Thus, staying fulfilled so that we can offer 100% of ourselves and our enthusiasm, must be our number one priority. There are some simple decisions we can make each day to be sure that we stay on a path of positivity and service to others. This may not equal dollars right now, but it does make perfect sense! With an attitude of service and appreciation (even toward ourselves), we will be in the best position for success on all levels as the economy repairs itself.

So what are the do’s and don’ts to be brimming with optimism every day?

The don’ts are easy. Although it would be foolish to avoid the media completely, definitely refuse to absorb it with a tarnished silver spoon full of expectation and disappointment. Your PERSONAL success is NOT dependent on what CNBC or the Wall Street Journal have to say. Likewise, those around you may be experiencing some very difficult decisions and situations. Be supportive and encouraging, but in your own heart, an attitude of appreciation will always buoy you forward.

So now the DO’s. HOW do we create and grow that attitude of appreciation? Investing in yourself is an amazing and rejuvenating experience. It is the one investment that can NEVER fail to deliver. Sadly, it’s likely that the first thing to go in your business budget is education, personal development or networking, but these are the LAST things you should give up. Why? Because, they are food for the soul – a hungry soul is not strong enough to see solutions and new opportunities that may be right in front of you.

Your investments do not have to break the bank. You can also tie in networking opportunities wherever possible. Online courses abound right now, and they offer chances to meet with like-minded men and women literally from around the world. Experts share their knowledge and passion in webinars and teleseminars every day of the week, and learning from them not only keeps your skillset growing, it also keeps your passion and enthusiasm alive.

Investing in YOU is a win-win-win. YOU are your best commodity, your best product, and your best opportunity to have success in ANY economy. And remember, GIVING of yourself can’t be beat. Reach out to organizations and other Daring women, and offer your own expertise to them. Sharing your own wealth of knowledge will build amazing relationships and create seeds for your future.

The Yin and Yang of Sucess
with Dr. Joni Carley

The definition of success is changing. It’s no longer measured in dollars alone. Success is beginning to be better understood as an alignment between life and livelihood, between monetary gain and an abundance of joy, vitality and good relationships.

It is important to reach professional benchmarks and organizational goals. However, there’s a softer, more difficult to measure, side to success. Companies are finding out that when employees are fulfilled, they work more productively to increase the bottom line. When they aren’t fulfilled, they lose time, attention, dedication, cooperation, and morale and that hurts profits.

In earning my doctorate in the Reinvention of Work and in literally searching the world for keys to success, I’ve discovered that in combining messages of today’s thought leaders with the ancient Taoist concepts of yin and yang it helps audiences and clients achieve the balance between striving for excellence and productivity (yang) and increasing creativity and vitality (yin) in the workplace.

For thousands of years, Taoists have taught that the physical world is a constant swing between yin and yang and that it’s important to seek balance between the two. But, there is no such thing as absolute yin or yang. There is always a little yin in the yang and vice versa. That’s why the yin/yang symbol has a dark circle in the light area and a light circle in the dark one. And while balance between the two is an ideal, it’s literally impossible.

You’d die if your body hit pinpoint homeostasis. Breathe in, you’re more yin; breathe out, more yang. Yin and yang are dynamic, relativistic terms: you might be more yin (kinder, gentler) than your boss but more yang (goal and fact oriented) than your friend. Even at rest, a yin state, our hearts and lungs are pumping, a yang activity. Men are generally considered more yang, women more yin. But I like the terms specifically because they transcend gender to help us distinguish qualities.

Finding Balance:

While there is no absolute balance point, the healthiest professionals and the strongest cultures develop equanimity between yin and yang, allowing the proverbial pendulum to swing both ways. That means balancing movement and rest, feminine and masculine, goals and feelings, dignity and productivity, creativity and data, work and play. Accordingly, my work is in helping clients best leverage the yin and the yang in order to bring forward the most universal solutions possible.

On a macro level, we’ve been in a millennia-old yang-ward spiral that’s characterized by predominantly male religious and political leaders, ever-expansive militarism, and a profit-at-any cost mentality that’s produced a poisoned planet, starving children, and pervasive violence that commands an unprecedented percentage of our resources.

