The Elf on the Shelf – When No doesn’t mean No
By Lee Ann | June 22, 2011
Thanks to Tory Johnson, the woman behind the fabulous
Spark and Hustle events today for the heads up on
this cool story.
I know it’s not Xmas – chill. This elf represents the power of sticking to what you believe in and the magic that can happen when you do that.
So, this is the story of the Little Elf that Could – or better yet how Carol Aebersold was the? champion for this lovable little elf.
As with anything, the elf began with an idea. Carol and her daughter Chandra created him to share the family tradition they loved so much with the world. To do that, they decided to publish a book and contacted publishers. The publishers didn’t love the idea.
“Doomed for the damaged returns bin” and “based on this committee’s expertise to this?portion of the market, your book would not see a great deal of success.”- they wrote in rejection letters she received.
Now, let me ask, if YOU received such rejection by authority figures – would you keep on going? Or would you let others stop you cold?
Well, Carol and her daughter didn’t stop. They stuck to their beliefs and self-published their book and had the little elf doll created to go along with it.
And, once they did all that, they then had to had to market them as well. It didn’t just become an instant hit. They began with a book signing in which they invited 200 people. That was just the beginning of an intense marketing campaign in which they worked tirelessly to share their little elf with the world.
They didn’t quit when it got hard, they didn’t let other people’s discouraging comments stop them. They didn’t give up.
And, it paid off.
Today – the Elf on the Shelf is a multi-million dollar brand. That’s a true testament to the power of sticking up for your dream.
Congratulations Carol and team on your accomplishment!! You’re my inspiration of the day.
If you’ve ever had anyone shoot down your dreams, tell me about it in the comments, I’d love to hear your story.
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
The X-Factor – Secretariat had it – Do you?
By Lee Ann | June 8, 2011
in 1973 Secretariat won the Triple Crown – The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness
and the Belmont Stakes. That alone should have proved he had the X Factor, right?
Except the X Factor is more than that. The X Factor means achieving celebrity
in a way that makes you stand out and be remembered.
And, he gave anyone who watched him race something to talk about. In the Derby and
The Preakness he broke from the gate in last place, and he only started to challenge
the lead horse after the last turn. He had to come from last place and pass every horse
on the track to win it.
He actually ran each 1/4 mile faster than the previous, he was speeding up as the
other horses were slowing down.
And, that was truly amazing to watch. Secretariat didn’t take the lead until 3/4
of the way around the track and not only did he take the lead – he won by
almost 3 lengths. And he was running on his own – no whip, the jockey
had both hands on the reins.
And, then with 2 of the Triple Crown races won – it was time for the Belmont. The stakes
were unbelievably high. This was his race to lose, and anything can happen in
horse racing. In the Belmont, there were only 4 other horses even entered.
Secretariat didn’t break last as he usually did, he broke out in first and stayed
there until the first turn when he was overtaken by Sham for a couple of seconds.
Then Secretariat turned on the gas and he never lost the lead again. He was ahead
by one length, then two, then four. In the home stretch, the camera had to pull back
to show that he wasn’t running the race alone – he was almost 1/16th of a mile ahead
of the 4 other horses. At that point, Secretariat wasn’t racing against the other
horses, he was racing into history, winning the 1 1/2 mile race in just 2 minutes 24 seconds.
Not only did Secretariat win the Triple Crown – but he shattered the track record and set his own for each race.
And, that is the X Factor at work.
What can you learn from this? Use your natural talent to it’s best ability.
Stand out from the pack. With each 1/4 mile, Secretariat pushed himself harder, he ran
faster, he was racing against himself to see how fast he could go. Do the same. Better your
best.
Run YOUR race, don’t look back, and don’t race against others.
Topics: beliefs, inspiration | No Comments »
JV Alert DC – Here I come
By Lee Ann | June 2, 2011
So, excited, heading out tomorrow to meet Ken McArthur
and all the peeps gathering for another JV Alert Live.
It’s always fun to meet people that you’ve only met virtually
in person – I’m looking forward to that.
And, of course am looking forward to meeting new friends
and potential business partners as that’s one of the main
purposes of this fantastic event.
I will update from the floor of JV Alert Live – here and
on Twitter and/or Facebook.
