Street that encouraged Americans to get in over their heads, without a life preserver. What do you do to stay afloat? Change your attitude and follow your Blissness Plan, instead of your business plan.

What’s a Blissness Plan? It’s your blueprint for creating more joy in your life, including your business, defined as:

1. Lifelong plan for bliss: path to happiness
2. The “who, what, when, where, why and how” to achieve more bliss in your life.

The Blissness Plan includes 12 action steps to take, most of which we already know, yet don’t think to include in our daily practice. These steps are easily and effortlessly applied to your business. If you haven’t downloaded your free copy, visit TheBlissNetwork.com, click the Blissness Plan link and get yours today.

I grew up in an average, middle class family. My mom’s job was raising six children. She was the Project Manager, CFO, Hospitality Team Leader, Food and Beverage Manager, Travel Coordinator and so much more. My father, on the other hand, was the “bread winner.” He left the house most mornings at 6:00 a.m., car pooling with colleagues, to save money and get to his office by 7:30. Because he was very active with the UAW, some days he didn’t get home until well after bedtime. Like many Americans, he believed in “The Dream”, he believed in our right to “Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness.” Isn’t that what we all work for? I know I do.

The Blissness Plan is a practice designed to help everyone in their “Pursuit of Happiness.” Each step can easily be incorporated into your business. For example, Month 5 is creating a Gratitude Journal. This month not only did I write in my gratitude journal, I practiced a gratitude meditation every morning for five minutes, as soon as I sat in my office chair. Before I even looked at my Planner (My Blissness Planner) or turned on my laptop,I practiced with these steps:

Closed my eyes
Took three deep breaths
Thanked everything and everyone I could think of, associated with my
business, and more
Visualized what prosperity and abundance feel like
Took three more deep breaths and moved on!

Sounds pretty basic, right? You’ve heard it before, “practice gratitude and your life expands in more ways than you can possibly imagine.” Mine has! I’ve added two new workshops, two new clients, and two new E Books to my business this month! The Bliss Network is thankfully being visited by over 30,000 people in 53 different countries! Woo Hoo…So, join me in the “What’s Your Blissness?” Group on the CremeMagnolia.net’s Business Networking site this week and I’ll share a few more strategies on how I move from Business to Blissness by incorporating these steps in my own business!

Bliss ON!!