Live to Work Your Passion...Not Your J-O-B....

I have noticed that within my generation, more people want to own a business than work for one.  Long gone are the days, for many, where punching a clock and living to work for someone else's dream suffice.  Even the economic turmoil that has occurred in recent years doesn't scare the mind of an entreprenuer. So what do you do when you feel stuck in your job and unable to transition to your own dream?  You plan; Plain and simple.  

First off, know what you really want to do.  This may seem like something that is so obvious, but when asked, you may find yourself stumped.  It's even happened to me when someone asked me what I wanted to do, I paused.  On the inside, I knew exactly what I wanted, however, I hadn't really ever verbalized it, so it appeared that I may not know.  Tip: You never know when the person you run into holds the keys to an opportunity that will catapult you into another professional dimension.  Make it your business to know what you want and to be able to sell it in 30 seconds or less.  This type of elevator speech is a great, compact, and direct way to promote yourself and your business.  

Another great way to get yourself out there is to create marketing tools.  This can range from the general business card and website to an ad in the newspaper and most certainly social networking!  Making yourself known and slowly building your business and clientele while you're at work, will give your more of a ground to stand on when your time is up.  You'll not only be more secure, but will also have more contacts through your networking that will be able to add value to your transition time.  

Yes, you may be at work during the day, but the work you do at night will count the most.  Ladies and gentlemen, the name of the game is sacrifice.  You can't give your all during the day for someone else's dream, but neglect your own.  Your personal evening time now belongs to your dream.  Even if you have a family and a spouse, make it your business to accomplish at least one to two tasks.  By doing this, something will shift.  Your energy and thoughts will be in the direction that respects your goals and deems them just as, if not, more important than your traditional work duties.  It may be difficult at the beginning,  but after a while, it will become a way of life.  

Lastly, put it in the atmosphere.   For so long, people have been saying to write things down.  Say it from your mouth.  Believe them in your mind.  When you do these things and couple them with hard, consistent, and productive efforts, it will just be a matter of time until your're creating jobs rather than working one.  You will not work to live, but will live to work your passion.  

The risk of leaving the hum-drum consistency of your job may be scary, but when executed with all the above, you can't lose.  What you decide today, will show it's face in where you are 10 years from now.  What reflection do you want looking back at you?  Where do you want to be?  Get Ready to work for your dreams.  

Until next time....keep the forward movement....

Being Fearlessly Fit (Article previously written for Fearless Magazine)

The new year always offers the perfect time and incentive to get in shape.  Exercise is not only important to looking good for the upcoming flirty months, but also important to remaining healthy throughout the year.  Try these fun and fast workouts ideas to keep yourself at your sexiest winter's best!

• Beach Run- the beach provides the perfect backdrop to get you up and going!  The fresh air alone is invigorating and the sun provides that extra ounce of beauty to get you energized.  Start with a brisk walk and work your way into a light jog.  For those who are more physically advanced, you can go ahead and start off with a well-paced run.  Whichever you choose to do, the sand will offer a great resistance to your workout and make your workout more effective.
• Cardioke- for those of you who love to dance and sing, or do something a little different, this is the workout for you!  Incorporating  great music, the freedom to belt out your favorite songs, and heart racing aerobic moves, helps you workout and have a good time!  Before you know it, you’ve burned tons of calories!
• Everything you ever want- many may not know, but your cable network offers a channel(s) that give you an endless variety of workouts.  Gone are the days when at-home workouts provided low-intensity workouts; usher in the days when the workouts are just as intense, if not more than your trip to the gym.  From yoga and pilates to cardio and intense weight training, you’ll find everything imaginable to keep you motivated!

Until next time....keep the forward movement....

New Year, New HEALTHY You!

It’s a new year and what does that mean for many across the globe? Resolutions! And what resolution is the most popular EVERY year? Weight loss! For some reason, every year, people rev themselves up to believe the first of the year brings discipline and drastic change. Newsflash: it doesn’t! If you pay close attention, you will notice midday through January 1st, you are doing, saying, and acting the very same way you did the day before. Even if you try to do things differently, you’ll notice that subconsciously you are thinking and saying the same things. Why; Because your daily habits create who you are. There is no overnight change. When you realize this, you will take the necessary actions to have a life long change instead of a temporary one. Got it? Good! With that in mind, let’s get to some awesome ways to kick-start the healthier, sexier you!