We have yang-itis! Taoist philosophy might say we suffer from a yin deficiency. Just like we need positive and negative charges to create matter, and just like batteries need positive and negative poles in order to spark, and just like we need day to turn to night, we can’t reach our professional potential if we don’t bring equanimity between yin and yang values.

For example, for the first time in history we are capable of declaring that all kids eat and go to bed safe and warm – a yin value. Instead, we pay for weaponry and multimillion dollar executive bonuses that perpetuate the yang imbalance that keeps hungry kids in their place. On the same token, we know that values-driven workplaces are more sustainably successful, yet we still rely on outdated profit-at-any-cost methods of leadership.

Success & The Golden Rule:

The Golden Rule reminds us to treat others as we, ourselves, want to be treated. The converse is also true so we have to make sure that we, ourselves, are treated like we think everyone else ought to be.

What does the Golden Rule have to do with personal success? Every major religion has a version of it because time has taught us that following it not only affects what people achieve personally, but it’s important professionally because, ultimately, the Golden Rule rules.

In other words, it’s critical that we stake claim to our personal yin territory by demanding dignity, personal values alignment, strong relationships, creativity, freedom, and vitality in the workplace.

Take a moment to consider: What needs rebalancing in your professional life?

FORBES List: Top 20 Most Influential Women  to Follow on Twitter

What an honor and privilege to have been chosen by FORBES as one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter for Business, Marketing and Technology Advice.

When I reflected back, I realized that there were 10 teachable highlights I would like to share with you that you might find helpful:

1. Be visible – In order to be successful you have to be seen and be heard.

2. Be an Up lifter – People love my DAILY DARES on Twitter – pick something that fit your brand and your style

3. Be consistent – when using Social Media, you are better off not having an account or a profile at all if you aren’t willing to post consistently

4. Choose to make a difference and lead with your heart

5. Get your personality in there. The beauty of social networking is it’s driven by relationships. You build relationships by letting people see who you really are. That means showcasing your personality.

6. Be transparent and approachable by showing a certain degree of vulnerability – we all like to connect, engage and do business with people with know, like and trust

7. Have the right mix of tweets and posts by sharing, educating and promoting

8. Persevere even if you don’t feel like it or don’t see immediate results … every time I felt like giving up on writing the DAILY DARES and providing my daily dose of inspiration on Twitter, The Daring Woman Fan Page, or on my personal profile, invariably on those days, I would get messages and/or comments thanking me for being such an inspiration in their life… because it was exactly the kind of hopeful/empowering message they needed to hear that day or crediting me for some successes they’d achieved as a result of daring themselves by me daring them. You just never know who you might reach with your posts and tweets and the impact you might have on someone’s life.

9. Have an impeccable presence and positioning – you never know who is watching you… I had no idea that Natalie Sisson from Forbes was watching me.

10. Realize that Social Media is a very powerful, inexpensive and profitable brand and business building tool and strategy to turn conversations and connections into clients and/or partners. Case in point, I was chosen on the Forbes list, I was offered a 6+ figure position by being found out on LinkedIn and have collaborated on many projects with people I connected with on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Click on the link to read the article, you will likely recognize some of the names:http://blogs.forbes.com/work-in-progress/2010/07/26/top-20-women-for-entrepreneurs-to-follow-on-twitter/?boxes=Homepagechannels

I’ve actually been following Ali Brown for a while. She’s an award-winning entrepreneur mentor to women around the world, helping them start and grow businesses that create extraordinary lives. Ali says that filming the show dramatically changed her life. And now that the show has aired, many people have questions about her experience, and there’s also a lot she wants to share from her heart with all of us.

That’s why Ali’s hosting a complimentary CALL for us all this THURSDAY, April 14, 2011 at 8pm ET to share her experiences, answer your questions, and more.

It’s called “From Success to Significance: Ali Brown’s Behind-the-Scenes Journey on the Secret Millionaire Show” and all are welcome to attend. If you don’t know Ali yet, this is a great way to get to know her!