Topics: Miss See Lanious | No Comments »
Donald Trump – You’re Hired
By Lee Ann | May 17, 2011
I’ve never met Donald Trump, but I’ve been in the same building with him once,
if that counts for anything. But, I have learned some valuable lessons from him in the past few days
that I’d like to share with you. But first, because it’s likely you’re still reading this post now, I’d like
to say publicly that his show Celebrity Apprentice has a flaw. He is firing people every week that he
hasn’t hired yet. Whazzup with that?
I mean, the whole point to being a contestant is to get hired, right?
Ok, now that is out of the way. Here’s my main takeaway from his book, “Think Big and Kick
Ass”.
Focus on the solution, not on the problem.
That is game changing, and it has been for me, these past few weeks. I realized that I had
been focusing on problems. This is not very productive and just keeps you pissed off and
frustrated. I’m a big believer in the “what you focus attention to grows” theory. So, that
was a lot of energy misdirected.
In the past month I’ve been focusing ONLY on solutions. What a difference. My mind
is now coming up with strategies to solve my problems. I see opportunities where none
existed before. I’ve learned to believe that there is ALWAYS a way to make what you
want happen.
Just don’t give up and always keep looking for solutions.
Donald J. Trump – thank you, you’re hired as one of my new mindset mentors.
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
Self-Confidence – Do You Really Need It?
By Lee Ann | March 29, 2011
Self-Confidence, yes, Virginia – you really need it and you should have a crap load of it at all times.
If you don’t believe in your self, then who else is going to? Hmmmm?
So, how do you kick your self-doubt to the curb and put a lid on those
nagging “who the heck are you to think you can do that” voices that keep
you playing small in the world? Drum Roll…..
The answer is simple, but it’s not easy Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
Money can’t buy me love
By Lee Ann | December 2, 2010
The Beatles sang that money can’t buy love.
And, there’s a saying that it can’t buy happiness either.
So, WTF?
The truth about money is…
It can only buy stuff.
Then what’s the point of this blog post?
Well, I’m not raging on money, I believe it’s your right to attract as much of it to you as you like and enjoy everything it brings.
But, on the flip side, and there’s always a flip side. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
You are important – a poem
By Lee Ann | November 6, 2010
I wrote this poem many years ago…
The sun always knew of his perfection
So he decided to give Moon some of his reflection
Moon didn’t mind, he was to simple to know
And when Sun shone on him, he started to glow
Moon was just being used to give Sun a smile
But, they got along pretty well for a while
The people on Earth liked the glow of Moon at night
But he wasn’t unique, just a mirror of Sun’s light
Then one fateful day, Sun slipped and fell in Moon’s path
And now Moon was free to take out his wrath
When Moon went round next on one of his trips
He put Sun in a phase we call Total Eclipse
Sun was blocked out and could not shine on Earth
Thought he tried and he tried for all he was worth
Sun pleaded with moon to get a move on, get going
So they struck up a deal which we all wound up knowing
The Sun still eclipses to this very day
All because he slipped and fell in Moons way
So, no matter how unimportant you think you are
Remember the poem about the Moon and the Star.
I’d love to hear what you think about this poem. Leave
me a comment to let me know!!
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
Life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows
By Lee Ann | August 10, 2010
The title of this post was from Rocky 6. It’s one of my favorite scenes from the film.
Rocky is telling his son that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, sometimes crap
happens. But, instead of blaming other people for the bad things in your life,
you just keep moving on and dealing with it yourself. Because losers blame others
for their circumstances and he doesn’t want to believe his son is a loser.
Great scene – great message. No blame – take responsibility for your life and
you’ll figure a way out of the crap. Blame others and you’re doomed to have things
stay crappy because by blaming others you’re giving up control. And, if you give up
control, you’ll wait for outside circumstances to change your life instead of vice-versa.
Like it will just get better when the economy turns around, or it’s those politicians
fault. Or it’s the weather – who can concentrate when it’s so hot, or it’s, well, let’s face
it. You can always blame someone or something when something doesn’t go your way.
But, think about this for a second. If it was the economy, or those politicians, or the weather
then why doesn’t it affect everybody? Why isn’t everyone in a bad way? Because if those things
were really to blame, how could the economy pick which people were going to suffer? So,then if
just a few or a lot of people are doing ok in this economy – then the economy isn’t to blame.
There are always going to be highs and lows to life, rainbows will follow storms, Winters will
melt into Spring. It’s up to you to take responsibility for what is going on in your life that
you don’t like and do something about it. Don’t blame and don’t throw a pity party.