Personal Trainer- this is one of the best ways to not only work out, but to also increase your exercise knowledge. Whether you need a swift, (but caring) kick in the butt or want to try something new, a personal trainer is the way to go. They will support you when you need it, push you when you want to give up, and explain the benefits of the things you are doing. The best part of this? When you’re all said and done with your trainer, you will have the knowledge to continue to positively moving forward to progress in and sustain your fitness goals!

Home Sweet Home- for a variation of reasons, you may prefer to work out at home. Initially, when we think of home exercises, we drift to the old school Suzanne Somers “thigh-master” workouts that left you dewy fresh. Well, jump in the new millennium my friends! Home workouts are not what they used to be! Nowadays, home workouts, (if done correctly), are just as intense as a workout done with a trainer and/or at the gym.  For instance, take the Les Mills Pump Workout Program by Beach Body;  this incredible workout program is the fastest way to get in shape!  The barbell-based strength training program promotes rapid weight loss  and can burn up to 1, 000 calories per workout to get you lean, strong, and scultped!   Wow!  How's that for a home workout?!  You'll be 1,000 calories lighter, without leaving the house!

Trick or Treat- Yes, this phrase is synonomous for halloween, but we can use it with our daily eating habits!  Let's be real: candy, cookies, brownies, chips, soda, etc. all taste delicious...BUT those are some of the worst things you can put into your body.  Now, all things in moderation, so you can have that every now and then, but for the most part, don't even look in their direction!  Healthy food has come a long way in the past decade.  No longer are the healthier options not as enjoyable or enticing.  Gone are the days of disgusting after-tastes and pinching your nose to gulp it down!  Usher in the days of enjoying the options just as much and even moreso, knowing it's good for you!  These foods/snacks offer an awesome way for you to trick your taste buds into believing you're having a "bad" treat instead of a "good" one.  You can exercise all you want, but you can never beat good nutrition!  Practicing healthy eating habits, can help with not only weight loss but with other diseases associated with poor eating habits.  Add to that the extra self-esteem boost, and you'll not only notice a change in your body, but also in your mind and spirit. 

This year, resolve to not only get in shape for the upcoming  summer, but resolve to create long-lasting, life-changing way of life.   If you committ to that this year, it won't be on the resolution list next year.

Until next time...keep the forward movement...

Patiently Waiting....

Quick, steady perservearance.  Even-tempered care.  An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.  The bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. All of these define one of the most difficult virtues we struggle with....patience.  From the moment, you could understand, the art of being patient was explained; whether through your mother, a friend, quotes, or even the Bible, there are a number of things that point to need of being patient.  In a world where we know that time always wins, why is it so hard to wait?

At this point, if you've been following me, you know that I aspire to do many things.  I write for a couple magazines, am a creative editor for a couple more, was recently featured on a talk show (POV Talkshow ft. Stephanie Benoit), am working on my website, and am working on motivational speaking.  I'm believing God that it is just the beginning.  Although, I wanted things to get moving for so long, when I looked back at who I was a few years ago, nothing would have worked at that time.  The person that I was then had not gone through as many vital learning experiences as I have now.  One night, as I was laying in bed, something clicked.  I reliazed that the person who I was then could never successfully be the person who I am now.  My passsion is to help people through empowerment and motivation.  The struggles that I went through positioned me to soften my heart and increase my empathy.  It caused me to understand the struggle, rather than just talk about it.  It caused me to change my ways in a way that was only fitting for the torch that I would carry.  To really be successful in my chosen path, especially to the degree that I want, I have to become the very change and evolution that I desire to help others with.  Years ago, if I would have taken this career path, I would've inevitably failed.  I wasn't ready, but now, I'm walking in my purpose on purpose.  I can handle this walk now because I  began my journey at the right TIME.