On the call Ali will share:

* how Ali was invited to participate in the show, and why she decided to say YES. (It took her about 10 days to make the decision!)
* what Ali was told–and what she was NOT told–before filming!
* how Ali managed living on welfare wages for the week ($55 for a single woman in Los Angeles)
* the four amazing organizations Ali worked with during that week, and which ones she’s still working with today and how
* the magical moments you won’t be able to see on the episode (there’s only so much you can fit into a one-hour show, and they filmed for an entire week nonstop!)
* what Ali believes you have to attain *before* you can truly step into a life of significance (based on her journey as well as those of others)
* the big changes Ali’s making in her life because of the show–both practically, professionally, and spiritually
* Ali’s call to ALL women for making a difference in their own communities…and, in turn, the world .

Learn more about this special call to get in on her “behind the scenes” scoop here:
https://alibrown.infusionsoft.com/go/secretmillionaire/Francine/

Home Page “ATM”  this is genius!!

Have you ever wondered what to put on your
homepage?

I mean, how do you communicate that you’re an expert,
create value for your visitors, and actually make money?

Brendon Burchard, the Experts Academy guy, has a
pretty fascinating approach called “The Home Page ATM.”

Check it out:

https://burchardgroup.infusionsoft.com/go/ea2/allairef

I like how he explains the two “workstreams” every expert
must focus on, and then introduces the Home Page ATM.

I guess this is the first time he’s shown the strategy to
the public outside of his $5,000 seminars.

It’s pretty simple and I think you’ll find it’s worth the optin.

PS. Brendon is everywhere right now. Using these
strategies he made $4.6 million in 18 months as an
author, speaker, coach, seminar leader, and online
marketer. We can all get paid more for our advice,
expertise and knowledge. Brendon proves it in
this video:

https://burchardgroup.infusionsoft.com/go/ea2/allairef

To your outrageous success!

Note:  Brendon is the best at what he does.  I’ve attended this Expert Academy, as well as Star Power, High Performance Academy and the World’s Greatest Speaker Workshop.   I highly recommend that you watch this video series.  You will undoubtedly learn more in these FREE videos than what other “experts” have charged you for.

If you were starting from scratch, and you wanted to
make a million dollars as an author, speaker, coach,
seminar leader or online marketer, what should you
do FIRST?

In other words, if you wanted to become a highly-paid
expert in a matter of months, how do you do it? How
do you package your advice and how-to info for others?https://burchardgroup.infusionsoft.com/go/ea/allairef

You’ll learn:

This killer video has the answers:

– How experts and gurus start from scratch and get paid
– The 11 Ps for positioning as a high-value, high-pay guru
– The four things you have to DO to make it today
– 5 expert strategies for making a million-dollars in 12 months

This all sounds high-strung, but the video nails it.

At some point, every “guru” or expert decides they
want to use their life’s story or their how-to advice
for helping other people to earn a real income and make
a real difference. This video exemplifies that.

Btw, if you haven’t met Brendon Burchard, the guy
who did the video, you should take note.

Brendon went from bankruptcy to $4.6 million in the “guru”
industry in just 18 months. This year he doubled that. This guy
gets RESULTS:

– Best-selling author, books in 12 countries, 170k ebooks downloaded

– Spoken onstage with Tony Robbins, Sir Richard Branson,
Dalia Lama, Paula Abdul, Frank Kern, Jeff Walker, CEOS everywhere

– Seminars pulling 400 people paying $3500-$5000 from 20 countries

– 100+ coaching clients paying $10,000-$25,000 a year

– $1.8 million product launch and massive continuity programs

– #2, #3 and #4 ranked affiliate for some of the largest online marketing
campaigns of the year

What’s WAY more impressive is the results he gets for his students and clients.

You can see why in his video. The guy nails it.

https://burchardgroup.infusionsoft.com/go/ea/allairef

Enjoy the video. And take notes. Trust me, it’s worth the optin.