Here’s something interesting.
Don’t wait for change – you have to be the change – and then everything changes.
That may not make sense until you do it.
So, the next time you want to blame some outside circumstance, stop, and think
of something, even a little thing that you could do to change how you respond to
that circumstance.
When you stop blaming it puts you in action. You start looking for solutions instead of sitting
on your butt pointing fingers. And, as we know from school, something set in motion,
will keep on moving, then you build up momentum, and things really start happening.
One idea will lead to another. Not all of them will work, but some will.
I’ll leave you with this thought.
Instead of blaming what was going on in Germany for her situation in her diary,
Anne Frank wrote “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before
starting to improve the world.” Wow. Was she a victim or a heroine? Hmmmmmm.
Go ahead. Try it. And let me know how it works for you.
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
Day 2 of the lame name challenge
By Lee Ann | January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Now what?
Well, first, what does this challenge have to do with marketing and business. My blog is also about business – (or at least it’s supposed to be – I’ve got to add more business/marketing posts).
Anyway, it has everything to do with it because if you own a business – you are the driving force behind it. You create the vision for your business and if you’re thinking small – then your business will remain small. And, if you work for someone else, well, you’re not going to stretch yourself to rise higher – if you’re playing small in the universe between your ears.
So. I hope that answers the question.
You CAN be, do or have anything you want for yourself AND your business when your thoughts are aligned with your vision and you take action towards your vision everyday.
Today being New Years Day – I thought it the perfect time to start practicing an attitude. An attitude of gratitude.
Take 15 minutes today and make a list of 20 things that you’re grateful for in your life right now. big or small – whatever you can come up with. If you live in a house – there are hundreds of things to be grateful for with just that, such as hot and cold running water when you want it, a refrigerator with food in it, a warm, cozy bed – you get the idea.
The point is – if your present situation isn’t exactly as you would like it to be – it’s still important to feel good about what you have now. Because if you don’t appreciate what you have now – why should you get anything else on top of that?
Would you keep giving an ungrateful child more and more gifts?
Until tomorrow…
Topics: beliefs | No Comments »
the 30 day new thoughts-new you challenge
By Lee Ann | December 31, 2009
Ok, not the coolest title for a challenge – in fact it’s pretty lame – but I don’t care. I can always change it – because it’s my challenge!!
The point is that 30 days from now – if you follow and play along – you may just change your destiny.
Why?
Because you’re tired of getting the same results you got from last year’s New Year resolution. In fact – did that resolution even make it past Valentines Day before you gave up on it?
Well – same for me. My book isn’t published. That was one of my 2009 goals.
So, I have drawn a line in the sand, burned my ships and made a decision.
2010 is the year it all changes.
Procrastination will give way to relentless energy, spinning my wheels – replaced with laser-focused action, lack of direction – that is so 2009 – 2010 will begin with a clear VISION.
Are you with me?
Do you want to create new habits that will help you achieve? Do you want to kick ok fear, doubt and worry in the ass and say – enough is enough you guys. And let FAITH in your vision replace those bad boys?
That’s what I’m doing. And, I’ll be posting action steps every day so you can play along. In fact, I’m even going to get brave enough to create some (GASP) videos of me. (one of the things I put off in 2009)
So, how do you change habits?
by replacing them with new ones.
But, you really do have to be really tired of your present reality.
If you are – then tonight and tomorrow – write out a clear vision of how you would like your life to be on december 31, 2010. What do you want to look like? Lose some weight, get more in shape? Who do you want to be with? What kind of house do you want to live in? Just be playful with this – what do you really want out of like and where do you want to be a year from now.
Be specific.
example: I’m sitting on my oh so comfortable chaise lounge on my lanai. It’s so quiet except for the sounds of the waves gently lapping at the shore. I sip my iced tea and look out at the horizon. My son is dangling his feet in the pool, as it’s a warm night for this time of year. Later, our friends will be arriving to celebrate New Years eve with us. I get up and walk into my office, gently running my hands over all the books on the shelves. I stop when I graze a copy of my book, take it off hte shelf and sit down to read a chapter. I’m so grateful to all those who shared their stories to make my book the success it’s been. An amazon best-seller – wow, I would never have thought that last year.
Ok, so you get the point.
So, get yours written with your goals for your new life and your dreams as well.
Have fun with it.
Happy New Year.
Topics: goals, inspiration | No Comments »