Relationships....there are a billion ways to discuss this one topic.  So many variables go into meeting and being with the love of your life.  Love, true love can be dangerously consuming.  Sometimes, without you knowing, that desire for someone can hinder the person you're supposed to become.  The issue is not whether you two are made for each other.  The issue is the growth that fails to occur, because of it. Everyone (along with myself included) has been in love.  You know, the love that silently crushes you when you ponder the possibility of no longer being with them. You envelope yourself in thoughts of them and whether you realize it or not, that relationship may be the hiccup to your next step in life.  At the moment that the relationship ends, you are devastated; broken even.  You wrestle with thoughts of why that person even entered your life if they weren't there to stay for good.  What you can't see is that it's not the right TIME.  You must grow separately to be able to grow together into something that will be everlasting.  It just may not be that you're not meant to be with that person.  It just may be that it's not the right time and if God has it so, that he or she is who you belong with, then it will be...at the right time...with a little PATIENCE. 

It's a tough thing to wait, but it's worth it.  Great things don't come easily and without work and patience.  Don't be discouraged by the things you don't acquire on your own time.  If a mother decides to have her baby at 6 months instead of 9 and the baby doesn't make it, does it mean she wasn't meant to mother this beautiful life?  No, it means that at 6 months wasn't the right time.  As a baby grows and develops, it's gathers nutrients and stretches for the survival of a lifetime.  The same goes for us.  That wait time is utero.  We are growing and stretching to be able to sustain the blessings we are given. 

As 2011 comes to a close, and 2012 shines brightly on all your desires, remember to exercise a little patience.  All great things come in due TIME. 

Happy New Year everyone! :)

Until next time...keep the forward movement....

Going Out With a Bang....

So it's the beginning of December and all you can think is "where has the year gone?!"  It feels like we were just clanging glasses of champagne, screaming "happy new year" and leaning in for that oh-so-important smooch.  Many people are also ransacking their place looking for that pivotal, resolution list that was supposed to change their life and make 2011 the best year ever!!!!  Well...if you haven't crossed off many things on that list, you've found out, (and the hard way I might add), that without hard work and consistent effort, you can't accomplish things...and haven't.  

I know that at this time of year, people are thinking "maybe I'll just start my new goals next year," but there's no need to wait!  You can start right now!  Here are some tips to getting a head start on 2012.

• Revamp that list- So you accomplished a few things...great!  What about those other important tasks/goals?  Study your list and choose 2 things that you are definite you can accomplish before the year's end.  BE REALISTIC!  Do not choose something that you aren't sure you can complete.  This will only push you further back on the road to accomplish your goals.  Not only will completing the tasks take some things off of your list, it will positively propel you into the new year!  
• Assess your purpose- In the time span of a year, a lot of things can change.  Make sure that you're still en route to the same desires that you had the year prior.  Not knowing and changing mid-way through the year will kill your momentum. Know where you want to go and do whatever prepartory things it takes in order to start your year off right.  Last year, I decided to get some goals done early and it did wonders for this year.   
• Target Date- For all your goals, have a target date.  A target date makes you accountable.  When you put an action date in the atmosphere, you put yourself in a place where you have to get moving on your goals.  Having those dates will get you revved up to make this upcoming year your most successful!
• Action Plan- I love these!  Within every coaching session I conduct, I compile an action plan with my client in order to have a blueprint to assist them in completing their goal.  Often times, we have great ideas, but have no idea how to accomplish them. When we get stuck at the unprogressive place, we end up procrastinating not because we don't want to do it, but because we don't know how.  A plan of action will help guide you in the best way to go for your goal!

Yes, 2012 will be awesome if you want it to, but 2011 isn't gone yet!  Use each day to the fullest and work on your dream NOW.  Everyday is a gift, therefore we can't get caught up in the unknown of the future.  The only moment you have is the one that you're in, so use it and be grateful for it.  The greatest thing you can do is become the person that God created you to be.  So what are you waiting for?!  Get started and go out with a bang!  

Until next time...keep the forward movement....