Ps. Brendon’s video — especially the expert positioning model
and the million-dollar plan — are amazing. He says he’s taking
questions on the blog, so watch and comment. No wonder
this guy is blowing up. He’s sure got cred:
– Tony Robbins thinks Brendon is “smarter than hell”

– Brian Tracy says Brendon is the “smartest, nicest,
most creative marketers I’ve ever met”

– Paula Abdul says he’s “captivating, present, magnetic
and awesome”

– NY-Times best-seller Dr. Daniel Amen “wishes I would
have met him 20 years ago .. it would have put my business
and myself as an expert in hyperspeed”

Join Us LIVE For A FREE,
Power-packed 60-minute Teleseminar

** Tuesday , November, 30th**
5:30pm Pacific / 8:30pm Eastern US

During this teleseminar, you’ll learn:

* The two critical types of motivation and how to use them for maximum impact

* Why change initiatives fail and what you can do to help people embrace the process

* Three barriers to goal achievement and how to break through them

* The 5 “Internal Crew” and what you have to do to get them all aligned

* How to restore harmony with food: top foods to incorporate and pitfalls to avoid

* What you can do to shatter your speed limits™ and fast-track your success in business and in life.

 And much more

This event is NOT to BE MISSED! 

Sign up to attend this free Tele-Gathering and you will receive this VALUE GIFT from Wendy: A MP3 Audio: “Five Strategies to Maximize Your Leadership Impact with The Shatter Your Speed Limits Foundation Formula!”

For more information or to register, click here: http://www.thedaringwoman.com/teleseminar/wendylipton-dibner.htm

Shatter Your Speed Limits: Fast Track Your Success and Get What You Truly Want in Business and in Life tells an inspirational story of four people who get what they truly want using a simple yet powerful formula.

Through lively conversations, emails and video chats, you’ll be rapidly entwined in their journeys as they discover and apply the formula that enables them to achieve their goals and reinvent their lives faster than they ever dreamed possible.

Recommended by experts in the self-help, goal achievement, sales, healthcare, corporate, marketing, media, retail and service industries, Shatter Your Speed Limits will show you how to identify and break through the only three barriers that stand between where you are and where you want to be.

Unlike traditional how-to books, this fast-reading story allows you to witness first-hand how different people identify and break through their barriers in record time. As they apply the formula in their businesses, their non-profit organization and their lives, you’ll discover the missing links to your own success and move rapidly towards your destination.

It all begins with one question: If you woke up tomorrow morning and magically found that you had everything you truly wanted…how would your life be different?

To order your copy, go here:
http://www.amazon.com/Shatter-Your-Speed-Limits-Fast-Track/dp/1453691707/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285719907&sr=8-1

For the past few years, I’ve been inspiring and empowering women like you all of the world to DARE to Dream Big and to pursue and monetize your dreams with passion and gusto.  So it makes perfect sense that I would be daring enough to pursue my own dreams in spite of any fears, challenges, circumstances or setbacks. 

Why I co-founded the Social Media Academy for Women?

What I’m most excited about is to take all that I know and all that I’ve done to assist you in monetizing your business and in living your dream life.  Those goals align perfectly with my mission as the Founder of The Daring Woman™ – which is to Inspire and Empower 1 Million Women, like you, globally to turn your dreams, passions and expertise into a profitable and exciting reality!  Let’s take on THE DARE together!

I bring 20+ years of experience as an award winning sales, marketing and alliance executive working for global industry leaders and entrepreneurs to the Social Media Academy for Women. As a Revenue Acceleration Expert and consultant, I specialized in helping corporations and entrepreneurs just like you grow incremental revenue, expand your influence, gain competitive advantage and build your brand equity through Social media marketing optimization, profitable strategic alliances and joint ventures and customer acquisition activities. 

About Social Media Academy for Women

Social Media Academy for Women is a Premier Training and Consulting Company utilizing 21st century frameworks, social networking platforms, collaborative strategies and expertise to assist experts (authors, speakers, coaches and consultants), franchisors, business owners and organizations build brand equity, competitive advantage and incremental revenue growth by harnessing the power of social media marketing, strategic alliances, and joint ventures to strengthen their leadership position within their field of expertise or industry. We believe that all individuals and businesses need a compelling and dynamic online presence to ensure that current and future clients can find them, get to know them, develop trusting relationships with them and ultimately do business with them.

