These Joy of Connecting networking events are coming up in February. Find one near you and start connecting!

I love to read. Were it not for the demands on my time I could spend hours at the bookstore.

I prefer buying books because I use colored “hi-liters” to mark everything I either intend to remember or refer to at a later time. I gravitate to books “in large print” because they are easy to read on the treadmill. It’s amazing how much information is available. Sometimes, however, it’s frustrating that we are limited in the time we can devote to reading for pleasure.

I also love seminars. For me, to learn in a “live” environment, to be part of an audience, and to be connected to what a speaker is sharing is worth both time and money. Some seminars only feature one speaker. Some last all day and include small concurrent sessions or tracks. Regardless of the format, taking time for self discovery, to improve one’s skills or just to learn something new is energizing and enriching. When you expand your outlook you feel empowered and motivated. There’s an expression that compares one’s mind to a stretched rubber band. Once either is “stretched” it can no longer return to it’s original form.

Do you ever think about what you might do to expand your awareness? There are many learning opportunities close to home! Hospitals frequently offer free clinics and lectures on health and well-ness. There are franchise centers which provide affordable classes on everything from A – Z. Chambers of Commerce have mini courses on business strategies. Local universities provide continuing education classes. Recently I attended an all day “Conference for Women” which offered several mini-trainings on personal and professional development. Imagine spending an entire day with high energy, entrepreneurial women who are committed to improving their effectiveness!

Anthony D’Angelo wrote, “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” Take time to expand your thinking! Whether it’s a one time class, a course or a lecture, reward yourself with the gift of learning. If you find something you believe might interest me, connect with me via email to share the experience. Would welcome the connecting.

I have always believed that if I can make a person feel about my product the way I feel about my product, then they will want my product. That has proven true in my life through sales, through ministry, and now through networking.

They say a smile is contagious – in fact, the effect extends beyond the people we come into contact with. When one person becomes happy, the social network effect can spread up to 3 degrees — reaching friends of friends.

A study by researchers at Harvard University found that when a person becomes happy, a friend living close by has a 25 percent higher chance of becoming happy themselves. A spouse experiences an 8 percent increased chance and for next-door neighbors, it’s 34 percent.

The smiles spreading in Washington state because of The Joy of Connecting are increasing my reach exponentially! This week marks the expansion into a second event each month – and it is nearly full before the first meeting!

The JOY of Connecting is authentic – and proven. I am so thrilled to be part of it!

Can you even remember life BEFORE the microwave oven? Can you live without it? I resisted for quite a while before owning one. I couldn’t justify spending money to save time by heating food quickly! Today, to “nuke” something is commonplace. In fact, having recently bought a new home, I didn’t realize that a built-in microwave is now considered a standard appliance.. (Sharing this with you reminds me of the stories our parents enjoy telling that frequently begin with “I remember when”.)

So, you’re probably thinking, what’s the point? In examining my behavior I’m wondering if you’re a lot like me. I usually take a “wait and see” attitude when considering whether or not to purchase something that speaks to newer technology. I resisted remote controls because they represented laziness, a food processor when my mixer with three different sized bowls worked just fine, a C D player (what am I going to do with all my tapes?), and a mobile phone. If you relate to this behavior, surely I’m in good company!

Both a recent series of inconveniences and the reality of what is commonly called “information overload” precipitated my once again giving in to another advancement in technology. Because of my ongoing struggle to organize a full schedule and life style, to keep track of names, phone and fax numbers, addresses and appointments, e-mails and reminders I bought a small, hand-held computer commonly called “the palm” or “Palm Pilot”. It’s fascinating that one can actually have all necessary data in one place and quickly accessible without requiring an address book, day-timer, or business card file.

I have to admit I’m really benefiting from this new purchase. Not only has it simplified my life, but now I feel really connected to current technology. When asked if I have a palm, I can reply, “Of course. Doesn’t everyone?”

You’ve heard it before: “Attitude is everything”. “It’s not what happens to you that matters; it’s how your mind looks at what happens”. Life is about “attitude”. From where I sit, it’s getting increasingly more difficult to maintain a positive mental attitude! Traffic is stressful , responsible customer service rarely occurs, people are over-worked
and struggling financially; it’s becoming very difficult for individuals to maintain a balanced life style.

When I arrive at the gym at 7:30 in the morning, a dedicated group of early risers has already worked out, showered, dressed and are on their way to face the daily challenges of their jobs. I bet in addition to feeling strong and healthy, this committed group begins the day with a positive attitude because they’re taking time to take care of their health. It’s a lesson for all of us!

Attitude is an inside job. It’s how you respond to conditions out of your control. The challenge for most of us, including myself, is how to prevent external situations from impacting our attitude. Being positive requires work. It’s a decision. It’s telling yourself that no matter what is going on outside I will remain positive.

I’ve decided to make having a positive attitude a goal for one week. For 7 days, regardless of what happens, I am going to sail through life’s annoyances. Whether it’s a delivery that doesn’t arrive, an unresponsive customer service representative, a long slow moving postal line, traffic, or an important appointment that gets cancelled at the last minute, nothing is going to disturb my inner peace and mental toughness. I am going to maintain a positive mental attitude.

It’s all about focus. Will you join me? Excuses are not an option!

Are you going in the direction of your choice or is life choosing where you have to be? Are you “sort of” on your own path to fulfillment or are you paving the way for someone else? Are you giving life all you’ve got or are you only “half in the game”? I’ve lived in the 3 to get ready position many times over and I’ve discovered that when you are not moving forward, you’re actually falling behind. Being “on the fence” is an example. You’re neither on the inside or the outside. You’re just there.

Going halfway is an attitude. It’s caused by indecision, lack of confidence, fear of risk, and an unwillingness to change. It suggests that “things” are fine just they way they are. The challenge with only going half way is that everything and everyone around you are rapidly changing. Nothing stays the same. Seasons change, the government changes, policies and procedures change, and technology changes. Our world is continually experiencing rapid change. To go halfway is to be out of step, out of touch, out of the loop.

Ever heard the expression, ‘Same old, same old”? That’s definitely halfway thinking. The idea of keeping any situation at “status quo” is unfavorable. Why? The implication of life staying the same suggests a lack of creativity, innovation, diverse activity, and progress. How can you go anywhere when you are stuck in nowhere?

Successful individuals make decisions. They size up a situation, identify pros and cons, weigh and measure alternatives and decide whatever needs to be a next step. Halfway thinking is not knowing in which direction to move, what the next step will be. There is no reward for indecisiveness. Think of times you were with anyone who couldn’t decide which restaurant, which movie, or which activity he or she wanted to do. It’s frustrating to be with a halfway thinker who doesn’t care, is uncertain,
or has a “whatever” attitude regarding plans.

Begin practicing all out thinking. It doesn’t matter if the plan is right or wrong. What does matter is your willingness to make a plan. It’s powerful to take a stand on your life and those decisions that affect you, your family, your friends, and your career. Why go no where when you can use your thinking and go somewhere? The choice is yours. Choose where you want to go and get going.