What's Your Review?

Reviews are something that is so small, but can make a major impact.  Think about it.  Before you go see a movie, visit a city, or eat at a restaurant, you often check out the reviews, and based on the overall consensus, you indulge, or you don't.  Reviews aren't only for places and things; they're also for people.  Every action you take adds to your personal review.  How many stars do you think you have?   

There was someone I used to work with who redefined what an 'awful' co-worker was. This person was one of the rudest people I had ever met---to say the least.  The majority of co-workers didn't get along with this person either.  With little regard to the feelings of others, or dare I say, RESPECTING others, this person meandered around without a care in the world.   A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from a friend of mine.  Coincidentally, the miserable co-worker was applying for a new job and my friend was the one who was interviewing this person.  Small world!  Wanting to ensure that she made the right decision, my friend asked me to chime in on the real deal and let her know if it would be the right choice.  I really wished that I had something positive to say, but unfortunately, the negative came to my mind...and fast.  After, I shared my experience with this former co-worker, my friend politely stated "Okay.  I'll be moving the resume to the top of the trash when I get to the office on Monday morning."  Wow.  A few honest words from me and bam!....missed opportunity.  Little did this person know that I would oneday be the one person to vouch for their reputation and work ethic. 

I took this thought even further.  I have a strong work ethic and in building my personal brand, I understand what it takes to make myself known and reach my desires.  I do a lot.  I am editor for 2 magazines as well as a contributor for several others.  I'm a Certified Life Coach, a motivational speaker, and am currently co-authoring a book.  These are just a few of the things I'm working on.  When you enter a new industry in which you have no experience, you MUST be willing to sacrifice in order to build your resume.  What does that mean?  It means starting from the ground up and possibly taking advantage of opportunities that provide a wealth of experience that will generate income in the future.  In lamens terms, doing it for free now, lol.  I've had many people ask me how I can work so hard for certain things and not get paid for it.  After I explain that there are other ways of being compensated, especially when you have a long term goal, I also explain the importance of this: with every action you take, you are creating your very own review.  My work ethic is naturally who I am, but it is important to make sure that you are giving 100% in everything you do.  You see, my review, won't be "Stephanie is cool, but her work ethic sucks."  I can rest assured that all my hard work, my positive attitude, and my genuine desire to be of service to others, will always provide me with the best review possible from everyone I work with, every life I touch, and every word I write.  I can be confident that no matter who you ask, they'll have something positive to say.  My review will cause you to want to see me, meet me, talk to me, etc. 

I want to close with this: you never know who knows who.  Your big break may lie in the words of someone you didn't even know was connected to your opportunity.  Don't dismiss the things or people that you deem unimportant and uninfluential.  Allow your daily actions to create your best review and watch doors open up in your favor for your future!

Until next time...keep the forward movement....

Sweet Treat Friday!

What's better than a Friday?  A sweet treat to go along with the end of your week!  Some of you may or may not know, but I love to cook and bake.  I grew up watching my mother cook everything under the sun sprinkled with carribean flavor, so it was natural for me to pick up cooking.  I love trying new things and one of my favorite places to search for new recipes is The Food Network. Looking to give in to my sweet tooth, I searched for a good dessert recipe and stumbled on Paula Deen's Peach Cobbler.  I tried this a long time ago, but wanted to do my own thing in terms of the ingredients.  Two words: bad idea!  For those who don't really bake, know that baking is more of an exact science.  When cooking, you have more room to sprinkle a little bit of this and add a little bit of that, but when baking, every measurement needs to be exact.  The smallest change could ruin your recipe. 

This peach cobbler is perfect way to end your week, cozy up on the couch, and rest.  Now that the cold weather is upon us, it's the best time to warm up with this delicious dessert!

Paula Deen's Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

4 cups peeled, sliced peaches

2 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup water

8 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 1/2 cups milk

Ground cinnamon, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the peaches, 1 cup sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Put the butter in a 3-quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.

Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if using. Batter will rise to top during baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

To serve, scoop onto a plate and serve with your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Until next time...keep the forward movement....