We work with women and the companies who market to women to strategically raise their brand’s social equity. This gives you, our client, more visibility to make a difference, solve a problem and maybe even change the world.

Helping you harness the power of social technology and strategic alliances to create meaningful, profitable connections, brand awareness and consumer interactions is why we love what we do, everyday.

If you aren’t yet Engaging, Integrating & Leveraging social media to amplify your brand equity & increase your circle of influence,
you’re loosing money & market share every day.

Please come and visit us at:   http://www.SocialMediaAcademyforWomen.com and take advantage of our upcoming Social Media Strategy Series http://www.thedaringwoman.com/2010/10/early-bird-flies-away-today-our-gift-to-you/

Have questions, post them on our Fan Page, we’ll be happy to answer them. http://www.facebook.com/SocialMediaAcademyForWomen

Follow us on Twitter and we will follow you back:) http://twitter.com/SMA4Women

Do you have a book in you? 

Isn’t time you get your book done?

Do you know that a book in one of the most effective promotional strategy?

I’m planning on Writing My Book in a Weekend, this coming weekend. Will you care to join me?  

I have signed up for the Write-a-Book-in-a-Weekend Event this coming Saturday and Sunday, September 18 & 19, 2010 with my friend and colleague Donna Kozik.  

And if you sign up, please let me know as we will be writing partners for the weekend and we will keep each other accountable to getting our book done at last!:)

Whether you join us this weekend or not, here is some great information from Donna.  Enjoy!

Would you like to know the insider secrets about writing and publishing a book? Get them from this free audio: “5 Sizzling Strategies to Get Your Book Done on the Double” from Donna Kozik, a 2-time award winning author who has been featured in Women’s Day and Women’s World along with dozens of nationally-known newspapers and NPR Marketplace? You can get your free Insider Secrets audio here. https://donnakozik.infusionsoft.com/go/wab-writewithdonna/allairef

Writing a Book: 5 Places to Unstick Yourself
By Donna Kozik

There are many hurdles along the race to finishing a book meaning there are many places along the way where want-to-be authors can get hung up.

I know how it can be you have a good idea but aren’t sure where to go with it. Or maybe you have your thoughts together and just need to get them on paper. Perhaps you’re beyond that and have a first draft done, but you aren’t sure where to go to find editing and publishing professionals to make your book a reality. Here I address the issues that seem to hold writers up in getting their books done.

How do I get started? Make the commitment. There’s power in making the decision. One technique I have my clients do is create a “goal statement” and write a few paragraphs about why they want to write a book and how it will fit into their business and life. This serves as a touchstone for the whole process do it now.

How do I select my book topic? When you’re creating a big business card, your book topic should be centered on expressing your unique marketing message while giving your readers information they want to know. What do you find yourself explaining to prospects and customers again and again? What unique take you do you have about your industry or area of expertise? What is it about you and what you do that is different than your competitors? That’s what you write about. 

What’s the fastest way to getting my out of my head and on paper? Talk your book. For each chapter, create an outline of points you want to include, jot a few prompts underneath each point and then dictate your book. Have the dictation transcribed and you have a solid first draft of your masterpiece.

Should I find a traditional publisher or self-publish? If you’re looking to create your big business card, the answer definitely self-publish. Unless you’ve worked with a traditional publisher before, it’s tough to get their attention. Plus, after your work is accepted it can take up to two years or more before it appears on shelf. Finally, you’re still in charge of marketing your book, which leads me to?

How do I promote my book? Start locally by submitting news releases to area media. Don’t make it an announcing the publishing of my book release, but instead feature your book’s biggest selling point, which also features your expertise and a focused topic the media can latch on to. After that, go to the Net by submitting articles pulled from your book to ezines, sites and blogs that are a good match for your material. Remember to include a compelling bio box at the end with a link to your site.

How do I get on Amazon? Good news it’s super easy! Your book printer or publisher might do it for you, or you can do it yourself by joining the Amazon Advantage program here from the Amazon website. One of the chief requirements is your book’s ISBN if you have that, you’re golden.