By Elizabeth Gordon

You often hear about entrepreneurs getting lucky - getting on Oprah or selling their business for $50 million to a big conglomerate. When you hear these stories of seeming overnight success, it makes you think, “Wow, they are sooo lucky.” But what sometimes appears to be luck is actually the result of a well laid plan and strategy that is finally coming to fruition. Every time you hear the story of an entrepreneur’s big win, you are probably not going to hear about the 100 times before that they failed, but trust me, they did.

What allowed them to eventually get to their big win? They didn’t beat themselves up after they failed, nor did they let it make them fearful of taking future risks. Instead, they viewed each small failure as simply a stepping-stone on the path to success. The good news is you can improve your luck. When you recognize that there is no such thing as “the overnight success story” and instead make the goal of each day to move the ball one step closer to your goal, you’ll increase your odds every day. If so-called good luck is really just persistence, creativity and determination that have finally paid off, there are some ways to stack the deck in your favor.   Continue Reading »

I recently attended Atlanta Women’s Network “WomenUp 2008″ and in the program there was an excellent article on Facts on The Status of Women.  Some include: In 2006, women earned $ .77 for every $1 men earned.  Women make over 85% of consumer purchases. In 2006 in the US, there were 10.4 million firms owned by women employing more than 12.8 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in sales. 

The article went on to say women have lower expectations than men.  They ask for less and take less! It is more critical than ever that women stand up for what they want. They continue to be a major economic force. We must support one another, do business with one another and insure that women achieve greater and greater success in the workplace. We must learn to negotiate. We must not only negotiate regarding money (compensation), we must learn to take care of ourselves in relationships on and off the job, seek resources and endorsements and obtain support from families, colleagues and friends.  

Bonnie Ross-Parker, CEO/Founder The Joy of Connecting

By Jewel Diamond Taylor
motivational speaker and author
www.WomenOnTheGrow.com

Lord, I am a woman-on-the-grow.
Please help me…

* to find the strength to get up when I just want to give up.

* to speak up the next time he/she disrespects or abuses me.

* to guard myself from family/friends who challenge my trust, patience, time, faith and money.

* to be grateful and show up for my job even though I don’t enjoy it.

* to be a good provider for myself and my family with less stress and struggle.

* to resist my additions. Continue Reading »